Chapter 405 - 402: Rescue
Chapter 405: Chapter 402: Rescue
’He can still move?’
Yin Wugou stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze falling upon Fang Han, who was struggling to his feet dozens of feet away. A flicker of unconcealable surprise flashed in his eyes.
That last palm strike of his, while not at full strength, had still used 50% of his power.
With his Second Grade Cultivation, a palm strike at 50% power was enough to severely injure even a Martial Artist at the Late Stage of Third Grade.
But Fang Han, at only the Late Stage of Fourth Grade, had actually taken it head-on. Although he was heavily injured, he could still move.
He could see it was all thanks to Fang Han’s powerful physical body.
Although he knew from intelligence reports that Fang Han practiced a Body Hardening Technique, he had still underestimated the resilience of his physical defense.
"A very powerful body."
Yin Wugou spoke slowly, his deep, sonorous voice echoing through the silent woods.
"To take a palm strike with 50% of my power at your Late Stage of Fourth Grade Cultivation and not die... Fang Han, your strength is even greater than I imagined."
He paused, the killing intent in his sharp eyes growing even thicker.
"And for that very reason, I absolutely cannot let you leave here alive today."
Fang Han gasped for breath, the corners of his mouth still stained with fresh blood.
It felt as if his internal organs had been displaced. Excruciating pain lanced through him, and every breath aggravated his injuries, making him furrow his brows involuntarily.
Yet, there was no trace of despair on his face.
No fear, no anger, only an indescribable calm.
"With your strength, you’re no ordinary Elder. Don’t you think it’s beneath you to personally try and kill a mere True Disciple like me?"
He spoke, his voice steady.
"Beneath me? I’ve never cared about such things."
A cold smirk touched the corners of Yin Wugou’s lips.
After some people become powerful, they get constrained by their status and become timid.
But he was different. He never considered himself a good person and felt no psychological burden attacking a junior.
"No wonder they sent you to eliminate me. You’re a Second Grade Martial Artist, aren’t you? They really think highly of me!"
A smirk pulled at Fang Han’s lips. It held a hint of sarcasm and self-deprecation, but not a shred of fear.
"You’re quite composed."
Yin Wugou said in a low voice, watching Fang Han with great interest.
"Anyone else would have been on their knees begging for mercy by now."
"Would begging for mercy work?"
Fang Han retorted, his voice still level.
"No."
Yin Wugou shook his head, the cold smirk on his lips deepening.
"I have a question. The raid on the North Mountain medicinal fields—was it really orchestrated by the Netherworld Pavilion?"
Fang Han voiced the suspicion in his heart.
"You’re a dead man walking. Why be so curious?"
Yin Wugou didn’t answer. Even though he considered Fang Han as good as dead, he still had no intention of casually revealing secrets.
Suddenly, his expression changed drastically.
"You..."
He glared fiercely at Fang Han.
The previous calmness and amusement in his eyes had been completely replaced by shock and fury.
"You’re stalling for time!"
"What else would I be doing?"
The corners of Fang Han’s mouth tilted up slightly.
The curve was faint, yet it carried an indescribable meaning.
"You!"
Yin Wugou’s face turned ashen. He no longer hesitated.
His figure flickered, and he lunged straight for Fang Han.
He raised his right palm. Ink-black Inner Qi gathered frantically before he struck.
This was no longer a probing strike.
One hundred percent of his power was condensed into this single palm.
Wherever the Palm Seal passed, the air shrieked as it tore, and a deep trench was plowed into the ground.
Fang Han’s stalling had made him vaguely uneasy. To prevent any mishaps, he decided to kill Fang Han immediately.
However—
Just as the Palm Seal was about to reach Fang Han.
Another figure appeared before Fang Han like a phantom.
The man wore a deep cyan Elder Robe. His face was gaunt, his gaze serene.
It was none other than the Law Enforcement Hall Elder, Zhou Jin.
