Sword Among Us

Practically during the half an hour after Head Hunters received the news, the information about Happy attacking and destroying Class One Hall’s branch at Shijiazhuang spread through all of World of Martial Arts.

It was just as Tea Words said.

When Uncle Sword, leader of Head Hunters, sold the information to the major factions near Beijing, including Wind Assault Tower, not only had they bought this information and shared it with each other, they had even made a deal with Uncle Sword telling him to constantly pay attention to Happy’s actions as well as what he would do next.

Head Hunters earned a huge load of money from this.

The great news of the huge profit caused Uncle Sword to be incredibly happy, and he even forgot to ask Tea Words how he obtained his news.

“Come, let’s have another toast in celebration for Happy finally doing something good for Head Hunters!”

Tea Words quietly lifted his cup and knocked his cup against Uncle Sword’s. He asked, “What are you doing next?”

“You’ve already given me a hint. If I still don’t understand what you meant, how could I be the leader of Head Hunters? Aside from paying close attention to all of Class One Hall’s branches in Shijiazhuang to Beijing, I’ll also have people pay attention to the movements of Class One Hall’s branches. Class One Hall will definitely know that since Happy has taken sudden action, he will definitely not stop, and there is no way Class One Hall doesn’t have a way to handle the situation.” Uncle Sword smiled.

“That’s right.” Tea Words nodded.

Uncle Sword’s mind moved quickly. He immediately thought of just staying close to Happy and wait for him to produce newsworthy actions, along with keeping watch over the possible actions Class One Hall might do.

“It’s a real waste if you don’t come to Head Hunters.”

“…Uncle Sword.”

“Alright, I won’t force you. Just think about it.” Uncle Sword did not continue to try and persuade or urge Tea Words to make a decision. After he said those words, he just took care of the large number of messenger pigeons on his table. The leader of Head Hunters was unlike normal sect leaders. He could not just bring his subordinates out of the city to show off their strength and how cool they were just because he was bored.

At that moment, two people came in from outside.

Those two looked travel worn, but they appeared to be in high spirits.

“Tea Words.”

“Knew it. You’re really here.”

“Since your friends came over, go and sit with them.” Uncle Sword looked up and cast them a glance. Then, he recognized one of them.

The person he recognized was NotaRascal, an elder in Beautiful Robes Faction when it was still around. He could somewhat be considered as a first-class elite.

Uncle Sword was not too certain about the other one. His qi realm and equipment were normal, but he did not seem to be weaker than NotaRascal.

Normal first-class elites still could not catch the eye of Head Hunters’ leader. Uncle Sword did not have any interest in wasting his time on this sort of people, so he had Tea Words go over to them.

Tea Words understood Uncle Sword’s temper and personality well.

Unless they were people he was interested in or were customers who could bring him profit, others could forget about getting him to use any of his precious time on them.

Even though the money Uncle Sword earned each month was astonishing, he pushed Tea Words too hard, and it made Tea Words feel like he was a slave who could not control his own body. This was also why he did not want to become part of Head Hunters.

“Rascal, Young Seven, you’re here.”

Tea Words got up quietly, led the duo to a corner, and sat down.

The two were NotaRascal and Young Lonely Seven.

“How is it?”

Young Lonely Seven first sent a private message to Tea Words.

Tea Words just nodded.

“Everything’s going smoothly according to the plan. What about you? How are preparations?” Why he spoke, Tea Words sized up all the customers in the restaurant.

The position he chose was extremely good, and he was in the right position to see everything in the hall. He could tell clearly whether there was anyone who was looking at their side.

As long as anyone started paying attention to them, Tea Words would stop talking, because he was worried that there were people who knew how to read lips, like him.

“Happy is already on his way to Dragon’s Gate.” Young Lonely Seven sent a private message.

NotaRascal looked up. “Our brothers and sisters are all in position, and they are monitoring all the entrances in Dragon’s Gate. I guarantee you, once Class One Hall and Blood Alliance come over, they will all be under our control.”

“Good.” Tea Words finally released a sigh of relief. “Phoenix Dances finally agreed to work together with us yesterday. Even though it’s rather dangerous this time, and we might sacrifice quite a lot of our people, if we can severely injure or even destroy Class One Hall, everything will be worth it!”

“This is Happy’s intention as well. If we decide to not attack, we will attack, but if we show up, we must deliver the most fatal strike to Class One Hall.” Young Lonely Seven licked his dry lips. His voice was quivering. “I’m already unable to hold back my excitement here…”

“Don’t be hasty. We’ve waited for one and a half years. We can wait for another half a day.”

“That’s right. We’ve lasted through the most difficult times.” NotaRascal lifted the wine cup in his hands. “For Beautiful Robes Faction… and for all our brothers and sisters who had to suffer humiliation.”

Clang!

The three winecups produced a loud sound when they knocked into each other.

Not too far away, Uncle Sword cast a glance at the trio who had stern and serious expressions at the corner before he looked down at the letter in his hands. For the first time, he frowned and put on contemplative expression.

“You still chose Beautiful Robes Faction in the end, huh?” Uncle Sword mumbled.

His voice traveled to the corner faintly, and Tea Words shuddered, but he still looked at Uncle Sword with determination. His gaze was sharp, and the light shining in his eyes was aggressive. In an instant, he seemed to have become the vice faction master of Beautiful Robes Faction once more, and his awe-inspiring might was completely revealed.

As if he sensed the aggressive look Tea Words gave him, Uncle Sword hesitated for a moment before he sighed deeply and tore the letter in his hands to shreds.

