Chapter 97: The Humble Clans of Shu (Part I)

Startled by the masked woman’s question, Zhang Chi felt a surge of surprise.

This horse had been a gift from Emei on the road from Huainan City to Jiankang. At the time, no one else was present besides Zhang Chi and Emei; even Tong and Daoxuan, who were rarely apart from Zhang Chi, did not know the origin of the horse. Others who saw the stallion only marveled at its vigor and strength. Now that this masked woman was inquiring about its origin, could it be that she knew Emei or had once seen White Snow?

Before Zhang Chi could respond, Daoxuan spoke up, "Nonsense! This horse belongs to my Brother Zhang. How could it be stolen?"

The masked woman naturally knew this was Emei’s mount—there was no other white horse of such spirit in the world. However, to avoid a mistake, she asked, "Is this horse named White Snow?"

Daoxuan was stunned. He had never expected the woman to know the horse’s name. "Hey, how do you know that?"

"This horse is clearly the mount of Emei from Shu. How dare you claim it wasn't stolen?" The woman shot a cold glance at Daoxuan. "Your martial arts are quite decent; it’s no wonder you were able to steal such a horse."

Her remark was intended as an acknowledgment that Emei’s martial arts were divine and peerless, implying that only someone with Daoxuan's prowess could have stolen a horse from her. However, to Daoxuan’s ears, it sounded like a jab, as if she were mocking him for using his skills merely to steal horses.

"False accusations!" Unable to swallow such an insult, the hot-blooded Daoxuan lunged forward. The masked woman did not shy away, her three-foot blade dancing as she kept the tip aimed squarely at Daoxuan’s throat.

Her movements were calculated to kill, utilizing tight, efficient shifts. Daoxuan’s style was broad and expansive, but against her, he felt as though his strength had nowhere to land, leaving him deeply frustrated.

"Stop!" Zhang Chi shouted. "Hold it, both of you!"

If she recognized White Snow, she might have a connection to Emei. He did not want to accidentally strike an ally. Emei had left a deep impression on him, and subconsciously, he already considered himself on the same side as her.

Daoxuan, who always listened to Zhang Chi, assumed his brother had something to say and leaped backward to disengage. But the woman was relentless. Ignoring Zhang Chi, she seized the moment Daoxuan was mid-air and defenseless to dash forward with two swift, piercing strikes. Unable to shift his weight in the air, Daoxuan was clipped on his left shoulder, two bloody gashes appearing instantly.

Upon landing, Daoxuan was furious. "How can you be so dishonorable? I retreated and stopped, yet you still attacked!"

The masked woman kept her sword pointed at him, her vigilance unwavering. She sneered, "I am a woman, not a gentleman."

Though they had only just met, the woman had already left Daoxuan speechless twice. Too frustrated to argue, he changed the subject. "Your techniques are impressive, it’s just a pity they are entirely focused on killing."

"That is exactly what they are for," she replied coldly. "I rarely trade blows, but when I do, it is to take a life."

Though Daoxuan was highly skilled, he had been raised in the Buddhist tradition. While Buddhist martial arts emphasize subduing evil, they prioritize mercy and avoiding unnecessary loss of life. Consequently, his strikes, while fierce, were not intended to kill in a single blow.

Buddhism teaches that one can become a Buddha the moment they lay down their butcher’s knife; if you kill someone instantly, you deny them the chance to repent. The masked woman was different. Her movements were not designed for elegance or grand displays, but they possessed a singular, chilling artistry: they existed solely to kill.

"You attack without even asking the facts," Zhang Chi asked. "What if you’ve killed the wrong person?"

The woman paused, reflecting. She was usually one to act on impulse, but because Emei was involved, she exercised a bit more patience than usual. Her tone, however, remained icy. "Then tell me, how was this horse stolen?"

***

"It seems you’ve decided I’m a thief," Zhang Chi said with a bitter smile. "Why must it be stolen? Can’t someone have given it to me?"

The masked woman was unconvinced. "Why would anyone give it to you?"

Zhang Chi did not actually know the answer. He had never obsessed over why Emei had saved him or why she had gifted him such a fine horse. He was a man of easygoing nature, but seeing the woman’s inquiry, he chuckled and joked, "Perhaps a beauty fell for me and gave it as a token of love."

