Chapter 195: Bystander Meng

A few people were not far from the grand hall of the tower ship, where they had lit a fire on the snow-covered deck and placed a pot over it. Meng Qi casually turned his head and, through the half-closed door, caught sight of the scene inside, immediately realizing where the sailor’s earlier words were inaccurate.

Inside the hall, due to the sudden drop in temperature, many passengers had chosen to stay in their cabins, wrapped in warm quilts, waiting for the ship’s servants to bring meals, wine, braziers, and thick blankets. Hence, only a small number had come to dine, sitting at around five or six tables.

One table was occupied by a young nobleman of dignified bearing. Though his face still bore traces of youthfulness, every movement conformed to proper etiquette. His hair was pinned with jade, and he wore a green jade ornament at his waist, with no other adornments. Beside him sat an elderly man dressed as a servant—wrinkled and aged, yet his eyes gleamed with vitality when opened.

Another table was occupied by a solitary woman dressed in plain white robes, exuding an ethereal elegance. A white-sheathed longsword lay on the table beside her. Her expression revealed unease as she kept glancing warily at the two nearby tables.

Beside her, one table was occupied by a man with a fierce expression. Though his features were ordinary, his hands were as large as fans, with prominent knuckles, clearly indicating formidable palm techniques. Another table was occupied by a married couple. The man was pale and coughed continuously, seemingly quite ill. His wife, however, was exquisitely beautiful, with radiant, smooth skin.

The sailor felt something was off due to the woman’s anxious expression and the fierce man’s menacing look.

The remaining two tables: one was occupied by a drunkard who had barely touched his food but had already consumed several pots of wine, his face flushed with drunkenness. The table nearest the door was occupied by two young men dressed as noblemen—one carried a sword, his hair tied in a topknot, with a narrow face; the other bore a long saber. Whether smiling or sighing, his expression remained calm and subdued.

“There’s going to be trouble. Go inform the ship owner and have him send guards,” the sailor leader said, noticing the tension and ordering the sailor.

The sailor understood that unless they rushed the fight together, using their numbers to overwhelm the combatants, they would be of little use in a fight between martial heroes. He hastily rose and rushed toward the rear of the ship to find the owner.

Meng Qi picked up a piece of pig intestine, dipped it into the sauce, and kept half his attention on the activity inside the hall. He had always believed in intervening when witnessing injustice, provided he was capable. He edged closer to the door, sharpening his hearing to catch the conversation within.

“Brother Tang, it has been three years since we last met. You’ve now opened six acupoints, making you a fine young expert among your generation. Congratulations! This deserves a toast!” the swordsman said, raising his cup.

Brother Tang, slightly smug, raised his cup in response and sighed, “My dear friend Wan, let me give you a piece of advice: traveling ten thousand miles and experiencing a hundred trials is better than ten years of solitary training at home. Three years ago, I was utterly defeated by Ye San, too ashamed to show my face, so I feigned a journey to refine my skills and left home.”

“From that journey, I learned the vastness of heaven and earth, met many martial experts, endured countless hardships, and suffered many humiliations. But I gained greatly—opening four acupoints in three years and making significant progress in saber techniques. Compared to my past self, I am practically reborn. Now that I return home, I intend to test Ye San and see how much they’ve improved!”

He spoke with great confidence.

Brother Wan laughed heartily, “Ye San and the others are still wandering around Yicheng. Back then, they had opened four acupoints, but now they’ve barely opened the nasal acupoint. Brother Tang, your return will be like a glorious return under moonlight. I can’t wait to see their expressions.”

Yicheng… Meng Qi inhaled sharply. Wasn’t that the small town where Senior Brother Qi was stationed as a steward?

The capital city of Huan Prefecture was Zhoujun Yedu, and Yicheng was a small town near Yedu. One-tenth of its farmland belonged to the Hua Hua Sword Sect. Thus, after Qi Zhengyan requested to leave the mountain to manage the sect’s external properties, he was assigned here to assist an uncle-disciple in overseeing estates, farmland, tenant farmers, and affiliated shops. Due to the vast amount of property to manage, he and the uncle-disciple each handled their own portion, enjoying a carefree life. Meng Qi had planned to stay with him for a year or two, enjoying good food and drink until his features matured and his hair grew long enough to venture out into the martial world.

Meng Qi observed the man called Brother Tang, who appeared to be around twenty-five or twenty-six, and began to suspect: “The Ye San he mentioned should be about the same age, with no experience traveling outside. He’s still in Yicheng at this age with six acupoints opened—probably a scion of a noble family.”

Yicheng wasn’t large, though it was prosperous as a satellite town of Yedu with heavy trade. Still, it could support no more than five noble families.

