Volume Two: Blood Stains the Bodhi Chapter Twenty: The Beginning

This woman was Chen Shuwan of the Chen family. Like Chen Buqun, she had heard news of Xiao Yan’s arrival in town and had rushed over to find him.

Chen Shuwan was eighteen years old—the prime of youth. While she was not particularly well-endowed in the chest, she was an absolute beauty in terms of her features. In this era, however, she was already considered an "old maid." Hundreds of matchmakers had visited her home, introducing nearly every promising young talent in the North, yet Chen Shuwan remained unsatisfied.

Recently, after much pestering by the matchmakers, she finally set her requirements: "Young, cunning, a great hero who saves the masses, and above all, he must be a monk."

The matchmakers were baffled. "Young" was easy enough, but what on earth was "cunning"? And a "hero who saves the masses"? As for the final requirement—that he must be a monk—was the young lady’s taste truly that strange? Even Chen Shuwan herself was not quite sure why she felt this way. Whenever she thought of someone she liked, for some reason, only that scoundrel Xiao Yan came to mind.

Upon entering Baicao Town, Chen Shuwan had been targeted by the young masters of the Ten Great Families, who began pursuing her relentlessly. She had been dealing with their pestering throughout her journey, and even when she sensed the fat, large-eared Taoist following her, she paid him little mind.

"Hehe, hello there, little treasure..." the Sword-Swallowing Heavenly King emerged from the other end of the alley, drooling.

Looking at the exquisite young girl, he was overcome with excitement. This was a real woman; compared to the saint captured by Constable Zhao, this one was far superior. Though her chest was small, the Sword-Swallowing Heavenly King had a soft spot for exactly this type.

Chen Shuwan frowned in annoyance, naturally assuming he was just another young master from one of the great families. She found him particularly hideous, wondering where such an ugly man found the audacity to show his face. Wanting only to find Xiao Yan quickly, she impatiently unleashed her inner energy, intending to resolve the issue with force.

Her inner energy was at the eighteenth level—a height unreachable for most of her peers. She had perfectly inherited the martial arts genes of Chen Bufan. Usually, among her peers, reaching the fifteenth level was considered genius. Whenever she released her aura, most suitors would retreat, and those who persisted would soon learn their lesson and leave.

"Wow! Impressive, impressive! I’ve really struck gold... hehe..." The Sword-Swallowing Heavenly King’s eyes gleamed with lecherous intent. He hadn't expected such a beautiful woman to have such talent for martial arts. This trip was well worth it; if he could use a woman with such potential to practice his dark arts, his cultivation would surely advance further. Imagining her soon subdued beneath him, his face twisted into a lewd grin.

Just then, several dashing young masters jumped into the alley, blocking Chen Shuwan’s path. "Miss Chen, don't be afraid! We will protect you!"

These were the family disciples who had been pestering her all along. Chen Shuwan was surprised that they were still following her.

"Oh? Playing the hero to save the damsel? Interesting!" The Sword-Swallowing Heavenly King frowned slightly, his smile freezing and turning into killing intent. The young masters radiated decent levels of inner energy, eager to show off in front of the beauty, but they clearly failed to realize that Chen Shuwan’s strength far exceeded their own.

"Where did this stinking Taoist come from? In broad daylight, in the middle of the street! Are you looking for death?" one of them demanded, stepping forward.

"Hehe... the Great Immortal will show you who is looking for death!" The Sword-Swallowing Heavenly King spat out the sword from his mouth. A trace of blood stained the blade, proving it had indeed been lodged in his internal organs.

Terrified, the young masters gulped. "What kind of monster is this? Kill him!"

Before they could finish, the Sword-Swallowing Heavenly King charged with a sinister grin, his blood-stained blade flashing. His inner energy erupted—he was at the thirtieth level! Before the young masters could react, their heads were severed from their bodies, rolling to their own feet. The Sword-Swallowing Heavenly King licked the blood off his blade with a look of pure delight.

It all happened in an instant.

"You..." Chen Shuwan’s eyes widened. Sensing that this monster was no ordinary foe, she turned and fled without hesitation. She had learned this tactic from that scoundrel monk, Xiao Yan.

"Hehe... don't be in such a hurry, little lady... tonight we shall cultivate together and have some fun..." The Sword-Swallowing Heavenly King leaped in front of her, cutting off her escape.

"Get away!" Chen Shuwan said coldly.

"You really are excellent! But don't struggle. I know you're from the Chen family—Chen Bufan, I’ve heard of him... too bad he isn't here! Behave yourself, and I promise I won't break you... at least not for a month..." He chuckled lewdly, leaning in to lick her face.

"Die!" Chen Shuwan drew her longsword and thrust it at his chest.

"Hehe, useless." With a flick of his finger, he deflected her blade. "Serve me well, and I will teach you peerless martial arts!"

As she moved, her mind flashed back to Xiao Yan. Ten days ago, the bad monk had been waving his sword under the moonlight, saying, "I’m researching a new sword style. The core is *qi*; you use the fluctuations of *qi* to shift the technique. It’s much like poetry. I’m thinking of how to combine the two."

He had recited: *"The moon sets, the crow cries, the frost fills the sky; river maples and fishing fires face my weary sleep."*

Using *qi* to command the sword, using poetry to command the *qi*!

Chen Shuwan regained her focus, mimicking Xiao Yan’s stance and reciting the poem. A sharp, piercing sword aura lunged toward the King’s face. The Sword-Swallowing Heavenly King’s calm expression turned to one of caution; he instinctively stepped back.

A shallow cut appeared on his face, blood seeping out.

"Hmm? Interesting! That’s not a Chen family technique, is it?" He touched the blood on his face, tasted it, and smiled as he walked toward her. He was shocked; with her eighteenth-level energy, she shouldn't have been able to scratch him unless the technique itself was extraordinary.

Chen Shuwan knew she couldn't win. She turned to run, but the Sword-Swallowing Heavenly King lunged forward, chopping his hand against the back of her neck. She collapsed into his arms.

"Hehe... such a prize..." He drooled as he stared at her beautiful face.

Constable Zhao entered the alley, recoiling in horror at the sight of the severed heads.

"Clean this up, and take this girl back for me. Tonight, I... hehe..." the King ordered.

"But... these are young masters from the great families... if something happens..."

"Do as I say. Keep it clean, and there will be no problems!"

Constable Zhao ordered his men to pack Chen Shuwan into a black bag.

"Wait, leave the girl to me. I can't wait until tonight..." The Sword-Swallowing Heavenly King grabbed the bag, licking his lips.

"But... what about the matter with the small clinic..." Constable Zhao hesitated.

"Don't be a coward! Didn't you say the magistrate sent people there? I happen to know the magistrate has the Six Flute Kings—top-tier masters! Don't worry." With that, he snatched the bag and headed toward the brothel.