"Filth from a dog's mouth!" Such a joke might have been harmless to a modern man, but to someone of this era, it was an insult. The woman flared with anger, her sword swirling as she prepared to strike again.

Daoxuan would not let her harm Zhang Chi, once again jumping in to block her.

The woman knew that while her lethal style gave her the upper hand, Daoxuan’s foundation was too solid to easily overcome in a frontal assault.

"Fine. I won't kill you yet," she said. "Since you claim Emei gave you this horse, do you dare to accompany me to the Hanmen of Shu?"

Daoxuan had never heard of "Hanmen" and refused immediately. "Just because you say go, we must go? I refuse."

However, the mention of "Hanmen" made Zhang Chi’s heart skip a beat. He recalled Emei’s words when she gave him the horse: "You will be inextricably bound to two words in this life." When he asked which words, she had replied solemnly: "Hanmen."

Even the nursery rhyme that others whispered about him—the "Heavenly Secret"—said: "When the Heavenly Secret appears, the world rises in rebellion; Lord of Hanmen, white horse and blue gown." If the rhyme were true, was he not only the "Heavenly Secret" but also the master of Hanmen?

Zhang Chi had never understood what "Hanmen" meant. Could the organization this woman spoke of be the same thing Emei had referred to?

Zhang Chi had always been bold, rarely worrying about consequences. He patted Daoxuan’s shoulder to silence him and said to the masked woman, "Very well. I will go to Hanmen with you."

The woman was taken aback by his sudden compliance. "You had best not play any tricks, or do not blame my blade for having no eyes."

She sheathed her sword, retrieved her own horse from the woods, and led them away, bypassing Yongan City and heading into the mountains.

Zhang Chi knew that if he wanted to escape, it would be effortless—White Snow was as fast as the wind. But he wanted to see for himself what "Hanmen" truly was.

As they traveled, he pondered the possibilities. Was Hanmen an organization? Why was it named that? What was its connection to Emei? And why had Emei predicted he would be bound to it?

The more he thought, the more confused he became, so he decided to set it aside. He would know soon enough.

"What should I call you, Miss?" Zhang Chi asked to break the silence.

"I am no 'Miss'," she replied from her saddle.

"Well, people must call you something, right?"

"Call me Dark Blade."

It was clearly a codename, much like the names Emei or Shennong he had encountered before.

Daoxuan, however, was unimpressed. "What kind of name is that? Sounds like a nobody."

He meant she was a nobody for refusing to give her real name, but the woman misunderstood.

"A nobody?" She sneered, her expression as icy as ever. "The corrupt officials in the counties of Shu fear the very mention of my name. Dare you call me a nobody?"

Daoxuan rolled his eyes, too tired to deal with her unreasonable nature. Zhang Chi hadn't seen Daoxuan roll his eyes like that since he had first transmigrated. Back then, he had found the little monk endearing, never expecting that this kind-hearted monk would turn out to be such a formidable fighter. Remembering the day he arrived felt like only yesterday.

In truth, he had only been in this world for a little over two months, but his mindset had shifted dramatically. At first, he had merely wanted to follow the monks to Jiankang and live as a scholar. But after witnessing the suffering of the people—from being thrust into the role of the "Heavenly Secret" by Miss Wang to the horrors he witnessed in Kuaiji—he realized he needed to build his own power.

Since he had arrived in this era, becoming the "Heavenly Secret" and the supposed "Lord of Hanmen," he would accept his fate and see exactly what this organization was.

After traveling deep into the mountains, they reached a remote village. As they entered, an old man spotted them and hurried over. "Why did it take you a day and a night to return? Did you kill the corrupt official?"

The woman shook her head. "He was heavily guarded. I failed and was chased through the city, barely escaping. That is why I am late."

The old man sighed. "A pity. Now that we have startled the snake, he will surely be on his guard."

Though the woman was masked, the old man sensed her shame and comforted her. "Do not blame yourself. We will find another chance to kill him."

He then noticed Zhang Chi and Daoxuan. "And who are these two?"

"They are horse thieves. I caught them on my way out of the city, and seeing they were riding Emei’s steed, I brought them to the branch to be judged."

It seemed the label of "thief" was well and truly stuck to him now, Zhang Chi thought with a wry smile.