Chapter 29: Money-Consuming Hidden Weapons

“Happy Senior!”
“It’s a bit awkward to call me that. Just call me Happy.”
“Hehe, you’re Senior Li the Cyclone—our senior. It feels good to call you that.”
“Exactly. Just like in the movies, I always think Happy Senior has a real martial artist vibe.”
“By the way, did you guys think Happy Senior resembled someone when he arrived?”
“Who?”
“Hu Ge.”
“Hey, that flattery is way too obvious, isn’t it?”
Happy’s face darkened in frustration.
After Li the Cyclone and Cang Lang left, he waited outside Suhe Village with Ximen Qing, Qiankunzi, and the Xuan brothers. Unexpectedly, the four started teasing him.
“Haha…” Seeing Happy’s red-faced, helpless expression, the four burst into laughter, further strengthening their bond.
“By the way, Senior, why do you need so many flying knives?”
Ximen Qing suddenly changed the subject.
“I heard hidden weapons are hard to master—poor accuracy, costly, and the Tang Sect disciples on the official forums are going crazy! They complain every day…”
“Why?” Before Happy could answer, the Xuan brothers showed curiosity.
“Lack of money, right?”
Ximen Qing shrugged. “Those Tang Sect people keep complaining. Each hidden weapon costs silver. Once thrown, it doesn’t come back. If used to hunt beasts, their fur gets damaged and can’t be sold at a good price. If targeting more advanced bandits, either they miss or die before they can act… The official forum now says that if you don’t have any high-level combat skills, it’s better not to learn hidden weapons at first.”
Although Happy had told them about killing the third clan leader, he hadn’t revealed which skill he used. Naturally, he didn’t know that Happy’s Willow Leaf Flying Knife had reached the middle stage of the ninth level.
Hearing this, Happy nodded thoughtfully.
“Hidden weapons are indeed hard to master, but…” He changed his tone. “It’s not as bad as they say.”
He remembered that in his past life, Tang Sect disciples who roamed the martial world were all experts. Especially in the past few months, once they mastered hidden weapon techniques, they became extremely confident. Even facing experts at the same level, they could take on two or three opponents at once, driving them crazy from afar!
Not for nothing…
The long-range lethality, speed, and concealment of hidden weapons were unmatched by other combat skills. Before one’s internal energy reached the Creation realm, their ability to locate enemies by sound was weak, making it hard to avoid hidden weapons. If hit in a vital spot, one might suffer a minor setback or die instantly!

The reason why practicing hidden weapons is so difficult—and why it’s hard to make progress—has deep roots. When Kai Xin explained the basics of hidden weapons to the group, Ximen Qing and the others showed expressions of surprise and realization. They immediately asked about Kai Xin’s proficiency with the Willow Leaf Flying Knife. “I’ve just reached the ninth level,” he replied. He had nothing to hide from his friends. “How powerful is it?” The four became excited upon hearing this. After a moment’s thought, Kai Xin said cautiously, “For ordinary bandits, I’m about 50% confident I can kill them in one strike.” The four’s eyes widened instantly… They had to team up to fight against these bandits, yet they could kill them in just one strike?! Seeing their astonishment, Kai Xin smiled slightly sheepishly. “I was lucky. A few days ago, I killed a tomb raider. I got over two thousand taels of silver and this Qiánkūn Bag from him while completing my mission. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have been able to afford to practice the Willow Leaf Flying Knife. I was planning to go out to earn some money today when I encountered this mission.” His honest account moved the four deeply. As they talked, the conversation grew more intense. Unnoticed, dusk approached… “Whoosh!” Kai Xin turned in time and carefully caught the homing pigeon that flew toward him. After reading the note, his expression turned serious: “They’re coming, from the south!” The four became alert. “What about us?” “Send a message to Xiao Li. Tell him to come to the south right away. We’ll set off now. We must not let the bandits from Heifeng Fort get even half a step closer to Suhe Village!” Kai Xin’s tone suddenly turned cold. As the homing pigeon flew away again, the five nodded simultaneously and headed south along the main road. Soon, they encountered Cang Lang, who was rushing down the mountain. Seeing Kai Xin and the others from afar, he immediately shouted excitedly, “They’re right behind us!” “Find a place to hide and scatter,” Kai Xin ordered quickly, turning back. “Be careful. If the bandits spot you, just lead them around in the mountains. Be extremely cautious.” “We understand. Don’t worry.” The five quickly hid in the bushes by the road. Kai Xin stayed put for a while before seeing a series of striking lights coming down from the mountain in the distance… Under those lights, forty or fifty bandits in black clothes, carrying torches, were coming down the mountain at a steady pace, wielding gleaming swords and radiating murderous intent. “Good,” Kai Xin said, not surprised but pleased upon seeing the formation of the Heifeng Fort bandits. They were all carrying torches…

He had originally been worried about how to deal with these bandits if they ran into the forest, but unexpectedly, these bandits from Black Wind Fort solved a significant problem for him. The bandits holding torches were like vivid targets; with the enemy in the open and him in hiding, it was exactly what he wanted. He moved dozens of meters forward and quietly slipped into the bushes by the road! Fifty bandits from Black Wind Fort seemed to be carrying a fiery dragon as they approached. Amidst the flickering flames, it was faintly visible that they all wore black face coverings and white bands around their arms, revealing only their gleaming, fierce eyes. They advanced menacingly toward Suhe Village at the foot of the mountain. Seeing the bandit group draw closer, Happy narrowed his eyes slightly and scanned the crowd, quickly spotting someone with a distinctive appearance! Standing in the middle of the group, wearing shiny black leather armor and carrying a large curved sword, he moved steadily, his gloomy gaze scanning the bushes on both sides, looking highly alert. It was the second leader of Black Wind Fort! Happy was slightly shocked. The second leader’s vigilance and his leather armor gave him headaches. The armor seemed to be made of soft metals connected together, offering obvious protection for the body—Liuye flying knives would surely not be able to harm him at all. It was obvious that he had learned from the third leader’s death and deliberately changed to leather armor to defend against his flying knives. But… fortunately, there was still hope. At least he hadn’t worn full-body armor; only his torso was protected, while his neck, head, and limbs were exposed, so he wasn’t at the S-level “ready to die” stage. With this thought, as the bandits from Black Wind Fort entered the range of Liuye flying knives, Happy quietly narrowed his eyes, quickly took out two knives. A faint murderous aura, hidden beneath the dim darkness, turned into two streaks of cold light as they silently shot through the air…