Chapter 271: Chapter 270: Ambush
Just as Fang Han came to a halt, the unexpected happened.
WHOOSH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH!
Three incomparably sharp gusts of Powerful Qi shot out from the dense bushes without warning, rocketing toward him from three different directions.
One aimed for the back of his heart, another slashed toward his legs, and the third, even more cunningly, shot for the vital point on his neck.
An ambush!
A fatal, simultaneous ambush from three different angles.
The timing, angles, and viciousness were all perfectly calculated. They had clearly been lying in wait for a long time!
SWOOSH—!
A cold glint erupted in Fang Han’s eyes. His Inner Qi flared as he instantly pushed the Wind and Cloud Escape to its absolute limit.
As if weightless, his body shifted sideways three feet out of thin air, dodging two of the powerful gusts by a hair’s breadth.
At the same time, he swung his Flowing Wind Sword in a backhand motion, precisely parrying the strike aimed at his neck.
CLANG! ... THUD, THUD!
Amidst the clash of metal, Fang Han used the force of the blow to drift back several yards before landing steadily, his gaze sweeping like lightning toward the source of the ambush.
Three figures with their faces covered by black cloths, revealing only their cold eyes, slowly emerged from the bushes. They formed a triangle, trapping him in the center.
The auras of the three were deep and imposing. Judging by their earlier attacks, they were all clearly at the Fifth Grade Cultivation level, and not just newcomers to the grade.
Their gazes fell in unison on the fairly new pack on Fang Han’s back, their greed completely unconcealed.
Fang Han instantly understood.
’My previous attempt to clear my name didn’t completely work!’
’Someone still suspects that the thousand-year-old ginseng fell into my hands, and they’re brazen enough to dispatch three Fifth Grade experts to ambush and kill me here.’
However, there was no time for him to dwell on it.
"Hand over the thousand-year-old ginseng."
The tall, masked man in the center spoke in a hoarse voice, his words laced with unquestionable killing intent.
They had come masked to commit such a heinous act as robbing a True Inheritor of the Qingxuan Sect; naturally, they had no intention of letting Fang Han live.
"I don’t have it, but even if I did, I wouldn’t hand it over."
Fang Han’s eyes were icy. The tip of his Flowing Wind Sword pointed diagonally at the ground as an incomparably sharp Sword Momentum surged skyward, instantly shattering the lock their auras had on him.
Before his voice had even faded, he took the initiative and attacked.
His figure flickered, splitting into three afterimages that were difficult to tell apart from the real him. Each rushed toward one of the men—one of the profound Transformations that came with reaching the Entry Level of Wind and Cloud Escape.
"You’re courting death!"
The three masked men roared in anger, raising their respective weapons to meet him.
One wielded a saber, his Sword Momentum as heavy as a mountain;
One used a sword, his Swordsmanship treacherous and cunning;
And one used twin hooks, his techniques vicious and venomous.
In an instant, Sword Qi crisscrossed the area. The glint of the saber flashed, and the shadows of the hooks danced. A web of intersecting marks appeared on the ground all around!
The four figures engaged in a high-speed battle, becoming a chaotic blur of motion!
Fang Han pushed his Nine Swords of Sky Splitting to the limit. The light from his sword was like Sky Splitting lightning, each strike containing the terrifying power to tear through anything.
Although he was fighting one against three and his Cultivation was only at the Middle Stage of Fifth Grade, he was not at a disadvantage in the slightest, thanks to his top-level Swordsmanship at the Minor Achievement Level, his top-level Body Technique at the Entry Level, and his Inner Qi, which was far purer than others of the same Realm.
CLANG! CLANG! CLANG... BOOM!
The explosive sounds of clashing Qi Force echoed incessantly.
Fang Han’s sword was too fast, too sharp!
He would often strike second but land first, forcing the three to fall back on the defensive.
The masked man with the saber used a Powerful Slash of Huashan, but Fang Han’s incomparably powerful sword stabbed the body of his blade. A massive force transmitted through, making his arm go numb and sending him staggering backward.
The masked swordsman used an unorthodox strike, attempting a sneak attack on Fang Han’s ribs, but Fang Han deflected it with a backhand swing. The Sword Qi grazed past, leaving a bloody gash on his shoulder.
The one with the twin hooks was in even more dire straits. Fang Han’s sword could always find a way through the gaps between his hooks, forcing him into a panicked, clumsy defense.
The more the three fought, the more terrified they became!
’This kid from the Qingxuan Sect... his strength is actually this tyrannical?!’
’His Swordsmanship, Body Technique, and Inner Qi are all top-level for his Realm!’
