Chapter 4 The Second Young Master of the Chu Family
Recognizing the man, Chu Qing felt his teeth ache slightly.
He had long been prepared for the possibility of encountering someone from the Chu Family on this trip back, but he hadn't expected to run into one before even stepping into the borders of Tianwu City.
Wasn't this brat supposed to be training under Cui Bu'nu, the "Wrathless Divine Fist" of Taiyi Sect?
Did he skip his lessons?
Of course, even thinking about it made it clear that was impossible.
Though Cui Bu'nu was known as the Wrathless Divine Fist, he was, in truth, the quickest to anger.
Any disciple who disobeyed his teachings was bound to be beaten black and blue.
If Chu Fan was here, he must have received permission to travel. Still, the timing felt far too coincidental—how could he have run into him like this, of all places?
Fortunately, from that brief glance earlier, it seemed the other hadn't recognized him, so there was no need to worry about unnecessary complications.
As these thoughts ran through his mind, the female disciple beside Chu Fan spoke coldly.
"Senior Brother, the brother you mentioned—is it your third brother, Chu Qing?"
"That's right."
Chu Fan led her into the teahouse, waved for a waiter, and ordered two bowls of chilled tea and some light dishes before continuing.
"My younger brother has his own ambitions. He refused the restraints of our household and wanted to walk the path of chivalry.
"At the time, we thought it was childish nonsense, but who would have imagined he'd be gone all these years?
"My father and elder brother have searched far and wide for him, but there's been no news. In recent years, my father's health has declined… my elder brother hides it from me, but I know—he's fallen ill from worry over our youngest brother."
Chu Qing, who had been planning to leave quietly, froze for a moment when he heard those words.
Chu Yunfei was ill?
The movement of his hands stopped midair, and he quietly sat back down.
His emotions grew tangled and heavy.
The Chu Family was known for its two prodigies. Chu Tian had shown grace and brilliance from a young age, gifted both in talent and temperament.
Even as a child, he had been the family's pride and hope.
Chu Fan, on the other hand, was born with extraordinary strength. Taiyi Sect was a renowned sect, and Cui Bu'nu, the Wrathless Divine Fist, a famed master.
A noble sect, a great teacher, and outstanding talent—his future was destined to be bright.
Only Chu Qing himself had been ordinary in both martial and scholarly pursuits, seemingly dispensable in the eyes of others.
Now, hearing that Chu Yunfei had fallen ill worrying about this useless son, Chu Qing couldn't help but feel a pang of emotion.
The female disciple said nothing, her gaze distant, lost in her own thoughts.
For a while, the two young people sat in silence.
It was Chu Qing who broke free of the strange atmosphere first—because the ground beneath him began to tremble faintly.
Looking up, he saw clouds of dust rising, and the thunderous sound of horse cries filled the air. In mere moments, several mounted riders came charging toward the teahouse.
The leader had a fierce and savage look—his face dark as coal, his hair wild and bristling, his entire body radiating killing intent.
"The Iron Horse Seven Bandits!!"
Those in the teahouse who were worldly and well-traveled recognized them immediately. Upon hearing the name, many faces turned pale as paper.
The Iron Horse Seven Bandits were infamous. Originally, there had been a group called the Iron Horse Hall, a guild that raised warhorses and supplied them to martial artists across the land.
But the guild was destroyed overnight, its name erased from the martial world.
Only a handful of survivors escaped, saving themselves thanks to their swift steeds.
Without the discipline of the Iron Horse Hall, these few turned into ruthless marauders. With their speed and decent martial skill, they began to plunder and terrorize the nearby villages at will.
The City Lord of Tianwu City, Wu Ganqi, despised them deeply, but even repeated hunts by the Tianwu Guards failed to wipe them out. Each escape only made them more arrogant.
They had no fortress, no fixed base—coming and going like ghosts, leaving no trace behind. Those traveling merchants unlucky enough to meet them usually had no choice but to accept their fate.
Several quick-thinking patrons in the teahouse immediately turned to flee through the windows, hoping to escape.
But just as they reached their carriages, a shrill whistle pierced the air.
A heartbeat later came a slicing sound—one man was cleaved clean in two. At the same time, a heavy axe slammed down onto a nearby carriage, smashing it to pieces.
"The Iron Horse Seven are handling business here. Stay still if you value your lives. Once we're done, we'll deal with the rest of you."
A rough, thunderous voice boomed across the teahouse, its force pressing down on everyone's hearts like a hammer.
There were a few experts inside the teahouse as well—some even reached for their swords—but before they could draw, their companions stopped them, whispering for patience.
Then that thunderous voice outside spoke again.
"Which one of you is Chu Fan?"
Chu Qing froze for a moment. So they were here for him?
But he couldn't turn his head to look—if he reacted, Chu Fan might wonder how a random beggar knew his name. That would give him away immediately.
"Chu Fan of Taiyi Sect is here!"
Without the slightest hesitation, Chu Fan slapped the table and strode out of the teahouse.
His face was hard as iron, filled with fury. Before stepping away, he shot a glance at Chu Qing and said curtly, "Get inside and stay out of the way."
Chu Qing nodded rapidly and stumbled his way back inside, clutching the bamboo stick in one hand and the cracked bowl in the other. The silver coins from earlier were already hidden in his clothes.
As he entered, he noticed that Chu Fan's fellow disciple—the same young woman—was still calmly sitting there, sipping her tea.
He was momentarily speechless. The Iron Horse Seven Bandits were at their door, her senior brother was out there fighting them alone, and she could still sit there drinking tea?
But judging from her demeanor, she clearly had confidence in the situation.
Chu Qing crouched below the window and peeked outside. He saw the Iron Horse Seven Bandits circling their horses around Chu Fan, their leader sneering coldly.
"So you're Chu Fan?"
"My seventh brother—was it you who killed him?"
Chu Qing suddenly understood. No wonder they called themselves the Iron Horse Seven Bandits—there were only six here.
So the seventh had been slain by Chu Fan.
"So that's it," he thought. "They're here for revenge."
"What a bold man, the Second Young Master of Tianwu City's Chu Family!"
"No wonder the Iron Horse Seven Bandits came after him. I heard the seventh of their gang was causing trouble at Yan Pass not long ago, when a chivalrous hero happened by and smashed his head with a single punch."
"As expected of the disciple of the Wrathless Divine Fist!"
People throughout the teahouse whispered in awe, the details spreading as if everyone suddenly knew the story.
Chu Qing couldn't help smirking slightly. Chu Fan had always been naturally strong, and after learning the Taiyi Divine Fist, his power would be anything but ordinary.
While the crowd gossiped, Chu Fan nodded calmly.
"Yes. That was my doing."
"Such courage!"
The leader of the Iron Horse Seven Bandits bellowed, his roar echoing like thunder.
In the next instant came a flurry of whooshing sounds as the other six bandits attacked, their hooked claws sweeping toward Chu Fan's limbs from all directions.
Chu Fan braced himself to counter, but then his eyes flicked upward. The leader already had his battle axe in hand, its invisible aura locking tightly onto him.
Any rash move would bring down a blow like lightning.
Even Chu Qing, who had confidence in his second brother's strength, couldn't help frowning slightly at the sight.
Just then, a teacup appeared in front of him.
He instinctively reached out to take it, but immediately sensed something was wrong. Putting on a frightened expression, he let out a startled cry.
"Ah!"
He flinched as if the sudden offer of tea had scared him, falling backward onto the ground with a thud.
When he looked up, the young woman who had accompanied Chu Fan was crouching right in front of him—he hadn't even noticed when she moved.
(End of Chapter)