The setting sun was like blood, dyeing the clouds on the horizon a magnificent crimson.

Beside the main road, an inn named "Kelai" stood alone. It was a two-story wooden building with green bricks and dark tiles. A dim yellow lantern hung by the entrance, swaying gently in the rising night breeze.

"Let’s stop here for the night."

Lan Yuexin lifted the carriage curtain. She glanced at the sky, then at the inn that looked somewhat desolate in the twilight, and gave the quiet order.

The caravan slowly came to a halt. The guards expertly began to stable the horses and carriages, parking the goods in a tight cluster in the inn’s rear courtyard under strict watch.

Fang Han followed Lan Yuexin out of the carriage and stepped into the inn’s main hall.

The inn’s furnishings were simple: a few square tables, several long benches, and an old abacus sitting in a corner.

The Shopkeeper was a gaunt old man of about fifty. Seeing such a large party arrive, his face lit up with a grin, and he hurried to call his staff to prepare food and rooms.

After dinner.

"Young Master Fang Han, a superior room has been prepared for you on the second floor. You’ve had a long journey; you should get some rest."

Lan Yuexin smiled gently, her bright eyes appearing exceptionally soft under the dim lamplight.

"Thank you, Miss Yuexin."

Fang Han nodded slightly and clasped his hands in thanks.

For the past two days, he had been hunting down Gong Xing and the Gong Family, and had gotten very little rest.

He was mentally exhausted and truly needed to recuperate, which was why he had chosen to travel with the caravan for a stretch.

In his room on the second floor, Fang Han sat cross-legged on the bed. He did not go to sleep immediately, instead circulating the Profound Wind Technique to completely restore the Inner Qi he had expended.

Outside the window, the night deepened. A few beastly roars echoed from the distance, then all fell silent again.

About two hours later, he slowly ceased his cultivation and lay down in his clothes.

However, being away from home, he did not let his guard down.

Even while asleep, his sense of smell, enhanced by his Master Level Spirit Smelling Technique, remained aware of any changes in the surrounding scents.

If any unusual scent drew near, he would be instantly jolted awake.

...

Late at night, all was still and silent.

The inn was pitch black inside and out, save for a few windproof lanterns in the rear courtyard that cast a faint glow, stretching the patrolling guards’ shadows long.

Fang Han’s breathing was steady as he drifted in a light sleep.

Suddenly—

"Hmm?"

His nostrils twitched imperceptibly, and his brow furrowed slightly.

In the air, a faint, strange scent was silently gathering from all directions.

It was the smell of human sweat, the soapy scent of clothing, the mixed odor of rust and oil from weapons, and... a faint killing intent!

’The inn is surrounded!!!’

Fang Han’s eyes snapped open, and he sat up silently, as nimble as a cat.

He flashed to the window, pried open a tiny slit with his fingertip, and his gaze swept outside like a bolt of lightning.

The moonlight was obscured by clouds, casting the land in darkness.

But to him, a Fourth-Grade Martial Artist, the figures hidden in the darkness had nowhere to hide.

He saw shadowy figures moving like ghosts in the grass, woods, and along the walls surrounding the inn. A quick count revealed more than twenty of them.

They were dressed in identical black outfits, their faces covered with black cloths, and they wielded sharp blades. Their coordinated movements showed they were highly trained.

’Are they here for me?’

Fang Han’s first thought was that these people were here for him.

After all, he had just killed Gong Xing and destroyed the Gong Family; there was no guarantee the Netherworld Pavilion wouldn’t retaliate.

But as soon as the thought arose, he dismissed it.

Besides himself, the Hundred Treasures Pavilion’s caravan was also in the inn.

If these black-clothed men were after him, they would never choose to make a move at a place like an inn. They would wait until after he had parted ways with the Hundred Treasures Pavilion caravan.

’They’re after the Hundred Treasures Pavilion!’

Fang Han’s eyes narrowed as he quickly made his judgment.

He had no desire to get involved in this mess.

Grudges and conflicts of interest were a daily occurrence in the martial world. He was no savior; he had neither the interest nor the obligation to meddle in others’ affairs.

Moreover, for them to dare attack a caravan from a major organization like the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, they must have some backing. Their strength could not be underestimated.

But—

’I owe her a favor, and I need her help with something...’

The memory of Lan Yuexin sending someone to warn him in Jinhuang City flashed through Fang Han’s mind.

More importantly, he had also asked the Hundred Treasures Pavilion to help him find the Howling Moon Spirit Deer Antlers outside the commandery. This was a key item for improving his Stepping Talent and was crucial for his future on the Martial Dao.

If he did nothing tonight, there would certainly be no follow-up on that matter.

For both personal and practical reasons, he couldn’t just stand by and watch.

’So be it...’

Fang Han sighed softly, but his body was already in motion.

He quietly pushed open his door and drifted silently toward the end of the hallway like a wisp of green smoke.

Lan Yuexin’s room was on the other side of the hallway, only a few yards from his own.

He arrived at her door and tapped lightly with his fingertip, making a faint sound.

"Who is it?"

From inside the room, Lan Yuexin’s voice came, laced with a hint of alertness. It was clear she hadn’t been sound asleep.

"Fang Han. I have something urgent to tell you."

Fang Han kept his voice low and spoke quickly.

CREAK—

The door opened quickly. Lan Yuexin was dressed in plain white inner robes, with a light cyan cloak thrown over them. Her long hair was down, indicating she had risen hastily from bed.

Her bright eyes held a question, but no panic, showing her excellent composure.

"Young Master Fang Han, what’s happened?"

"The inn is surrounded by a group of men in black. There are many of them, and their target seems to be your caravan."

