Chapter 094: "Downfall"
Not a sixth rank, but a fifth! Almost every fifth-rank master is the leader, chief, or boss of a prominent faction. Nie Renqiu had managed to elude both the Zhenwu Division, the Shi family, and the Yijian Martial Hall, and now, at dawn, he had slain yet another fifth-rank expert. How could such news not send shockwaves through the city?
“I’ll be there soon!”
Ending the call, Su Jingxing swiftly dressed, grabbed a piece of bread for breakfast, and hurried straight to the crematorium.
...
Early in the morning, the crematorium was usually quiet, but today it was bustling with activity. Nie Renqiu had struck again, escaping unscathed after his success, and the incident was the talk of the city. As everyone suspected, the victim was once more a sword master.
The title “Sword Fanatic” had become irrevocably associated with Nie Renqiu.
The deceased this time was Ma Zhengyang, general manager of the Taelon Group’s branch in Qinghe City. Taelon Group was a renowned conglomerate in Changyang Prefecture, with its headquarters in the capital. Though only a branch, the Qinghe office was powerful in its own right. As general manager, Ma Zhengyang was a frequent guest at the city governor’s residence and a favored guest of the city’s guardian.
His fifth-rank martial cultivation had kept him undefeated—until this morning, when he fell under Nie Renqiu’s sword. It was a shocking turn of events.
The public began to speculate even more on Nie Renqiu’s true level. Was he truly sixth rank, or actually fifth?
...
[Corpse detected. Retrieve?]
“Yes!”
Inside the morgue, Su Jingxing, having just arrived, glanced at Ma Zhengyang’s body and responded inwardly.
“Who would have thought? Ha, no one expected Nie Renqiu to go after Ma Zhengyang instead of continuing to target the Shi family,” said Feng Tiejian, standing nearby and waggling his eyebrows. “With this latest move, the Shi family and the Zhenwu Division must be stomping their feet in anger. What a slap in the face!”
“From what I hear, last night the Shi family and the Zhenwu Division scoured the city, mobilizing every hand to hunt Nie Renqiu all night long.”
“And yet, at dawn, Nie Renqiu intercepted Ma Zhengyang as he left his house and killed him in broad daylight!”
“I heard Ma Zhengyang was dumbfounded when he saw Nie Renqiu. He barely managed to defend himself for two moves before Nie Renqiu pierced his heart with a sword. He died with eyes wide open!”
“So you’re saying Ma Zhengyang knew Nie Renqiu?” Su Jingxing raised an eyebrow.
“Who can say?” Feng Tiejian shrugged. “I’ve only heard rumors, and few know the truth. When Nie Renqiu appeared, those nearby didn’t even react at first. Not until after he killed Ma Zhengyang did the shouts begin and someone called the crematorium.”
“Then it’s probably just gossip.” Su Jingxing mused.
“Eh, who cares if it’s true or not?” Feng Tiejian waved dismissively. “Whether Ma Zhengyang knew Nie Renqiu or not hardly matters now. He’s dead either way; it’s all in the past.”
“You’re right,” Su Jingxing replied with a laugh, though he made a mental note of the matter.
Nie Renqiu’s arrival was too sudden, with no warning signs—he had simply appeared out of nowhere. And his first act had been to kill Ouyang Qinhu, an act shrouded in mystery. Su Jingxing couldn’t shake the feeling that Nie Renqiu had come to Qinghe City for a purpose—not merely, as the public believed, as a sword fanatic seeking worthy opponents.
Of course, the men Nie Renqiu had slain were no loss to Su Jingxing.
...
Leaving the morgue, Su Jingxing found a secluded corner, withdrew a card he’d retrieved from Ma Zhengyang’s body, and read its contents.
A skill card.
Upon unlocking it, he gained a martial art: Ghost Python Breath Concealment Technique.
The ghost python, a sinister and terrifying beast, could enter a state of such utter stillness that it was indistinguishable from a corpse. The Ghost Python Breath Concealment Technique was an art developed to mimic this creature’s abilities.
Once mastered, it allowed the practitioner to control their aura, the flow of inner force, the rhythm of their breathing, and even their heartbeat!
This martial art was invaluable for stealth, ambush, and concealment.
Though he had only obtained the first half of the manual, Su Jingxing was elated. With sixty years of cultivated inner force, he found it difficult to keep his presence hidden—he had to devote half his attention at all times to restraining it. This was manageable when idle, but once he took action and mobilized his energy, his true strength was exposed.
Acquiring the Ghost Python Breath Concealment Technique was a timely and unexpected stroke of luck.
A benefactor indeed...
Just like Wan Rong, Nie Renqiu was a great “benefactor”!
Su Jingxing sighed sincerely.
Whatever Nie Renqiu’s true purpose in Qinghe City, Su Jingxing no longer cared. Let the “Sword Fanatic” continue to challenge and fell martial experts of the third, sixth, or fifth ranks—the more, the better, as far as Su Jingxing was concerned.
Inner force cards, bloodline cards, skill cards...
The more, the merrier!
Su Jingxing looked forward to it.
...
Unfortunately,
Before noon, news arrived: Nie Renqiu had been defeated.
“A Zhenwu Division Guardian tracked him down. They fought near an amusement park—Nie Renqiu was outmatched, seriously injured, and fled in disgrace,” Feng Tiejian recounted to a crowd, gesticulating excitedly.
“That’s a pity. The Guardian is a fifth rank too. If Nie Renqiu had launched a sneak attack, he might have succeeded,” someone nearby lamented.
“You’re overestimating him. Not all fifth ranks are equal—some are stronger than others. The Zhenwu Division’s Guardians are the best of the best! That Nie Renqiu lost to one is only natural.”
“Exactly. If even the Zhenwu Division couldn’t stop him, we’d all have to worry. Who knows if Nie Renqiu, once bloodthirsty, might turn on us ordinary folk?”
“Yes, Nie Renqiu’s already made a name for himself by killing Ouyang Qinhu, Shi Jindong, Shan Jiantong, and Ma Zhengyang. He’s infamous now!”
...
The deaths of the elite were little more than entertainment to the common people.
But the Zhenwu Division was different—a shield, a wall, a mighty blade protecting the populace’s peace. With that blade, shield, and wall intact, the people could sleep soundly. If any of them broke, panic would sweep the city.
Thus, Nie Renqiu’s defeat at the hands of a Guardian was a relief to the public.
Su Jingxing found it a shame, but it didn’t trouble him. The Ghost Python Breath Concealment Technique alone was a bountiful harvest, to say nothing of other gains.
Feng Tiejian, on the other hand, was left sighing. Bereft of gossip, he soon returned to his usual boredom, preoccupied with idle amusements.
Three days after Nie Renqiu was gravely wounded and vanished, Yunhai Plaza in the city center hosted its annual celebration. Feng Tiejian dragged Su Jingxing, Gu Bo, Kong Dabao, and the rest of their group out to join the festivities.
Su Jingxing wandered the plaza for half an hour before excusing himself, claiming an upset stomach, and returned home.
Without a training card, mastering the Ghost Python Breath Concealment Technique would require considerable time. He had been practicing night and day, but was still just short of the threshold. He had no time to waste at a festival.
No sooner had he returned to his cottage at the foot of the mountain than his phone buzzed with a mass message.
A corpse puppet had appeared at Yunhai Plaza!