Chu Kuang glanced at Yang Ying and then at Gu Han, his gaze turning ice-cold. âYou will definitely regret this!â
Gu Han raised an eyebrow. âIs that so? Want to use your trump card?â
Chu Kuangâs eyes grew even colder. âYou guess. Will I use it or not?â
Gu Han suddenly laughed. âYou guess too. Did Master Rooster leave me any trump cards?â
The cryptic dialogue between the two left everyone bewildered. Chu Kuangâs pupils contracted, and he fell silent. He wasnât stupid. The reason Gu Han was still alive was undoubtedly because of Chongming. As if that werenât enough, Chongming had intervened time and againâintentionally or notâseemingly clearing obstacles for Gu Han. Its parting words clearly pointed Gu Han toward a cultivation path. With such a relationship, giving Gu Han some trump cards was reasonable and logical.
Gu Han said with a smile, âAlso, donât think I donât know your background. Master Rooster told me everything! Having your Dao foundation ruined in a single slash by that senior must have been agonizing, right?
Oh,
that senior also mentioned he might come out of the forbidden zone someday to teach me a move or two of sword technique. Sounds pretty good to me!â
Chu Kuangâs gaze flickered, his expression shifting with uncertainty. The matter of his Dao foundation being severed was known only to him, Chongming, and that sword cultivator. No one else knew the details. He became convinced that Chongming had left Gu Han with a trump card.
Upon seeing his expression, Gu Han knew his gamble had paid off. The shadow that mysterious sword cultivator left in Chu Kuangâs heart was unimaginably large.
Murong Yan was confused. âBrother Gu, what were you muttering about with him?â
Gu Han chuckled. âNothing! We had a fight, and he lost!â
Even though Murong Yan didnât understand, she was extremely supportive. âImpressive! Brother, how did you grow that mouth of yours? Did you cultivate some special divine ability too?â
Gu Han was speechless.
Upon seeing Chu Kuang retreat, Yuan Gang became skeptical. âJunior Brother, if we miss such a golden opportunity, it might lead to complications later...â
Meng Xing was also unwilling. âHeâs right! Today is the perfect chance to eliminate him!â
Chu Kuang remained silent as he didnât dare gamble. Those who had died once often grew more timid and he was no exception. In this psychological game, he had lost.
Gu Hanâs gaze fell on Yang Xiong again. âEnough! Iâve given you even more time. You should have considered it clearly by now, right?â
Yang Xiong was about to speak when Yang Tongâs aged, weary voice abruptly cut him off. âThereâs no need to consider! I agree with this matter.â
With disheveled hair and a weathered face, Yang Tong advanced toward Gu Han step by step. He was drenched in blood, his expression steeped in despair and grief.
Upon arriving, he gave a despondent laugh. âDo as you say! Even if you want the entire Yang family, I will give it to you!â
Yang Yingâs expression changed dramatically. âThatâs not good!â
He understood the old ancestorâs character better than anyone.
âQuick, dodgeââ
Before he could finish, an overwhelmingly powerful aura erupted from Yang Tong. He glanced at Yang Ying. âYou little bastard, Iâll deal with you later!â
Even half-crippled, his cultivation still rivaled a Heavenly Tribulation realm expert.
His full-blown eruption also restored a fraction of his former imposing manner. âYou think Iâll compromise? Dream on!â
As his words fell, a tremendously powerful palm force instantly descended upon Gu Han.
Gu Hanâs face darkened. âYou old thing, donât you care about his life?â
He grabbed Yang Lin and held him in front as a shield.
Yang Tong seemed like a raving madman. âWhat use is his life to me?!â
The palm force increased by another third, instantly striking Yang Lin.
At the moment of death, the restraints on him were instantly released. Upon seeing Yang Tongâs palm strike him, his face was filled with disbelief. âOld... Ancââ
The power within the palm force completely erupted, tearing him apart. Not even the Green Wood Spirit Physique could save him this time. The sudden turn of events left everyone somewhat unable to react.
Upon seeing his beloved son die so tragically, Yang Xiong felt struck by lightning. âLinâer!!! Whyââ
Yet, Yang Tongâs face was twisted, his movements unceasing. His withered hand shot towards the space between Gu Hanâs eyebrows like an eagleâs claw.
âDie!!!â
At that very moment, an attack far more powerful than his own instantly descended, sending him flying far away. Murong Yuan hadnât expected that Yang Tong would do something so insane. His reaction was a beat too slow. Fortunately, he protected Gu Han in time.
Gu Han glanced at the corpse on the ground, his eyes gleaming coldly. âYou old thing, I truly overestimated the depths of your depravity!â
Yang Xiong roared hysterically, âOld Ancestor!!!!! Why?! Why?! Linâer was the future of the Yang family!!! W-why would you be so ruthless?!?!â
Yang Tong wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth. âFuture? Captured, limbs severed, isnât that shameful enough?! I
am
the founder of the Yang family! I
am
the future of the Yang family! If Iâm about to die, what use is the Yang family to me?!â
His words, like those of a madman, made everyone frown deeply.
Wu De and Duan Ren, who had secretly climbed out of the dirt at some unknown time, exchanged a look. They felt as if they had met kindred spirits.
