118: Chapter 118 No More Connections

The blood of the sole surviving man in black seemed to freeze at this very moment.

Looking at the corpses of his companions scattered across the ground, and then at the figure slowly approaching like an Asura crawling out of Hell, the hand holding his blade began to tremble uncontrollably and violently.

Fear, like an invisible tide, submerged his sanity.

He dropped his weapon, let out a shrill scream, and turned to run.

However, he only managed to run two steps.

A sword light, fast to the extreme, caught up from behind him and pierced through his front.

His steps faltered, and then he pitched forward stiffly, never making another sound.

A deathly silence returned to the courtyard.

A thick scent of blood permeated the night breeze.

Chen Fan flourished his sword, shaking off the last drop of blood from the blade's edge.

He didn't look back at the corpses. Instead, he turned, his pale mask facing the Shangguan siblings nearby, who were already pale with fright.

Shangguan Yun opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but found his throat dry; not a single word would come out.

In Shangguan Wan's clear eyes, besides shock, there was an additional trace of an emotion she hadn't even noticed herself: fear.

Is this the true strength of the top of the hero ranking list?

One man, one sword, slaughtering a team of well-trained death warriors as easily as chopping melons and vegetables.

This had already surpassed her understanding of martial arts.

"This matter is concluded."

Chen Fan's voice broke the suffocating silence.

No emotion could be heard in his voice; it was as indifferent as if he had just crushed an ant.

"Between you and me, we owe each other nothing."

After saying that, he didn't give the two another look, turning directly to walk toward the small building where he was staying.

Shangguan Wan's heart sank abruptly.

Owe each other nothing?

These four words made her feel more embarrassed and ashamed than any reprimand could.

She understood that from beginning to end, the other party knew he was being used.

He didn't act for gold, nor for the Martial Hall, and certainly not for some favor from the Shangguan Family.

He simply wanted to kill.

After killing, he would leave.

Clean and efficient, leaving without a trace.

"Brother Luo, please stay!" Shangguan Wan finally reacted, lifting her skirt and quickly chasing after him.

Chen Fan did not stop his pace.

He returned to the small building and pushed open the unlocked door next to his own.

Inside the room, the candlelight had long been extinguished.

Hong Shao and Qing Luo were sleeping in each other's arms, their breathing even, clearly knowing nothing of the bloody slaughter outside.

Chen Fan walked to the bedside and gently patted their shoulders.

"Wake up."

The two sisters opened their eyes dizzily. Seeing Chen Fan standing by the bed wearing his mask, they hadn't quite registered what was happening.

"Master Luo... is it dawn?" Hong Shao rubbed her bleary eyes and yawned.

"Put on your clothes, we're leaving." Chen Fan's command left no room for discussion.

Although the two sisters were full of confusion, out of absolute trust in Chen Fan, they immediately scrambled up and began dressing themselves nimbly.

Just then, Shangguan Wan and Shangguan Yun caught up to the doorway.

"Brother Luo!" Shangguan Wan stood at the door, looking at the three people packing their bags inside, her face full of anxiety and apology. "Tonight's matter was my Shangguan Family's fault! I... I apologize to you!"

She gave Chen Fan a deep bow.

"But please, no matter what, stay one more night! Right now, inside and outside the villa is covered in blood. It's truly too dangerous to descend the mountain in the middle of the night!"

Shangguan Yun also hurriedly chimed in, "That's right, Brother Luo! This matter was due to our poor conduct, using you. I, Shangguan Yun, am a scoundrel! But you saved our lives; we can't just watch our benefactor leave like this!"

He paused, his tone becoming even more sincere.

"As long as Brother Luo is willing to stay, my Shangguan Family will surely reward you heavily! The thousand taels of gold and the Martial Hall mentioned before will be fulfilled immediately! Besides that, if Brother Luo has any other requests, as long as my Shangguan Family can do it, we will not refuse!"

These words couldn't be more sincere.

These conditions couldn't be more generous.

However, the only response they received was Chen Fan's silent back.

He helped the now-dressed sisters pack their few belongings into a cloth bundle.

Then, he took their hands and walked straight past the Shangguan siblings.

From start to finish, he didn't look at them again.

That disregard was more chilling than any insult.

Shangguan Wan stood frozen in place, watching the three figures disappear around the corner of the stairs without a hint of lingering regret.

A massive wave of loss and remorse surged into her heart.

What exactly had she missed out on?

For a so-called 'turning the tables' scheme, for a chance to eliminate a political enemy, she had completely offended such an unfathomable powerhouse.

This deal was a loss.

A total, absolute loss.

Shangguan Yun's face was also full of bitterness and regret.

He muttered to himself, "Grandfather often said that the world's heroes can all be friends, but must never be enemies. I... today, I fear I have done a monumentally stupid thing for the Shangguan Family."

...

The night was deep, and the mountain path was rugged.

Chen Fan held a lantern in one hand and led the two sisters with the other, walking down the narrow mountain path.

The mountain wind blew past, carrying a heavy scent of blood that made Hong Shao and Qing Luo shiver uncontrollably.

They finally realized what kind of terrifying events had occurred in that seemingly peaceful villa while they were sound asleep.

"Master Luo, why... why are we leaving?" Qing Luo finally couldn't help but ask in a small voice.

Hong Shao also added, "Yes, that Young Master and Young Miss Shangguan didn't seem like bad people."

Chen Fan didn't explain the schemes and the exploitation involved.

There was no need for them to know some things; it would only add to their troubles.

"It's not safe there."

He used only four words to dispel all the sisters' doubts.

In their hearts, Chen Fan's words were absolute truth.

If he said it wasn't safe, then it was a dragon's den or a tiger's lair, and they couldn't stay a moment longer.

The three walked in silence, with only the rustling of feet on gravel and the chirping of insects in the woods.

After walking for about an hour, the outline of Jiangzhou City was vaguely visible in the distance.

Chen Fan stopped his pace.

It was now the middle of the night, and the city gates had long been closed.

Even if they could get in, wandering the streets so late with two beautiful girls would be too conspicuous.

He thought for a moment and made a decision.

"Let's go back to the inn first."

The Yingke Inn.

When Chen Fan reappeared in the inn's lobby with Hong Shao and Qing Luo, the waiter on night watch was so startled he almost dropped the abacus in his hand.

"Master... Master Luo? You... didn't you go to Cuiwei Mountain Villa? How..."

"Open another premium room." Chen Fan didn't waste words, tossing a silver ingot directly onto the counter.

The waiter jerked into action, nodding and bowing as he completed the check-in at top speed.

Back in the familiar room, the hearts of Hong Shao and Qing Luo, which had been hanging in suspense, finally settled.

They looked at Chen Fan, full of dependence.

Chen Fan closed the door, walked to the window, and pushed it open.

The night breeze blew away the last trace of the scent of blood brought from the villa.

Outside the window was Jiangzhou City with its myriad lights extinguished; only a few scattered stars and a waning moon hung in the sky.

This place made him feel much more at ease than that magnificent yet peril-laden villa.

"Master Luo..."

From behind came Hong Shao's voice, tinged with a bit of unease.

"Where are we... going tomorrow?"