A sharp metallic ring split the air as the sword left its scabbard, the sound piercing enough to make one's eardrums ache. In the same instant, Gao Han wielded the blade before Situ Yan, its cold light radiating in all directions, exuding an icy aura that chilled to the bone. Zheng Kong shut his eyes in despair as the sword arced down with unstoppable momentum, as if nothing in heaven or earth could stand in its way. Yet at the very last moment, the blade froze motionless before Situ Yan's face, its frigid energy raising goosebumps on her neck.
Gao Han had never intended to kill her—he merely wished to teach this arrogant young lady a lesson. Slaying a beautiful woman with a single sword strike was a vulgar act he deemed beneath him, and their quarrel hardly warranted such extreme measures. He simply found her behavior offensive. With a fluid motion, he sheathed his sword.
Hearing no sound of blade cutting flesh, Zheng Kong quickly opened his eyes, letting out a long sigh of relief as his heart returned to its proper place. Patting his chest to calm his racing pulse, he said to Gao Han, "You scared me half to death, Brother Han! If you'd killed my cousin, our friendship would have been over."
Gao Han looked at him in surprise, a faint warmth stirring in his heart. Martial artists on the Tianwu Continent were generally self-serving, yet Zheng Kong had just implied he would end their bond if Gao Han harmed his cousin—a rare display of loyalty. After five years of enduring cold stares and contempt, this small gesture touched Gao Han, though only slightly.
His expression remained as cold as ever. "Anyone else would already be a corpse by my sword."
Before he could finish speaking, an earth-shaking wail erupted from Situ Yan's lips, sudden and ear-splitting.
Zheng Kong jumped in fright. "What the hell!"
Gao Han stroked his chin thoughtfully. "This cry possesses magnificent momentum, as if it could drain rivers dry. Magnificent and heroic indeed!"
Zheng Kong nearly choked on his own blood at these words, his face contorted in grief. "This is no time for jokes! Her admirers could drown you in their saliva!" He rushed to Situ Yan, who was now wailing uncontrollably on the ground. "Little girl... I mean, cousin! Please stop crying! For my sake?"
Situ Yan looked up at him through tear-stained eyes, her voice trembling with sobs. "You scoundrel! What face do you have left?" She resumed her wailing even louder. Zheng Kong's face turned crimson with embarrassment, but he managed to restrain his anger and continued trying to console her.
Gao Han was about to mock Zheng Kong when he suddenly sensed a powerful aura approaching rapidly. "Someone's coming," he warned the crouching Zheng Kong. "Not a weakling—at least your brother's level."
Zheng Kong stood up with a serious expression. Situ Yan, realizing she had been abandoned, felt a surge of indignation. Back home, her every tear had brought a crowd to comfort her. Now left to cry alone on the ground, she abruptly stopped weeping and glared at her scoundrel cousin and the detestable man who had nearly killed her.
As time passed, a figure came into view—a lean, elegant young man fanning himself slowly as he approached. Zheng Kong recognized him at once and whispered to Gao Han, "That's Hu Kai, the first heir of the Hu clan. Only twenty-four years old, yet already a formidable cultivator—said to have reached the mid-peak of the First Layer of True Essence. Rumor has it he's also a brilliant strategist. And he's one of my cousin's most devoted suitors."
Gao Han shook his head slightly. No matter how clever a strategist, they were no match for overwhelming power. This man showed great talent for martial arts; if he focused solely on cultivation, he might have achieved even greater heights. Splitting his attention between martial arts and intrigue seemed greedy and shortsighted.
From a hundred meters away, Hu Kai spotted Situ Yan and called out warmly, "Miss Situ!" He quickened his pace, then froze when he saw her tear-streaked face.
Gao Han closed his eyes again, returning to his meditative state.
Two incense sticks later, the Gu clan arrived first. Like the Zheng clan, they had military roots and were not late risers. Leading them was Gu Yunluan, the eldest son of the Gu family. The Gu clan had four sons—two served as disciples at the Misty Sect, none other than Gu Yunli and Gu Yunbie, both defeated by Gao Han. The fourth son had also wished to join the sect, but no word had come of his acceptance. The Gu clan had been investigating this matter without progress.
Allied with the imperial Lu clan, the Gu clan held little affection for the Zheng clan, greeting them with only cold snorts. As military families, the Gu clan held the title of Grand General while the Zheng clan served as Marshal of All Armies, placing them in a subordinate position. No warrior would willingly accept being overshadowed by another.
Next came the Situ clan, led by Situ Jian, Situ Yan's elder brother. Zheng Ling's face lit up with a smile. "Cousin! Over here!" Zheng Kong reluctantly stopped his muttering to greet Situ Jian, who laughed heartily as he joined them. The Situ clan merged with the Zheng clan, and Situ Jian engaged Zheng Ling in quiet conversation.
Most surprisingly, Situ Yan was among the six Qi Condensation warriors from the Situ clan, now dressed entirely in men's clothing—a loose robe with a jade girdle and a white jade crown, cutting a dashing figure. If she were truly male, she would surely have won the hearts of countless young ladies. Both Zheng Ling and Zheng Kong stared in stunned disbelief, sharing the same thought: Had their uncle lost his mind? Situ Yan stole frequent glances at the meditating Gao Han, silently cursing him. Fool! Let's see what you have to say now. I'll make you pay!
Finally, the Hu clan arrived, led by Hu Kai. When Zheng Kong saw him, he muttered under his breath, "I wonder what aphrodisiac he took to recover so quickly and look so energetic."
Zheng Ling heard this and asked in confusion, "What did you say?"
Reluctantly, Zheng Kong recounted the previous day's events under his brother's questioning, with Situ Yan vehemently confirming every detail.
Situ Jian had initially wondered why the Zheng clan had brought an unknown boy instead of one of their many talented Qi Condensation disciples. Now he realized he had underestimated Gao Han—if he could defeat Hu Kai, who was roughly equal in strength to himself, defeating Situ Jian would likely be no challenge.
The four great clans waited another half hour before the distant sound of hooves announced the arrival of the Lu clan, the imperial family.
At that moment, Gao Han finally opened his eyes, his gaze sharp with disdain: What arrogance.