Chapter 18: Interrogation of the Soul

Zhou Kui'an slipped into the inner room of the house, his broad hand slapping the wall. With a heavy thud, a wooden door dropped behind him. The flesh on his face quivered as regret gnawed at his heart.

This house had been left behind by Widow Li's late husband; with only two small courtyards, Zhou Kui'an had made few changes since he became involved with the widow two months ago. Yet, during that time, his martial arts—stagnant for years—mysteriously broke through, elevating him in one leap to the realm of a second-rate expert, with strength and energy in perfect harmony.

The joy in Zhou Kui'an's heart was inevitable, and with it came the emboldened sense that the vast world of the martial arts was now open to him. After all, he was merely a streetwise ruffian, keeping to low-profile, unremarkable dealings. Naturally, he grew somewhat lax in safeguarding his own security.

But who would want to kill him? Was it Old Wu from Scholar Street? Butcher Zhang from Yousheng Gate? Or…? Zhou Kui'an abruptly forced these thoughts from his mind.

Those men were, like himself, just local tyrants making a living on the streets. Ordinary folk feared them as they would tigers, but only they knew that a life spent licking the blade's edge, with death hanging over every day, was the true blood-soaked world of the martial arts. At best, they were frogs leaping in a muddy pond—conflicts occurred, but never to the point of hiring an assassin. Besides, he wore a thin veneer of officialdom.

And with their meager means, how could they possibly afford to hire such a masked man as the one pursuing him tonight?

Could it really be that some righteous disciple of a prestigious sect had chosen him as a target for justice? This chilling thought crept into Zhou Kui'an's mind.

If that were true, then death was truly upon him! Having lived more than half a lifetime, Zhou Kui'an knew well that once those so-called righteous sects invoked the name of heaven, their killings were no less ruthless than the notorious demonic cults. Even minor wrongdoers, once targeted, found themselves burdened with fabricated sins, left with no recourse, their entire families slaughtered to prevent future trouble.

How vigilant Zhou Kui'an could be! Blocked by the wooden door, Su Yi gathered his strength and struck with the back of his blade. Amid flying splinters, he hurled himself forward, breaking through the door.

"Xiuniang, run!"

Rushing into the room, Zhou Kui'an bounded to the bed, pulling the newly-awakened Widow Li upright without regard for her disheveled state. The woman let out a startled cry, her words cut off before they could form.

Zhou Kui'an smashed his fist against the wooden window at the head of the bed, shattering it instantly. He seized Widow Li and leapt through the opening.

The backyard gate was close—yet it was already too late.

"Where do you think you're going!"

A thunderous shout echoed, and a cold gleam fell from above.

Despair and chill gripped Zhou Kui'an's heart. He thrust Widow Li aside and dodged several feet away, drawing two short daggers from behind his knees to parry the long blade.

The clangor of steel rang out without pause. Zhou Kui'an fought with all his might, barely managing to defend himself. In all his years on the streets, death had never felt so near.

Su Yi was somewhat surprised. He hadn't expected Zhou Kui'an to be so skilled; he'd assumed him just a small-time bully, oppressing the common folk.

With a quick maneuver, Su Yi spun to Zhou Kui'an's right, swinging his blade in a horizontal arc. Zhou Kui'an leapt back, but a half-foot gash opened at his waist, blood spraying forth.

Su Yi pressed his advantage, closing in to drive his knee forward. Zhou Kui'an's protruding belly caved inward, his organs seeming to shift, sending him flying. His face contorted in pain, turning a bruised, liverish hue.

Just as Su Yi was about to finish Zhou Kui'an off, a figure sprang from the side, shielding Zhou Kui'an with her back.

"Don't kill him!"

Surprise flashed across Su Yi's face; the cold wind of his blade halted just a foot short.

Wasn't Widow Li supposed to have submitted to Zhou Kui'an only under duress? Why would she shield him now?

"Step aside! Or I'll kill you both," Su Yi said coldly, his face masked.

But Widow Li only bowed lower, tears streaming as she pleaded, "Sir, I do not know how my man has offended you. I know he is not a good man, but I believe his crimes do not warrant death. I beg you, show mercy and spare his life. I will repay you with my life if you wish. If not, let us die together as a pair of doomed lovers!"

"Xiulian!" Zhou Kui'an's face flushed with shame and gratitude. Broken as he was, he could not sit up straight.

Su Yi considered. Perhaps Zhou Kui'an was not as wicked as he'd imagined. Recalling what the peddler had said, it was true the man had done some unsavory things, but none so heinous as to deserve death.

"Zhou Kui'an, stand up!"

Sensing a shift in Su Yi's tone, Zhou Kui'an, trembling, rose with Widow Li's help, blood seeping from the corner of his mouth, his appearance utterly wretched.

"Let me ask you—have you ever committed any monstrous, unforgivable crimes? If you dare lie, I'll slice you into pieces and feed you to the fish!" Su Yi's voice thundered, employing the soul-shaking technique from the Whale Devouring Method. With Zhou Kui'an injured and shaken, any guilt was sure to reveal itself.

So he had come to rid the world of evil!

Zhou Kui'an shuddered, slipping from Widow Li's grasp to collapse to his knees.

"Hero, please judge! I, Zhou Kui'an, swear before heaven—I have never committed evil so grave as to outrage gods and men! If I utter a single false word, may I be struck dead by lightning, without a good end! Please, listen to my story…"

"Enough! Stop!" Su Yi sheathed his blade, gesturing for Widow Li to help Zhou Kui'an up, then turned to walk back into the house.

"Come here. I have questions for you."

In the main hall, Su Yi sat boldly at the head. Widow Li, flustered and fearful, offered fragrant tea, then stood nervously beside Zhou Kui'an.

Zhou Kui'an hung his head, not daring to breathe, as he gazed upon the man who now held his life in his hands.

How unfortunate that this hero wore a mask—Zhou Kui'an could not read his expression, his own heart beating wildly.

Behind the mask, Su Yi fought a smile, his face impassive as he drew a porcelain bottle from his robe.