He could perhaps hide inside the barrier and refuse to come out, but what about all those people from the Jia Ma Empire...? Of course, he didn't care much about them. But he couldn't just wash his hands of this group of disciples. The only one who could truly remain indifferent was Zi Yan.
For a moment, Zhang Nian was overwhelmed by conflicting emotions. His thoughts surged, and though his face showed no expression, the worry in his heart was plain in his eyes.
Protector Wu had seen all this, but he didn't know what to say. Soul Hall would avenge him? Forget it. This man was a tough opponent when he got serious, and Protector Wu didn't want to suffer any more.
"That's right. He came for the Purifying Lotus Demon Flame. The flame's power and color are unmistakable. I believe the branch hall master has already left. Even if you wanted to chase after him now, you might not catch up. Soul Hall's people are best at hiding and fleeing. I'm sure he'll return to the Central Plains next. You..."
"Right..." Protector Wu stopped talking.
It was because the man before him was watching him with a terrifying gaze. It was a playful look from someone standing on the brink of death. He had seen that look countless times, and it had even appeared in his own eyes before. He couldn't help shivering as a chilling voice reached his ears:
"Oh? Are you threatening me?"
As soon as the words fell, the scorching sensation that had seemed to subside surged through his body once more. Fear and pain from the depths of his soul engulfed him. By now, he didn't even want to scream; there was no point. He stared despairingly at the sky. His silence was his answer.
Perhaps he had grown bored, or perhaps the pressure weighing on his heart had caught up with him. Zhang Nian waved a hand, and Nanming Li Fire unleashed its full might. The white flames were like beasts devouring everything, releasing their most primal and savage energy.
In the blink of an eye, Protector Wu didn't even have time to cry out in pain. He vanished before Zhang Nian's eyes, a flash of astonishment in his gaze as he was reduced to dust. A breeze blew, and he disappeared from the world.
The ripples in the barrier also stirred the hearts of several people in the Jia Ma Empire who were paying close attention. Everyone knew how powerful the barrier was. On the very day Saint Qinglian arrived, the Jia Ma Empire had issued a nationwide ban on approaching the area. Surely no fool would provoke such a mighty figure. That left only one explanation for the unusual disturbance: an outsider had broken in, perhaps even an enemy of Saint Qinglian...
Before long, several figures flew across the sky. A closer look showed they were all familiar faces. They had arrived at just the right time—if they had come a moment earlier, they would have witnessed Zhang Nian waving a man into ashes.
"Yun Shan, Master of the Misty Cloud Sect, pays his respects to Saint Qinglian!"
"Jia Xingtian of the Jia Ma Empire pays his respects to Saint Qinglian!"
"Hai Bodong of the Mittel Family pays his respects to Saint Qinglian!"
The three bowed. Their faces each betrayed their own concerns, and Zhang Nian understood them perfectly. He waved a hand and said, "It's nothing. Just a few insignificant clowns. A mere Dou Zong thought he could lay hands on the Heavenly Flame I possess."
At the first half of Zhang Nian's words, the three men relaxed slightly. A Dou Zong Expert alone wasn't worth such a grand response. They were just about to bow and take their leave when they heard the chilling words that followed.
"But the force behind that fellow isn't easy to deal with. I'm not afraid of them, but you lot... I could wipe you out with a wave of my hand..."
After thinking for a moment, Zhang Nian set the three of them a test. People said that the road revealed the strength of a horse, and time revealed a person's heart. Although they had known one another for only a short time, the three had gone out of their way to please him. But a loyal servant could not serve two masters, and Zhang Nian didn't want bloodsuckers and turncoats around him. So he decided to test them a little.
Sure enough, all three fell into thought. If even a Dou Sheng Expert found this enemy troublesome, then, as Zhang Nian had said, the force behind him must also have Dou Sheng Experts. In that case... wouldn't the Jia Ma Empire be in grave danger?
Jia Xingtian couldn't help recalling a conversation he'd once had with Yao Qi in a room. The deep worry in her words now made sense. It had only been a few days, and trouble had already come knocking. Zhang Nian could simply turn on his heel and leave, but how could the Jia Ma Empire withstand the other side's wrath? His heart sank. But all they could do was blame their ill fortune. They couldn't afford to offend either side. It was a harsh reality.
Yun Shan, on the other hand, was very astute. He couldn't see what Zhang Nian was getting at, but in his eyes, a Dou Sheng Expert was a favorite of heaven and earth. If it were so easy to fall, how could anyone reach such a level? He immediately stated his position, bowing and cupping his fists toward Zhang Nian.
"Please take good care of Yun Yun, Saint. My Misty Cloud Sect will gladly serve at your side and follow your lead."
Hearing this, Zhang Nian's lips curled into a faint smile. He shook his head. A man like Yun Shan could serve as a subordinate, but he wasn't someone to entrust with important matters. Zhang Nian then turned to Hai Bodong. He had high hopes for him. His performance in the original story had been commendable, and his bond with Xiao Yan and his conduct in times of crisis spoke volumes about his character.
Hai Bodong gave a bitter smile, then cupped his fists like Yun Shan and said, "The Mittel Family is small, but we have our pride. If you don't object, Saint, I can pledge the family to you as its master right now."
Hai Bodong's decisiveness left the other two astonished. This was a family with more than a century of history. He was really handing it over just like that? And at a time like this?
But Hai Bodong knew very well that he had no choice. By pledging himself today, perhaps the family would receive a measure of Zhang Nian's protection when an army came marching to their gates. The Mittel Family might not survive, but at least a bloodline could be preserved. That would be enough to keep their roots alive.
That was the difference between Hai Bodong and Yun Shan and Jia Xingtian. Yun Shan couldn't give up his sect's prestige, while Jia Xingtian couldn't abandon the empire's power. Nor could he issue orders on Yao Qi's behalf. In the end, he had missed his chance.
Jia Xingtian remained silent, and Zhang Nian didn't deliberately make things difficult for him. He shook his head and waved the three away. "All right. This matter started because of me, so I'll take responsibility for it to the end. From today on, though, the Mittel Family is under my banner. I won't interfere with your operations, but remember to send me a couple of cooks and have some food delivered regularly."
Even a fool would have understood after hearing this. Hai Bodong's face lit up with joy, while the other two looked downcast. That was what it meant to lose by a single move: there would only ever be one chance, and once it slipped away, it could never be reclaimed.
Hai Bodong nodded. "Yes. I'll follow your orders, Saint. I'll return and send someone to take care of it right away."
This was also one of Zhang Nian's little schemes. Aside from giving people Dou Techniques and pills, the best way to build goodwill was to sit down and eat together like family. Once they grew familiar, they could talk more freely at the table. It would also help improve the relationships among his four disciples and make it easier for him to keep them on track with their cultivation.
Before you continue