Chapter 175
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 175
Chapter Title: Layers of Killing Intent (5)
They said he was like Pan An or Song Yu.
A tall, stately figure with features carved from white jade, skin smooth and flawless without a single blemish.
Even dressed in rags, people would ask if he was a woman—or a fairy at that.
He was just too damn handsome.
As a kid, he was cute enough to bite. But once the fuzz started sprouting under his nose...
Women swarmed around him nonstop. And most of them shattered like thin ice at the slightest touch.
Seducing a woman isn't hard. If you set your mind to it, you can have her.
The real problem is shaking them off.
When you get bored, when a better one shows up, when you just want her gone, or even when you feel like being alone for no reason at all—getting her to detach cleanly is a nightmare.
Women... no pride, no shame, no sense of embarrassment... they cling like sticky rice cakes and won't let go. Whether naive girls or ones who think they know the world.
After training in the Azure Heavens Soaring Dragon Sword—aka the Assault Sword—the world got a whole lot more fun.
Literally, every woman in the world became mine.
Whether she had a man or not, whether she prized her chastity above life or was a whore selling her body... just sit with her for the time it takes to drink a single cup of tea, chat a bit, and her sash comes undone.
Northern Abyss Southern Zhao—Namso.
Invincible Munso.
Zhuge Soso!
They said once the Zhuge family head laid eyes on Zhuge Soso, no other woman would cross his mind... and they were right.
The moment he saw her, he fell at first sight. He resolved to have her.
But this woman—how aloof, how haughty. Or was she one of those stone maidens with no interest in men?
Only one woman, Zhuge Soso, wouldn't even glance his way.
And yet that woman... she looked at Four Thousand Four with such a peculiar gaze. To him, a man who knew women inside out, it was clear she harbored a tiny ember in her chest when she eyed him.
Whether that flame was mere curiosity or something more, he couldn't say. Either way, her look held emotions beyond the ordinary.
What mattered was that she hadn't spared him even that much.
He'd dealt with plenty of women since he was young.
He could tell a soft pumpkin that yielded to a needle from one that resisted even a blade.
Zhuge Soso was the latter.
She felt nothing for him.
He'd long since grasped that much... but he'd still hung around her under the flimsy excuse of a "promise," scheming to claim her anyway. Pathetic, sure.
But now he knew for certain. Hell, he'd suspected as much back in the Lone Forest.
She had no intention of honoring the promise. Even if he helped the Zhuge family to the hilt, she'd repay him with mere gratitude and nothing more.
That changed if the family head showed up. Then he'd press the man on the promise, apply brutal pressure—no holding back. Threatening to make the Zhuges enemies if they reneged would be one of his moves.
If the family head appeared, he'd have his shot at Zhuge Soso.
That's why he was leaving her alone for now. No moves on the Zhuge family either.
Instead...
Four Thousand Four was the one he'd deal with.
Once Four Thousand Four vanished, Zhuge Soso would stop wandering the Central Plains and head straight back to her clan. She'd sit pretty, stitching away until the family head arrived.
Whatever feelings or schemes made her eye Four Thousand Four, he'd nullify the bastard's value first. Call it light punishment for ignoring him. Very light.
There was another reason he'd ditched Zhuge Soso.
Invincible Munso!
The term for the two most stunning beauties in the current Central Plains martial world.
He'd already gotten a foot in with Munso—just biding his time. Now it was Invincible's turn.
Crimson Moon was nearby.
The Azure Heavens Soaring Dragon Sword wasn't just some technique. It was a living monster. The art itself had a soul, recognizing worthy foes. And it growled, itching for battle.
From his scalp to his toes, he felt goosebumps rise, tension crackling through him.
In the Heavenly Annihilation Division, only Crimson Moon could make him feel this way.
The peerless beauty who rivaled Munso in looks was right there, within reach.
How could he pass up such a chance?
'Four Thousand Four, that lucky bastard... both Invincible and Munso fixated on him. What the hell?!'
He chuckled dryly.
Zhuge Soso eyed Four Thousand Four. Invincible Crimson Moon chased him. Both women stared at the guy.
Whatever the reason, what luck.
Good or bad didn't matter. He just hated that they looked at him at all.
He dogged Four Thousand Four patiently.
Scum like Four Thousand Four, Vanguard, or Hanbi? He ignored them. But Crimson Moon—he minded her. Strike in front of her, and she'd interfere, souring things between them for sure.
He'd wait for her to look away or stop watching. Then he'd beat the pulp out of the bastard.
'Opportunities always come.'
The chance arrived sooner than expected.
Crimson Moon peeled away from Four Thousand Four. He hadn't seen her, but he felt it—the taut tension melted away like snow.
'Wish I'd run into Crimson Moon this time... no, after that, she might block me again. Might even warn me off like with Zhuge Soso... Yeah, handle this punk first.'
Without Crimson Moon meddling, trash like them would drop before a single incense stick burned out.
Swoosh!
He shot forward swiftly, lest another variable arise. Straight for Four Thousand Four.
Shing!
Four Thousand Four, strolling along casually, suddenly drew his sword.
