The Butcher Wan Sanhuo? What Does That Have to Do with Me, Li Huo?

A Martial Kill Order could only be issued by officials of city lord rank or above within the Great Wu Dynasty.

Once this order was issued, the wanted person was tantamount to cutting themselves off from Great Wu. Every city and county would hunt them down with all their strength; there would be no road to heaven above, no gate to earth below.

At that moment, in a roadside inn more than fifty miles south of Dongjiang City, a jianghu wanderer was speaking animatedly, spittle flying as he recounted everything that had happened in Dongjiang City two days ago.

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

"Isn't that so? What warrior who has just entered the Qi Condensation Realm is so bloodthirsty? I'd say there must be something wrong with the Cultivation Method that fellow practices!"

"Could he be from the Demon Sect?"

"Heh, don't joke around. Do you not understand the strength of our Great Wu Dynasty? Would the Demon Sect waste such effort on this?"

"I'm telling you, the latest news is that before Butcher Wan Sanhuo fled Dongjiang, he ambushed Wang Jin, the hall master of Weiwu Martial Arts Hall. Wang Jin seemed to have been too severely injured. Medicine and stone alike could not save him, and he has already passed away."

"What?!"

More cries of shock rose up. Wang Jin had quite a reputation in Dongjiang City, and word of it had naturally spread to other cities as well.

Even Wang Jin had died at the hands of Butcher Wan Sanhuo. No wonder Dongjiang City had issued a Martial Kill Order.

Some people bragged and chatted to learn the details, while others with quick minds were already preparing to start searching for him.

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

Yet at that moment, two people in the roadside inn turned sharp, lightning-like gazes toward someone seated in a corner.

In the corner, someone sat with his back against the wall. The swaying candlelight illuminated the cloudy wine and small dishes on the table, as well as that merciless face.

The two approached the low table from either side, their eyes fixed unblinkingly on the young man.

"Brother, you're a very unfamiliar face. Where did you come from?"

"This place is remote. You couldn't have come from Dongjiang City, could you?"

The moment those words were spoken, the once-lively roadside inn fell so silent that a needle dropping could be heard.

The young man glanced at them, then withdrew his gaze and snorted coldly. "Scram."

"Brat, you're arrogant!"

"You dare?!"

With angry shouts, one raised his palm and the other swung his fist, both charging straight at the young man.

Seeing the two sides exchange blows, the people around them immediately became interested.

According to the news, Wan Sanhuo was skilled with a blade, and only knew how to use a blade. After all, his age was right there. A lad barely past twenty could cultivate one blade technique to Peak Mastery—did they expect him to know other Martial Arts as well?

As long as this lad did not possess any respectable Martial Arts, the chances of him being suspicious would rise in a straight line.

But just as the fist and palm were about to strike him, the young man crossed his hands. A faint howling of fierce wind sounded through the air.

His hands became claws. His claws moved after yet arrived first, catching their fist and palm and pulling them aside. The fist and palm brushed past his face, crossing each other.

The two did not hurry to attack again, and the young man did not continue his assault either.

After a brief standoff, the two withdrew their hands and cupped their fists toward the young man.

"This brother, please forgive our offense. That claw technique of yours is truly extraordinary. I am Lu Cheng, and this is Lian Yunhao. May we ask your name, brother?"

The young man casually returned the gesture. "Li Huo. An unknown nobody who has only just entered the world."

Having said that, he did not speak with them further and simply continued eating and drinking on his own.

The moment the surrounding people saw that claw technique, they all lost interest. Judging by the skill behind those claws, he had clearly immersed himself in them for many years. Wan Sanhuo could not possibly have cultivated them by cramming at the last minute.

After the crowd dispersed, the young man quietly let out a breath of stale air.

Without a blade in hand, he naturally could not afford to be too conspicuous.

This man was naturally Li Yan. A full day and night had passed since he left Dongjiang City, and utterly exhausted, he could only make do with spending a night at this roadside inn in the wilderness.

He had heard on the road that Dongjiang City had issued a Martial Kill Order. Considering what might follow, Li Yan had gritted his teeth and used his remaining Experience Points to raise Tearing Wind Claws to the Minor Mastery stage. He had not expected it to truly come in useful.

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

I practice claw techniques~

Settling back down, Li Yan's brows furrowed slightly. Wang Jin was dead.

Based on last night's situation, his final slash at most damaged Wang Jin's muscles and bones. But the gap between their realms was like a heavenly chasm; it could not possibly have endangered Wang Jin's life.

Could Shangguan Feiyun have continued attacking and delivered the killing blow?

Clearly impossible!

After thinking it over and over, Li Yan could only think of one person.

Huang Lingyan!

Wang Jin's death must have been arranged by him behind the scenes. With even a little thought, anyone could see how greatly Wang Jin's death benefited him.

Given a little time, apart from the Shangguan Family, Dongjiang City would become Huang Lingyan's one-man domain!

But if that was truly the case, then the Shangguan Family was in even greater danger. He had to move faster.

With that thought, Li Yan gradually closed his eyes.

Around him, gazes still occasionally swept over Li Yan. Anyone with even a little jianghu experience could vaguely sense the dangerous aura emanating from him.

But this fellow carried no blade, and he had just displayed impressive claw techniques. Clearly, he could not be Wan Sanhuo.

Everyone's attention was now on Wan Sanhuo, so there was no need to concern themselves with other matters for the moment.

The next morning, after breakfast, Li Yan left a tael of broken silver behind and departed the roadside inn.

He continued southward, his destination Lingbao Town beside the Santu River.

The Santu River was a convergence point of many waterways. Numerous ships traveled back and forth in all directions, and trade flourished.

Naturally, Lingbao Town became a gathering place for merchants, and all who came and went were either wealthy or noble.

He had come here to fulfill Shangguan Liuyun's request: find Treasure Official of Lingbao Town and personally deliver a letter written by Shangguan Liuyun to him.

According to Shangguan Liuyun, this Treasure Official had worked with the Shangguan Family for many years and possessed abundant resources.

As long as he offered assistance, Dongjiang City would soon realize the Shangguan Family's importance to the city. By using resources to make those coveting the Shangguan Family wary of smashing the rat for fear of breaking the vase, they could buy more time.

As he walked, Li Yan suddenly stopped.

"You two, since you're already here, why hide your heads and show your tails?"

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

The two cupped their fists toward Li Yan. "Brother, please don't misunderstand. We merely happened to be heading toward the Santu River as well. It's just that, with what happened last night, we feared Brother Li might misunderstand, so we followed from afar."

Lian Yunhao was clearly a smooth operator. He had turned stalking into simply sharing the same route, even claiming that good intentions had led to a bad result, leaving others with grievances they could not voice.

Li Yan, however, did not take the bait. He stepped two paces to the side and continued watching them. His meaning was clear: they were to go first.

The two froze for a moment, not expecting him to give them so little face. But things had come to this, and it was inconvenient to say more. They could only walk forward.

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

Lian Yunhao also sprang into action. His fist brought a biting wind pressure as it smashed straight toward Li Yan's face.

The timing of their sneak attack could not have been better. It was when a person was most vigilant, yet also in the instant when his mind began to relax.

Only, Li Yan had harbored the same intentions as them from the very beginning. The instant they attacked, Tearing Wind Claws began to roar as well.