Chapter 26: Chapter 23 Murderous Moonlit Night
The howling sword wind twisted into a gale that entwined Qing Yu within it.
The figure was torn into three sections by the sword wind.
The figure turned ethereal—it was just an afterimage.
Qing Yu appeared behind Feng Buping like a specter, silent and breathless. His long sword pierced into the left chest, went through the torso, and split the heart in two.
Feng Buping, dead.
The body slowly turned into a phantom and disappeared before Qing Yu's eyes.
"Congratulations, Host, for defeating Feng Buping and obtaining Feng Buping's legacy—One-star Martial Arts 'Hua Mountain Swordsmanship,' 'Hua Mountain Heart Method,' 'Life-taking Continuous Three Immortal Swords,' and 'Gale Swift Sword.'"
The system prompt sounded, and Feng Buping's Martial Arts Enlightenment flowed into Qing Yu's mind.
"Hiss..." To Qing Yu's surprise, although the Martial Arts that Feng Buping knew were only one-star, the related Martial Arts Enlightenment was abundant, giving an almost endless feeling.
After a good while, Qing Yu came back to his senses, pressing his forehead and easing the throbbing that came from suddenly absorbing a massive amount of memory.
"This really is a huge windfall..."
All of Feng Buping's Martial Arts were only one-star, including the Gale Swift Sword he had painstakingly developed over more than a decade, which had not exceeded the range of the Postnatal Realm.
However, over a decade of dedicated research and countless sword strokes for enlightenment were not futile. These enlightenments greatly solidified Qing Yu's foundation, giving him a deeper understanding of the sword.
Exiting the Inheritance Space, Qing Yu held the still-unsheathed Bishui Sword and swung it lightly—a sword trace cut through the air. The sword shadow moved silently, its speed and power both significantly greater than before.
The essence of the Gale Swift Sword was to whirl the air with the sword movements, then use the wind to drive the sword momentum, making it accelerate like a rolling snowball. The faster the swordmanship, the swifter the wind, hence the name Gale Swift Sword.
However, when the wind drives the sword, the sword will eventually be subject to the wind. In the end, the wind that even the swordsman can't whip up will make the sword technique fast but predictable, with its trajectory easily exploited for weaknesses. Of course, when bullying those weaker than oneself, there is a satisfying sense of dominance.
Another point is that this swordsmanship focuses on the front and ignores the rear, as the wind cannot encompass the whole body, at least not the back. Qing Yu precisely relied on this to move behind and strike down Feng Buping with one sword blow.
After obtaining Feng Buping's enlightenment, Qing Yu's understanding of the Gale Swift Sword was no less than that of its creator. He reversed its principle, no longer generating wind but emphasizing silence and stealth. Under the acceleration of the Exorcism Swordsmanship Heart Method, the two complemented each other wonderfully.
Furthermore, Life-taking Continuous Three Immortal Swords was also a significant gain, one Qing Yu valued even more than the Gale Swift Sword. All in all, Qing Yu felt that Feng Buping's mission card was more than worth it.
"Let's set aside Martial Arts for now. The most important thing at the moment is to complete the task."
Task—My Voice: In this city, make your own voice heard, become one of the individuals who can determine the future direction of Yang City in any way possible. Time limit: One year. Task Reward: One Intermediate Lottery, a Two-star Martial Arts Secret Manual. Failure Penalty: Loss of all Martial Arts, start over from the beginning.
This was the task Qing Yu received upon his first arrival in Yang City. Originally thinking that with a year's time, although it might not be certain that he could take control of Yang City, to become one of the power-holders influencing Yang City's future direction, Qing Yu felt it was not an issue.
Never did he expect Mr. Mo to throw a wrench into the works.
Yes, in Qing Yu's heart, Mr. Mo was a troublemaker.
He dug deep into the historic Newbie Village map of Yang City, turning it into a massive pit.
"The most pressing matter right now is to complete the mission. Once it's done, the sky's the limit, and who cares about Mr. Mo's schemes. Anyway, he's definitely not well-intentioned toward me."