’The three of us are working together, yet we can’t gain the slightest advantage. In fact, we’re faintly being suppressed.’
In the blink of an eye, the two sides had exchanged over a hundred moves. The surrounding area was a complete mess, torn up by the sharp Powerful Qi.
Fang Han’s mind was as calm as still water, his eyes as sharp as an eagle’s, searching for an opening.
He noticed that after repeatedly blocking his sharp Sword Techniques, the masked man with the twin hooks had a slightly chaotic aura and his footing had become unsteady.
’Now’s my chance!’
A sharp glint flashed in Fang Han’s eyes. Inside his body, the "Tide Surge" Divine Treasure in his Qichong Acupoint quietly activated, and his Inner Qi erupted instantly.
The Flowing Wind Sword let out a deafening ring, its speed suddenly increasing by another thirty percent.
He thrust his sword, which transformed into a cyan line condensed to the extreme. It seemed to ignore the distance between them, stabbing straight for the throat of the man with the twin hooks.
This strike pushed "speed" and "sharpness" to their absolute peaks.
"Not good!"
The man with the twin hooks turned pale with horror, hastily crossing his hooks to block in front of him.
SHIINNG—!
However, the light of the sword was like water, seeping through every crack.
As if it had a life of its own, the Flowing Wind Sword traced a barely perceptible arc, cleverly bypassing the blockade of the twin hooks and swiping across his throat with absolute precision.
"Urk!"
The body of the man with the twin hooks stiffened violently, his eyes filled with terror and unwillingness.
He clutched his throat with both hands as blood gushed wildly from between his fingers. His body went limp and collapsed to the ground.
A single, fatal blow!
"Damn it, this guy’s too tough! Retreat!"
Seeing their companion killed, the other two masked men knew the situation was hopeless and immediately chose to flee.
The masked man with the saber made a feint with his blade, then turned and fled in one direction.
Seeing this, the masked swordsman also used his Body Technique without hesitation, escaping in another direction.
"Trying to run? Too late!"
Fang Han snorted coldly. He unleashed his Wind and Cloud Escape at full power, his figure moving like lightning. Striking second but arriving first, he instantly caught up to the masked swordsman.
His Flowing Wind Sword transformed into streaks of life-reaping cyan shadows, entangling the man completely.
This masked man’s Swordsmanship was already inferior to Fang Han’s. Now, panicked and distraught, his defense was riddled with openings.
After just a dozen or so moves, Fang Han pierced his heart with a single strike, and he fell to the ground, dead.
WHOOSH—
Without a second glance at the corpse, Fang Han’s figure flickered again, pursuing the first to flee—the masked man with the saber—like a maggot clinging to a bone.
The masked man with the saber had pushed his Body Technique to its limit in a desperate flight for his life. He was about to disappear from view.
But Fang Han was faster!
The distance of several hundred meters was closed in just a dozen breaths.
"Stay right there!"
Fang Han let out a low shout. He slashed his Flowing Wind Sword through the air, and it transformed into a cyan streak of light. With a piercing shriek, it shot straight for the back of the masked man with the saber.
Feeling the fatal threat from behind, the masked man with the saber was scared out of his wits. He desperately twisted his body and swung his blade to parry.
CLANG!
With a loud bang, the cyan streak was blocked, but the fleeing man’s momentum was broken, causing him to falter.
In that brief moment of delay, Fang Han had already closed in behind him like a phantom and thrust his sword toward the man’s back.
PFFT!
As if struck by a heavy blow, the masked man spat out a large mouthful of blood and pitched forward. He struggled twice, then went still.
Fang Han slowly walked over, his cold gaze sweeping across the bodies.
One against three. He had faced three Fifth Grade Martial Artists, defeated them, and annihilated them all.
This was his strength now!
He quickly searched the three bodies, finding some silver taels and Elixirs.
After pocketing the valuables, Fang Han didn’t linger. With a flash, he swiftly left the blood-soaked valley, disappearing in the direction of the main road.
...
「Qingxuan Sect, True Inheritance Courtyard, Chu Feng’s Villa.」
In the study, Chu Feng sat behind his desk, his fingertips tapping a light, rhythmic beat on the smooth rosewood surface. His expression was deep and inscrutable.
Chu Chong stood before him with his hands at his sides, a sycophantic, credit-seeking look on his face. He spoke in a low voice.
"Cousin, I just received news. Fang Han has appeared in the Cloud Mist Mountain Range. It seems his target is the rumored thousand-year-old ginseng."
"A thousand-year-old ginseng? Heh, he sure dares to dream."
Chu Feng’s tapping fingers paused for a moment. The corner of his mouth curved into a smirk that was a mixture of ridicule and cold severity.
