There isn’t? The few of them were momentarily stunned. They had never imagined that Gu Han would give such an answer.

Fatty cursed loudly, “You... Damn, you really don’t want to live anymore, huh?!”

Gu Han found it a bit strange. “Why the panic? Aren’t you here with me? You were acting so tough just now, you clearly seemed sure of victory.”

Fatty wanted to cry but had no tears. Sure of victory my ass! That was me bluffing, putting up a brave front, alright?!

Fatty shot Yun Fan a vicious glare. “Kid, what are you just standing there for? Call for help! Where are the experts, the Saint realm cultivators? Such a vast empire, yet it has so few people?!”

Yun Fan shook his head. “There are no more. They’ve all gone to the border.”

Fatty was silent for a moment then gritted his teeth. He stepped in front of Gu Han, radiating golden light. “Yun Fan, when the fight starts, take Gu Han and leave first!”

Yun Fan was stunned. “Huh?”

He never expected that Fatty, who in his eyes didn’t have any shame, would actually be so loyal.

Fatty sneered. “What ‘huh’?! Don’t think I don’t know what you’re thinking. I have never been the type to betray a friend!”

If anything, his movements suggested he meant to take Gu Han and run, abandoning the others as a buffer.

Unfortunately, Yun Fan didn’t catch on. He was filled with respect and felt quite ashamed inwardly. Never judge a book by its cover. I’ve misjudged this brother Fatty here. He’s a top-notch, loyal person!

Little did they know, Luo Wushuang showed no intention of making a move at all.

He sighed softly, looking at his right hand with a somewhat complex gaze. “There isn’t? So, it really is you.”

Withdrawing his hand, he shot a deep glance at Gu Han, then turned and left.

He left?

Fatty was taken aback. “Does this guy have a screw loose or something?”

Gu Han considered. “I don’t know. This person’s thoughts can’t be judged by common sense.”

Fatty became bold again. “That’s it? That’s all? I thought he had some real skill, tsk tsk, turns out he’s just a liar... Could he be scared off by my aura?”

Gu Han sighed. “Fatty, don’t flatter yourself. If it really came to a fight, you probably wouldn’t be his match.”

Fatty looked at him suspiciously. “Tell me the truth. Are you just setting me up or something?”

***

Outside, Luo Wushuang walked slowly. Though he didn’t seem to be going fast, the travel palace disappeared behind him in a flash.

Suddenly, as if thinking of something, he gazed up at the sky. The sky was clear for ten thousand li, with white clouds drifting. Through the layers of the sky veil, he seemed to see a merciless giant eye hidden very deeply, observing all living beings.

A strange glint flashed in his eyes, “I’ve already found the person you’re looking for. Thus, the most primitive method is the most useful one.”

He slowly opened his right hand, revealing nothing within.

***

In front of the chamber, Fatty said with grief and indignation, enumerating Gu Han’s various faults, “Are you devoid of morals or what?! Do you know how far the Central Continent is from here?! Do you know how much hardship I endured to get here?! How could you set me up?”

“That’s rich, coming from you. What about that demoness matter, then?”

Fatty’s tone hitched. “Ahem... Forget it, a setup is a setup. Although I can’t beat him, I still have some confidence in escaping with just you.”

Yun Fan felt something was off. “Brother Gu, this is—”

Fatty was very humble. “Central Continent’s Fu Yulin. I’m just a nobody with nine rings of the Dao Bell.”

Yun Fan was speechless. He had no way to respond to that.

Off to the side, Zhao Mengyou curled her lip in disbelief. Where do so many nine-ring Dao Bell people come from? Do they really think such geniuses are just stray cats and dogs running around everywhere?

After spotting her, Fatty’s eyes lit up. “Oh? And this young lady is...”

Yun Fan explained Zhao Mengyou’s identity, then glared at her. “Shoo! Don’t you see that Brother Gu’s friend has arrived? What are you standing there for? Serve tea, do I need to teach you?”

Zhao Mengyou left, fuming.

Fatty shook his head repeatedly. “A maid? Still quite inferior to that demoness sister. If you could take her as a maid, tsk tsk...”

Gu Han ignored his nonsense. “Fatty, why did you suddenly come?”

Fatty sighed. “Intuition. I just felt that... ahem... it had something to do with you, so I made a special trip to see, and sure enough, something happened.”

“How thoughtful.”

“I heard about what happened. Yang Ying—”

“He was my friend.”

Fatty didn’t ask further. That was enough to explain everything.

After a long while, he asked, “How much longer can you live?”

“About a month or so, I guess.”

“No way out?”

“Depends on luck.”

Fatty fell silent again.

“Wait for me!” Suddenly, as if making a decision, he stood up with a whoosh. “Wait for me to return!”

Gu Han was stunned. “What are you doing?”

Fatty slowly rose into the air, instructing carefully, “Don’t ask. Remember, before I get back, you absolutely must not die!”

Before the words faded, he had already transformed into a beam of golden light and disappeared into the distance.

Yun Fan scratched his head. “Brother Gu, this Brother Fu, he seems... seems...”

