HomeTales of Dark RiverAn He Zhuan: Act Six - Chapter 6

An He Zhuan: Act Six – Chapter 6

“Though Blue Monster’s Snow Moon City is now called the premier city of the jianghu, the title of Martial City still belongs to Wushuang.” Su Zhe sat on a wooden bench at a roadside teahouse, surrounded by misty air. A waiter wearing a white towel and carrying a teapot called out while working: “Fresh flower cakes coming right out of the oven!”

The street was lined with taverns and teahouses, filled with endless vendor calls. Flower-selling girls wearing garlands showed sincere smiles, and white-robed youths passing on horseback wore elaborate swords at their waists – the kind that would shatter with a single tap, mere decorations. It hardly looked like the premier city of the jianghu.

Could all these people be masters hiding their true abilities?

“Sir, your flower cakes are here.” The waiter approached with a wooden tray.

Su Zhe lifted a finger slightly, flicking a copper coin that struck the tray. The wooden tray slipped from the waiter’s hands, flying up along with the flower cakes. Su Zhe quickly stood up, caught the tray with a slight upward motion, and recovered the flower cakes.

The waiter let out a light breath and wiped the sweat from his brow: “I’m sorry, sir, I…”

“No matter.” Su Zhe waved his hand, then sat down and picked up a flower cake. Even before tasting it, he caught a faint floral fragrance. He smiled slightly, thinking how his daughter would love it here – she always had a sweet tooth. He took a bite of the cake and sipped his tea, pondering, when suddenly the waiter sat down across from him.

“That move just now – you did that deliberately, didn’t you?” The waiter winked at Su Zhe.

So he was pretending to be simple. Su Zhe gripped his Buddhist staff.

“I’ve seen many like you, sir. You must be a martial artist who came here having heard of our reputation, thinking everyone in Snow Moon City is a master. But our outer city is just home to ordinary citizens who live under the protection of the masters in the inner city, enjoying a more comfortable life than those outside.” The waiter smiled.

“Inner city, outer city?” Su Zhe frowned slightly.

The waiter nodded and pointed to the towering pavilion in the distance: “Outside the Heaven-Reaching Pavilion lies the mortal city. Only past the pavilion can one see Snow Moon.”

“See Snow Moon? What does that mean?” Su Zhe asked.

The waiter smiled mysteriously, clasping his hands in greeting: “How could Snow Moon City be a place ordinary people can visit as they please? Pass the fifth level, and you can enter Snow Moon City for a look.”

“How many levels are there?” Su Zhe asked.

“Sixteen levels in total. If you can pass all sixteen, Bai Li Dongjun might even take you as a disciple.” The waiter looked Su Zhe over curiously. “Brother, your age… is a bit advanced.”

“Hahaha!” Su Zhe finished his tea, left three copper coins, and stood up with his Buddhist staff.

“Sir, the flower cakes are two copper coins, and the Pu’er tea is two copper coins, so it should be four copper coins total.” The waiter said.

Su Zhe finally confirmed that this waiter was truly just an ordinary person. He gently tapped the table: “There’s another one stuck under the plate.” After speaking, he strolled toward the Heaven-Reaching Pavilion, popping a betel nut into his mouth as he walked. Just as he was about to reach the pavilion, he suddenly stopped and turned his head slightly.

Wind chimes on the second floor of the neighboring tavern tinkled in the breeze.

“Am I not welcome to climb the pavilion?” Su Zhe asked with a smile.

“Take one more step forward, and a sword will descend from Mount Cang, causing all the flowers in the city to fall. I don’t want that – cleaning up would be troublesome and expensive.” The newcomer sighed.

“Li, this isn’t our first meeting. Since when did you become such a miser?” Su Zhe asked languidly.

“It’s a long story. Let me treat you to a cup of Wind Flower Snow Moon wine, and let’s end it here. Unless the person you want to see isn’t me.” The person replied.

Su Zhe turned around with a smile: “Of course, I came to see you, Spear Immortal, Sikong Changfeng.”

At the Donggui Tavern.

A pot of Wind Flower Snow Moon wine was brought up by the waiter. Sikong Changfeng poured a cup for Su Zhe, who looked around the tavern curiously: “Donggui… could this tavern be his…”

“He stayed here after returning, though he rarely comes back now. Among the three city lords of Snow Moon City, one roams the world, another is obsessed with the sword path, leaving me as the only one managing things.” Sikong Changfeng poured himself a cup, his tone full of melancholy.

“Managing things implies having a home to manage.” Su Zhe smiled.

“How does a Dark River assassin come to speak such warm words?” Sikong Changfeng frowned slightly. “Tell me, what brings you to Snow Moon City? I hear Dark River has undergone some changes recently – a change in leadership?”

Su Zhe narrowed his eyes: “City Lord Sikong speaks vaguely, but you understand clearly, don’t you?”

“Snow Moon City has decent intelligence networks. While we may not know everything like the Hundred Intelligence Hall, we’re aware of major events like Dark River’s change in leadership. Did Su Changhe send you? To tell Snow Moon City to stay out of Dark River’s affairs?” Sikong Changfeng rubbed his wine cup. “Tell him to stop dreaming. With Dark River in that madman’s hands, we’ll have to fight sooner or later.”

“You misunderstand – Su Muyu sent me.” Su Zhe sighed. “It seems our new Family Head indeed has a poor reputation in the jianghu.”

“Su Muyu?” Sikong Changfeng was startled. “What does he want?”

“Just seeking some information.” Su Zhe drank a cup of Wind Flower Snow Moon wine, his eyes brightening. “This wine is excellent – may I take a pot with me?”

“Information?” Sikong Changfeng asked puzzled. “Shouldn’t you go to the Hundred Intelligence Hall for information? Why come to me?”

“He said you would know. About the Shadow Sect, about Yi Bu.” Su Zhe shrugged, feigning ignorance. “I’m just the messenger.”

“That old beast…” Sikong Changfeng snorted coldly. “I did have a grudge against him. Before leaving Tianqi City, I beat him up.”

“Oh?” Su Zhe put down his cup. “Such a major event, yet Dark River knew nothing of it.”

“Of course you didn’t know. How could news of the Vermillion Bird Guardian fighting the Shadow Sect Leader in the street be allowed to spread? It would be a disgrace to the royal family. What a pity – I missed out on having a glorious battle to add to my reputation.” Sikong Changfeng said with slight regret.

“City Lord Sikong’s feat of breaking the Guxu Formation with a single spear is already famous throughout the world.” Su Zhe took another cup of Wind Flower Snow Moon wine.

Sikong Changfeng’s expression changed slightly, and then he changed the subject: “Why are you investigating the Shadow Sect? As far as I know, Dark River has never involved itself in any conflicts regarding Tianqi City?”

“Su Muyu said not to ask.” Su Zhe smiled. “I wonder if City Lord Sikong is willing?”

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