"You’re incorrigible!"

A murderous glint flashed in the masked man’s eyes. Without another word, he exploded into motion.

His hands curled into claws as iron-colored Inner Qi wrapped around them, forming two enormous iron talons. They tore through the air with a piercing whistle, swiping down at Fang Han’s head.

It was the same type of Claw Skill, but when unleashed by him—an expert with a Late-Stage Fourth Grade Limit Cultivation—its power was more than ten times greater than Gong Xing’s!

"What a vicious Claw Skill!"

Fang Han’s eyes narrowed. Instead of retreating, he surged forward.

Executing the Wind and Cloud Escape, his body moved like a wisp of Flowing Wind, narrowly avoiding the direct path of the ghostly claw.

The Cloud Splitting Sword transformed into a cyan streak of light, thrusting straight for the opening under the masked man’s ribs.

’So fast!’ The masked man was startled. He spun around, pulling his ghostly claws back to defend.

CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!

In a flash, the two exchanged more than ten blows. Sword Qi and claw shadows weaved together as Qi Force erupted outwards, carving deep gashes into the surrounding ground.

Lan Yuexin had already retreated to safety under Chen Qiong’s protection. Her beautiful eyes were fixed on the green-robed figure in the fray, filled with anxiety.

’Whether I live through the night depends entirely on Fang Han’s ability to stop that masked man.’

Though Fang Han was on the Celestial Pride List, the masked man was, after all, an expert at the Late-Stage Fourth Grade Limit, and his mastery of Martial Techniques was profound.

If he weren’t over thirty, he would undoubtedly be on the Celestial Pride List.

It was hard to say who would emerge victorious.

In the center of the chaos, the battle between Fang Han and the masked man had reached a fever pitch.

’Iron Hand Ghost Claw!’

Unable to gain the upper hand after a prolonged assault, the masked man suddenly unleashed his ultimate technique.

He swung his claws in a frenzy, and a sky full of claw shadows descended like a storm of iron, completely enveloping an area several meters around Fang Han.

Each claw shadow was incredibly solid, its power astonishing as it shrieked through the air.

’Sky Splitting!’

Fang Han’s expression remained serene. The Inner Qi from his Profound Wind Technique surged like a mighty river, all of it pouring into his Cloud Splitting Sword.

The blade emitted a clear cry like a dragon’s roar. The cyan sword light erupted, condensing into a single, ultimate beam of Sword Qi that fearlessly slashed out to meet the sky full of claw shadows.

BOOM!

The Sword Qi and claw shadows collided head-on, erupting with a deafening roar.

Waves of Qi surged outwards and dust plumed toward the sky. The inn’s walls trembled violently under the impact, groaning as if on the verge of collapse.

CRACK! CRACK!

Cracks spread across the walls, beams splintered, and tiles rained down.

RUMBLE—!

Finally, the two-story wooden building could no longer withstand the force and collapsed with a thunderous crash amidst the aftershocks of their exchange!

Splinters flew and dust filled the air.

Fang Han and the masked man shot out from the ruins simultaneously. Their figures crossed in mid-air as sword light and claw shadows clashed once more.

"Damn it!"

The longer the masked man fought, the more his alarm grew.

’My Cultivation is clearly two minor realms higher than this boy’s, but his Body Technique is unsettlingly strange, and his Swordsmanship is peerlessly sharp.’

’With every clash, I feel a tearing sharpness trying to pierce my body. I can’t gain the slightest advantage.’

’The assassination has already failed...’

The thought of retreat began to form in the masked man’s mind.

’My target was Lan Yuexin. With Fang Han in the way, it’s impossible now.’

’If I keep fighting, I might not get out of this alive.’

"Shadow Escape!"

He violently forced Fang Han back. With a flicker of his body, his Inner Qi transformed into a black smoke that billowed out, obscuring their vision as he himself sped away into the distance.

"Trying to run?"

Fang Han snorted. Just as he was about to give chase, he saw the masked man throw three jet-black orbs behind him as he fled.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

The orbs hit the ground and burst, releasing a thick black smoke that obscured his vision. A pungent, acrid stench filled the air—it was clearly poisonous.