Fang Han explained the situation succinctly.

"What?"

The color drained from Lan Yuexin’s face for a moment, but she quickly regained her composure.

She knew that with Fang Han’s cultivation as a Fourth-Grade Martial Artist, he wouldn’t be mistaken, nor would he joke about such a thing.

"Thank you for the warning, Young Master Fang Han!"

She gave a solemn bow, then walked quickly to the window, took a small Jade Whistle from her robes, and brought it to her lips.

SHREEE—

A sharp, but extremely brief, whistle cut through the night sky, then abruptly stopped.

This was the Hundred Treasures Pavilion’s unique alarm signal!

Almost at the same time, a commotion erupted inside the inn.

The caravan guards were all well-trained veterans. Upon hearing the signal, they leaped up and entered a battle-ready state—swords were drawn, bows were strung, and they quickly took up advantageous positions.

Outside the inn, the leader of the black-clothed men, a tall, masked man with a black cloth over his face, was hidden in the shadows, observing the movements within.

His gaze was cold and sinister, like a venomous snake staring at the seemingly peaceful building.

"Leader, when do we move?"

A black-clothed man beside him asked in a low, bloodthirsty voice.

"Wait a little longer, until they’re sound asleep..."

The masked man’s voice was hoarse, like sandpaper rubbing together.

However, before he could finish speaking, a sharp whistle suddenly pierced the air from the second floor of the inn!

"Damn it, we’ve been exposed!"

The masked man’s pupils contracted, and a vicious glint flashed in his eyes.

"Storm them! Leave no one alive!"

He let out a low roar and was the first to charge, pouncing toward the inn like a black panther.

"Kill!"

The hundred or so black-clothed men attacked at once. The glint of blades flickered in the night, and battle cries shook the heavens.

They had originally planned to eliminate the caravan silently. Now that they were exposed, they could only use overwhelming force to end the battle quickly!

BOOM!

The inn’s main door was kicked to pieces, sending splinters flying.

The men in black poured in like a tide, crashing head-on into the already prepared caravan guards.

CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!

The clang of metal on metal instantly filled the night sky, sending sparks flying.

The caravan guards were all elite fighters carefully trained by the Hundred Treasures Pavilion. Faced with a surprise attack, their formation held firm as they resisted tenaciously.

However, the men in black were clearly a cut above.

This was especially true of the masked leader. Wherever he passed, caravan guards fell. No one could withstand a single one of his moves.

’Late Stage of Fourth Grade... no, the Late-Stage Fourth Grade Limit!’

Chen Qiong darted out, a cold glint flashing from the Short Sword in her hand as she met the masked man’s charge.

Her expression was grim. She felt an extremely strong sense of pressure from him.

"An Honored Guest Elder of the Hundred Treasures Pavilion?"

The masked man sneered and, without dodging, struck out with his palm.

BANG!

Palm met sword, and Qi Force erupted.

Chen Qiong let out a muffled grunt and stumbled back several steps. She felt a sinister, cold Palm Force penetrate her body, churning her qi and blood. A trickle of blood seeped from the corner of her mouth.

Although she had a Fourth Grade Cultivation, the gap between her and the masked man was obvious.

"Aunt Chen!"

Lan Yuexin had just come downstairs when she saw Chen Qiong get injured and cried out in alarm.

"Miss, run!"

Chen Qiong gritted her teeth, fought through her injuries, and charged forward again, trying to tie up the masked man.

But the masked man clearly had no intention of getting entangled with Chen Qiong. With a flicker of his body, he dodged her blade and shot straight toward Lan Yuexin.

His target was clear—to kill Lan Yuexin!

"Miss, look out!"

Chen Qiong’s face fell in horror, but it was too late to rescue her.

The masked man was incredibly fast. In the blink of an eye, he was in front of Lan Yuexin, a palm as black as ink descending upon her head, filled with chilling killing intent.

However, just as the black Palm Seal was about to strike the top of Lan Yuexin’s head—

SWOOSH!

A green shadow flickered like a phantom, appearing between Lan Yuexin and the masked man.

CLANG!

A clear sword cry rang out, accompanied by the deafening sound of metal striking metal.

The masked man felt his Palm Force collide with an incomparably sharp Sword Qi. His body paused involuntarily before he drifted backward several steps.

He focused his gaze and saw a young man in a green robe standing with a sword, blocking Lan Yuexin. His expression was calm, his gaze indifferent.

It was Fang Han.

"Who are you?"

The masked man’s voice was hoarse, a hint of surprise in his eyes.

Although he hadn’t used his full strength in that palm strike, it wasn’t something an ordinary Fourth-Grade Martial Artist could block so easily.

The youth before him had the aura of only an Early Stage of Fourth Grade, yet he had forced him back with a single sword strike?

"Qingxuan Sect, Fang Han."

Fang Han said flatly, holding the Cloud Splitting Sword horizontally before him. A reserved, cyan light flowed along its blade.

He didn’t hide his identity. Even if he wanted to, he couldn’t. A simple investigation afterward would easily reveal that he had been with Lan Yuexin’s caravan.

"Fang Han?"

The masked man’s pupils shrank slightly. He had clearly heard the name before.

Eighty-first on the Celestial Pride List, the monstrous new genius of the Qingxuan Sect.

"This has nothing to do with you. Why meddle in other people’s business?"

The masked man said in a low voice, his tone laced with caution, but more so with threat.

"Leave now, and I can pretend I never saw you."

"Miss Yuexin has shown me kindness, so I must get involved."

Fang Han said, the corner of his mouth turning up slightly.

"How about you do me a favor, Your Excellency, and retreat with your men?"