Martial Dao: I Can Enhance My Talents

Chapter 406: Chapter 403: Qingxuan Sect’s Counterattack

By dusk, the towering mountain gate of the Qingxuan Sect finally appeared at the edge of his vision.

Fang Han followed behind Zhou Jin, ascending the familiar blue stone steps.

His pace was much slower than usual. Every time he lifted a leg, it pulled at the bandaged wounds on his body, causing a dull ache.

The bloodstains on his green robe had already dried into dark brown patches, sticking to his body and rubbing lightly against his wounds with every step.

The ancient trees on both sides of the mountain path cast long shadows in the twilight. The occasional chirp of a bird returning to its nest echoed from the woods, accentuating the tranquility of the mountains.

"Go back and tend to your wounds first."

Arriving at the fork in the road that led to the True Inheritance Courtyard, Zhou Jin stopped and turned to look at Fang Han.

"I will report the matter of Yin Wugou to the Sect Leader."

"My thanks, Elder Zhou."

Fang Han nodded and cupped his hands in a salute.

Zhou Jin said no more, turning to walk towards the Sect Leader’s Hall at the mountain’s peak. His figure soon disappeared into the twilight.

Fang Han walked alone along the blue stone path toward the True Inheritance Courtyard.

He passed through the moon gate of the True Inheritance Courtyard and followed the familiar stone path. The outline of Villa Thirty-Five gradually came into focus.

The courtyard gate was ajar. The wind lantern hanging under the eaves was already lit, its dim yellow light flickering gently in the dusk.

Fang Han pushed the gate open.

In the courtyard, Qiu Lan was tidying something up under the veranda with two maids. Hearing the gate, she looked up.

In that instant, she froze. The celadon vase she was holding nearly slipped from her hands.

"Young Master!"

Qiu Lan hurried forward, her voice filled with unconcealable panic.

Her eyes fell on Fang Han. His green robe was torn in multiple places and covered in large patches of dried blood, with fresh blood faintly seeping through in a few spots.

His face was pale, his lips slightly dry, and he exuded an air of undeniable exhaustion.

"You... you’re injured?"

"It’s nothing. The wounds are under control."

Fang Han gave a slight nod and walked into the courtyard.

"Quick, prepare hot water and clean cloth strips! And bring the special Golden Wound Medicine!"

Qiu Lan quickly followed, turning to give orders to the two maids who were still frozen in place.

The two maids, as if jolted from a dream, hastily acknowledged and scurried off.

Fang Han stepped into the main hall and sat down in a chair.

Qiu Lan hurried in after him and stood by his side, her eyes fixed on the torn parts of his clothes, full of worry.

"Young Master, let me see your wounds."

Fang Han nodded slightly, not refusing.

He untied his robe, removed his Soft Armor, and bared his upper body.

Qiu Lan’s breath hitched the moment she saw the wounds clearly.

Over a dozen wounds crisscrossed his well-proportioned torso.

A deep claw mark was on his left shoulder, the flesh torn and rolled back—a shocking sight.

Several scratches of varying depths ran along the outside of his right arm.

There was a large purple bruise on his side, and several more bruises and claw marks on his back.

The injuries were clearly not light.

She took a deep breath, suppressing her shock, and gently began to treat them.

First, she used a warm, damp cloth to gently wipe the dried blood from around the wounds. Then, she opened the box of special Golden Wound Medicine, scooped up the milky-white ointment with her little finger, and carefully applied it to each injury.

Her movements were light and steady.

Fang Han sat quietly, saying nothing.

The hall was silent, save for the faint sound of the ointment being applied.

A moment later, Qiu Lan finished treating the last wound on Fang Han’s back.

"Young Master, the wounds are all treated."

Her voice was still respectful, but beneath the respect was a hint of unconcealable concern.

"For the next few days, you mustn’t engage in strenuous activity or get the wounds wet."

"I know. You may go."

Fang Han said with a slight nod.

Qiu Lan opened her mouth as if to ask something, but in the end, she simply bowed and withdrew.

Fang Han sat alone in the hall, looking down at his meticulously bandaged wounds. He slowly let out a long breath.

...

「At the mountain’s peak, within a study in the Sect Leader’s Hall.」

Chen Tianyuan sat upright behind his desk. He had a refined face, and his brow carried the majesty accumulated from years of leading a Major Sect.

Zhou Jin stood before the desk, reporting the entire incident from beginning to end.

From Fang Han leading his men to hunt the Black Crow Thieves, to being ambushed by You Xin on the way back; from Fang Han slaying You Xin, to Yin Wugou appearing to assassinate Fang Han, and finally to his own arrival and repelling Yin Wugou...

His account was concise and clear, without embellishment or omission of key details.

Chen Tianyuan listened quietly.

Only after Zhou Jin finished did he speak, his voice calm but laced with a chilling coldness that made one’s heart palpitate.

"To eliminate Fang Han, the Netherworld Pavilion went so far as to slaughter a Steward Disciple of my Qingxuan Sect to set up such a vicious trap. After it failed, they sent a Second-Grade Elder to assassinate him."

He paused, his gaze drifting to the dusk scenery outside the hall. His gentle eyes now glinted with an ice-cold light.

"Good. Very good."

He retracted his gaze and looked at Zhou Jin.

"Yin Wugou tried to assassinate a True Inheritor of my Qingxuan Sect. This grudge must be repaid. Effective immediately, Yin Wugou is to be placed on our kill-on-sight list."

"Yes."

Zhou Jin replied.

"Furthermore, make a move against the Netherworld Pavilion’s True Disciples on the Celestial Pride List. Teach them a lesson."

Chen Tianyuan continued.