Fang Han’s brow twitched. He halted, held his breath, and wrapped his body in Inner Qi to ward off the poisonous smoke.

By the time the black smoke dissipated, the masked man had vanished into the night.

’He got away fast...’

Fang Han sheathed his sword and stood still, his gaze fixed on the direction the masked man had fled. He didn’t give chase.

’If I’d used my full strength, I probably could have stopped him for good.’

’But the situation didn’t call for revealing all my cards.’

’The masked man would surely report my intervention to his superiors, earning me the enmity of his faction. That became unavoidable the moment I stepped in.’

’Even if I’d killed him and all the other men in black, I couldn’t have kept it a secret. The people from the caravan and the inn were still around.’

’Besides, this attack was suspicious to begin with. It’s highly likely there’s a mole in the caravan.’

’And the inn’s staff, if they were pressured, would surely tell everything they saw.’

"Retreat!"

With the masked man’s escape, the morale of the remaining men in black plummeted. Each made a feint before scattering and fleeing in all directions.

The caravan guards started to give chase but were halted by Chen Qiong.

"Never corner a desperate foe! Protecting the cargo and Miss Yuexin is our priority!"

The battle was over. The inn was a smoldering ruin.

The surviving guards began a busy and orderly process of counting casualties and treating the wounded.

Lan Yuexin walked up to Fang Han and gave a graceful bow, her voice filled with sincere gratitude.

"Young Master Fang Han... I have no words to thank you for this great kindness. If not for your help tonight, I fear..."

She trailed off, unable to finish, but the lingering fear and profound gratitude in her eyes said more than words could.

"There’s no need for that, Miss Yuexin," Fang Han said, his tone calm as he accepted her bow.

"I was simply repaying you for your earlier warning. Besides, I have a favor to ask of the Hundred Treasures Pavilion. How could I possibly stand by and do nothing?"

Hearing this, Lan Yuexin smiled, her bright eyes shimmering.

"Regardless, I will remember this debt of gratitude. If you ever need anything in the future, Young Master Fang Han, the Hundred Treasures Pavilion will do everything in its power to assist you."

Fang Han simply nodded, saying nothing more.

...

「Qingyang Commandery City. As bustling as ever.」

In the eastern part of the city stood a vast and magnificent complex of buildings with carved beams, painted rafters, and soaring eaves. Two massive, imposing stone lions guarded the entrance, and a plaque above the gate bore a gilded name: Ten Thousand Treasures Building.

As one of the top three merchant guilds in Qingyang County, the Ten Thousand Treasures Building’s influence extended to every city within the county. It formed a fierce tripartite rivalry with the Hundred Treasures Pavilion and the Treasure House.

「Deep within the Ten Thousand Treasures Building, in a luxuriously decorated Quiet Chamber.」

Sandalwood incense curled through the air as lamplight flickered.

A young man reclined on a soft couch draped in snow-white fox fur, idly turning a crystal-clear jade cup in his hand.

He looked to be about twenty-three or twenty-four, with a handsome face and fair skin. His long, narrow phoenix eyes were slightly narrowed, revealing a depth that belied his age.

He was dressed in a dark purple brocade robe, its hems embroidered with intricate cloud patterns in gold thread.

A piece of mutton-fat White Jade hung from his waist, and a large Jade Ring adorned his thumb. Every detail screamed of unparalleled luxury.

This was the son of the master of the Ten Thousand Treasures Building, Wan Yuntian.

He had shown immense business Talent from a young age. At ten, he could audit accounts independently. At fifteen, he was managing three branches of the Ten Thousand Treasures Building. By twenty, he had tripled the profits of those branches. He had long since been designated as the next master.

Among the younger generation in Qingyang County, he was a recognized business prodigy—deeply cunning and widely feared.

KNOCK. KNOCK. KNOCK.

A soft knock sounded at the door.

"Come in."

Wan Yuntian didn’t even raise his eyelids. His voice was lazy, yet it held an undeniable authority.

The door swung open, and an elderly man in a steward’s uniform entered, bowing low.

