SWORD OF FLAME

The Pure Body of Zhen Ni

The young man continued walking, looking for an eatery to satisfy his grumbling stomach. It had been nearly a full day and night since he last ate. His eyes scanned the area and spotted a bustling tavern with people constantly going in and out.

“The food must be good if it’s this crowded,” he thought.

Fei Hung tied his horse’s reins and stepped into the tavern, which was nearly full at every table.

After ordering his food, Fei Hung chose a seat beside a middle-aged man and woman dressed like warriors. On their backs, each carried a sword with a serpent-shaped hilt, gleaming green.

The pair glanced at him briefly as he sat.

Fei Hung waited casually for his food, whistling softly as he gazed around the crowded tavern. He noticed more than a dozen others dressed in warrior garb like the couple beside him.

Not long after, an old man entered with a little girl, around ten years old. The elder scanned the room for a vacant seat.

Spotting Fei Hung’s table with three empty chairs, the old man guided the little girl toward it.

“Excuse me, young man. May we sit here?” he asked politely.

“Please, sir. I’m alone anyway. These seats are still unoccupied.”

The old man nodded and guided the little girl—whom Fei Hung guessed was his granddaughter—to sit.

“Is this little girl your granddaughter, sir?”

“Yes. Her name is Zhen Ni,” the old man replied.

“I knew it,” Fei Hung muttered to himself, smiling at the girl.

A moment later, Fei Hung’s food arrived. Even though he was starving, he didn’t eat right away. He waited for the old man’s order to be served so they could eat together.

To break the silence, Fei Hung struck up a conversation.

“You're not eating, young man?” asked the elder.

“I’ll wait for your food to arrive, sir. It wouldn’t feel right to eat alone. Let’s eat together.”

“It’s rare to meet such well-mannered youth these days,” the old man said with an admiring smile.

“Are you a local here?”

The old man looked at him cautiously but saw no ill intent in Fei Hung’s eyes.

“No, I come from far away. I’m escorting my granddaughter to her parents.”

“I’m a traveler too, sir. My village was raided three years ago. The bandits killed my parents,” Fei Hung said.

The old man was touched by his story and smiled softly.

Without Fei Hung noticing, several of the warriors in the tavern occasionally glanced toward his table—including the pair sitting beside him.

When the old man’s meal arrived, the three of them ate together.

Fei Hung then called a waiter and paid for all their meals. The old man was surprised and tried to reimburse him, but Fei Hung gently declined.

“Thank you, young man. But I must be on my way,” said the old man as he got up.

“Of course, sir.”

After the old man and Zhen Ni left, other customers gradually followed suit. Fei Hung remained a while longer to rest. He had changed his mind about riding the horse, thinking it would only slow him down.

Not long after, he exited the tavern and distributed a chest of silver coins to the impoverished villagers. Another small chest of gold coins was wrapped in cloth and slung over his back.

He planned to give the gold away along his journey. He had no intention of keeping the treasure—he knew it wasn’t rightfully his, as it was taken from bandits.

Fei Hung had known hardship. He’d lived in poverty with his family until the age of twelve.

After distributing all the silver coins, he resumed his journey.

---

Not Far from Qiān Zhú Village ...

Four men blocked the path of the old man and his granddaughter. The little girl hid behind her grandfather, her face full of fear.

“Hand over the girl peacefully, Twisted Elder! Or we’ll show no mercy!” growled a short, fierce-looking man wielding a staff topped with a real human skull. Behind him stood three equally menacing followers.

“Hahaha! You think you have the right, you twisted freak?” said a newly arrived man, accompanied by a woman. On their backs, they carried green serpent-hilted swords—this was the pair who had sat beside Fei Hung.

Moments later, another man arrived—tall, broad, and bearded.

“Twisted Elder, Poisonous Serpent Duo—do you think you’re the only ones after the girl’s Pure Body? I want it too, to elevate my martial skills! Hahaha!”

“Then face us if you want her, Black Demon! If you can defeat us, she’s yours!” shouted the Twisted Elder.

“You think I fear you? The word ‘fear’ does not exist in my vocabulary. I wouldn’t be called the Black Demon otherwise!”

Feng Chen watched the growing confrontation and thought about how to escape.

“Don’t be afraid, Zhen Ni. Grandpa will find a way to save us,” he whispered.

“Everyone, listen to me!” Feng Chen shouted.

All eyes turned toward him.

“I will give this girl to the one among you who proves to have the highest martial skill. That means you must fight for her!”

“Well said, Feng Chen! I agree. I’ll kill them all and take the girl—hahaha!” Black Demon laughed confidently, believing he was the strongest.

“Don’t be so arrogant, Black Demon. My three followers might be enough to beat you!” retorted the Twisted Elder.

“You fool! You think those weaklings can handle me?” Black Demon sneered.

“Bastard! You three, attack him!” the Twisted Elder ordered.

As the Black Demon was preoccupied fighting the trio, the Twisted Elder turned to the Poisonous Serpent Duo.

“I’ll take care of you both!”

“Come forward, and we’ll cut you into pieces, you short demon!”

“Damn you! Die, Su Ji!” the Twisted Elder roared in fury, enraged at being called short. That word was his greatest trigger—and anyone who dared say it rarely lived to tell the tale.

The Twisted Elder lunged at Su Ji with his skull-headed staff.

“Li Xue, let’s finish him!” shouted Su Ji to his partner.

“Yes,” Li Xue replied firmly.

The Poisonous Serpent Duo engaged the Twisted Elder, while his three henchmen fought the Black Demon.

Meanwhile, Fei Hung, having left Qiān Zhú, continued his journey. From a distance, he observed the chaotic battle unfolding behind him.