Chapter 49 - The Rules are Clear, Eternal Silence

The eldest prince’s residence was shrouded in a gloomy atmosphere. The maids and servants strutted about cautiously, afraid to make even the slightest noise. Incurring the wrath of their master—whose emotions were already on the brink of collapsing—was the last thing they’d ever wanted.

Jiang Hong stood inside a quiet room. His hands hung limply by his sides, his face filled with guilt. Beside him were the three instructors from the Martial Academy: Yu Hua, Jiang Yi, and Chen Fang. All of them had secretly pledged allegiance to him. Opposite them, sat Du Teng with a grim expression.

Jiang Hong hesitated for a moment before saying, “Uncle Du, this failure is all my fault! I was too weak, hence why I lost to him and ruined my master's plans!”

Du Teng's gaze was profound. “Do you even grasp how heavy the cost of your failure is?”

“Uncle Du, what do you mean?”

Du Teng glanced at him. “Over the years, your master has been working tirelessly behind the scenes to secure your entry into the Qingyun Pavilion. In fact, there was already progress before I arrived. The person in charge had even agreed to give you a trial opportunity!"

Jiang Hong's mind reeled. “What?! Uncle Du, a-are you serious?!”

In his excitement, he could barely speak coherently. The Qingyun Pavilion was a secret organisation within the Yuqing Sect that gathered all the genius disciples.

I actually had a chance to join?

Du Teng's tone shifted. “But you didn’t even seize it! In the Ten Nations’ Martial Academies, only that monstrous talent from Great Chu could match someone of your foundation and strength. And yet, you lost to a complete nobody! If he had a special physique, it might be excusable, but he’s just an ordinary human!

Hmph!

The matter of the Qingyun Pavilion is now in jeopardy!”

Jiang Hong was unable to form a response. “I...”

At this moment, he felt a pang of regret.

Why did I accept his challenge that day? I’ve missed out on a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

Despite being unaware of what the Qingyun Pavilion was, Yu Hua quickly stepped forward upon seeing Jiang Hong’s distress, showing his loyalty. “Elder Du, this isn't entirely the prince's fault! That boy is anything but ordinary! I’ve fought him before. His spirit power intensity is unlike anything I’ve ever seen! Even those at the fifth or sixth stage of the Essence Gathering realm barely stand a chance against him. Moreover, his connection with the Murong family seems unusual...”

Du Teng sneered. “The Murong family? I don’t care about his ties to the Murong family or his strength. What I care about is how your master’s plans will proceed.”

Jiang Hong gritted his teeth. “Uncle Du, please give me another chance! I’d also like to request some pills. I’ll break through to the Essence Gathering realm soon! Then, I’ll reclaim my honor and fulfill master’s plans!”

Nonchalantly, Du Teng said, “I can give you the pills, but what if you lose again? Even if you win, you’ve already lost to him once. First impressions matter, and your reputation has suffered. How will you smoothly take control of the Martial Academy?”

The words left Jiang Hong flushed with shame.

Yu Hua stepped forward again. “Elder Du, actually, I have an idea worth trying.”

Du Teng glanced at him. “

Oh?

Speak.”

Suppressing his excitement, Yu Hua said, “the prince’s defeat may have damaged his prestige, but he still has you and that senior from the upper sect backing him. What if you make an appearance and demonstrate even a fraction of your power? Surely, not just the students, but even Deputy Deans Wu and Feng wouldn’t dare to make trouble!”

Seeing Du Teng listening intently, he pressed on. “Once the prince breaks through again and defeats, or even kills that boy, he could salvage his reputation! With your support, taking control of the Martial Academy will be effortless!”

Du Teng studied him carefully. “You... What’s your name?”

“Yu Hua!”

Du Teng nodded in satisfaction. “Good! You’re quite the talent! When your master’s plans succeed, you’ll be credited with a great contribution!"

Overjoyed, Yu Hua bowed repeatedly. “Thank you, Elder Du! Thank you!”

Jiang Yi and Chen Fang were green with envy. Having earned Elder Du’s favor, Yu Hua’s future prospects were now boundless.

Du Teng rose slowly and looked at Jiang Hong. “You’ll handle this matter. I don’t care about the process. I only want results!”

Jiang Hong bowed hastily. “Yes! Uncle Du, rest assured, I’ll take care of it!”

***

Just days after the beast riot, the usually bustling area outside the city gates were eerily quiet. If the beasts returned, leaving the city would be suicide.

Steward Wei halted about ten miles from the city gates. His face darkened. “Where did they go?! I saw them come this way! Damn it! The benefits I had in my grasp... gone just like that!”

Suddenly, a voice rang out from nearby. “Are you looking for me?”

Steward Wei’s heart dropped. “Who’s there?!”

He scanned the area and saw Gu Han and Chen Ping emerging from a nearby forest.

He briefly froze before delight surged within him. “There you are! So you were hiding there!”

Meanwhile, Chen Ping was uneasy. He didn’t understand why Gu Han had chosen to wait here instead of shaking off Steward Wei.

He whispered, “Little Brother, Steward Wei is at the third stage of the Essence Gathering realm.”

Gu Han replied, puzzled, “Yeah, I know. But what does that have to do with my Purple Crystal Vine?”

