Chapter Thirty-Five: The Hunt

Naturally, Duanmu Menger would not let this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity slip by. The dagger in her hand shimmered with seven-colored light as she thrust it down toward his body. This time, she infused her true energy into the blade, convinced that it would pierce his flesh without fail.

In that critical moment, Chu Han gathered all his true energy into his dantian, merging it into a single point. The intense sensation forced a slight reaction from his body. Realizing this method was effective, he poured his true energy into his core with wild abandon. The pain made his mind reel, and he couldn’t help but cry out, but his body regained its freedom.

Just as the dagger was about to stab into him, Chu Han turned his head and caught Duanmu Menger’s wrist, hurling her aside under her astonished gaze. Instantly, he summoned a ball of lightning in his right hand and, without a word, flung it after her.

Duanmu Menger gritted her teeth, flipped in midair, and tilted her head to dodge the lightning attack, but the force of the wind it carried tore apart her mask. Her true face was revealed. Chu Han couldn’t help but gasp at her appearance.

Duanmu Menger was stunning, her skin as fair as milk, her lovely face tinged with crimson, her cherry lips pursed in a slight pout—a rare beauty indeed.

“You brat, I underestimated you. Using self-inflicted pain to break my attack…”

Duanmu Menger spat the words venomously. She had looked down on Chu Han from the start, and that mistake had cost her dearly. In their brief clash, her mask had been destroyed—she was already at a disadvantage.

Just as Chu Han was about to speak, a blast of flame shot toward them from a distance, its true energy overwhelming. Chu Han sensed that if he were caught by it, he would die without a trace. He leapt aside, narrowly avoiding the fiery attack.

“Haha! Two little children, fighting over my dragon bone? There’s no need to fight anymore—you’ll both die here.”

Two figures emerged from the shadows: Bailey and Loki. Chu Han and Duanmu Menger were both shocked.

They had been so focused on their battle, nerves taut, that they had completely forgotten about the two Inscription Realm experts lurking nearby, ready to end their lives at any moment. Thankfully, Chu Han had dodged the earlier attack—otherwise, he would already be dead.

“What are you standing around for? Run! They’re Inscription Realm masters!”

Chu Han didn’t hesitate any longer and dashed off, shouting as he passed Duanmu Menger.

By rights, as adversaries, he should have been glad to see her killed by Bailey and Loki. Why did he warn her? He couldn’t quite say—perhaps he was moved by a sudden pang of compassion.

Prompted by his warning, Duanmu Menger regained her senses and fled after Chu Han, with Bailey and Loki hot on their heels.

Inscription Realm cultivators were incredibly fast, but Chu Han practiced the Thunder Emperor’s Method, which gave him a significant speed advantage. While he couldn’t shake off their pursuers, he was not immediately caught.

Duanmu Menger, however, was less fortunate. Though not slow, she was still no match for Chu Han. Soon, Loki’s flames caught up with her. She managed to deflect some with her dagger but was still struck, vomiting blood as she stumbled forward.

A dramatic moment unfolded: as Chu Han turned back to defend himself from the attack, Duanmu Menger collapsed directly onto him, and his right hand landed squarely on her chest.

Both of them froze. Chu Han stared blankly, knowing he ought to withdraw his hand at once, but instead, as if possessed, he gave a gentle squeeze. Duanmu Menger let out a sound akin to a startled cat.

She slapped him hard across the face. “Scoundrel! You’re utterly despicable—take your filthy hand away!”

The slap brought Chu Han back to his senses, and he hastily withdrew his hand. Though he’d been slapped, he had clearly been in the wrong, having taken advantage of her, so he had nothing to say in protest.

“Enough, let’s get moving—they’re almost on us. Save your revenge for later, when we’re safe, all right?”

Chu Han could feel their pursuers drawing closer and grew anxious.

Duanmu Menger understood, but injured as she was, she simply couldn’t run faster. She glanced up at Chu Han, then looked away, unwilling to beg this shameless man for help.

But Chu Han saw her struggle and sighed. He swept her up into his arms and continued running as she cried out in surprise.

“You filthy rogue! Don’t think I’ll forgive you for this. Once we’re out of danger, I’ll kill you myself!”

Though she was grateful for his help, Duanmu Menger’s lips were as sharp as ever, refusing to let up.

Chu Han said nothing, feeling helpless in the face of this headstrong woman. He had met many women before, but never one quite like her—so much like a man, save for that soft, unmistakable sensation.

Carrying someone slowed him down considerably. Their pursuers were closing in—escape was becoming impossible. He would have to try something else.

Then inspiration struck. He whispered to Duanmu Menger, “Don’t speak, hold your breath. I’ll try to use the Concealment Talisman to fool those old devils.”

She nodded. Chu Han took a yellow talisman from his ring, infused it with true energy, and a milky white light enveloped them both. He carefully cradled her as they hid behind a boulder.

This Concealment Talisman had been in his spatial ring for some time, but its drawback—that one had to hold their breath—made it impractical. He’d almost forgotten about it until now.

Neither of them dared move a muscle. The boulder was small, and their bodies were pressed close together. Duanmu Menger was uncomfortable, but she didn’t dare fidget.

Soon, Bailey and Loki caught up. Thanks to the talisman, they failed to notice the two hiding behind the rock and hurried on ahead.

When the two pursuers were out of sight, Chu Han and Duanmu Menger finally exhaled and emerged from their hiding place—only for her dagger to come to rest at the back of his head.

Turning, Chu Han caught her wrist, exasperated. “Must we settle scores before we’re truly safe? Besides, I just saved your life. Is this how you thank your rescuer?”

“You shameless rogue! You’ve sullied my honor. I must kill you!”

Though she said this, she knew Chu Han was right, and she stowed her dagger without another word.

Her injuries, compounded by the rough escape, had pushed her body to its limit. She collapsed, her skin flushing a fiery red, as if engulfed in flames.

Chu Han was startled and knelt to check her condition, discovering that the flames had invaded her body. If he didn’t expel them soon, her life would be in grave danger.

He had intended to escape the Forbidden Zone of the Primordial Realm first, but that was now out of the question. He couldn’t abandon such a beautiful young woman to die. Surveying his surroundings, he spotted a cave in a nearby cliff and carried her inside to hide.