Chapter 234: Under the Night Sky, Clash of Blades!

The two men got off the boat at the river mouth.

After leaving the boat, they ate and drank a lot at a nearby inn, then set off again.

There weren’t many boats in the river, and now that dusk had fallen, they saw fewer and fewer boats by the shore, until only one remained.

But it was just a bamboo raft.

“A bamboo raft. What do you think?” Shang Lu asked.

“Why not?”

The two men climbed onto the bamboo raft and passed a few coins to the boatman.

“Hold on tight!”

The old boatman rowing had hair as white as snow, but his body looked strong and sturdy.

A fishing rod stood upright beside him, its line trailing in the water, as if waiting for a fish to bite.

Zhao Zhen found this strange and asked, “Old boatman, why fish while steering? Aren’t you afraid the current will sweep your bait away?”

The elderly boatman opened a bamboo flask, took a sip of wine, and chuckled, “Just doing it for fun. If I catch something, fine. If not, that’s fine too.”

“May I take a look?” Shang Lu asked.

The boatman replied, “Go ahead.”

Shang Lu lifted the rod and saw the hook was completely bare—no bait at all.

“The current washed it away, just as expected,” Shang Lu said.

Zhao Zhen remarked, “Then it’s a pointless action.”

The boatman rowed on and said, “Not necessarily. Fish can bite even without bait.”

Zhao Zhen shook his head. “No bait, no fish. I’ve never heard of such a thing.”

“Never seeing it doesn’t mean it can’t happen.”

The boatman smiled. “Years ago, a man borrowed this very rod and caught a big fish over four pounds at the riverbank.”

Zhao Zhen paused for a moment, then shook his head again. “Nonsense.”

“It’s the truth.”

The boatman pushed the raft forward and said, “You don’t have to believe it. But strange people and strange events are everywhere in this world. No one understands everything.”

Shang Lu grew curious. “Old sir, tell us more?”

“I thought you didn’t believe it,” the old man teased with a smile.

“I believe it.”

To Shang Lu, nothing in the world was truly impossible.

“Ah, this happened many years ago…”

The old man recounted his story, speaking of a Green-Robed Gentleman who had no money for the boat, and of that fish.

“Back then, I didn’t think much of it.

But later, on my way back, an old man like me suddenly wondered: had that man used any bait?

So I opened the fish’s belly and searched carefully. There was nothing. No bait at all.”

The old man took a deep breath. “It gave me quite a fright at the time.”

Zhao Zhen still shook his head. “Maybe the bait just turned into fish dung.”

The old boatman grinned, showing a row of yellow teeth. He didn’t argue back, merely saying, “Maybe.”

Shang Lu fell into thought after hearing this.

He might not have guessed anything else, but he remembered clearly who the old boatman mentioned: the “Green-Robed Gentleman.”

‘Mr. Chen is truly unlike ordinary people…’

Shang Lu hadn’t expected to hear such a story on this small river.

Who knows how many traces Mr. Chen had left behind in the mortal world during those years? Thinking of it made Shang Lu feel a bit upset.

The two men reached Yan County shortly after leaving the raft.

Zhao Zhen asked, “You believe the boatman’s story?”

Shang Lu nodded. “Yes. Because he was telling the truth.”

Zhao Zhen shook his head. He thought Shang Lu was naïve, believing such a made-up tale.

He decided to change the subject. “Yan County is just ahead. Is your path the same?”

“Yes.”

“Is that so…”

In Yan County, each switched to a fast horse.

On horseback, Shang Lu asked, “Where to next, Brother Zhao?”

Zhao Zhen replied, “Southwest, to Anning County. Surely that isn’t your route?”

A faint gleam flashed in Shang Lu’s eyes as he smiled. “What if I said it is?”

Zhao Zhen instantly grew alert.

The two stared at each other a long while.

Suddenly, Shang Lu asked, “My destination is called Autumn Moon Market. Ever heard of it, Brother Zhao?”