Yang Ying stared blankly. âYang Linâs dead?â
It wasnât grief he felt. Yang Linâs death meant the loss of his only leverage. The joy in his heart turned entirely into disappointment.
âBrother Yang, donât worry! I always keep the promises I make to others! Even if I have to wipe out the Yang family today, I will rescue your mother!â Gu Hanâs killing intent boiled over as he turned to Murong Yuan. âSenior, that favor you owe me, isnât it time to repay it?â
Murong Yuan smiled. âOf course, it must be repaid! Last time with Zheng Ning, I was timid and indecisive, already in your debt. Iâm at your disposal today!â
The unwillingness on Yang Tongâs face intensified. Most of his Transcendent Substance had dissipated. He simply couldnât live much longer. Now that things had come to this, he didnât care about Zuo Yangâs warning and the Yang family anymore. He only wanted to kill Gu Han and vent the hatred in his heart.
He turned to Meng Qing. âBrother Meng, help me hold off Murong Yuan. Even if I have to stake my life today, I will end this little beast!â
Meng Qing was somewhat tempted as Gu Han was also a thorn in his side. If he could be completely eliminated, that would be the best outcome.
With his hatred for Gu Han rivaling Yang Tongâs, Meng Xing also urged them on. âFather, Old Ancestor, inside the secret realm, I already formed a death feud with him! If he doesnât die, heâll surely end the Meng family in the future!â
Meng Qing nodded. âFine! We will eliminate him today!â
He had no choice. The enmity between the two sides was too deep and vicious, without the slightest possibility of resolution. Zuo Yangâs warning clearly held little deterrent power anymore.
Gu Han looked at Murong Yuan. âSenior, can you handle it?â
Murong Yuan remained calm and composed. â
Hmph!
Donât worry. Even if they all come at once today, they wonât be able to touch a single hair on your head!â
It seemed Chongming had done it intentionally. Yang Tong was mostly crippled and Meng Qing was severely injured. Even if the two joined forces, they were no match for Murong Yuan.
âGood. The old ones are for you. The young one...â Gu Han nodded, glancing at Meng Xing. âIâll handle him!â
Yang Tong and Meng Qing also clearly realized this. With a sweep of their gaze, they sought to pull in another helper.
Obviously, Wu De and Duan Ren definitely wouldnât help them. That left only one person.
Meng Qingâs face was gloomy. âLi Xun, if I recall correctly, Yang Lin was the chief disciple of the Qixia Court. This boy injured the disciples of your court in front of the Ruyi Tower. Can you swallow that anger?â
Li Xun felt extremely annoyed.
Chief disciple? Isnât he already dead? Killed by his own Old Ancestor, no less! As for those disciples, to make an enemy of that terrifying woman over such a minor grievance, do you think Iâm stupid?
Yang Tong went all out. âIf you help, Iâll give you everything the Yang family has later!â
Yang Xiongâs face turned pale, and he looked up sharply. âOld Ancestor, absolutely notââ
âShut up! The Yang family is mine! How to dispose of it is also my decision!â Yang Tongâs eyes were bloodshot. He stared fixedly at Li Xun. âOur resources are as good as your own! All you need to do is hold off Murong Yuan for a moment!â
Meng Qing added to the offer. âAfterward, the Meng family will also present you with a generous gift!â
Li Xun hesitated, greatly tempted. âIââ
Murong Yuanâs heart sank. âLi Xun, you better think carefully. Zuo Yang heâ
hmm?
Zuo Yang?â
Before he finished speaking, two extremely powerful auras approached from afar and descended upon the scene. One carried a large black pot on his back, a boning knife stuck in his waist, its edge gleaming coldly. The other was shrouded in billowing demonic qi, his eyes pure black and terrifying.
Gu Han was stunned, then overjoyed. âSenior Brother? Father? You came?â
Murong Yuan was taken aback.
Speak of the devil! And this one...
He glanced at Gu Tian, his heart trembling. Gu Tian was far more terrifying than he had been back in the imperial capital.
Upon seeing Gu Han safe and sound, Zuo Yang instantly breathed a sigh of relief. âJunior Brother, youâre okay! Thatâs great!â
After seeing Gu Han, the pure black in Gu Tianâs eyes faded slightly, regaining some rationality. âHanâer, someone placed a bounty on you?â
Apart from Gu Hanâs life or death, the matter of the bounty concerned him most.
Murong Yan perked up, pointing at Meng Qing and Yang Tong. âUncle Gu, it was them! They placed the bounty on Brother Gu!â
The demonic qi around Gu Tian surged to another level. His eyes turned pitch-black again. âBounty on my son. Kill!â
Demonic flames roiled around him as he charged straight at Yang Tong.
In the distance, Li Xunâs heart sank.
Where did this demonic cultivator come from? Moreover, such a powerful one!
Even if Gu Tianâs cultivation was far inferior to his, Li Xun had the same thought as Murong Yuan.
Heâs extremely troublesome to deal with!
He abruptly turned back to Meng Qing, declaring righteously, âI refuse! This matter is absolutely not up for discussion! This young friend and I have no grievances or enmity. Do you think I would attack him for a few resources?â
At this moment, he was filled with righteous energy, proud and unyielding.
âTo expect me to act in such a way, you think too lowly of me! I am not that kind of person!â