Chapter 65, Mysterious Expert

Translator: StarReader

 

Su Chen and Ah Chou strolled along the bustling streets of Gusu City, chatting as they went.

 

“Besides those two major events, Brother Chen, you probably don’t know that many young experts have emerged from various groups! They are mostly inner disciples within these major factions and already hold the title of first-rate experts. Their ages are comparable to ours, yet they’ve attained significant renown in the martial arts world at such a young age. This upcoming Wu Region martial competition will gather experts from all factions, giving us an opportunity to make a name for ourselves!”

 

Ah Chou spoke of various intriguing events that had transpired within the martial community of the Wu Region, particularly highlighting those who had skyrocketed to fame through martial prowess. His excitement was palpable as he animatedly shared these stories.

 

When he was still a server at the Heaven Falcon Inn, he had always admired and envied those martial artists whose names were known far and wide across the martial world. He yearned for the day when he too could stand alongside them.

 

Over the years, through relentless training, Ah Chou had ascended to become a first-rate expert, bringing him ever closer to that coveted day of achieving martial prominence. What he now lacked was merely an opportunity to showcase his skills on the grand stage of the martial world and gain widespread recognition.

 

Su Chen nodded slightly in acknowledgment, despite his indifferent stance toward making a name in the martial arts world. This didn’t dampen his enthusiasm for attending the martial competition nor diminish his zest for exploring the county city and gathering spiritual materials to craft talismans.

 

Having spent several months at the Medicine King Estate, Su Chen felt the need to venture out, stretch his legs, and immerse himself in the festive and celebratory atmosphere of the city.

 

Soon after, the two arrived at the newly opened tofu shop Ah Chou mentioned. Ah Chou had raved about how the tofu here was fresh and delicious.

 

Curious to see what all the fuss was about, Su Chen wondered if this tofu could possibly be something truly special after all.

 

“Shopkeeper, two bowls of jellied tofu, with a spoonful of sugar and two fried dough sticks.” Su Chen sat down at a table in the shop and said.

 

“Hey, I don’t want sugar in my bowl; I want something salty! And two salty pancakes, too!” Ah Chou called out quickly.

 

“Salty jellied tofu? You can actually eat that? Doesn’t it taste weird?” Su Chen was surprised.

 

“I knew you’d be surprised!” Ah Chou grinned and laughed heartily.

 

“This is a new way of eating it brought by a merchant from the north. It’s become quite popular in Gusu City lately. The salty jellied tofu is sprinkled with a handful of stir-fried beans and a small spoonful of sesame oil, vinegar, green and red chili peppers, and a few chopped green onions. The beans are even chewy, and it’s sour, spicy, and refreshing this way!”

 

The shopkeeper agreed and quickly brought two bowls of different jellied tofu.

 

“You’re not eating jellied tofu, you’re eating condiments!” Su Chen looked at the tangled mess in Ah Chou’s bowl, then at his own bowl of clear jellied tofu.

 

He couldn’t understand why the refreshing jellied tofu needed stir-fried beans, chili peppers, sesame oil, and chopped green onions. Wouldn’t that muddy the flavor? How could he distinguish the various flavors, and how could he savor its original sweetness?

 

“You haven’t tasted this sour, spicy, and refreshing flavor. Ever since I had the combination of jellied tofu, I haven’t tried the other one since,” Ah Chou said with a laugh.

 

Su Chen shook his head, ignoring Ah Chou, and continued to eat his sweet jellied tofu. In his opinion, jellied tofu had to be slightly sweet to reveal its purest flavor. Add two freshly fried crispy dough sticks and the fragrant aroma, and it was an unparalleled enjoyment. If he could enjoy such delicious food every day, it would be bliss.

 

Su Chen was savoring his meal when he suddenly felt something strange. He lifted his head and gazed out at the distant street.

 

He saw a black-robed customer wearing a bamboo hat approaching from the opposite street. He wore a simple, three-foot-long green sword at his waist and exuded an aura of coldness and solitude. The bamboo hat obscured his view, revealing only the stern lines of his face below the corner of his mouth.

 

The street was bustling. However, Su Chen was surprised to find that the black-robed swordsman’s every step, as he moved through the clamoring crowd, seemed meticulously calculated, leaving no room for error. Wherever he passed, the once-noisy and bustling streets seemed to instantly quiet, the clamor vanishing without a trace.

