Supreme Sword Exalt

The Meng family estate.

Meng Chuan expressionlessly sat on the high seat at the head. Beside him, Meng Qian’s face was ashen, her spirit shattered, none of her usual pride and willfulness remained.

Meng Chuan slowly asked, “Well? Still not found?”

The fury and killing intent in his voice thickened until it felt as though it could crush the air itself.

An elder standing below smiled bitterly. “Family Head, that person seems to have popped out of thin air. We have no leads at all. The Northern Domain is so huge, there’s simply nowhere to start looking.”

Meng Chuan forcibly restrained his rage. “What did the black market say?”

The elder’s smile grew more bitter. “They are very keen on upholding their rules, not leaking a single bit of information about Fu Fatty. I just found out that after Fu Fatty reached the top of the assassin leaderboard, the black market removed the bounty offers on both our families.”

That was the tipping point for Meng Chuan. He lost it, shooting to his feet. “Damn it! They’ve gone too far!”

Meng Qian was resentful and bitter. “Father, you must avenge Second Brother!”

Meng Chuan’s eyes grew bloodshot again. “Don’t worry! How dare he kill my son?! I don’t care who he is, I will absolutely not let him off!”

The elder thought for a moment. “Family Head, Fu Fatty appeared and vanished just as bizarrely. Could he be related to the Fengwu Court’s chief disciple? After all, he’s the only one who harbors a grudge with the two families. Family Head, I believe something’s afoot!”

Meng Qian suddenly shrieked, “There must be a connection! Fu Fatty might just be Zuo Yang!”

Meng Chuan said nothing, but he obviously harbored the same suspicion. Besides Zuo Yang, he couldn’t think of anyone else with motive and capability to avoid the notice of so many. Poor Zuo Yang, who spent his days carrying a big black wok. This time, he truly and thoroughly carried a black wok[1] for Gu Han.

Meng Chuan’s eyes surged with ruthless killing intent. “They owe me an explanation for this matter! Do they really think they can throw their weight around just because of that woman?! My son cannot have died in vain! This grudge cannot go unavenged!”

He flickered and vanished from sight.

***

Inside a mountain cave, Gu Han recounted his recent exploits to Shen Xuan and Murong Yan.

Shen Xuan remarked profoundly, “Who would have thought that you two were so bold! Daring to assassinate members of both families? And you actually succeeded! That’s crazy!”

Murong Yan complained, greatly dissatisfied, “Brother Gu, why didn’t you call me along for such a thrilling venture?! Besides, our coordination would definitely be far better than a certain someone!”

The corner of Gu Han’s mouth twitched. Coordination? Are you serious? One swing of that hammer and the entire Northern Domain would know who did it!

Shen Xuan glanced at Yang Ying. “Still, given your nature, I didn’t expect you to engage in such a mad act, Junior Brother Yang.”

He wasn’t surprised when he heard that Yang Ying helped Gu Han during the incident outside Ruyi Tower. However, the fact that these two individuals with vastly different personalities had teamed up and pulled off such an earth-shattering feat was something else.

Yang Ying thought briefly. “He said he’d help me make money.”

“And then?”

Yang Ying was silent for a moment. “I believed him, so I earned some.”

Shen Xuan raised an eyebrow. “Make money? Surely that wasn’t the only reason?”

He understood that Yang Ying was usually quiet, reserved, and exceedingly cautious. Even if he craved wealth, he would absolutely never be crazy enough to attack a member of the Yang Family.

After some thought, Yang Ying answered, “And I also wanted revenge. Desperately...”

Shen Xuan sighed inwardly. It seemed Yang Ying had truly suffered grievously at the hands of the Yang family.

Then, he turned to Gu Han again. “Brother Gu, we just heard from Miss Ah Sha that you managed to obtain that pill. Who would have thought Zuo Yang was so resourceful, actually possessing something that made the master of Ruyi Tower willingly hand over the pill?”

Murong Yan nodded seriously. “Exactly! When I first heard you went to the Fengwu Court, I almost thought you’d lost your mind!”

