The Reticent Blade-Chapter 157 - Craftsman Versus Beggar

Xue Qiming stared down at Tang Jinnian, murderous intent so intense that it made Tang’s hair stand on end, and yet, with the gourd right in front of Tang Jinnian and the chain already in his grip, there was no way he would ever let go.

"Get out of the way!" Tang Jinnian shouted, pulling out his pipe with his left hand and swung it at Xue Qiming’s leg, which was planted on the gourd.

"You’re asking for it!" Xue Qiming roared in fury. He kept his right leg firmly on the gourd as his left leg lashed out and landed squarely on Tang Jinnian’s open chest.

Tang Jinnian, who refused to release his grip on the chain, was kicked half a meter into the air before crashing heavily back to the ground! He still clung tightly to the chain.

"Cough, cough— What power... Unbound Bodhisattva, your strength truly is something else." Tang Jinnian’s pipe slipped from his hand, his face pale as he clutched his chest with his left hand and glared resentfully at Xue Qiming. "I’ll remember how you kicked me today."

Rao Shuang was stunned as she looked on from a distance. It was the first time she’d seen Tang Jinnian confident invincibility falter. As she looked back at the gourd, she realized... could this man be the feared Unbound Bodhisattva Xue Qiming whom Tang Jinnian had spoken of with such dread?

"Let go," Xue Qiming said in a low, firm voice.

"Heh..." Tang Jinnian pushed himself up, the chain clinking as he tugged at it. He removed the glove from his right hand and tossed it to the ground. He looked at Xue Qiming with a challenging gaze. "Why don’t you try me?"

Xue Qiming’s eyes burned with fury, white steam snorting from his nostrils as he cracked his knuckles loudly.

Just as the fight was about to explode, a clear voice called out from behind Tang Jinnian.

"Stop!"

It was Rao Shuang.

Rao Shuang jogged over with an anxious look on her face, stopped behind Tang Jinnian, and reached to pull on the hem of his clothes.

Tang Jinnian didn’t budge, not even glancing at her as he angrily scolded her, "Stand down! Do you think this is your place to speak?!"

"You!" Rao Shuang was about to start cursing but bit back. She didn’t release his clothing. Although Unbound Bodhisattva might not know, she understood clearly that Tang Jinnian’s most prized puppets had all been destroyed back at Five Gods Summit. If they truly fought now, he would certainly stand no chance against Unbound Bodhisattva.

Xue Qiming ignored Rao Shuang’s interference, keeping his gaze locked on Tang Jinnian. The tension between them continued to rise, and they could attack at any moment.

Pat pat pat—

A sudden slapping sound came from below them, and Xue Qiming felt a small hand hitting his foot.

Both Tang Jinnian and Xue Qiming looked down to see little Xue Niang crouching at their feet, patting the top of Xue Qiming’s foot, which was planted on the gourd.

Sensing the eyes on her, Xue Niang looked up and met Xue Qiming’s gaze. She blinked and said, "I’m thirsty... Move your foot. I want to drink."

"......"

"..."

Xue Qiming and Tang Jinnian exchanged a look, momentarily speechless.

The sharp tension eased slightly from the awkwardness, so Rao Shuang quickly tugged at Tang Jinnian’s hand. "Let go, just let go..."

"Hmph!" Tang Jinnian took the opportunity to let go of the chain with a cold huff. Without a word, he turned around and walked away.

Seeing that Xue Qiming hadn’t moved yet, Xue Niang began patting his foot repeatedly, chanting, "Your foot, your foot, your foot..."

"Oh... okay, okay." Xue Qiming snapped out of his daze, quickly moving his foot and bending down to pick up the gourd. He said to Xue Niang, "Go get your flask. I’ll pour some for you."

Hearing this, Xue Niang scampered over to where their bags were sitting.

Xue Niang brought the flask back and handed it to Xue Qiming. He uncorked the gourd, releasing a rich aroma of wine that spread across Fallen Moon Oasis. Xue Niang couldn’t help but sniff the air.

Rao Shuang, smelling the aroma, turned to see Xue Qiming pouring wine for Xue Niang. She frowned and walked over. "You’re giving her wine?"

Xue Qiming glanced up at Rao Shuang but ignored her.

Knowing his strength, Rao Shuang didn’t dare scold him and instead reached out to take Xue Niang’s hand. "Xue Niang, come with me. I’ll get you some water instead."

Xue Niang looked at Rao Shuang, shook her head, and said, "No, water doesn’t taste as good as wine."

Rao Shuang’s nose wrinkled in annoyance.

"A little girl like you is already drinking wine... How old are you to already be craving alcohol? If you keep on drinking you'll become stupid!" she warned Xue Niang.

Xue Niang poked Xue Qiming with a little finger. "Hey, she’s calling you dumb."

Xue Qiming glared at Rao Shuang.

"Who are you—what nonsense are you on about? Who told you drinking makes people dumb? Do I look dumb to you? Where? Tell me! How am I dumb?"

He glanced over at Tang Jinnian, who was sitting on a rock nearby. "If you ask me, it’s that guy who fiddles with a bunch of puppets all day who’s got a few screws loose."

Tang Jinnian snorted and ignored Xue Qiming’s taunts, instead calling out to Rao Shuang, "Come back here. Don’t worry about them. Our food and drink is ours alone, not meant to be handed out to beggars. They won’t last long without food in the desert. If they want to eat, they can go back to town to buy some themselves."

Rao Shuang gave Xue Qiming an awkward smile.

"Not like I care..." Xue Qiming grunted twice, turning his back to them and handing the flask of wine to Xue Niang. "Here... let’s drink."

Xue Niang took the flask, tilted her head, and looked at Xue Qiming. "Why does he call you a beggar? And wasn’t that guy with the blade last time also calling you that?"

Xue Qiming was momentarily at a loss for words, his expression a bit embarrassed.

Tang Jinnian, who had been listening intently to their conversation, couldn’t help but laugh when he heard Xue Niang’s question.

"Ptui!" Xue Qiming spat on the ground, glaring at Tang Jinnian. "What the hell are you laughing at!"

Tang Jinnian wasn’t bothered and instead said to Xue Niang, "Little girl, did you know that this man beside you is the least principled person around? Every time he takes a job to kill someone, right before striking, he asks for money. As long as they’re willing to pay, he’ll happily abandon the task."

"That's bull!" Xue Qiming shouted, "You’re full of it, Craftsman Tang! When have I ever been unprincipled? I’m all about principles! Every time I ask for money, I only ever take half of their money! I won't take a cent more!"

"Taking half doesn’t count as begging for money?" Tang Jinnian replied with a mischievous grin.

Xue Qiming shot to his feet. "Damn! Sounds like you’re asking for a fight!"

"And you really think I’m scared of you?" Tang Jinnian sneered, standing up from the rock.

Rao Shuang quickly stepped in to mediate. "Why is this turning into a fight? Can’t you two just calm down?"

Xue Niang’s eyes widened as she touched her chest, where a red string hung around her neck with a copper coin attached. Looking up at the tall figure before her, memories flooded back.

***

"I... I have money...please don’t kill my mother..."

"This is all my money... it’s all yours..."

"I only want half... half is enough."