Supreme Sword Exalt

Gu Han was speechless. I’m being recruited again?

Of course, he was completely unwilling. “Senior, what exactly is Ferryman of the Yellow Springs?”

Elder Mu’s gaze turned distant. “As the name implies, they ferry people across the Yellow Springs, helping them achieve early liberation!”

Ferry across the Yellow Springs? Early liberation? Gu Han was stunned for a moment, then felt something was off.

He rubbed his chin. “Senior, isn’t that still just an assassin?”

Elder Mu’s words caught in his throat. “There are some differences.”

“As in... the name?”

Choked by Gu Han’s words, Elder Mu didn’t know how to respond. “This matter involves many complexities, I cannot explain it to you clearly. If you agree, you will learn the secrets within. So, are you interested? Being a ferryman does not conflict with your previous identity, and there are a lot of benefits...”

Gu Han curled his lip. “Benefits? Not having a cut taken?”

A vein throbbed on Elder Mu’s forehead, nearly causing him to lose his temper. “I— What kind of benefit is that?”

It became obvious to him that Gu Han was deliberately trying to annoy him.

Seeing that Elder Mu didn’t relent to such provocation, Gu Han could only sigh. “Senior, if I refuse, you won’t stop me from leaving, will you?”

Elder Mu shook his head. “Of course not. This matter is entirely up to you. It’s just that this opportunity is rare. If you hadn’t surged to the top of the assassin leaderboard in such a short time, I wouldn’t have extended this invitation to you. You should know that even Lone Eagle, who held the top spot for ten consecutive years, never received such an honor.”

Gu Han decisively shook his head. “Forget it then. I refuse.”

Elder Mu’s brow furrowed slightly. “Really? You must have some understanding now. In fact, the black market is just a small peripheral force of our organization. Only by becoming a ferryman can you hope to access the core secrets and gain benefits unimaginable to ordinary people. Isn’t it a waste to let go of such a heaven-sent opportunity?”

The more Elder Mu persuaded him, the higher Gu Han’s vigilance rose. “My apologies.”

The waters of the black market were far deeper than he had imagined. With his cultivation level, he didn’t dare to recklessly step into it, lest he died inexplicably. As for the benefits Elder Mu mentioned, he wasn’t tempted in the slightest. Nothing was free in this world.

“I’m used to being free and unrestrained, I don’t like constraints. I ask for your understanding, I cannot agree.”

Upon seeing Gu Han’s resolute decision, Elder Mu seemed disappointed and stopped persuading. “Forget it then. However, if you change your mind, you can come find me anytime. This offer stands indefinitely.”

With that, he lifted the barrier

Gu Han secretly breathed a sigh of relief at Elder Mu’s straightforwardness. “Senior, you’re really letting me go?”

“If you wish to stay—”

Gu Han turned and left without looking back. “Senior, farewell!”

A long while later, Elder Mu finally let out a soft sigh. “He has killing intent, but lacks a killer’s heart. Hands stained with blood, yet harbors benevolence and righteousness. What a pity for such a fine seedling!”

***

Outside, Yang Ying was puzzled seeing Gu Han emerge. “What took you so long?”

Without explaining, Gu Han pulled Yang Ying and left. “Let’s go!”

If they lingered any longer, Elder Mu could change his mind and force him to stay. The loss would be greater than gain.

Once out of the black market, the two rushed over a hundred li without stopping. Only when there was no movement behind them did Gu Han finally relax completely. It seems Elder Mu is a man of his word.

Yang Ying had never seen Gu Han act like this before. “What happened? Was your identity exposed?”

Gu Han waved his hand. “Not exactly. They wanted to recruit me, but I refused.”

Yang Ying shook his head. “No wonder... With such an extraordinary combat record, only the blind would fail to recognize your worth.”

Having experienced this kind of recruitment too many times, Gu Han didn’t particularly care. “They don’t know that you contributed as well.”

Yang Ying smiled self-deprecatingly. “Me? I’m just an ordinary person.”

Gu Han looked at him curiously. “Speaking of which, if I’m not mistaken, you don’t have a special physique or bloodline, right?”

Yang Ying fell silent for a moment. “No.”

“And you haven’t cultivated to a Supreme Stage?”

“No.”

“Cultivation technique?”

“Just mid, very ordinary.”

Gu Han grew even more curious. “Then how is it that I feel, in terms of combat power, you might even be stronger than many of those with special physiques or bloodlines?”

Yang Ying didn’t speak, yet the desolation in his eyes grew heavier. Gu Han didn’t press further, deeming that he seemed to have difficulties speaking about it. He patted Yang Ying’s shoulder, and they set off again.

