At the checkpoint of Peerless City, many people had been stopped. These individuals were all on official business in the city, carrying legitimate Peerless Tokens, and were certainly no ordinary martial artists. Some were even quite familiar with the high-ranking elders of Peerless City, stepping forward to curse at the guards with pointed fingers. The guards dared not offend these people, but they also couldn’t defy the orders of the Prohibition Drum. They could only stand expressionless, playing the obedient fools, enduring the insults without response. Their long blades barred the way—curse them all you wanted, but anyone who tried to pass would be cut down without hesitation.
Su Muyu hid among the crowd, his head lowered in thought. Should he start fighting his way through here, or wait to see if there was another opportunity? He turned to a middle-aged man beside him and asked, “How many more checkpoints are there before we reach Peerless City?”
“First time here, young man? This is the last one. Beyond this lies the city gates,” the man replied with a sigh. “I’ve come here many times, but this is the first I’ve encountered such a situation. Peerless City’s status declines by the day, yet its arrogance only grows.”
Su Muyu nodded, then glanced at the man’s attire. “Are you a merchant, brother?”
“Ah, though a merchant, my trade is with martial artists—one misstep, and it’s my head. I deal in weapons. There’s a place in Peerless City called Moon Glow Smithy. I ordered some Soul-Chasing Crossbows and came to collect them.” The man wore a robe embroidered with coins, his belly protruding, the very image of a proper merchant.
The name of the smithy sounded familiar to Su Muyu, and he smiled wryly. “What a coincidence.”
“Here they come, someone’s coming!” someone in the crowd shouted. Everyone looked up to see four riders approaching on horseback, swords in hand. The one leading them was young, his face brimming with arrogance. The others slowed their horses to a stop, but he yanked the reins only at the last moment before crashing into the crowd. His steed reared with a shrill whinny, its front hooves lifting high before slamming down, kicking up a cloud of dust.
Curses erupted from the crowd, but the young man swiftly drew his sword, its cold gleam silencing everyone instantly.
“Luo Ge of Peerless City’s Martial Hall,” the youth declared haughtily. “If any of you have complaints, take them to your backers once you’re inside the city! But if you keep spouting nonsense here, don’t blame me for being impolite.”
“Martial Hall… the Four Swordsmen of Dao Inquiry,” the merchant muttered under his breath.
“Oh? The Four Swordsmen of Dao Inquiry?” Su Muyu asked. “Are they famous in Peerless City?”
“They’re the four most skilled young swordsmen of the Martial Hall’s younger generation. Rumor has it they were personally selected by Sword Elder of the Martial Hall, each representing one of the four paths of the Sword Way: Lightness, Heaviness, Swiftness, and Peril. He aims to create a sword technique capable of reaching the pinnacle of the Sword Way by observing their growth. Hence, they’re called the Four Swordsmen of Dao Inquiry,” the merchant explained.
Su Muyu nodded. “I see. I’ve heard of Sword Elder’s reputation. These Four Swordsmen sound intriguing.”
“What did that person say earlier about the appearance of the suspicious individual?” Luo Ge asked.
Xiu Ru sighed helplessly and replied, “Carrying a paper umbrella on his back, a longsword at his waist, and wearing a mask on his face.”"There he is!" Jia Zhou scanned the area and immediately pointed at Su Muyu.
Luo Ge followed his finger and grinned. "No effort wasted at all. All you bystanders, step aside now! And you, kid in the middle—don't move!"
The merchant whispered, "Brother, did you get into trouble?"
"No matter." Su Muyu gave the merchant a gentle push, sending him away. The others, unwilling to get involved, quickly retreated, leaving Su Muyu alone facing four men, four horses, and four swords.
Luo Ge leaned down and asked, "Kid, what brings you to Peerless City?"
"I bought a crossbow and came here to collect it," Su Muyu replied calmly.
"But someone said you're here to cause trouble," Luo Ge said with a laugh.
Su Muyu lifted his head. "Who said that?"
"Lu Yuzhai, the chief disciple under our city lord," Luo Ge answered.
"He blocked my path, wanting to test my sword. I refused. Is that what Peerless City calls 'plotting evil'?" Su Muyu countered.
Luo Ge frowned. "You refused? Then how did his spear end up broken?"
"Breaking his spear wouldn't even require drawing my sword." Su Muyu's tone remained unwaveringly calm, which irked Luo Ge, who had ridden in with aggressive momentum, hoping to overwhelm Su Muyu from the start. Instead, it felt like punching cotton.
Luo Ge exhaled sharply. "What about us?"
"Come at me together." Su Muyu raised a hand and beckoned lightly toward himself.
"Now that's interesting," Luo Ge sneered angrily. "Jia Zhou, Ye Wuxiu, you go first!"
At his command, Jia Zhou and Ye Wuxiu drew their swords simultaneously and attacked Su Muyu.
Jia Zhou's sword was as thin as a cicada's wing, nearly transparent under the sunlight. When he swung it, it looked as if he were wielding an empty hilt. Su Muyu raised a finger to block, feeling as though the blade didn't exist—until a thin cut appeared on his finger. Had he been an ordinary man, that strike would have cleanly severed his hand.
"Light." Su Muyu sidestepped and met Ye Wuxiu's sword next.
Ye Wuxiu's weapon was the complete opposite—a massive Greatsword, like a long door panel. If not for its pointed tip, it could hardly be called a sword. His technique was equally straightforward: smash!
"Heavy." Su Muyu leaped back, dodging the blow. Ye Wuxiu's Greatsword struck the ground, shaking it violently and causing the four horses to whinny in alarm.
"Not bad footwork," Luo Ge finally drew his sword. "Pity you only know how to dodge. Like a certain someone, you're a coward!" Luo Ge joined the fray, his blade weaving intricate patterns. By the time Jia Zhou and Ye Wuxiu launched their second strikes, Luo Ge had already unleashed nine.
"Fast." Su Muyu moved with fluid grace, evading the three swordsmen. His hand brushed his hilt several times, yet he never drew his sword.
Xiu Ru remained seated on his horse, pupils narrowing as he observed Su Muyu's every move.
No opportunity, no engagement.
That was Xiu Ru's principle for drawing his sword. Though Sword Elder had just criticized this habit, a swordsman's instincts, forged over years, weren't so easily changed.Su Muyu finally placed his hand on the hilt of his sword. With a single motion, the blade was halfway drawn from its sheath.
"Now is the time!" Xiu Ru also drew his sword at last.
"Slow." Su Muyu smiled faintly beneath his mask, withdrawing his hand and sheathing the sword once more.
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