Cooperation? You're Not Worthy!

Dragon Gate Inn.

Yu Huatian sat by the window, listening to the mournful howl of the wind outside. He reclined sideways in his chair without a word, but a thoughtful look lingered in his eyes, as though he were pondering something.

On the table before him lay a list of the major sects that had come to the desert to contend for the treasure.

The Wudang Sect, the Shaolin Sect, the Money Gang, the Mount Song Sect, the Kongtong Sect, the Sun Moon Holy Cult, Heavenly Venerable, Black Stone, and more-all the factions that had appeared so far were recorded in detail, along with the numbers of experts who had already appeared or might yet appear among their ranks.

There were simply too many factions here this time. No fewer than twenty Xiantian experts had already appeared, and first-rate sects such as the Shaolin Sect, the Wudang Sect, and the Money Gang even had Grandmasters personally leading their parties.

Faced with such a formidable array of forces, even Yu Huatian had to tread carefully with the strength currently at his command.

To him, this mission was both a test from the emperor and an opportunity.

With so many experts here, how much fortune could I plunder if I caught them all in one net?

But if he truly did that, Yu Huatian would have to consider how to deal with the aftermath.

After all, the martial factions gathered here represented practically half of the Ming martial world.

Offending all of them beyond reconciliation in one stroke would essentially mean making an enemy of the entire Ming martial world. Those consequences were not something just anyone could bear.

After pondering for a while, Yu Huatian gathered his thoughts and sighed softly. "I'll play it by ear..."

The treasure had yet to emerge, and these martial sects might not all have come for it.

As long as they stayed out of the struggle for the treasure when the time came, he would not necessarily have to make enemies of them all.

Of course, if anyone still dared to seize the treasure after he revealed his identity, Yu Huatian would show no mercy.

After all, he had come as a representative of the imperial court. If these factions still dared to interfere in the struggle for the treasure after learning his identity, they would be slapping the court in the face.

When that happened, even if he had to kill them all and make an enemy of the entire Ming martial world, Yu Huatian would have no fear.

However strong the martial world might be, could it possibly be stronger than the court's armies?

Tap, tap-

Just then, footsteps suddenly sounded outside the door. After a brief exchange of words, Zhao Tong pushed the door open and entered.

"Commander, Murong Fu of Gusu requests an audience."

"Murong Fu?"

Yu Huatian frowned, unsure why Murong Fu would come looking for him at this hour. Still, he said nothing more about it. He looked at Zhao Tong and nodded. "Let him in."

"Yes!"

Zhao Tong cupped his hands, then stepped outside and addressed Murong Fu and his four retainers waiting at the door. "Young Master Murong, please come in."

"Thank you."

Murong Fu cupped his hands to Zhao Tong, straightened his clothes, and walked directly into the room.

The moment he entered, he saw the white-robed figure reclining behind the table, waiting quietly. In the faintly flickering candlelight, the young man's handsome features came into view. His bearing was graceful yet aloof, like a banished immortal descending from heaven, dazzling enough to leave one spellbound.

Murong Fu himself was exceptionally handsome and drew plenty of eyes wherever he went. Yet now, he had to admit that this white-robed young man was his equal in both looks and bearing. In presence alone, the young man far surpassed him.

The innate nobility and elegance about the young man were not something an ordinary person could feign.

With an inward sigh of admiration, Murong Fu stepped forward and bowed with cupped hands. "I am Murong Fu of Gusu. When I first saw you at the inn today, I was deeply impressed by your extraordinary bearing. That is why I have come to visit so late, hoping to make your acquaintance. Please forgive my presumption."

"If you knew it was presumptuous, why did you come?"

Yu Huatian spoke indifferently, without even raising his eyelids.

"Uh..."

This was the first time Murong Fu had encountered someone so unsociable. Ordinarily, whoever he faced would show him at least some courtesy once he announced his name. He had never expected to be rebuffed by Yu Huatian. At a loss for an answer, he stood rooted to the spot.

Behind him, Gongye Qian and the other three retainers grew visibly angry at seeing Murong Fu treated so coldly despite his gracious approach.

Bao Butong immediately stepped forward, about to speak up and restore Murong Fu's dignity. Fortunately, Murong Fu came to his senses just then and hurriedly stopped him. Turning back to Yu Huatian, he smiled faintly. "You are right. Coming so late and disturbing your rest was indeed thoughtless of me."

Looking at Murong Fu's sincere, genial expression, Yu Huatian could not help feeling a flicker of admiration. As expected of the young master of Gusu who had earned the name "Southern Murong" even in Great Song, where experts gathered like clouds. For the sake of restoring his kingdom, he could endure this much. That temperament and bearing alone were beyond most people.

In truth, Murong Fu was the same sort of person as him. Both were cast as villains, yet neither was simply evil. Each had a goal he pursued.

They would do anything to fulfill their ambitions!

The only difference was that Murong Fu sought to restore Great Yan, while he sought to take control of Ming and change this rotten age.

But even though he admired Murong Fu somewhat, Yu Huatian had no intention of befriending him.

Murong Fu himself was only in the Xiantian Realm, and the four retainers behind him possessed only first-rate Houtian strength. With that little skill, they were not qualified to speak to him as equals.

