Unsheathed

Chen Ping'an pursed his lips and looked intently at the so-called descendant of a True Dragon that had enjoyed a smooth sailing journey so far. "What is it that's made you and Gu Can think that killing other people isn't wrong? Why do you feel like you can die without regrets if you're killed? Someone like Gu Can, a flood dragon like you, and a seemingly shrewd person like Gu Can's mother... If I were strangers with the three of you, then are you aware of what fate you would have suffered?

"Even though my cultivation base is lowly, and I didn't throw a single punch or unleash a single sword strike, I could have had the three of you die several times over simply by staying at Bamboo Scroll Lake for a few years and chatting over some tea and making some deals with Liu Zhimao, Liu Laocheng, the island master of Millet Grain Island, and so on."

Tan Xue smiled coldly and retorted, "Then why don't you kill us? Why are you hesitating?"

The small catfish appeared to become very happy at this moment, smiling faintly as it continued, "Being able to walk to where you are today, I know that you're much, much smarter than Gu Can. Chen Ping'an, it's not an exaggeration to say that you're extremely careful and meticulous, calculating every action you take and even going as far as to probe the most subtle human heart.

"However, what does this matter? Didn't your Great Dao shatter anyway? Chen Ping'an, do you genuinely understand how Gu Can felt that night? You said you vomited blood due to issues with cultivation, but do you truly think that Gu Can bought your explanation? He might not be as smart as you, but he definitely isn't an idiot either.

"I'm at the Nascent Tier, after all, so do you think I'm unable to see through the huge problem that your body is facing right now? However, Gu Can is too kindhearted, especially since he's still just a child. He didn't dare to ask about your situation. As for me, I was happy to remain silent. The weaker you are, the less I'll need to fear you.

"I've been proven correct. You were just strong enough to block Liu Laocheng, allowing me to survive while you suffered severe wounds. With you becoming weaker and me becoming relatively stronger, I can smack you to death with a single slap right now. It will be the same as smacking a measly ant to death, something that's not even worthy of becoming food after death."

Chen Ping'an casually tossed the demon-binding chain onto the table, placing his palms together as he smiled and replied, "Now this is the way. Even I was feeling tired for you when you kept those words bottled up inside. You're truly not a good actor, while I was able to see through everything. In other words, both you and I were feeling mentally exhausted. Right now, both of us are standing on the same path."

Tan Xue narrowed her eyes and said, "Stop trying to act so mysteriously."

Chen Ping'an extended a hand, spreading it open and saying, "Taking into account Zeng Ye and also adding you and me — yes, just the two of us — we can be independently grouped to form the fifth path."

Tan Xue chuckled coldly and asked, "Chen Ping'an, you haven't gone crazy after interacting too much with those yin entities, have you? Perhaps you've fallen to heretical and demonic ways? So you decided to embrace it and become a demonic cultivator? What, you're filled with wild ambition and want to emulate the city lord of White Emperor City? And you want to start with Bamboo Scroll Lake?