C15 Sword Trial

Ye Xiao and Yu Dong exited the room in succession, stepping into chaos. Weapons that once adorned the walls lay strewn across the floor, the shop's door had been forcibly removed, and the waiter slumped on the ground, silent, with a vivid palm print marking his face.

Seven or eight rough-looking men with menacing expressions either stood or leaned around the shop. Their leader, a man with triangular eyes and a bald head, brandished a long knife. His cohorts raised a ruckus, "Shopkeeper, show yourself! How dare you sell such a shoddy sword to our Boss He? If we don't get an explanation today, this shop is coming down!"

"Come out! Or don't blame us for torching the place!"

The din was relentless.

Old Steward Yu Dong, upon witnessing the scene, was consumed by fury. He steadied himself, his head spinning with anger, and took a step forward, his voice thundering, "He Qing, you lowlife! When have you ever purchased weapons from my shop? You have the audacity to wreak havoc here, make false accusations, and attack my staff? If you don't provide a satisfactory explanation, I will report you to the City Guard for your crimes."

In a city teeming with cultivators and rife with disputes, the City Guard played a crucial role in maintaining order. Typically, the City Guard was under the firm control of the City Lord, who alone wielded the power to command them.

But the Ye Family's influence had waned, their grip on the City Guard now nothing more than a nominal command. The various divisions of the City Guard had fallen under the sway of other powerful families, and the City Lord's Mansion's decrees were ignored.

The mention of the City Guard did little to intimidate the rabble. They jeered even louder.

"Ha! Did you hear that? The old man's going to tattle to the City Guard. How terrifying!"

"Damn, the City Guard's going to punish us..."

"Go on, old man, make your report! We'll be waiting!"

Yu Dong's face flushed with anger. He was all too aware of Night City's current state. If the Ye Family were still in their heyday, with the City Guard at their beck and call, not a single thug or scoundrel would dare to disturb the peace of the Ye Family's shop.

The man with the triangular eyes let out a sly chuckle, silencing the clamor of his companions with a wave of his hand. "Old shopkeeper, it's clear that this knife was purchased from your establishment just three days ago. After a mere three days of use, it's already notched in several places. Surely, even the City Guard would see the reason in our complaint. Are you in the habit of bullying your patrons?"

Accusations of bullying customers sent Yu Dong reeling. As the man before him monopolized the conversation, Yu Dong staggered, pointing an accusing finger at the triangular-eyed ruffian, stammering, "You... you..." but his outrage left him speechless.

A henchman from behind the instigator stepped forward, "Old man, what's with the pointing? Compensate our boss now, or we'll reduce this shop to ashes today." With that, he shoved Yu Dong.

Yu Dong, advanced in years and dizzy with anger, stumbled back several steps. Losing his footing, he began to topple backward.

The aggressor advanced another two steps, taunting, "Old fool, you dare to fall? Trying to play the victim, are you?"

Just then, Ye Xiao, who had been quietly observing from behind, caught Yu Dong before he hit the ground.

While Ye Xiao had remained unseen, his presence was felt. Witnessing the blatant harassment, his anger had been simmering.

Now, as the man moved closer, a lethal aura emanated from behind Ye Xiao's mask.

The man shivered involuntarily, muttering under his breath, "What the hell is happening here?" as he turned to face Ye Xiao.

The others had been too preoccupied with Yu Dong to notice Ye Xiao lurking in the shadows.

"Who are you?" the man demanded, pointing at Ye Xiao.

Ye Xiao, unfazed, steadied Yu Dong on his feet. Yu Dong took a deep breath, composed himself, and with a slight bow, addressed Ye Xiao, "My apologies for this unsightly scene, honored guest."

He then offered Ye Xiao ten pieces of azurite, "Since you've taken a liking to it, please accept this sword as a gift. My shop is currently dealing with some issues, so I must ask you to excuse yourself. Forgive my inability to be a proper host at this time."

Ye Xiao hesitated for a moment before accepting the leather pouch. He did not leave, though, instead lifting his gaze to scrutinize the troublemakers.

Yu Dong whirled around to face the man with the triangular eyes, his cheeks burning with anger as he bellowed, "He Qing, remember this—you're in the Ye Family's market. No matter our current state, we're not to be trifled with by some petty thug like you! If you persist, rest assured, the Ye Family will respond in kind!"

The mention of the Ye Family made the man's eyes narrow, a flicker of fear crossing his face. Yu Dong was correct; even in decline, the Ye Family wasn't to be provoked by a lowly gang leader. Yet, the thought of the powerful backers he had brought a smug comfort.

His expression shifted as he retorted, "Shopkeeper Yu, I wouldn't dare challenge the authority of Your Excellency, the City Lord. But we've purchased inferior goods from your store. Surely, even the City Lord must stand for fairness. Are you suggesting that with the City Lord's support, you can twist the truth at will?"

Yu Dong was so infuriated by the accusation that he nearly passed out.

Meanwhile, Ye Xiao was seething. To think that his esteemed Ye Family, rulers of Night City, would be so openly harassed on their own turf.

Stepping forward, Ye Xiao confronted the man, "You claim to have bought defective weapons here? They broke after just three days?"

The man's heart raced as Ye Xiao approached, the menacing mask instilling an unexpected dread. "May I ask who Your Excellency might be?" he inquired, sizing up Ye Xiao with a cautious gaze.

He knew his own strength was modest at best; if this was indeed a member of the Ye Family, they could easily crush him. But if this was an unscrupulous expert, regardless of the Ye Family's future, his own life might be in jeopardy today.

Without answering, Ye Xiao pressed on, "You allege deception after buying a blade here, and as it happens, I've just purchased a sword from this very shop. Are you implying that the shopkeeper has duped us both?"

Upon hearing that the visitor was merely a customer, Pointy Eyes breathed a sigh of relief. As long as the person wasn't from the Ye Family, all was well.

"What kind of weapon did this brother purchase?" Pointy Eyes inquired.

Ye Xiao presented the black broken sword he had slung over his back. "This one, a broken sword, for ten azurite!"

"Ga!" Pointy Eyes, who had maintained a steady composure until now, gaped in astonishment at the sight of the broken sword Ye Xiao had acquired for ten azurite.

"Ten azurite for this broken sword?" Pointy Eyes scrutinized Ye Xiao, wondering if he was out of his mind. What sane person would spend ten azurite on such a worthless sword? Thrown into the street, it would likely be ignored by passersby.

But if Ye Xiao was a fool, that would make things much simpler. Pointy Eyes was well aware of the true nature of his own knife, yet the broken sword in Ye Xiao's possession was sufficient evidence of the shop's deceit.

He wasn't opposed to setting someone up, but if the situation was indeed legitimate, and there was no need for deception, wouldn't that be preferable?

"Brother, you've been duped. This sword isn't worth ten azurite, not even ten white crystals. Don't worry, we'll make sure this old crook gives you a proper explanation." To the uninformed observer, this man would seem a paragon of righteousness... Ye Xiao, however, was unfazed. "So, you're saying I've been swindled? I happen to believe this sword is a precious blade capable of slicing through gold and shattering jade. Since you claim I've been deceived, then assist me in testing the sword. If it's truly as worthless as you say, then I'll certainly seek redress from the shop."

The onlookers with triangular eyes exchanged perplexed glances at Ye Xiao's proposal.

Test the sword?