Human Butcher Wan Sanhuo? What does it have to do with my Li Huo?

The Martial Kill Order. Only officials of the Great Wu Dynasty at the City Lord level or higher are qualified to issue a kill order.

Once this order is given, the person being pursued is equivalent to having cut themselves off from the Great Wu. Every city and county will mobilize to search for them, leaving them with no escape, nowhere to hide.

At this moment, in a large roadside inn about fifty li south of Dongjiang City, a martial artist was spitting and talking about everything that had happened in Dongjiang City two days prior.

"So, that Man-Butcher Wan Sanhuo really killed nearly a hundred people again? That's too brutal!"

"Who isn't saying that? What newly ascended Qi Condensation Realm martial artist is this bloodthirsty? I think there must be something wrong with the cultivation technique this guy is practicing!"

"Could he be from a demonic sect?"

"Heh, stop joking. Don't you understand the national strength of our Wu Dynasty? Would the demonic sects bother with all this effort?"

"Let me tell you all, the latest news is that the Man-Butcher Wan Sanhuo ambushed Wang Jin, the master of the Weiwu Martial Arts Hall, before fleeing Dongjiang. It seems Wang Jin was too severely injured, beyond medical help, and has passed away."

"What?!"

Another round of exclamations. Wang Jin had a considerable reputation in Dongjiang City, and naturally, his fame had spread to other cities.

Wang Jin died at the hands of that Man-Butcher Wan Sanhuo. No wonder Dongjiang City issued the Martial Kill Order.

While some were bragging and gathering information, others with sharp minds were already preparing to start their search.

The reward offered by Huang Lingyan was truly substantial. They had no reason not to try. If they really found that Wan Sanhuo, it would be like a windfall.

However, at this moment, two people in the inn had eyes like lightning, both fixing on someone in the corner of the inn.

In the corner, a person sat leaning against the wall. The flickering candlelight illuminated the rough wine and small dishes on the table, as well as that ruthless face.

The two men, one on the left and one on the right, slowly approached the low table, their gazes fixed on the young man.

"You look unfamiliar, brother. Where are you from?"

"This place is quite remote. You didn't happen to come from Dongjiang City, did you?"

As soon as they spoke, the previously lively inn fell silent as if a needle had dropped.

The young man looked up at the two of them, then looked away, letting out a cold snort: "Scram."

"You brat, so arrogant!"

"How dare you?"

With a furious roar, one of them raised his palm, the other swung his fist, heading straight for the young man.

Seeing both sides engage, the surrounding people immediately became interested.

According to the news, that Wan Sanhuo was skilled with the saber, and only the saber. After all, given his age, a young man in his early twenties could cultivate a saber technique to Peak Mastery. What else could you expect him to know?

As long as this kid didn't have any decent martial arts to rely on, his suspiciousness would only increase.

But just as the fist and palm were about to hit him, the young man's hands moved in a cross, and a faint whistling sound of wind could be heard in the air.

His hands formed claws. The young man's claws struck before the incoming fist and palm, gripping them and pulling. The punch and the palm strike both narrowly missed his face as they crossed.

The two men did not press their attack, and the young man did not continue his move.

After a brief stalemate, the two men withdrew their hands and cupped their fists in a salute to the young man:

"Brother, please forgive our offense. Your claw technique is truly extraordinary. I am Lu Cheng (Lian Yunhao). May I know your name, brother?"

The young man casually returned the salute: "Li Huo, an unknown nobody just starting out."

After saying that, he didn't speak further with the two men and continued to eat and drink by himself.

When the surrounding people saw that claw technique, they lost all interest. Judging by the skill of the claw technique, it was clearly the result of many years of practice, definitely not something Wan Sanhuo could have learned on a whim.

After the crowd dispersed, the young man exhaled a breath of turbid air subtly.

Without a saber in hand, it was difficult for him to be too ostentatious.

This person was, of course, Li Yan. It had been a day and a night since he left Dongjiang City, and utterly exhausted, he could only make do with this roadside inn for the night.

On the road, he had already heard about Dongjiang City issuing the Martial Kill Order. Considering the aftermath of this matter, Li Yan gritted his teeth and used his remaining meager experience points to upgrade Tearing Wind Claws to the Minor Accomplishment realm. He hadn't expected it to be useful.

Man-Butcher Wan Sanhuo? What does that have to do with me, Li Huo?

I practice claw techniques~

Reseating himself, Li Yan frowned slightly. Wang Jin was dead.

Based on the situation last night, his final saber strike had at most injured his bones, but the gap in their realms was like a chasm; it couldn't possibly endanger his life.

Could Shangguan Feiyun have continued the attack?

That was obviously impossible!

After much thought, Li Yan could only think of one person.

Huang Lingyan!

Wang Jin's death must have had his hand in it. With a little thought, anyone could realize how beneficial Wang Jin's death was to him.

With just a little time, besides the Shangguan Family, Dongjiang City would be Huang Lingyan's sole domain!

But that was precisely the case; the more dangerous the Shangguan Family became, the faster he had to act.

With that thought, Li Yan slowly closed his eyes.

Around him, gazes occasionally swept over Li Yan. Anyone with a bit of experience in the martial world could vaguely sense the dangerous aura emanating from him.

However, this guy wasn't carrying a sword, and he had just displayed impressive claw techniques. It was clear he wasn't Wan Sanhuo.

Everyone's attention was currently on Wan Sanhuo, so other matters could be set aside for now.

The next morning, after breakfast, Li Yan left the large inn, leaving behind a couple of silver fragments.

He continued heading south, his destination being Lingbao Town, which was beside the Santu River.

The Santu River was a confluence of many waterways, with numerous ships coming and going, making it a hub of trade.

Naturally, Lingbao Town had become a gathering place for merchants, and everyone who passed through was either wealthy or noble.

His purpose in coming here was to fulfill Shangguan Liuyun's request: to find Treasure Official of Lingbao Town and deliver a personal letter from Shangguan Liuyun to him.

According to Shangguan Liuyun, this Treasure Official had many years of cooperative experience with the Shangguan Family and possessed abundant resources.

If he offered his assistance, Dongjiang City would soon realize the importance of the Shangguan Family to it. With resources, those coveting the Shangguan Family would be deterred, buying more time.

As he walked, Li Yan suddenly stopped.

"You two, since you're here, why hide? What's the point of being secretive?"

As his voice fell, two figures emerged from the woods. They were Lu Cheng and Lian Yunhao, who had attacked him last night.

The two cupped their fists and bowed to Li Yan, saying, "Brother, please don't misunderstand. We were just heading to the Santu River by chance. Given what happened last night, we were afraid Brother Li might have some misunderstandings, so we followed from a distance."

Lian Yunhao, clearly a smooth talker, managed to twist their pursuit into a mere coincidence of traveling the same route. He framed it as an act of good intention that unfortunately caused trouble, leaving one speechless.

Li Yan didn't engage. He took a couple of steps to the side and continued to look at them, his meaning clear: you go first.

The two were taken aback, not expecting such a cold shoulder. But with things as they were, they couldn't say much more and could only walk forward.

However, just as they reached Li Yan's side, Lu Cheng suddenly bent down and struck towards Li Yan's waist with a palm.

Lian Yunhao also moved explosively, his punch carrying a fierce wind pressure as it hurtled towards Li Yan's face.

The timing of their sneak attack couldn't have been better chosen – it was the moment when people were most vigilant, yet also starting to let their guard down.

However, Li Yan had harbored the same intention as them from the very beginning. The moment they attacked, his Tearing Wind Claws roared to life.