Chapter 231
Chapter 231
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Translator: penny
Chapter Title: Whereabouts of the Seven Heavenly Apostles (2)
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The first day passed without incident.
No, to be precise, there was a minor event.
A courtesan plying her trade in front of the tavern approached.
"Young master."
Her coquettish voice drew nearer, her eyes glued to the silver taels.
"Scram."
A faint wisp of killing intent sent her scampering off in abject terror.
The second day brought a small brawl.
"The bastard actually showed up."
Rumors had spread about a fool flashing silver at the tavern. No sooner had he entered than hostile glares latched onto him.
He took the same seat as yesterday, ordered drinks and food, and soon a few burly thugs closed in.
"Hey, brother. You planning to drink alone? This is a wide world—we oughta share a bit."
"What're you getting at?"
"Share some of that silver next to you. Heh heh heh."
Chu Un-hwi smirked at the four thugs surrounding the table.
"You want my silver?"
He'd give them something better than silver.
Puk!
A fist to the jaw sent the grinning thug's head snapping back, teeth flying.
"Guhk!"
"Where'd a shitstain like you learn to flap your trap?"
Thud! Thud! Thud!
He stomped the curling shrimp of a man from head to toe until he went limp.
"Eat shit, you bastard."
"Stop!"
"You wanna go?"
The others drew swords at the sight, but...
Puk!
A kick cracked the second one's jaw. He grabbed the babbling fool's head and slammed it into a pillar.
Puk!
"Aak!"
Puk! Puk! Puk! Puk!
A few pillar bashes turned the already ugly mug into a burst dumpling.
"Bunch of nobodies..."
The other two were third-rate at best.
A chin strike and palm to the shoulder shattered bone, drawing childlike screams.
"Shut it. You're ruining my booze."
Puk. Puk-puk.
A few more punches silenced the crying.
The rest fared no better.
He piled the fallen thugs high and sat atop them to drink.
'Human chairs are a first for this life, huh?'
Memories stirred, a pleasant nostalgia.
The pity was, these weren't pro human chairs—they'd twitch and groan now and then.
"Feels like shit."
Any squirming while drinking got them a kick.
Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!
"Guhk! Keheuk!"
"P-Please, mercy."
A few more kicks, and they settled like proper chair humans.
"Fuck. Now we're talking."
As he drank in comfort, a voice called from the side.
"What kinda lunatic is this?"
A middle-aged warrior who'd been watching fingered his sword hilt and scowled as he approached.
"Kid. Can't you see us elders here?"
Second-rate skills, give or take.
Not bad in a whorehouse crawling with third-raters.
"Dunno where you crawled from, but that's too much."
"Too much? Master's words say otherwise. If some punk starts shit, take at least a wrist or ankle."
"What mad bastard taught you that crap?!"
"Mad bastard?"
Sring. Shu-kak.
He drew the sword from the table and flicked it at the man.
Shwick!
The man's sideburns fluttered down, leaving five cross-shaped scars on the pillar behind.
"Looks like that hole in your face is showing off. Keep yapping."
"...Earthly Cross Sword."
"Wanna get a mouth in your gut too? Piss off."
"My apologies."
No one else stepped up after the sheepish retreat.
As night deepened and he staggered up, eyes finally gleamed—but...
"Who you glaring at, fucker?"
"Guhk!"
Slap! Smack!
A collar grab and a few ear-boxes left him limp.
No one else came close after that.
'Nice and comfy.'
Day three.
Word had spread; more skilled-looking types than yesterday.
All eyeing him with eager amusement, awaiting a show.
"Hey. You, kid."
"What, you?"
"Heard something fun. Lay you out, and the silver's all mine."
"You're insane."
First-rate peak expert.
A big shot in the evil sects where proper arts were rare.
"Pup. Beat you, silver comes out?"
"Wha?!"
No need to draw.
Collar grab, yank hard.
"Y-You mad fuck!"
As inner energy stirred, knee to the lower gut.
"Guhk!"
Dantian smashed, power scattered.
"Silver. Silver. Silver!"
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Solar plexus strikes rained until silver taels spilled from his robes.
Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!
Beat till no more silver fell; the man passed out.
Scooped the floor silver, called the server boy.
"Keep the food coming nonstop. This guy's paying."
"Y-Yes, sir!"
The frozen girl trembled as she replied.
"Mercy. Even the mad dog got hit."
"Where'd this rolling stone come from?"
"Earthly Cross Sword... must be..."
Whispers grew.
Feeling stranger stares converge, Chu Un-hwi idly watched out the window.
'Bait's about ripe...'
Next day. Day after too.
Twelve stepped up, all nicely smashed.
Then odd things began.
"Ruthless hands."
"Fits the master's temperament, sure enough."
"Twists once, severs wrists—that vicious bastard."
