Supreme Sword Exalt

Gu Han also glanced at Yuan Gang. “You’re right. And you are?”

Noticing something off in Yuan Gang’s tone, Zheng Ning frowned slightly. “Nephew, weren’t you here to watch the show? What, is the show not enough? Do you perhaps also want to meddle in my business?”

Yuan Gang answered flatly, “Uncle, he has some connection to the Qingyun Pavilion, so naturally, I must intervene. Also, how did Uncle Du die? You wouldn’t have known anything about it, would you?”

Upon hearing this, Zheng Ning’s face changed. “Was it because of him?”

Zheng Ning fell silent. “Yes!”

He knew how Du Teng died. This was also the reason he had remained silent and didn’t dare investigate. He just never imagined that the person who caused Du Teng to violate Qingyun Pavilion’s rules, leading to his death, was actually Gu Han.

Everyone who knew the full story felt a chill in their hearts. Even Murong Yan’s expression became unsightly.

Beside Yuan Gang, a strange light flickered in Chu Kuang’s eyes. Is this the influence of Qingyun Pavilion? Just who is Luo Wushuang? To actually scare a dignified Yuqing Sect seat elder—a fourth-stage Heavenly Tribulation realm expert—into such a state?

“Uncle, set your mind at ease, I will also give you an explanation regarding this matter. What happened here?” Yuan Gang greatly enjoyed the feeling of controlling the situation. His gaze swept over the messy scene, then landed on Gu Han again, his tone slightly colder. “Did you do this?”

“Yup.”

“Did you kill these people too?”

“Yup.”

Yuan Gang’s face was full of disappointment. “Indeed, you really are lawless and unrestrained. You really need to be disciplined properly. Release him first, then come back with me to receive punishment.”

Ding Quan, who was still in Fatty’s grasp, felt as if he had been granted amnesty. “Thank you... Thank you, Senior Brother Yuan!”

He understood that Yuan Gang’s words carried significant weight. Even his master wouldn’t recklessly defy him.

Gu Han’s face was expressionless. “Release? On what grounds?”

Yuan Gang’s face darkened when Gu Han asked ‘on what grounds’ instead of ‘why.’

Not expecting that, Ding Quan flew into a rage. “Didn’t you hear Senior Brother Yuan? Release me now, otherwise—”

Fatty slapped him across the face with his large, golden hand. “Shut up! If you dare say another word, I will end you!”

Yuan Gang only stared at Gu Han, his tone growing colder. “What? Did you not hear what I said?”

Gu Han repeated. “On what grounds?”

“On the grounds that this is Great Qi!” Yuan Gang was enraged at how unreasonable Gu Han was. “The position of the nation’s leader was established by the sect. You killed the Great Qi’s leader, which is already a violation of the sect’s rules. As for taking a fellow disciple hostage and threatening a seat elder, that’s an even greater crime. What? Do you still think you are innocent?”

Gu Han glanced at Ding Quan. “Fellow disciple? Sorry, I am not a member of the Yuqing Sect.”

“You joined Qingyun Pavilion, so you are naturally part of the sect!”

“Since when did I agree?”

Yuan Gang was stunned for a moment. “What?”

It wasn’t that he didn’t hear, but he couldn’t believe that someone could actually refuse Qingyun Pavilion’s invitation.

“Say that again?”

Gu Han said with a serious face, “That test was something you forced upon me. From start to finish, I never said I agreed, nor did I say I wanted to join Qingyun Pavilion. Your sect rules are useless against me.”

Murong Yan excitedly roared, “Great!”

Although she didn’t know when Gu Han was tested by Qingyun Pavilion, his words hit right where she wanted.

“Brother Gu, well said! Whether to join or not should be up to you! Yuan Gang, stop putting on airs in front of Brother Gu! He isn’t buying it!” she said.

Shen Xuan sighed. “Junior Sister, today’s matter is probably not as simple as you think.”

He was more meticulous, and could naturally sense Gu Han’s unusual state.

Murong Yan was greatly dissatisfied. “Senior Brother, why are you acting like a pussy, all hesitant and cautious? Be more forceful!”

Shen Xuan felt like crying. How can I be forceful in front of you...

Not far away, Elders Wu and Feng wore expressions of confusion and worry. Joining Qingyun Pavilion was something countless young people dreamed of. Why would Gu Han refuse? They simply couldn’t understand.

Yuan Gang’s eyes oozed with killing intent. “Last warning. Release him, and come back with me to receive punishment.”

“I’m not releasing him,” Gu Han replied, as decisive as before.

Yuan Gang’s killing intent surged, the aura around him suddenly soaring. “You’re asking for death!! How dare you trample on the rules of Qingyun Pavilion?!”

Murong Yan took two large strides over. “Yuan Gang, if you dare hurt Brother Gu, I will hammer you to death.”

That didn’t abate Yuan Gang’s killing intent in the slightest. “Murong Yan, you see it too, this kid doesn’t know what’s good for him. I kindly tried to help him, yet he insults Qingyun Pavilion.”

Murong Yan cursed loudly, “Bullshit! Don’t think I don’t know what scheme you’re cooking up. You just want to use that lunatic Luo’s name to establish your authority in front of Brother Gu. You vanity-obsessed bitch, stop putting on an act in front of me! Piss me off, and I’ll strike you with my hammer!”

“You...”

Murong Yan swung her great hammer, looking around at everyone. “What, nothing else to say? Today, no one is allowed to touch Brother Gu!”

Zheng Ning could no longer hold back. “Nephew, you’re being too much!”

