Chapter Twenty: Helplessly Captured

In the fresh air of Cloud Crystal Mountain, everyone was busy with their own pursuits—some hunted magical beasts, others gathered herbs, while some mined for cloud crystals. The atmosphere was tranquil.

Suddenly, a clamor of shouts and the sounds of pursuit shattered the peace. People stopped what they were doing and turned to watch the rising dust in the distance, wondering who could possibly be hunted by so many.

“Brothers, catch him! Whoever gets him will be rewarded with ten thousand gold coins! Avenge the young captain!” Vice Captain Zheng Qi roared suddenly. Zheng Qi sensed something was wrong; as he had passed by earlier, he noticed many people watching. He was forced to announce that the young captain had been killed, otherwise, their curiosity might lead them to follow, and the secret of the treasure map would be lost.

“So it’s the murderer of Iron Mad Mercenary Corps’ young captain. No wonder the whole corps is after him!”

“He’s done for. I saw Iron Mad himself up ahead—he’s at the third level of innate mastery.”

“In Qingshi Town, besides Li Hu, captain of the Flying Tiger Mercenary Corps, who can rival Iron Mad?”

“I can’t believe someone dared to kill his son. Even Li Hu would have to think twice about this.”

The people returned to their tasks, convinced that the man being chased was doomed. Iron Mad, seeking vengeance for his son, was not someone they wished to provoke.

Zheng Qi’s shout reached Lu Han’s ears, and his face darkened. The pursuit was closing in too quickly!

“Boy, return my son’s life!” Iron Mad, several hundred meters behind, caught sight of Lu Han, his eyes burning red.

Lu Han poured his inner strength into his legs, pushed off the ground with his toes, and his speed surged as he dashed headlong into the dense forest nearby.

Iron Mad watched Lu Han accelerate into the thicket and, rather than panic, ordered, “Spread out as you enter, slowly surround him. Ha! The hunt ends here!”

The Iron Mad Mercenary Corps slowed their pace, gradually encircling the forest…

Lu Han had thought the dense woods would offer him an easier escape, but he was gravely mistaken.

Bent over, hands on his knees and gasping for breath, Lu Han looked up at the scorching sun and managed a bitter smile.

“This life has certainly tangled me with cliffs.”

Ahead lay a deep ravine; except for the way he’d come, there was no path forward.

“Boy, you’ve run straight to Fallen Eagle Ravine—truly courting death!” Suddenly, Iron Mad’s men arrived behind him.

“Hand over my storage ring, and I’ll let you die intact!” Iron Mad’s voice was cold and sinister.

Lu Han turned, sweeping his gaze over Iron Mad and his mercenaries. Something puzzled him. He’d killed Iron Mad’s son, Iron Luo, so Iron Mad should want him dead above all else. Why demand the ring first? Had they not reached the location marked on the treasure map?

“Old man, do you have any ideas? Aren’t you usually resourceful? Or is it time to jump off a cliff again? This time, luck might not be so kind!” Lu Han touched the ring hidden in his chest, but the old man inside ignored him—there was not the slightest reaction.

“Boy, I didn’t expect you to kill Hu Xingfu. Though he was useless, he’d lingered at the sixth level of acquired mastery for years, and his combat experience was considerable. Now I’m curious about your origins.” Iron Mad slowly approached.

“Hu Xingfu? Was that the man I killed just now? Yes, that must be it!” Hearing Iron Mad mention Hu Xingfu jogged Lu Han’s memory. Hu Xingfu had said he and Iron Luo had secretly gone to the location marked on the map. Now that both were dead, none of their group knew the site.

“No wonder they’re so desperate for the ring.” Lu Han touched his nose.

“Wait, isn’t this what you want?” Seeing Iron Mad approach step by step, Lu Han pulled the treasure map from his chest and held it out.

Iron Mad’s eyes burned with fervor at the sight of the map—the hope of dominating Qingshi Town.

He’d sent his son to search for the site in secret, not wanting word to spread. He couldn’t go himself, knowing Li Hu watched his every move.