Anyone else might've asked why. But Vanguard and Hanbi grasped the situation instantly. Nothing pinged their senses, yet danger rushed in.
Shing! Shring!
Vanguard and Hanbi drew too.
"Even Shadowless Steps would struggle. Killing intent thick as fog. This isn't someone coming to break a few limbs."
"Don't worry about us."
Vanguard and Hanbi pressed backs together, scanning all directions.
'One, two, three...'
Four Thousand Four counted silently.
The sensation surged. Stronger, closing in.
Between one and two, two and three—he gauged the enemy's travel distance.
Fast! Movement beyond handling.
Heat, kill, no-mind... pick one. Which?
'Damn!'
Four Thousand Four scowled fiercely.
No time to greet the foe with a single thought—yet here he was, overthinking like some stuffed fool.
No-mind first... cast aside all thoughts, focus solely on the approaching threat.
'One, two, three...'
Restart the count. Track the enemy's speed too.
No visual. Pure instinct. No relying on eyes—hone the flesh senses for battle.
'No good. It'll deflect Shadowless Steps.'
Four Thousand Four's face twisted unconsciously.
Sst! Ssst!
Mian Sosal halted his form.
Four Thousand Four was right in front. A few more bursts, and he could finish him before Zhuge Soso or Crimson Moon noticed.
But... goosebumps again.
'Crimson Moon!'
One man, one woman appeared before Mian Sosal.
He knew the man. Fox—how was that punk with her?
The woman... jaw-dropping.
Zhuge Soso's beauty defied comparison. Fairies, flowers, moons, clouds—none fit her.
This woman was the same.
Ethereal? Radiant? Pure? Seductive? All mismatched words, yet every one suited her perfectly.
'Crimson Moon! That's her...'
In that instant, Mian Sosal forgot Zhuge Soso. His eyes locked on Crimson Moon, unblinking.
"You're Mian Sosal, right?"
Crimson Moon spoke with aloof poise, her tone flat and emotionless.
"That's me."
Mian Sosal flashed a practiced smile.
"First time meeting. I'm..."
"Crimson Moon. One of the five strongest in the martial world, I presume."
"Business with those people?"
Crimson Moon nodded toward Four Thousand Four's group.
"Not exactly business..."
Mian Sosal narrowed his eyes.
This Crimson Moon... she reeked of Zhuge Soso. Dismissive. Beneath notice.
"Thinking of using them for main force matters. If you have business, could you hold off for a bit?"
"Who am I to ignore Crimson Moon? But the Heavenly Annihilation Division isn't so short on talent that we cherish trash like them... Still, I'm curious. What for?"
"Main force secret. You'd understand?"
Clang!
Mian Sosal shuddered violently.
His qi roiled. Reacting instinctively to the foe. But she stood passive—why would his qi alone surge?
Crimson Moon was gathering qi. Prepping for combat. Ready to fight to the death over one word.
They said she trained Pressing Metal Qi.
Swift as striking, heavy as crushing metal... qi that smothered the opponent's art.
Its pinnacle: Assault Sword.
The Assault Sword pierced in one breath. No matter the foe's stance, it drilled like an arrow, severing life.
Pressing Metal Qi versus Assault Sword—one died.
No sparring, no retreat. No mere wounds. Pinnacle versus pinnacle—one vanished.
And Crimson Moon readied for it casually.
"To my eyes... seems I don't exist."
"You do."
"No sword?"
"I see it."
"Think you can press it down?"
"Yes."
"Pressing Metal Qi and Assault Sword—no clash in history. Know why?"
"Do I need to?"
"Hahaha! Main force secret. I get it. No business with that trash for now."
"Thanks. For understanding."
"Hmph. Stiff talk's done... Call it fate. Shall we meet again?"
"Words for me?"
Definitely Zhuge Soso's scent.
"Knowing a guy like me won't hurt."
"No. It will."
Crimson Moon cut him off cleanly.
"Everyone knows Mian, Munso's lover. The jianghu loves gossip... No need to stir rumors with a private meet."
"No need to think that far..."
Crimson Moon ignored him already. She slapped Fox's back.
"Go. Stick with them."
"Y-you're... letting me go?"
"Letting you? Just putting some distance—is that 'free'? Stay put, and it looks like you're dreaming solo as a hobby. Habit? Incurable tic."
"C-can I really go?"
"I said go. Oh—and don't use that thing recklessly. No, don't use it at all. Kid imitating a tiger by jumping off a cliff? Only ends in death. Etch my words. No matter the pinch—don't."
She meant the Qing Yan poison art, Dead Phantom Twin Hands.
Fox knew what she implied. Didn't need spelling out—he felt it in his bones. No half-baked art could touch anyone.
Mian Sosal... calmed his rage. Low, cold. Not subsided—frozen solid.
Crimson Moon outdid even Munso.
Why she ignored the world's top beauty, he didn't know... but she'd pay. Starting with... killing Four Thousand Four!
Mian stared at Crimson Moon with icy eyes.
'Next time you stir Pressing Metal Qi... you're dead.'