In the dead of night, the woods stood dense and dark. Two fine horses were tied to tree trunks not far from the official road, nibbling at the bark and lowering their heads to graze on the grass nearby.
Within the forest, a campfire dwindled to faint embers, soon to be swallowed by the cool moonlight that bathed the trees.
As the last warmth of the fire faded, Jiang Biehe, who had kept his eyes closed all along, slowly opened them. His gaze fixed on the youth across the fire, listening to the steady breaths coming from him. A glint of menace flickered deep in his eyes.
This young man was terrifying to Jiang Biehe.
The two were alone now. The youth seemed unguarded—a perfect moment to strike.
Jiang Biehe cared little that the townsfolk of Sihai already knew who had slain the Tianmen Five Tigers.
As long as there was a plausible story, no one in the jianghu (martial world) would concern themselves with why a stranger had died.
Yu Lang Jiang Feng had been gentle, kind, benevolent, and courageous—always ready to help others with whatever he had. After his whole family was destroyed by the ambition of his own book boy, only Jiang Feng's sworn brother, the world's greatest hero Yan Nantian, was left hunting Jiang Biehe.
Killing someone—what consequences could there really be?
This was the true nature of the martial world. Concepts like righteousness, honor, and shame were worthless.
Jiang Biehe never hesitated about acting; he only considered whether he could kill his opponent.
As his internal energy began to flow, ready to make his move, the youth suddenly reached out and grabbed—just beneath him.
A faint "squeak" sounded as a wild fox tried to steal some dried meat from the youth's bundle.
Li Chaofeng caught the fox and yawned as he rose, his tone tinged with mild regret.
"A fox, huh? Looks like Jiang Da Xia won't be lucky tonight."
He let the fox go casually, then, surprised, asked, "By the way, Jiang Da Xia, do you need to get up for a late-night stroll? Afraid of ghosts and want me to accompany you?"
Li Chaofeng's keen senses were a gift of the Five-Insect Blade—a skill that let him perceive not only wind, rain, and humidity but also the faintest killing intent nearby.
Such instincts were natural to animals.
Jiang Biehe's closed eyes and silent stare were no secret to Li Chaofeng.
Exposed, Jiang Biehe didn't get up. He lay back down on the dry grass, eyes shut, and spoke softly.
"Traveling alone, one must stay alert. I'm not foolish enough to sleep through danger. But did I disturb your dreams, young brother?"
His words were reasonable, and Li Chaofeng said no more, just yawning again.
"Ah, so that's it. I thought you were scared of ghosts. Since it's nothing, I'll get some more sleep."
As Li Chaofeng drifted back to sleep, the forest fell silent again, with only the cold wind whispering eerily like ghostly wails.
—
At the Wanfu Wanshou Garden, Jin Siye watched the severed heads before him with satisfaction. After the steward nodded in approval, Jin cupped his hands toward the two young heroes in thanks.
"Many thanks to both of you for your assistance. After the Tianmen Five Tigers entered Jiangnan, they left a trail of murder and arson, wreaking havoc and terrorizing the people. Now at last, the people can sleep peacefully."
Li Chaofeng's eyes locked tightly on Jin Siye's face, and inwardly he sighed.
He barely knew Jiang Biehe's true identity; the latter's appearance had changed greatly, as confirmed by Yan Nantian.
But Jin Siye, after comparing memories with what was in his mind, could only say he didn't recognize this Jin Siye either—just a vague familiarity.
And such vague familiarity was all too common. Before transmigrating, he had even met people who looked exactly like actors.
Hearing Jin's gratitude, Li Chaofeng and Jiang Biehe both bowed in return. Jiang Biehe's expression was humble.
"A mere novice like myself dares not claim credit. The Tianmen Five Tigers were mostly slain by Brother Li. I was just fortunate to be present."
Jin Siye didn't accept such modesty, waving his hands.
"Jiang Shaoxia, you're too humble. I know the full story of the Five Tigers' downfall. If not for you killing the Broken Gate Tiger first, reducing their number to four, and then trailing the remaining four for half a month without rest, Brother Li could never have fought them all alone and wiped them out."
