Chapter 687: 天地可欺

Zu'an looked at him, his brows furrowing instinctively. He couldn't discern the man's cultivation level, which meant the man's rank was considerably higher than his own.

In fact, there was no need to check his rank; the man's aura as he approached was extraordinary. With every step, he seemed to tread on one's heart, synchronizing with the heartbeat and inducing an involuntary feeling of nausea and revulsion.

Zu'an had no doubt that if a low-ranked cultivator were targeted by this old man, he wouldn't even need to make a move; those few steps alone would be enough to shatter their heart meridians.

"Who are you?" Zu'an asked, his body tensed in a state of high alert, not daring to be careless in the slightest.

"Han Fengqiu," the old man replied, standing calmly in place without any intention of attacking, as if his name alone sufficed.

In the distance, the gap-toothed coachman frowned. "This is getting tricky."

"Is he very powerful?" the clear, melodious voice of a woman echoed from inside the carriage.

"He's one of the four grand offerings of the Qi King's Manor, a peak ninth-rank master," the gap-toothed coachman explained. It was normal for the lady not to know such things, as she wasn't involved in the cultivation world.

It was known that Grandmaster-level cultivators were either princes or first-rank officials in the imperial court. Peak ninth-rank was generally the highest level a guest elder could attain in most prominent families.

Only the Qi King's Manor could afford such luxury. In any other family, who would be qualified to have a peak ninth-rank master as a servant?

Wouldn't it be more appealing for such masters to become officials and dominate a region themselves?

Silence fell inside the carriage once more.

At that moment, Zu'an's voice rang out, "Han Feng who?"

"Han Fengqiu," the old man repeated, thinking Zu'an must have recalled something and was seeking confirmation.

"Fengqiu what?" Zu'an asked again.

The silver-haired old man's brow furrowed slightly, but he patiently repeated, "Han Fengqiu!"

His tone, however, had involuntarily risen.

"Han what-qiu?" Zu'an asked, a look of confusion on his face, as if he genuinely suffered from amnesia.

The silver-haired old man was speechless.

"You brat, are you trying to make a fool of me?!"

Rage points from Han Fengqiu +315+315+315...

He refused to believe a cultivator could have such poor memory; it was clearly a trick.

Zu'an grinned, revealing a simple, honest smile. "So you've only just figured that out? Your IQ isn't too impressive, is it?"

The silver-haired old man: "???"

Rage points from Han Fengqiu +999+999+999...

A soft chuckle escaped from the distant carriage, but it seemed to be quickly stifled by a hand.

When Zu'an and the Qi King's Heir had been fighting earlier, the commotion was so great that no one would have noticed the lady and the coachman chatting inside the carriage.

But now, in the quiet, her laughter was quite distinct.

Hearing the abruptly cut-off laughter, everyone present instinctively looked in its direction.

Could such a beautiful voice truly exist in this world?

However, this thought was fleeting, quickly replaced by their own individual concerns.

Zu'an thought: "Hmm, that voice is quite pleasant. I wonder what she looks like... But to stay here is a sign of loyalty; my earlier intervention wasn't in vain."

The silver-haired old man pondered: "That coachman seems unfathomable. Is he an ordinary person or a master? An ordinary person wouldn't dare remain in such a dangerous place just to watch, would they?"

Murong Qinghe quietly said to Chu Youzhao: "Brother Chu, your brother-in-law is too impulsive. His strength is insufficient, yet he's foolish enough to provoke a top-tier expert with his mouth. This is hardly the act of a wise man."

As a young lady of the Murong clan, she naturally knew Han Fengqiu's identity and was well aware of his cultivation. A peak ninth-rank expert could virtually crush anyone below the Grandmaster level.

In truth, she didn't care whether Zu'an was smart or foolish; her main concern was that he might implicate her own brother, Chu.

She still felt a chill recalling how Chu Youzhao had rushed out recklessly moments ago, and she certainly didn't want to experience that again.

Chu Youzhao, however, replied: "My sister once said that Brother-in-law, despite appearing crude and reckless, is actually very shrewd. Every time, he infuriates his enemies to the point of exploding while he himself remains completely unharmed. Although it doesn't quite align with the moral standards we were taught growing up, sometimes it's quite amusing to watch."