Zhao Zhen stared at him. “The same place?”

“What a coincidence.”

Shang Lu slowly moved his hand behind his back. A dagger was hidden at his waist, ready if things went wrong.

Zhao Zhen also shielded his arm—beneath it was a hidden short sword.

They watched each other, both wary, the tension thick.

But after a tense standoff…

Shang Lu slowly withdrew his hand and said with a faint smile, “Maybe it really is just fate?”

Zhao Zhen hesitated, then lowered his guard too.

“I suppose so.”

If they had stayed like that a moment longer, Zhao Zhen might have struck first. But in the end, he held back.

Curiosity about this man held him back.

Could he be one of Qingbo Marquis’ people?

But the more Zhao Zhen looked, the less likely it seemed. He knew his younger brother too well—they shared the same nature. His brother would never tolerate someone like Shang Lu.

“Giddy up!”

Soon, both men rode swiftly along the Imperial Road, one ahead of the other.

The clopping of hooves echoed as dusk’s last light faded, horses speeding toward Autumn Moon Market.

Shang Lu charged first, Zhao Zhen close behind—a silent race unfolded between them. They pushed each other faster, neither willing to fall back, until finally they rode neck for neck, as the town came into view…

Just then, something unexpected happened!

Suddenly, several figures leaped out from the forest.

“Kill!”

As the voice fell, over ten people drew Long Sabers and charged toward the man riding the fast horse on the Imperial Road under the night sky.

Zhao Zhen froze, quickly gripping his Short Sword.

Shang Lu also drew his Dagger at once and asked, “Are they here for you?”

Zhao Zhen went silent, then said, “You can leave first. I can handle this.”

Shang Lu shook his head. “Maybe they’re after me too.”

“Kill them!”

With a fierce cry, flashes of blades danced in the darkness.

Zhao Zhen stirred his inner strength, fighting with his Short Sword, but from horseback, he couldn’t gain the advantage.

“Duck down!”

Shang Lu shouted loudly, swinging his Dagger and blocking a speeding arrow with a sharp clang.

Zhao Zhen caught an arrow in midair and yelled, “The tip is poisoned!”

“Damn it!”

Shang Lu cursed. He slapped his horse, tossed his Dagger aside, and plunged into the crowd.

“Don’t go!” Zhao Zhen cried out, but it was too late. Suddenly, he gasped in shock.

Zhao Zhen sensed the Qi and Blood surge and gasped, “A Grade Eight martial artist!?”

“Boom!”

Shang Lu’s fist smashed into a man’s face. Blood sprayed everywhere, staining the moonlit ground.

“Protect the Lord!!”

“Kill!”

Suddenly, two Shadow Guards hurried onto the scene. They drew Long Sabers and attacked the hidden enemies.

Now both sides collided.

Chaos filled the woods instantly. Three forces clashed in the dark night, lit only by blade flashes and screams.

Shang Lu seized the moment, pulling Zhao Zhen away to a safer spot.

“Who are you really?!” Shang Lu demanded.

Zhao Zhen raised his voice and asked, “Who are you really?!”

As screams rang in their ears.

Shang Lu saw the arrows had stopped. He pinched his fingers and blew a whistle.

Seeing this, Zhao Zhen shouted sharply, “Fall back!”

One whistle. One command.

Instantly, silence fell. Blade clashes faded, leaving only moaning everywhere.

By the moonlight, countless bodies lay scattered on the Imperial Road.

Only two figures stood among the corpses.

Zhao Zhen and Shang Lu panted heavily.

Their eyes met, followed by a long silence.

They each doubted the other, but neither made a move.

“You stepped back in Yan County. This time, I’ll return the favor.”

Zhao Zhen looked at him and said, “Thank you for saving my life earlier.”

Shang Lu looked at him, thought for a moment, and gave a slow nod.

Neither of them asked about the other’s identity.