Supreme Sword Exalt

Fatty was in the middle of speaking enthusiastically when his expression suddenly stiffened upon hearing this. He forced a smile. “Dead? Manager Murong, that kind of joke isn’t funny at all.”

“I’m not joking.”

“You’re actually serious?”

“Yes.”

Fatty’s face turned pale, and he fell silent.

However, Gu Han was unusually calm. After giving the Fallen Nether Fruit to Ah Sha, he slowly stood up. “Senior, tell me, what happened?”

Murong Chuan sighed and relayed the rumors he had heard, along with his own speculations, “I only heard about it after I returned. It’s not that I didn’t want to save Jiang Feng, but with Zheng Ning present, my forcefully intervening would inevitably bring some unnecessary trouble to the Murong family.”

Gu Han was silent for a moment. “I understand. Senior, this matter isn’t your fault. You had no obligation to help someone unrelated.”

As if remembering something, Murong Chuan took out that token. “By the way, before I left, he asked me to pass this on to you.”

The token felt quite heavy in Gu Han’s hand. After a moment of silence, Gu Han said again, “Senior, why didn’t he use this token?”

“He said you needed this thing more than he did.”

Gu Han fell silent. The token felt even heavier.

Murong Chuan sighed again. “I never expected him to have such integrity. He’s a hundred times better than his eldest brother...”

Fatty’s eyes suddenly turned red. “Bastards! I’m going to rip them apart!”

In truth, he had only known Chief Steward Li and Jiang Feng for less than a month. To say he had deep feelings for Chief Steward Li was nonsense. Moreover, their temperaments were incompatible. Fatty had annoyed him to the point of nearly vomiting blood several times, and had consequently received quite a few severe beatings.

However, hearing the news of his death now—especially his final, bold words—Fatty suddenly felt a blockage in his heart.

Murong Chuan looked at Gu Han. “What are your next steps? The martial academy grand competition should have just started. If you go now, there’s still time.”

Murong Chuan understood clearly that in spite of Gu Han’s extraordinary foundation and outstanding strength, he had no real background.

To survive this whirlpool and ensure his own safety, besides joining the Qingyun Pavilion, displaying his talent and strength at the grand competition to gain the attention of the Yuqing Sect was also an extremely effective method.

As if afraid Gu Han had concerns, Murong Chuan said, “You don’t need to worry about this girl. I’ve already sent someone to find Chen Ping. With that many essence crystals, he should have some results.”

Gu Han suddenly asked a very strange question, “Senior, did Chief Steward Li say he wanted to kill Jiang Ping?”

Murong Chuan’s expression became somewhat complicated. “Yes.”

“Who is Jiang Ping?”

“The ruler of Great Qi.”

“Is he dead?”

“No.”

Gu Han rubbed the token with a frighteningly calm expression. “Good. Then I’ll kill Jiang Ping for him.”

His tone was flat as if Jiang Ping was just a random nobody.

Murong Chuan raised an eyebrow. “Have you thought it through? His status is somewhat special. He was personally chosen by the Yuqing Sect back then. Killing him recklessly would bring unpredictable consequences for you.”

Gu Han looked at him strangely. “Senior, when Chief Steward Li saved Ah Sha and the others, did he know the consequences? When Brother Jiang returned the token to you, did he know the consequences? Brother Jiang is still in the royal palace now. If I don’t go, you know what his outcome will be, don’t you, Senior?”

The series of questions left Murong Chong speechless.

Gu Han took a deep breath. “And if I don’t kill him, my heart won’t be at peace.”

Murong Chuan sighed. “However, the seat elder Zheng’s disciple, Ding Quan, is also there.”

Gu Han’s tone remained flat. “I never said I’d let him off. They all have to die.”

Murong Chuan said nothing more. If killing Jiang Ping meant unpredictable consequences, then killing Ding Quan meant extremely perilous consequences.

Gu Han slowly raised the token. “Senior, can this thing still be used?”

Upon seeing the token, Murong Chuan instantly swallowed any further words of persuasion he had. He knew that Gu Han was dead set on this.

He became serious and bowed deeply to Gu Han. “Murong Chuan, third-generation clansman of the Murong family, along with the Murong family’s hidden guards, await the instructions of the honored guest.”

Gu Han nodded. “Good. I don’t want to let them breathe a moment longer. Is this request difficult?”

Murong Chuan laughed bitterly inwardly. Difficult? This went beyond the category of difficult! Even with the token, it would likely cause enormous trouble. Of course, the rules of the Murong family were clear. No matter the hurdle, he would exhaust all efforts to complete the task.

“There are restrictions within the imperial palace. Breaking them will probably take some time.”

“Then I’ll trouble you, Senior.”

Murong Chuan bowed respectfully once more. “Understood. Please wait a moment, honored guest. I will go prepare immediately.”

As soon as he finished speaking, his figure flashed and disappeared in an instant.

