He didn't rush to meet the Clear River Sword Sect disciples, first needing to survey the surroundings and gauge the sect's true strength. The Clear River Sword Sect was based on an island; surely such a large settlement as White Stone City must have a master figure watching over it. If this master couldn't command the respect of the assembled heroes, what authority would the Clear River Sword Sect possess?
He settled into an inn and spent the next couple of days exploring White Stone City.
Unbeknownst to him, two days passed. That morning, after washing up, he ventured out onto the main street again. Early morning White Stone City was bustling; street food stalls lined the thoroughfares, and the air was thick with savory aromas.
The street food in White Stone City was exceptional, a convergence of delicacies from all corners of the realm. No matter where a visitor hailed from, they could always find something to suit their palate, or perhaps a taste of home.
He stopped at a steamed bun shop—the buns here were famed for their thin skins, rich juices, exquisite flavor, and tender texture.
After thoroughly enjoying his meal, he emerged contentedly. Directly ahead, two slight, grinning men were heading into the shop. As they brushed past, Li Muzhan suddenly swayed to the left, moving like a flower petal drifting across water. Two flashes of cold light zipped past where he had just stood.
Li Muzhan frowned, looking back at the two men. Both were about forty, lean and withered in appearance, the sort who could easily fade into a crowd.
Their first strike having failed, the two lunged at Li Muzhan again, short blades emerging from their sleeves to become two arcs of cold light, striking like venomous snakes.
Li Muzhan shook his head, executing a slight, effortless shift, evading them once more.
The attackers were relentless, pressing forward. Their short blades transformed into a curtain of icy glints, surging around Li Muzhan like a tidal wave.
Li Muzhan vaguely suspected he was being targeted by old enemies, but he couldn't place which group it was. He had certainly made a name for Li Canghai along the way, dispatching many people, so it was inevitable that some enemies would track him down.
While dodging, he observed the reactions of those around him. People bustled in and out of the bun shop, yet no one paid them any attention, as if this were an everyday occurrence.
Li Muzhan frowned, puzzled. He hadn't yet grasped the unspoken rules of White Stone City—why were people so indifferent?
After a while, the two showed no sign of stopping. Li Muzhan grew impatient, flicked his sleeve, and the two men were flung over ten zhang away, landing utterly unable to move.
Li Muzhan shook his head and turned to leave.
The two men tried to rise, but their limbs were weak; they couldn't muster any strength, only struggling feebly while cursing under their breath.
Li Muzhan didn't bother with them. People of this caliber posed no threat; whether they lived or died made no difference, and he was disinclined to kill them outright.
Besides, this was White Stone City territory. If there were some strange local custom he hadn't figured out, he truly didn't want to start a major conflict just yet before understanding the Clear River Sword Sect's true measure.
After eating, he followed his habit of strolling to aid digestion, meandering down the main street. The people within White Stone City were a mix: some leisurely, some hurried. It was easy to tell that those taking their time were locals; those rushing were out-of-town merchants.
Li Muzhan, too, was leisurely and unhurried.
"Hiss!" A light whistle sounded. Li Muzhan vanished from his spot, reappearing two zhang away. Where he had been standing, the ground was now studded with embedded projectiles.
Li Muzhan turned and frowned toward the source: two elderly men standing amidst the crowd, exuding potent auras that caused passersby to automatically clear a path.
Li Muzhan observed the two elders calmly. Apparently, they were also seeking vengeance. He was too weary to ask questions, merely shaking his head: "You two have considerable nerve!"
"Li Canghai, your good days are over!" the taller elder sneered. The shorter one followed suit with a cold laugh, looking at Li Muzhan as if he were already dead.
Li Muzhan frowned: "What do you want?"
"Revenge for our Big Boss!" the tall elder chuckled coldly. "We aren't the only ones looking for you; there are many more."
Li Muzhan asked: "How did you find me?"
"Hmph, we joined forces and used a secret method to track you down! How could you escape?!" The tall elder sneered, his eyes sharp as an eagle's, fixed upon him.
