Online: I Can See Health Bars Chapter 1238 - 547: Red Blood (Part 2)

Ding Hui chatted away as he kicked off the check-up.

Bloodline Spirit stability assessments, blood draws, shifts in vital pulses... countless data points ended up documented in Ding Hui’s notes, tracking every day's alterations.

With a backup Spirit ready, Ding Hui itched to crack the Spirit separation method fast, fuse the fresh Spirit into Fang Yu’s frame, and witness the outcomes.

Alas, no quick fix existed; gradual probing was essential to chart the course.

…

Night descended.

The White Cloud Inn buzzed with an unheard-of clamor.

Tonight's patrons numbered far beyond the usual.

The shopkeeper beamed nonstop, abacus clicking furiously.

"Shopkeeper, another five pounds of beef, three jugs of wine!"

"Alright!"

Orders flew, met with the shopkeeper's swift reply.

Yet the inn's staff were swamped, barely keeping up.

The shopkeeper tossed aside his abacus and pitched in to wait tables himself.

Over ten grand tables filled to the brim, some folks doubling up on seats.

The shopkeeper puzzled over his White Cloud Inn's sudden fame, drawing diners from afar.

Might the kitchen have secretly honed their recipes?

He hadn't a clue; all he knew was tonight's horde meant overflowing coffers.

"Wow! Shopkeeper, it’s quite lively at your place today, huh?"

A fresh voice boomed from the doorway; the shopkeeper whipped around, face paling at once.

Unfamiliar faces crammed the inn, but this looming bigshot? He knew him all too well.

A low-rank boss from the Red Blood Gang, [Blood Moon Saber] Tie Pin!

His Blood Moon Saber Technique rang bells among humble traders like him.

For small-timers, hero tales were mere chatter.

But the Red Blood Gang? They squeezed protection cash and wrecked havoc for real.

"Master Tie, Master Tie, what brings you here?"

The shopkeeper flashed a toothy smile and hurried over.

"Young master here lost some silver today, not happy, came to your place for a couple of drinks to make up for it! What, not welcome?"

Only now spotting Master Tie's thick liquor reek, the shopkeeper recalled the man's trick for faking sobriety. Dead drunk, he'd still stand tall, seeming invincible to booze—like a thousand cups meant nothing—though his limit was pathetic. Else, why boot him with mere jugs each visit?

Street gossip claimed Master Tie's 'thousand drinks sans stupor' act paved his Red Blood Gang ascent.

Normally, the shopkeeper would've fretted, dodging with pleas.

But not today.

Business boomed wildly; he couldn't risk Master Tie spoiling it. Just hustle him out, milk these crowds for coin.

Yet as he fobbed off Master Tie with two flagons of thinned swill, the thug halted, gaze locked on a patron table.

"Master Tie... Master Tie... what are you planning to do?"

"Get lost!"

The meddlesome shopkeeper got shoved aside, sprawling on the floor.

Powerless, he watched Master Tie stalk that table, heart sinking.

It’s over, it’s over!

A golden night, doomed by Master Tie!

No way he approached to chat; trouble brewed for sure!

Grab the cash, grab the cash!

He yanked a frazzled waiter hauling platters.

"You, collect payments from those tables!"

"Huh? Me?"

The waiter looked pained.

"But shopkeeper, they haven’t finished eating yet... isn’t that inappropriate?"

"Are you the shopkeeper or am I? Go collect the money!"

As the shopkeeper barked at the waiter, Master Tie arrived at the target table.

Master Tie inhaled deeply, eyes shut in bliss, and declared.

"Fragrant, so fragrant!"

Five sat there—men and women alike. Master Tie's bold approach and odd remark soured their merry vibes instantly.

"Get lost."

A blocky-faced man gripped his table-top longsword, barking coldly.

Master Tie ignored him, snuffling closer to the pair of green-robed lasses.

"I wondered when the White Cloud Inn’s grub got so tasty; turns out the scent wafts from these two beauties."

With that, Master Tie sniffed theatrically, pure sleaze.

Yet the green-clad women met his advances with cool calm.

"Where did this dog come from, telling you to get out; can’t understand human speech?"

The square-jawed man's temper flared; shing! Out came the blade!

The keen edge bared, snagging every eye in the room.

"What’s going on?"

"Looks like there’s entertainment to watch."

"He holds the sword unevenly, outer strength, inner weak, this one’s lacking confidence."

"Holding a sword but not daring to strike, useless."

Whispers swelled, amping the inn's racket.

"It’s over, it’s over! There’s going to be a death!"

The shopkeeper cowered behind the counter, the bill-collecting waiter frozen stiff.

But fear? Not for [Blood Moon Saber] Tie Pin! Who ever rattled him?

"Kid, trying to be a standout, huh? Now, put the sword away, kneel down and apologize to me, maybe I’ll forgive you!"

The glinting steel sobered Master Tie somewhat, but he sneered down at the sword-bearer.

"You!"

Fury gripped the swordsman, hand quivering—no strike landed.

True, as tablemates noted: all bark.

Master Tie's lips twisted in a vile grin, arrogance surging; before the shaky blade, he jabbed a finger at a green-robed beauty's chin.

"Beauty, how about spending tonight with me? Those smooth-skinned, delicate boys are good-looking but useless; why not me, for a different flavor?"

One onlooker couldn't stomach it.

"That’s too much!"

The sword-bearing youth in black rose halfway, only for the nearby elder to shove him down.

"Master!"

The elder drained his cup, shot a sidelong look that way.

"Some things, don’t interfere."

"But!"

The youth in black protested, but the elder's glare silenced him; head bowed, he shut up.

Meanwhile, the chin-tilted green-robed woman fixed Master Tie with steady eyes.

"You’re courting death."

Master Tie had tamed fiercer fillies; this was standard.

"Hahaha! Little beauty with big capital and bold words; I like it!"

Master Tie's stare roamed freely as he spoke.

The green-robed woman's modest garb hid a killer figure, leagues above his usual whorehouse fare.

Tonight's luck smiled wide!

But as his hand crept forward...

Buzz!!!

A blur streaked by his sight!

No time to register; his world flipped, awareness fading.

Till the end, Master Tie grasped nothing.

Slash!!!

The headless body fountained gore a yard skyward.

The lopped head tumbled across the floor.

No soul caught the green-robed woman's draw.

None spied the strike.

Just knew: her sword was lightning-quick! Razor-sharp!

Only as the corpse twitched, etched with venom trails, and toppled did screams erupt.

"Poison Marrow Sword! You’re Zhao Jinci!"

[Poison Marrow Sword] Zhao Jinci?!

Faces across the inn twisted in shock.