Chapter 430 - 427: Withdrawal
Chapter 430: Chapter 427: Withdrawal
"Why the rush to leave?"
Fang Han shouted coldly. His Cloud Splitting Sword transformed into a Cyan Sword Light, slashing straight at Yuan Ye’s back.
Yuan Ye threw a punch behind him. Fist and sword collided, creating a deep, muffled boom.
"BOOM!"
He used the force of the recoil to accelerate his retreat, floating backward and putting distance between himself and Fang Han.
Wu Zheng, forcing his injured body forward, gave chase for several steps. He thrust out both fists, sending two ice-blue Fist Seals hurtling toward Yuan Ye.
Yuan Ye dodged to the side, the Fist Seals grazing the corner of his robes as they shot past.
They struck an ancient tree behind him, which instantly froze over before shattering into countless ice crystals.
"Fang Han, next time, I’ll kill you for sure!"
Yuan Ye was already dozens of yards away. His voice, carrying from afar, was filled with irrepressible fury and resentment.
With a flicker, his figure plunged into the dense forest and soon vanished from sight.
He was no match for Fang Han and Wu Zheng working together, but sooner or later, they would separate.
’Once they’re apart, I’ll eliminate Wu Zheng first, then deal with Fang Han.’
"I’m afraid you don’t have the strength for that!"
Watching Yuan Ye’s rapid escape, Fang Han and Wu Zheng did not pursue. Together, they could gain the upper hand in a fight against him.
But killing a Second Grade Martial Artist like Yuan Ye was simply impossible.
"True Inheritor Fang, are you alright?"
Wu Zheng retracted his fists and stood still. His gaze fell on Fang Han’s left shoulder where he had taken Yuan Ye’s punch. A good amount of blood was seeping through the Soft Armor.
"It’s a flesh wound. Nothing serious."
Fang Han shook his head, sheathing his Cloud Splitting Sword as he stared in the direction Yuan Ye had disappeared.
"I didn’t expect Yuan Ye to have actually broken through to Second Grade."
Wu Zheng’s face was pale, his voice laced with gravity.
The recent clash with Yuan Ye had aggravated the injuries from which he had only partially recovered.
Dull aches throbbed all over his body.
"What’s even more unexpected is that your strength, True Inheritor Fang, is actually enough to contend with Yuan Ye, who is already a Second Grade Martial Artist."
"You flatter me, Elder Wu. I can only barely manage to hold my own."
Fang Han withdrew his gaze.
He knew his own limits best. Even if he used every trick up his sleeve, he could at most fight a Second Grade Martial Artist like Yuan Ye to a standstill.
If the battle of attrition continued, his Inner Qi would be depleted. With an Inner Qi Amount far less than Yuan Ye’s, he would most likely be defeated.
"True Inheritor Fang, in your opinion, what will Yuan Ye do now that he’s retreated?"
Wu Zheng asked in a low voice.
"He definitely won’t let this go."
Fang Han was silent for a moment before speaking slowly.
"My thoughts align with yours, True Inheritor Fang."
Wu Zheng paused, then continued.
"Yuan Ye came here with two objectives: kill you, True Inheritor Fang, and retake the gold mine. Now that he has returned in defeat, he certainly won’t give up."
"I’m worried he’ll take advantage of our unpreparedness and pick us off one by one."
Yuan Ye was a Second Grade Martial Artist. If either of them, especially him, were to encounter Yuan Ye alone, their chances of survival would be slim.
"And what do you suggest, Elder Wu?"
Fang Han asked.
"We abandon this gold mine for now."
Wu Zheng proposed.
"True Inheritor Fang, bring your men and withdraw to my location. If we join forces, Yuan Ye will have no opportunities to exploit."
He paused, his gaze toward Fang Han carrying a hint of inquiry.
"As for this gold mine, we can simply take it back once the Sect sends reinforcements."
"Let’s do as you say, Elder Wu."
Fang Han nodded in agreement.
They really couldn’t separate. They couldn’t give Yuan Ye the chance to pick them off one by one.
As for the gold mine, just as Wu Zheng had said, they would simply take it back when reinforcements from the Sect arrived.
"I’ll head back right now and bring my men over."
"Good. I will wait here for you, True Inheritor Fang."
