At the Meng Family estate.
Meng Chuan sprang to his feet. âWhat?! In less than a day, over twenty members of the Yang family were assassinated?!â
Opposite him, an elder nodded. âYes. According to the news, exactly twenty-seven. A few of them were even the Yang family headâs cousins.â
Meng Chuan shook his head repeatedly. âThat is outrageous! What audacity?!â
Of course, not a trace of sympathy or anger could be seen in his eyes. On the contrary, there was a hint of secretly enjoying it. Although the two families were allied by marriage, the underhanded dealings between them were no less frequent.
For a moment, he was in excellent spirits. âGo prepare a generous gift. I shall personally go and offer my sincere condolences to Brother Yangââ
Just then, an elder rushed in frantically, full of shock and alarm. âF-Family Head, something big has happened!â
Meng Chuan became displeased. âWhat is it?! Havenât I told you all before? Remain composed in the face of events. The sky isnât going to fall!â
"The second young master is dead!â
Meng Chuan was stunned. âWhat? Say that again?â
The elder swallowed hard. âJust now, a clansman reported that not far outside the family estate, the bodies of the second young master and Meng Jie were discovered. Furthermore, twelve other clansmen were also dead!â
Meng Chuan sat down heavily, his face turning ashen. âTwelve? Did they have anything in common?â
The elderâs heart skipped a beat. âYes! These twelve plus Meng Jie, were all on the black market bounty list. Moreover, their wounds were all fatal sword strikes. This situation is exactly the same as the Yang familyâs. Itâs definitely the work of the same person.â
Meng Chuan gnashed his teeth, his face twisted with rage. âSpeak! Tell me everything you know! Donât omit a single detail!â
âYes!â
Half an hour later, a deafening explosion suddenly erupted in the Meng family estate. That rather lavishly constructed main family hall was instantly reduced to ruins.
Amid the dust and debris, a figure with disheveled hair appeared, reminiscent of a wrathful demon. âFu Fatty, how dare you kill my son! I will make you pay with your blood!â
***
With such a huge commotion, the news could no longer be concealed. Of course, the Yang and Meng families didnât intend to hide it either. As if gone mad, they dispatched large numbers of clansmen. They searched high and low for the newly emerged assassin, Fu Fatty, eager to slice him a thousand times.
Almost with lightning speed, the matter spread throughout most of the Northern Domain. For a time, Fu Fattyâs name became known to all, thunderous and awe-inspiring, stealing the limelight completely.
âFu Fatty? Whoâs that?â
âHow should I know? All I know is heâs a fierce character!â
âWhoever he is, what he did is so satisfying!â
â
Shh!
Watch your words! Such mattersâ
ahem,
just think about them in your heart, donât say them out loud.â
A young cultivator was somewhat puzzled. âThatâs strange. Arenât the two families looking for Fu Fatty? Canât they just check the black market?â
The person next to him looked at him as if he were an idiot. âYou donât know anything! The black market has its own rules. Even if they go, itâs useless!â
The young man wanted more answers. âRules? What if the two families use force?â
The person beside him looked disdainful. âBelieve me, if they dare cause trouble for the black market today, tomorrow...
heh,
what these two families lose wonât just be a few dozen clansmen!â
***
In a corner, an elderly cultivatorâs eyes grew slightly moist. âFu Fatty is a man of righteousness and virtue. My son, the one who harmed you back then is dead now. You can rest in peace.â
Actually, it wasnât just him. Unlike the two families who hated Fu Fatty to the bone, many others were deeply grateful to him.
Within a small family, a kid knelt before a spirit tablet with tears in his eyes. âFather, the one who harmed you, Yang Wei, is dead! We got our revenge!â
Somewhere else, a middle-aged man was downcast. âDaughter, someone finally took my bounty! That beast Yang Yu who ruined your purity is finally dead! Heavenâs justice is clear, he couldnât escape the word retribution!â
A grief-stricken woman said with lingering hatred in her eyes, âMeng Jie, did you ever think youâd suffer such retribution when you conspired to seize my familyâs mineral vein back then?! Fu Fatty, whoever you are, you are the great benefactor of the Li family for killing Meng Jie!â
In fact, all over the Northern Domain, there were too many such instances.
