Chapter 251: Powerful Enemy Arrives
Leaving the Great Stone City, Zhang Ruochen did not pause for a moment, preparing to rush back to the Heavenly Demon Martial City at the fastest possible speed.
"The royal clans of the Four Direction Commanderies and the headquarters of the Poison Spider Merchant Guild will soon learn that I have taken the account books. They will surely dispatch a large number of experts to hunt me down. I must return to the Heavenly Demon Martial City before they catch up."
Zhang Ruochen activated his movement technique, traveling through the wind and snow like a ghostly shadow skimming across the vast snowy plain, leaving only a piercing sound of wind breaking behind him.
Han Qiu had also cultivated a very profound movement technique, light as a swallow, leaving no trace on the snow as she closely followed Zhang Ruochen. "Friend, if I am not mistaken, you should be the rising young expert, Chen Ruo. Am I right?"
Hearing Han Qiu's voice, Zhang Ruochen frowned slightly and shot her a glance. "Don't follow me," he said coldly.
Because Han Qiu was very close to Zhang Tiangui, Zhang Ruochen had always been wary of her, regarding her as a potential enemy.
Han Qiu, however, was unaware of this. She only felt that this mysterious young man had a strange temper and was very difficult to get along with.
"Since you didn't deny it, it means you really are Chen Ruo."
A smile appeared in Han Qiu's eyes. "The Martial Market Academy and the Yuntai Manor have always maintained a good relationship. Since we've already had a pleasant cooperation in the Black Market, how about lending me that account book for a look?"
Zhang Ruochen was too lazy to speak to her. He channeled his true qi into his feet, and his legs were completely enveloped in spiritual fire.
His already extremely fast speed increased by a significant margin.
Han Qiu also accelerated, catching up to Zhang Ruochen's side again. "You said that even after taking the Sacred Light Pill, I could at most cultivate to the late stage of the Heavenly Extreme Realm, and continuing further would be life-threatening. That wasn't just an exaggeration, was it?"
Zhang Ruochen said, "Are you annoying or what? If you keep following me, don't blame me for being rude."
Han Qiu glared at Zhang Ruochen with some anger. She was the daughter of the Yuntai Manor's master and a stunningly beautiful woman. She had taken the initiative to show him goodwill, only to be rebuffed.
Never in her life had any man dared to speak to her in such a tone. Even Zhang Tiangui, the number one genius of the thirty-six commanderies of the Heavenly Demon Ridge, went out of his way to please her.
"You want to get rid of me, but I insist on following you."
Han Qiu was determined to challenge Zhang Ruochen, sticking close to his side and matching his speed.
After nightfall, Zhang Ruochen stopped.
After a full day of travel, both Zhang Ruochen and Han Qiu were visibly tired, having consumed a massive amount of true qi. They had to stop and rest.
"Swoosh!"
Zhang Ruochen swung his hand in a chopping motion, drawing a line in the snow.
He glanced at Han Qiu. "If you dare cross this line, don't blame me for being rude."
With that, Zhang Ruochen swallowed a Blood Pill, immediately sat cross-legged on the ground, and held two Spirit Crystals in his hands, absorbing the spiritual energy within them to recover his true qi.
Han Qiu puffed out her chest, somewhat unconvinced. "Our cultivation levels are about the same. Even if I cross this line, what can you do to me?"
Even as she said this, Han Qiu did not cross the line, not daring to challenge Zhang Ruochen's bottom line. She also took out two Spirit Crystals, held them in her hands, and began to cultivate.
Feather-like snowflakes fell thick and fast. In just one hour, the snow had piled up to Zhang Ruochen's waist.
Another hour later, the snow reached his chest.
His head, shoulders, legs, and arms were completely covered by ice and snow. If one didn't look closely, they wouldn't even notice a person sitting there.
Suddenly, a "woosh" sound came from the sky. A Red Spider Giant Ship flew from the horizon, like a steel hill, piercing through the night and heading toward Zhang Ruochen and Han Qiu.
Dozens of martial artists in purple robes stood on the Red Spider Giant Ship, searching everywhere for traces of Zhang Ruochen and Han Qiu.
Sensing the sound from above, Han Qiu immediately stopped cultivating and shifted her body slightly.
"Don't move. It's the Poison Spider Merchant Guild catching up. The power of the Red Spider Giant Ship is extraordinary; we can't withstand it."
Zhang Ruochen's voice reached her ears.
In fact, Zhang Ruochen had also considered piloting a Red Spider Giant Ship back to the Heavenly Demon Martial City, but he ultimately dismissed the idea. The target of piloting a Red Spider Giant Ship was too large, making it easy for the top experts of the Poison Spider Merchant Guild and the Four Direction Commanderies to lock onto him.
Han Qiu had also heard of the Red Spider Giant Ship's reputation. Her heart stirred. "What do we do now?"
"We are already covered by ice and snow. As long as we conceal our aura, they won't find us." Zhang Ruochen closed his eyes again, retracting all his true qi into his body. He remained motionless, as if he had turned into a boulder.
After a while, the Red Spider Giant Ship flew away, disappearing over the horizon.
"Bang!"
Han Qiu burst out of the snow, like a stunning fairy, flying into the air before landing gracefully. She looked at Zhang Ruochen across from her and laughed. "Those evil martial artists have left. Shouldn't we be on our way too?"
Zhang Ruochen also emerged from the snow. "Don't use 'we.' I'm not familiar with you."
"Earlier, you used 'we' first, so I followed suit," Han Qiu said.
