Chapter 41: Qijue Hall

Chapter 41: Qijue Hall

Having such a person trailing behind them constantly was bound to be annoying.

Yet, getting rid of him proved to be quite difficult.

No matter how Su Mo and Yang Xiaoyun changed their appearances or concealed themselves, this person always managed to find them like a cat drawn to the scent of fish.

While it was frustrating, they couldn't do much about it.

After all, both Su Mo and Yang Xiaoyun could be ruthless towards evil people.

However, dealing with someone who didn't fight back, didn't argue, and only wanted to borrow a sword—not even forcefully—made it hard to simply strike him down.

After several days of this stalemate, one night, Su Mo and Yang Xiaoyun were delayed by a minor incident on the road and missed their lodging.

They had no choice but to camp out in the wilderness by the roadside.

Sitting opposite each other by the fire, they gazed into the deep night. Yang Xiaoyun spoke softly:

"Only half a month's journey remains to Yuqing Mountain... yet they haven't made any moves."

"Perhaps they're not ready yet..."

Su Mo poked at the fire with a stick: "If they were to act directly, they might not return. If I were them, I would think of another way."

"Oh?"

Yang Xiaoyun's eyes lit up: "What method would you use?"

"That's hard to say."

Su Mo pondered for a moment: "For example, stirring up the waters... to fish in the chaos?"

"Fishing in the chaos?"

Yang Xiaoyun raised her eyebrows slightly and suddenly looked into the darkness: "Is it that person?"

"No."

Su Mo shook his head.

The night was quiet and deep. After a while, a figure emerged from the shadows and approached them.

This person seemed to have traveled a long distance and, upon seeing the fire, paused to catch their breath before looking at Su Mo and Yang Xiaoyun.

With a slight bow, he smiled warmly: "Excuse me... travelers seeking shelter by the fire. Would it be convenient for you?"

"Not convenient."

Su Mo immediately shook his head.

Yang Xiaoyun glanced at Su Mo thoughtfully, then lowered her head and gripped the silver spear beside her.

The newcomer seemed puzzled by Su Mo's response and stood there, somewhat stunned.

After a moment, he sighed bitterly: "I mean no harm; I just want to warm myself by the fire. Please..."

Before he could finish, a cold laugh echoed nearby.

"How laughable. They've already said no, yet you still insist."

The voice was clear and sharp.

The newcomer's face changed dramatically: "They came so quickly..."

Without hesitation, he turned to Su Mo and Yang Xiaoyun, bowed slightly, and said:

"I apologize for the disturbance. Farewell."

With that, he leaped into the air, displaying impressive lightness skills.

However, just as he left the firelight, an angry grunt sounded: "You..."

He hadn't finished speaking when he flew back the same way he had gone, landing beside the fire, covered in blood.

A sword had pierced his chest.

From the darkness on either side, two figures emerged. One held a dripping sword, while the other shook his head and sighed as he walked forward:

"Since I knew your lightness skills were good, I wouldn't be unprepared. I followed you here; did you think I was just playing around?"

"... You... outrageous!"

The man on the ground was pale, losing blood rapidly, and could barely speak.

Despite this, he glanced at Su Mo and Yang Xiaoyun and shouted angrily: "One should bear the consequences of their own actions. I met these two by chance, but now I've brought trouble upon them. Kill me if you must, but don't involve others."

"Others?"

The two men looked at Su Mo and Yang Xiaoyun and shook their heads: "Who here is an outsider? Meeting here, who can remain uninvolved? If blame must be placed, blame their bad luck and blame you... for bringing this calamity upon them."

With that, he seemed unwilling to continue and lightly shook his hand:

"Kill them all."

The tone was casual, as if it were not about murder but merely a trivial task.

The man holding the long sword had an expressionless face, and as he raised his sword, he was about to kill.

Su Mo and Yang Xiaoyun exchanged a glance, both showing a hint of helplessness in their eyes.

Just as this man was about to strike, the sound of breaking wind approached swiftly. In the blink of an eye, over a dozen people appeared in the quiet woods.

After these people landed, one stepped forward, his gaze sweeping lightly over everyone present.

The man who had been killing like slaughtering chickens immediately changed his attitude:

"This subordinate greets the Sword Leader. I did not expect this matter to trouble you personally. It is my incompetence; please punish me, Sword Leader."

"Indeed, punishment is warranted."

The Sword Leader glanced coldly at him. "This was clearly about recovering stolen goods, yet you resorted to murder so easily. The reputation of our Qijue Hall is tarnished by the likes of you."

Qijue Hall?

Su Mo and Yang Xiaoyun exchanged another glance, their expressions somewhat peculiar.

Qijue Hall was a relatively peculiar organization.

While it had traditions, it was not structured like a typical sect with master-to-disciple lineage.

Instead, contributions determined the passing down of skills. Every deed done for Qijue Hall earned points recorded in the ledger of merits, which could be exchanged for internal teachings.

Qijue Hall proudly claimed seven specialties: fist, spear, whip, hammer, saber, sword, and qi!

Each of these corresponded to a set of martial arts and a specific weapon, overseen by seven individuals.

The Grand Master Feng Wuxiang governed the seven specialties from above.

The seven Weapon Leaders held positions just below him, commanding great respect.

Thus, this organization was more akin to a gang than a sect, yet it did not involve itself in any gang disputes, maintaining neutrality between sects and gangs.

In recent years, however, Qijue Hall's reputation had deteriorated.

Though they claimed to be a prestigious sect, rumors suggested they had become increasingly ruthless, losing favor among the righteous factions of the martial world.

From what they saw today, those rumors seemed true.

Just observing the man's readiness to kill showed how little Qijue Hall valued human life.

Su Mo and Yang Xiaoyun did not expect to encounter Qijue Hall here...

As they pondered this, the man kneeling on the ground spoke up:

"This subordinate deserves death, but please, Sword Leader, understand that the item stolen is of utmost importance and involves secrets that cannot be left unguarded!"

"Silence!"

The Sword Leader erupted in anger, pointing a finger. "Our Qijue Hall is a prestigious sect of the martial world. How can we engage in such acts of murder to cover up crimes? If you dare utter another word, treating lives as worthless, I will make you the first to die!!"