Chapter 116: How Should One Escape?

Although Su Fan spoke thus, he could never truly be cut in two. What these two sought was not Su Fan himself, so the outcome of him being truly severed would never come to pass.

The young master Situ let out a light laugh and said, “Little brother, your resolve is impressive indeed. Even those prodigies in the imperial capital cannot compare to you in this regard.”

A cold sneer curled on Su Fan’s lips. Using such a method to win his heart and then gradually coax him into handing over his treasures—this scheme was truly pathetic, transparent to all.

Seeing no significant change on Su Fan’s face, young master Situ continued, “I suppose that deadly force you just unleashed was also triggered by you. Even the greatest genius of the Song Dynasty couldn’t accomplish that at your level.”

Suddenly, Su Fan laughed, though he remained silent.

Seeing this was effective, young master Situ hurriedly added, “In that case, little brother, why not come with me to the imperial capital? I guarantee you’ll rise straight to the top.”

Young master Shangguan, witnessing the treasure about to fall into his hands being snatched away by someone he detested, felt his rage surge. He snarled, “You bastard! Looks like I have no choice but to act today.”

Situ seemed to have anticipated Shangguan’s outburst. Unhurried, he withdrew a silver needle and snorted coldly, “Then today, I’ll teach your family’s elder a lesson in your stead.”

The needle was drawn slowly, as if to conceal its true power. But such a facade was futile.

Su Fan chuckled inwardly. He had expected all this—a typical wealthy scion, quick to resort to violence at the slightest provocation. Such was the immutable law of the world.

What surprised him was how swiftly it unfolded, how volatile Shangguan was. The plan had just begun, yet the desired outcome was already in sight.

Su Fan stepped back leisurely, eager to observe this rare spectacle: a duel between two Heart Refining cultivators.

The silver needle’s slender form made its trajectory unpredictable, and thus far more dangerous.

Shangguan, hot-tempered and rough, should have been unable to trace the needle’s path. Yet he evaded every deadly thrust with ease, moving so casually it seemed as though the needle were no more than an ordinary piece of metal, incapable of inflicting the slightest harm.

Yet the needle’s power was undeniable. Su Fan witnessed one needle pierce a massive boulder before the Seven-Colored Hall—a stone as massive as a small mountain. In an instant, the stone turned to smoke and was carried away by the northern wind.

The Seven-Colored Hall was a place of mystery; no mundane object could stand before it. The boulder’s origin was said to be otherworldly.

In the era of their ancestor, Tian Yuanzi, the boulder fell and no matter how many spells were cast, it remained unmoved.

Yet now, it was utterly destroyed by a single needle, leaving no trace. The needle’s terrifying potency was clear for all to see.

Each time young master Situ fired a silver needle, a flicker of pain crossed his cold face, betraying his heartache.

Shangguan, on the other hand, dodged with relish, laughing as he said, “If this were the celestial needle from the imperial palace, I might be wary. But this mere imitation? It simply cannot harm me.”

Such formidable power dismissed as mere imitation left Su Fan feeling embarrassed—embarrassed by his own lack of worldly experience.

Shangguan then said, “I’ve heard that the Situ family can replicate any treasure under heaven. I wonder what else you carry—I’d like to have a look.”

Su Fan sighed. The man who had just seemed so dull-witted now displayed cunning beyond belief, deliberately provoking his opponent.

But young master Situ was no fool either. He was not silenced by Shangguan’s taunts.

Maintaining his composure, he withdrew the silver needle and tapped his storage pouch, producing a small flag embroidered with a bloodthirsty black eagle—an imposing sight.

At once, Shangguan’s mocking expression vanished, replaced by profound gravity.

He said solemnly, “The Situ family’s soul flag… and it even contains the soul of a wild beast.”

Seeing Shangguan’s sudden change in demeanor, young master Situ laughed heartily, clearly enjoying himself.

When his laughter died away, he said, “This one is real—designed especially to hunt you down.”

Shangguan was taken aback. “Hunt me? The Shangguan clan is no weaker than yours, Situ…”

Suddenly, Situ asked, “Do you know why His Majesty seeks that token?”

Shangguan fell silent.

Situ continued, “It’s the military token of General Lan.”

General Lan? Could it be Lan Yifeng? Su Fan wondered silently.

Shangguan hurriedly said, “General Lan was assassinated by killers, his remains lost…”

Situ scoffed, “General Lan guarded the border with the empire’s elite forces, and as the empire’s strongest warrior, how could mere assassins harm him?”

Shangguan’s face paled. Shocked, he said, “You’re planning a rebellion.”

Just a few words, yet Shangguan made such a conclusion. Su Fan watched curiously to see how Situ would respond.

Situ laughed loudly. “You’re right. Three of the four great families in the imperial capital are involved. Only your Shangguan family refuses to join.”

Shangguan snorted coldly, “His Majesty has treated us well. You traitorous scoundrels will be utterly destroyed.”

Situ smiled lightly, “General Lan, the empire’s greatest warrior, is already dead by our hands. Most of the palace guards are ours as well.”

“His Majesty stands alone now. Within five years, we shall control all power in the empire. Your Shangguan family will then be nothing but prisoners.”

Shangguan’s voice turned icy. “The national teacher said the Song Dynasty would endure for ten thousand years. You shall not succeed.”

Though this dialogue held world-shaking implications, to Su Fan it was as dull as children playing house.

For neither the rumored empire nor the rebellious families concerned him in the slightest.

What Su Fan cared about now was how to escape this place as soon as possible.

He could only wait for the two to begin their fight.

And so, the duel resumed.

Situ brandished the soul flag, the black eagle embroidered upon it seeming to have starved for millennia, ready to seize a lamb for sustenance.

It lunged fiercely at Shangguan.

Shangguan’s eyes narrowed sharply, shedding his previous leering demeanor.

He raised his hand and swiftly inscribed a strange rune, casting a protective barrier over himself.

The black eagle smashed through the rune, momentarily faltering. Then a relentless barrage of runes followed, each broken by the eagle, though not without difficulty.

Watching their fierce entanglement, Su Fan sneered quietly and slipped away, drifting toward the distance.

Situ shouted in alarm, “Boy, you’re not going anywhere!”

He summoned the black eagle, which turned and darted at Su Fan like a bolt of black lightning.

Shangguan’s expression also shifted dramatically. He pointed skyward, conjuring a golden seal.

Though concerned about Su Fan’s escape, Situ was momentarily stunned by the golden mark.

He murmured, “Is that the Sealing Heaven Seal?”