"Though Brother Li took the chief credit, Jiang Shaoxia's contributions were no less important."
Li Chaofeng smiled quietly at these words. Jiang Biehe tried to decline further, but Jin Siye cut him off and called out.
"Bring them in."
Two servants stepped forward, each carrying a chest. Jin explained to the two young men.
"Since the Five Tigers have been executed, and you both contributed, I have made a public announcement throughout the jianghu: whoever kills the Five Tigers will be rewarded handsomely. Today, I fulfill that promise."
The servants opened the chests, revealing stacks of silver notes—thick piles of qianliang bills, worth tens of thousands of taels.
Though not an astronomical fortune, it was enough for an ordinary person to live comfortably for life.
The innkeeper's wife had only packed a single hundred-tael note in Li Chaofeng's bundle, along with some loose silver.
Indeed, people of the jianghu were generous—especially wealthy men like Jin Siye who came from the martial world.
Seeing the money, Li Chaofeng did not hesitate. He grabbed a stack and stuffed it into his chest.
Jiang Biehe, however, only raised his head to politely decline after seeing Li Chaofeng take the reward.
"Though I am no noble, I have some family wealth. I only pursued this matter to eliminate some scourges and uphold justice. Having only slain one of the Five Tigers after the long chase, I feel unworthy of such a generous gift. I humbly ask Jin Siye to withdraw it."
Jin Siye's expression darkened, his eyes wide with anger upon hearing this.
"Does Young Hero Jiang think the reward I've offered is too little?"
Jiang Biehe quickly shook his head in denial upon hearing this, but seeing that Jin Siye was not about to relent, he cleverly turned the situation to his advantage.
"These silver taels are certainly not few, but I cannot accept a reward for no merit. Biehe truly dares not take it. If Lord Jin insists on fulfilling his promise, then it would be better to deliver these funds to those poor souls who have suffered under the torment of the Five Tigers."
His tone sincere and heavy with sorrow, Jiang Biehe's face was full of earnest grief.
Beside him, Li Chaofeng's hand tightened around his chest, seemingly worried that Jiang Biehe might also give away his hard-earned bonus.
Jin Siye looked thoughtfully at the two men before him. The youthful Jiang Biehe bore the noble air of a righteous man, while the younger-faced Li Chaofeng wore a wary, calculating expression.
For a moment, Jin Siye was uncertain about their very different attitudes and requests.
But from the intelligence he had quietly gathered, the Tianmen Four Tigers were indeed slain on the spot by Li Chaofeng single-handedly, who even took a devastating blow—the Skyward Slash—from the Chao Tian Tiger.
As for Jiang Biehe, though he appeared gallant and righteous, Jin Siye was no novice in the martial world. He knew that despite Jiang Biehe's claims of pursuing the outlaws for half a month, he seemed barely burdened by the chase.
Up at dawn, rest at dusk; the Broken Gate Tiger's death was mysterious at best—a mere glory seeker.
Now their attitudes diverged sharply: one eager for reward, the other refusing a single coin for honor's sake.
After a moment's reflection, Jin Siye realized their superficial harmony hid a deep divide. Still, he did not reject Jiang Biehe's desire for reputation.
As a local power in Jiangnan, more heroes meant more peace for the common folk—and with the people at ease, the Jin family's business would flourish securely.
Seated once more, Jin Siye cupped his hands and smiled warmly at Jiang Biehe.
"Since Young Hero Jiang is so benevolent, I too offer my thanks on behalf of those suffering people."
He nodded to his servants to close the chests, then turned to Li Chaofeng with a friendly suggestion.
"An invitation is better than a chance meeting. In just half a month, it will be the anniversary of my ancestor's birth. Why not stay here a few days and mingle with others of the martial world? What say you?"
At this invitation, Li Chaofeng's eyes lit up with excitement. The Jin family's ancestral feast was a famous event—one even the legendary thief Chu Liuxiang had attended.
This was definitely not to be missed.
Li Chaofeng beamed broadly, nodding eagerly in agreement.
Jiang Biehe's face brightened as well, and he immediately bowed low in respect.
"Biehe gratefully accepts, then."