He looked up at Chu Chong and said with a sneer.
"A spiritual item of that level already possesses rudimentary intelligence and an extremely strong instinct for self-preservation. Even an Elder Level expert from the Upper Three Grades might not be able to capture it without special means."
"Fang Han is just a Fifth Grade Martial Artist. He thinks he can capture a thousand-year-old ginseng just because he has a bit of Talent? He truly doesn’t know his own limits. It’s laughable."
Chu Chong hurriedly agreed.
"You’re right, Cousin. That Fang Han is just too arrogant and conceited. He thinks that just because he made it onto the Celestial Pride List, he’s invincible. This trip to the Cloud Mist Mountain Range will surely be a failure. He might even get himself badly beaten."
He paused, a vicious glint flashing in his eyes.
"The mountain range is full of all sorts of people. The fights over the thousand-year-old ginseng are bound to be brutal. If his luck is bad and he runs into someone tough, or gets surrounded by several experts, perhaps..."
He didn’t finish the sentence, but his meaning was obvious.
Chu Feng naturally understood Chu Chong’s insinuation and snorted coldly.
"If he really dies out there, it would save me some trouble. However, as much as I hate to admit it, his strength now is not weak. He won’t fall so easily."
His tone was indifferent, but one could clearly sense his focus on Fang Han.
"Just keep an eye on him. Report any new information about him to me immediately."
"Yes, Cousin."
Chu Chong bowed in assent. Seeing that Chu Feng had no other orders, he quietly withdrew from the study.
Chu Feng sat alone in the study, his gaze fixed on the heavy darkness outside the window, a cold light flickering in his eyes.
’Fang Han... thousand-year-old ginseng... Hmph. I’ll just wait and see you crawl back to the Sect, covered in dirt and shame!’
...
「Two days later, at dusk.」
Fang Han’s travel-worn figure appeared before the towering main gate of the Qingxuan Sect.
The disciples guarding the gate immediately straightened their backs and bowed respectfully upon seeing him.
"Senior Brother Fang!"
In their gazes, besides the usual reverence, there was now an added hint of subtle curiosity.
Thanks to Chu Feng’s deliberate efforts, the news that Fang Han had gone to the Cloud Mist Mountain Range to foolishly attempt to capture the thousand-year-old ginseng had already spread throughout the Sect.
Fang Han gave a slight nod in acknowledgment, his steps never faltering as he walked straight through the gate and followed the familiar bluestone path toward the True Inheritance Courtyard.
Although he had successfully escaped, the days of travel, constant vigilance, and the intense one-on-three battle had left him feeling mentally fatigued.
Upon returning to Villa No. 35 in the True Inheritance Courtyard, the Maid Qiu Lan quickly came forward to greet him, along with the other maids and servants of the estate.
Seeing that Fang Han, though looking a bit travel-worn, had a steady aura and no signs of injury, a subtle look of relief flashed in her eyes. She quickly bowed and said.
"Senior Brother, you’ve returned. I’ll prepare some hot water for you."
"Mm."
Fang Han grunted in acknowledgment, then untied the fairly new pack from his back and handed it to Qiu Lan.
"Take care of the things inside. Wash the clothes and throw out the rations."
"Yes, Senior Brother."
Qiu Lan accepted the pack with both hands and replied respectfully.
Not long after, steam billowed from a large bathtub, where a few fragrant Calming Flower petals floated on the surface of the water.
Fang Han stripped off his clothes and submerged his entire body in the warm water. Feeling the soothing relaxation as the heat enveloped him, he let out a long, slow breath.
The tension and fatigue from the past several days seemed to slowly leave his body with that breath.
He closed his eyes, leaned against the side of the tub, and let his mind go blank.
About an hour later, he finally rose from the tub, dried himself off, and changed into a set of clean, loose-fitting robes.
He felt refreshed and clear-headed, the last traces of exhaustion from his long journey completely washed away.
He didn’t rest immediately, however, but returned to his Quiet Chamber.
Sitting cross-legged on a meditation cushion, he focused his thoughts and called out his system panel.
A translucent screen quietly materialized, the data clearly displayed before his eyes:
[Host: Fang Han]
[Root Bone Talent Amplification: 64x (Level 7 Amplification requires 10,000,000 silver taels)]
[Swordsmanship Talent Amplification: 128x (Level 8 Amplification requires 1,000,000 gold)]
[Stepping Talent Amplification: 64x (Level 7 Amplification requires 10,000,000 silver taels)]
[Secret Technique Talent Amplification: 64x (Level 7 Amplification requires 10,000,000 silver taels)]
[Wealth Owned: 10,350,000 silver taels]
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