Chapter 092: The Sword Enthusiast

Deduction Card!

The card picked up from the corpse of Ouyang Tiger-Catcher turned out to be a Deduction Card.

The master of Baihe Martial Arts Hall, Yu Shengmo, was obsessed with studying the theory of martial arts and had created his own techniques; the card he dropped was also a Deduction Card. Now Ouyang Tiger-Catcher has produced a Deduction Card as well…

Could it be that this Black Tiger Gang leader is likewise a genius? Had he invented one or even several martial arts techniques himself?

It seemed that the secret technique Ouyang Tiger-Catcher practiced was indeed his own creation. Outsiders had no idea where the roots of his martial arts came from.

Su Jingxing resolved to look up Ouyang Tiger-Catcher’s biography online once he returned home.

Though Su Jingxing would have preferred a True Qi Card—at the fifth rank, if the card retrieved had been True Qi, it would have granted at least ten years of cultivation—this Deduction Card, compared to Yu Shengmo’s, offered only two uses but a much higher probability: one in three chance of success.

Not bad, all things considered.

…

On this day, the crematorium was bustling.

Everyone who came, upon hearing the news of Ouyang Tiger-Catcher’s death, was both shocked and delighted.

They rejoiced because with Ouyang Tiger-Catcher dead, even if the Black Tiger Gang didn’t collapse outright, it would fracture into smaller factions, reducing its threat to the public.

From the gang leader down to the ordinary members, the common folk wished every underground gangster dead.

They were shocked because a master of Ouyang Tiger-Catcher’s caliber had been slain at the very gates of his headquarters in just three moves—an event far too astonishing.

Nie Renqiu, the one who killed Ouyang Tiger-Catcher, became famous overnight after this battle.

Everyone gathered to discuss Nie Renqiu’s origins and his connection with Ouyang Tiger-Catcher. Though nobody knew the details, they invented several dramatic stories through sheer imagination.

Even Su Jingxing, after listening, found himself doubting what was true.

Rumors mingled fact and fiction, and their credibility wasn’t negligible.

By day’s end, multiple versions circulated.

Then, just before closing time in the afternoon, the customer service desk received a call that reignited the buzz.

Nie Renqiu had struck again!

This time, his opponent was Shan Jian Tong, the deputy master of Yijian Martial Arts Hall, a renowned sixth-rank expert.

Just returned from outside, Shan Jian Tong was at the martial arts hall when Nie Renqiu confronted him, issuing a challenge at the hall’s entrance.

The result: Shan Jian Tong managed to make only a single sword strike before Nie Renqiu finished him off.

Before the crowd inside and outside the hall, in plain view of the bustling street, Nie Renqiu beheaded Shan Jian Tong with one sword.

Nie Renqiu’s reputation burned brighter still!

When Su Jingxing and Kong Dabao arrived at the scene in the corpse transport vehicle, the entrance to the martial arts hall was packed with people.

“Incredible! One strike and he took the head—Nie Renqiu must be fifth rank!”

“Not just fifth, I’d say he’s more like fourth!”

“Why not say he’s third rank, then?”

“Who cares what rank he is, this guy is amazing! By the way, does anyone know where Nie Renqiu is from? He’s so formidable, how come we’ve never heard of him before?”

“No need to ask—it’s obvious he’s from elsewhere!”

“Ouyang Tiger-Catcher in the morning, Shan Jian Tong in the afternoon—any guesses who it’ll be tonight?”

“What do you mean? Are you saying Nie Renqiu will kill again?”

“I think he will!”

“I agree.”

“Ahem, Nie Renqiu clearly has a purpose in his killings. What I’m curious about is, what’s the connection between Ouyang Tiger-Catcher and Shan Jian Tong? Why did Nie Renqiu target them?”

“Yeah! Why?”

“……”

The crowd’s debates continued without end.

As Su Jingxing helped Kong Dabao carry Shan Jian Tong’s body, he listened to the speculation, growing increasingly curious.

Indeed, Nie Renqiu’s slaying of Ouyang Tiger-Catcher could have been for some treasure.

But killing Shan Jian Tong was harder to fathom.

Compared to Ouyang Tiger-Catcher, Shan Jian Tong was honest and got along with everyone. Though he was sixth rank, his martial talent was mediocre; his advancement was earned through decades of diligent practice.

What could Nie Renqiu have wanted from him?

Could it truly have been, as Nie Renqiu said before striking, just a simple challenge?

“Younger generation Nie Renqiu, hereby challenges elder, to test skill and decide life or death.”

This statement was now widely known.

Because of it, Nie Renqiu was regarded as a martial fanatic… no, a sword fanatic!

A martial artist born for the sword—a pure swordsman.

After all, the only thing Ouyang Tiger-Catcher and Shan Jian Tong had in common was their use of the sword.

Ouyang Tiger-Catcher wielded a heavy sword, Shan Jian Tong a flexible sword.

Nie Renqiu’s moves were also sword techniques.

So, was Nie Renqiu truly a sword fanatic?

Su Jingxing wanted to know as well.

From Shan Jian Tong’s corpse, he picked up a True Qi Card—only seven years of cultivation.

If Nie Renqiu really was a sword fanatic, then he would surely continue challenging sword masters.

Given Nie Renqiu’s level, only sixth-rank sword masters would catch his eye.

The death of such martial artists would be a boon for Su Jingxing.

For this reason,

Su Jingxing decided to stay at the crematorium that evening, helping others and waiting for news, to see if Nie Renqiu would strike again.

Kong Dabao also stayed after dinner, not clocking out.

The other two teams did the same, waiting for developments.

“Do you think Nie Renqiu will strike again tonight?” Feng Tiejian, bored, couldn’t help but gossip.

“Much as I’d like to say yes, it’s unlikely.” Gu Bo mused.

“Why?” Kong Dabao asked, curious.

“It’s simple—because the Martial Affairs Bureau is present,” Su Jingxing interjected. “Nie Renqiu has killed two masters; while we’re all thrilled, the Bureau is furious with him.”

“Haha, exactly! Xiao Su’s right,” Feng Tiejian clapped his hands and laughed loudly. “Right now, the Bureau hates Nie Renqiu more than anyone. If he wants to challenge someone else, he’ll have to evade their patrols first.”

“What if Nie Renqiu isn’t a sword fanatic, and he killed Ouyang Tiger-Catcher and Shan Jian Tong for other reasons?” Da Long wondered aloud.

“Then the Bureau is wasting its time, and Nie Renqiu has already fled,” Feng Tiejian shrugged.

“Of course, it’s also possible he’s been—”

“Phone call! There’s a call at reception!”

A shout rang out from nearby.

Those speaking immediately stood up, looking toward the source.

Feng Tiejian couldn’t resist shouting, “Whose call is it?”

“Corpse transport—call for the corpse transport team!”

Someone replied from not far off. “The deceased is Shi Jindong, Shi family’s Shi Jindong! He’s dead! Killed at the entrance to his lover’s apartment complex—by Nie Renqiu!”

Boom—

Throughout the corridor and nearby, the news exploded.

“Hahaha, Shi Jindong! It’s actually Shi Jindong! If I recall, he’s also a swordsman!”

“Correct, Shi Jindong uses the sword; many in the Shi family do!”

“So Nie Renqiu really is a sword fanatic?”

“Absolutely!”

…

Excitement, astonishment, disbelief.

No one had expected Nie Renqiu to strike again.

And this time, he targeted the Shi family—their Shi Jindong!