Casting the Gu

Qing Xue flipped her hands, and several silver needles appeared between her fingers. The tips were pitch-black, seemingly coated in lethal poison. With a flick of her wrist, the needles shot toward the old man like arrows loosed from a full-drawn bow.

The night was hazy, and the needles were incredibly stealthy in such an environment, making them nearly impossible to guard against.

Even Chen Han felt a jolt of alarm; such a sudden hidden weapon was something he could hardly guarantee he would be able to dodge himself.

However, the old man seemed to have anticipated her methods and was well-prepared. With a slight shift of his body, he dodged the attack with ease.

Immediately, he took several rapid steps forward, his hands forming palms as he struck directly at Qing Xue. The latter was startled and fired off more silver needles, but the old man, already familiar with her killing moves and prepared for them, evaded them once again.

"Old thing!"

A look of fury appeared on Qing Xue's beautiful face. She let out an angry shout and swept her long legs toward the old man in a horizontal kick. The move was so fast it left afterimages, and its sheer power forced the old man to retreat repeatedly.

Chen Han conservatively estimated this force to be around eight hundred pounds; she had already reached the realm of Transformation Energy.

"You slut, those legs have some kick to them. I'll be sure to have my fun with them later."

The old man's eyes grew even more excited. His muscles bulged, veins throbbed on his forehead and hands, and his aura climbed steadily, terrifying and savage. He was also a Transformation Energy martial artist.

No, he was at the peak of Transformation Energy! Only one step away from becoming a true Martial Artist!

His palms were intangible yet formidable, hard as iron, and his movements were like an elephant and horse charging forward—this was the Elephant Horse Palm!

The two clashed head-on, palms and legs colliding repeatedly. The intensity of their aura and the ferocity of their attacks were enough to make one's heart race; both sides had reached a point of life-and-death struggle.

In the blink of an eye, several moves had passed. The old man's Elephant Horse Palm was clearly superior to Qing Xue's leg techniques. Qing Xue panted, the pressure mounting as time passed, and she gradually began to fall behind.

"You slut, just submit to me, old man. I guarantee I'll make you feel like you're in heaven..."

"Shameless wretch..."

A look of distress appeared on Qing Xue's face. In her desperation, she seized an opportunity to create some distance, then flipped open her lapel. Amidst a flash of skin, several green insects resembling fireflies flew out, carried by a fragrant breeze, and swarmed toward the old man.

The latter chuckled, advancing instead of retreating. "Finally couldn't hold out and revealed your trump card, have you?"

Facing the chaotic swarm, the old man channeled energy into his right palm for a long moment before finally striking out with a surging aura.

"Qi Shakes Mountains and Rivers!"

He roared, his palm energy seemingly threatening to burst the very air apart!

Under such an onslaught, the glowing green insects had no power to resist and were instantly crushed to death.

"Old thing, this girl will remember this grudge. Don't let yourself fall into my hands in the future."

The old man saw that the slut had no intention of continuing the fight the moment she released the insects; she had only used them to stall for a moment to pave her escape.

"Stinking wench, daring to come and cause me trouble, you don't know what's good for you... And you, the brat in the shadows, what are you hiding for? Come out."

He called out.

The next moment, true to his word, Chen Han appeared behind him.

"You brat, your ability to hide your presence is quite impressive. Even I almost didn't notice you."

The proficient Taiji Health Cultivation Technique had brought great benefits to Chen Han's body, granting him a level of physical control that ordinary people could never hope to reach.

He could even hold back for over an hour while intimate with Shen Wan'er at night without releasing, leaving her both miserable and unsatisfied—a testament to his potency.

Chen Han crossed his arms, head held high, his gaze as calm as water; he was not afraid of the man at all.

"Wasn't I still discovered by you, Senior?"

"Hmph, that goes without saying. I have walked the jianghu for many years; how could a fledgling like you compare to me?"

The old man looked at the ignorant, fearless young man before him with arrogance, feeling displeased that he hadn't bowed and scraped before him.

