Supreme Sword Exalt

Chapter 175 - A Hero Like This, Yet He Must Die By My Hand. What a Pity

His gaze grew profound and distant. “No matter who it is, how dare you covet the fortune meant for me?”

He had long considered the liquid treasure his own. As if he would allow others to lay a hand on it!

Chu Kuang’s speed abruptly increased. In just a moment, he had completely vanished from sight.

***

Listening to the faint roars coming from behind him, Gu Han wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, his expression somewhat unsightly. The speed of the monsters’ evolution far exceeded his imagination. More frightening was that these monsters were gradually regaining their awareness, no longer the muddle-headed state they were in before. This was the most terrifying part.

Eventually, as time passed, their strength would also grow to a level difficult for anyone to resist. By then, everyone would be in serious trouble. After all, the secret realm was only so big. Finding everyone’s hiding places wouldn’t be too difficult.

Gu Han could only pin his hopes on the liquid treasure. If everyone could break through together, advancing another step, there could still be a sliver of hope. Otherwise, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Thinking of this, he sped up by another third, ignoring his injuries. Having covered most of the journey, it didn’t take long before he arrived at the center. Faintly, he could once again perceive that all-too-familiar aura of the liquid treasure.

Excellent! It’s still here! His spirits lifted. Gu Han stormed through the blockade of red mist, arriving at the ultimate fortune-granting place of this secret realm. However, he froze at the sight before him.

A transparent barrier covered the unique small pool, completely blocking out the red mist. At its center was a slightly plump young man, sitting cross-legged. The liquid treasure transformed into wisps of hazy spirit mist, continuously being drawn into him.

This person was Jiang Xuan. Given his temperament, he couldn’t be bothered with the anomalies, even though he knew full well that he was the cause.

“Hmm?” As if sensing movement outside, Jiang Xuan slowly opened his eyes. He also froze when he saw Gu Han. “You?”

Gu Han grew wary. “Who are you? Do you know me?”

Whoever he was, the young man made Gu Han feel far more threatened than the mutated monsters ever had.

Jiang Xuan glanced at himself, feeling quite satisfied. “The change is too great. It’s only natural you don’t recognize me!”

Gu Han ignored him and glanced at the small pool. He felt a pang of heartache when he saw that only a shallow layer remained.

Jiang Xuan became serious. “This liquid treasure is mine. It’s connected to me by fate.”

Gu Han was speechless. He felt a strong aversion toward the man’s way of talking.

Jiang Xuan slowly rose to his feet. “And here I thought someone of your strength would be trapped at the periphery. Who would’ve thought you’d actually reach this place? Haa... You always manage to give me surprises, little fellow!”

Gu Han frowned slightly. “I feel like I’ve seen you somewhere before...”

Jiang Xuan waved his hand. “No need to overthink it. The workings of the Great Dao are vast and elusive. I believe that every encounter between you and me is destined, brought about by fate. To dig to the root, insisting on finding a cause, would be missing the point!”

That tone...

Gu Han was all too familiar with it. “It’s you!”

A flash of lightning seemed to cross his mind, instantly conjuring images of two figures. Both so pretentious and so infuriating!

“That person in Yue Mountain City was you! That old janitor in Great Qi Martial Academy was also you!”

Jiang Xuan didn’t deny it, a look of appreciation on his face. “You’re indeed very clever!”

Gu Han was stunned. Clever? Given your infuriating way of speaking, anyone would recognize you, right? It’s not even about looks, but the outstanding temperament!

Without waiting for a response, Jiang Xuan went on with his soliloquy. “You really are a talent. Cultivated to the Supreme Stage, defeated Jiang Hong, killed Yu Hua. Just for revenge, you stirred up Great Qi’s imperial capital, causing great chaos. Even someone as esteemed as Zheng Ning lost his life to you! Then you crippled Yang Fei right outside the Ruyi Tower, trampling on the faces of the Yang and Meng families.

“Afterward, you even refused Tower Master Wei’s invitation just to stay in the Fengwu Court. The workings of Heaven’s Dao are unfathomable and elusive, always giving birth to a few stunningly brilliant individuals. Your aptitude, bone structure, temperament... each is one in ten thousand! In my humble opinion, apart from Luo Wushuang, no one can compare to you in the whole Northern Domain!”

Gu Han ignored his flattery, growing increasingly solemn. “You seem to know me very well. Just who the hell are you? I don’t recall seeing you when entering the secret realm. How did you even get in?”

Jiang Xuan waved his hand, sighing. “It’s not that I know you well. It’s simply that you are too outstanding, your radiance is too difficult to conceal. As for who I am, my surname is Jiang.”

A thought struck Gu Han. “Are you from the Great Qi imperial family?”

Jiang Xuan sighed again. “To be precise, the Great Qi imperial family should all call me old ancestor!”

Gu Han’s guard instantly went up. “You’re Great Qi’s old ancestor?”

“Don’t be nervous. I am not here to seek vengeance against you. Those worthless things, even if they all died, I wouldn’t feel the slightest bit of heartache.” Jiang Xuan waved his hand, before smiling. “As for how I got in, I snuck in. I won’t tell you how exactly. I promised someone, so I cannot renege on it!”

Gu Han’s frown deepened. He asked a question and answered himself. He’s almost telling everything he knows, holding nothing back. This... is too strange!

Jiang Xuan wore a look of benevolence. “Any more questions? As for me, well, I have no other faults, just a bit of a loose tongue. If you have any questions, ask away. If I can answer, I definitely won’t hide it from you!”

Gu Han looked at him suspiciously. “Really? You would be this kind?”

Jiang Xuan gently urged. “Hurry up and ask while you’re still alive.”

Gu Han stiffened. “You want to kill me?”

“Yes.”

“You just said no vengeance!”

“This has nothing to do with that.”

Gu Han sighed. “You also just said that I am stunningly brilliant, comparable to Luo Wushuang!”

Jiang Xuan wore a look of regret. “Yes! I am actually someone who values talent. You are so remarkable. To die by my hand in such a manner, my heart inevitably feels restless. Hence why I decided to give you this preferential treatment. To let you die knowing the full story!”