A look of relief appeared on Wu Zheng’s face as he cupped his hands.
Fang Han said no more. He executed his Body Technique and sped toward the former Netherworld Pavilion gold mine.
When he returned to the former Netherworld Pavilion gold mine, the dozen or so Steward Disciples were gathered at the entrance, their expressions grim.
They had clearly heard the commotion from the fierce battle moments ago.
Now, seeing him return with the clothes on his left shoulder torn and stained with blood, everyone’s expression tensed.
’For even someone with Senior Brother Fang’s strength to be injured... one can only imagine how powerful the enemy was.’
"Pack up. We’re withdrawing to Elder Wu Zheng’s location."
Fang Han’s gaze swept over the group as he spoke in a low voice.
"Yes, sir."
The men exchanged glances. Although they were a bit surprised, no one asked any questions.
They had all heard the sounds of the recent battle. An enemy capable of injuring Fang Han was definitely not someone they could handle.
’Senior Brother Fang must have his reasons for making this decision.’
The men dispersed to pack their belongings.
Before long, everyone had finished packing. The group of more than ten figures, led by Fang Han, departed from the mine.
They met up with Wu Zheng and headed toward the Qingxuan Sect’s mine.
Of course, they naturally took the gold ore they had mined during this time with them.
The journey of just a few miles was covered quickly at their pace.
Upon returning to the Qingxuan Sect mine, Wu Zheng instructed a Steward to arrange food and lodging.
Fang Han was led to a relatively tidy wooden cabin deep within the mining camp.
Sitting cross-legged on the wooden bed, Fang Han swallowed a Jade Dew Pill, which could heal injuries and neutralize poisons, then took out some cloth strips to re-bandage the wound on his left shoulder.
The wound wasn’t deep. With the restorative power of his Xuanwu True Skill, it would heal in three to five days at most.
He closed his eyes and began to regulate his breathing, restoring the Inner Qi he had consumed in battle and using it to speed up his recovery.
The next day, after breakfast, Fang Han slipped away from the Qingxuan Sect gold mine without alerting anyone.
Once outside the Qingxuan Sect gold mine, his figure flickered. He activated the Wind and Cloud Escape and sped off in the direction Yuan Ye had fled the day before.
"HMM—"
Increasing his Inner Qi consumption, he operated "Thousand-Mile Soul Lock" at full power.
The residual scents in the air were complex and chaotic: the fresh fragrance of plants, the earthy smell of soil, and the lingering stench of blood from yesterday’s fight.
Yuan Ye had not practiced a Breath Concealment Secret Technique. He was merely using his powerful Cultivation to forcibly suppress his aura.
It was easy for Fang Han to find his trail.
"SWOOSH!"
He followed the trail of the aura.
Suddenly—
A quarter of an hour later, he came to an abrupt halt.
Yuan Ye had appeared in his perception.
It was a cold, violent aura, carrying the same familiar sense of pressure from their daytime battle.
"HMM—"
Fang Han held his breath and pushed his Returning Ruins Hidden Essence Skill to its absolute limit, suppressing his own aura completely.
He silently approached in the direction of the aura. Before long, the outline of a manor appeared in his vision.
The manor was quite large, with green bricks, black tiles, high walls, and a deep courtyard. Two wind lanterns hung before the gate, swaying gently in the night breeze.
Judging by its style, it was likely the property of a wealthy merchant in the city.
Yuan Ye’s aura was coming from deep within this manor.
Fang Han didn’t get any closer. He simply memorized the manor’s location from afar, as well as the surrounding terrain.
A moment later, he stealthily retreated and returned to the Qingxuan Sect mine.
Instead of returning to his own cabin, Fang Han headed straight for Wu Zheng’s residence.
"Come in."
Hearing the knock, Wu Zheng’s voice came from inside the room.
Fang Han pushed the door open and entered.
"True Inheritor Fang, is something the matter?"
Wu Zheng was sitting cross-legged on his wooden bed. Seeing Fang Han enter, he asked the question.
"Elder Wu, I’ve found Yuan Ye’s hiding place."
Fang Han cut right to the chase.
"You’ve found Yuan Ye’s hiding place?"
Wu Zheng was slightly taken aback, then a sharp glint flashed in his eyes.
