A Core Ship From The Start-Chapter 2228 - 1510: Central State (It’s About to Drop Below Freezing)
Duanmu Huai sat in the corner of the tavern, drinking wine and eating meat out of boredom.
This world was different from other places, divided into five states: east, west, south, north, and central, with Duanmu Huai currently in Central State. When he first arrived here, there was a notice posted in the town, saying a man-eating tiger was on the loose, and a bounty was offered for anyone who could slay it. So Duanmu Huai killed the tiger, then brought its corpse to the government office to collect the reward.
After that, Duanmu Huai naturally settled down here.
He didn’t have anything else to do anyway, and there were no devils or demons in this world, leaving no room for a Judge to play his part. So Duanmu Huai took up the life of a hunter here, occasionally venturing into the nearby mountains and forests to hunt animals for money, and then holing up in the tavern, living a drunken, dreamy life.
In this era, there was no internet or video games, so Duanmu Huai spent his days bored out of his mind, listening to gossip from all over the place to pass the time at the tavern.
Therefore, he managed to pick up a little knowledge of the martial arts world.
For instance, the famous beauty of the West Martial World, Lin Xian’er, the Beggar Gang Leader of the North Martial Arts, Qiao Feng, the Fengyun Association of the East Martial Arts, and the Demon Sect of the Southern Martial World, among others...
Duanmu Huai had heard of some, while others he had not, but in any case, he knew these things probably shouldn’t be mixed together.
But... what did it have to do with him anyway?
Duanmu Huai took another bite of the chicken leg in his hand, sipping his tea. He’s seen martial arts stories before, but he wasn’t particularly fond of them. It’s not that Duanmu Huai disliked martial arts as a genre, but because he used to get teased by his classmates, who said the protagonists in martial arts novels were usually the delicate, pretty boys, while someone like Duanmu Huai—tall and dark like an iron tower—would just be the kind of NPC specifically introduced to get beaten up by the protagonist and serve as fodder... at most taking on roles like a gatekeeper or a guard escort.
Mad, just thinking about this made Duanmu Huai unhappy.
Protagonist? Who cares if you’re Zhang Junbao or Ling Hu Chong, whether you know Nine Yang Divine Skill or Dugu Nine Swords, bring one and I’ll beat one, you think I’m afraid?
Dream on if you want to use me as a stepping stone to show off.
And now, Duanmu Huai was again drinking wine and eating meat, while listening to the Jianghu people’s chatter around him.
Every day, Jianghu people came and went, and their chatting covered everything from all corners of the world. Like right now, Duanmu Huai was listening to the Jianghu guests at the next table talking about a notorious rapist.
Hmm, when men gather, they either discuss women or brag.
"Hey, did you know, the Plum Blossom Thief who ran rampant thirty years ago has reappeared!"
"Plum Blossom Thief?"
Seeing the older Jianghu man with a serious expression, a younger Jianghu man frowned.
"What’s that?"
"Hey, when the Plum Blossom Thief made his name, you weren’t even born yet. You should know that back then, there wasn’t a single person in the West Martial World who didn’t know him. This person moved unpredictably and was elusive, committing numerous heinous acts. Back then, Wu Wentai, the Sect Leader of Diancang, vowed to find him, but ended up dead in his own courtyard the next day, without a trace of injury on his body, just five blood marks arranged like plum blossoms on his chest, as small as pinholes. Everyone knew that was the Plum Blossom Thief’s signature. But no one knows if it was a hidden weapon or some kind of outer sect weapon. Because those who’ve crossed paths with him..."
At this point, the old Jianghu man lowered his voice.
"All died."
"Oh?"
"But one thing is certain, the Plum Blossom Thief must be a man, because he not only robs wealth but also robs beauty. Both the black and white paths of the West Martial World hate him to the core, but they can’t do anything about him. Because if anyone claims to oppose him, they won’t survive more than three days, and will surely have his unique mark on their chest."
"Is he that scary?"
Hearing the old Jianghu man’s account, the young Jianghu man turned pale.
"What happened afterward?"
"Later... the Plum Blossom Thief disappeared without a trace, and no one knew where he went. There were even rumors that the Plum Blossom Thief found the West Martial World no longer sufficient for his havoc, so he went to cause trouble in other Wuzhous and ended up being slain by some big shot..."
"But..."
The young Jianghu man furrowed his brows in confusion.
"Listening to your story, the Plum Blossom Thief should be quite old now, at least sixty or seventy years old. Can he still do such things?"
"Ah, I don’t want to believe it either, but everyone says so, and it’s said that the Plum Blossom Thief’s distinctive mark was found on the bodies again... and over the past seven or eight months, there have been seventy or eighty major cases. Right now in the Jianghu, any woman with even a hint of beauty is utterly sleepless..."
"Chicken thieves and petty criminals, nothing to fear."
At this moment, a Jianghu guest at the adjacent table snorted coldly, tilted his head, and drained the wine from his jug.
"If this rascal dares to come to the Southern Martial World, I’d like to see him go up against the Fairies of Cihang Jingzhai, that would be interesting. In the end, it’s just that the folks of the West Martial World are too incompetent, they can’t even deal with a mere rapist, what a joke."
"Brother, you’re mistaken."
At this moment, the Jianghu guest opposite him chimed in.
"You should know that in any martial state, a notorious rapist is no simple character. For example, Tian Boguang, who roams freely in the North Martial Arts, still runs rampant and no one can do anything about him."
"Heh, what’s so great about the Southern Martial World."
Another Jianghu guest couldn’t resist sneering.
"Speaking of Cihang Jingzhai, your Misty Edge Border isn’t any better, they couldn’t even take down Devil Bian Bufei."
