Chapter 27 - Ambush, Reunion with Chen Ping

The group instantly recognized Gu Han. “It’s you?”

They were the other stewards who had been waiting outside Divine Physician Xue’s door that day.

Ah Sha tugged at Gu Han’s sleeve. “Young Master, it’s those bad guys!”

The leader of the group sneered. “What a coincidence. Who would’ve thought we’d run into each other here?!”

Gu Han didn’t let any emotions show in his face. He had already pieced it together. Chen Ping had acquired Divine Physician Xue’s pills that day, sparking jealousy in these men, who then plotted to ambush him on the road.

One of them urged, “Let’s go. Finding Chen Ping is more important. Ignore him!”

The leader shook his head. “Ignore him? Don’t forget, he knows Divine Physician Xue. He must have plenty of pills on him! Besides, he’s seen what we’ve done. We can't let him leave and run his mouth.”

“But... he also knows Chief Steward Li...”

“

Hmph,

the Wild Forest is vast. Countless people die here every year. If none of us talk, how would Chief Steward Li ever know?”

The man beside him suddenly understood. “Right, right. That makes sense. Kid, since you’ve crossed our path, consider yourself unlucky!”

At that moment, Chen Ping suddenly flew out from the dense forest. He landed heavily on the ground, coughing up blood. Immediately after, three more figures emerged slowly from the woods, joining the five men.

“We’ve captured him as agreed. Remember your promise.”

The leader grinned smugly and pointed at Gu Han. “Relax! What’s the rush? Seize this kid for me, and I’ll add fifty percent to your payment.”

The three newcomers were rogue cultivators they had hired.

Chen Ping glared at the leader. “Song Chao, how could you stoop so low?! If the Treasure Pavilion learns of this, they’ll never let you go!”

Song Chao laughed coldly. “Every year, the major guilds lose a few stewards. Do you really think they’d care about someone of your standing?”

“You—”

“Divine Physician Xue’s pills are treasures that aren’t meant for the likes of you!”

Chen Ping fell silent for a moment before remorsefully turning to Gu Han. “Little Brother, I’m sorry. You helped me, and now I’ve dragged you into this...”

Gu Han patted Ah Sha’s head, soothing her nervousness. “Remember. You owe me one.”

Across from them, Song Chao’s face twisted with mockery. “What, you can’t even save yourself, yet you’re thinking of rescuing others? What a joke!”

He signaled the others to attack.

Just then, one of the rogue cultivators stared at Gu Han, and asked with uncertainty, “Wait! Are you... Gu Han?”

Gu Han frowned slightly. “

Hm?

You know me?”

The rogue cultivator didn’t answer, but his back was drenched in cold sweat.

It’s him! The killing god!

“I’m withdrawing from this job!”

He came from around Tianwu City and had caught a glimpse of Gu Han’s massacre in the Wild Forest that day. Gu Han had killed six Acupoint Unsealing cultivators in one strike. Eight would be no different.

Song Chao’s face darkened. “What did you say?! If you leave, the payment—”

“I don’t want it!”

Under the bewildered gazes of the others, the rogue cultivator turned and fled without looking back.

Unexpectedly, Gu Han suddenly called out to him. “Stop.”

The rogue cultivator froze. “Ye-yes?”

Gu Han pointed at Chen Ping. “You hurt someone. Leaving just like that seems inappropriate, doesn’t it?”

What? Is he demanding compensation? What a ridiculous joke!

Everyone was stunned. However, what happened next left them dumbfounded.

Without wasting any second, the rogue cultivator pulled out a storage bag and tossed it to Gu Han. “There are a thousand essence crystals and a few bottles of healing pills inside this. Will that be enough?!”

Gu Han nodded and glanced at Chen Ping. “It’ll do. I’ll hold onto this for you. Any objections?”

Without waiting for a reply, he stuffed the storage bag into his own pocket.

Chen Ping’s mind went blank.

Is this really about whether I have any objections? We’re all about to die anyway, so what use will it be to us?

As the rogue cultivator left, Gu Han slowly raised his sword and advanced toward the remaining men. “Can you still move?”

Chen Ping struggled to his feet. “Yes. Today, I’ll fight alongside you, Little Brother—”

Gu Han shook his head. “No. You don’t have to. Just keep Ah Sha safe.”

Chen Ping was baffled but complied. Opposite them, Song Chao and his group finally snapped out of their daze.

“He’s bluffing!”

“Gu Han? Who’s heard of him?”

“He’s a nobody! They’re just trying to scare us!”

They still didn’t understand why the rogue cultivator had been so terrified of Gu Han. Regardless, their group consisted of cultivators ranging from the second stage to the fifth stage of Acupoint Unsealing, whereas their opponent was just a Meridian Opening cultivator. It was overkill.

As Gu Han drew closer, Song Chao grinned viciously. “Attack! Kill this brat first, then deal with Chen Ping! As for that little girl...

hehe,

she doesn’t look too bad. She’ll fetch a good price!”

Gu Han suddenly stopped in his tracks. “What did you say?”