At this thought, Qing Yu bowed his head in deep contemplation, "The current mission is already planned out, and now I should also think about an escape route. I always feel that Mr. Mo has an ulterior motive, and something big is going to happen in Yang City."
"I'm still too weak; such is the sadness of the weak."
Qing Yu took out the Meridian Opening Pill given by Mr. Mo, swallowed it, and began to sit in meditation for cultivation. Having understood the pain of powerlessness, Qing Yu doubled his efforts to break free from this unsatisfactory weakness.
It must be said, Mr. Mo, though ill-intentioned, had provided elixirs of the finest quality. Qing Yu had made rapid progress in his cultivation over this period, and the elixirs played an invaluable role. Of course, given Qing Yu's suspicious nature, he had thoroughly inspected the elixirs.
After multiple examinations, Qing Yu reasoned with his current level of Medical Skill, these elixirs had no issues. If there were some unimaginably toxic poison mixed into the elixirs, Qing Yu conceded that such an amazing poison being used against a small fry in the Postnatal Realm like himself would be a profound loss.
Regarding the rapid progress exceeding the Postnatal Sixth Realm, and having determined Mr. Mo had an ulterior motive, Qing Yu didn't care about that seemingly nonsensical bet anymore. At that time, he was shocked by Mr. Mo's deep schemes and stunning revelations. For a moment, Qing Yu even naively thought of Mr. Mo as one of those seniors in novels who bestow benefits and sisters.
When Qing Yu opened his eyes again, it was already night.
Moonlight streamed through the window, casting its glow on the floor, turning that patch of ground into a frosty white, another beautiful moonlit night.
Qing Yu walked to the window and looked up at the bright moon overhead.
Coincidentally, it had been more than half a month since his last nocturnal visit to the Shadow Market, and tonight was the mid-month full moon. Tonight's moon was perfect; as Qing Yu gazed at it, he found himself unexpectedly thinking of the Mid-Autumn Festival.
"I wonder if this world has a Mid-Autumn Festival?"
Then, Qing Yu laughed at himself, "What am I thinking about? Whether there is a Mid-Autumn Festival or not, what does it have to do with me? I have no family in this world. Not even a friend."
Suppressing his thoughts, Qing Yu looked up at the moon once more.
"The moon is so beautiful…"
Qing Yu leaped out the window. Beneath the moonlight, his flickering figure was like a Banished Immortal, yet also like an unpredictable ghost.
"Who… who are you…" Li Chao shivered as he spoke to the life-claiming, ghostly figure beneath the moonlight.
Since the night before last, when the Deputy Gang Leader of the Iron Saber Association, Li Dian, and two elders were mysteriously killed at a tavern, Young Master Li Qiusheng had been sending people to search day and night in Yang City. Thanks to the fanfare caused by Li Dian and the others, other families had also learned about the incident at the Li Family, and while they revelled in the Li Family's misfortune, they did not wish to provoke them at such a time.
Yang City was governed by four clans, and although there was a curfew, it was nothing but a formality for the members of these clans.
Li Chao, as a collateral member of the Li Family, was more trusted by Li Qiusheng than other members of the Iron Saber Association. After all, even the Gang Leader of the Iron Saber Association was under suspicion, so Li Qiusheng naturally trusted his own kin all the more.
The day-and-night searches and the night patrols for any suspicious individuals were tiring work. It was a strange combination, dealing with the underground trades by day while at night, performing the duties of the city guard. Li Chao was drained. Such an odd situation could only happen in a place like Yang City, and the City Lord Mansion seemed unconcerned.
Patrolling was exhausting, and Li Chao was relieved when finally it was time for a shift change. He immediately took his subordinates to have a late-night meal, but who would have thought that just after crossing one street, they'd encounter a life-claiming evil ghost. The figure was like a haunting spirit, moving in flashes, and before his subordinates could even cry out, they fell to the ground, lifeless. Now, it was Li Chao's turn.
The will to survive overwhelmed the fear, and Li Chao opened his mouth to scream.
"Hek… heh heh…" The silent Fast Sword slashed through his throat, and blood spilled from the wound. As Li Chao listened to the approaching sounds of the patrol, he silently watched the life-claiming ghost disappear into a dark alley nearby.