Chen Ping was speechless.

How can it not matter?! Although you’ve reached the Acupoint Unsealing realm, you are still far below Steward Wei. How could you possibly take back the Purple Crystal Vine? With your life?

Gu Han ignored him and greeted calmly, “Steward Wei, we meet again.”

Steward Wei smirked coldly. “Don’t play dumb! You know why I’m here!”

“The Fallen Nether Fruit?”

“Exactly. Hand it over!”

Gu Han sighed. “I don’t understand. I’ve already paid ten times the price. Why are you still so greedy? After profiting so much, is it still not enough? Must you push things to the extreme?”

Steward Wei grinned viciously. “Blame your lack of strength and your audacity to flaunt such treasures!”

Chen Ping hurriedly interjected, “Steward Wei, this matter—”

Steward Wei’s face darkened. “Chen Ping, you ungrateful son of a bitch! You dared to leak information? What a treacherous dog! No wonder the pavilion master ordered me to deal with you!”

Chen Ping’s face paled. “What? Deal with me? Why? I’ve worked so hard for the Treasure Pavilion. Even if I have no merit, I’ve worked hard...”

Steward Wei lunged forward, his palm striking out at the two. “You want to know? I’ll tell you in your next life!“

Even from over ten zhang away, Chen Ping felt the gust of wind from the attack.

Gu Han’s eyes flashed with killing intent as he shoved Chen Ping aside. “Stand back!”

His sword rose, and his power erupted in full force. An overwhelming, majestic spirit pressure bore down on Chen Ping’s senses.

His face turned ashen as he muttered, “This... is incredible...”

He could tell that Gu Han was far stronger now than when they’d met in the Wild Forest, and only a month had passed since then!

On the other side, Steward Wei sensed Gu Han’s abrupt surge in power, and his heart lurched.

This is bad! How?! This boy should’ve just entered the Acupoint Unsealing realm, yet his spirit power was crazy high! I underestimated him! No wonder he’s so calm, he’s been playing the fool all along!

However, that realization was in vain. With less than ten zhang between them, he had no escape.

“Go to hell!”

As the threat of death loomed over him, Steward Wei gritted his teeth and drew a sword from his storage ring. “I’ll—”

Before he could finish, several streaks of light flashed. A sharp pain erupted in his chest. His spirit power stalled, and his legs gave way, sending him crashing to his knees.

He stared in disbelief at the gaping hole in his chest. “What... what was that?”

“You want to know?” Gu Han’s sword rested on his shoulder. “I’ll tell you in your next life!”

Desperation surged in Steward Wei’s heart as he met Gu Han’s icy gaze. "No! Don’t... don’t kill me!”

“Where’s my Purple Crystal Vine?”

Trembling, he removed his storage ring and handed it over. “H-here! Spare... spare me! I’ve saved up over the years. Take it all, just let me go!”

Gu Han took it. “A storage ring?”

Storage rings were far more precious than storage pouches, offering greater space and convenience. Even the most basic ones cost over ten thousand essence crystals.

“You’ve skimmed quite a bit, haven’t you?”

Inside the ring were over 300,000 essence crystals, countless precious spirit herbs and materials, and, most notably, the Purple Crystal Vine.

Steward Wei begged frantically. “It’s yours! All of it! Just... just let me go, please!”

Gu Han ignored his pleas. “Answer me. Whose idea was it to ambush me?”

Steward Wei shifted all blame to Tian Heng. “The pavilion master! Him... and also Elder Du...”

Fearing for his life, he spilled everything he knew.

In the distance, Chen Ping’s face turned deathly pale. “Elder Du... So... it was him who wanted me dead...”

A wave of fear washed over him. Had he not mustered the courage to warn Gu Han, his fate would’ve been grim. By a stroke of luck, his rash actions had unwittingly saved his life. Every action has its consequences.

Gu Han’s eyes narrowed. “This isn’t over.”

Steward Wei’s face was ashen. “I... I’ve told you everything! The pavilion master ordered it. I had no part in it! Please... let me go!”

Gu Han looked at him. “About my affairs, keep them quiet for now.”

Steward Wei’s face lit up with hope. “Yes! I understand! I’ll keep quiet... no, I’ll even take it to my grave!”

“Good.”

Swish!

A streak of sword light flashed, and a head rolled to the ground, its expression frozen eternally in joy.

Not far away, Chen Ping watched, feeling that Gu Han was both unfamiliar and terrifying.

Gu Han returned to his side, reverting to his original demeanor as if nothing had happened.

He waved the storage ring. “Brother Chen, just like before, I’m keeping the spoils.”

Chen Ping forced a bitter smile.

This kid’s thoughts are impossible to decipher.

“Let’s go.” Gu Han urged.

Chen Ping looked despondent. “Go... where? I can’t return to the Treasure Pavilion...”

Gu Han chuckled. “Where else? To find you a better job, of course!”

Regardless of Chen Ping’s repeated help, the fact that he’d been implicated because of Divine Physician Xue was enough for Gu Han to step in. Divine Physician Xue’s matters were his matters.

***

During Gu Han’s time outside the city, every student, instructor, and even the three deputy deans of the Martial Academy had received an invitation.

The sender was none other than Jiang Hong.