“I said we’ll kill you first, then sell—”

Before he could finish, a flash of light streaked past. Song Chao froze, and a thin red line slowly spread across his forehead.

What was that?!

The remaining men’s hearts dropped. At last, it dawned on them why the rogue cultivator had been so afraid of Gu Han. For a mere Meridian Opening cultivator, he was terrifyingly strong!

“Quick, attack together!”

“If we don’t kill him now, it’ll be our loss!”

“Anyone who holds back will regret it!”

They knew that at this point, if they didn’t kill Gu Han and Chen Ping, endless trouble awaited them.

Suddenly, one of them broke away from the encirclement, and darted toward Chen Ping and Ah Sha, who were heavily injured. Chen Ping’s heart clenched as he quickly shielded Ah Sha.

In the blink of an eye, the man was a few steps away from Chen Ping. “Die!”

He moved with blinding speed, but the Great Evolution Sword Qi cut through even faster. A streak of light pierced through the man’s back, sending blood spraying into the air before vanishing. The man’s vision darkened as he collapsed lifelessly to the ground.

Gu Han took a deep breath, the killing intent in his eyes now unrestrained. “You guys... really deserve to die.”

He charged at the group. The gleam of treasures and the flare of techniques lit up the battlefield. It was accompanied by screams, wails, and pleas for mercy.

Not far away, Chen Ping watched, dumbstruck. He had thought Gu Han’s actions were suicidal at first. It turned out that the man was a tiger among the sheep. And no matter how many sheep there were, they didn’t stand a chance against a tiger.

Moments later, silence returned. Gu Han stood tall amidst the carnage. He was a true killing god.

Ignoring the scent of blood, Ah Sha ran to Gu Han’s side. “Young Master, you’re... you’re hurt!”

Upon seeing the wounds on his body, her heart ached.

Gu Han shrugged. “It’s just a few scratches.”

To end the battle quickly and prevent anyone from escaping, he had opted for a head-on approach. Besides, these injuries were nothing compared to the pats Murong Yan had given him.

Chen Ping remained in shock. He was beginning to understand why the rogue cultivator had been so afraid of Gu Han.

He’s absurdly strong!

As he regained his composure, he staggered toward Gu Han and bowed deeply. “Little Brother, thank you for saving my life!”

Gu Han glanced at him and shook his head. “With strength like yours, you dared to venture into the Wild Forest alone?”

Chen Ping was speechless.

I’m at the Acupoint Unsealing realm, and you’re only at Meridian Opening. Shouldn’t I be the one asking you that?

He forced a bitter smile. “Little Brother, you don’t understand. I originally hired two rogue cultivators to accompany me, but after these men threatened them, they ran away. If not for you, today...”

Before he could finish, Gu Han darted around the battlefield, swiftly looting the corpses. He appeared as if he was used to it. Chen Ping shuddered involuntarily at this.

Just then, a small, delicate hand reached out, holding a white pill that radiated a fragrant aura.

“Here. You seem hurt.” Ah Sha looked at him with concern.

“Thank you!” Chen Ping’s heart warmed.

He immediately recognized that this pill was far beyond ordinary medicines. Of course, since it was made by Divine Physician Xue!

As he reached for it, he heard Gu Han ask, “How much will you pay me?”

“

Huh?

” Chen Ping froze.

I... have to pay?

Ah Sha explained earnestly, “I don’t want to charge you, but Young Master is very poor. I need to help him earn money!”

Chen Ping’s lips twitched. “What...”

Seeing such an innocent girl conducting business so seriously felt oddly jarring.

“Pills crafted by Divine Physician Xue are priceless... I...”

He wanted to say that he was just a lowly steward, so he couldn’t afford it.

Ah Sha tilted her head thoughtfully. “You’re a good person, and you seem poor too, so... how about one hundred essence crystals?”

One hundred? That is an unbelievably low price.

Chen Ping exhaled in relief. After all, he had spent nearly all his essence crystals just to obtain three bottles of pills from Divine Physician Xue. This alone showed how valuable Divine Physician Xue’s pills were. Compared to that, what was a hundred essence crystals?

Having no cultivation, Ah Sha couldn’t use a storage bag. After exchanging the pill that Gu Han had taken out earlier, she happily cradled the crystals.

Gu Han walked over and ruffled her hair. “Ah Sha, what are you so happy about?”

He had overheard their conversation. He was amused and touched, he couldn’t help but smile.

“Young Master, I earned money for you!” Ah Sha proudly held up the essence crystals.

“Well done!” Gu Han laughed.

Not just because of Ah Sha’s actions, but also because of their haul. These stewards were filthy rich. His gaze turned slightly heated as he looked at Chen Ping.

Chen Ping felt uneasy under his stare. “Little Brother, what’s wrong...?”

“Nothing.”

Gu Han had no intention of harming him. After a moment’s thought, he pulled out a fist-sized, translucent orb with swirling mist inside.

“Do you know what this is?”

“Spirit source?” Chen Ping was surprised.