Chapter 27: Chapter 24: The Night of the Murder (Continued)
Qing Yu passed through the gloomy alley and leaped over the rooftops in front, silently and slowly landing behind a group of patrolling Iron Saber Association members.
"Group of demons, easy to disperse!"
After Qing Yu comprehended Gale Swift Sword and enlightened the intervals within the wind, his Exorcism Swordsmanship became even more ruthless and swift. The Bishui Sword swept across, and three heads of those walking in the back flew off simultaneously.
"Enemy attack." The leader, sensing the noise, turned back and shouted fiercely.
It was too late. Qing Yu's left-hand Mystic Iron dagger flew out, its speed extremely fast as it was shot using the Flying Needle Technique from the Exorcism Sword Manual, striking the throat of the remaining gang member.
Meteor Falling.
The sword was like a long rainbow, piercing through the throat. Qing Yu realized he was growing fond of targeting the throat, fatal and conspicuous.
Drawing his sword, Golden Wild Goose Skill.
By the time nearby patrollers arrived to support, Qing Yu had already vanished like a traceless goose flying in the dark.
Once more moving across rooftops and walls, Qing Yu found another group of men, still easily assassinated.
After several such incidents, fear pervaded the ranks of the Iron Saber Association. Li Qiusheng, upon hearing the news, quickly dispatched people back to the Li Family to summon experts to the rescue.
Qing Yu also knew when to quit while ahead. From a distance, he looked at the middle-aged expert who had arrived, his aura robust, surely no less than the Postnatal Eighth Layer. With Qing Yu's current realm, facing him alone, the odds of victory were uncertain, not to mention Li Qiusheng and a host of Iron Saber Association members watching him like tigers eyeing their prey.
The moon this night was bright, its light bathing the entire Yang City, making it almost as bright as day.
Under such a moon, killing was indeed done with great style, but moving stealthily was a challenge. Qing Yu weaved through shadows under the eaves and moved through the streets towards Li Xin's cottage.
Li Xin's house was in a very desolate area, surrounded by dilapidated houses. These buildings were at least a hundred years old. Under the rule of the Four Great Families, Yang City wouldn't invest in urban development, and these houses were uninhabited. Even the beggars had been driven away by people sent by Li Xin, making it very desolate.
When Qing Yu arrived, Li Xin was not there, so he sat quietly at the square table, calmly regulating his breath.
Time passed unknowingly, and there was a noise outside the house.
When Li Xin pushed the door open, he smelled a faint scent of blood, instantly tensing his body, and the foot he had stepped in with slowly retracted.
Upon seeing the familiar shadow beside the square table, he relaxed a little.
"Sir?" Li Xin asked cautiously for confirmation.
An oil lamp was lit, and Qing Yu squinted his eyes to adapt to the bright light, replying, "It's me..."
Li Xin entered the room, closed the door behind him, and asked with concern, "Sir, are you hurt?" He had smelled blood upon entering.
Qing Yu was taken aback, and after seeing the unsheathed Bishui Sword on the table, he understood why Li Xin asked if he was hurt. The Bishui Sword was completely stained with fresh blood that night, and Qing Yu, fearing the bloodstains would remain in the scabbard and be difficult to clean, had been holding the long sword and had not sheathed it.
"No harm, it's all the blood of those gang members." Despite only being a superfluous question, Qing Yu still felt Li Xin's loyalty.
"Tonight, having eliminated quite a number of people, your control over the Iron Saber Association should be even tighter now, right?"
Li Xin respectfully replied, "Li Qiusheng doesn't trust outsiders, and even as his illegitimate son, I am not fully trusted. The people patrolling the streets at night are all from the side branches of the Li family that he trusts a great deal. These people also ensure the Li family's control over the Iron Saber Association. If it weren't for my Martial Arts being unrivaled among the younger generation of the Li family, this position of Gang Leader would not have been my turn..."
At this point, Li Xin sighed with a helpless bitter smile, "Although my role as Gang Leader is more like a puppet."
