Supreme Sword Exalt

Yun Fan was stunned for a moment, then overjoyed. “So... that means y-you...”

Gu Han shook his head. “Don’t celebrate too soon. Even though I know what it is, doing it won’t be that easy.”

Feeling mixed emotions, Zhao Mengyou couldn’t help but ask, “What exactly is the opportunity?”

Gu Han didn’t hide it from her either. “It’s simple. I need to experience a life-or-death battle to force a breakthrough. It’s about seeking survival in the midst of death.”

When it came to nurturing the divine sense seed, everyone’s opportunity was different. Xue Yu’s zither music had created a crack in his divine sense seed, allowing him to reflect on the past and confront his own heart. Thus, he had found the breakthrough method most suitable for him, a life-or-death battle!

Back in the Border Wasteland, Ah Sha, Qian Ye, Feng Xi, and Steward Yue had all intervened, causing him to miss his chance. Of course, he was also fully aware that if it weren’t for them, he wouldn’t have survived even if he had broken through.

Yun Fan was a bit worried. “Brother Gu, isn’t this too dangerous?”

After all, the opportunity Gu Han talked about was the kind where one really parted with their life.

He thought for a moment. “How about you try it on me?”

Gu Han glanced at him. “You won’t do. I can’t muster any killing intent toward you. You don’t have any toward me either. In the end, it’s just going through the motions.”

Yun Fan thought for a moment, his eyes lighting up.

“Then what about her?” He pointed at Zhao Mengyou. “Brother Gu, you don’t know this, but she secretly wants to bite us to death every day. She must hate you especially, wanting to kill you.”

Zhao Mengyou’s face flushed bright red. “Nonsense! I-I do not!”

Certainly, she did find Gu Han disagreeable and that she was so angry with him her teeth itched. She’d be more than eager to teach Gu Han a lesson. But killing Gu Han? She had never thought about it. After all, the conflict between them wasn’t really that big to begin with.

Gu Han immediately rejected the idea. “She really won’t do either.”

Zhao Mengyou said angrily, “You know that’s right! I’m not the type to hold grudges and be vicious...”

Gu Han thought for a moment. “It’s not that. It’s simply because you’re not strong enough.”

Zhao Mengyou was baffled. She was so angry she wanted to chomp on him. “I’d really like to see just how you would survive in a real life-or-death battle!”

Gu Han glanced at Yun Fan and pointed at Zhao Mengyou. “If I die, then take her—”

“Back?”

“No, sell her.”

Zhao Mengyou was speechless.

Gu Han ignored her again and went straight to Xue Yu, who was somewhat dazed.

He clasped his hands with a sincere expression. “Thank you, Miss Xue. Without your zither music this time, finding this thread of life would have been extremely difficult for me.”

Anxious, Xue Yu quickly returned the bow. “N-no! There’s no need for that!”

She had truly been frightened by Gu Han’s earlier gaze. In her fluster, a section of red string was exposed on her fair neck. Beneath the string, a sliver of jade glimmered, dazzling amid the white.

Gu Han was startled, unable to take his eyes off it. “Hmm?”

This thing vaguely gave him a very familiar feeling.

He pointed at the red string. “Miss Xue, could you let me take a look at this thing?”

However, in the view of the others, it seemed as if he were pointing at something else.

Xue Yu was dumbfounded. Thing?

This was the first time she had heard it being described in that way.

She grew angry. “I-I originally thought you were a gentleman... I never expected you were also a frivolous man! How could you humiliate me like this?”

Yun Fan was in despair. “Brother Gu, no! You can’t! We really are just here to listen to the zither! We can’t do anything else! If my sister finds out, she’ll beat us to death!”

At this moment, he truly believed Gu Han liked women. No, it wasn’t just liking anymore, this was sheer lust blinding him.

Meanwhile, Zhao Mengyou felt a bit uncomfortable. Besides Feng Xi, she considered herself a top-tier beauty. However, despite being by Gu Han’s side for nearly a month, he didn’t even bat an eye at her. She hadn’t expected him to be interested in Xue Yu now...

Look? What do you want to look at! Isn’t the most beautiful scenery right by your side? She was very unconvinced.

Subconsciously, she glanced down. Peaks gathered together, towering and unclimbable, the view was magnificent. Not even the tips of her toes were visible.

He’s a blind man!

Her former pride and self-respect as a Divine Maiden had been almost completely destroyed by Gu Han.

Gu Han’s face darkened again. “You guys! What nonsense are you thinking! I wanted to look at that piece of jade!”

Yun Fan was taken aback.. “Jade? Ahem... then never mind!”

Xue Yu’s face became even redder. Looking at jade? So it was a misunderstanding? Then I...

She gently turned around to hide her embarrassment, and also took out that piece of jade, carefully handing it to Gu Han. “Young Master, here you go...”

Her hand and voice trembled slightly. In the end, this jade was something she wore close to her body, still carrying a trace of her warmth and fragrance. Of course, Gu Han wouldn’t take it.

