Martial Dao: I Can Enhance My Talents

Chapter 301: Chapter 298: Raiding the Chu Family

"Senior Brother Fang, what’s wrong?"

At his side, Yun Qianyue’s purple veil fluttered gently. Noticing Fang Han’s slight pause, she asked with a trace of inquiry in her cool voice.

She followed his gaze toward the tavern but didn’t notice anything obviously out of the ordinary.

Fang Han retracted his gaze. His expression was calm and untroubled as he said nonchalantly,

"There’s a fairly strong Martial Artist in that tavern. Pay him no mind. Our mission comes first."

He had a faint feeling that the owner of that prying gaze was trouble, but his top priority was to take control of the Chu Family, prevent any news from leaking, and stop any remnants from escaping. He couldn’t afford any complications.

With that, he lingered no longer, leading the group as they hurried toward the Chu Family’s estate.

In a private room on the third floor of the Drunken Immortal Tower, Gong Xing didn’t dare to slowly exhale until the figures of Fang Han’s group had vanished at the far end of the long street. A cold sweat had already soaked his inner shirt.

He collapsed onto his chair, his chest heaving violently. In that brief moment, he had felt the very real threat of death.

’Thank goodness I wasn’t discovered. Why is Fang Han in Qinghe City? Could he be here for me? No, that doesn’t seem right... But why else would he come to Qinghe City?’

Countless thoughts swarmed his mind, and the more Gong Xing thought, the more terrified he became.

He shot to his feet, hastily paid his bill, and stumbled out of the tavern like a frightened bird, fleeing through the city gates.

He didn’t even care about his unfinished mission. He executed a Body Technique and fled for his life toward the gates of the Netherworld Pavilion at top speed.

Mission rewards, Sect punishments—none of it mattered in the face of life and death.

’I heard Fang Han has a grudge with Senior Brother Yin Huang, and Senior Brother Yin Huang has been keeping an eye on Fang Han’s movements...’

Recalling a rumor he had heard, an icy glint appeared in Gong Xing’s eyes.

Hiding like this wasn’t a long-term solution. He had to find a way to eliminate the threat of Fang Han. If he reported Fang Han’s whereabouts to Yin Huang, who ranked eighty-second on the Celestial Pride List, he might be able to use Yin Huang to get rid of him.

Fang Han’s group of six was swift. In the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, they had arrived before the imposing, vermilion-lacquered gates of the Chu Mansion.

Two majestic stone lions stood guard before the gates. Four sharp-eyed guards in Chu Family attire stood with their hands on their blades, their expressions arrogant.

"Halt! This is the Chu Mansion! Unaffiliated persons, back away at once!"

The lead guard saw Fang Han’s group of six approach directly, their auras extraordinary, yet he still habitually barked a harsh reprimand, colored with the Chu Family’s usual imperiousness.

Fang Han’s eyes turned cold. He couldn’t be bothered to waste words.

His Flowing Wind Sword wasn’t even unsheathed. He simply formed a sword with his fingers and jabbed at the air a few times.

Several blasts of condensed wind shot through the air, striking the four guards with perfect accuracy.

Bowl-sized bloody holes appeared on their bodies. Without so much as a grunt, they collapsed to the ground with a THUD.

Worried that the delay caused by the four guards would allow people from the Chu Family to escape, he had struck to kill.

"Inside!"

Fang Han barked the order and was the first to step through.

The six of them charged into the Chu Mansion’s front courtyard like tigers into a flock of sheep.

The sudden turn of events immediately alerted the guards within the mansion.

Shouts and footsteps erupted from all directions as over a dozen Chu Family Martial Artists swarmed out, weapons in hand, and began to loosely encircle Fang Han’s group.

"Who are you audacious fools, daring to trespass in the Chu Mansion!"

A Martial Artist who appeared to be their leader shouted fiercely.

But as his gaze swept over the unfathomable auras of Fang Han’s group, especially the Silver-Striped Cyan Robe that signified a Qingxuan Sect True Inheritor, his tone weakened by several degrees.

Fang Han’s gaze swept over the crowd. His voice was cool, yet it carried an undeniable authority that spread clearly throughout the entire front courtyard.

"By the authority of the Qingxuan Sect! All members of the Chu Family are to assemble in the front courtyard immediately! Those who disobey will be treated as rebels!"