"Speak plainly. What brings you here so late, Young Master Murong?"

Yu Huatian looked at Murong Fu and asked indifferently.

"Well... You truly are unlike most people-frank and sincere."

Murong Fu gave a rueful smile and cupped his hands. "To be honest, I came for two reasons. First, I found your bearing extraordinary and wished to make your acquaintance. Second, I hoped to cooperate with you in securing the treasure."

"Cooperate with me?"

Yu Huatian was not surprised by Murong Fu's words, but a trace of mockery surfaced in his eyes. "What qualifies someone like you to cooperate with me?"

The room fell silent in an instant.

Murong Fu's expression froze, while Gongye Qian and the other three behind him erupted in fury.

Unable to restrain himself any longer, Bao Butong snapped, "How dare you! Our young master is the heir of House Murong, a descendant of Great Yan's imperial family! Who in Great Song would not show him some respect? What right does a ball-less pretty boy like you have to compare yourself to him? His offer of friendship is an honor to you. How dare you insult him like this?!"

The smile vanished from Murong Fu's face as well. He made no attempt to stop Bao Butong's tirade. Looking at Yu Huatian, his eyes grew colder. "You are far too full of yourself. Do you truly think my good temper makes me easy to bully?"

Yu Huatian ignored him and turned to Bao Butong, a flash of murderous intent in his eyes. "Do you know something? What I despise most is a foul mouth like yours. Don't you understand that disaster comes from the mouth?"

Shing-

The instant his words fell, the Three-Pronged Sword beside him flew from its sheath, sending a glint of cold light through the room.

"Brother Bao, watch out!"

Murong Fu's pupils contracted, and he hurriedly shouted a warning.

Bao Butong's expression changed drastically, every hair on his body standing on end. He tried to dodge, but whichever direction he moved, that fierce sword energy remained locked onto him.

In the flash of a spark, before he could think of a way to block that killing stroke, pain struck his chest. Looking down, he saw a sharp sword piercing straight through him, blood slowly running along the grooves beside its blade.

"You..."

Bewildered, Bao Butong raised his head toward the white-robed figure by the window. He wanted to say something, but no words came. As his blood drained away, the life gradually faded from his eyes, and his body toppled heavily backward.

"Third Brother!"

"Brother Bao!"

Murong Fu and the three remaining retainers looked stricken. After staring at Bao Butong's corpse, all four turned toward the white-robed figure by the window.

"Young master, let's fight him to the death!"

Gongye Qian roared and abruptly drew his weapon. Beside him, Deng Baichuan and Feng Bo'e also seized their weapons, their eyes blazing with anger and killing intent.

"Stop!"

Murong Fu roared, his eyes fixed on Yu Huatian. Although boundless murderous intent filled his heart, a powerful sense of danger also rose in his mind, forcing him to suppress the fury in his chest.

Bao Butong had been unable to withstand that sword strike. Had Murong Fu been in his place, he could not have withstood it either. That alone was enough to prove he was no match for Yu Huatian.

If they kept fighting, only death awaited them!

Murong Fu drew a deep breath, clenched his teeth, and cupped his hands toward Yu Huatian. "Brother Bao spoke insolently first and deserved his death. I thank you for purging my household on my behalf."

"But I will remember what happened tonight!"

Yu Huatian waved a hand. Wrapped in true qi, the Three-Pronged Sword flew out of Bao Butong's chest and returned to his grasp.

Then he took a silk handkerchief from inside his robes and carefully wiped the blood from the blade. His expression remained indifferent as he said without looking up, "Suit yourself."

Murong Fu's fists clenched tightly beneath his sleeves. He stared hard at Yu Huatian, then turned away with a dark expression. "Let's go!"

With that, he pushed open the door and left. He feared that if he stayed any longer, he would lose control and attack Yu Huatian.

Deng Baichuan and the other two were furious, but there was nothing they could do. Their eyes filled with grief, they lifted Bao Butong's corpse and followed Murong Fu out.

Silence settled over the room again, but a faint smell of blood lingered, refusing to disperse-a testament to everything that had just happened.

Yu Huatian's sword-like brows drew together slightly. Glancing at the blood on the floor, he said, "Clean it up."

"Yes."

Zhao Tong immediately stepped forward and began cleaning up the blood, his face utterly expressionless.

The same was true of Ding Xiu, who sat nearby carefully wiping his saber. From beginning to end, he had not raised his head even once.

Ignoring them both, Yu Huatian rose and walked to the window, looking out into the night sky. The howling wind had never stopped; instead, it had grown even more mournful.

Faintly, it seemed to carry weak cries of agony...

"Hm?!"

Yu Huatian's expression changed. "Something's wrong!"

Ding Xiu also sprang from his chair, gripping his saber tightly, his gaze sharp. "Someone's attacking the inn!"

"The Sun Moon Holy Cult? Or Heavenly Venerable, Black Stone?"

Yu Huatian picked up the Three-Pronged Sword beside him and said coldly, "Let's go take a look..."

Before his words had faded, his agile figure had already vanished through the window.

Ding Xiu and Zhao Tong tightened their grips on their weapons and followed without hesitation.

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(End of chapter)