326 Karma

30 miles east of the Iron City.

Chen Tianqi looked at the smiling Xuan Wushang and tried his best to turn around, but he couldn’t because at this moment, he only had a head.

His head was placed on the rock, and his body and limbs were cut into countless fist-sized pieces that scattered around the rock like gravel.

Even so, Chen Tianqi was still alive and did not feel any discomfort.

“I have to say that you’re indeed more talented than me in torturing people.”

Xuan Wushang looked at the head and chuckled. Fluttering Cloud lay limply on the ground like an ordinary gauze robe.

Chen Tianqi gritted his teeth and didn’t say anything. Xuan Wushang didn’t mind. He casually picked up half of the broken palm from the ground and looked at the blood that was still flowing in the veins under the moonlight.

“Those who kill will be killed.”

Xuan Wushang said softly as if he was talking to himself, “When you used this method to torture that Heavenly Saint martial artist, did you think that such a day would come to you?”

Chen Tianqi still didn’t speak. Seeing this, Xuan Wushang sighed helplessly and threw away the broken palm. He said calmly, “You know that I can save you, and what you have to do is especially simple. You just have to make a small change to your plan. Why don’t you agree?”

“Because I’m not the same kind of person as you.”

Chen Tianqi finally couldn’t help but speak. He stared fixedly at Xuan Wushang, who was inches away from him, but his eyes were filled with fear instead of anger. “Have you thought about the consequences of doing this? You’re gambling with everyone’s lives!”

Xuan Wushang sat on the ground and asked seriously, “I’ll give you one last chance. Do you really not want to join?”

“I’d rather die!”

“…Alright.”

Xuan Wushang shrugged and really did not insist. He stood up and brushed the sand off his clothes before turning into a cloud and dissipating with the wind.

…

Somewhere outside the Iron City.

Lin Ran came to the young man’s corpse. Although Ye Shixiao had always called this person “Chen Tianqi”, he now knew that he was an imposter.

However, even though he knew that it was an imposter, Lin Ran was still shocked when he saw the young man’s appearance. This was because this face was too similar to Xuan Wushang’s.

It was understandable that two people in the world looked alike, but even the experienced Lin Ran couldn’t help but find it unbelievable that three people who were not related by blood looked so alike.

After sizing him up, Lin Ran began to examine him carefully. However, there were really not many clues on this person. Apart from a few tokens to prove his identity, there were only some silver taels and pills.

Even if he couldn’t find anything, he knew that this person was definitely with Sun Ge and Chen Tianqi.

After returning to the three of them, Lin Ran handed all the money he had to Ye Shixiao. Then, he brought Huo Qiyun to the side. “Send them to the Heavenly Saint Dynasty immediately. Remember not to alert anyone.”

Huo Qiyun nodded. After hesitating for a moment, he probed, “Is Sister Empress included?”

“… Mm.”

Lin Ran thought for a moment and nodded. “Bring them to Mingzhao Hall first. After I go back, I’ll discuss how to settle them with His Majesty.”

“So you’re staying here?”

When Huo Qiyun heard this, his expression changed slightly. “Now that the Heavenly Saint is still looking for you, it won’t be long before the news of you being wanted reaches the Great Yong Dynasty. At that time, your situation here will definitely be difficult.”

“It’s fine. I don’t need that much time.”

Lin Ran smiled nonchalantly, looking relaxed. “Besides, I’m powerful. At most, I’ll fight back!”

“…That makes sense.”

“Alright, I’ll leave this to you.”

Lin Ran patted Huo Qiyun’s shoulder and returned to Ye Shixiao and Ye Jin’s side. “My friend will send you to the Heavenly Saint Dynasty. You’ll be safe there.”

Ye Shixiao opened his mouth as if to say something, but Lin Ran continued, “I’ll take care of things here. You don’t have to worry.”

Hearing this, Ye Shixiao hesitated, but in the end, he nodded helplessly. “Then I’ll leave it to you.”

Suddenly, Lin Ran felt someone tugging at the corner of his shirt. He looked down and saw Ye Jin staring at him with tears in her eyes.

“I don’t want to go…”

Ye Jin tugged at the corner of Lin Ran’s shirt and whispered, “You don’t know the way. I can help you if I stay.”

“Are you sure?”

Lin Ran almost couldn’t help but laugh out loud. After all, he had seen Ye Jin’s ability to read the map the first time they left the city.

Ye Jin knew that Lin Ran was teasing her. Her teary face immediately revealed embarrassment, but she still insisted with a firm gaze, “I can definitely help you. Let me stay!”

“Jin! Stop fooling around!”

Ye Shixiao shouted in a low voice and pulled Ye Jin to his side. “This is an adult’s matter. Why are you causing trouble?”

“I’ve grown up!”

Ye Jin shrugged her shoulders and tried to break free, but her strength was still much weaker than her father, who had been forging sabers all year round. No matter how hard she struggled, the calloused hand was like an iron clamp, locking her on the spot and making her unable to move.

“If I say no, it means no.”

Ye Shixiao roared. Then, he looked at Lin Ran and Huo Qiyun. “I’m sorry, I didn’t teach her well.”

“It’s fine.”

Lin Ran smiled awkwardly and looked at Ye Jin, who was still struggling. “Jin, go to the Heavenly Saint City with them first. I’ll be back in two days at most.”

“No, I’m not leaving!”

Ye Jin refused firmly and looked at Lin Ran seriously. “Let me follow you. Believe me, I can really help you!”

Lin Ran naturally didn’t believe that Ye Jin could help him.

However, seeing the determination in Ye Jin’s eyes, Lin Ran hesitated for a moment before turning to look at Ye Shixiao. “Elder Ye, since she wants to stay, let her stay. Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of her.”

“But…”

Just as Ye Shixiao was about to say something, Huo Qiyun suddenly went forward and whispered something into his ear.

Then, a hint of hesitation flashed across Ye Shixiao’s face. In the end, he looked at Lin Ran and said seriously, “I’ll leave Jin to you then.”

Lin Ran nodded repeatedly. “Elder Ye, don’t worry. I’ll definitely take good care of her.”