***
Of course, Gu Han didnât know any of this. Initially, he had started because of indignation, wanting to take revenge on the two families and earn some essence crystals. Yet, through a strange twist of fate, he had become the benefactor in the mouths of many.
Not that he was in the mood to dwell on these things, anyway. Within an inconspicuous valley, Gu Han looked back with lingering fear. âLuckily we stopped early!â
Yang Ying nodded, also feeling a sense of relief. âIndeed!â
The matter with Meng You was actually an accident. The two immediately decided to stop after killing him. With the first accident, there would definitely be a second, a third and so on. They naturally wouldnât gamble with their own lives.
With facts proved, this was indeed the case. Not long after they left, they encountered the large groups of clansmen dispatched by the Yang and Meng families.
Gu Han turned, looking serious. âCooperating with you is reassuring and satisfying, so much better than Fatty!â
Yang Ying recalled the scene in the Wild Forest that day and suddenly understood. âFatty? So Fu Fatty is him?â
Gu Hanâs face darkened. âCorrect! Fu Fatty is a real piece of work!â
Yang Ying fell silent. He suddenly felt Gu Han was also quite a piece of work.
After a moment, Yang Ying said, âActually, Iâve always wanted to ask you, why did you refuse Qingyun Pavilionâs invitation? For many people, this is a dream come true.â
Gu Han glanced at him. âHavenât I already said? I clash with Qingyun Pavilion, especially that guy surnamed Yuan. Sister Murong was right, such people are hypocritical, vain, and no good.â
Yang Yingâs eyelids twitched. âMurong Yan is your junior sister?â
Gu Han raised an eyebrow. âWhy? You know her too?â
Yang Ying subconsciously rubbed his arm as it started aching again...
***
Within Yuqing Sect, Murong Yan, shouldering that Purple Golden Hammer, strode with large steps toward the mountain gate.
Everyone watching secretly felt a headache.
What is this madwoman up to now!
From behind, Shen Xuan caught up anxiously, looking worried. âJunior Sister, where are you going?â
Murong Yan swung her hammer, sneering coldly. âTo hammer someone! Itâs only been a few days, and those two bastard families have already raised the bounty on Brother Gu to eight million! You canât bully someone like this! Do they really think Brother Gu has no one backing him? Iâm going to visit them family by family and hammer them all into paste!â
Shen Xuan felt a headache coming on. âJunior Sister, earlier, Zuo Yang already warned them, didnât he? They wouldnât dare go too far.â
Murong Yanâs eyes widened. âEight million is not too far? Even Divine Connection realm cultivators could die several times for that! Can Brother Gu withstand it? Besides, Zuo Yang is Zuo Yang, I am me! He gave his warning, Iâll give my help!â
Shen Xuan shot her a helpless look. âWith your fiery temper, if you really go, who knows what trouble youâll stir up!â
Murong Yan flew into a rage and grabbed his shoulder firmly. âShen Xuan, Iâve never noticed before that youâre such a softie!â
Shen Xuanâs face pale as he felt a pang of pain. âJunior Sister... let go, itâs... breaking! Didnât... you say you wouldnât hit me anymore?â
Murong Yan glanced at him. â
Huh?
Did I say that?â
Shen Xuan endured the pain. âThatâs not actually what I meant. Going to the Yang and Meng families now is completely useless. Think about it, Brother Gu is facing life-threatening danger at any moment. Even if you want to go, you should first go to protect him!â
âRight! Why didnât I think of that? Senior Brother, youâre so smart!â Murong Yan suddenly understood. She released Shen Xuanâs shoulder, looking apologetic. âSorry, Senior Brother, I misunderstood you. I really wonât hit you anymore... in the future!â
Shen Xuan smiled bitterly.
Hmm, like Iâd believe that!
Feeling lighter, he was immediately grabbed by the shoulder by Murong Yan and whisked away. âLetâs go! First, letâs go to Fengwu Court to find Brother Gu. Then, weâll go hammer those two familiesâ bastards into paste!â
***
At the foot of the mountain at Fengwu Court, Ah Sha looked at her handiwork, full of pride and joy, completely unaware of the unusual presence behind her. At the critical moment, someone instantly descended, landing beside her.
Ah Sha was startled, then pointed around her as if presenting a treasure. âSenior Sister? Look, is it beautiful? I did all this!â
Yu Miao patted her head, giving a gentle smile. âAh Sha, youâre also Fengwu Courtâs treasure!â
Ah Sha laughed carefreely.
