Supreme Sword Exalt

Forty million essence crystals...

Don’t talk about Yang Ying, even Gu Han’s greed was intensifying. If Fatty were here, he’d definitely sell Gu Han out without a second thought.

Upon seeing Gu Han’s expression, Yang Ying seemed to have misunderstood something. “What’s wrong? Don’t worry, even though I’m poor, I will absolutely never betray you!”

His voice was a bit heavy. Clearly, he was also greatly tempted.

Gu Han had no mind to listen to what he was saying, his gaze deep and thoughtful. “Brother Yang, tell me. If I step forward and admit who I am, will they give me those forty million essence crystals?”

Yang Ying was speechless. “Whether they’d give it to you or not, I don’t know, but you’d definitely be dead.”

Gu Han sighed. Doing this was a bit too risky. A single misstep, and he could very well end up dead.

Ultimately, he could only abandon the unrealistic idea. “Forget it! Let’s go claim that bounty first!”

Yang Ying breathed a sigh of relief. Only then did he realize that Gu Han’s ruthlessness was not reserved for his enemies alone, it was even harsher toward himself.

Out of the valley, the two headed west. The place lay a full thousand li from the black market, yet was very close to Fengwu Court. In less than an hour, the two had already traveled several hundred li, covering more than half the journey.

When they were only a few dozen li from their destination, Gu Han suddenly stopped.

Yang Ying was puzzled. “What’s wrong? Why did you stop?”

Gu Han swept his gaze on the barren and desolate surroundings, without a single soul in sight. “I feel like something’s off.”

In fact, from about half an hour ago, he had vaguely felt a sense of being watched. The feeling only grew more intense the further he went.

Yang Ying’s heart stirred. “Something’s off? Could it be...”

He didn’t doubt Gu Han’s words. Many times, the two had relied on Gu Han’s powerful spirit perception to avoid being discovered.

“Exactly. Eight million!” Gu Han nodded, his eyes narrowing slightly. He looked at Yang Ying, his expression unchanged. “Brother Yang, why don’t you go ahead alone? I’ll head back to Fengwu Court first to check on Ah Sha. We’ll meet up here later.”

Yang Ying hesitated, but he understood Gu Han’s intention. “Are you sure?”

Gu Han smiled. “Don’t worry. If he was confident, he would have acted long ago instead of lurking in the shadows. I can handle him just fine! If anything, I’m worried about you. Stay safe.”

Yang Ying was also a decisive person. “Alright! Then be careful!”

He disappeared from sight after a few leaps.

Gu Han didn’t delay either, turning and heading in another direction. On the surface, he appeared relaxed, but secretly, he had raised his spirit perception to the extreme. However, that person seemed extremely patient. Another twenty minutes passed, and there was still no movement at all.

Gu Han laughed coldly. Not going to make a move?

He suddenly sped up. Just then, a whistling sound of something cutting through the air came from behind. In the blink of an eye, it was only three zhang behind Gu Han. His neck ached at the sharp, piercing intent carried by the gust.

Now! Gu Han abruptly turned, slashing towards that gust of wind.

A metallic ring sounded. He suddenly felt a tremendous force transmitted from the sword, instantly sending him flying back over a dozen zhang.

That was when he knew he was facing someone above the seventh stage of the Divine Connection realm. Of course, thanks to the specially made robe from Yu Miao, he wasn’t really affected, apart from some numbness in his arm. Before he could steady himself, another gust of wind swept toward him. A flash of dark light aimed straight for his forehead.

When his opponent finally moved, it was with overwhelming force, seeking a single fatal strike without the slightest hesitation. Gu Han had no chance to catch his breath.

An expert! Gu Han’s heart tightened. Neither Yang Ji or Yang Feng, who were Divine Connection realm experts, could compare to the newcomer!

Seeing another bough of dark light coming, he didn’t dare be the slightest bit careless. Killing intent surged in his heart, spirit power around him billowed like a tide. With a light flick of his wrist, he raised his sword to stab forward.

Suddenly, his vision darkened for an instant.

Spirit sense attack!

Of course, it basically had no effect for him. Gu Han unleashed the Great Evolution Qi and Kill Sword.

“Huh?” someone yelped in surprise, as if puzzled why Gu Han was completely unaffected.