He stared at the piece of jade with a complex expression. “I see. It was my oversight. You also have the surname Xue. What is your relationship with Elder Xue?”

The half piece of jade was very ordinary and slightly worn. However, it was identical to the one he had seen in Divine Physician Xue’s hand that day. The two halves combined would make it complete.

Xue Yu was stunned. She trembled, her eyes becoming dull.

“Xue... Elder Xue? His name is Xue Mao. He...” Finally, she couldn’t hold back anymore, and her tears streamed down. “He is my grandfather.”

She quickly stepped in front of Gu Han, her eyes holding a trace of hesitation, a trace of fear. “Young Master, have you seen my grandfather? Is he... is he still alive?”

Gu Han sighed. “He’s alive. But the last time I saw him was almost a year ago.”

Xue Yu could no longer hear what he said after that, just murmuring incessantly, “As long as he’s alive... As long as he’s alive...”

Yun Fan scratched his head. “Brother Gu, how do you know Sister Xue’s grandfather?”

Gu Han was silent for a moment. “Elder Xue was someone who showed me great kindness.”

If it weren’t for Divine Physician Xue’s pills, Ah Sha probably would have died long ago.

He glanced at Xue Yu, who was still weeping. “Miss Xue, if it’s okay, please tell me what happened exactly.”

Gu Han had noticed Elder Xue’s abnormality long ago, but since the other party didn’t mention it, he found it hard to ask.

Xue Yu said softly, “That year...”

A year after the Ghost Physician’s mysterious disappearance, Xue Mao found a place to settle down. He married and had children, meticulously studying alchemy and medical skills. Although his cultivation level wasn’t high, he was benevolent and righteous, and his attainments in alchemy and medicine were considerable. He earned the respect of many people, and no one ever caused him trouble. As time passed, he gained the reputation of “Divine Physician.”

However, twenty years ago, a few cultivators with extraordinarily high cultivation levels burst into the Xue residence. Without any explanation, they slaughtered all hundred-plus members of the household to the last.

Only Xue Mao, who was on the brink of death, broke through the encirclement wanting to find help. However, from then on, there was no news of him.

Thinking of the tragic scene back then, Xue Yu’s face grew paler. “That day, my father, mother, eldest uncle, second uncle... and my brothers, sisters... all my relatives, they all died before my eyes. Only I was left...”

The three of them felt heavy-hearted. A four- or five-year-old girl stood in a pool of blood, surrounded by the corpses of her closest kin.

Yun Fan cursed angrily, “What the hell? Which bastard was so vicious!”

Zhao Mengyou didn’t speak but her expression wasn’t very good either. Although she had some issues, she was definitely not the type to unreasonably massacre people. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have stopped Zhang Kun from making a move on Gu Han earlier.

Gu Han took a deep breath. “What happened next?”

Xue Yu smiled bitterly. “Next? They said I looked decent, so they spared my life and brought me here. If I didn’t have some talent in music and hadn’t gained some appreciation, I’m afraid...”

She didn’t finish but Gu Han could guess. If it weren’t for her zither skill, Xue Yu probably would have ended up like the others, reduced to using her looks to entertain people.

In an instant, he made a decision in his heart. “Miss Xue, do you want to leave this place?”

Xue Yu was stunned. “What...?”

Leave? How could she not want to? She dreamed of it! To outsiders, she was incomparably beautiful, unparalleled in zither skill. Every day, people paid a high price hoping to hear her play a tune, only to be refused. Only she knew how difficult her situation truly was.

Lacking any background, she was just someone to be manipulated. The number of people coveting and lusting after her was beyond count. Song Jian was just one of them.

“Young Master, can I really leave?” She could hardly believe it. Her eyes brightened for a moment, then dimmed again. “No, they won’t let me leave.”

She didn’t need to think about it. As the signature of Xian Ya Pavilion, Xue Yu had generated a lot of wealth over the years. No one would easily let go of a cash cow.

Gu Han looked directly into her eyes. “Just answer me. Do you want to, or not?”

Xue Yu was in a daze for a moment, then nodded firmly. “I do.”

Gu Han nodded. “Good. Then let’s go!”

Yun Fan was taken aback. “Brother Gu, you...”

Gu Han glanced at him. “What’s wrong? Is there a problem? You just said, with you here, I could do anything in the capital, right?”

Yun Fan was a bit embarrassed and quickly corrected him, “It’s not me. It’s my sister.”

Zhao Mengyou couldn’t help but pour cold water on the idea. “It’s not that easy. A place of this scale, built in the heart of the capital, must have powerful backing. It’s bound to involve the interests of many people. For all we know, it might drag out some enormous backers. Even if you guys are the little prince and princess, still—”

Her old habit acted up and she couldn’t help but start calculating the gains and losses involved.

Yun Fan interrupted her. “You just don’t understand! The Great Flame Empire only exists because of my eldest uncle, understand? The only person who has the final say here is my eldest uncle. His word here is an absolute imperial decree!”

Zhao Mengyou was so angry she wanted to bite him. “You also said, that’s the Flame Emperor, not you!”

