The masked man was naturally Su Muyu. He had initially considered abandoning the Peerless Token and simply charging through with his sword. However, he worried that if he barged in directly, he might be overwhelmed by sheer numbers before even reaching the gates of Peerless City. That was why he had sought out the World Pavilion.
"The World Pavilion operates under Peerless City’s shadow. Certain individuals within the city secretly supply Peerless Tokens to the pavilion, which then profits handsomely from them. The earnings are split evenly between the pavilion and Peerless City," the Dark River informant who had guided Su Muyu explained.
Su Muyu tucked the Peerless Token into his robes and mounted his horse, sighing inwardly: Peerless City has decayed to this extent—resorting to a gambling den for illicit gains. No wonder its standing in the martial world declines by the day. Just as he was about to ride off, the short, stout man came running out of the World Pavilion.
"What is it?" Su Muyu frowned.
The man panted for a long moment before finally whispering, "If you’re questioned on the road, say you’ve placed an order for a Soul-Chasing Crossbow at Moon Glow Smithy in Peerless City and are here to collect it."
"Understood." Su Muyu nodded. Peerless City was not just a sect—it was also a city in its own right, filled with all manner of shops, with weapon forges being the most common.
"Sir, please don’t mention any of this to anyone," the stout man reminded.
"Even if I don’t, the world already knows. Plugging your ears to steal a bell only fools yourselves. Rest easy." With a sharp crack of his whip, Su Muyu spurred his horse forward.
The stout man stood where he was, wiping sweat from his brow. "This young master… seems intent on making trouble for Peerless City…"
Su Muyu rode onward, encountering his first checkpoint where a group of Peerless City disciples lounged under a canopy, eating watermelon. Their leader, a handsome man in his twenties, leaned against a spear while urging the others—including the two guards originally stationed there—to join him. Su Muyu halted his horse outside the checkpoint, unsure whether to ride straight through or announce himself.
"Brothers—" Su Muyu hesitated before speaking.
"This melon is so sweet," one of them remarked, ignoring him entirely as they focused on their fruit.
"Of course! I had it specially transported all the way from Nan’an City," the spear-wielding man boasted.
Nan’an City. Su Muyu smiled faintly at the mention and prepared to ride past. But the two guards abruptly set down their melons and stood. "Who goes there? Daring to charge a Peerless City checkpoint?"
Su Muyu quickly tugged the reins. "My apologies. Seeing you all occupied, I took the liberty. I have a Peerless Token—I’m here to collect a Soul-Chasing Crossbow I ordered from Moon Glow Smithy in Peerless City."
"Wrong, wrong," one guard said, shaking his head.
Su Muyu froze, wondering if the World Pavilion man had misled him. Keeping his composure, he asked, "What’s wrong?"
"First present the Peerless Token, then enter Peerless Realm. You’ve already advanced three horse-lengths before showing it." The guard waved dismissively. "The order is incorrect."Su Muyu was torn between laughter and tears, having no choice but to turn his horse around. He then took out the Peerless Token and asked, "May I pass now?"
"Can the dead rise again? Can a boat made from a tree be planted back? Can rice cooked into porridge be stir-fried? No, no!" the guard replied impatiently.
Suppressing his anger, Su Muyu asked, "Then may I ask, brother, what would be the right way?"
The guard grinned. "Three horse-lengths. One horse-length costs a thousand taels, so three horse-lengths make three thousand taels!"
Three thousand taels was no small sum, though for Su Muyu at this moment, it wasn’t difficult. If Su Changhe were here, he might have already thrown thirty thousand taels in the guard’s face. But Su Muyu’s mind stirred, and he shook his head. "Brother, you jest. Even the Soul-Chasing Crossbow I commissioned isn’t worth three thousand taels. No matter how much I need it, I wouldn’t engage in such an unworthy deal. Peerless City is renowned across the land and surely doesn’t lack these three thousand taels."
"Peerless City doesn’t lack it, but I do. Fine, since you seem decent—wait, why are you wearing a mask?" The guard finally noticed.
"I once had a feud with someone and was slashed seventeen times on the face. It’s quite horrifying, so I often wear a mask. Please forgive the inconvenience," Su Muyu replied.
"Alright, fine. Since you’re pitiful, I won’t charge you that much. Three hundred taels—not a coin less." The guard curled his lip.
"Three hundred taels..." Su Muyu fished out a silver note from his pocket and hesitated for a long while before the guard snatched it away. After checking the amount, the guard waved him off contentedly. "Go on, go on."
Su Muyu sighed helplessly and turned to leave.
"Wait!" The young man who had been sitting nearby put down the watermelon in his hand and stood up. The men behind him immediately rose as well.
"Any further instructions?" Su Muyu turned back.
"What did that sigh of yours mean just now?" the young man asked.
After a brief silence, Su Muyu replied, "I was merely lamenting that the once-greatest sect under heaven, Peerless City, has set up so many checkpoints just to extort others. I’ve long admired Peerless City’s prestige, but seeing it today, I’m deeply disappointed."
"Once-greatest?" The young man raised an eyebrow.
His followers immediately began cursing. "Brat, Peerless City has always been the greatest sect under heaven! How dare you spout such nonsense? Do you have a death wish?"
"Nowadays, the foremost in the martial world is undoubtedly Snow Moon City," Su Muyu said coldly. "I believe this isn’t just my personal opinion. If you all think Peerless City is superior, then I’d like to ask: Who was it that defeated Ye Dingzhi by half a palm and saved the world back then? Who among the Five Great Sword Immortals now bears the name of a city? Who is the one and only Spear Immortal in the world? None of these figures belong to Peerless. So how can Peerless claim to be the greatest under heaven?"
"Si Tong, return the silver note to him," the young man said sternly.
The guard hesitated, reluctant. "But—"
"Now!" the young man snapped. "It’s because of people like you that Peerless City is looked down upon more and more!"
"Y-yes, sir!" Seeing the young man’s anger, the guard hastily shoved the silver note back into Su Muyu’s hand and retreated."Here's your silver note back. You're right, doing such things is indeed despicable." The young man stretched out his hand, and his spear was already in his grip. "But your earlier insults against our Peerless City cannot be easily forgiven. Seeing the sword at your waist, come and fight me."
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