Wang Dong then asked, “Who has actually seen the scar on Nangong Chou's face?”

  Guo Dalu said, “At least, I've never seen him.”

  Wang Dong replied, “Since he never shows his true face, who could possibly see it?”

  Guo Dalu chuckled, “Maybe his scar is on his butt.”

  The man in bck had been watching them coldly all this time. Suddenly, he said, “You got one thing right.”

  Guo Dalu asked, “Which thing?”

  The man in bck said, “I don't kill people. I kill dogs.”

  Guo Dalu ughed. “Well, at least you're honest about it.”

  The man in bck said, “I just killed one. You'll be the second.”

  The night was deep—perfectly fitting for a murder, with a dark sky and a howling wind.

  There were already few living souls on this mountain, and by the end of the night, that number might shrink by one or two. Maybe even four.

  There were trees in the courtyard, swaying in the wind.

  But the man in bck remained still.

  He stood there quietly, as if he had already become one with this murderous night.

  No one could deny that he was, indeed, a killer.

  A deadly aura clung to him.

  His sword had yet to be drawn, but the killing intent was already there.

  Inside the house, Guo Dalu was still slowly undressing.

  Outside, the man in bck waited, seemingly in no hurry.

  Guo Dalu suddenly smiled. “This guy is quite patient.”

  Wang Dong said, “To kill, one must have patience.”

  Guo Dalu replied, “Patience alone won't kill anyone.”

  Wang Dong said, “You're deliberately trying to make him anxious. But if he doesn't get anxious, you will. And if you're the one who gets anxious, that gives him the opportunity to kill you.”

  Guo Dalu smiled. “That’s why I’m not anxious.”

  Yan Qi had been watching him closely. Suddenly, he said, “Not only should you stay calm, but you don't have to fight alone.”

  Guo Dalu replied, “I may have thick skin, but I'm no coward.”

  Yan Qi said, “Against someone like him, there's no need to stick to the so-called code of honor.”

  Guo Dalu asked, “You want four of us to take on one?”

  Yan Qi said, “Why not?”

  Guo Dalu sighed. “I'd love to, but unfortunately, I'm a man.”

  Yan Qi lowered his head. “But… do you have confidence that you can beat him?”

  Guo Dalu admitted, “No.”

  Yan Qi started, “Then you—”

  Guo Dalu cut him off with a grin. “Whether I have confidence or not, I still have to go. Just like whether I have money or not, I still have to drink.”

  Wang Dong chuckled. “That analogy is completely ridiculous, but it does make a point.”

  Yan Qi asked, “What point?”

  Wang Dong replied, “Some things simply have to be done.”

  Lin Taiping suddenly said, “Fine, you go. If he kills you, I'll avenge you.”

  Guo Dalu ughed, patted him on the shoulder, and said, “You may be an idiot, but at least you're a loyal one.”

  Yan Qi suddenly grabbed his hand and whispered, “Keep your distance from him. His sword isn't that long.”

  Guo Dalu smiled. “Don’t worry. I won't fall for it.”

  He stepped outside.

  Yan Qi let out a sigh and said, “I really don't understand. Why do some people insist on pying the hero?”

  Wang Dong said coolly, “Maybe he is a hero. Some people are just born that way.”

  Lin Taiping sighed. “That’s true. Whether he's a drunkard or a scoundrel, he's still a hero—an undeniable, genuine hero.”

  Yan Qi murmured with a sigh, “Too bad most heroes die young.”

  By now, Guo Dalu was already standing in the courtyard, keeping his distance from the man in bck.

  The man in bck said, “Where's your sword?”

  Guo Dalu smiled. “I pawned it.”

  The man in bck sneered. “You dare face me unarmed? Do you want to die even faster?”

  Guo Dalu chuckled again. “If I have to die, I might as well go quickly. Better that than suffering through poverty.”

  The man in bck said, “Fine, I'll grant your wish.”

  As he spoke the word “fine,” he was already reaching for his sword.

  The moment his hand touched the hilt, Guo Dalu had already lunged forward.

  Yan Qi's heart nearly leapt out of his chest.

  Did Guo Dalu really have a death wish? Knowing full well that his opponent was using a short sword, why did he still charge forward?

  A fsh of sword light—his opponent had drawn his bde. But it wasn't a short sword.

  It was a long sword.

  The dazzling sword light filled the air like a radiant arc, almost blinding.

  Unfortunately, Guo Dalu had already rushed into his opponent's embrace, too close to see the sword, too close to see the fsh of steel.

  But his vision was clear.

  Though he hadn't seen the bck-cd man's sword, he had spotted his weakness.

  He saw it with absolute crity.

  With a loud bang, the bck-cd man was sent flying.