Meng Qi nodded slightly, planning to find an opportunity to chat with Brothers Tang and Wan to expand his connections. It would be convenient to have acquaintances if he were to settle in Yicheng—more friends meant more paths forward.

Brother Tang poured himself another cup, swirling it in his hand. “Past humiliation must be avenged. After this matter is settled, I will travel again, striving to open all nine acupoints or even step into the realm of Half-Step Beyond Scenery. Brother Wan, will you join me?”

Brother Wan smiled bitterly and shook his head. “We’re about the same age, but I’ve only opened the eye acupoint through pills. I’ve long abandoned martial aspirations and now focus solely on family business.”

“That’s fine too. Wandering the martial world might one day lead to death on the roadside, unknown and devoured by wild dogs…” Brother Tang seemed to be reminded of something, his voice low and his expression slightly fearful.

Meng Qi, now a seasoned martial artist, read between the lines and sensed that aside from the glory of returning home in success, Brother Tang likely had other reasons—perhaps to avoid danger.

As the two conversed, the eerie tension in the center of the hall finally erupted.

Crash! The fierce man slammed his table, stood up, and strode toward the woman in plain clothes, gritting his teeth. “Little slut, daring to ruin our plans—you must be tired of living!”

He seemed to have finally cast aside all caution, disregarding others, and moved directly to attack.

At the same time, the coughing invalid and his alluring wife rose too, approaching from another direction to cut off her escape.

The woman in plain clothes was around twenty-three or twenty-four, with delicate eyebrows like distant mountains and a straight nose. Her ethereal elegance made her a rare beauty. She frowned, her expression resolute, drawing her sword and assuming a defensive stance. “The Heaven-Annihilating Gate is notorious enough. Even if I don’t interfere, righteous heroes will still act!”

Heaven-Annihilating Gate—the Heaven-Annihilating Gate of the Nine Evil Sects? Meng Qi raised an eyebrow slightly.

The Nine Evil Sects were suppressed by orthodox sects and noble families. To ordinary martial artists, their reputation was not widely known. Thus, the nearby sailors exchanged puzzled glances: “Heaven-Annihilating Gate?”

Meng Qi casually explained, “The Heaven-Annihilating Gate is one of the Nine Evil Sects, dedicated to annihilating heaven, earth, and humanity. Once powerful, they repeatedly plotted grand conspiracies. However, after the ‘Demon Sage’ Han Guang, who had cultivated to the Dharma Body stage, disappeared following a duel with the Shaolin Abbot Master Kongwen, they suffered greatly and went into hiding. Now, only the Eight Great Heaven Demons and Nineteen Human Demons are famous in the martial world.”

“Ohhh!” The sailors suddenly understood. So the villains were part of such a terrifying and notorious force.

The fierce man did not immediately attack. He advanced step by step, and after hearing Meng Qi’s words, paused slightly, sneering at the plain-dressed woman. “Dan Xiumei, you’re doomed today. Why not surrender and let me have some fun?”

He was using vulgar words to provoke her, hoping to rattle her composure and increase his chances of victory.

“Dan Xiumei? The Red Cloud Sword Dan Xiumei?” Meng Qi muttered to himself, gripping his sword hilt, ready to help.

“Dan Xiumei?” The surrounding sailors again expressed confusion.

Meng Qi dutifully played the role of an informative bystander: “A renowned female swordsman from the Zhou Mountain Sword Sect, a six-acupoint expert with exceptional sword skills. No wonder the Heaven-Annihilating Gate trio hesitated.”

He had heard her name during casual conversations with Wu Qin Xin and Shangguan Han. She was described as beautiful and elegant—matching the woman before him.

“Oh, so that’s the case…” Knowing Dan Xiumei’s identity, the sailors seemed to feel some sympathy for her and turned their gazes toward the rear of the ship, hoping for the owner’s guards to arrive.

After speaking, Meng Qi released his sword hilt, noticing that upon hearing Dan Xiumei’s name, the dignified young nobleman had also gripped his sword, seemingly intending to play the hero.

If you want to save her, go ahead… Meng Qi naturally preferred not to fight if he could, quickly shifting into the role of a spectator.

Dan Xiumei remained calm, saying, “Iron-Hand Demon, Joyful Demon—kill me if you dare. What more do you want?”

“Iron-Hand Demon? Joyful Demon?” The sailors again turned to Meng Qi in confusion.

Meng Qi shifted his gaze to the coughing invalid and the alluring young wife: “The Nineteen Human Demons of the Heaven-Annihilating Gate are all experts who have opened acupoints, at minimum seven. Each has unique skills. Iron-Hand Demon is one of them, and so is the ‘Joyful Demon.’ I wonder which one is which…”

The alluring young wife giggled. “Sister Dan, I didn’t expect you to recognize me. I was planning to surprise you.”