"What do you know, the Demon Sect is powerful and has intricate ties with the court. Although we in the righteous path have the intent to slay the demon, we’re powerless to turn the tide..."
"You talk a good game, but deep down it’s just cowardice."
"You’re brave enough, go to the Southern Martial World and say that, I guarantee you’ll be bleeding out within five steps!"
"Hahaha, you’re the same, why don’t you go shout out at the West Martial World for the Plum Blossom Thief, see if he leaves a plum blossom on your chest?"
"You punk, you’re asking for it!"
"Bring it on, you think I’m scared of you!?"
Oh...
Duanmu Huai sat in the corner, shaking his head helplessly at this scene. Such incidents were commonplace in the tavern, with Jianghu guests from all over the map coming here to eat and drink, and after a few too many, they would start bragging. Once things got heated, they would start fighting each other. It’s just like the flame wars on forums or social media... oh, wait, there’s still a difference.
In online flame wars, no matter how hard you pound the keyboard, you can’t hurt the other party at all. But here, once they get really into it, seeing blood is a common occurrence.
However, everyone in the tavern seemed used to it, and after a few more rounds of brawling for space, the two fighting each other pushed out the door.
Hmm... It’s better to fight outside, at least there’s no need to worry about cleanup.
The tavern quieted momentarily, then became lively again, with the Xiao Er quickly coming forward to set up the tables and chairs. Those singing continued their songs, those chatting kept chatting, and those drinking resumed, as if nothing had happened.
Duanmu Huai leaned against the wall, closing his eyes for some rest.
"Brother."
At that moment, a voice sounded. Duanmu Huai raised his eyelids and saw a man looking at him.
"Mind if I sit here?"
The man’s voice was gentle, and although he appeared to be quite old, his eyes remained clear. Duanmu Huai just glanced at him and nodded.
"Thank you."
The man smiled and sat opposite Duanmu Huai. He ordered some wine from Xiao Er and then took out a piece of wood and a small knife, and started carving.
Duanmu Huai glanced at the small knife in the man’s hand, yawned again, and leaned against the wall with his eyes closed. This was how he spent his days. There was nothing else to do, nothing else to kill. He was just waiting for the strength within him to completely merge, so he could leave this damned place.
"Cough, cough...cough, cough..."
After some time, the sound of coughing reached his ears. Duanmu Huai opened his eyes to find it was late at night, and most of the guests in the tavern had left. Only the lunatic opposite him was still drinking and coughing.
"You should find another spot."
Duanmu Huai frowned slightly and snorted coldly.
"It’s impolite to cough towards others, and it’s unsanitary."
"Apologies, it’s not my intention."
Hearing Duanmu Huai’s complaint, the man gave a wry smile, then reached out and finished the wine in front of him.
"Sorry, I... well, perhaps I should leave, but it’s too late now."
As he said this, the man turned his head towards the tavern entrance. At the same time, the tavern door was pushed open and several Jianghu people walked in. They were dressed differently, holding weapons, and looked serious as they surrounded the tubercular-looking man.
"The Plum Blossom Thief is here!"
"Did you think you could escape?"
Hearing the Jianghu people’s angry shouts, Duanmu Huai finally opened his eyes, curiously looking at the man.
"You’re the Plum Blossom Thief?"
Facing Duanmu Huai’s inquiry, the man smiled slightly.
"Do you think I look like him, brother?"
"Who knows, and I don’t care."
Duanmu Huai closed his eyes again and leaned against the wall, changing his posture.
"Amitabha Buddha..."
A Buddhist chant rang out, and then, an old monk with kind eyes and a gentle face walked in. He clasped his hands together, looked at the man, and sighed quietly.
"Benefactor Li, why has it come to this?"
"I didn’t expect you could chase me to Central State."
The man quietly watched the wine, watched the knife, and sighed.
"The Plum Blossom Thief has committed innumerable evil deeds and deserves to be punished by everyone, without exception."
A Jianghu person spoke, staring at the man, and then continued.
"Even renowned Little Li’s Flying Knife is no exception!"
"......"
The man said nothing; he just stared at the wine, at the knife.
"So, who will be the one?"
With this simple question, all the eager Jianghu people hesitated. They tightened their grips on their weapons, eyes wide open, but no one stepped forward.
"Tch, a bunch of cowards."
Seeing the Jianghu people staring at each other, Duanmu Huai snorted coldly. They came aggressively to capture, but no one dared to take the lead.
So what were these people here for? Just to watch?
"Brother, you’re mistaken."
Hearing Duanmu Huai’s remark, the man coughed and smiled.
"They just want someone else to make the first move."
"I understand, Little Li’s Flying Knife, never misses."
Duanmu Huai stretched lazily.
"So they need others to go and sacrifice themselves first, so they can reap the benefits. Ultimately, the martial artists are just like this, a bunch of gutless mice, caring only for themselves and nothing else. Even a well-trained army is better than these idiots. No wonder they can only wander around in the martial world, mingling in futile gangs."
Hearing Duanmu Huai’s mockery, the crowd’s faces changed simultaneously. One of them gripped a longsword, staring at Duanmu Huai.
"Who are you, sir, and why do you speak ill of us?"
Duanmu Huai didn’t answer, when suddenly, a sharp voice sounded.
"He must be an accomplice of the Plum Blossom Thief. Li Xunhuan came here to meet up with him!"
Duanmu Huai raised an eyebrow, seeing a young brat standing behind the crowd, watching him with a chilling smile.
"Otherwise, why would he be sitting at the same table as Li Xunhuan?!"
Hearing the brat’s words, the man gave a wry smile.
"I truly apologize."
The Jianghu people exchanged glances, nodded slightly to each other.
"In that case, let’s capture this accomplice first and then we’ll see!"
The next moment, a cold light flashed, shooting quickly towards Duanmu Huai!