Another crisp sound rang out. This time, Gu Han was sent flying back several dozen zhang. His opponent was also somewhat affected, his offensive momentum faltering slightly.

Only now did Gu Han have a chance to clearly see the figure. The figure was dressed in black, form-fitting clothes, face covered with a silver mask. In his hand was a dagger about half a chi long, surrounded by a dark light.

Strangely, despite staring directly at him, Gu Han still found it difficult to grasp his aura. It was as if this person had some special method to conceal his presence.

His opponent’s wrist trembled slightly. Clearly, he had struggled to block Gu Han’s strike. A flash of heartache appeared in the man’s eyes as he glanced at the two nicks on the dagger.

The next moment, the man flicked his wrist and charged toward Gu Han at an imperceptible speed.

Suddenly, a powerful aura surged not far away. A spearman hurtled toward him, momentum unstoppable, spear stabbing forward with a thunderous crack.

Yang Ying!

A sharp metallic ring echoed as the two figures collided, then sprang apart, retreating in the same instant. However, Yang Ying was clearly at a disadvantage.

“Are you alright?” he asked.

Gu Han shook his numb arm. “You arrived just in time. It’s not a big problem. This person is quite formidable! What’s his background? Do you know him?”

Yang Ying tightened his grip on the large spear. “If I’m not mistaken, he should be Lone Eagle, the one who has held the top spot on the black market assassin leaderboard for a full decade.”

Gu Han’s eyes narrowed. “Is that so!”

Tsk tsk, it seems the temptation of the eight million essence crystals is no small thing!

Yang Ying took a deep breath. “He’s very powerful! He’s most famous for severely wounding a fifth-stage Soaring Realm expert in one blow!”

Gu Han nodded. “It’s not surprising. He seems to have some method of concealing his aura. If caught off guard, it’s easy to fall for it!”

Meanwhile, Lone Eagle didn’t seem to be surprised by Yang Ying’s appearance. He slowly asked Gu Han, his voice dry and hoarse, “I don’t understand. How did you discover me?”

Gu Han thought for a moment. “Well, guess?”

Lone Eagle didn’t bother with his teasing. “You are a bit stronger than expected. I almost doubt you’re an Essence Gathering realm cultivator. It seems those eight million essence crystals really aren’t that easy to earn.”

Gu Han said with a serious face, “Those eight million might just cost you your life!”

Lone Eagle shook his head, his tone somewhat arrogant. “My life? An assassin can die at any moment. The risks are extremely high, after all. But I’m different. Since the day I became an assassin, I have never failed an assassination. I’ve lived to this day not merely because of strength, but because of caution. Do you understand?”

As he said, he was cautious and very patient. Even when assassinating someone with significantly lower cultivation, he would go all out, not daring to be the slightest bit careless. Especially Gu Han, an Essence Gathering realm cultivator worth eight million essence crystals.

Half a day earlier, Lone Eagle had set an ambush on the road that led to Fengwu Court. Whether Gu Han returned or left, Lone Eagle could discover him immediately, ending him in one fatal strike.

Gu Han frowned slightly. “Aren’t you misunderstanding something? There are two of us, and only one of you. Two against one, we have the advantage.”

Lone Eagle laughed. “I’ve seen through your plan. I originally intended to go along with it and kill you. Still, I didn’t expect you to be able to take two of my strikes in a row without dying. Not that it matters. All schemes are nonsense in the face of absolute strength.”

Then, Lone Eagle glanced at Yang Ying. “Judging by your fighting style, you seem to be an assassin too?”

Yang Ying maintained a straight face. “I’m nobody. You wouldn’t know me.”

Lone Eagle shook his head. “Like I said before, being an assassin is extremely high-risk. That’s why I’ve rarely taken on jobs these past few years. After completing this bounty, I will retire, leave the Northern Domain, and see all the great sights this world has to offer. For an assassin, this is the best outcome.”

Gu Han’s expression turned a bit strange. “Brother Yang, do you know what it means when an assassin starts talking a lot?”

Yang Ying was taken aback. “What?”

“His death is near!” Gu Han slowly raised his sword. “And, that last sentence of his, no matter how I hear it, it sounds like a last testament.”