Li Muzhan smiled and shook his head: "Just a rabble, not worth worrying about."
The short elder retorted indignantly, "Li Canghai, you overestimate yourself! We are merely the vanguards. Far more powerful people are waiting behind us—just wait and see!"
Li Muzhan chuckled: "Aren't you afraid of White Stone City?"
"Hmph, as long as we don't kill anyone here, White Stone City won't interfere!" the short elder scoffed.
Li Muzhan's eyebrow twitched slightly; he had grasped the city's bottom line. He smiled: "Even if you don't kill me, if you injure me, will White Stone City stand idly by?"
"It seems you youngster don't understand the rules," the short elder sneered dismissively. "They don't care about injuring people; as long as no one dies, they won't bother with you!"
The tall elder quickly tugged at the short one, who turned back in confusion.
Li Muzhan smiled sweetly: "If injuring me won't be pursued, then pardon my impoliteness!"
Saying this, he flashed behind the two men, placing a palm strike on each. With two muffled thumps, both men flew backward and collapsed, unmoving.
Li Muzhan walked up to them, shaking his head: "Your martial arts are crippled. You can now live out your days as ordinary men. Enjoy it."
He chuckled and turned away.
The two elders ground their teeth in hatred, wishing they could tear him apart. For a master of martial arts, having one's cultivation crippled was tantamount to death—they were left alive only to suffer.
Li Muzhan continued his leisurely walk. After covering a li or so, four more elders sprang out, their cultivation far superior to the previous two groups.
Li Muzhan crippled all four without hesitation. Though their skills were high, they posed no real threat to him; he dispatched them casually.
As he walked on, he dealt with three successive waves of attackers, each stronger than the last. Tragically for them, Li Muzhan crippled them all. They came one after another, seemingly fearless of death.
Li Muzhan understood they were emboldened by a certain assurance: they knew he dared not kill within White Stone City, which gave them courage. However, having their martial arts destroyed was a significant blow; he figured that would be enough to scare them off.
He deliberately avoided returning to the inn, circling White Stone City instead. In total, he crippled five groups, and after that, no one else sought trouble. He felt quite satisfied.
As evening approached, he finally reached the inn. Two handsome youths greeted him. They wore deep azure long robes, carried long swords at their waists, and carried themselves with scholarly refinement, looking elegant and distinguished.
Li Muzhan calmly studied them.
The two handsome youths clasped their fists. The one on the left, possessing a more heroic air, spoke first: "Are you perhaps Young Master Li Canghai?"
Li Muzhan nodded: "I am Li Canghai."
The azure-robed youth nodded: "Third Senior Brother requests the presence of Young Master Li!"
Li Muzhan asked: "Your Third Senior Brother is...?"
"Young Master Li will know when he arrives," the azure-robed youth replied proudly.
Li Muzhan smiled: "You two are elite disciples of the Clear River Sword Sect, aren't you?"
"Indeed!" The two puffed out their chests.
Li Muzhan said: "Very well, please lead the way."
He followed the pair out of the inn, heading directly west. They traversed the city from east to west, their footsteps light. As they passed through crowds, they trod intricate steps, moving without obstruction, like fish swimming through water. Li Muzhan followed closely.
They appeared to walk with ease, but their speed was extreme. One moment they were visible; the next, when you blinked, they were already far ahead; another blink, and they had vanished.
After about half an hour, they arrived before a large residence. Externally, the manor looked no different from the surrounding buildings, perhaps even a bit shabbier.
There weren't even any guards posted outside. One of the youths stepped forward and knocked on the weathered main door. When it opened, a small, thin elder with white hair and beard saw the two, nodded once, and stood aside.
Li Muzhan followed them into the courtyard. Inside, the atmosphere was completely different: the flora was lush, and a subtle, fresh fragrance drifted in the air, invigorating the spirit upon inhalation.
They soon reached the front of the main hall. The two led Li Muzhan directly inside without needing to announce him.
Pushing aside the curtain, Li Muzhan saw a handsome young man pacing with his hands clasped behind his back, a book held in the other hand. He turned as they entered.