"The Qingxuan Sect?"

"Enforcing the law?"

"It’s a True Disciple!"

A commotion rippled through the crowd. Many of the Chu Family disciples looked shocked and bewildered.

The Qingxuan Sect was the sect of Chu Feng, the Chu Family’s greatest backer. Why would they suddenly show up to "enforce the law"?

Just then, a somewhat plump, middle-aged man in a brocade robe emerged hastily from the main hall, surrounded by an entourage of stewards and experts.

This was none other than the Chu Family Patriarch, Chu Yunshan.

His face was ruddy and well-maintained. His brow was now tightly furrowed, his expression a mixture of annoyance at being disturbed and a trace of suppressed anger.

"Treated as rebels? What arrogance! Even if an Elder from the Qingxuan Sect came in person, they would still have to show my Chu Family some respect!"

"My son, Chu Feng, is a Celestial Pride True Inheritance! Who are you to be so rude as to barge into my Chu Family?"

Chu Yunshan’s gaze swept over Fang Han’s group of six, lingering for a moment on Fang Han’s youthful face, his heart filled with shock and uncertainty.

However, the arrogance he had cultivated over many years of relying on Chu Feng’s power prevented him from immediately realizing the severity of the situation.

Instead, he put on his usual arrogant airs, his tone exceedingly insolent.

"Your son, Chu Feng? Your son Chu Feng can’t protect you now!"

A cold smirk touched the corner of Fang Han’s lips, his eyes regarding him as if he were a buffoon.

Hearing this, Chu Yunshan’s heart skipped a beat. The other party had addressed Chu Feng directly by name, and his tone was extremely hostile.

He suppressed the unease in his heart and examined Fang Han closely, finding him more and more familiar.

Finally, he matched the face to one from his memory.

Upon recognizing Fang Han, Chu Yunshan seemed to find his confidence. The shock and doubt on his face vanished, replaced by the fury of someone who believes they are a victim of a personal vendetta disguised as official business.

He pointed at Fang Han, his voice suddenly rising in pitch, filled with ridicule and threats.

"I was wondering who it was. So, it’s you! Fang Han! Just because you got lucky and made it onto the Celestial Pride List, you dare use the Sect’s name to settle a personal score? You dare come to my doorstep because of a private grudge with my son?"

"Fine, fine, fine! Just wait until I write a letter and inform Feng’er! I’ll make sure you face dire consequences within the Qingxuan Sect! We’ll see how arrogant you are then!"

Hearing Chu Yunshan’s brazen and fearless attitude, still oblivious to the situation, a flicker of understanding and disgust passed through the eyes of Yun Qianyue, Li Feng, and the others at the side.

At this moment, they finally understood why Fang Han had clashed with Chu Feng and his family in the first place.

With such an unreasonable and domineering elder in the family, Chu Feng’s way of doing things was no longer hard to understand.

If they were in his shoes, facing the aggressive Chu Family, they probably wouldn’t have been able to stomach the insult either. A conflict would have been inevitable.

"Chu Yunshan, even now, you’re still dreaming that Chu Feng can protect your Chu Family? How pathetic and laughable."

Instead of getting angry, Fang Han laughed. But his smile was as cold as ten-thousand-year-old ice, tinged with a hint of pity and mockery.

He paused, and then his voice suddenly turned severe, thundering in the ears of every member of the Chu Family like a sudden clap of thunder.

"We have come today on the Sect’s orders to seize the Chu Family’s assets!"

"And for one reason only: the man your Chu Family relies on, the Celestial Pride True Inheritance Chu Feng, has been executed for practicing a Demon Skill and slaughtering a subordinate power!"

"What?!"

"Feng’er practiced a Demon Skill? That’s impossible!"

"Executed? The young master is dead?!"

"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"

Fang Han’s words were like a bolt from the blue, exploding among the Chu Family members.

A dead silence fell over the front courtyard, followed by an eruption of incredulous gasps and commotion.

Chu Yunshan looked as if he had been struck by lightning. He trembled violently, and the color drained from his face, leaving it as white as paper.

He staggered back a step, his eyes wide as he stared intently at Fang Han, his lips trembling.

"You... You’re lying! You’re spouting vicious slander! Feng’er was a peerless talent with a limitless future! How could he practice a Demon Skill?"

"It must be you! You were jealous of Feng’er, so you framed him! Yes, it must have been you!"