“Boy, quick—hand it over! Give it to me and I’ll let you die more comfortably!” Iron Mad extended his right hand.

Lu Han shrugged, tossing the map behind him.

Iron Mad’s face froze, then twisted with frenzy as he drew a great sword from his back—one foot wide and five feet long, a true giant’s blade.

“Boy, you’ll die now!”

“Don’t you want to know the location of the Heavenly Garment King’s legacy?” Lu Han said quietly as the sword swung down. He knew he couldn’t match Iron Mad at the third level of innate mastery, so he gambled that none of the mercenaries knew the location.

The sword, carrying a gust of force, halted above Lu Han’s head.

“Whew!”

Lu Han relaxed inside; though he’d acted calm, his heart was pounding, his shabby white robe soaked with cold sweat. Luckily, his gamble had paid off.

“Boy, what’s your name? You’re clever. If you hadn’t killed my son, I’d even consider recruiting you to the Iron Mad Mercenary Corps.” Iron Mad, after a long silence, lowered his sword and spoke.

“Young man, you can join my Flying Tiger Mercenary Corps. Whatever trouble comes, I, Li Hu, will face it for you!” An incongruous voice sounded.

Everyone turned; Li Hu had arrived with his Flying Tiger Mercenary Corps, their numbers matching those of Iron Mad’s group.

Steel clanged…

Steel clanged…

At the sight of the Flying Tiger Mercenary Corps, the Iron Mad men drew their blades.

The Flying Tiger men responded just as fiercely.

“Ah, don’t be so agitated! I’m only here to talk with your captain—mind letting me through?” Li Hu smiled at the Iron Mad men.

They glanced at Iron Mad, who waved his hand, and a path opened for Li Hu.

“Iron brother, is this the boy who killed your son? He doesn’t seem to have three heads or six arms,” Li Hu said as he circled Lu Han.

Iron Mad’s face darkened at the jibe. He and Li Hu had always been rivals; now, Li Hu mocked him for losing a son, and his expression soured.

“Brother Li, this boy killed Luo. I must take him away! We’ll meet again!” With that, he grabbed Lu Han and began to drag him away.

Iron Mad’s grip was like a giant pincer; Lu Han felt his arm was about to be crushed. The difference in strength between innate and acquired mastery was night and day.

“Wait,” Li Hu suddenly interjected.

“Li Hu, what are you after? Are you trying to start a war? This man killed my son!” Iron Mad clenched his fist, ready to fight.

“Enough, Iron brother, stop acting. You think I don’t know you’re here for the treasure map?” Li Hu deliberately pronounced ‘treasure map’ slowly.

Iron Mad’s pupils contracted at the words. He’d kept this matter secret, using his son’s murder as a pretext for pursuing Lu Han, all to keep Li Hu in the dark.

“How did you know?” Iron Mad gritted his teeth in disbelief.

“Ashen, come here.”

From the crowd emerged Ashen, formerly of the Iron Mad Mercenary Corps but now dressed in Flying Tiger colors.

“So it was you. Why betray me?” Iron Mad’s eyes burned with fury; Ashen had been in the corps for two years.

“Betrayal? Iron brother, you’re mistaken. He merely resumed his true identity. He was always one of mine. Two years ago, I orchestrated an ambush on your route, and you rescued him—so he joined your corps as planned.”

“Brother Iron, I suggest we search for the treasure together. Don’t be too quick to refuse. You know I’m prone to let things slip, and if the treasure map gets mentioned, with all these people in Cloud Crystal Mountain, you’ll have trouble keeping control.” Li Hu smiled at Iron Mad.

“You’re threatening me!” Iron Mad was infuriated; the map was his, and now Li Hu demanded to join him, leaving no room for refusal. He shot a venomous look at Lu Han—this boy had ruined everything.

“Boy, as long as you lead us to the treasure, I, Li Hu, promise on my honor to let you live.”

Lu Han gave a bitter smile, helpless—could he refuse? Either of these two could kill him with a flick.

The old man in the ring sensed the situation outside and stroked his beard: “This kid has some brains. Looks like I won’t need to intervene for now.”

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