At the checkpoint leading to Wushuang City, quite a crowd had gathered. These weren’t ordinary martial artists—they were people with legitimate businesses in the city, each carrying an official Wushuang Token. Some were even well-acquainted with the high-ranking elders within the city. A few stood before the guards, hurling insults right in their faces. The guards dared not offend these visitors, yet they dared not disobey the drum command either. They stood expressionless, enduring the abuse like servants, but their stance was clear—curse all you want, but try to pass, and the blade falls.

Su Muyu concealed himself among the crowd, contemplating whether to force his way through immediately or wait to see if the situation might change. He turned to a middle-aged man beside him and asked, “How many more checkpoints are there before reaching Wushuang City?”

“First time here, young brother? This is the last one. Beyond this point lies the city gate itself,” the man replied. “Ah, I’ve been here many times, but this is a first. Wushuang City’s influence wanes by the day, yet their arrogance only grows.”

Su Muyu nodded, studying the man’s attire before asking, “Brother, are you a merchant?”

“Indeed, though I deal in martial arts equipment—one wrong move and your head could roll. I’m a weapons merchant. There’s an ironworks in Wushuang City called Yuexia Workshop. I ordered some Soul-Pursuing Crossbows and I’m here to collect them.” The man wore a merchant’s money-patterned robe and sported a potbelly—every bit the typical businessman.

Su Muyu found the workshop’s name familiar and smiled wryly. “What a coincidence.”

“Look! Someone’s coming!” a voice called from the crowd. Everyone looked up to see four horsemen approaching with swords at their sides. The one in front was young and arrogant. While the others had already slowed their mounts, he pulled his reins at the last moment, causing his stallion to rear up and slam its hooves down, kicking up a cloud of dust.

Curses erupted from the crowd but quickly died down when the young man drew his sword, its cold gleam silencing everyone.

“Luo Ge of the Wushuang City Martial Hall,” the young man announced proudly. “If any of you have complaints about me, take them to your patrons once you’re in the city! Continue your insolent remarks here, and I won’t be so forgiving.”

“The Martial Hall’s Four Swords of Dao Inquiry,” the merchant whispered.

“Oh? The Four Swords of Dao Inquiry?” Su Muyu asked. “Are they famous in Wushuang City?”

“They’re the four most formidable young swordsmen of the Martial Hall’s younger generation. It’s said the Sword Elder personally selected these four disciples to represent the four aspects of swordsmanship—light, heavy, swift, and careful. He hopes to create the ultimate sword technique by observing their growth. Hence, they’re called the Four Swords of Dao Inquiry,” the merchant explained.

Su Muyu nodded. “I see. I’ve heard of the Sword Elder. These Four Swords of Dao Inquiry—the name has some merit.”

“What did they say this suspicious person looked like?” Luo Ge asked.

Xiu Ru sighed helplessly and replied, “Carries a paper umbrella on his back, a sword at his waist, and wears a mask.”

“There!” Jia Zhou scanned the crowd and pointed directly at Su Muyu.

Luo Ge looked in the indicated direction and smiled. “How convenient. All uninvolved parties, clear out! You in the middle—don’t move!”

The merchant whispered, “Brother, are you in trouble?”

“It’s nothing,” Su Muyu gently pushed the merchant away. The others, eager to avoid trouble, quickly backed away, leaving Su Muyu alone facing four men, four horses, and four swords.

Luo Ge leaned forward. “Boy, what brings you to Wushuang City?”

“I bought a crossbow and came to collect it,” Su Muyu replied calmly.

“Someone says you’re here to cause trouble,” Luo Ge smiled.

Su Muyu looked up. “Who says?”

“Lu Yudi, the head disciple under our Wushuang City Lord,” Luo Ge answered.

“He blocked my path, wanting to test my sword. I declined. Is this what Wushuang City calls suspicious behavior?” Su Muyu asked.

Luo Ge looked puzzled. “If you declined, how did he end up with a broken spear?”

“Breaking his spear didn’t require drawing my sword,” Su Muyu maintained his calm tone, which unsettled Luo Ge, who had arrived ready to intimidate but found his aggressive approach ineffective—like punching cotton.

Luo Ge exhaled. “What about us?”

“Come all at once,” Su Muyu raised his palm, gesturing toward himself.

“Interesting,” Luo Ge laughed angrily. “Jia Zhou, Ye Wuxiu, you first!”

At his command, Jia Zhou and Ye Wuxiu drew their swords and attacked Su Muyu.

Jia Zhou’s sword was as thin as a cicada’s wing, nearly transparent in the sunlight. When he struck, it almost appeared as if he was wielding just a hilt. Su Muyu blocked with a finger, feeling as if the sword didn’t exist, yet a line of blood appeared on his finger. Had he been an ordinary person, that strike would have cleanly severed his hand.

“Light,” Su Muyu commented as he sidestepped to meet Ye Wuxiu’s blade.

Ye Wuxiu’s sword was entirely different—an enormous greatsword that resembled a door panel. If not for its pointed tip, one might not have called it a sword at all. His swordsmanship was equally straightforward—smash!

“Heavy,” Su Muyu leaped aside, avoiding the strike. Ye Wuxiu’s greatsword struck the ground, making it tremor and causing all four horses to neigh.

“Your footwork is decent,” Luo Ge finally drew his sword. “Too bad you only know how to dodge—a coward, just like someone else!” He entered the fray, his sword weaving intricate patterns. Before Ye Wuxiu and Jia Zhou could launch their second attack, Luo Ge had already executed nine strikes.

“Swift,” Su Muyu’s footwork resembled dancing lotus petals as he evaded the three swords. His hand passed over his sword hilt several times, but he never drew it.

Xiu Ru remained mounted, his pupils constricted as he observed Su Muyu’s every move.

No opportunity, no entry—this was Xiu Ru’s principle of swordsmanship. Though the Sword Elder had just criticized this habit, a swordsman’s ways aren’t easily changed overnight.

Su Muyu finally placed his hand on his sword hilt, lifting it halfway from its scabbard.

“Now!” Xiu Ru finally drew his sword.

“Careful,” Su Muyu smiled beneath his mask, and in one motion, returned his sword to its scabbard.