Chapter 431 - 428: The Encirclement Plan
Chapter 431: Chapter 428: The Encirclement Plan
"What is it?"
Zhao Mai asked curiously.
Wu Zheng glanced sideways at Fang Han and recounted the full story of Yuan Ye’s attack from the previous day.
He told him everything, from Yuan Ye having broken through to the Second Grade, to Fang Han fighting him without being at a disadvantage, to the two of them joining forces to repel him, and finally, to Fang Han tracking Yuan Ye to his hiding place.
Zhao Mai listened quietly, his expression calm at first. But when Wu Zheng mentioned that Fang Han, with his Early Third Grade Cultivation, had fought the now Second Grade Yuan Ye head-on without being at a disadvantage, a flicker of unconcealable surprise flashed through his sharp, focused eyes.
He couldn’t help but look at Fang Han again, his gaze now filled with scrutiny and, even more so, a sense of disbelief.
As a Second Grade Martial Artist himself, he knew all too well how vast the gap between the Third and Second Grade was.
This young man before him had joined the sect just over two years ago and was only twenty, yet he had already accomplished this.
"No wonder he reached the top of the Celestial Pride List."
Zhao Mai spoke slowly, his voice tinged with both emotion and admiration.
"To contend with a Second Grade at Early Third Grade Cultivation... such strength is indeed unmatched among the younger generation in all of Qingyang County."
"Elder Zhao, you flatter me. I was barely holding on. If Elder Wu hadn’t arrived in time, I’m afraid things would have ended badly."
Fang Han shook his head slightly, his expression serene.
Wu Zheng looked at Zhao Mai and spoke in a solemn tone.
"Elder Zhao, Yuan Ye is currently hiding in a manor outside the city, no more than twenty-some li from here."
He paused for a moment before continuing.
"Between myself, True Inheritor Fang, and you, Elder Zhao, if the three of us join forces to ambush him, there’s a good chance we can make this newly promoted Second-Grade Elder of the Netherworld Pavilion a permanent resident of Celestial Swan City."
After speaking, he looked at Zhao Mai, his gaze questioning.
"With the three of us combined, it’s certainly worth a try," Zhao Mai said, agreeing after a moment of thought.
"We must act quickly. If we delay, circumstances may change," Fang Han said, seeing Zhao Mai’s consent.
The three of them immediately left the mining site, activating their Body Techniques and speeding toward the manor Fang Han had tracked.
Morning light bathed the desolate outskirts of Celestial Swan City.
Three figures streaked through the woods at an astonishing speed, yet strangely, they barely stirred the air.
Fang Han took the lead, with Zhao Mai and Wu Zheng following side-by-side, several zhang behind him.
They covered the twenty-some li of mountain road in a matter of moments.
Fang Han slowed to a halt.
Behind him, Zhao Mai and Wu Zheng also stopped, landing at his sides and following his gaze into the distance.
A manor stood quietly in the morning light, with green bricks, dark tiles, high walls, and a deep courtyard.
Everything looked exactly the same as when he was here before.
But Fang Han’s brow furrowed slightly.
"What’s wrong?"
Wu Zheng noticed the change in Fang Han’s expression and asked in a low voice.
"Yuan Ye is gone."
Fang Han said, his face darkening slightly.
"Gone?"
Wu Zheng was taken aback.
It had only been a little over two hours since Fang Han found Yuan Ye’s hiding place. How could he have moved so quickly?
’Did he leave because something came up? Or did he learn of my arrival and flee Celestial Swan City?’
Zhao Mai stood with his hands behind his back, a thoughtful glimmer flashing in his sharp eyes.
None of the three looked pleased.
It was highly likely that Yuan Ye had chosen to withdraw after learning of Elder Zhao’s arrival.
"Based on the residual aura, Yuan Ye should have headed north," Fang Han said.
"After him," Zhao Mai commanded.
The three figures gave chase to the north, their speed astonishing.
Fang Han took the lead, fully channeling the "Thousand-Mile Soul Lock" to follow the traces of Yuan Ye’s residual aura.
