The Black Hunter watched Golden Blade storm toward him with rage, hastily picking up another piece of broken iron from the ground and gripping it tightly.
“He’s just a child!” Someone in the crowd finally spoke up, unable to remain silent.
But Golden Blade had lost all reason to anger. He raised his golden blade and brought it down with devastating force.
This time, however, his blade was stopped effortlessly by a single finger.
Golden Blade startled, growling, “Who?”
“He’s just a child. Why use such lethal force?” Su Muyu sighed softly.
“Mind your own business!” Golden Blade aimed a kick at Su Muyu.
“Ah.” Su Muyu shook his head, extending two fingers to grip the blade. With a gentle twist, he snapped off the blade’s tip. Dodging the kick, he shifted to Golden Blade’s side and drove his right foot into the man’s knee. Golden Blade howled in pain and collapsed. Su Muyu stepped forward and planted the broken blade tip on the ground beside Golden Blade’s head.
“Impossible! That was the most expensive blade in my shop. How could he break it with just two fingers?” The owner’s voice trembled.
“Damn you!” Golden Blade came to his senses and gripped his sword handle, attempting to stand.
“The lowest form of courage stems from anger.” The crowd saw only a flash of silver, and Golden Blade’s weapon shattered into pieces on the ground.
The Black Hunter’s face showed a fleeting glimpse of amazement before he cautiously stepped back.
“Did he draw his sword?”
“No, isn’t it still in its scabbard?”
“Then why did the blade break?”
“I saw it – there was a flash of sword light.”
Amidst the crowd’s confused murmurs, Golden Blade finally regained his senses. He struggled to his feet and fled in panic. Su Muyu turned to the boy with a smile: “A beautiful victory.”
“With a better sword, I could have won more beautifully.” Though dressed in rags, the boy’s gaze carried a hint of pride.
“The sword you hold matters less than how you use it. You deliberately appeared weak, letting him lower his guard before seeking the perfect moment to strike. A true hunter, befitting your name,” Su Muyu praised. “Your swordsmanship isn’t bad either – not particularly elaborate, but no wasted moves.”
The Black Hunter seemed uninterested in conversation with Su Muyu. He walked directly up to him and extended his right hand: “Money.”
“Money?” Su Muyu was taken aback.
“The winner gets thirty percent of the opponent’s winnings.” The Black Hunter’s tone was ice-cold.
“I see. Here, take it. You’ve earned it.” Su Muyu went down to the table, emptied the plate into a cloth bag, and offered it to the Black Hunter.
“Unnecessary. I’ll only take what’s mine.” The Black Hunter coldly pulled out some coins and handed half to the owner. “And I’m not a child.”
“What an unlikeable child,” Su Muyu scratched his head helplessly. “Rather reminds me of someone else when he was young…”
“I told you I’m not a child.” The Black Hunter glared back at Su Muyu.
The owner took a drag from his pipe and said quietly, “I suggest you both leave quickly.”
“Leave?” Su Muyu’s pupils contracted slightly.
“That golden blade was bought with a fortune. They won’t let its destruction go unpunished.” The owner lifted his head slightly. “They’re coming fast. Too late to leave now.”
“Damn it.” The Black Hunter pocketed his coins but left three on the owner’s table. “Give me another sword.”
“Won’t spend a bit more?” the owner sighed.
“No need!” the Black Hunter snapped. “Hurry!”
The owner shrugged and pulled another rusty iron sword from under the table: “Take it.”
The Black Hunter grabbed the sword, his eyes flashing with ferocity: “You helped me once, so I’ll help you once. Let’s fight our way out together!”
“Oh?” Su Muyu raised an eyebrow.
“What’s going on here?” A group suddenly burst into the wine house, pushing through the spectators. Their leader was corpulent, wearing an expensive tiger-skin coat with a silver axe at his waist. His tone was arrogant: “Who broke my blade?”
“I did,” Su Muyu said calmly.
The fat man looked at Su Muyu and frowned: “Who are you? Where did you come from?”
“Ge Xiu?” Su Muyu suddenly called out.
“Damn you! Who permitted you to use my name?” The fat man roared, then caught himself. “Wait. How do you know my real name?”
“This is Four Rivers City’s tyrant, Ge Changsheng,” the Black Hunter whispered.
Su Muyu started: “Quite the ambitious name, sharing it with the former World’s First. You’ve grown in these few years!”
“You… you’re…” Ge Xiu realized something, his legs beginning to tremble uncontrollably.
“Go ahead, say my name,” Su Muyu tilted his head slightly. “If you think it’s worth the price.”
Ge Xiu swallowed the name he was about to speak, forcing a smile: “A misunderstanding! Just a misunderstanding!”
“If it’s a misunderstanding, why are your men still holding their blades?” Su Muyu asked.
“Insolence!” Ge Xiu shouted.
“Insolence!” his blade-wielding followers echoed.
“Put away your weapons, quickly!” Ge Xiu’s voice carried a hint of tears.
“Oh, oh, right!” The men hurriedly sheathed their blades.
“So he’s someone important. No wonder, with skills like that – how could he be ordinary?” The owner was now drenched in cold sweat, desperately trying to remember if he had said anything offensive.
“You’ve been in Four Rivers City for many years,” Su Muyu walked forward.
Ge Xiu quickly replied: “Four or five years now. Ever since… that time, I’ve been making a living here. It’s crowded and chaotic. Would you consider continuing this conversation at my humble residence?”
“Very well,” Su Muyu nodded, then turned around. “Black Hunter, would you like to join us?”
“Me?” The Black Hunter was shocked. He had assumed such an important figure wouldn’t spare him another thought, yet he was being invited along. He hesitated, his long-ingrained caution urging him to refuse, but somehow he found himself nodding. “Alright.”
“Is this your friend?” Ge Xiu asked.
Su Muyu considered for a moment: “Just a chance encounter.”