After the extreme shock and terror came a complete breakdown and madness.

Chu Yunshan looked like a madman, completely unwilling to believe the cruel reality. Or rather, he couldn’t bear the thought of the cataclysmic disaster the Chu Family would face after losing its greatest backer, Chu Feng.

He let out a roar as the Inner Qi in his body erupted recklessly. Unleashing his full Sixth Grade Cultivation, he pounced toward Fang Han like a Mad Tiger.

His palms turned blood-red, carrying a foul wind as they aimed straight for Fang Han’s face!

It was the Chu Family’s ultimate secret art, the Red Slaughter Palm. Struck in a fit of rage, its power was now three parts more vicious.

"Stubborn fool, courting death!"

Seeing Chu Yunshan dare to resist, a cold light exploded in Fang Han’s eyes.

He didn’t care about the other members of the Chu Family; they could simply face the Sect’s punishment. But he had no intention of letting Chu Yunshan—the one who caused him to be suppressed by Chu Feng—off the hook.

He had been worrying about not having a sufficient reason to kill Chu Yunshan without giving others cause for criticism. Now, the man had attacked him of his own accord, playing right into his hands!

The Flowing Wind Sword sang as it left its sheath. Its dark cyan blade seemed to flow with a cold light. Without even using any exquisite Sword Techniques, he executed a simple, direct thrust.

He struck second but landed first!

The sword-light flashed like lightning, stabbing with perfect precision at the strongest point of Chu Yunshan’s twin palm attack, batting his hands aside.

"PSHHT!"

With a soft sound, blood blossomed in the air.

Chu Yunshan’s lunging body froze abruptly. The crazed look on his face solidified, transforming into one of utter shock and despair.

He looked down in disbelief at his own chest.

The Flowing Wind Sword had pierced his heart meridian, and the Sword Qi had instantly shredded all his life force.

"You... The Chu Family... will not..."

A vague gurgle escaped Chu Yunshan’s throat as the light in his eyes rapidly faded.

Finally, his head tilted to one side. He was dead. His body slammed onto the ground with a THUD, kicking up a small cloud of dust.

Within the front courtyard, a dead silence fell once more.

Everyone from the Chu Family, whether Martial Artist or servant, stared dumbfounded at the Patriarch’s body on the ground.

Then they looked back at the sword-wielding Fang Han, whose expression was as cold as ice.

The air was thick with the heavy stench of blood and a suffocating fear. Only now did they truly believe that their greatest backer, Chu Feng, had really fallen!

The Chu Family was finished!

If it weren’t so, how would he have dared to kill Patriarch Chu Yunshan, Chu Feng’s own father?

Someone was the first to drop to their knees with a THUD. Then, like a tide, the remaining members of the Chu Family, their faces drained of color, all collapsed to their knees.

They kowtowed like they were pounding garlic, and the sounds of crying, begging for mercy, and disavowing their connections were endless.

"My lord, spare us!"

"We surrender!"

"It was all the Patriarch and Chu Feng’s doing! It has nothing to do with us!"

The Chu Family, so outrageously arrogant just moments ago, had scattered like monkeys from a fallen tree. All that remained was a scene of utter chaos and endless terror.

Fang Han slowly sheathed his sword. His gaze swept over the kneeling members of the Chu Family, his eyes indifferent, without a ripple of emotion.

He turned to Steward Wang Qian and said,

"Steward Wang, I’ll trouble you, Shi Meng, and Huang Ling’er to stand guard here and take a headcount. If anyone makes a suspicious move, kill them without question."

"Yes, True Inheritor Fang!"

Wang Qian cupped his fist and accepted the order. Shi Meng and Huang Ling’er also nodded grimly.

"Junior Sister Yun, Junior Brother Li."

Fang Han looked toward Yun Qianyue and Li Feng.

"Follow me to search the core area of the Chu Family estate. Look for secret rooms, land deeds, and other important items."

"Alright," Yun Qianyue and Li Feng replied in unison.

The three of them ignored the trembling members of the Chu Family. With a flash, their bodies transformed into three streaks of light and shot toward the depths of the Chu Mansion.

The afterglow of the setting sun stretched their shadows long, casting them upon the once-glorious Chu Mansion, which had now reached its end. The scene was grim and desolate.

The era of the Chu Family had come to a complete end today.