Zhao Mai and Wu Zheng followed close behind, the distance between the three of them never exceeding ten zhang.
For the time it takes an incense stick to burn.
Two incense sticks.
An hour.
Two hours.
They were already far from the territory of Celestial Swan City, but they still hadn’t found any sign of Yuan Ye.
After another hour of pursuit, Zhao Mai suddenly spoke.
"Let’s stop. Yuan Ye must have learned of my arrival and fled Celestial Swan City."
"It’s unrealistic to think we can catch a Second Grade Martial Artist who’s fleeing with all his might."
Fang Han and Wu Zheng knew Zhao Mai was right and could only stop, feeling helpless.
"He’s certainly decisive. The moment he got the news, he fled," Wu Zheng said with a sigh.
"Didn’t leave us a single opening," Fang Han added regretfully.
"Let’s head back and discuss it there."
Zhao Mai turned and was the first to speed back.
Fang Han and Wu Zheng exchanged a look and followed closely.
Returning to the Qingxuan Sect’s mining site, the three went straight to Wu Zheng’s wooden cabin.
After they were seated, Zhao Mai’s gaze lingered on Fang Han for a moment before he slowly spoke.
"True Inheritor Fang, the Sect Leader has a verbal order for me to relay to you."
Fang Han’s expression turned serious, and he gave a slight bow with his hands clasped.
"The Sect Leader wants you to conclude your mission here and return to the sect immediately," Zhao Mai said.
"Understood."
Fang Han was momentarily surprised, then nodded.
’With a Second Grade Martial Artist like Elder Zhao here, the situation couldn’t be more stable. They really don’t need me anymore.’
"True Inheritor Fang, thank you for your hard work these past few days."
Seeing that Fang Han was about to leave, Wu Zheng thanked him sincerely.
"If you hadn’t arrived in time, I’m afraid this mining site would have fallen into the hands of the Netherworld Pavilion long ago."
"Elder Wu, you’re exaggerating. This was my mission, after all," Fang Han replied with a slight shake of his head.
Back in his quarters, Fang Han packed his belongings and emerged a moment later with his luggage.
After leaving his residence, he didn’t depart the mining site immediately. Instead, he first went to see the stewards and disciples who had been stationed there with him these past few days.
In an open area of the mining site, a dozen or so disciples who weren’t on duty were practicing their Cultivation.
Seeing Fang Han approach, they all stopped their practice and gathered around him.
"Senior Brother Fang, are you heading back to the sect?"
A young disciple asked, a hint of reluctance in his voice, upon seeing Fang Han carrying his luggage.
For the past few days, Fang Han had eaten and lived alongside them. Despite being number one on the Celestial Pride List, he put on no airs.
He would even offer them guidance on their Cultivation in his spare time, and everyone had come to respect him deeply.
"Yes, my mission is complete. I’ve come to say goodbye."
Fang Han nodded and clasped his hands in a farewell gesture to the crowd.
"Take care, Junior Brothers. We’ll meet again."
"Safe travels, Senior Brother Fang!"
"Take care, Senior Brother Fang!"
The crowd called out in unison.
Fang Han turned, activated his Body Technique, and his figure transformed into a streak of faint cyan light, speeding away from the mining site.
Behind him, everyone’s eyes followed his receding figure until it vanished from sight.
...
「Netherworld Pavilion, the inner hall.」
The hall was dimly lit. Li Wushang stood before a window with his hands behind his back, gazing at the deepening twilight outside, his brow slightly furrowed.
Yuan Ye had been gone to Celestial Swan City for several days, yet no word had come back.
With Yuan Ye’s Second Grade Cultivation, dealing with an Early Third Grade Fang Han should have been an effortless task.
So why was there still no news?
A faint sense of unease crept into his heart.
"Vice Pavilion Master, Elder Yuan Ye requests an audience."
The voice of Steward Liu Jin came from outside the hall.
’Elder Yuan Ye... he’s back?’
Li Wushang’s brow furrowed, then relaxed.
"Have him come in quickly."
The hall doors opened, and a figure strode inside.
It was Yuan Ye.
"Elder Yuan, what of the matter in Celestial Swan City?"
