’I’ve been summoned to the Law Enforcement Hall. Could it be...?’

Fang Han ventured a guess.

’Elder Zhou Jin wants me at the Law Enforcement Hall. It must be about the assassination attempt. I just wonder if they’ve found out who hired the killer.’

Leaving his residence, Fang Han hurried toward the Law Enforcement Hall.

The light of the setting sun stretched his shadow long. The disciples he passed along the way all stopped to bow, their gazes filled with awe and reverence.

As he walked through a corridor near the main hall of the Law Enforcement Hall, someone approached him from the opposite direction.

The man wore an Elder’s robes. His face was gaunt, and his sharp eyes held a hint of rigidity. It was none other than the other Elder of the Law Enforcement Hall, Yan Lv.

Fang Han’s gaze swept over Yan Lv, his expression calm and unmoving. He didn’t pause, nor did he bow in greeting like an ordinary disciple.

Maintaining his steady pace, he walked straight past him as if Yan Lv were nothing more than a stone statue on the side of the road.

’Yan Lv was close with Chu Feng and helped him cause trouble for me in the past. Naturally, I have no reason to be pleasant to him.’

As for the man’s status as an Elder, with Fang Han’s current standing, he no longer needed to care.

...

Yan Lv’s steps faltered slightly. Feeling Fang Han’s complete disregard, his face instantly frosted over, his expression so grim it looked like it could drip water.

His chest heaved, and his knuckles turned white from clenching his fists.

’Fang Han saw me and didn’t even offer a basic greeting!’

’The sheer arrogance!’

A wicked flame flared in his heart, but it was immediately doused by a complex wave of regret.

Back when Chu Feng was gaining power, he had helped him trip up Fang Han, intending to bet on the winning horse.

Who would have thought Chu Feng would be such a disappointment, destroying his own future by cultivating a Demon Skill and dragging Yan Lv down with him.

Now Fang Han was powerful, and the grudge between them was set in stone. ’If I had known this would happen, why did I even bother back then...’

These thoughts flashed through his mind, finally culminating in a suppressed, cold snort. He flicked his sleeves and stormed off, his retreating figure looking flustered and indignant.

As if he hadn’t heard the commotion behind him, Fang Han walked straight into the main hall of the Law Enforcement Hall.

The atmosphere in the hall was solemn. Elder Zhou Jin was already seated at the head of the room, meticulously examining a scroll.

"Disciple Fang Han pays his respects to Elder Zhou."

Fang Han took a few steps forward and bowed, his tone respectful.

"Ah, you’re here. Sit."

Elder Zhou Jin set down the scroll and looked up. His gaze, gentle yet appraising, fell upon Fang Han as he nodded slightly.

"Thank you, Elder."

Fang Han did as he was told, taking a seat on a pearwood chair below. His posture was steady and composed.

"I summoned you because the investigation into the assassination attempt against you has yielded results."

Elder Zhou Jin got straight to the point, his voice calm but naturally authoritative.

"After a thorough investigation by the Sect, it has been confirmed that the one who hired ’Gou the Third’ to kill you was a True Disciple of the Netherworld Pavilion, Gong Xing."

"So it was him!"

Fang Han’s eyes instantly turned as cold as a blade. A frigid killing intent surged from the depths of his heart. Though he didn’t release it, the very air around him seemed to stagnate.

Gong Xing!

He hadn’t even gone looking for trouble with Gong Xing, yet Gong Xing had made the first move and tried to have him killed!

He didn’t know how terrified Gong Xing had been upon learning that he had ascended to the Celestial Pride List. If he had, he wouldn’t have found it so strange.

"According to the intelligence we’ve gathered," Elder Zhou Jin continued.

"Gong Xing and his family have been secretly selling off their assets and are currently in the process of relocating their entire clan, fleeing in secret to outside the county."

He paused, then looked at Fang Han and said,

"Gong Xing and his family are not particularly strong. Since this matter started with you, I will leave it for you to handle."

"The Sect will provide you with intelligence support, but how you choose to act is up to you. Remember, be decisive and leave no loose ends."

Entrusting the Gong Family to Fang Han was a form of preferential treatment from the Sect.

After all, having sold their assets, the Gong Family was bound to have a considerable amount of wealth. If Fang Han eliminated them, that wealth would naturally fall into his hands.

"This disciple understands. Thank you for this opportunity, Elder!"

Fang Han stood up and said gratefully.

He naturally understood Elder Zhou’s intention in letting him deal with this enemy personally.

"The Gong Family members are disguised as a merchant caravan. Their current location is southwest of the Commandery City. Here is a map with their specific coordinates."

Elder Zhou Jin took out a simple map and handed it to Fang Han.

"The route they’ve chosen is quite remote. They’re likely trying to avoid drawing attention and leave the county as quickly as possible."

"This disciple will prepare at once and depart immediately!"

Fang Han accepted the map with both hands, glanced at it to memorize the information, then cupped his fists in a salute.

"Go. Don’t worry about the Netherworld Pavilion. If they try to interfere, someone from the Sect will stop them," Elder Zhou Jin instructed.

"Thank you, Elder, and thank you to the Sect!"

Fang Han bowed once more, then turned and strode away, his steps firm and imbued with a murderous air.

Back at Courtyard No. 35, Fang Han quickly packed a simple bag with some fresh water, dry rations, and necessary Elixirs.

The Cloud Splitting Sword at his waist sensed its master’s mood and let out a faint, clear hum.

"Senior Brother, are you going out?"

Seeing Fang Han’s grim expression as he came out with his bag, Qiu Lan asked.

"Yes, to handle some trivial matters."

Fang Han’s tone was flat, and he didn’t elaborate.

"Watch over the courtyard."