About half an hour later, the two stopped again. They were only about a hundred li from Fengwu Court.

Gu Han sighed with emotion. “Brother Yang, it’s time!”

Yang Ying nodded, the desolation in his eyes already gone, replaced by joy and excitement. “Indeed! It’s time!”

As his words fell, a handful of storage rings appeared in each of their hands. These were their spoils of war. Including Lone Eagle’s, there were exactly forty-two rings. The two exchanged an extremely understanding glance.

“Split?”

“Split!”

Gu Han shoved all his rings into Yang Ying’s hands. “I’ll leave it to you! I’m not good at this sort of thing.”

Yang Ying wasn’t shy about it either. “Fine! This one belongs to Yang Wei. Inside, there are 178,165 essence crystals, one bottle of Qi-Condensation Pills, eleven Tier 2 beast cores, and some Spirit-Nourishing Grass. The total value is about 243,851 essence crystals.”

He calculated rapidly, his eyes growing brighter as he went. After calculating Yang Wei’s, he picked up another ring. “This one is from Yang Yu. Inside there are 325,000—”

Gu Han’s eyes widened. “Wait! Brother Yang, that’s not necessary!”

“It’s better to be open and honest...”

Gu Han felt a headache coming on. “No! I trust you. Just give me the final number.”

Yang Ying hesitated for a moment, then nodded. “Alright then.”

Next, Gu Han once again witnessed the formidable power of Yang Ying’s calculating abilities.

“Done!”

Gu Han’s eyes widened again. “Done? That fast?”

And here he thought it would take Yang Ying at least an hour to tally everything...

Yang Ying thought Gu Han didn’t believe him. “Or perhaps, you’d like to count again?”

Gu Han’s expression changed drastically. “Nope! Tell me, how much?”

“Including the value of the storage rings themselves, a total of 21,356,349!” Yang Ying reported, his voice trembling slightly.

The combined value of these spoils was actually even greater than the bounties. No wonder, as these people were all from the two major families, carrying substantial wealth.

Gu Han said with a breezy demeanor, “Brother Yang, stay calm. I said I’d help you get rich, and I won’t go back on my word. Plus our bounties...”

He shakily handed over a storage ring.

Yang Ying looked at him disdainfully. Stay calm? Why are your hands shaking?

Without thinking, Yang Ying reported another number, “Altogether, it’s 38,156,349 essence crystals!”

After saying it, Gu Han couldn’t help but swallow. God be my witness! I’ve never seen so many essence crystals...

Gu Han took a deep breath. ”So then... How do we split it?”

Yang Ying began analyzing quickly. “It’s simple! When killing Yang Wei, I used my aura to suppress him, but you delivered the fatal blow. So I take 30%, you take 70%. For Yang Yu—”

Gu Han’s face darkened. “Just tell me the conclusion!”

Yang Ying also suppressed the excitement in his heart. “38% for me and 62% for you!”

The corner of Gu Han’s mouth twitched and shook his head. “Forget it. 60-40. I don’t like nitpicking over details.”

Yang Ying hesitated briefly. “Alright then. I don’t like taking advantage of people either. This item can conceal one’s aura. It’s quite valuable, so I’ll give it to you.”

Saying this, he tossed Lone Eagle’s silver mask to Gu Han.

Gu Han examined the mask. “Conceal aura? No wonder. I suppose this person relied on this to successfully assassinate so many targets. It really is a good item.”

Yang Ying started calculating again. “So, the number of essence crystals you should get is—”

Gu Han reacted swiftly. “Brother Yang, I don’t want the odd numbers! They’re all yours!”

Somehow, the thought of Yang Ying splitting a single essence crystal in half made Gu Han’s heart tremble.

After some discussion, he took 14,000,000 essence crystals, plus a large pile of pills and spirit herbs. They were things he could use soon anyway, saving him the need to buy them specially. The rest went to Yang Ying.

Gu Han was in high spirits. “Brother Yang, next time there’s a chance to get rich, want to cooperate again?”

Yang Ying answered without a moment’s thought, “Yes!”

Subconsciously, he tightened his grip on the storage ring, his heart surging with emotion. With these essence crystals, I could do many, many things!

Gu Han smiled, extending a hand. “Well then, until we meet again!”

Yang Ying’s expression became momentarily distant. After a moment’s hesitation, he also extended his hand. “Until we meet again!”

Then, Yang Ying paused, seemingly hesitant. “If your cultivation level were a bit higher, perhaps you could come with me to—”

Unexpectedly, he saw Gu Han turning serious. “Wait! Someone’s coming! There’s a lot of them!”