Shen Xuan chuckled lightly. “Junior Sister, Brother Gu is smart. He’d never do anything reckless. He must have thought it through thoroughly, confident in his plan before going. The facts have proven his choice was right. You needn’t worry needlessly.”

Gu Han was taken aback. Thoroughly thought through? Confident in my plan? I was clearly tricked into going!

Murong Yan wore a look of admiration. “Zuo Yang is impressive too! He nearly cleaved a Soaring Realm cultivator in half with one slash. And yet, he always claims he’s just an ordinary cook, fooling everyone. Tsk tsk, now that’s a true master of disguise! A brat like Yuan Gang should learn a thing or two from him!”

Gu Han couldn’t listen anymore. A master? She’s really overthinking this! Senior Brother really is just a cook!

Shen Xuan seemed to remember something. “Right, I heard from Junior Brother Yang that you’re also participating in the secret realm qualification battle. Given your strength, none of the opponents should pose a threat. You only have to keep an eye on the newcomer from the Qingyun Pavilion, Chu Kuang.”

Murong Yan curled her lip. “He’s always inseparable from Yuan Gang! I bet he’s just as vile!”

Gu Han was puzzled. “Chu Kuang? Who is he?”

Yang Ying answered his question, “He’s from Great Chu Martial Academy. Last time, I was tasked with testing him and you. Although he seems to have reached the Supreme Stage as well, he isn’t as strong as you.”

Gu Han was slightly surprised, but he shrugged it off. The world was full of prodigies. Reaching the Supreme Stage was difficult, yet those who managed it were far from rare.

Murong Yan shot Yang Ying a glance. “Hmph! You finally said something sensible.”

Gu Han was more concerned about something else. “One more thing. In that secret realm, I wonder if there are any spirit herbs that nourish the soul?”

Shen Xuan’s expression turned serious. “Brother Gu, there’s really only one major opportunity in that secret realm. As for other things—whether spirit grasses or exotic fruits—don’t even touch them!”

“Why?”

A trace of lingering fear flashed in Shen Xuan’s eyes. “You’ll die if you eat the things inside! No matter how high your cultivation level, there’s absolutely no chance of survival! Of course, over the years, many refused to believe this and secretly tried anyway. They all died.”

Gu Han’s brow furrowed deeply. “In that case, why even go in?”

Shen Xuan smiled wryly. “The opportunity there is just too great! I can’t describe it specifically. You’ll understand once you go in yourself.”

Gu Han smiled bitterly. “So, even if we could find a soul-nourishing spirit herb, we can’t eat it?”

Murong Yan waved a hand. “Brother Gu, don’t worry! Once I go back, I’ll be stern with my people. So many days have passed, and not even a hint of news. They’re really useless!”

Gu Han shook his head. “Don’t be too harsh on them. Those kinds of spirit herbs are rare and hard to find. It’s not something that can be located in a short time.”

Yang Ying suddenly said from the side, “You need a spirit herb that can nourish soul power?”

Gu Han nodded. “I do. Half the reason I’m working so hard to earn essence crystals is for this thing.”

Yang Ying thought for a moment. “I do know of a place that has this kind of thing and it’s a precious herb.”

Gu Han stood up instantly, his eyes gleaming. “Where???”

He had heard very clearly that Yang Ying said precious herb, not spirit herb.

Yang Ying hesitated for a moment. “Inside the secret realm of the Yang family.”

As soon as the words left his mouth, he felt a twinge of regret. He saw the gleam in Gu Han’s eyes had turned green. Even Murong Yan’s eyes had also started to gleam.

Her eyes widened as she was full of excitement. “Brother Gu, that’s settled then, right?”

”Right! I must get my hands on that precious herb!” Gu Han gritted his teeth and patted Yang Ying’s shoulder. “Brother Yang, I have another money-making scheme. Are you interested—huh? Brother Yang? Where are you going?”

1. 背黑锅The expression (literally, to carry a black wok) is a metaphor for taking the blame for the faults of others. ☜