First Yuan Gang, then Murong Yan. Neither showed the slightest regard for him, who was a seat elder. This made him lose face greatly, almost to the point of making him feel ashamed.

“This matter has nothing to do with the Murong family! Yet you repeatedly protect him, even disregarding the sect’s rules, killing a nation’s leader! What? Do you really think Yuqing Sect belongs to the Murong family?” barked Zheng Ning.

Murong Yan flared up. “What?! How dare you—”

Right at that moment, a soft sigh came, interrupting Murong Yan. “Yan’er, don’t be insolent!”

Upon hearing this voice, Murong Chuan and the six hidden guards immediately straightened up and bowed respectfully. “Welcome, Old Ancestor!”

Immediately, Shen Xuan, Yuan Gang, and Zheng Ning all bowed in salute, whether they wished to or not.

“Supreme Elder!”

Only Murong Yan rolled her eyes and performed the most perfunctory bow. “Old Ancestor...”

This was followed by another sigh. A white-haired, barefoot old man in a gray robe appeared in mid-air. With just one step, he arrived before the crowd. He was the Old Ancestor of the Murong family, one of the three supreme elders of the Yuqing Sect, Murong Yuan.

Fatty exclaimed in surprise, “Huh? This old man isn’t as simple as he looks!”

Murong Yuan wasn’t angered. “Hehe, Little Fatty, you have a good eye.”

Although he was aged, he had a vigorous spirit and a ruddy face. Even his aura was ethereal and refined, seemingly somewhat different from other cultivators.

Murong Yuan glanced faintly at Zheng Ning. “It’s not that the Murong family acts domineeringly, but we have no choice.”

Remembering his earlier speculation, Zheng Ning’s face changed slightly. “Could it be the—”

“Correct, he holds the token,” affirmed Murong Yuan.

Zheng Ning fell silent. With that token in play, even the sect leader or the other two supreme elders would have to show Elder Murong respect.

Murong Yuan glanced at Yuan Gang again. “Yuan Gang. Not joining Qingyun Pavilion means death? I remember when Wushuang was around, there was no such rule, was there?”

Yuan Gang broke out in a cold sweat. “Yes! You’re right!”

Murong Yuan no longer paid him any mind, and instead turning to Gu Han. “Kid, you really know how to cause trouble.”

Murong Yan complained loudly, “Old Ancestor, look, my Brother Gu has been bullied into what state!”

Murong Yuan felt a headache coming on. “Silence! I didn’t give you the token for you to give it away just like that. If you entrusted it to the wrong person, do you know how much trouble it could bring to the Murong family?”

Murong Yan looked defiant. “Hmph! I trust Brother Gu’s character.”

Murong Yuan felt another headache coming on. “I’ll deal with you when we get back.”

Although his tone was stern, anyone could hear the doting in his words.

Then, Murong Yuan stared at the half-dead Ding Quan, and pondered for a moment. “Kid, I don’t know what you want to do with this token, but today’s events have gotten a bit out of hand. It’s already hard to settle. How about this? If you stop here, I’ll guarantee your safety. If anyone uses this to trouble you in the future, I will not spare them.”

His final words were delivered with a pointed look at Zheng Ning. Zheng Ning instantly clenched his fists. Even Yuan Gang’s expression became somewhat unpleasant.

Unexpectedly, Gu Han remained just as firm. “Senior, he must die today. He must pay for Chief Steward Li with his life.”

His answer stunned Murong Yuan. “Chief Steward Li? Who is he?”

Beside them, Murong Chuan sighed. “Old Ancestor, let me explain.”

The more everyone listened, the more puzzled they became. Even Zheng Ning simply couldn’t understand. Today’s matter had blown up so big, even startling a supreme elder. The cause was actually because of some so-called Chief Steward Li?

Yuan Gang sneered contemptuously. “What a fool! And here I thought it was some deep-seated hatred! Is it worth making such a big fuss for the sake of a mere eunuch?!”

Fatty’s eyes were bloodshot. “Bullshit! Chief Steward Li had more guts than you, bastard!”

Yuan Gang’s face darkened. “Fatty, you’re asking for death!”

Fatty cursed loudly, “Death? Bastard, just wait! If I don’t die today, you just wait and cry. I’ll make you kneel and call me daddy!”

Murong Yuan sighed again. “Is it worth it?”

“Of course it’s worth it!”

“Even at the cost of your life?”

“Yes.”

Murong Yuan stopped trying to persuade him. “Okay then. Since this is your decision, I won’t interfere anymore. But keep in mind, after this, the token won’t mean much anymore. The Murong family will not act for you again. You better think clearly.”

Gu Han fell silent. Everyone stared intently at him, waiting for his final decision.

Murong Yan stomped her foot anxiously. “Brother Gu, don’t be foolish.”

Shen Xuan also wore a grave expression. “She’s right. If you kill him, you will have no way out.”

Elders Wu and Feng also tried hard to dissuade him.

“Kid, think twice!”

“Don’t gamble with your own life!”

To the side, Yuan Gang and Chu Kuang wordlessly stared at him, full of disdain. Zheng Ning was also a bit nervous. He understood that with the token around, he simply couldn’t stop Gu Han. Moreover, if Gu Han really killed Ding Quan right under his nose, his face as a seat elder would be lost.

Looking around at everyone, Gu Han suddenly burst out laughing. “Fatty, isn’t there a saying among mortals? Care to remind me?”

Fatty also laughed. “If you kill, you pay with your life. If you owe a debt, you pay it back!”

Under Ding Quan’s despairing gaze, Gu Han gently swung his sword. “Yes! It’s such a simple concept, how come you all don’t understand?”

There was a flash of light, and a head fell to the ground.