"Though Snow Moon City is hailed as the number one city in the martial world, the title of 'Martial City' still belongs to Wushuang." Su Zhe sat on a wooden bench at a roadside tea stall, surrounded by misty vapors. A waiter with a white towel draped over his shoulder and a teapot in hand bustled about, calling out, "Fresh flower cakes, piping hot and coming right up!"
The streets were lined with taverns and tea shops, their hawkers' cries never ceasing. Flower girls with wreaths on their heads wore simple, honest smiles, while a young man in white galloped past, his ornate sword at his waist looking like a mere decorative prop that could shatter with a single tap. It hardly seemed like the number one city in the martial world.
Could all these people be hidden masters?
"Sir, your flower cakes are here," the waiter said, approaching with a wooden tray.
Su Zhe flicked a copper coin with his finger, sending it flying to strike the tray. The tray immediately slipped from the waiter's hands, sending the flower cakes flying. Su Zhe quickly stood, caught the tray with an upward motion, and retrieved the cakes.
The waiter exhaled in relief, wiping sweat from his brow. "Apologies, sir, I—"
"No matter," Su Zhe waved him off and sat back down. He picked up a flower cake, catching a faint floral scent before even taking a bite. He smiled faintly, thinking how much his daughter would love this place—she adored sweets. As he took a bite of the cake and sipped his tea, lost in thought, the waiter suddenly sat down across from him.
"That little trick just now—that was you, wasn't it?" The waiter winked at Su Zhe.
So, he was playing the fool. Su Zhe's hand tightened around the Buddhist Staff beside him.
"I've seen plenty like you, sir. Martial artists drawn by reputation, thinking everyone in Snow Moon City is a master. But the outer city is just ordinary folks who've lived here for generations. We're just under the protection of the masters in the inner city, living a bit more comfortably than outsiders." The waiter chuckled.
"Inner city? Outer city?" Su Zhe frowned slightly.
The waiter nodded, then pointed toward a towering pavilion in the distance. "Beyond the Ascending Heaven Pavilion lies the mundane world. Only by passing through it can one behold the Snow Moon."
"Behold the Snow Moon? What does that mean?" Su Zhe asked.
The waiter smiled mysteriously, clasping his hands together. "Snow Moon City isn't a place just anyone can visit. Clear five floors, and you'll get a glimpse of it."
"How many floors are there in total?" Su Zhe pressed.
"Sixteen. If you clear all sixteen, even Baili Dongjun might take you as his disciple." The waiter eyed Su Zhe curiously. "Though, brother, you're a bit... old for that."
"Hahaha!" Su Zhe drained his tea, set down three copper coins, and rose with the Buddhist Staff in hand.
"Sir, the flower cakes cost two coins, and the Pu'er tea another two. That's four coins total," the waiter said.
Su Zhe finally confirmed the waiter was truly just an ordinary man. He tapped the table lightly. "There's one more—stuck under the tray." With that, he strolled leisurely toward the Ascending Heaven Pavilion, popping a betel nut into his mouth as he walked. Just as he neared the pavilion, he suddenly halted and tilted his head slightly.The wind chime hanging on the second floor of the neighboring tavern tinkled softly in the breeze.
"Am I not welcome to ascend the pavilion?" Su Zhe asked with a smile.
"Take one more step forward, and a sword will descend from Cang Mountain, shaking all the flowers in this city into falling. I don’t want to deal with the cleanup—it’s troublesome and expensive," the newcomer sighed lightly.
"We’ve met before. Since when did you become such a miser?" Su Zhe inquired with a faint smile.
"It’s a long story. Let me treat you to a cup of Wind, Flower, Snow, and Moon, and we’ll leave it at that. Unless, of course, the person you wish to see isn’t me," the newcomer replied.
Su Zhe turned around with a chuckle: "Of course, I came here to see you—Spear Immortal, Sikong Changfeng."
Donggui Tavern.
A pot of Wind, Flower, Snow, and Moon was brought up by the waiter. Sikong Changfeng poured a cup for Su Zhe, who curiously surveyed the tavern. "Donggui—could this place be connected to him…?"
"After he returned, he stayed here often. Unfortunately, he rarely comes back now. Among the three lords of Snow Moon City, one roams the world, one is obsessed with the Sword Way, leaving only me to manage things," Sikong Changfeng poured himself a cup as well, his tone tinged with melancholy.
"Being the one who manages means having a home to manage," Su Zhe remarked with a smile.
"You’re a Dark River assassin—since when did you start speaking such sentimental words?" Sikong Changfeng frowned slightly. "Speak. Why have you come to Snow Moon City? I’ve heard there have been some recent upheavals in Dark River—a change in leadership?"
Su Zhe narrowed his eyes. "Lord Sikong speaks vaguely, but I suspect you already know the details."
"Snow Moon City has its own intelligence network. While we may not be as omniscient as the Hall of Know-All, we’re aware of major events—such as the change in Dark River’s leadership. Did Su Changhe send you? To tell Snow Moon City to stay out of Dark River’s affairs from now on?" Sikong Changfeng rubbed his wine cup. "Go back and tell him to stop dreaming. With Dark River in the hands of a madman like him, the day will come when we must cross blades."
"Misunderstanding. It was Su Muyu who sent me," Su Zhe sighed. "It seems our new Head doesn’t have the best reputation in the martial world."
"Su Muyu?" Sikong Changfeng was taken aback. "What does he want?"
"To ask you for some information." Su Zhe took a sip of Wind, Flower, Snow, and Moon, his eyes lighting up. "This wine is excellent. Mind if I take a pot with me?"
"Information?" Sikong Changfeng was puzzled. "Shouldn’t you seek the Hall of Know-All for that? Why come to me?"
"He said you’d know. About the Shadow Sect. About Yi Bu." Su Zhe shrugged, feigning ignorance. "I’m just the messenger."
"That old beast…" Sikong Changfeng snorted coldly. "I did have a feud with him. Before leaving Heaven Revelation City, I gave him a beating."
"Oh?" Su Zhe set down his cup. "Such a major event, yet Dark River was unaware."
"Of course you wouldn’t know. The Vermilion Guardian of Heaven Revelation City and the Shadow Sect’s leader dueling in the streets—such news would bring shame to the imperial family. A pity, though. I missed out on a glorious feat to boast about in the martial world," Sikong Changfeng lamented.
"Lord Sikong’s feat of breaking the Solitary Emptiness Formation with a single spear thrust is already enough to make your name renowned across the land," Su Zhe said, taking another sip of Wind, Flower, Snow, and Moon.Sikong Changfeng's expression shifted slightly before he changed the subject: "Why are you investigating the Shadow Sect? To my knowledge, Dark River has never participated in any conflicts related to Heaven Revelation City?"
"Moyu said not to ask." Su Zhe smiled. "I wonder if City Lord Sikong would be willing?"
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