"I was afraid that if you got exposed, you'd drag me down with you." Zhang Ruochen thought for a moment, then added, "Why are you following me, anyway?"
Han Qiu's expression turned serious. "Fine. Let's talk openly. The account book you got from the Black Market records the transactions between the Poison Spider Merchant Guild and the royal clans of the Four Direction Commanderies. If you send that account book back to the Martial Market Academy, it will be very detrimental to our Yuntai Manor."
"So you killed the Town Army Marquis to prove Yuntai Manor's innocence?" Zhang Ruochen asked.
"Isn't that enough?" Han Qiu said.
Zhang Ruochen said, "The innocent are clear, and the guilty are stained. Why do you need to explain deliberately? With the intelligence system of the Martial Market Bank, if this matter truly has nothing to do with Yuntai Manor, they naturally won't drag you into it."
Han Qiu shook her head. "What if someone inside the Martial Market Bank wants to frame our Yuntai Manor? So, the best way is for me to go back to the Heavenly Demon Martial City with you. You take me to see the high-ranking officials of the Martial Market Academy, and I'll explain to them in person."
Zhang Ruochen said, "Aren't you afraid that Yuntai Manor is actually involved? If Yuntai Manor really plans to cooperate with the Black Market, they certainly wouldn't tell a young junior like you."
Han Qiu said very firmly, "Yuntai Manor is already the overlord of the Heavenly Demon Ridge. There's no need to take the risk of cooperating with the Black Market. Chen Ruo, how about we make a deal? I'll escort you back to the Heavenly Demon Martial City. When we get there, you take me to see the high-ranking officials of the Martial Market Academy."
Zhang Ruochen shook his head with a smile. "If you don't follow me, I'll be much safer."
Han Qiu was furious, grinding her teeth. "I am, after all, a strong expert on the Earth Ranking. Do you think I'll hold you back? Besides, I've already used a Message Light Talisman to send word back to Yuntai Manor. I believe experts will soon come to support us."
"You have a Message Light Talisman on you?" Zhang Ruochen's expression darkened, a sense of foreboding rising within him.
Han Qiu didn't notice Zhang Ruochen's expression and said somewhat proudly, "Although Message Light Talismans are expensive, given my status, I naturally carry one on me. At the most critical moment, I can send a message back to the sect to seek help."
A Message Light Talisman was a treasure made using "light"-type communication inscription runes. Most Message Light Talismans were single-use and could transmit messages at the fastest speed.
Of course, Message Light Talismans were difficult to refine and thus extremely expensive. Even an ordinary Heavenly Extreme Realm martial artist couldn't afford one.
Zhang Ruochen wasn't surprised that Han Qiu had a Message Light Talisman on her; he was furious. "When you sent the message back to Yuntai Manor, did you mark our location?"
Han Qiu laughed. "I left unique marks from Yuntai Manor all along the way. As soon as they see them, they'll catch up quickly."
Zhang Ruochen felt a strong sense of crisis. "Are there members of the Four Direction Commanderies' royal clans among the high-ranking officials of Yuntai Manor?"
"There are a few..."
Han Qiu's expression changed as well. "Are you worried they'll leave Yuntai Manor and come to intercept and kill us?"
"It's not a worry; they are definitely already on their way." Zhang Ruochen sighed.
This was a matter of life and death for the Four Direction Commanderies. How could they stand by and do nothing?
They would certainly stop at nothing to kill Zhang Ruochen and Han Qiu on the road to the Heavenly Demon Martial City.
What was even more infuriating was that Han Qiu had left marks along the way. Wasn't that just asking for death?
"We have to leave here, or we'll definitely be caught." Zhang Ruochen's expression was grim. He had just taken a step when his ears twitched slightly, sensing a dangerous aura rapidly approaching.
In an instant, a howling wind swept across the snowy plain, and a hoarse voice came with the wind. "Unfortunately, you've realized it too late. Trying to leave now is already too late."
The free-floating spiritual energy in the air gathered together, forming two massive wind blades, carrying a tearing force as they slashed toward Zhang Ruochen and Han Qiu.
Standing in the snow, Zhang Ruochen felt a sharp wave of air rushing toward him, lifting the thick snow from the ground. His vision was filled with a blinding white.
"Shash!"
Fine wind blades cut through Zhang Ruochen's true qi shield, tearing his clothes into strips.
Zhang Ruochen felt as if he were facing a great enemy. He gripped the Abyssal Ancient Sword tightly with both hands, fully mobilizing his true qi. With a "boom," a blood array nine meters in diameter appeared beneath his feet, spinning rapidly.
"Swoosh——"
The Abyssal Ancient Sword in his hand seemed to turn into a bright full moon, slashing toward the massive wind blade hurtling at him.
"Bang!"
Zhang Ruochen was sent flying backward.
It was an overwhelming force; even with all his strength in one sword strike, he couldn't withstand it.
After being thrown back by the wind, Zhang Ruochen immediately channeled all his true qi into the Ice Fire Qilin Armor.
The inscription runes in the armor were activated, and a faint roar of a Qilin echoed. The phantom of an Ice Fire Qilin emerged, tightly wrapping around Zhang Ruochen.
"Bang!"
The wind blade struck Zhang Ruochen, sending him flying another thirty zhang before he was buried deep in the snow.
In another direction, Han Qiu was also sent flying by a wind blade. "Wa!" She spat out a mouthful of blood and crashed to the ground, creating a crater over ten meters in diameter.
"Boom!"
With that crater as the center, the snow within dozens of zhang was blasted into the air, forming an arc-shaped wave of air that slapped against a row of coniferous pine trees nearby, completely freezing them solid.