"Third Senior Brother, Young Master Li has arrived!"
"Mmm, you two may leave," the handsome youth waved, and the two bowed and respectfully exited the hall.
Li Muzhan wasn't in a hurry to speak, smiling as he regarded the handsome youth. It seemed this man was similar to himself: appearing young, yet carrying the weight of deep experience in the lines around his eyes.
He cupped his fist and smiled: "Young Master Li, I apologize for the intrusion. I am Zheng Haishi, a disciple of the Clear River Sword Sect."
Li Muzhan smiled: "The Clear River Sword Sect—I have long admired your esteemed name!"
"Young Master Li, please sit," Zheng Haishi moved to a table, set down his book, and slowly sat down.
Li Muzhan took the seat opposite him and smiled: "What instructions do you have for me, Young Master Zheng?"
"Your great fame, Young Master Li, is also thunderous in my ears!" Zheng Haishi chuckled. "Your methods, truly astonishing at first display, are remarkable!"
Li Muzhan replied: "Merely some petty tricks relying on opportunity, hardly worthy of high praise... I envy you, Young Master Zheng, being part of a prestigious lineage, like standing beneath a towering tree."
Zheng Haishi smiled: "Indeed, I also consider myself very fortunate."
At that moment, a young girl brought tea. Li Muzhan glanced at her—she was fifteen or sixteen, graceful and dignified, but regrettably possessed no martial arts skill whatsoever.
After she retreated, both men sipped their tea. Li Muzhan remained candid and fearless, showing no hesitation, which caused a slight ripple in Zheng Haishi's composure.
Zheng Haishi set down his teacup, gave a light cough, and stared intently at Li Muzhan: "Young Master Li, please forgive my curiosity, but I investigated your background."
Li Muzhan's eyebrow rose slightly, his expression unchanged: "Oh—?"
Zheng Haishi kept his gaze fixed: "White Mountain lies three thousand li northeast of White Stone City, is that correct?"
Li Muzhan smiled: "To be able to locate White Mountain, the Clear River Sword Sect is truly well-endowed with resources!"
Zheng Haishi shook his head: "I am ashamed; it took us considerable effort to ascertain that... However, according to our findings, no one has ever lived on White Mountain!"
Li Muzhan laughed: "What do you mean by that, Young Master Zheng?"
"Does Young Master Li truly hail from White Mountain?" Zheng Haishi pressed.
Li Muzhan laughed: "White Mountain is hardly a famous peak."
Zheng Haishi shook his head: "I believe, Young Master Li, that you do not reside on White Mountain!"
Li Muzhan sighed: "This puts me in a difficult spot... But I truly don't understand why your sect, which concerns itself with major affairs of the realm, would focus on a small figure like myself at White Mountain?"
"Young Master Li is no small figure!" Zheng Haishi countered. "I suspect Young Master Li is a master from a renowned lineage, deliberately concealing his identity!"
Li Muzhan broke into a light laugh, shaking his head repeatedly: "This is quite amusing... Young Master Zheng’s imagination runs wild; your theories are truly unique. I admire you greatly!"
"Is that so, or not?" Zheng Haishi stared intently, his gaze feeling substantial enough to pierce his eyes.
Li Muzhan stroked his chin, looking at him with a knowing smile: "If I am, what then? If I am not, what then?"
Zheng Haishi narrowed his eyes, his gaze becoming sharper: "It seems I guessed correctly!"
Li Muzhan chuckled: "Then why doesn't Young Master Zheng venture a guess as to which sect I actually belong to?"
"That is precisely what I intend!" Zheng Haishi’s expression hardened. "Since Young Master Li has arrived in White Stone City, I must ascertain the truth!"
Slowly, he drew the long sword from his waist. The blade was slender, trembling as if a stream of water were flowing.
Li Muzhan stood with his hands clasped behind his back, watching him: "Young Master Zheng, your Clear River Sword Sect seems to be concerning itself with matters far beyond your jurisdiction, wouldn't you say?" (To be continued)