Li Wushang’s gaze fell upon Yuan Ye. His voice was as calm as ever, but beneath that calm lay a hidden expectation.
"I’m afraid I must disappoint you, Vice Pavilion Master. This old man failed to kill Fang Han, nor could I retake the gold mine."
Yuan Ye fell silent for a moment, then walked closer, bowed, and spoke in a hoarse voice.
The air in the hall seemed to freeze at that moment.
Li Wushang’s expression instantly darkened.
"Explain. In detail."
His voice was still calm, but beneath that placid surface was a volcano on the verge of erupting.
Yuan Ye straightened up and recounted the events in Celestial Swan City from beginning to end.
He described how Fang Han had discovered him upon his arrival at the mine, how they fought, and how he found that Fang Han had comprehended Sword Intent, possessed a formidable physique, and had strength no less than his own.
He then told of Wu Zheng’s arrival as support, and how the two of them had joined forces to drive him back.
And finally, how he had retreated to the manor outside the city, only to learn of the arrival of the Qingxuan Sect’s Second-Grade Elder Zhao Mai, forcing him to withdraw...
He concealed nothing and embellished nothing, simply stating the facts one by one.
Li Wushang listened quietly, his expression growing darker and darker.
When he heard that Fang Han, at only Early Third Grade Cultivation, had fought the Second Grade Yuan Ye head-on without being at a disadvantage, his fingers unconsciously tightened on the armrest of his chair, his knuckles turning white from the force.
"Sword Intent... Horizontal Training..."
He repeated the two terms in a low voice, each word seeming to be coated in poison, stabbing sharply at his heart.
A twenty-year-old Third Grade Martial Artist.
Comprehended Sword Intent at twenty.
And possessed extremely powerful Horizontal Training.
The more he thought about this level of Talent, the more he feared it.
"Vice Pavilion Master, this boy’s Talent is simply too astonishing."
Yuan Ye looked up to meet Li Wushang’s gaze, his solemn, square-jawed face filled with indignation and gravity.
"If we allow him to continue growing, I’m afraid..."
He trailed off, but his meaning was perfectly clear.
Li Wushang closed his eyes and took a deep breath, suppressing the turbulent emotions in his heart.
When he opened them again, his deep, dark eyes held nothing but cold resolution and profound helplessness.
"As if I don’t know that," he said slowly, his voice hoarse.
"But right now, all of our Second-Grade Elders are tied down, and our First-Grade Elders are guarding crucial locations and cannot be easily moved. If we pull one away to deal with Fang Han, that sector will likely be lost, and our losses would be devastating."
Yuan Ye fell silent.
He knew Li Wushang was speaking the truth.
The conflict between the Netherworld Pavilion and the Qingxuan Sect had intensified. Both sides were clashing and facing off in various locations throughout the county, and every enterprise and stronghold required an expert to guard it.
If they were to pull a Second-Grade Elder to deal with Fang Han, the defensive line at that location would be left vulnerable, and the Qingxuan Sect would surely exploit the opening.
At that point, the loss would not just be the gold mine, but possibly an asset even more important than the gold mine.
"Then Fang Han..."
Yuan Ye asked in a low voice.
Li Wushang stood before the window with his hands behind his back, gazing at the deepening twilight outside, remaining silent for a long time.
"For now... we let it be."
His voice was soft, so soft it was as if he were talking to himself, but the indignation and helplessness within his words were too thick to be dissolved.
"When we have a free hand, we will eliminate this boy then."
Yuan Ye opened his mouth as if to say something, but in the end, he simply nodded. "This old man understands."
Li Wushang turned around, his gaze falling on Yuan Ye, his tone softening slightly. "You’ve worked hard, Elder Yuan. Go and rest for now."
"Yes."
Yuan Ye bowed, then turned and strode out of the hall.
The sound of his footsteps quickly faded down the corridor.
Li Wushang stood before the window with his hands behind his back, gazing at the deepening twilight, unmoving for a long time.
His deep, dark eyes were as gloomy as ink.
Fang Han...
That name had now become a thorn in his heart, impossible to remove.