Chapter Fourteen: Beneath the City of Hu

“Awoo!”
A massive white wolf with azure eyes let out a thunderous roar, its entire body shimmering with a dark golden radiance, majestic beyond compare.
A dense, murderous aura swept out in all directions; the azure-eyed white wolf was ferocious to the extreme, resembling the hellish three-headed hound of legend.
Yet at this moment, the beast’s whole body was convulsing, battered by heavy blows, blood streaming from its wounds.
“A white wolf with a physique on par with the eighth level of body refinement, yet this is all it amounts to—die!”
A figure advanced with the gait of a dragon and the stride of a tiger, divine light radiating from his form. He raised a mighty hand, his five fingers like iron claws, and thrust them directly into the wolf’s skull. A heart-rending howl echoed through the forest.
The azure-eyed white wolf perished, its flesh and blood instantly devoured and reduced to dust.
“Peak of the fifth level of body refinement—thirty-six thousand pounds of brute strength!”
The figure looked up, revealing a familiar face—it was Lin Fan.
“It’s been almost a month already. It’s time to head for Huxia City. The Fallen Mountain Range has been good to me, but I can’t stay here forever. Lately, things have grown restless—powerful savage beasts have started appearing more frequently. If I provoke one at the Vein Condensing stage, that would not end well.”
Lin Fan spoke to himself, a trace of reluctance in his eyes.
Over the past month, he had gained great fortune in the Fallen Mountain Range, his strength advancing by leaps and bounds. Every savage beast had become a source of power for him. Yet, compared to his ultimate goal, these were but meager gains. Completing Sister Lan’s task and returning to the Celestial Capital Sect to become an outer disciple—that was what truly mattered.
“Huxia City isn’t far from the Fallen Mountain Range. With a month left, there’s plenty of time to make the round trip.”
Fixing his gaze in a certain direction, Lin Fan leapt into the air, vanishing into the dense forest in the blink of an eye.
Huxia City ranked among the top ten of the seventy-two great cities of the Tianwu Domain. From afar, it resembled a colossal beast crouched upon the earth, its thick city walls still bearing the marks of countless battles—scars left by blades and axes.
The Tianwu Domain bordered the Ghost Domain, and Huxia City stood as the foremost northern city. Whenever war erupted between the two realms, Huxia City always bore the brunt. The people here were thus uncommonly fierce; killings in the streets over a mere word were commonplace. Even disciples of the Celestial Capital Sect met their end here from time to time.
On this day, a group of young people approached the city gates. Each exuded a powerful presence, clearly gifted youths of their generation.
“Brother Lin Fan, this is Huxia City. Here we part ways. We’re truly grateful for your protection on this journey. If you ever need anything, come to my Gu family. I, Gu Renfeng, will do all within my power to help you.”
The speaker was a young man of about twenty, bearing an air of refinement more in keeping with a noble scion than a martial cultivator.
Yet, aside from Lin Fan, the other five treated him with great respect—something only strength could command.
“Very well, Brother Gu. Since you say so, if I ever have the need, I won’t hesitate to trouble you.”
Lin Fan cupped his hands, smiling.
Five days earlier, just as he was about to leave the Fallen Mountain Range, he had encountered these five—at the time, they were being pursued by a savage beast. On a whim, he’d lent a hand, saving them, and thus they’d become acquainted.
Originally, Lin Fan had intended to travel alone, but in conversation, he learned that Gu Renfeng was the eldest son of the Gu family of Huxia City, as well as an inner disciple of the Celestial Capital Sect. After some thought, Lin Fan agreed to accompany them.
The Gu family was a force to be reckoned with—Huxia City’s lord was none other than Gu Tianhua.
“If not for pressing business, Brother Lin Fan, you could visit the Gu estate now, and I could properly play host.”
Gu Renfeng’s tone was sincere. Without Lin Fan’s intervention, he and his companions would have fallen to the beast; such a favor was heavier than the heavens and deeper than the sea.
“I truly do have urgent matters this time, but surely we’ll meet again.”
Lin Fan’s words hinted at their inevitable reunion at the Celestial Capital Sect.
After some parting words, Gu Renfeng and his companions took their leave—they, too, had important affairs and could not tarry.
“As expected of Huxia City—prosperous, yes, but beneath this prosperity lies a thick scent of bloodshed. The chaos here is palpable.”
Lin Fan strode through the city streets, surrounded by bustling crowds. Even the common folk carried weapons, a testament to the city’s fierce reputation.
“Kill him! Chop the little brat to pieces!”
A sudden roar from the distance caught Lin Fan’s attention. Looking over, he saw an arena surrounded by a throng of spectators, two men locked in mortal combat atop the stage.
“There’s no such thing as law and order in Huxia City. Strength alone rules.”
Shaking his head, Lin Fan turned to leave. Just then, the fight on the platform ended—a man was cleaved in two at the waist, his entrails spilling onto the ground.
Yet this grisly scene only whipped the crowd into a frenzy, their shouts savage and wild.
“No, please, don’t—!”
In a nearby alley, a young woman was cornered by three burly, bearded men. Lin Fan happened to witness the scene.
“Well, well, little lady, with that soft, delicate skin, I bet you’ve never known a real man. Come on, let us show you a good time—you’ll be on cloud nine before you know it.”
The leader of the thugs rubbed his hands together, eyes gleaming as he sized her up. The other two chuckled darkly, nearly drooling with anticipation.
“Stay away from me! Don’t touch me!”
Tears welled in the young woman’s eyes, her body trembling in fear—a pitiful sight that even moved Lin Fan’s heart with a trace of pity. Her demeanor only seemed to excite the thugs further, making them even more frenzied.
Raising his hand, Lin Fan was about to intervene, but stopped himself.
A cold flash of light—a dagger’s glint—cut through the air. In an instant, the alley echoed with three splashes of blood. The three men clutched their throats, faces filled with disbelief, and collapsed to the ground, dead before they even realized what had happened.
“Hmph, filthy scum. Killing you only dirties my hands.”
The young woman’s terrified expression vanished, replaced by a cold sneer. Her eyes were icy as she rifled through the corpses, pocketed their coin pouches, and gave Lin Fan a menacing throat-slitting gesture before striding out of the alley and melting into the crowd.
“Truly, appearances are deceiving. Who would have thought such a frail-looking woman would be so ruthless, and so practiced in her craft?”
Lin Fan shook his head, a touch of helplessness in his tone. He could tell all involved were mere mortals—otherwise, they wouldn’t care so much for gold and silver. Yet it was precisely this fact that gave him pause.
If even ordinary folk were like this, what of those with real strength—cultivators?
“Excuse me, are you Young Master Lin Fan?”
As Lin Fan pondered, a voice called out from nearby. A woman dressed in fitted clothes approached, her slender waist enticing, her ample curves threatening to burst free.
“And you are?”
Lin Fan drew himself up, wary. By rights, few should know his identity—just who was this woman?