“What’s wrong?”

Young Lonely Seven and NotaRascal noticed that there was something off about Tea Word’s expression at the same time, and they asked with a tense expression.

Tea Words just watched the pieces of paper fall to Uncle Sword’s feet, the sharp look in his eyes gradually faded away. After he sucked in a deep breath, he shook his head slowly at the duo.

“It’s fine.”

“Did that person from Head Hunters notice something?” Young Lonely Seven was very sensitive, and when he looked in the direction of Tea Words’ gaze, he saw only a hint of surprise and delight before it faded away into a frown.

Tea Words said nothing. His expression was solemn, but he slowly nodded. “I forgot that Dragon’s Gate is still Head Hunters’ territory. There are plenty of people working for Uncle Sword, and even if the slightest thing happens in Dragon’s Gate, no one can hide it from it.”

“But our people aren’t conspicuous.”

“Uncle Sword cares about me, and he has always wanted me to join Head Hunters to become one of his own. That’s why he knows about Beautiful Robes Faction’s situation like the back of his palm. He will definitely notice if we suddenly summon so many former Beautiful Robes Faction members into Dragon’s Gate.”

“Then will he affect our plan…?” A cold glare shone in Young Lonely Star’s eyes.

Tea Words shook his head resolutely. “No.”

“How can you be sure?” NotaRascal cast a glance behind him in a seemingly unbothered manner.

Tea Words answered confidently, “If he doesn’t want a powerful competitor to appear for Head Hunters and doesn’t want Head Hunters’ future to be destroyed, he will not sell this news to Class One Hall.”

The trio stopped talking.

Tea Words might believe that Uncle Sword would not sell his and Beautiful Robes Faction’s news to Class One Hall, but he still looked at Uncle Sword through the corner of his eyes.

Time passed bit by bit.

The trio did not show any intention to move, and they were like statues.

Uncle Sword just kept sitting at his table while he managed all sorts of information.

After around two hours, someone hurried into the restaurant and arrived next to Uncle Sword. “Uncle Sword, there’s top-class news!”

A large number of people in the restaurant put on attentive and envious expressions.

While Tea Words stared at Uncle Sword, a snow-white messenger pigeon descended from the sky and landed on Tea Words’ shoulder.

The words in the letter provided the same shocking information as the information he read from the messenger’s lips.

“Happy appeared in Dragon’s Gate!”

Uncle Sword shuddered.

After he obtained this news, he quickly cast a glance at Tea Words, he received the messenger pigeon. He was just in time to see Tea Words looking at him.

Both stared at each other in silence.

Uncle Sword knew just how much profit he could get for himself from selling information about Happy’s location.

But he also knew just what sort of risks and danger it would bring to himself if he sold that news.

He thought for a while before Uncle Sword came to a decision and took the initiative to send a private message to Tea Words. “Tea Words, do you have any opinions about this information.”

“Class One Hall will not buy it. Since Happy let you know where he is, Class One Hall should have received news about his whereabouts.”

“…You’re right.” Uncle Sword thought about it before he nodded quietly, but he still turned his face around to give money to the people who gave him the information.

“Go back and continue with your work.”

“Alright, Uncle Sword.”

The person who gave the information left.

The restaurant quickly became silent once more.

But soon, other news bearers came surging into the restaurant.

Countless people fought against each other to give Uncle Sword the latest news, and all of them were decoded by Tea Words without fail.

“Uncle Sword, we noticed Class One Hall’s people here!”

“The people from Blood Alliance’s Elder Hall. They’re currently on the lawless street to the west.”

“Uncle Sword, we noticed the former members of Five Venoms!”

“The top assassin from Assassin Hall has also appeared…”

“Class One Hall’s ex-Vice Hall Master Barren Murderer has appeared in Dragon’s Gate, he’s on the lawless street.”

“The elites from Class One Hall’s affiliated faction, Heaven’s Music Sect have also appeared in Dragon’s Gate.”

“Wind Assault Tower’s people have also appeared.”

During that period of time, Tea Words also received some messenger pigeons, but it was clearly not as comprehensive and detailed as the information provided by Head Hunters.

‘As expected of someone who specializes in information brokering.’

“Tea Words, looks like this time, Dragon’s Gate is going to be incredibly lively.” Uncle Sword was finally unable to keep himself calm and stood up. He walked over to Tea Words from his table.

He ignored the gazes from Young Lonely Seven and NotaRascal and sat down on an empty seat.

“Indeed, a lot of people who should not have come to Dragon’s Gate have appeared,” Tea Words answered calmly.

“Class One Hall, Blood Alliance, Heaven’s Music Sect, Assassin Hall, the former members of Five Venoms, and even Barren Murderer, who seldom shows up, has personally appeared. Plenty of elites have gathered together, and they have spread out in a net. This time, Happy might have a hard time taking even a step up north,” Uncle Sword spoke as if he was talking to himself.

Tea Words continued speaking with an indifferent expression. “Perhaps.”

“No matter what, Happy is alone, and while Class One Hall might be under the suspicion of working together with Wild Wolves, when they work together with Blood Alliance, Assassin Hall, and their affiliated sects, there is no one who can touch them. You’re striking an egg against a rock here.”

When he heard Uncle Sword’s words, Tea Words smiled. “I might be an egg before Class One Hall, and Class One Hall might be a rock, but when you compare Happy to Class One Hall, no one can tell just who is the egg and the rock.”

Uncle Sword found himself unable to say anything about that.