However, upholding the life motto that "true masters are hidden among the people" and "the waves behind the Yangtze River push the waves ahead," he chose not to strike him down immediately.

"Brat, this thing is a good item. I'll give it to you."

He picked up the silver needle he had dodged earlier and flicked it toward Chen Han, his purpose being to test him.

Chen Han remained composed. Just as the needle was about to pierce his body, he suddenly raised a hand, and his Two Yang Finger caught the needle steadily.

Facing a sudden silver needle, it would be hard to say if he could have dodged it, but being prepared was a different matter entirely; he had done it without the slightest effort.

The old man immediately began to size Chen Han up seriously. Although he couldn't tell exactly what his strength was, this single move was enough to warrant caution.

"Since Senior has bestowed a treasure, this junior will not be polite."

Chen Han said, carefully putting the silver needle away before proceeding to collect the others that had fallen on the ground.

"Brat, I assume you followed that slut here. Tell me, what is your relationship with her?"

Chen Han smiled faintly. "We've had a few transactions, that's all. It's not a relationship."

The old man was stunned, then burst into loud laughter. "Good lad! Any interest in teaming up with me to take that woman down?

Since you've traded with her, you must know she's a meat-seller in the Black Market; her family fortune must be extremely deep, at least a thousand taels of silver and several treasures.

If you've taken a fancy to her and want to take her as a slave, that's not impossible. I have plenty of ways to train her, guaranteed to make her obey your every word."

Chen Han listened, lost in thought, weighing the pros and cons.

The profit was great, but wouldn't it be a bit ungracious? Xue'er had even given him a discount before.

"Kid, you're fresh out of the nest and lack experience, so you likely haven't realized it yet."

Chen Han's gaze sharpened, his heart tightening. "Senior, please speak plainly."

"That stinking woman has planted a Gu on you!"

A Gu?

Chen Han had heard a thing or two about such things, most notably the Love Gu; once planted between lovers, if either party were to have a change of heart, they would suffer the agony of the Gu worm devouring their heart, dying in excruciating pain.

He suddenly recalled the piercing, bone-deep pain he felt while breaking through to the Hua Realm a few days ago—perhaps that was the Gu she had planted!

At that moment, the hair on Chen Han's arms stood on end, and cold sweat drenched his back.

One cannot judge a book by its cover; Aunt Xue'er might seem to have won his favor, but who knew what she was like behind his back?

He did not doubt the truth of these words for a second; this person had no reason to lie to him, and Aunt Xue'er had countless ways to plant a Gu on him—in the meat he ate, or through a casual touch.

Chen Han knew nothing about such things, so assuming the worst-case scenario was the safest bet.

"Is this true? Why would she plant a Gu on me?"

"I've always been one to speak my mind; why would I bother lying to you? As for why that stinking woman planted a Gu on you, you'll have to ask her yourself. How would I know?"

Better safe than sorry!

Chen Han had already developed a murderous intent toward the stunningly beautiful Aunt Xue'er. "Fine, what do you want me to do?"

"Isn't that simple?"

Chen Han returned to his quarters at the Chen Mansion. As soon as he opened the door, he saw Li Muyun, who had been asleep, startled awake as she ran out of the room.

"Benefactor, you've finally returned."

Seeing the savior who had saved her life months ago appear before her eyes once more, Li Muyun felt her sense of security swell, and a beaming smile graced her face.

"Mm, are you getting used to living here? This is the residence I've lived in since I was a child."

"It is naturally very pleasant."

Li Muyun's captivating almond eyes gazed at Chen Han, hiding a hint of affection, thinking to herself how there could be such a gentle, reliable, and handsome man in this world.

"That is good..."

At this moment, as if recalling something, Li Muyun's eyes grew misty with tears. "Benefactor, tell me the truth—what exactly happened to me last night..."

Li Muyun was simple-natured but not stupid; having been through so much, she had more or less guessed the reason.

Though she found it hard to believe, the ironclad facts were right before her, forcing her to face them.

Seeing the woman look as if she had guessed the truth, wearing an expression of utter despair, Chen Han could not bear it and ultimately remained silent.