Chapter 284 - Do You Believe I’ll Kowtow to Young Master Gu Right Here and Now
Blood rain fell and a corpse plummeted downward. However, Gu Han didn’t even spare it a glance. To him, Song Jian was nothing more than a stepping stone at best. He didn’t even count as an opponent. The young marquis had a proper cultivation base, yet his combat strength was atrocious. Clearly, he was used to a life of luxury and had long forgotten how to fight.
The crowd watched in awe. This is what a real veteran sword cultivator should look like!
Suddenly, a grief-stricken and furious roar rang out. “Young Marquis!”
The black-robed elder who had rushed out from the Marquis Song’s mansion had a fierce expression as he flew over. Unexpectedly, his cultivation was at the third stage of the Transcendent realm.
“I’ll kill you!” Extremely loyal to Marquis Song, he disregarded Gu Han’s status entirely, looking as if he wanted to devour Gu Han. “I’ll kill—”
Two hits cut him off, and he froze. Wang Yong and Elder Zhou stood on either side of him, pressing firmly down on his shoulders, rendering him completely unable to move.
His pupils constricted sharply. “What... who are you?”
He could see the two men’s profound and deep aura. They had already reached the peak of the Transcendent realm, with no room for further ascension. In fact, they had even vaguely touched the threshold of the Saint realm with one foot.
Within the Great Flame Empire, aside from the Flame Emperor and the War Prince, there were no more than five people with such cultivation level. Even among the marquises, not everyone possessed this level.
Just then, Yun Fan also rushed over, glaring at the elder. “Bastard, my uncle has decreed that all Transcendent realm cultivators of the empire must go to the border. You dare to defy the order? Do you know that Brother Gu is my sister’s junior brother? What gives you the right to lay hands on him?!”
These words had undoubtedly stirred up a monstrous wave in everyone. The shock it caused was even greater than the death duel between Gu Han and Song Jian.
“He is the princess’ junior brother?”
“No wonder!”
“Haha, no wonder he could kill Young Marquis Song in one strike!”
“Nonsense! How could the princess’ junior brother be an ordinary person?”
The crowd buzzed with discussion excitedly. Even the way they looked at Gu Han changed. If earlier, it was merely respect and admiration for an expert, now it carried a hint of warmth. After all, wasn’t the princess’ junior brother one of their own?
Gu Han was a little puzzled. “Hmm? They—”
Yun Fan wasn’t surprised. “Brother Gu, my sister’s position in the empire is too unique, her prestige is unimaginably high. Besides, most of these people have retired from the battlefield to recuperate here. Many of them have had their lives saved by her more than once. You’re her junior brother, so the love for her extends to you. They have a lot of goodwill towards you.”
The elder remained silent, staring fixedly at Gu Han.
Yun Fan’s expression darkened. “What are you looking at?! What exactly do you—”
Zhao Mengyou shook her head. “There’s no need to ask. This person is clearly a death warrior or the like, privately trained by Marquis Song and loyal only to him. In the eyes of such people, there is no one else.”
Yun Fan flew into rage. “Death warrior? What is Marquis Song trying to do?!”
Zhao Mengyou looked at him as if he were an idiot. “Obviously, he’s developed divided loyalties.”
Yun Fan was stunned. “Divided loyalties? How is that possible? He was by my uncle’s side back when he was still a minor cultivator...”
Zhao Mengyou shook her head. ”It’s hard to say. Your war has been going on for too long. Some people can’t hold on and would start making their own plans.”
Yun Fan’s gaze dimmed for a moment, but he fell silent.
Meanwhile, Wang Yong and Elder Zhou had started competing.
Wang Yong’s expression was amiable. “Fellow Daoist, this person’s cultivation is mediocre. I can take care of him just fine. Spare yourself the trouble.”
Elder Zhou forced a smile. “No, no. You have come from afar, Fellow Daoist. You must’ve been very tired. Such a trivial matter is best left to me.”
Wang Yong smiled. “Fellow Daoist, let go.”
Elder Zhou shook his head repeatedly. “No, no. It would be better for you to let go.”
The onlookers had strange expressions. Even a blind man could see the friction between the two.
Fatty slithered over. “What’s their background? I feel like they’re natural-born enemies?”
Gu Han was a little surprised. “You didn’t ask them?”
Fatty curled his lip. “The hell? I was too busy watching you show off. Who had time to ask about that?”
By now, the fire in Wang Yong and Elder Zhou’s words was growing.
“Let go!”
“No, you let go!”
“Ridiculous! No one can command me except the Holy Master!”
“Hmph! I listen to no one except the sect master!”
The two gradually grew angrier as their hands exerted more force. A white light and a gray light continuously flowed into the elder from either side. He was only at the third stage of the Transcendent realm, he couldn't withstand such treatment from two top-tier experts.
A miserable shriek sounded as his body swelled rapidly and instantly exploded into a cloud of blood mist. He had literally been pinched apart by the two of them.
Wang Yong’s expression was unfriendly. “Hey! You have such a short temper!”
Elder Zhou retorted sarcastically, “Says you!”
After seeing that the two were about to come to blows, Gu Han couldn’t hold back anymore. “Seniors—”
Their expressions changed, and their fiery anger instantly vanished without a trace.
