Chapter 50: Three Battles

Suzhou – Zhao Family Ancestral Land

The once weathered village has now transformed into a prosperous ancient town.

Even before entering, one could smell lingering fragrances – the scent of plant-based dyes being prepared for silk.

The Zhao family built their fortune on silk. Though they now dominate the silk and fabric trade, they’ve never dared abandon their craft, passing it down through generations.

Outside the old town, black-clad swordsmen arrive like ethereal shadows. They are the Black Swords – King of Song Shen Jingyu’s private assassins.

The lead swordsman drew his blade and whispered: “Slaughter.”

In a flash, black figures descend on the town like ravens.

Many Zhao family members only heard their doors kicked open before a long sword silences them forever.

“Bang!”

“What’s wrong?” A black-clad swordsman approached his motionless comrade at a doorway and asked quietly.

His comrade stepped aside. The swordsman was hit by a foul stench, contrasting sharply with the fragrant courtyard.

In the moonlight, the swordsman’s eyes widen behind his mask. The small room was filled with dry hay, and over a dozen emaciated young girls were huddled in the corner, looking at them with terrified eyes.

The girls wore tattered hemp clothes. Various scars were visible on their exposed thin arms. Their small hands were permanently stained from long exposure to dyes.

The swordsman frowned. “Slaves?”

The contrast between their rags and the luxurious silks hanging in the courtyard was strikingly ironic.

“They’re not our targets,” his comrade said hoarsely.

“Should we leave them here?” The swordsman’s frown deepened.

“Please… don’t… leave us here…” The girl in front urgently tried to stand but stumbleed on her chains, falling back onto the hay.

She struggled up, staring at the bloodied sword with a look of longing in her eyes.

“Even if you kill us… please don’t leave us here again.”

The girl smiled in despair, her already lifeless eyes growing darker until completely vacant.

The other girls, without speaking, have made the same decision.

For the first time, the swordsman felt the weight of his sword unbearably heavy.

“Have you forgotten my teachings? When drawing your sword, leave emotions behind.”

“Leader?!”

The two were startled.

An elderly man in black, who appeared without notice, coldly surveyed the girls. “What a pity. These girls are too old to learn martial arts now.”

“Hand them over to the Northern Commercial Association.”

With that, the old man leapt away gracefully. A great battle awaited him here.

“Yes! Leader!”

——————

Suzhou – Yangtze River Bank

“Crack!”

The raging fire snapped the mast, crushing a few unfortunate souls. The air was thick with the nauseating stench of blood and charred flesh. Nearly half the wide river surface was stained red.

In the fortress and on the large ships, the battle cries continued. Both sides became like demons, fighting to the death.

“Hahaha!”

Kazama Taro tore off his tattered sleeve, revealing his blood-soaked upper body. With a vicious grin, he forced out a few words: “Swordsman, your sword is very good! But! Not fast enough!”

The bearded man half-knelt with his sword in his hand. The blood on his chest was stuck to his beard. He tried to stand up several times but knelt down tremblingly. His body had reached its limit.

He couldn’t understand.

He couldn’t understand why this Japanese man was so incredibly strong.

He hates it.

He hates that his sword couldn’t be just a bit faster.

He’s unwilling to accept.

Unwilling to accept that natural talent will always surpass hard work.

As his life force ebbs…

“Slap!”

A large hand lands on the long-bearded man’s shoulder.

“Second brother, well done. Leave the rest to big brother!” Zhao Qi said coldly, flexing his wrist.

“Big brother…”

The long-bearded man was stunned.

“Yoshi! You, stronger than him!” 

Kazama Taro grinned, his eyes full of excitement.

There’s no mistake!

Zhao Qi, the Grand Chief of Three Rivers Fortress!

Worth 3000 taels! Twice as much as that swordsman!

“Thud!”

Just as Zhao Qi was about to ask who sent him, a blood-red figure descends from above.

Blade Corpse turns to face Zhao Qi, holding a severed head.

“Third brother?!!!”

Zhao Qi stared at the head in shock for a second, then roared in fury, his eyes bulging.

Three Rivers Fortress has three strongholds and three chiefs.

Grand Chief Zhao Qi, Second Chief Zhao Xian, and Third Chief Zhao Kai – three blood brothers.

The three climbed to their current positions through sheer strength.

Though from a branch family, their status in the Zhao clan far exceeds that of most direct descendants.

“Third brother…”

Zhao Xian’s eyes widened. Rage and shock caused him to cough up more blood, further weakening him.

Blade Corpse tosses the head aside, pointing their S-shaped blade at Zhao Qi before launching forward with explosive force.

“I’ll kill you!!!”

Zhao Qi’s arm muscles bulge as he channels his qi into his fist, stomping forward to meet the attack.

In an instant, Blade Corpse takes a punch to the abdomen and flies back, crashing into a large ship at the dock.

“Second brother, run!” Zhao Qi shouted after landing the hit.

He’s not sure if he can win against two opponents, but one must die here.

Zhao Xian knows he’s a liability now. Staying would only endanger his brother. He burns his life force to flee.

“Bakayaro!”

Kazama Taro rages – his 1500 taels just ran away! All because of that armored bastard. But he doesn’t remember bringing someone like that on his ship!

Blade Corpse reappears from the ship’s breach, leaping up to bring their blade down on Zhao Qi.

“Die!” Ignoring Kazama Taro, Zhao Qi charges at Blade Corpse with full force.

“Bakayaro!”

Kazama Taro grows angrier at being ignored.

“Boom!”

Suddenly, a cyan blade of energy cuts across the river with tremendous power, swallowing up fighting ronin and pirates in its path.

Kazama Taro was shocked. He stepped back, focusing all his energy to draw his sword and unleash a purple wave to counter it.

The two overwhelming forces collide, sending water splashing dozens of meters high.

“Interesting.”

As the water rained down, Wolf Head stood nearby with dual blades in hand.

“What is the meaning of this?”

Kazama Taro immediately recognized that this person was his esteemed employer.

Wolf Head remains silent, releasing killing intent to make his intentions clear.

“You want to kill me? You’re welcome to try…”

Kazama Taro’s heart sank as he took a stance with both hands on his sword.

They both flash forward, clash, separate, and clash again!

Sparks flew as their blades blur in a flurry of strikes. Dozens of exchanges pass with no clear winner.

In the distance, Zhao Xian suddenly stopped after fleeing several kilometers. A red silhouette had been waiting for him.

Snake drew her thin sword: “Zhao family, Zhao Xian.”

Zhao Xian gritted his teeth: “Northern Commercial Association…”

――――――

The warm summer air was filled with the gentle sounds of a babbling brook winding through lush green forests.

Twenty li outside Guanshan City in Liaodong – Main Camp of the Qing Army

“Report!”

A messenger from the Martial Guard Division quickly entered into the central command tent.

Inside, a young man with unkempt facial hair and wearing fiery red robes opens his bloodshot eyes. “What is it?”

“Reporting to His Highness the King of Jin! An urgent order from a thousand li away!”

Shen Junyan leapt to his feet, snatching the jade scroll from the messenger’s hand.

Moments later, Shen Junyan bursts into excited laughter. “Good! Good! Good!”

“Issue the order! The entire army is to move out! We attack the city at dawn!”