Xie Xuan sheathed his sword. “So next, we…”

“There won’t be any more sword duels after this. I’ll naturally return to Xueyue City,” Li Hanyi said.

“You seem quite certain?” Xie Xuan asked, puzzled.

“I sensed the sword energy from that battle earlier. It’s already reached its limit. It won’t recover enough in a short time, so even if we were to duel, it wouldn’t be satisfying. Therefore, there’s no point in waiting.” Li Hanyi adjusted her bamboo hat. “What a pity.”

Xie Xuan smiled. “Since you’ve rarely left Xueyue City, why not visit some other places?”

“You talk too much,” Li Hanyi said quietly.

Xie Xuan quickly waved his hands. “You’re too fierce! I’m renowned just like your Senior Brother, and in terms of seniority, I’m the Eighth Young Master while he’s the Ninth Young Master, so I’m even slightly older… but every time you speak to me, I feel like I’m being threatened.”

“That’s because you refuse to duel with me.” Li Hanyi snorted coldly. “I’ve always wanted to see the sword of the Scholar Swordsman. If you agree to this duel, I’ll invite you to Xueyue City to drink the fresh Feng Hua Xue Yue wine brewed by my Senior Brother.”

“Hahaha!” Xie Xuan leaped away, taking the lead in departing. “Feng Hua Xue Yue wine is excellent, but having a duel with you would be unwise.”

“Dead bookworm!” Li Hanyi shouted.

“Fierce woman,” Xie Xuan muttered under his breath once he was far away.

Li Hanyi sheathed her Tiema Binghe sword and jumped onto the roof of Tianxia House. She gazed towards the direction of Changsheng Gate before turning to leave.

Inside Changsheng Gate.

Lu Yudi, who had arrived late, carried the unconscious Jian Wudi on his back while Song Yanhui bid farewell to Su Muyu and the others.

“I’m not sure whether to call you Young Master Su or Young Master Zhuo now,” Song Yanhui smiled.

Su Muyu thought for a moment. “After today, Zhuo Yue’an will likely disappear forever from the jianghu.”

Song Yanhui was startled. “Does this mean we won’t be scheduling another duel?”

“There’s no need. Fighting alongside City Lord Song today has already taught me much. Consider it that Zhuo Yue’an failed to keep the appointment a few days later,” Su Muyu replied.

Song Yanhui sighed softly. “I suppose people in the jianghu will say I feared the duel and privately eliminated you.”

Su Muyu smiled. “Would City Lord Song care about such opinions?”

Song Yanhui shook his head. “Never mind, indeed there’s no need to care.”

“Don’t worry,” Su Muyu continued. “Regarding today’s events, I believe the Hundred Knowledge Hall owes me a favor. I’ll find Ji Ruofeng and have him spread the news about Zhuo Yue’an. We’ll say that Zhuo Yue’an suddenly felt the upcoming duel had lost its meaning and left of his own accord. The Hundred Knowledge Hall has always been the most reliable source of information in the jianghu. Once Ji Ruofeng spreads the word, the rumors about Wushuang City will naturally subside.”

“You’re quite considerate of others?” Su Changhe patted the dust off his clothes. “The internal strife in your Wushuang City has exhausted our Dark River. We can’t let this advantage go without compensation.”

“Oh?” Song Yanhui looked at Su Changhe. Unlike Su Muyu, though he always wore a smile, Song Yanhui could sense an intermittent killing intent from him. He had heard much about the famous Funeral Master Su Changhe and his deeds.

“You need to pay!” Su Changhe rubbed two fingers together. “Surely you’ve heard that Dark River works for money?”

Su Muyu touched his forehead helplessly. “Changhe, couldn’t you…”

“No! We can’t break the rules!” Su Changhe interrupted Su Muyu, then said, “Physician Bai, don’t you agree?”

Bai Hetai nodded repeatedly. “Indeed. I used many rare treasures this time. Just those Five Poisons need to be fed precious herbs after each use. It’s very costly.”

Su Muyu smiled bitterly. “How did I end up with friends like you…”

“No matter,” Song Yanhui glanced at Lu Yudi. “I don’t have much money. But you should be quite wealthy, right?”

Lu Yudi was stunned, thinking silently: How is this my business? But outwardly, he immediately nodded. “This disciple… will gladly help.”

“Good, this much.” Su Changhe held up three fingers.

Lu Yudi froze. “Three hundred… three thousand taels?”

“The final price is thirty thousand taels,” Su Changhe raised his eyebrows.

“Why don’t you just rob me!” Lu Yudi shouted angrily.

“Is thirty thousand taels a lot?” Su Changhe pouted. “How much is one Wushuang Token worth? Just sell a few more.”

Lu Yudi was furious but dared not speak out. He looked at Song Yanhui, hoping his master would stand up for him. However, Song Yanhui simply cupped his fists. “Let’s do as the elder says.”

Lu Yudi nearly spat blood but finally gritted his teeth. “Fine, but thirty thousand taels isn’t a small sum. I’ll need a few days to prepare.”

“No problem. Although we’ll be leaving soon, the money can be sent to Changsheng Gate first, and they can hold it for us temporarily,” Su Changhe smiled brilliantly.

Ge Xiu’s heart leaped with joy. Although it was just “temporarily holding funds,” he had found a powerful backing. In the future, whether in Four Huai City or Wushuang City, few would dare to oppose him openly or secretly. He nodded, “I’m at your service, young masters.”

“Ahem,” Bai Hetai coughed.

“Oh, and this physician as well,” Ge Xiu quickly corrected himself.

“In that case, we’ll take our leave,” Su Changhe looked at Su Muyu.

Su Muyu turned to the silent Xu An beside him. “I promised to teach you a set of sword techniques, but it seems there’s no time now. However, did you see clearly during that battle earlier?”

Xu An thought for a moment. “I saw what I could see clearly, and what I couldn’t, I’ll work hard to understand in the future.”

Su Muyu nodded. “Good. You have talent in the way of the sword.”

Su Changhe stroked his mustache. “Are you going to take him as your disciple? Bring him back with us?”

Su Muyu shook his head. “Watching that battle just now was more useful than me teaching you a set of sword techniques. I said we wouldn’t be master and disciple, so let that battle serve as my gift to you instead of the sword techniques.”

Without a moment’s hesitation or dissatisfaction, Xu An immediately knelt on one knee and cupped his fists. “Thank you, Young Master!”

“Let’s go,” Su Muyu cupped his fists to the others before turning to leave.

Su Changhe, Bai Hetai, and Su Zhe followed. Walking beside Su Muyu, Su Changhe asked with a smile, “He has quite a good talent. It’s a shame not to take him as a disciple.”

“If I were Zhuo Yue’an, I could take him as a disciple, but I’m still Su Muyu,” Su Muyu replied.

Su Changhe shrugged. “You always think too much.”