She appeared relaxed, her slender hand resting on her husband’s shoulder as they slowly advanced, accompanied by his coughing.

“At minimum seven acupoints? Dan girl only has six. Isn’t she in great danger?” The sailors simply compared.

Meng Qi nodded slightly. “The Nineteen Human Demons each possess unique abilities, far beyond ordinary acupoint experts. With two Human Demons here, even if Dan girl’s sword skills are exceptional, she may still struggle to escape.”

He dutifully continued his commentary, judging from their actions that Iron-Hand Demon had seven acupoints open, while Joyful Demon had eight.

Upon hearing Meng Qi’s words, Dan Xiumei took a deep breath, her expression growing more resolute. “Then attack! It’s either your death or mine.”

“What a fiery girl. I really want to capture and train her.” Joyful Demon struck, her right hand darting forward to seize Dan Xiumei’s sword, her body bending into a seductive curve.

The Iron-Hand Demon struck straight ahead, his palm radiating a fierce and domineering energy, making Dan Xiumei feel as though a scorching wind was rushing toward her.

Dan Xiumei swung her sword, which danced like a leaping fish—graceful yet resolute.

“Fish Leaping the Dragon Gate Thirteen Sword. Dan girl executes it well, but Joyful Demon and Iron-Hand Demon are stronger,” Meng Qi told the sailors.

“Stop!” Suddenly, a stern shout rang out—it was the dignified young nobleman.

He unsheathed his sword and declared, “Evil-doers must be punished by all. Miss Dan, I will assist you.”

The sailors exclaimed in surprise, “Someone is stepping in! What’s his strength like?”

Meng Qi smiled. Even if the nobleman failed, there was still the old servant. He deliberately provoked, “Judging by this young man’s display, he’s also at the six-acupoint level. He may not be a match for Joyful Demon.”

Normally, such words from a bystander would provoke the combatants… Meng Qi watched with a playful glint in his eyes.

As soon as he finished speaking, the nobleman’s aura surged, righteous and imposing, forcing Joyful Demon to retreat with a single sword strike.

“The Grand Righteousness Qi—this must be from the Zhoujun Wang Clan of Huan Prefecture…” Meng Qi had already decided to enter Huan Prefecture, so he had certainly inquired about the region from Zhang Yuanshan. The Zhoujun Wang Clan was one of the Fourteen Noble Families, and their clan’s core technique was the “Grand Righteousness Qi.”

Feeling that he had impressed the onlookers, the young nobleman from the Zhoujun Wang Clan swiftly executed his sword technique, grand and righteous, forcing Joyful Demon and her husband to retreat continuously.

Dan Xiumei also unleashed her sword skills, clashing fiercely with Iron-Hand Demon.

Upon realizing their opponent was from the Zhoujun Wang Clan, Joyful Demon and Iron-Hand Demon already had thoughts of retreat—not out of fear of the young nobleman, but concern for the old servant who had yet to act.

At that moment, the drunkard at another table suddenly erupted, wielding chopsticks and lunging toward Brothers Tang and Wan, stabbing downward fiercely.

He had chosen his timing well, catching everyone off guard. Not until this moment did his killing intent fully reveal itself. Even Meng Qi, nearby, couldn’t intervene in time.

The two chopsticks—one pierced the neck of Brother Wan, while the other aimed directly at Brother Tang’s throat.

Brother Tang seemed to have remained vigilant all along. Despite being distracted by Dan Xiumei’s fight, he had still kept watch on his surroundings. In an emergency, he slammed backward, breaking through the wooden wall and flying into the river.

Splash! At the spot where he fell, a trail of blood surfaced, suggesting he had still been a moment too late, pierced by the chopstick.

The assassin didn’t stop, following the hole Brother Tang had made and leaping into the water as well, using the river to escape.

Meng Qi was too late to act, frowning slightly. This assassin was highly skilled—his every move exuding professionalism. He might be a member of the infamous assassin organization, the “Unfeeling Tower,” one of the Nine Evil Sects.

Of course, a couple of other major factions also dabbled in assassination, such as the Life-and-Death Indifference Sect among the Nine Evils, or the Iron Garment Tower among the Six Great Pillars.

Meanwhile, Joyful Demon, already considering retreat, seized an opportunity, forcing back the Zhoujun Wang nobleman and fleeing with her husband through the broken wall, plunging into the river.

The old servant had remained still all along, seemingly only prepared to act if the young master’s life was in danger.

Iron-Hand Demon had already driven Dan Xiumei back, then dashed through the door, rushing onto the deck, preparing to leap into the river to escape.

As he passed Meng Qi, he frowned. Just now, this kid had been chattering noisily, annoying him greatly!

So, he lashed out with a kick toward Meng Qi.