He raised his right hand and met the black Palm Seal with a palm of his own.
BANG—!
Amidst the muffled collision, both Palm Seals were annihilated simultaneously.
The shockwave spread outward, knocking Fang Han back several dozen feet.
When he steadied himself and looked up.
Zhou Jin stood with his hands behind his back, blocking the space between him and Yin Wugou.
Unlike the peaceful feeling he got from their previous encounters, a terrifying aura erupted from him.
This aura was no weaker than Yin Wugou’s, carrying with it a suffocating pressure.
Clearly, like Yin Wugou, he was at least a Second Grade Martial Artist.
"Yin Wugou."
Zhou Jin spoke. His voice wasn’t loud, but it reached the ear with perfect clarity.
"A dignified Elder of the Netherworld Pavilion, with a Second Grade Cultivation, personally ambushing and trying to kill a True Disciple of my Qingxuan Sect—is your Netherworld Pavilion declaring war?"
His voice rose sharply on the last sentence, laced with fury, revealing his current rage.
"Zhou Jin!"
Yin Wugou’s expression was utterly foul.
He hadn’t expected reinforcements from the Qingxuan Sect to arrive so quickly, let alone that it would be Zhou Jin, a man renowned for being difficult to deal with.
Looking at Zhou Jin, his sharp eyes swirled with a mixture of anger and apprehension.
He knew that killing Fang Han today would be very difficult.
Years ago, he had crossed hands with Zhou Jin once. At that time, their strengths were evenly matched, and neither could gain an advantage.
With this man protecting him, the chances of killing Fang Han were extremely slim.
But he was not resigned to it.
The boy was right in front of him, already severely injured. Just one more palm strike would be enough to end his life.
"I didn’t expect the Qingxuan Sect to send you. We really are fated enemies. I just wonder if you’ve improved at all these past few years, and if you can actually stop me."
Yin Wugou said in a grave voice.
"You can try and see if you can get past me."
Zhou Jin stood with his hands behind his back, his expression calm.
"Then I shall see for myself."
Yin Wugou said no more.
Although the possibility of killing Fang Han was now very small, it wasn’t zero.
If he could just push Zhou Jin back, even for a single moment, it would be enough to take Fang Han’s life.
He took a deep breath, and the aura around him exploded outward.
The terrifying might of his Second Grade Cultivation pressed down on the surroundings like a tangible mountain.
The surrounding air suddenly stagnated, and the fallen leaves on the ground were sent scattering by an formless Qi Force.
The next moment, he moved.
His figure transformed into a streak of black light, shooting straight at Zhou Jin.
BOOM!
He raised his right palm. Ink-black Inner Qi gathered frantically before he struck.
This palm strike held one hundred percent of his power, with nothing held back.
Wherever the Palm Seal passed, the air shrieked as it tore, and a deep trench was plowed into the ground.
Zhou Jin’s eyes narrowed slightly.
He did not retreat, meeting the attack with a palm strike of his own.
RUMBLE!
The instant the Palm Seals collided, an earth-shattering boom erupted.
A shockwave spread out in all directions like a tsunami, snapping trees and sending shards of rock flying wherever it passed.
Fang Han was thrown back over a hundred feet before he managed to stabilize himself.
He looked up to see the two figures already locked in a fierce battle amidst the trees.
A black gleam and a cyan gleam intertwined, each collision producing a shocking roar.
Yin Wugou’s Palm Technique was fierce and domineering, each strike carrying Mountain-Splitting Stone-Shattering Momentum.
Zhou Jin’s Palm Technique, in contrast, was steady and heavy. It seemed unhurried, yet it always managed to perfectly block Yin Wugou’s attacks.
The two fought speed with speed, their figures flickering rapidly through the forest.
Wherever they passed, ancient trees were snapped, boulders shattered, and the area was left in a state of utter ruin.
Fang Han stood in the distance, his eyes locked on the battlefield.
He was in no position to interfere in a clash of this level.
