Chapter 110: The Appearance of the Evil Wind Beast

The cave was engulfed in silence. Four disciples of the Flying Serpent Sect lay collapsed on the ground, blood trickling from their mouths. Although Tan Jun was protected by his golden armor, he was still shaken by the strange man’s power.

Tan Jun was shocked; he never imagined that Lu Han and his companions would actually dare to strike—and do so without mercy, leaving four Flying Serpent disciples grievously wounded. If not for the golden armor his father had bestowed upon him, his injuries would have been far more severe.

“How dare they? How dare they! Do they not know that I am the Young Sect Leader of the Flying Serpent Sect? Are they not afraid that we will annihilate their entire clan?” Tan Jun raged silently.

Seeing Lu Han approach, Tan Jun slowly propped himself up and said, “Though you may have a formidable Earth King among you, I believe you wouldn’t want to provoke our Flying Serpent Sect. Even if you kill me, you will face our relentless revenge. How about this: whatever reward or promise the Princess Qingcheng has given you, our sect will double it—no, triple it—just to persuade you not to interfere today. Leave now and forget this matter. What do you say?”

His tone shifted as he looked at Lu Han.

At this moment, no one dared to underestimate Lu Han; he seemed to hold the decisive power. Even these so-called Earth King-level warriors appeared to heed his words. It was almost unbelievable—Earth Kings were the apex of the Great Xia Empire’s hierarchy, each a prodigy in their own right. How could they possibly listen to a young man barely past the ninth Heaven stage? If this story spread, many would think him mad.

Even the Earth King-class elder who served as protector of the Flying Serpent Sect would not normally show such deference to a Young Sect Leader—unless one day he truly ascended to the sect leader’s position and could issue commands.

Yet the facts spoke otherwise. Everything so far suggested that Lu Han was the leader.

“The Young Sect Leader’s offer is tempting,” Lu Han replied thoughtfully, “but I have no dealings with the Princess. There’s no such thing as doubling or tripling rewards. As for the Princess, I must take her away today—I have my reasons for saving her. So this deal cannot be made. Moreover, I am no fool to think that we can just withdraw and the Flying Serpent Sect will let us go. What do you think?”

Indeed, Tan Jun’s words were mere threats. Given his vengeful nature, once Lu Han and the others left this cursed land, they would certainly face the sect’s furious retaliation.

Tan Jun had thought Lu Han was young and could be easily intimidated, but it was clear now that Lu Han had anticipated this.

Suddenly, Tan Jun’s eyes gleamed as if an idea struck him. With a swift step, he rushed behind Princess Qingcheng. Severely wounded, she was powerless to resist as Tan Jun clasped her throat from behind.

“If you insist on saving her, I’m sure you wouldn’t want her harmed. Step back, or we settle this here and now. Let’s see whether your speed or my hand is faster.” His grip tightened ominously.

The strange man paid no heed to Tan Jun’s words. He knew only that if he could strike this man, he’d have his meal. His energy surged as he charged forward.

“Stop! Don’t you care if he dies?” Tan Jun shouted.

“Hold!” Lu Han’s voice rang out as he intercepted the strange man.

Tan Jun’s force made Princess Qingcheng’s face even paler.

Since entering, Lu Han’s attention had been fixed on Tan Jun and the ten Flying Serpent disciples. With Princess Qingcheng injured and lying on the ground, he had yet to see her face clearly.

Now, with her held hostage by Tan Jun and blocking the way, Lu Han glanced at her. Unlike before, there was no veil this time. He couldn’t help but pause in astonishment.

Unlike Lie Ruge, who was a beautiful but somewhat immature fifteen or sixteen-year-old, Princess Qingcheng wore a luxurious purple palace robe embroidered with exquisite patterns. Her figure was tall and slender, her hair adorned with a delicate jade hairpin. Her fair, long-necked grace was unforgettable, but most striking were her starry, watery eyes. Yet now, held captive, she looked utterly out of place.

Princess Qingcheng bore the pride of the Murong royal family. Though held hostage, she did not utter a single plea. Despite her pale face, she still held her head high with the defiance of a proud peacock.

Lu Han could not help but admire her: “What a magnificent princess!”

He wasn’t sure if he admired her breathtaking beauty or her fearless composure in the face of danger—perhaps both.

At first, Tan Jun felt a trace of unease. If the strange man truly didn’t care about Princess Qingcheng’s life, Tan Jun feared he might die here. Though Lu Han and the others might not escape the Flying Serpent Sect’s pursuit later, Tan Jun was not ready to die yet. He had not yet defeated Shen Tai, destroyed the Celestial Gang Sect, or ruled over the Great Xia Empire...

Fortunately, his gamble had paid off, though sweat beaded in his palm.

“Seems the princess means a lot to you,” Tan Jun said with a sneer. “I heard she even opposes the marriage alliance with the Celestial Gang Sect. Could you be the princess’s lover? But you’re too weak—her standards are certainly unusual. Ha ha...”

With Princess Qingcheng in his grasp, Tan Jun felt secure, daring Lu Han to act rashly. She was his talisman.

Lu Han frowned. He had only met Princess Qingcheng once; there was no truth to the rumors about their relationship. Yet he said nothing—any explanation would only deepen suspicion.

With the princess in his hand, Lu Han dared not move recklessly. If Tan Jun chose a fight to the death, it was a situation Lu Han wished to avoid.

The four stood in a tense stalemate.

Princess Qingcheng studied Lu Han carefully. She knew well the fate of a small family offending the Flying Serpent Sect in a remote town. When Lu Han spoke of repaying debts, she had dismissed it as a joke, thinking he was just a passing stranger—never expecting this day to arrive so soon.

She was also curious about the strange man. His eyes betrayed his extraordinary nature, but the Lu family surely had no such powerful figure—otherwise, they would not have nearly been wiped out by a second-stage Xuan Jun literary master. Why then did this man obey Lu Han?

She longed to warn Lu Han to leave, knowing that unless she escaped to inform the imperial palace, which might pressure the Flying Serpent Sect, the Lu family would be doomed. But with her throat clutched by Tan Jun, breathing was difficult, let alone speaking.

After a short standoff, a cold wind swept through the cave, accompanied by a beast’s roar.

“Roar!”

The four Flying Serpent disciples suddenly looked terrified, as if recalling something. Ignoring the Young Sect Leader, they struggled to their feet and fled toward the cave entrance.

As they reached the mouth, a fierce gust blew, and a snake tail as thick as a water bucket lashed out at them. Severely injured and caught unprepared, they were slammed to the ground, collapsing in pools of blood.

Tan Jun’s face paled as he muttered, “Evil Wind Beast...”