অধ্যায় ১৪৫: লাল পোশাকের তরুণ

এমন পরিস্থিতিতে生死峡一带 frequented by numerous forces who illegally traded counterfeit boat tickets, which were never recognized by the Black Water Sect.

Some martial artists who were venturing into the pugilistic world for the first time might succumb to the temptation of cheap prices, only to find themselves unable to board the ships and reaping what they sowed.

The sly, rat-faced martial artist in hemp clothes curled his lip, turned away from Chu Ming, and walked over to another target, where he whispered subserviently.

That was a rugged-looking man with long sideburns and a dark mole at the corner of his mouth. Strapped to his back was a fierce saber. Upon hearing the hemp-clothed man's words, the man's eyes lit up.

The two immediately concluded their transaction. Chu Ming observed everything from the side but did not intervene; everyone had to pay the price for their own actions, and that rugged martial artist was clearly a novice in the martial world.

Shifting his steps lightly, he wended his way through the crowd. On the bustling street, the martial artists varied greatly in skill, but overall, their cultivation levels were higher than the average standard of the Great Yan Nation.

He casually found an inn to lodge in. The large vessels of the Black Water Sect sailed between the two nations once every three days, so the martial artists gathered here were mostly waiting in quiet anticipation.

"Waiter, how many days until the Black Water Sect's ship arrives?"

Sitting in the main hall of the inn, Chu Ming asked indifferently while his gaze swept across the martial artists seated at the tables around the hall.

"Young Hero, the Black Water Sect's vessel will set sail in two days!"

The waiter immediately replied in a low voice.

"Very well. Bring me some of your specialty dishes along with some wine."

Chu Ming nodded calmly, his eyes glancing toward the person wearing a black bamboo hat sitting at a table in the right corner of the inn.

The moment he entered, he had vaguely sensed a lingering danger. In this inn, he could see through anyone else, except for that mysterious person in the black bamboo hat. That individual sat there quietly, drinking tea the entire time. Sensing Chu Ming's gaze, the person merely glanced sideways for a fleeting second before ignoring him altogether.

"That's an odd fellow. He has been sitting there for a whole day, doing nothing but drinking tea without the slightest movement, and the proprietor hasn't even dared to chase him away."

Following Chu Ming's line of sight, the waiter whispered while looking at the figure in the black bamboo hat.

"This is for you."

Chu Ming fished a silver coin from his tunic and tossed it into the waiter's hand. Overjoyed, the waiter tactfully took his leave.

"The Black Water Sect truly lives up to its reputation as one of the two major sects of the Tianhe Nation. The martial artists passing through the生死峡 alone generate immense profits for them."

At a table close to Chu Ming, two martial artists were murmuring softly.

"What's so impressive about that? I heard that a few days ago, the core disciple of the Black Water Sect, Hei Mo, was directly recruited into the inner sect of the Tianxing Realm, rising straight to prominence!"

"Hehe, after all, he is a prodigy who has comprehended saber intent; naturally, the Tianxing Realm wouldn't let such a talent slip away!"

"Alas, geniuses have emerged in droves in the Tianhe Nation over recent years, gradually overshadowing the Great Yan Nation in martial prowess. I reckon a war will break out in a few years."

"Although the Great Yan Nation has its share of talents—even boasting figures among the Five Great Prodigies—they would barely manage to crack the top ten if they were in the Tianhe Nation!"

"If the two of us hailed from the Great Yan Nation, we could easily claim the title of peerless geniuses there."

The two men spoke in subdued tones, but who were the occupants of this inn? They were hardly ordinary people; practically all of them were martial artists of considerable strength, and naturally, every word reached their ears.

"Shut your mouths! Are the geniuses of the Great Yan Nation subjects for the likes of you to discuss?"

Suddenly, an angry shout reverberated through the inn. Everyone was momentarily stunned, and Chu Ming also raised his head to look in the direction of the voice.

Not far away, near a window, a youth dressed in red glared furiously at the pair. The youth's face was pale, yet his brows radiated an imposing heroic aura and his gaze was piercing, faint wisps of saber energy brewing within his eyes. His cultivation was at the ninth stage of the Mortal Shedding Realm, making him quite an accomplished young expert.

"Hehe, so what if I talk about the geniuses of the Great Yan Nation? If you're not convinced, let's back it up with a duel!"

The two martial artists rose to their feet, their black robes rustling. Embroidered on the chest of each was a skull-like insignia, looking exceptionally ferocious and radiating an intense, evil aura.

"Oh no, they're members of the Skeleton Society!"

"Run! This place is going to turn into a bloodbath before long!"

"..."

Upon recognizing the insignia on their chests, the complexions of the martial artists in the inn turned pale. They hastily settled their bills and fled, not daring to linger for a single moment.

In the blink of an eye, only five people remained in the main hall of the inn: the two members of the Skeleton Society, Chu Ming, the youth in red, and the mysterious person in the black bamboo hat.

"Kid, aren't you leaving?"

One of the Skeleton Society youths revelled in the reactions of the others, but seeing Chu Ming sitting there completely unfazed without the slightest trace of panic, a flicker of displeasure crossed his face.

"There's no need," Chu Ming replied indifferently, continuing to pour and drink his wine as if the two men didn't even exist.

"Young Hero, you'd better run! The Skeleton Society is the most powerful gang in the vicinity, and they enjoy the protection of the Black Water Sect. If you don't flee now, it will be too late!"

The waiter rushed out from the back in a panic to warn him before immediately attempting to bolt out the door.

"Meddlesome fool!"

The Skeleton Society member closest to Chu Ming flew into a rage. With a wave of his hand, a black bolt of spiritual energy formed, churning up countless gusts of wind as it aimed to obliterate the waiter.

Swish!

Puff!

Chu Ming flicked his wine cup, instantly spilling its contents. The wine transformed into a watery sword that pierced through the air with an explosive shriek, its sharp edge piercing and extinguishing the black spiritual energy blast.

"I'll deal with you later!"

Seeing his attack blocked, the Skeleton Society member turned livid. However, his companion was already locked in fierce combat with the red-robed youth and was currently at a disadvantage; he had no choice but to step in and help.

Chu Ming remained silent. Seizing the opportunity, the waiter bolted out of the inn and vanished down the street.

Boom!

The weapon wielded by the red-robed youth was a long saber. Faint crimson glows shimmered along its blade, radiating an aura of boundless slaughter.

Every single strike forced the Skeleton Society member into a desperate, defensive posture, displaying ferocious precision.

Puff!

That Skeleton Society member kicked out, deflecting the blade away. With a light step and a shudder of his frame, he steadied himself. The second Skeleton Society member immediately flashed to his side, and exchanging a glance, they struck simultaneously with formidable momentum.

One executed a palm strike while the other delivered a kick, stirring up fierce shockwaves that repeatedly blasted the surrounding air apart.

Neither of the Skeleton Society members was weak; both were martial artists at the ninth stage of the Mortal Shedding Realm who had reached their absolute limits. Yet, the red-robed youth's combat prowess was even more extraordinary—had he belonged to the Qingyang Sect, he would undoubtedly have qualified for the ranks of core disciples.

Bang, bang, bang...

The red-robed youth wielded his saber with astonishing skill. Strike after strike flowed continuously, shifting unpredictably like falling cherry blossoms. Amidst the dark, flowing night, one could barely catch fleeting glimpses of cold, shimmering light.