Yun Fan pointed outside, looking at her like she was an idiot. “See that.”

“What’s that?”

“The imperial city! As long as my sister speaks, my eldest uncle can personally tear it down. Do you believe it?”

Zhao Mengyou fell silent, suddenly feeling a bit sad. One had a father, one had a master, one doted on his daughter, one sold his disciple. It was absolutely incomparable.

Gu Han also knew that he really could do anything in the capital. “Then don’t just stand there. I’m also in a hurry.”

Yun Fan didn’t dawdle either. He immediately called Pavilion Master Yu over.

Upon hearing that Gu Han wanted to take Xue Yu away, she instantly lost her composure. “What?! No, you can’t!”

Yun Fan mimicked Gu Han’s tone. “What? Is there a problem?”

Pavilion Master Yu hesitated, acting coy. “It’s not a question of a problem, it’s that if Xue Yu leaves, the Xian Ya Pavilion will lose half its business!”

Yun Fan became the spitting image of a villainous servant and sidekick—arrogant, overbearing, and unreasonable. “Stop with the nonsense! Do you know who my Brother Gu is?! Telling you is giving you face. Provoke him, and I’ll tear this place apart for you, believe it or not!”

Pavilion Master Yu felt like crying. If it were anyone else, she would have long mobilized experts to grind the two of them to ashes. How could there be any idle talk? However, one was a little prince, while the other’s identity was unclear, yet even the prince played the sidekick to him. She couldn’t afford to provoke either of them.

In the end, all she could do was helplessly lament how hard she had worked, how well she had always treated Xue Yu, how much cost she had spent to nurture Xue Yu, and so on. It made Xue Yu’s eyes welled up with tears. Still, as much as she wanted to retort, her gentle nature kept her silent.

Gu Han didn’t believe a single word. Cost? Xue Yu was only at the Spirit Profound realm now, she couldn’t have consumed many resources. The broken zither wasn’t even a profound item, it couldn’t be worth a lot. He understood the other party’s intentions perfectly.

He couldn’t be bothered to wrangle with her and just wanted to resolve this matter as quickly as possible. “Name a price. If it’s reasonable, I’ll compensate you.”

Pavilion Master Yu’s eyes lit up. She stopped wiping her tears and immediately blurted out a number, “Fifty million spirit sources!”

This was what she was waiting for. Since she couldn’t stop it, she wanted to squeeze out Xue Yu’s last bit of value.

Zhao Mengyou subconsciously felt a surge of joy, and couldn’t help but puff out her chest a little. Ha! Twice as much difference! Eh? Something feels off?

Gu Han smiled and glanced at Yun Fan. “Fifty million. Do you have money?”

Yun Fan shook his head decisively. “No!”

If I had money, would I be acting as your sidekick?

Gu Han said thoughtfully. “So when you usually come, you never spend money?”

Yun Fan looked embarrassed. “I haven’t come many times. Besides, she wouldn’t dare take my money anyway.”

Gu Han stared at Pavilion Master Yu. “Sorry. I don’t have money either.”

He had many treasures on him. Just those pills from the Profound Pill Camp alone were an invaluable treasure, not to mention those pill formulas. However, Pavilion Master Yu was clearly asking for an exorbitant price, trying to gouge him. He didn’t want to be that sucker, and there was no need to be.

Pavilion Master Yu found this very interesting. She wanted to turn hostile, but didn’t dare, so she could only hold it in, but she couldn’t quite hold it.

“Young Master, this absolutely won’t do. Fifty million was already out of consideration for the little prince’s reputation...”

Gu Han chuckled. “How about I trade you a Divine Maiden for her?”

Zhao Mengyou paled. “No...”

Suddenly, she deeply regretted being worth twice as much as Xue Yu.

Her eyes reddened, feeling terribly wronged. “Gu Han, even if I die, I won’t let you s-sell me...”

Pavilion Master Yu’s eyes lit up. “Fine!”

She had been coveting Zhao Mengyou all along. After all, not only did she make the Dao Bell ring seven times, she also had a Glazed Crystal Physique, and was a divine maiden. Her value was much higher than Xue Yu’s, and the wealth she could bring would multiply exponentially.

Gu Han’s expression turned cold. “Dream on!”

Zhao Mengyou let out a long sigh of relief, full of resentment.

Pavilion Master Yu finally couldn’t hold back. “Young Master, the Xian Ya Pavilion belongs to several marquises and the ninth prince—”

Yun Fan was stunned. “Ninth Brother? This place is his?”

“Yes!”

Gu Han’s expression was impassive. “Tell him, if he wants money, go ask my senior sister for it.”

Yun Fan snickered wickedly. “Even if you lent Ninth Brother ten times the courage, he wouldn’t dare.”

Pavilion Master Yu’s expression turned even uglier. Your senior sister? Who’s that?! So arrogant!

Gu Han seemed to think of something. “Oh, right. My senior sister’s name is Feng Xi.”

Pavilion Master Yu went limp, and she collapsed into a heap on the floor.

T-the princess!