 

This hooded swordsman seemed utterly detached from the world, walking alone through this bustling life of mortal affairs. No one accompanied him, nor did he carry any burdens.

 

This was the unique gait of a Grandmaster.

 

Such a stride signified an unparalleled state of mind!

 

An expert!

 

A true expert!

 

Su Chen’s spirits were shaken. He had never imagined that this generation’s Grandmasters from the Wu region could attain such a transcendent and ethereal realm.

 

Of course, only another Grandmaster could discern the swordsman’s singular qualities.

 

The black-robed swordsman strolled leisurely through Gusu City’s bustling streets, as though idly browsing, eventually pausing at a stall selling jellied tofu.

 

He glanced at Su Chen and Ah Chou, then unexpectedly halted. With an indifferent smile, he asked, “Little brothers, is this table free?”

 

“No one is sitting here! Take a seat, brother!”

 

Ah Chou was busily eating his meal when he overheard a passing martial artist initiating conversation with them. His heart leapt in delight, quickly offering a warm greeting.

 

He rarely interacted with others, only knowing Su Chen and a few disciples from the Heaven Falcon Group.

 

And this person, who had an obvious aura of a great martial artist, was willing to talk to them. This was tantamount to recognition.

 

That black-clothed swordsman didn’t bother with courtesies either, sitting down at an empty spot at the table, eyeing Ah Chou’s bowl of jellied tofu, and smiling faintly, “This salty jellied tofu looks quite intriguing! Shopkeeper, bring me a bowl too; I want to try it.”

 

Soon, the owner brought him a bowl of salty jellied tofu.

 

“The flavor is indeed unique… It’s fragrant, sour, and spicy—all flavors combined. The fried beans also have the refreshing quality from the north!”

 

The black-robed swordsman took a sip and savored it carefully.

 

“Haha, brother, do you think so too?”

 

Seeing his praise, Ah Chou was delighted that this foreign martial artist also approved his good taste. “What is your name, brother?”

 

“I am surnamed Han,” said the black-clothed swordsman.

 

Su Chen’s eyebrows twitched slightly, but his expression remained calm.

 

“Han? That surname isn’t common either. Brother Han is frank, fitting for someone who enjoys this salty jellied tofu.”

 

Ah Chou was completely oblivious and laughed.

 

“Little brother, we hit it off right away!”

 

The black-cloaked swordsman set down his spoon and spoke blandly: “This flavor may be novel, but to be frank, it’s unheard of that this salty jellied tofu would gain popularity in Gusu City, where sweets are cherished. Such a trend is disrupting the customs of our Wu Region.

 

This matter is of great significance; we martial artists from the Wu Region must hold firm to our stance and abstain from this foreign delicacy. In the coming days, things may grow uneasy—be cautious, you two. Preserve your valuable lives; that’s the wise path.”

 

His tone was calm, yet his words carried an indefinable weight.

 

Dark clouds gathered, portending an impending storm.

 

“T-this…”

 

Ah Chou was taken aback, utterly confused. He had merely indulged in a craving for this savory jellied tofu; how did it end up with such a heavy topic?

 

He was about to speak up and inquire when Su Chen seemed to ponder thoughtfully before suddenly tensing up. Under the table, he surreptitiously kicked Ah Chou, signaling him to remain silent.

 

Ah Chou immediately understood something was amiss and obediently kept his mouth shut.

 

“Until next time!”

 

The black-cloaked swordsman spoke no more, rising to leave as he had arrived—solitary and detached, a lone figure in the world.

 

When he left, the people around him were unaware of his presence, as if he was never there.

 

Ah Chou watched as the black-robed swordsman disappeared into the bustling street with an elegant stride.

 

He spoke with a mix of envy and admiration, “Just look at him! That’s the true style of a martial expert! A mere wave of his sleeve, and he vanishes into thin air!

 

“One day, I want to become a martial arts master like him!”

 

He couldn’t help but feel envious, yet curiosity also lingered. He asked in a puzzled tone, “But wait, what was all that about earlier? What was he saying that felt so odd to me? Why wouldn’t you let me ask any more questions?”