Chapter 96. The Inevitability Born of Coincidence (2)

Nangong Xin (南宮信) looked at Yan Hozheng with eyes full of genuine admiration.

"Are you Yan Hozheng?"

"Do you know me?"

Whoosh.

The swordsmen standing behind Nangong Xin emitted a chilling aura.

Nangong Xin was the last of the eight elders of the Nangong family, a position equivalent to the head of the household.

However, the young man's tone, who should be in his early twenties, was truly detestable. This was what irritated the swordsmen.

But Nangong Xin nodded as if it didn't matter.

"Of course, I know. Just by looking at that enormous axe you carry, I can guess. Moreover, the aura you unconsciously emit is far from that of a young man."

Surprisingly, Nangong Xin seemed delighted. His face was full of pure admiration and joy.

"I heard you showed the courage to face the First Family alone. Indeed, you are a remarkable talent. The nickname 'Bishan Hujiang' (碧山虎将) suits you perfectly."

Bishan Hujiang?

'How ridiculous.'

Just a moment ago, they were calling him Guangfengsa, and now they're calling him Bishan Hujiang. Even though he was also a martial artist, he could understand the fuss martial artists make.

"Ah, I'm sorry. I haven't even introduced myself. I am Xin of the Anhui Nangong family."

Yan Hozheng blinked.

Nangong Xin smacked his lips.

"Have you never heard of me?"

"I've never been interested in others."

No matter how he thought about it, this wasn't something to say to a senior in the martial world. Moreover, Nangong Xin was older than the head of the Yan family.

The swordsmen's gazes grew colder, and the aura they emitted became stronger.

Nangong Xin burst into laughter.

"What a bold young man. Yes, a man should have such courage."

"Anyway, I'll be on my way. Please step aside."

"Before that."

"…?"

"The person you have at your side, is it Ming Xulun?"

Yan Hozheng's eyes sparkled.

For a moment, he thought, 'How did he know?'

But the Nangong family was a central force in the martial alliance. It was reasonable for them to know that Ming Xulun was heading to Anhui.

"Yes."

"Indeed. The young hero who exposed the true face of a prestigious martial family and captured the son of a public enemy. Your reputation will once again shake the land north and south of the Yangtze River."

Yan Hozheng shook his head, a gesture that conveyed his annoyance.

"Please step aside. I'm in a hurry."

"Ha! That's the right attitude. We were trying to capture him first, but it's a pity. After all, who captures him doesn't matter. The important thing is that he's captured."

Nangong Xin, who seemed genuinely disappointed, glanced at Ming Xulun and took a step back.

"Clear the way."

Thirty swordsmen lined up on both sides.

Yan Hozheng's eyes sparkled.

'Impressive.'

The aura he felt from both sides was tremendous.

They were not an ordinary martial organization. They were likely among the best combat units in the Nangong family.

But this was not a concern for Yan Hozheng. He walked steadily down the path.

Then,

"By the way, you."

Yan Hozheng stopped.

"I heard you gave my nephews quite a scolding in the past."

"…"

"Hehe, no need to be tense. Although they are my nephews, I think they were too harsh. Xian was corrupt, and Shanghua's behavior was reckless, showing the kind of despicable actions only children would commit."

"By the way?"

"By the way…"

Nangong Xin's smile remained.

"I understand the two incidents, but there's another one that even I can't comprehend."

Yan Hozheng turned around.

He frowned.

"Stop beating around the bush and say what you want to say."

Nangong Xin nodded.

"Since you're so straightforward, I'll skip the formalities."

Nangong Xin's face, which had been full of smiles, suddenly turned cold.

"Are you close to the girl who is to be Xian's wife?"

Yan Hozheng immediately thought of one person.

"Zhuge Ayan?"

"Yes, Zhuge Ayan. I'm talking about that girl."

"Close… I wouldn't say we're particularly close."

"Hehe, if you think you can easily get away with that, you're mistaken. Actually, whether you and Zhuge Ayan are close or not doesn't matter, but the situation is strangely bad."

Nangong Xin frowned.

Even he found it awkward to get involved in such matters. But as an elder of the family and an uncle, he had no choice.

"I don't know if you're aware, but our main family has sent a matchmaker to the Zhuge family. For Zhuge Ayan."

"I know."

"You know? Hehe, then this will be quick."

Nangong Xin said in a cold voice.

"Never meet the eldest daughter of the Zhuge family again. She is to be the wife of the second son of our main family."

Yan Hozheng couldn't help but chuckle.

Nangong Xin's eyes deepened.

"Why are you laughing?"

He couldn't help but laugh.

It seemed the Zhuge family intended to reject the marriage proposal from the Nangong family. Yet, the Nangong family was telling him not to spread rumors.

Was he trying to pick a fight? But it didn't seem like that.

'In any case, you knew.'

What was important to Yan Hozheng was not the marriage between Zhuge Ayan and Nangong Xian.

'They knew I was here.'

This was a matter known only to himself and Murong Jun. At least, that was the surface appearance.

The Nangong family also sent troops to capture Ming Xulun? That was possible. But it couldn't be used as evidence that this meeting was a coincidence.

'Murong Jun.'

An obvious move. It was clear that Murong Jun was behind this.

The reason was that there was no way to challenge it even if he knew. There was no evidence, and there was no need to cause unnecessary trouble and spread rumors.

And the same applied to the Nangong family.

Yan Hozheng shrugged.

"Don't worry. I never suggested meeting her first. She came to find me."

Fortunately.

It was fortunate, but it was a strangely unpleasant statement. If Yan Hozheng had feelings for Zhuge Ayan, it would be different, but the opposite would be a headache for the Nangong side.

"So, there's no need to be so tense."