"Yes."

Zhou Jin was startled for a moment, then nodded.

’Since the Netherworld Pavilion dared to send someone to assassinate a Qingxuan Sect True Inheritor, it’s only right and proper for the Qingxuan Sect to return the favor and target their True Disciples.’

’As for whether this would trigger a full-scale war between the two sects—’

’since the Sect Leader dared to give such an order, he must have his reasons.’

The atmosphere eased slightly. Chen Tianyuan picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and said,

"I never expected Fang Han to have grown to this extent, to the point that even You Xin died at his hands."

"According to Fang Han, while it’s true You Xin fought to the death without retreating, a kill is a kill. You Xin was indeed slain by him."

Zhou Jin looked up, a rare smile gracing his face.

"You Xin, the Netherworld Pavilion’s senior-most disciple and sixth on the Celestial Pride List, died at Fang Han’s hands. The Netherworld Pavilion truly shot themselves in the foot this time. Not only did they fail to eliminate Fang Han, they lost their top disciple in the process."

Chen Tianyuan set down his teacup and leaned back in his chair, his voice tinged with an indescribable sense of satisfaction.

"Precisely."

Zhou Jin said in agreement.

"That boy, Fang Han... he joined the Sect just over two years ago, yet he’s already grown from an ordinary disciple to someone capable of killing You Xin, the sixth-ranked on the Celestial Pride List. Such a growth rate is unprecedented in the history of the Qingxuan Sect."

Chen Tianyuan stood up, clasped his hands behind his back, and walked to the window. He gazed at the gradually darkening sky outside and said,

He turned back to face Zhou Jin.

"Nurture him well. This boy’s future is limitless."

"I understand."

Zhou Jin said with a cupped-hand salute.

...

「Back at the Netherworld Pavilion, Yin Wugou went straight to the hall where Li Wushang resided.」

After knocking and receiving permission to enter, he pushed open the hall’s doors and strode inside.

The hall was dimly lit. Li Wushang stood with his hands clasped behind his back, his own back to the entrance.

Hearing footsteps, he turned around, his deep, dark eyes landing on Yin Wugou.

"Well?"

Li Wushang spoke. His voice was level, but beneath the calm, there was a trace of unconcealable urgency.

Yin Wugou was silent for a moment, then shook his head slightly.

"I failed."

The air in the hall seemed to freeze in that instant.

A shadow flickered in Li Wushang’s deep, dark eyes.

He didn’t speak, merely watching Yin Wugou quietly.

"I intercepted Fang Han and was about to kill him with a single palm strike, but at the critical moment, Zhou Jin arrived."

Yin Wugou met his gaze and said in a low voice.

"Zhou Jin?"

Li Wushang’s brow furrowed slightly.

"The Zhou Jin from the Qingxuan Sect’s Law Enforcement Hall?"

"Yes."

Yin Wugou nodded.

"I fought him, but we were evenly matched. With him protecting Fang Han, I couldn’t kill him, so I had no choice but to retreat."

"Zhou Jin..."

Li Wushang repeated the name in a low voice, a suppressed chill in his tone.

He was clearly furious at Zhou Jin’s interference.

After all, the failure of this assassination attempt would put the Qingxuan Sect on guard. It would likely be very difficult to find another opportunity to strike.

A long silence fell over the hall.

After a moment, Yin Wugou broke the silence, steeling himself to speak.

"Vice Pavilion Master Li, I’m worried the Qingxuan Sect will retaliate for this."

Yin Wugou’s voice was grave.

"Although I didn’t succeed, I did make a move. The Qingxuan Sect is unlikely to let this go. If they decide to target our True Disciples who are outside the sect..."

"What are you suggesting?"

Li Wushang’s gaze fell on Yin Wugou’s face.

"Recall all the True Disciples who are outside."

Yin Wugou said grimly.

"Have them return to the Sect for now to lie low. They can go out again once this affair blows over."

"Do as you say. Send out the order to recall all True Inheritors who are away."

Li Wushang was silent for a moment, then slowly nodded.

"Yes."

Yin Wugou gave a cupped-hand salute, turned, and strode out of the hall.

Behind him, Li Wushang stood at the window with his hands clasped behind his back, gazing at the heavy night sky, unmoving for a long time.

The shadows in his deep, dark eyes were as black as ink.

...

「The next day, morning light filtered through a thin mist, casting a faint golden glow over the mountain halls.」

In the Dining Hall, dozens of disciples were gathered around several square tables, eating their breakfast and chatting in low voices.

"Did you guys hear? Senior Brother Fang Han came back yesterday, heavily injured."

a thin disciple said in a hushed voice as he sat down with his bowl of congee.

"I heard. They say he was badly hurt, covered in blood."

another disciple chimed in, his tone tinged with worry.

"I wonder what happened for him to get so badly injured."

"It must have been from hunting down those bandits. I heard they were tough—three Fourth-Grade Martial Artists, and not just ordinary ones either."

someone speculated.

The others nodded, thinking it made sense.

Just then, a young man hurried into the Dining Hall, his face alight with unconcealable excitement.

He walked straight to their tables, his voice trembling slightly with excitement.

"Have you... have you heard?"

"Heard what?"

The crowd looked up at him.

"On his way back from hunting those bandits, Senior Brother Fang Han ran into You Xin from the Netherworld Pavilion."

The young man took a deep breath and said, word by word.

"You Xin? The You Xin who’s ranked sixth on the Celestial Pride List?"

someone exclaimed.

"That’s right. The very same."

The young man nodded, his excitement growing even more intense.

"And then what?"

someone asked eagerly.

"You Xin is dead."

The young man looked at the crowd and announced slowly.