"Eliminating these people will greatly weaken the Li family's control over the Iron Saber Association. Their weakening is an enhancement to me, the nominal Gang Leader, especially since all the surviving elders are now under the control of the Three Corpses Brain God Pill graciously provided by the young master."
Qing Yu nodded and said, "You need to find a way to strengthen your prestige as Gang Leader. Too much is as bad as too little. The side branch members of the Li family cannot all be eliminated through slaughter, as that would only backfire. In addition, find a way to pin the deaths of these people on the Zhang family, directing the Li family's accusations toward them."
"Yes," Li Xin replied reverently.
"The assassination attempt on Li Dian and the other two the night before, I guided the Great Elder to leave clues at the scene pointing to the Song family," Qing Yu continued.
Li Xin was startled by this revelation. Li Qiusheng didn't trust him, only telling him about the deaths of Li Dian and the others, while keeping the details under wraps. Li Xin knew nothing about these specifics.
Seeing his expression, Qing Yu understood that Li Xin was unaware of the matter and took out a white porcelain bottle from his chest, handing it to Li Xin, "When I killed Li Dian, I used a colorless and tasteless sedative, slow-acting but with extremely domineering effects, causing one's body to stiffen and speech to slur. Find a way to let Li Qiusheng know that the Song family has this kind of sedative."
Li Xin accepted the porcelain bottle with both hands, responding, "Yes."
He didn't ask Qing Yu why he wanted to deal with other families, which wasn't his place as a subordinate. All he knew was that Qing Yu had helped him take revenge, doing what he had always wanted to do but never dared. For this, he had sold his life to Qing Yu, and that was enough.
"Li Qiusheng didn't inform you of the details regarding the assassination of Li Dian and the others. It seems he has begun to suspect you," Qing Yu considered whether it was necessary to eliminate Li Qiusheng.
"Li Qiusheng has always looked down on me. Because my talent in Martial Arts far surpasses his, he's seen me as nothing more than a brute skilled only in martial fighting. I'm glad he thinks so. Besides practicing martial arts, I spend my days cleaning up after that beast, Li Qiuyan. So if Li Qiusheng began to doubt me, it must be not from his own suspicions but because someone reminded him."
"Oh? Who might that be?" Qing Yu asked curiously.
"Li Pingsheng. This old scoundrel has deep schemes, and although I don't know where I have shown a flaw, if anyone can influence Li Qiusheng and suspect me right away, it must be Li Pingsheng," Li Xin said with hatred in his voice.
"It seems you really hate him," Qing Yu could feel the hatred in Li Xin's words for his irresponsible father.
"Hate." Li Xin spoke decisively, "Of course, I hate him. All the suffering that my mother and I endured originated from him. If it weren't for the fist techniques that I had learned covertly and showed when I was nine, revealing an exceptional Martial Arts talent, my mother and I might have been driven out and beaten to death by Mrs. Li, that poisonous woman. It was because of that incident that my mother became ill, her health frail over the years, which led to her being killed by Li Qiuyan. Over the years, I've only seen him four times, each time kneeling with my head down to speak, and only glanced at him when getting up, truly having only seen him four times."
Li Xin briefly explained the reason, and even with that, Qing Yu could feel his deep-seated hatred. With such enmity between father and son, Qing Yu had no wish for Li Xin to have a change of heart at the critical moment and stab him in the back. It had to be said that the melodramatic plots in TV dramas from his previous life had quite an impact on Qing Yu.
"Regardless, once everything is settled, I assure you the Li family will be at your disposal."
"Thank you, young master," Li Xin bowed and said as he paid his respects.
"Additionally, check if there have been any anomalies in the Li family recently, like, hosting any distinguished guests," Qing Yu instructed. Discovering who the court had sent and which families had connections with the court would help Qing Yu preserve himself in the upcoming unknown whirlpools. At least, he wouldn't be caught blind, dying without knowing how.
"Yes."
Qing Yu wiped the Bishui Sword and sheathed it. Getting up, he declined Li Xin's offer to see him out and, stepping into the bright moonlight, he soared away.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
200+ Power
Ranking 
9 Power
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