"Yes."
Fang Han nodded and gave a rough description of the manor’s location and the surrounding terrain.
"This is an excellent opportunity to eliminate Yuan Ye. Unfortunately, with the strength of just the two of us, even if we work together, we can’t kill him."
After listening, Wu Zheng was silent for a moment. He stood up and clasped his hands behind his back by the window.
He spoke slowly, his voice tinged with a hint of helplessness.
Fang Han remained silent. He knew Wu Zheng was speaking the truth.
In yesterday’s battle, he and Wu Zheng had teamed up and gained a slight advantage, but that was all.
If Yuan Ye was determined to escape, they had no way of stopping him.
As for everyone else at the mine besides him and Wu Zheng, the one with the highest Cultivation was merely a Fourth Grade Steward. They couldn’t interfere at all.
Although the gap between Fourth Grade and Third Grade is just one Great Realm, because it involves the leap from the Middle Three Grades to the Upper Three Grades, the difference in strength is far greater than the gaps between other Great Realms.
Just then—
Fang Han’s brow suddenly twitched slightly.
He lifted his head, his gaze turning toward the mine’s entrance.
"True Inheritor Fang?"
Wu Zheng noticed the change in Fang Han’s expression and asked.
"Did you sense something?"
Fang Han didn’t answer immediately.
He just stared silently in that direction. Within the perception of his "Thousand-Mile Soul Lock," a powerful aura was approaching the mine from a distance.
It was steady and profound, with a hint of... familiarity.
He retracted his gaze, the corners of his mouth curling into a faint smile, and said.
"Elder Wu, an Elder from the Sect has arrived."
"A Sect Elder?"
Wu Zheng was taken aback for a moment, then a trace of joy flashed in his eyes.
"Which Elder is it?"
"The person is still several miles away. I can only sense that their aura is somewhat familiar. It should be one of the Sect’s Elders, but I don’t know who specifically."
Fang Han shook his head slightly.
"However, with this Elder present, our plan to surround and kill Yuan Ye might actually have a chance of success."
"Let’s go. We’ll go out to welcome them."
Wu Zheng straightened his robes and strode out of the house.
Fang Han followed close behind.
The two of them arrived at the mine entrance, stood with their hands clasped behind their backs, and gazed down the road into the distance.
Before long, a figure appeared at the far end of the road.
The person drew nearer, their figure becoming clearer in the morning light.
It was an elderly man, thin of build with slightly prominent cheekbones. His eyes, however, were exceptionally sharp, with an inner light that was restrained as he blinked.
He wore a deep cyan Elder Robe, the collar and cuffs embroidered with cloud patterns in gold thread. A simple, ancient longsword hung at his waist, and he exuded an aura that was both steady and sharp.
It was none other than the Sect’s Second-Grade Elder, Zhao Mai.
Because he had almost no interaction with Zhao Mai, Fang Han had only found the aura familiar without knowing who it was.
"Elder Zhao!"
Wu Zheng was the first to step forward, cupping his hands in a salute, his face filled with sincere joy.
Fang Han also cupped his hands. "Disciple Fang Han greets Elder Zhao."
Zhao Mai nodded slightly, his gaze falling on the two who had come to greet him in advance, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.
"You knew I was coming?"
he asked, his voice low and steady.
"You may not know this, Elder Zhao, but True Inheritor Fang cultivates an exceptionally brilliant aura-perception Secret Technique. He sensed your aura when you were still several miles away."
Wu Zheng glanced at Fang Han and explained with a smile.
"True Inheritor Fang."
Hearing this, Zhao Mai’s gaze shifted to Fang Han. In those eyes with their restrained inner light, a look combining scrutiny and surprise appeared.
He spoke slowly, his voice carrying undisguised admiration.
"Your strength has increased rapidly, and your attainments in Swordsmanship are profound. I never expected you to be so well-versed in the way of Secret Techniques as well."
"You praise me too much, Elder Zhao."
Fang Han’s expression was calm as he cupped his hands slightly.
Zhao Mai said no more, but the look of approval in his eyes grew even stronger.
Wu Zheng smiled from the side and said, "Elder Zhao, you’ve arrived at the perfect time. There is a matter that needs your decision."