But he could tell that their strengths were evenly matched, and a victor would not be decided anytime soon.
"Zhou Jin, you’re as troublesome as ever!"
The longer Yin Wugou fought, the more agitated he became.
He tried several times to get around Zhou Jin and lunge for Fang Han.
But Zhou Jin’s defense was watertight, giving him absolutely no openings.
"Yin Wugou, you and I have fought at least eight or ten times. When have you ever gained an advantage against me? I suggest you retreat!"
Zhou Jin said calmly, his Palm Technique remaining as steady as ever.
Yin Wugou didn’t reply, his attacks only growing more ferocious.
But it was useless.
Zhou Jin was like a solid wall, firmly blocking the path between him and Fang Han.
An incense stick burned to ash.
Then another.
...
The two fought for a long time, yet they remained deadlocked.
Yin Wugou knew that all hope of killing Fang Han today was lost.
Continuing to fight would just be a waste of Inner Qi. If more reinforcements from the Qingxuan Sect arrived, he would likely be in danger.
He suddenly forced Zhou Jin back with a palm strike and floated several dozen feet backward.
"Zhou Jin, I’ll remember what happened today."
He spoke coldly, his gaze skipping past Zhou Jin to land on Fang Han in the distance.
That gaze was filled with unwillingness and killing intent.
"So what if you remember?"
Zhou Jin stood with his hands behind his back, his expression nonchalant.
"If you want a fight, I’m ready anytime."
Yin Wugou snorted coldly and said nothing more.
His figure flickered, transforming into a streak of black light as he fled into the distance.
He soon disappeared into the twilight-shrouded mountain forest.
Zhou Jin did not give chase.
He turned, his gaze falling upon Fang Han.
Fang Han was now covered in wounds. His cyan robe was soaked through with blood, and his face was as pale as paper.
But his eyes were still bright.
"Disciple Fang Han thanks Elder Zhou for saving my life."
Fang Han took a few steps forward and bowed deeply.
"There’s no need for formalities."
Zhou Jin nodded slightly. A trace of gratification flashed in his eyes as he scanned Fang Han, and he asked,
"I received the request for aid you had someone deliver to the Sect. The letter said that You Xin ambushed you, but was killed by you instead?"
"Yes, Elder. I have killed You Xin."
Fang Han said with a nod.
"Good. Very good."
Zhou Jin laughed heartily, his smile filled with unconcealable satisfaction.
"The Netherworld Pavilion hatched a vicious plot to lure you out of the Sect and eliminate you, a thorn in their side, costing our Qingxuan Sect more than ten lives."
"But their plan backfired spectacularly. They lost You Xin, the sixth-ranked prodigy on the Celestial Pride List. It’s truly gratifying."
He withdrew his gaze and looked at Fang Han.
"By killing You Xin, you’ve avenged our fallen sect members."
He took a Jade Bottle from his robes, poured out an Elixir, and handed it to Fang Han.
"This is the Sect’s secret Creation Pill. It works wonders on internal injuries. Take it now and stabilize your condition."
Fang Han took it. The Elixir was the size of a longan, its color a pure, jade-like white. A refreshing medicinal fragrance wafted into his nose, and he felt his injuries faintly begin to mend.
If the mere fragrance had such an effect, this Elixir had to be even more precious than a Jade Dew Pill.
He placed it in his mouth. As the Elixir entered his stomach, a gentle Medicinal Power rapidly dissolved and surged through his entire body.
Wherever the Medicinal Power passed, his injuries recovered quickly, and the excruciating pain inside him immediately lessened.
"This is not a place to linger. Let’s return to the Sect first."
Zhou Jin said.
"Yes."
Fang Han nodded in agreement.
The two executed their Body Techniques and sped off in the direction of the Qingxuan Sect.
Twilight deepened, and mist began to rise in the mountain forest.
Two figures, one after the other, streaked through the mist and soon vanished into the night.