“Shameless?”

Yun Fan thought to himself, You said that, not me.

Gu Han said with some emotion, “That guy... is also my friend.”

Having said that, he once again walked towards the chamber. leaving behind the astonished Yun Fan.

***

Northeast of the imperial city, a magnificently built, beautiful mansion occupied nearly one-tenth of the entire area. The mansion’s imposing gate was flanked by guards who radiated a murderous aura. Many people passed by, all wearing the same fearful expression as they neared the mansion. They didn’t dare approach it in the slightest.

Clearly, the person residing here held a high position and great power. Within the main hall, a young man sat high in the seat of honor. Cold and stern, he donned black clothes, exuding extraordinary aura. He constantly savored the spirit tea in his hand.

An old man stared at him with grief and indignation, coughing violently. “You promised that after I refined ten thousand Return Essence Pills for you, you would let me take her away. I have exhausted my heart and mind to refine these pills. Why... why did you break your promise!”

The young man slowly put down his spirit tea. “Alchemist Xue, our agreement is real. However, I am sure you’re aware of the changes at the border? The demand for various pills outstrips supply, so you still need to refine another ten thousand for me.”

Alchemist Xue spat out a mouthful of blood in a fit of rage. "You're sending me to my death!”

The young man smiled. “You will survive. If you die, do I need to elaborate on what will happen to your precious granddaughter?”

Alchemist Xue turned deathly pale as it had hit his vital spot.

The young man continued to provoke him. “Think about it, your son is dead, your daughter-in-law is dead, only this one bit of bloodline remains. Now, after all your hardships to find her, are you just going to watch something happen to her? Oh, and... that granddaughter of yours has unparalleled talent and outstanding looks. I wonder how many people would want to—”

“I-I agree!” Alchemist Xue didn’t dare listen any further. His face seemed to have aged immeasurably as he stared fixedly at the young man. “You must keep your word!”

He knew the young man was unlikely to keep his word. Yet in his despair, with no options left, he could only believe.

The young man waved his hand. “Rest assured! This time, I definitely won’t go back on my word. Remember to be quick. The front lines urgently need those pills. If you delay, then I can’t guarantee her safety.”

Watching Alchemist Xue leave tremblingly, a trace of coldness flashed in his eyes.

At this moment, a steward walked out from the side. “Young Marquis, are you really going to let him go?”

The young man sneered disdainfully. “The day these ten thousand Return Essence Pills are refined is the day he meets his end.”

The steward shook his head. “What a pity. Although Xue Mao’s cultivation isn’t high, his alchemy skills are extraordinary. Killing such a talent would be a waste.”

The young man returned to his seat again. “There’s nothing to pity. Within the Great Flame Empire, if His Highness wants someone’s life, then that person definitely must die.”

“What about his granddaughter?”

A lecherous look flashed in the young man’s eyes. “Killing such a beauty? Now, that would be a pity. When the time comes, I’ll mention it to His Highness, and she will be my woman!”

The steward praised greatly, “Excellent! You get the beauty, win His Highness’s favor, and the Return Essence Pills can earn military merit. Your plan to kill three birds with one stone is truly brilliant!”

The young man was quite pleased with himself. Suddenly, he seemed to think of something. “Oh, right. How is the matter I entrusted to you progressing?”

The steward showed a troubled expression. “That place is too special. We didn’t dare get too close. These past few days, he has never come out even once.”

The young man instructed carefully, “Continue observing. His Highness’ orders must be carried out completely and without fail!”

“Understood!”

***

Time flew by, and another half month had passed. Gu Han emerged from seclusion again.

Yun Fan was full of worry. “Brother Gu, still no good?”

Gu Han shook his head. Although he had consumed a large number of pills and spirit herbs that enhanced soul power, his divine sense seed showed no signs of breaking out.

Still, he smiled reassuringly at Yun Fan. “Don’t worry. This time wasn’t without gain either.”

During this period of seclusion, he could vaguely perceive that sliver of an opportunity Qian Ye had mentioned. However, whenever he tried to grasp it, it always managed to slip away. It seemed something was missing.

As the two were talking, a waft of fragrant breeze approached. It was Zhao Mengyou, who presented a cup of spirit tea.

Gu Han was momentarily stunned. “Oh?”

She was acting proactive, which was unusual. Although Zhao Mengyou’s face was still sour, she seemed to have come to terms with her new position.

Yun Fan was somewhat pleased with himself. “Brother Gu, I trained her well, right?”

Gu Han praised, “Not bad at all. You have quite a talent in this area.”

Off to the side, Zhao Mengyou’s expression didn’t change, but her chest heaved more violently. I’ll bite you to death! I’ll bite you both to death!

Yun Fan was clearly oblivious to her thoughts. After thinking for a moment, his eyes lit up. “Brother Gu, my sister said, haste makes waste. Since you can’t grasp that sliver of an opportunity, why don’t I take you to a place? Maybe you’ll gain some insight and then it’ll work out?”

“Where to?”

Yun Fan snickered slyly. “Hehe... A good place!”