HomeTales of Dark RiverAn He Zhuan: Act Eleven - Chapter 8

An He Zhuan: Act Eleven – Chapter 8

“I also feel I’ve become more talkative,” Su Muyu smiled. “Starting to resemble you a bit.”

“That’s different. I love speaking nonsense, but you’re spouting philosophy,” Su Chang He watched as Su Muyu leaped up with his sword, making what appeared to be a meaningless slash at the air between the eaves. He turned to Xu An and smiled, “Don’t know why Su Muyu took a liking to you, but getting his guidance is a rare opportunity.”

Xu An ignored him, eyes fixed on Su Muyu, afraid to miss even the smallest detail of his swordwork.

Su Chang He felt slightly deflated: “Completely ignoring what I’m saying…”

The androgynous voice rang out again, this time with a hint of astonishment: “Who exactly are you!”

Su Muyu landed with his sword, and one figure fell before him. The other two black shadows slowly descended afterward. Su Muyu smiled: “Who am I? Hasn’t my companion already told you?”

“We are Dark River.”

In Sihuai City.

A carriage slowly came to a stop by the roadside.

Two people stepped down from the carriage – a woman in red clothing and a man holding a Buddhist staff. They were Divine Physician Bai Hehuai and her father, Su Zhe.

“We’re still quite a way from the inn. Why are we stopping now?” the driver asked, puzzled.

Bai Hehuai sniffed lightly, her brows furrowing deeper and deeper. Finally, she walked to a corner and took out an incense stick from her garments: “Father, may I borrow some fire?”

“Of course.” Su Zhe extended his pipe.

Bai Hehuai lightly touched the incense to the pipe, then stuck it in the corner.

“Is this to burn incense for a departed friend?” the driver asked, confused.

Su Zhe watched Bai Hehuai’s expression with curiosity: “Rarely see you this serious. What’s wrong with Sihuai City?”

“If there is a problem, it’s an enormous one.” Bai Hehuai watched as the white smoke from the incense gradually turned blood-red, her expression growing increasingly grim.

“Ah, the actions of people coming to Sihuai City are always hard to understand.” Though confused, the driver didn’t mind waiting a bit longer since these two passengers were not only generous but also kind. He reached for his waist flask, about to take a drink.

“Stop!” Bai Hehuai flicked a silver needle, striking the driver’s wrist.

The driver yelped in pain, dropping the flask. He looked up angrily: “What are you doing?”

“Take this pill.” Bai Hehuai tossed a black pill into the driver’s hand. “Then drive your carriage away from here immediately. We’ve traveled together, so we share a fate. I cannot bear to see you perish here. If you cannot leave the city, find a hidden place to take shelter. Remember, do not drink the water in this city, do not eat the food!”

“This…” The driver was stunned.

“Trust our words,” Su Zhe said gravely. “Trust and you may live.”

“Alright… alright…” The driver, who frequently traveled to Sihuai City, had some understanding of jianghu matters. Hearing the father and daughter’s words, which didn’t seem to be mere threats, he could only agree repeatedly. He pulled the reins, turning the carriage around. “But what about you… aren’t you leaving?”

“We can’t leave now,” Bai Hehuai sighed softly.

“Very well.” The driver hurriedly drove away.

Su Zhe looked down at the red smoke and asked: “What exactly is the problem?”

Bai Hehuai spoke gravely: “This city has been poisoned.”

“Poisoned? An entire city?” Su Zhe’s eyebrows raised slightly. “What kind of poison has such power?”

“It’s Huajin Powder. The poison itself isn’t particularly potent – ordinary people with strong constitutions can endure it. But martial artists who are exposed lose their inner power temporarily, becoming no different from ordinary people.” Bai Hehuai shook her head. “Although Huajin Powder spreads easily, to poison an entire city would require years of preparation. When we first entered the city, I couldn’t smell the Huajin Powder, but now that we’re halfway through, it’s everywhere. It seems years of preparation were just waiting for this day. Sihuai City is about to change hands.”

“Wrong.” Su Zhe took a puff from his pipe. “Wushuang City is about to change hands.”

“Father, is there any way to quickly find Su Muyu?” There was worry in Bai Hehuai’s voice.

“Don’t worry.” Su Zhe took out a small red arrow from his garments, lit it with his pipe, and shot it into the sky where it exploded into brilliant fireworks.

On the other side of Sihuai City, Su Chang He and Su Muyu both saw it. Su Chang He frowned slightly: “There are other Dark River people in this city? Could it be…”

Su Muyu turned his head: “Didn’t you say you came alone?”

“I said I was the only one from Dark River, but I don’t know about Nan’an City,” Su Chang He replied.

“Look out!” Xu An shouted.

The two black shadows darted towards Su Muyu, a cold glint flashing in their hands – each wielding a thin sword as fine as a needle.

“The Three Ghosts of Hexi rely on nothing but their Ghost Shadow Technique for movement,” Su Chang He sneered. “Once the Ghost Shadow Technique is broken, is this meager skill worth showing?”

Su Muyu just shook his head, not even raising his sword as the two black shadows passed through him and dissipated. It was merely the final illusion left by the two as they had already fled during that moment. Su Muyu had seen through it all but simply couldn’t be bothered to chase them.

“What a pity. The opponents were too weak to be worth showing a complete sword technique.” Su Muyu stepped back, tossing the sword back to its owner.

Su Chang He pursed his lips: “A few days apart feels like three autumns – such arrogant words can now come from your mouth.”

“I’ve been Zhuo Yue’an for a few days,” Su Muyu replied lightly.

“What do you think?” Su Chang He nodded toward the direction of the fireworks.

Su Muyu turned to ask Ge Xiu: “How much further to Changsheng Gate?”

Ge Xiu quickly replied: “Three more streets, and we’ll be at Changsheng Gate.”

“Good. Let’s retreat to Changsheng Gate first, then send up a tracking fire to guide them to us,” Su Muyu said to Su Chang He.

Su Chang He shrugged: “Don’t worry. Uncle Zhe must be with them.”

Meanwhile, Su Zhe took the pill Bai Hehuai handed him and swallowed it: “This will solve the problem?”

“It will only provide brief relief. The scent of Huajin Powder is getting stronger. We must find a place where I can set up the Unending Ground Formation to block out this poison,” Bai Hehuai replied.

Just then, an identical firework lit up in the distance.

Su Zhe swung his Buddhist staff: “Let’s go!”

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