113: Qin Jiu's plan

One Sword Flattens Mountains!

Ling Ke'er's heaven-shaking strike completely stunned Yang Yi and his three Martial Emperor guards.

The look in their eyes towards Lin Fan and the other three could no longer be described as just "awe."

Ling Ke'er herself was also surging with emotion.

She felt the vast but still incomparably pure magical power within her body, and the increasingly clear Sword Dao insights in her mind, and an unprecedented powerful confidence surged wildly from the bottom of her heart!

The blood feud of the Northern Plains Royal Family had weighed on her heart for too long.

Now, she finally had the strength to personally resolve this Karma!

She walked to Lin Fan, and in her Phoenix eyes, which always carried a hint of aloofness, a blazing fire of revenge now burned.

"Senior Brother," her voice trembled imperceptibly, "I want to… return to Qing Province and visit the Tang Sect."

Lin Fan heard her, was silent for a moment, then nodded.

He knew this was Ling Ke'er's knot in her heart, and a hurdle she had to overcome.

"Alright."

He said no more, only turned to Xiao Huohuo, "Fourth Junior Brother, I'm not at ease with Third Junior Sister going alone. You should accompany her on this trip."

With Xiao Huohuo's current Purple Mansion Triple Layer cultivation, coupled with his unpredictable strange fire techniques, he would not fear even a Martial Emperor expert.

With the two of them working together, as long as they didn't encounter a Martial Venerable, they could go anywhere on the entire Tianwu Continent!

"Yes, Senior Brother!" Xiao Huohuo grinned, patted his chest, and guaranteed, "Don't worry, with me around, I guarantee not a single hair will be missing from Third Senior Sister!"

And so, the matter was settled.

Xiao Huohuo and Ling Ke'er bid farewell to Lin Fan, Nanny, and the "tag-along" Yang Yi, who wanted to go with them but was kicked away by Xiao Huohuo, transforming into two streaks of light, tearing through the sky, and speeding towards Qing Province.

Yang Yi watched their receding figures with a look of utter despair.

"Alas, Xiao Big Brother just left like that. I feel like my life has lost its luster."

Lin Fan and Nanny exchanged glances, both seeing a deep sense of speechlessness in each other's eyes.

This kid, he must have some serious problem.

…

Night, cool as water.

Lin Fan and Nanny built a bonfire in a cave.

Lin Fan was skillfully roasting a plump wild chicken he had just caught from the forest. Golden fat dripped onto the flames, making a sizzling sound, and the aroma filled the air.

Nanny squatted beside him, propping her chin up, her big eyes staring unblinkingly at the roasted chicken, her mouth watering.

However, what they didn't know was this.

Just as they were enjoying this rare moment of tranquility.

Not far away, the three Martial Emperor Elders who were supposed to be secretly protecting Yang Yi had quietly gathered.

Their eyes shimmered with greed and… killing intent!

"Big Brother, the most troublesome one has left. Now, this is our once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!" One of the gloomy-faced Elders whispered, his eyes full of greed.

"That's right!" Another short, stout Elder echoed, "These young juniors have mysterious origins and strange Cultivation Techniques. They must be hiding a great secret!"

"As long as we can capture them and force out the origins of their immortal-like methods… Hehe, perhaps the three of us brothers can also glimpse the legendary Martial Venerable realm!"

The leading Elder, whose aura was the deepest, heard this, and a flicker of desire flashed in his cloudy old eyes.

Yes.

Immortal opportunity!

This was a tremendous immortal opportunity!

Just as he was about to make up his mind and prepare to act.

A figure, like a ghost, appeared behind them.

"Three Elders, where are you going?"

It was Yang Yi.

Only now, the face that always wore a playful smile had no trace of his usual goofy demeanor; instead, there was an expression of indifference.

The three Martial Emperor Elders were startled and showed an unnatural awkwardness on their faces.

"Young… Young Lord, why are you here? We… we just came out to relieve ourselves." The leading Elder explained with a dry laugh.

"Relieve yourselves?"

Yang Yi smiled, a rather cold smile.