Swoosh.

A faint blue aura rippled from the bodies of the swordsmen.

It was the Cangqiong Qi (苍穹气). All of them had mastered the Nangong family's ultimate martial art.

And they had all deeply mastered it. The waves of aura coming from both sides were astonishingly strong.

After staring at Yan Hozheng for a while, Nangong Xin smiled again.

"You are arrogant, but at least you don't seem to be lying."

I'll do it if necessary.

"I believe you. Please be careful in the future."

"Don't worry. I don't want to ruin someone else's marriage."

"Hehe, a young man who understands the implications."

Nangong Xin raised his hand.

At the same time, the aura waves from both sides subsided.

"I'm sorry for detaining you. Please continue on your way."

"Thank you."

"Sure. Ah! One more thing."

Nangong Xin frowned.

"Have you seen a master of archery around here?"

Yan Hozheng's eyes widened.

"Archery?"

"Yes. You might not know, but there's a demon called Anhui Xuegong who destroyed the Jinjian Sect five years ago. It's said that this demon has recently appeared near the Bagong Mountains."

"…!"

"Since you've captured Ming Xulun, that's fine. But we must capture Anhui Xuegong."

Nangong Xin scratched his head.

"I saw traces of intense activity not far from here. Although I didn't examine them closely, it was an incredible archery skill enhanced by qi. I believe it to be the martial art of Anhui Xuegong."

"…"

"Did you not feel a similar powerful aura while waiting to capture Ming Xulun?"

Yan Hozheng said nonchalantly.

"I've never seen it. I only arrived a day ago."

"Is that so?"

Nangong Xin smacked his lips.

"Understood. If you see anyone suspicious with a bow, please inform the nearby branch."

"Understood."

"Go on your way. Congratulations on capturing Ming Xulun."

"Thank you."

With that, Yan Hozheng moved away from the Nangong family's troops.

How far had he descended from the mountain?

"Huff, huff! Y-Young Master Yan?"

Yan Hozheng opened his eyes wide.

"Branch Chief Xiaoqing?"

"Ah, huff, huff! J-Just a moment to catch my breath…"

Xiaoqing collapsed on the spot, gasping for breath.

Behind him was Bai Xiang, with a calm expression.

Yan Hozheng's eyes lit up.

"Mo… Bai Xiang?"

Bai Xiang looked at Yan Hozheng silently.

Her eyes were unfocused, and the aura of emptiness emanating from her body was dark.

Xiaoqing panted and said,

"T-This young lady came to find Young Master Yan. Huff, huff!"

Yan Hozheng put Ming Xulun down.

"I didn't expect you to find me so quickly."

Bai Xiang, who had been staring at Yan Hozheng, bowed her head.

"I came to say goodbye."

"Goodbye?"

"I'm going back to Guan Yiqu."

Yan Hozheng smacked his lips.

"To become a messenger or something?"

"No."

"…Then?"

Bai Xiang, with a blank face, said something terrifying.

"To eliminate them with my own hands."

"…!"

Yan Hozheng's face stiffened.

"Palace Master Gongtian said that you could protect me. But Guan Yiqu is strong. They will try to capture the escaped messenger."

"Is that so."

"Yes. I don't know much about the martial world, but only a top-notch sect can match Guan Yiqu."

"So, you're going to eliminate them all with your own hands?"

Bai Xiang's eyes grew even darker.

Beneath the deep darkness, a faint anger and killing intent lay.

"I hate them. All the people who could be called family are dead, and they will try to capture me."

"…"

"It's better to eliminate them all."

Truly ruthless.

It was hard to make such a resolve. But to her, Guan Yiqu was her hometown.

Yan Hozheng looked into Bai Xiang's eyes.

They seemed to absorb all the light in the world. They were that dark.

'This isn't just because of this incident.'

This incident was just the trigger, but she must have hated Guan Yiqu all along. Of course, it was just a guess.

"Can you handle it alone?"

"I know the terrain and layout of the place. There are several experts, but none are as skilled as those who participated in the competition."

"Still, it will be a tough battle."

"…"

"A battle from which you might not return. That's why you came to say goodbye, right?"

"…Yes."

Bai Xiang bowed again.

"Thanks to you, Palace Master Gongtian passed away peacefully. I also owe you a debt of gratitude, so I wanted to say goodbye before I leave, which might be the last time."

Yan Hozheng sighed.

"I advised you to take control of your life, but now you're going to die."

"I don't want to die."

"…?"

"I don't want to die. But if I don't eliminate them, my life won't be worth living."

"…"

"They are that evil."

"So, this is a choice you can't avoid, right?"

"…Yes."

"Is that so?"

It was a somewhat sly answer.

Yan Hozheng suddenly put his arm around Bai Xiang's shoulder. She flinched.

"Hey, Mo… No, Bai… Ah, forget it! From now on, you're Mubai. I'll call you Mubai."

"Y-Yes?"

"I have a good idea. Would you like to hear it?"

"…A good idea?"

Yan Hozheng looked up at the distant mountain ridge.

His eyes sank deeply.

"Before you face the world, let me give you one piece of advice."

"…?"

"If you're going to get your hands dirty, it's better to do it yourself. But if it's a troublesome matter, it's fine to leave it to others."

"…? What do you mean?"

"It means you don't need to feel awkward if you can't do what you should. Especially if the other party deserves to die."

Yan Hozheng said to Xiaoqing.

"Branch Chief, could you bring Ming Xulun over? I need to talk to this friend."

"Huff, huff! S-Should I carry him?"

"I'd appreciate it."

"Huff, huff. Ah, understood."

Yan Hozheng smiled and turned to Bai Xiang.

"Have you heard of the Chadaosha lineage?"