Heart-Pounding and Terrifying

Overnight, more than fifty Black Mountain Gang members had been killed. Apart from Chen Han, who else could have done it?

At that moment, Chen Han was so terrified his heart pounded wildly. He could even feel the hairs on the back of his neck standing on end as cold sweat broke out all over him.

Just imagine how it felt: the two people who wanted him dead were right in front of him, yet they had no idea who he was.

If they found out, he would likely die so horribly he wouldn't even look human.

Chen Han was only a martial artist with Transformation Force. He had broken through just a few days ago, and his body still hadn't fully adapted to it.

Facing the old man, who was at the peak of Transformation Force, and Wu Duan, who had ordinary Transformation Force, he had no chance of winning. Even escaping with his life would be nearly impossible.

The shock on Chen Han's face hadn't faded. His thoughts raced as he searched for a way out.

Just then, Wu Duan spoke. "The third suspect has turned up..."

As he spoke, he slid a slip of paper across the table to the old man.

Chen Han's heart lurched. There was a name written on it, but he was too far away to make it out.

This is bad. I didn't reveal my name in front of the old man, but a few days ago he saw me wearing the Chen Family's clothes. If the name on that paper is mine, he'll definitely grow suspicious.

I'm in trouble now. What if that's my name? Fight? I can't beat them. Run? I'd have almost no chance of making it out alive...

With his life hanging in the balance, Chen Han was so tense his heart nearly leaped out of his chest.

Fortunately, the old man read out an unfamiliar name the next moment.

"Zhao Goudan?"

The old man sucked in a breath, the corner of his eye twitching. "What kind of dogshit name is that? And this guy supposedly killed more than fifty of my men? Hey, kid, are you sure you've got the right person?"

Wu Duan paid no mind to the old man's skepticism. "I'm still checking them one by one. This is only the third suspect, and it may not be him.

"Take a few of your men and break his legs. If nothing happens, that proves he isn't the one."

"And if he is?"

The old man shot back.

Wu Duan gave a cold laugh. "Then you'd better watch yourself. He's a fiend who killed more than fifty of your men..."

"Hmph. No wonder you're the famed Duancha of the city. You certainly have a way with investigations."

The old man spoke with heavy sarcasm.

"You can go ahead and investigate. It's late, and I should head back to my residence to rest."

And so the three went their separate ways.

As he left, Chen Han silently resolved to eliminate this constable, Wu Duan, as soon as possible. Otherwise, sooner or later, the investigation would lead straight to him.

Chen Han had yet to fully adapt to his Transformation Force, but with two more days of training and the strengthening effect of the Taiji Health Cultivation Technique, he had a chance of killing Wu Duan in a one-on-one fight with a swift, thunderous attack.

If he ambushed him, it would be much easier. But opportunities were rare, and no one could say what might happen when the time came.

Of course, he could hide inside the Chen Family's home forever. His opponent wouldn't be able to do anything to him there. But what would be the point? What good would it do?

He still had the Gu the damn woman had planted inside him. Who knew when it would be full and start reproducing, leaving his belly crawling with bugs until he died a miserable death?

But if he took a gamble, Wu Duan could discover his identity at any moment.

Chen Han knew the old man well enough, too. He wasn't nearly as amiable as he appeared. There was definitely something else going on behind the scenes.

Perhaps this whole inquiry had been a test: obey and live, resist and die.

Advance or retreat? In the blink of an eye, Chen Han had made his decision. He chose the latter. No matter how great the risk, he wasn't afraid!

Besides, life was a gamble. With huge gains within reach, if he didn't take the chance now, when would he?

The next day, Chen Han began training like mad. He practiced his punches and stances, sparred with others, and eventually could hold his own against five Dark Force martial artists at once.

He made tremendous progress in half a day, deepening his understanding and application of Transformation Force.

It was no wonder he improved so quickly. Every time he broke through, his body underwent a complete transformation. At the martial artist stage, he could comprehend three entirely different kinds of "force."

Bright Force! Force above mere strength: with one burst of it, ten or even a hundred ordinary blows were no match. He could face several hulking men and still prevail.

Dark Force! Bright Force turned dark—the force of the bones, the force of the body, hidden within form. It had shape and strength, but even without form, it still had strength!

Transformation Force, meanwhile, was a direct, explosive leap in power, countless times stronger than Dark Force. At the same time, his force naturally blended into his body. It was born from the heart and moved as he willed.

Simply put, he had become stronger and tougher.

As the saying went, "To train in martial arts, first train to take a beating." Transformation Force took that to the extreme. With a single thought, it could cover his entire body.

Unless someone used a blunt weapon, no one below Dark Force could hurt him.

The next night, Chen Han returned to the Black Market and went into Qing Xue's butcher shop.

"Aunt Xue'er, I'll have two more pounds of meat."

It had been only two days since Chen Han's last visit, and now he had returned. There wasn't a trace of dullness in his eyes, and Qing Xue could barely contain her excitement.

That had been a full two pounds of Exotic Beast blood. Even a Martialist needed quite a while to recover afterward, let alone the young man standing before her.

With such an astonishing amount of blood, unless he had a nest of Exotic Beast hatchlings crying to be fed, she couldn't think of any other explanation.

That settles it. This kid really does have a nest of Exotic Beast hatchlings. I need to find my chance...

"No problem, dear nephew. Wait here; I'll get it for you."

Before long, Chen Han left again, carrying two large water gourds.

Qing Xue watched Chen Han's back, her gaze deep and her expression irresistibly alluring. "Maybe next time. He has to take a boat when he leaves, so it'd be hard to follow him. Judging by the direction he went, it's that big locust tree. I'll wait there in a day or two..."

"Hahaha! Excellent, excellent. That young woman's completely fallen for it. I reckon she'll secretly follow you next time and come straight to us. Then we'll capture her alive and give her to you, my young friend. When you take her home, be sure to tame her properly."

Inside the ramshackle hut, the old man laughed uproariously as he listened to Chen Han's report. Spit flew all over Chen Han's face.

Chen Han wiped it away without changing expression, looking rather disgusted. Then he chuckled twice and praised him. "Of course. Your wisdom is unmatched, Senior. How could you compare with a woman who only knows how to primp and pose?"

The old man's face flushed at Chen Han's flattery, and he was clearly delighted. When he'd finished laughing, he looked Chen Han up and down.

"My young friend, I can tell you're no ordinary fellow. Why not join the Black Mountain Gang and follow me? I'll make sure you get whatever you want."

Chen Han politely cupped his hands. "Thank you for thinking so highly of me, Senior. I'll have to give it some careful thought. I'll give you an answer later."

A shadow flickered through the old man's eyes and vanished. "Mm, all right. It's no small matter. You should think it over carefully..."

"If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave for now. We'll make our move the day after tomorrow..."

"Good!"

......

That night, dark clouds crowded the sky. Thunder rumbled, the wind howled, and a storm was about to break over a residence in the inner city.

A bitter wind swept through. Lamps glowed in the room, but after a sudden gust, every one of them went out. An eerie stillness settled over the place.

At the desk, Wu Duan was piecing together clues from his notes when his heart gave a sudden lurch. He glanced over his shoulder.

But there was nothing out of the ordinary.

"Gui Yue, come light the lamps."

He called out. A moment passed without a response. Instantly on high alert, he sprang to his feet and scanned the room. Raising his voice, he called again, "Yue Gui, come light the lamps!"