Gu Han was silent for a moment before saying, “Fatty, I won’t drag you into it this time. You stay here.”

Fatty lowered his head without saying anything, lost in thought.

Glancing once more at the deeply sleeping Ah Sha, Gu Han sighed softly. Ah Sha, there are things we’ll regret for a lifetime if we don’t do them.

As he was thinking this, he stepped out.

“I can’t go. The human tribulation is no joke! If I go, I might really die this time around. Chief Steward Li was narrow-minded and had a sharp tongue. He’s dead now. How long have I even known him for? Why should I take such a huge risk for him? I—damn it!” Fatty muttered to himself. Then, he suddenly looked up with bloodshot eyes. “But I just feel awful inside! Screw the human tribulation! I’m going all out!”

As he cursed nonstop, he gritted his teeth and shot out in an instant.

***

Outside, Murong Chuan stood before six people clad in black. Their expressions betrayed nothing, and their auras were obscure and difficult to discern. These were the Murong family’s hidden guards.

His gaze swept over them, his tone authoritative. “Are my words clear?”

“Yes!”

“Remember, even if you have to sacrifice your lives, you must fulfill the honored guest’s request!”

“Yes!”

“Let’s go.” As his words fell, the aura around Murong Chuan instantly surged, and he soared into the air.

Below, the six hidden guards followed immediately.

***

Within the inner city, Gu Han walked slowly and expressionlessly, clearly headed for the imperial palace. The solemn killing intent and coldness emanating from him almost condensed into substance, causing pedestrians on the long street to startle and avoid him.

Suddenly, he seemed to sense something and stopped in his tracks. A moment later, Fatty’s chubby figure caught up from behind.

Gu Han frowned slightly. “Why did you come? Didn’t I tell you to stay?”

“Hmph! I do what I want. I don’t need your permission!”

Gu Han became more serious. “Fatty, this time, we might really die.”

Fatty was silent for a moment, then sighed. “I know. You know Chief Steward Li’s last words? Actually, he was right. He really had the balls, more than me. Just thinking about his words makes me feel so stifled. If I hide back there and don’t come out, I will carry a demon in my heart for life.”

Gu Han smiled. “It seems that you’re really not afraid of death.”

Fatty laughed bitterly. “Death? I’ve figured it out. A destined death tribulation can’t be avoided!”

Just then, a tremendous roar erupted in the distance, followed by others in quick succession. The commotion naturally caused an uproar.

“It’s terrible!”

“Someone... someone is attacking the imperial palace!”

“What?! Who has the nerve? Are they tired of living?”

Amid the discussion, Gu Han narrowed his eyes slightly. “It seems like Senior has already started. Fatty, if we don’t die this time, I will acknowledge you as a friend.”

Fatty shot him a glance. “How sweet! Fine. If I don’t die this time, I’ll also tell you a secret.”

After they finished speaking, they glanced at each other. Their figures flashed, speeding off into the distance.

***

Within the imperial palace.

Jiang Ping asked, showing no trace of emotion, “Well? Has he talked?”

Commander Zhou shook his head. “No. No matter what method Ding Quan used, the sev—His Highness just wouldn’t say a word.”

“Hmph!” A flash of killing intent crossed Jiang Ping’s eyes. The words Chief Steward Li said before his death flooded back into his mind. “Ungrateful bastard! He’s so stubborn and unyielding, then let him die—”

“Huh? Manager Murong? Why is he here? That’s not good.” Commander Zhou suddenly frowned deeply. Before he could finish, his expression changed dramatically. “He seems to have arrived with the Murong family’s hidden guards.”

Jiang Ping’s face turned pale. “Hidden guards? How is that possible...”

He knew some of the inside story. The Murong family’s hidden guards rarely appeared, but when they did, a storm of blood would inevitably ensue.

Panic was written all over Jiang Ping’s face. “Hurry! The restrictions! Activate the restrictions!”

As soon as the words were spoken, a transparent barrier instantly enveloped the entire imperial palace.

Still, that didn’t ease Jiang Ping’s fear in the slightest. “W-what is he really here for?”

As soon as those words fell, a tremendous roar suddenly erupted. The barrier is broken!

Their hearts sank. Their suspicions were confirmed: Murong Chuan had come here for no good.

In an instant, two more roars followed.

Amid a furious roar, Ding Quan—his eyes bloodshot and extremely irritable—walked out from the side hall. “Who’s there?!”

Not only was he seriously injured, he also received no results from the repeated interrogations. He was on the verge of crashing out. “Which bastard is so bold? I’ll kill him!”

After hearing Commander Zhou’s explanation, he trembled with rage. “What?! Murong Chuan? Fuck! Fuck! The Murong family are bullies!”

Although he didn’t know why Murong Chuan had suddenly changed his mind, it completely ignited the fury in his heart. His face twisted ferociously as he took out a jade talisman. “Fine. Murong Chuan, just wait until my master arrives. You will bear the consequences yourself.”