He slowly walked in front of the three, his eyes, which always carried a hint of liveliness, were now as deep as an abyss, as if they could see through people's hearts.

"Three Elders, you've been by my side for over a decade, haven't you?"

"Some things, I advise you, it's best to think clearly before doing them."

He paused, his voice growing colder.

"I feel that those two are only stronger, not weaker, than the two who left."

"Although I, Yang Yi, am not successful, I still have this much discernment."

"I am confident that with my talent, I may not be unable to surpass them in the future. But, definitely not now."

"If you insist on courting death, don't blame me… for not warning you."

After speaking, he ignored the three Elders, who had already turned pale and were sweating profusely, and turned, striding towards the cave.

The three Martial Emperor Elders looked at each other, and all of them saw a deep sense of lingering fear in each other's eyes.

They knew how terrifying this Young Lord, who usually seemed unreliable, could be once he became serious.

More importantly, they also heard a hint of… fear that even they themselves were unwilling to admit from Yang Yi's words.

Yes.

Were those two really as simple as they seemed?

…

Inside the cave.

Lin Fan handed a golden-crisp roasted chicken leg to Nanny, and tore off a piece for himself, slowly chewing it.

His Divine Sense had already clearly heard the conversation of the three Martial Emperor Elders from afar.

A faint curve appeared at the corner of his mouth.

This was also a test.

To test whether Yang Yi was a friend or foe.

Now it seemed, although this kid was a bit goofy, he was also a smart person.

Even if those three old fellows really made a move, he and Nanny combined would be enough to handle them, and even… use this opportunity to nip the problem in the bud! And by the way, take care of Yang Yi as well…

Just as his thoughts were swirling.

Yang Yi's distinctive, energetic voice came from the cave entrance.

"Brother Lin! Big Sister Nanny! I smelled the aroma and came over! How can you not call me when there's good food?!"

Lin Fan looked up at Yang Yi, who still had a cheerful, carefree look, and thought to himself:

You're sensible, kid.

…

Time, in such tranquility, quietly flowed away.

Three days later, in the distant Eastern Region, Yuanyuan Province.

The Great Han Imperial Dynasty, Imperial Palace Golden Imperial Hall.

The sounds of battle and screams echoed through the sky.

The once majestic and sacred palace was now a river of blood, with corpses strewn everywhere.

Upon the Dragon Throne, Emperor Han Shan of the Great Han, his face ashen, looked in despair at the black-robed youth holding a three-foot green sword, its tip pointed at his throat.

"Why… why?"

Han Shan's voice was hoarse, filled with endless confusion and unwillingness.

This youth before him was his most trusted and relied-upon subject! He had even once thought of marrying his daughter to him!

But why… why did he betray him?!

The black-robed youth, Ying Ziliang, was expressionless, his deep eyes showing no ripples.

Beside him stood two women.

One was Pavilion Master Ling Yixue.

The other was Yan'er.

Behind them also stood two Martial Emperor experts whose auras were as deep as the sea, their origins unknown.

Ying Ziliang did not answer Han Shan's question.

Because there was no need.

The victor is king, the loser is bandit.

That was all.

He moved his wrist slightly.

"Pfft!"

A soft sound.

The sharp sword pierced Han Shan's throat.

The Great Han had fallen.

After Han Shan's death, a trace of complexity and determination flashed in Pavilion Master Ling Yixue's eyes, which should have been innocent. She looked at Ying Ziliang, her voice clear, yet with a hint of confusion.

"What should we do next?"

Ying Ziliang sheathed his sword, slowly turned, his gaze seemingly piercing through the palace's dome, looking towards the boundless sky.

A heroic smile curved at the corner of his mouth.

"Change the Imperial Dynasty."

"From today onwards, on this Tianwu Continent, there will also be… a Taixuan Imperial Dynasty!"

"As for you…" He looked at Pavilion Master Ling Yixue, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes, "The position of Taixuan Pavilion Master, from today onwards, is officially entrusted to you."

"It's time to let those Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters see that we Outer Sect Disciples are not to be trifled with either."