The man was in his sixties, with graying hair and a gaunt face, but his eyes were sharp as a fox’s.

He was Wan Yuntian’s personal steward, Wanfu. Having served Wan Yuntian for many years, he was his most trusted confidant.

"Young Master."

Wanfu bowed, his voice low.

"How did it go?"

Wan Yuntian took a small sip from his cup, his tone casual, as if inquiring about some trivial matter.

"Young Master..."

Wanfu hesitated, his head bowing even lower.

"We failed."

"Hm?"

Wan Yuntian froze. His narrow phoenix eyes slowly opened, his gaze sharp as a blade as it fell upon Wanfu.

"Speak."

A single word, yet it carried a suffocating pressure.

Fine beads of sweat broke out on Wanfu’s forehead as he hurriedly reported the full details.

"A True Inheritor of the Qingxuan Sect suddenly appeared at Lan Yuexin’s side. His name is Fang Han, and he’s ranked eighty-first on the Celestial Pride List."

"The man is extremely powerful. He fought Iron Hand for over a hundred moves and wounded him. Seeing that the mission was impossible, Iron Hand had no choice but to order a retreat."

"Fang Han..."

Wan Yuntian repeated the name under his breath, a sinister glint in his phoenix eyes.

He slowly sat up, placing the jade cup on the small table beside him with a soft click.

"’Lan Yuexin is quite lucky, isn’t she.’"

The corners of Wan Yuntian’s lips quirked upward, but it wasn’t a smile—it was a cold sneer.

As the Young Master of the Ten Thousand Treasures Building, he was all too aware of the threat Lan Yuexin posed.

The Hundred Treasures Pavilion and the Ten Thousand Treasures Building were both top-three merchant guilds in the county. Their businesses overlapped, and the competition was fierce.

And Lan Yuexin was the most gifted merchant of her generation in the Hundred Treasures Pavilion. In just a few short years, she had multiplied the profits of their Jinhuang City branch and established an excellent network of contacts with various powers in the county.

’A rival like that must be eliminated.’

To that end, he had not hesitated to use a ploy to lure away Wu Xia—the Honored Guest Elder with an Upper Three Grades Cultivation who protected Lan Yuexin—and had then dispatched an expert like Iron Hand, who was at the Late-Stage Fourth Grade Limit, to ensure a swift and certain kill.

He never expected it to fall apart at the last second.

"Fang Han..."

Wan Yuntian repeated the name, his voice laced with an almost imperceptible venom.

He stood and walked to the window, gazing out at the deep night as he clasped his hands behind his back.

"A True Inheritor of the Qingxuan Sect, eighty-first on the Celestial Pride List..."

He murmured to himself, his voice as faint as a whisper in a dream.

"’Anyone who ruins my plans must pay the price.’"

Wanfu stood rooted to the spot, not daring to make a sound. He could feel the suppressed rage radiating from his Young Master.

Having followed Wan Yuntian for many years, he knew his Young Master’s nature all too well. On the surface, he was gentle and refined, but in truth, he was utterly ruthless and would seek revenge for the slightest offense.

The name Fang Han was now, without a doubt, etched into his Young Master’s memory with hatred.

"Issue the order."

After a long silence, Wan Yuntian spoke. His voice was calm again, but that only made it more chilling.

"Find out everything about this Fang Han. His background, his weaknesses... his everything."

"Young Master, I..."

Wanfu hesitated.

"Fang Han is a True Inheritor of the Qingxuan Sect, after all. If something were to happen to him, I fear..."

"I know what I’m doing."

Wan Yuntian waved his hand dismissively, cutting Wanfu off.

He sat back down on the soft couch, picked up his jade cup, and gently swirled the wine within.

"You are dismissed."

Wanfu bowed and withdrew, the door closing softly behind him.

Only Wan Yuntian remained in the Quiet Chamber.

He gazed at the swirling liquid in his cup, his eyes as deep and dark as a bottomless pool.

"’Lan Yuexin, you were lucky enough to survive this time. You won’t be so fortunate next time.’"

He tilted his head back and drained the cup in a single swallow.