"Owner or heir of Earthly Cross Sword, same breed."
Rumors spread of a freak swordsman wielding Earthly Cross Sword at the tavern.
Folks dubbed the weirdo Cross Monster Sword (十字怪劍).
It was the fifth day.
Drinking at the usual spot, an odd guest arrived.
A heavy presence, the first real one.
"Well, this is surprising."
The source: a scholar-robed man with two swordsmen escorts.
"Never thought that temper could take a disciple."
Thud. Thud.
The small-eyed man climbed straight to the second floor without asking, pulled a chair opposite without permission, and spoke.
"Kid. You really the disciple of Blood Cross Sword?"
"And you are?"
"Me, huh. Heh heh. Raised a cheeky one."
Sring.
"Enough."
As the youths behind placed hands on swords, he raised a hand to stop, rested chin on interlaced fingers.
"Didn't your master tell you of Black Gate Four Swords?"
Black Gate Four Swords.
The big fish he'd waited for. Chu Un-hwi inwardly cheered.
'Thunder Tiger Sect's heavy hitter.'
A name from Yora's intel.
p>Black Gate Four Swords Gwangjin.
'Peak of Peak Realm.'
Edge of Peak: the final human limit.
Impressive for evil sect arts—shallow depth, sly tricks over insight.
'Weird one's Divine Martial Academy, working peak masters for peanuts.'
Peak experts usually dominated regions.
Above all, this guy's hallmark: Thunder Tiger Sect's number two, planted by Iron Chain Alliance at East Sea Lake.
'Finally showed.'
He asked vaguely.
"Black Gate Four Swords? No clue. Gotta know?"
"Mouth like that. Taught arts, skipped the jianghu, eh?"
"Gave me something, but I'm illiterate."
"Tsk tsk. Martial artist who's blind?"
"Why? Good at beating, good at fighting. Need letters too?"
"Heh heh. One of a kind."
Tsking, Black Gate Four Swords looked even more intrigued.
'Can't read—easy mark.'
Evil sect reactions were too predictable.
"Curious. You don't seem to enjoy it—why stir shit here?"
"Master croaked, left a dying wish. 'Man knows romance—even if shit, suck it up and play.'"
"Blood Cross Sword's dead?"
Dead. Or soon would be, anyway.
'Danya went calling.'
Unaware, Black Gate Four Swords pondered deeply.
"He did favor this tavern. Thoughts?"
"Shittier than expected."
"Tsk tsk tsk. Plans after?"
"Said head to East Sea Lake, ride a flower boat for fun."
"Tavern to boat rides now?"
"Pondering. Whether to keep this shit going. Old fart's will, but not my taste."
The crude words narrowed Black Gate Four Swords' eyes.
Lips twitching, then the young escort behind scowled.
"What? Ugly mug back there looks like he bit a bug."
"...Watch your tongue."
The young guard's face twisted beet-red, turning to his master.
"Master. This arrogant punk's foul-mouthed."
"Let it be. Disciple of master's friend."
"Needs a sound thrashing. Teach worldly ways, instill discipline—that's a senior's duty, no?"
"Worldly ways..."
Black Gate Four Swords wavered, weighing disciple vs. gains.
'Can't sit idle.'
Chu Un-hwi scratched again.
"Hey, failed abortion. Harsh words."
"You brat! Mind your manners! No etiquette taught?"
"Dunno. No mom. Fuck off."
Ptoo! Spit flew; the man snapped.
Chak!
Sword drawn, Chu Un-hwi whistled.
"Oho. Wanna try? You'll regret—don't dent that ugly face, sheath it."
"You'll regret!"
Faked a draw, flicked wrist—needle from sleeve targeted brow.
'Sneaky evil sect style.'
Yellow-tipped: poisoned.
No taking that.
Whish.
Dodged head tilt, low. Palm smashed table corner.
Thud!
Table shoved, crushed leaping foe's leg—crunch.
"Kuhk!"
"Knew you'd play dirty, runt."
Palm slapped table, flicked chopsticks airborne—finger strike.
Ting ting.
Chopsticks whistled, struck shoulder and flank. Man spun dramatically into the table.
Not done yet.
"Sever your wrist, scum."
Sword on table, lightning draw—cross qi slashed.
"Fitting disciple. Ruthless and bold."
Black Gate Four Swords finally moved.
Clang! Clang-clang!
Tok. Srrk.
Five midair sparks later, both sheathed as if agreed.
"Didn't even see the draw."
"That youth's sword equals Black Gate Four Swords?"
"Incredible."
Tsks echoed; Chu Un-hwi growled.
"For master's friend, I held back. Block me again, no mercy."
"Tsk tsk tsk. Gamecock."
After prolonged tsking, Black Gate Four Swords spoke oddly.
"Kid. Wanna do a job with me?"
The awaited development unfolded.