Yu Miaoâs gaze shifted, looking calmly at the unusual presence. âSo, who are you?â
Ah Sha turned around instantly, seeing the figure she detested to the core. â
Huh?
Itâs you!â
The unusual presence was the demoness Liu Ying. She was full of disappointment. â
Aah...
What a pity, I was discovered...â
The smile on Ah Shaâs face completely transformed into anger. âYou shameless woman, what are you doing here?!â
The demoness seemed on the verge of tears. âWhat am I doing? Of course, Iâm here to look for Brother Gu Han. What a heartless person. Despite my deep feelings for him, he actually treats me like this...â
Yu Miaoâs brows furrowed slightly. âYou like my junior brother?â
The demoness reacted with astonishing speed. âI am Liu Ying. Greetings, Senior Sister!â
Yu Miao looked at her seriously for a moment, furrowing her brow. âYou look decent, but what a pity youâre not my junior brotherâs type.â
Liu Yingâs aura instantly transformed. âIs that so?â
Seduction turned into innocence, and allure shifted to sanctity. Compared to a moment ago, she was now at the opposite extreme. Her demeanor was elegant and transcendent, her eyes like a pool of clear water. Her stunningly beautiful face held a hint of coldness, making one not dare to harbor any improper thoughts.
She bowed gracefully toward Yu Miao, her voice soft and clear. âSenior Sister, how about this?â
Yu Miao nodded. âNot bad! My junior brother seems to like this type.â
As her words fell, a sharp sound of something cutting through the air suddenly rang out. Yu Miao raised her hand, and that jade needle returned to her grasp. A spot of crimson, vivid and striking, now adorned the demonessâs forehead.
She sighed softly. âSenior Sister, you really donât hold back...â
Before her voice faded, her figure gradually dissipated.
Yu Miaoâs eyes were full of cold intent, devoid of any gentleness. âI donât care what you intend to do. However, if you dare to harm my junior brother or Ah Sha, Iâll make you regret it for the rest of your life.â
Faint laughter drifted over. âSenior Sister, rest assured. I cherish Brother Gu Han too much, how could I harm him? Since he isnât here, Iâll simply go elsewhere to find him. Little girl, you must grow up quickly...â
Ah Sha jumped up and down in fury. â
Aaah!!!
Stinky woman, show yourself! Iâll glare you to death!â
Yu Miao patted her head. âAh Sha, sheâs already gone.â
Ah Sha raised her head as she felt unsatisfied. âSenior Sister, why didnât you capture her? That woman is very, very bad!â
Yu Miao sighed. âSilly girl, I actually canât do anything to her either.â
Ah Sha exclaimed, her little face instantly crumpling. âItâs over, itâs over, itâs over...â
Yu Miao couldnât help but smile. âWhatâs wrong? Although I canât see her origins clearly, I sensed that she had no killing intent toward you just now.â
Ah Sha sighed. âSenior Sister, Iâm worried about Young Master.â
âJunior Brother?â
Ah Sha nodded, looking serious. â
Mhm.
That woman is too shameless. Young Master will definitely be seduced!â
Yu Miao was speechless.
***
Inside the valley.
Gu Han was oblivious to the fact that the demoness had come looking for him again. Upon seeing Yang Yingâs expression, he impulsively asked, âBrother Yang, were you hit by Sister Murongâs hammer before?â
Yang Ying shot him a glance.
Why bring up the sore spot!
Gu Han laughed awkwardly. âAlright then! Itâs about time. Things should have calmed down over there. We should go collect the bounties to avoid complications!â
Mentioning this, Yang Ying immediately perked up, even becoming more talkative. âYes! Let me see, excluding Yang Feng and Meng You, we eliminated a total of thirty-nine targets. The total bounty amount isâ
huh?
â
Halfway through his sentence, he seemed to see something. His expression became strange again. âThereâs something...â
Gu Han raised an eyebrow, sneering coldly. âWhat is it? Donât tell me those two families raised the bounty on me again?â
Yang Ying shook his head, his eyes practically glowing as he stared at Gu Han. âItâs not that. Itâs just that the two families posted a new bounty, each offering twenty million essence crystals, to buy Fu Fattyâs life!â