"Yes. Please be careful, Senior Brother," Qiu Lan replied respectfully.

SWOOSH!

Fang Han gave a slight nod. With a flicker of his body, he activated the Wind and Cloud Escape, transforming into a barely perceptible wisp of green smoke.

He vanished into the evening twilight, speeding toward the southwest.

「Two days later, in the afternoon.」

On a remote official road, a merchant caravan of seven or eight carriages was traveling at high speed.

The caravan looked quite ordinary. The goods were covered tightly with tarps, and the guards were dressed plainly, their faces showing the fatigue of a long journey, no different from a typical caravan.

However, a closer look would reveal an unconcealable anxiety and vigilance hidden deep in the eyes of these "guards."

Their steps were steady and their auras restrained; they were clearly not ordinary warriors.

This was precisely the fleeing party, composed of Gong Clan Members in disguise.

Inside a seemingly ordinary carriage in the middle of the caravan, Gong Biao, whose right arm had been severed by Fang Han, lifted a corner of the curtain. He looked toward the faint outline of the Qingyang County border in the distance and secretly sighed in relief.

’Once we cross that border, we’ll be out of the Qingxuan Sect’s sphere of influence. We can just find a city to hide in and we’ll be completely safe.’

Just then, however, a slight commotion came from the front of the caravan, and the carriages slowly came to a halt.

"What’s going on?"

Gong Biao frowned and asked in a low voice from behind the curtain.

"Patriarch, there’s... there’s someone standing in the middle of the road up ahead, blocking the way."

A man who looked like the head guard hurried over, his face a little pale, and spoke in a low voice.

"One person?"

An ominous premonition rose in Gong Biao’s heart.

"Who is it?"

"He’s... he’s wearing the True Inheritance Robe of the Qingxuan Sect..."

The head guard’s voice trembled slightly.

Gong Biao’s face turned deathly pale in an instant. He pulled the curtain aside just a crack and peered out.

There, in the middle of the road, stood a young man in a green robe with his hands clasped behind his back. A longsword hung at his waist, and he watched the caravan with a calm expression.

It was the man who was like a nightmare to him—Fang Han!

"He recognizes me, so it’s not convenient for me to show my face. You pretend to be the captain of a merchant guard and try to bluff your way through," Gong Biao instructed the head guard.

The head guard’s scalp tingled. Steeling himself, he stepped forward, forced a smile, and cupped his fists.

"This... young master, why are you blocking our path? We are legitimate merchants. If we have offended you in any way, we hope you can be magnanimous."

’He’s not here!’

Fang Han’s gaze remained fixed on the caravan, his eyes indifferent. He completely ignored the head guard’s excuses.

According to the Sect’s intelligence, this caravan was the disguised Gong Family.

Moreover, using the Spirit Smelling Technique, he could smell the scent of the Gong Family’s Patriarch, Gong Biao.

Gong Biao was hiding in the caravan, confirming the Sect’s intelligence that this was indeed the disguised Gong Family.

What he hadn’t expected, however, was that he couldn’t smell Gong Xing’s scent among the "caravan."

Gong Xing wasn’t here!

Seeing Fang Han remain silent, merely sweeping his cold gaze over the caravan, the head guard grew increasingly uneasy. He shot a meaningful glance at several "guards" beside him.

The "guards" understood and slowly closed in, their faces plastered with fake smiles.

"Young master, please make things convenient for us. We are willing to offer some silver taels to show our sincerity..."

"Forget the silver. I only want your lives!"

Fang Han said coldly.

Although most of the Gong Clan Members had no direct conflict with him, since their surname was Gong, none of them could be left alive.

Just as Elder Zhou Jin had said, he had to be decisive and leave no loose ends.

He had no desire for a surviving member of the Gong clan to show up twenty or thirty years later seeking revenge.

Besides, these Gong Clan Members could hardly be called innocent.

They had all enjoyed the power and privilege that came with being part of the Gong Family, so it was only natural they should also suffer the consequences.

SCHWING—

A brilliant flash of green sword light erupted!

The few Gong Family experts who had closed in didn’t even see how Fang Han moved before they felt a cold sensation at their throats.

Their consciousness quickly faded as they collapsed to the ground with a THUD, their blood instantly staining the earth.

’Gong Xing isn’t here. I need to eliminate these disguised Gong Clan Members as quickly as possible and track down Gong Xing.’

Compared to the rest of the clan, Gong Xing was the greatest threat and had to be eliminated.

"Kill him!"

Seeing that a peaceful resolution was impossible, Gong Biao leaped down from the carriage. A desperate madness flashed in his eyes as he roared,

"Fight him with everything you’ve got! It’s either him or us!"

Hearing this, all the Gong Family’s Martial Artists knew it was a life-or-death moment. They drew their weapons and charged at Fang Han, roaring.

In an instant, the air filled with the flash of blades and swords, thick with killing intent.

However, in the face of an absolute gap in strength, the advantage of numbers seemed utterly pale.

Fang Han’s figure was like a phantom as he weaved through the crowd. Pushing the Wind and Cloud Escape to its limit, he left a trail of afterimages.

Every swing of the Cloud Splitting Sword was inevitably followed by a spray of blood and a piercing scream.

Wherever his sword light passed, no one could withstand a single blow.

Whether they were Seventh or Eighth Grade Martial Artists of the Gong Family, they were all reaped like weeds under Fang Han’s sword.

The air was filled with a cacophony of screams, the snap of breaking weapons, and the dull thud of bodies hitting the ground.

"I’ll kill you!"

Gong Biao’s Sixth Grade Inner Qi erupted around him. Like a Mad Tiger, he lunged forward, charging straight at Fang Han with astonishing killing intent.

His remaining left hand sliced through the air with a piercing whistle, striking heavily toward Fang Han.