When her sister had told her this, her eyes seemed to gleam. At the time, Chu Youzhao had been rather dismissive, feeling her sister was describing a completely despicable and shameless rogue.

However, after spending some time with him, she gradually understood what her sister had meant.

This brother-in-law truly had a knack for infuriating people to death without suffering any consequences. The Qi King's Heir had just experienced it, and this old man would likely follow suit.

Having witnessed the dramatic reversal earlier, she now had stars in her eyes and was filled with confidence in her brother-in-law.

Han Fengqiu retracted his gaze from the carriage. It was too ordinary; even if it held some significance, it couldn't belong to a major figure. The most crucial matter now was saving the Heir.

He looked coldly at Zu'an. "Young man, you have successfully provoked my wrath."

Zu'an sighed. "Why do you and your master speak in the same tone? Do you think you're overbearing CEOs?"

The Qi King's Heir was in so much pain that tears welled up. Although he had a torrent of curses in his heart upon hearing this, he ultimately dared not speak.

This fellow was a lunatic, so it was best for a wise man to avoid immediate suffering. He would slowly deal with Zu'an after Uncle Han rescued him!

Han Fengqiu narrowed his eyes. Although he didn't quite understand what "overbearing CEO" meant, the mockery in Zu'an's tone was crystal clear to him. "Young man, a moment of quick wit will cost you a price you cannot bear."

Zu'an said coldly, "Didn't you just tell me to take my foot off?"

Han Fengqiu nodded slightly. "Precisely, otherwise this old man..."

Before he could finish, Zu'an stomped down directly. The sound of bones shattering, mixed with the Qi King's Heir's pig-like squeals, sent a shockwave through everyone present.

Chu Youzhao looked bewildered. Although she thought highly of her brother-in-law, the trouble he had caused this time was truly immense.

Murong Qinghe, on the other hand, looked at Zu'an as if he were already dead. Deliberately breaking the Qi King's Heir's knee in front of a peak ninth-rank expert—there was no hope for him; he was as good as dead.

In the distance, the gap-toothed old man gasped. "I thought he was the cunning, annoying type, but I never expected him to be so unyielding. This young man is terrifying!"

The woman inside the carriage frowned slightly but ultimately said nothing.

Han Fengqiu trembled with rage. "How dare you, you scoundrel!"

Rage points from Han Fengqiu +998+998+998...

Zu'an looked at him indifferently. "A moment of quick wit has its price. I'm returning those words to you. If you had just said something pleasant, perhaps I might have let him go. But you insisted on speaking to me in that tone, as if you were afraid I wouldn't harm him. Sometimes, I even have to wonder if you're an infiltrator from another faction, intentionally using this opportunity to kill the Heir."

Han Fengqiu's breath caught. For a moment, he genuinely felt a flicker of panic, fearing that the Qi King might actually misunderstand.

However, he quickly calmed down. "What a sharp tongue you have, but in this world, mere words are useless!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the long sword at his waist automatically unsheathed, and an incomparably sharp sword qi instantly locked onto Zu'an.

In that instant, Zu'an felt goosebumps all over his body, forced up by the biting sword qi. He hastily raised the Tai'e Sword to block in front of him.

With a loud clang, he was sent several yards backward, and blood faintly seeped from the web of his hand.

Han Fengqiu was already by the Qi King's Heir's side, half-crouching and checking his condition. "Heir, are you alright?"

The Qi King's Heir painfully raised a finger and pointed at Zu'an, gnashing his teeth. "I'm not going to die. First, break every single bone in that brat's body! Don't leave a single one intact!"

Never in his life had he suffered such severe injuries or endured such humiliation. Now, he had only one thought: to retaliate and make Zu'an regret ever being born.

"Very well!" Han Fengqiu stood up, his aura instantly locking onto Zu'an several yards away.

Zu'an chuckled. "Heir, have you forgotten the Heavenly Dao Oath you swore? This was a fair duel. If you use your family's influence for revenge, be careful not to be struck by divine lightning."

Han Fengqiu's brow furrowed slightly. If such an oath had truly been sworn, it would indeed be difficult for him to intervene.

Just then, the Qi King's Heir pointed at the scattered ice sculptures nearby and said, "Who said I'm using the Qi King's Manor's power to retaliate against you? It's simply because you just killed so many imperial officers. This is a capital crime punishable by death! Uncle Han is merely apprehending you according to the law."