“Greetings Young Master Gu! I’m Wang Yong of the Central Continent’s Luoheng Holy Land.”
“Greetings Young Master Gu! I’m Zhou Ye of the Western Extreme Holy Demon Sect.”
The two simultaneously bowed to Gu Han.
Fatty was a bit surprised. “Oh? Such big backgrounds?”
“You’ve heard of them?”
“Heard of them? That’s an understatement.”
Fatty briefly explained. Whether it was the Luoheng Holy Land or the Western Extreme Holy Demon Sect, both were among the world’s top-tier major powers. Their foundations ran deep, with numerous experts and considerable influence. Many Saint realm experts were stationed within them. As for the Luoheng Holy Master and Yan Qianjue, they were even stronger, having surpassed the Saint realm. Their power was earth-shattering and unfathomable.
Gu Han was thoughtful. “Is that so?”
From their respectful attitudes, he could already guess that they were connected to Zuo Yang and Yu Miao.
Yun Fan appeared curious. “Brother Yulin, what about you? You’re so strong, you must come from a strong background as well.”
Fatty said proudly, “Of course! Even in the Central Continent, the Fu family is a notable and distinguished clan. Compared to these two places, we’re evenly matched, neck and neck!”
Gu Han understood Fatty’s “evenly matched” probably meant thirty percent similar at best.
Hmm? Zhou Ye’s peripheral vision caught something. Wang Yong was actually bowing half a cun lower than him.
This bastard! Instinctively, he lowered himself by another inch.
Unbelievable! This subtle move was immediately detected by Wang Yong and he immediately lowered himself by three cun.
Shameless! Zhou Ye cursed inwardly, also lowering himself by three cun.
Bring it on! Wang Yong gritted his teeth and lowered himself another three cun.
The two kept lowering themselves, three cun at a time, back and forth. In just a short while, they couldn’t lower anymore. Any lower, and their heads would touch their feet.
They appeared very comical and ridiculous, which made the others look at them weirdly. It’s just a bow... is this really necessary...?
Zhou Ye glanced sideways at Wang Yong, his eyes turning red. Bastard! Go lower, I dare you. If you dare lower yourself again. I’ll kneel right here and now and kowtow to Young Master Gu! We of the Demon Sect act without inhibitions, following our hearts!
Wang Yong seemed to perceive his thoughts, and his gaze flickered unceasingly. Clearly, he had the same intention. This guy is really despicable! I absolutely cannot be outdone by him! If you dare kneel, then I’ll kneel too! What’s losing face compared to losing to you?!
Gu Han had a headache. “Both of you... That’s too much. First, get up, let’s talk.”
“Hmph!”
“Heh!”
They immediately stood up, but their anger still hadn’t subsided. They glanced sideways at each other, finding the other unpleasant in every way.
This isn’t over!
Just you wait!
Under Zuo Yang and Yu Miao’s instructions, and driven by their intense rivalry, they grew even more respectful toward Gu Han.
Fatty secretly sighed. Even a son isn’t this respectful toward his father!
Then, the two explained the purpose of their visit, which also confirmed Gu Han’s conjecture.
Like someone presenting a treasure, Wang Yong took out the Soul-Harvesting Fruit that was radiant with spirit light. “Young Master Gu, the Holy Son instructed that this item absolutely must be delivered into your hands!”
He deliberately shook the fruit in front of Zhou Ye before handing it to Gu Han.
Zhou Ye’s face instantly darkened. How dare he! Stop showing off!
While staring dead into Wang Yong’s eyes, Zhou Ye flipped his hand and produced a herb. “Young Master, look! It’s the Blood Sea Nether Demon Grass!”
It was a five-leaf red grass, with strands of demonic qi swirling around it. There was a human face on each life, so vivid it was almost lifelike. Their faces were twisted in agony, their silent wails piercing straight into everyone’s souls.
Fatty’s old habit resurfaced. “Excellent item! Both are top-grade half-saint herbs. With the right opportunity, they can even evolve into saint herbs!”
Gu Han said nothing as his heart was filled with gratitude. The herbs were both great medicines for replenishing soul power, even slightly better than the Soul-Nourishing Lotus seed. Clearly, Zuo Yang and Yu Miao had chosen them specifically for him. He had no doubt that if saint herbs with the same effect existed, the two would have brought them to him as well.
He sighed softly. “Thank you, Senior Brother, Senior Sister, for being so thoughtful.”
Zhou Ye shot a provocative glance at Wang Yong, flipped his hand, and produced a white long robe. “Young Master, wait!”
Strange colors flowed on the robe, which shimmered with spirit light. One could tell at a glance that it was extremely extraordinary.
As if afraid Wang Yong wouldn’t hear, Zhou Ye screamed at the top of his lungs, “Young Master, this treasure robe is a supreme treasure even in the Holy Demon Sect! It was woven from threads extracted from dozens of precious materials. It’s impervious to water and fire, difficult for dao artifacts to harm. Additionally, it has the effect of calming the mind, focusing the spirit, and nourishing the soul. Its defense is practically unparalleled! Even someone with my cultivation level would struggle to damage it!”
Just by looking at it, Gu Han liked it immediately.
