Vol 2 Ch 70: Han Qianye was killed


    "Who are you?"


    Han Qianchou circted his True Energy internally, ready to unleash it at any moment.


    "Mo Qing!"


    The masked figure sheathed his de and removed the cloth from his face, revealing his features. "Do you think my junior brother will obediently follow your orders, Han Qianchou? Are you trying to make the entire Mo Dao Sect submit to you, even making my teacher your servant?"


    Han Qianchou hadn’t expected this person to suddenly appear and take charge. Flustered, he quickly exined, "Elder Mo Qing? This... this is a misunderstanding... Lord Ling Buyang, if nothing unexpected urred, has already been killed by that scoundrel named Zhang Xuan. The Vice Hall Master Ling you encountered is likely a disguise by that very man..."


    "Nonsense! Zhang Xuan was disguised as my junior brother from the start. They''re the same person, so where’s the killing in that?"


    "Mo Qing" let out a cold snort.


    "Zhang Xuan was Ling Buyang in disguise, and then Zhang Xuan disguised himself as Ling Buyang..."Hearing this, Han Qianchou felt as if his mind was about to overheat trying to parse the statement. While still processing the implications, his younger brother Han Qianye’s urgent shout snapped him back to reality.


    "Watch out, Imperial Brother!"


    Han Qianchou looked up hurriedly and saw a dazzling de light descending upon him. It shimmered like the Milky Way, emitting a serene and calm aura, free from any trace of killing intent.


    "Is this the Second Stage of the Heaven''s Fate Mo Dao?"


    Every hair on Han Qianchou''s body stood on end. Without thinking, he quickly withdrew his neck and rolled backward, narrowly avoiding the strike.


    <em>Crack!</em>


    A de mark over ten meters long shed across the ground. If not for Han Qianye''s warning, he would likely have been cleaved in two.


    "You were deliberately spouting nonsense!"


    Han Qianchou realized what had happened and roared in fury. The other party had purposefully imed that Zhang Xuan and Ling Buyang were the same person to confuse him and divert his attention. Seizing the opportunity, theyunched a sneak attack—and seeded.


    "It''s toote to figure that out now!"


    Without further ado, Zhang Xuan raised the Mo Dao in his hand and shed down again.


    de energy surged like a dragon, cutting across the air. Han Qianye’s palm suddenly produced a spear, and he thrust it forward with astonishing speed. The strike, executed after the de light, was so fast it seemed to sever the de energy midair.


    "Mo Qing" remained unfazed,unching another strike with his de.


    In an instant, two de energies rippled outward like waves on water, cascading forward.


    "This..."


    Han Qianye''s grip on his spear tightened as his scalp tingled. For most, executing one move of a Heaven''s Fate Martial Technique at the Second Stage would already push their limits. Yet, Mo Qing had seamlessly unleashed a second strike in the blink of an eye. ???


    How vast and robust must one’s Source Pool and physique be to achieve such a feat?


    There was no time to ponder. Han Qianye’s spear tip shattered the first de energy, leaving him too spent to counter the second. Just as he braced himself for what seemed like certain death, his brother Han Qianchou recovered from his shock and appeared in front of him.


    Han Qianchou countered with a spear strike. The thrust gleamed like a star.


    "This is... the Second Stage of the Flowing Light Heaven''s Fate? Has my brother already broken through?"


    Han Qianye’s pupils shrank.


    The Flowing Light Heaven''s Fate was the royal family''s legacy in Hanyuan City. Han Qianye had always known his brother was stronger, but now he realized he had already reached the Second Stage.


    Does that mean he’s surpassed the Source Pool''s Ninth Level and entered the Star River Realm? He’s been hiding this all along!


    <em>ng!</em>


    The star-like spear thrust collided with Mo Qing''s second de energy. Against all odds, it gained the upper hand, extinguishing the de light and pressing forward.


    Just as Han Qianye thought Mo Qing would have no choice but to retreat in disgrace, thetter’s long de swung again. In an instant, three more de energies erupted.


    Han Qianye''s scalp went numb.


    Every time he executed a Heaven’s Fate Martial Technique, he needed a moment to recover, a sensation akin to the post-ecstasy tranquility that left one detached and drained. Normally, such recovery wouldst at least half an hour, if not longer.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Yet here stood an opponent who seemed to transition seamlessly, unleashing one attack after another—faster, stronger, relentless!


    What kind of monstrous meridians and immense True Energy reserves would this require?


    Han Qianchou, equally astonished by the disy, flipped his wrist and threw out a talisman. His voice boomed across the courtyard: "Golden Guards, assemble!"


    <em>ng!</em>


    Hundreds of guards d in golden armor appeared, brandishing their swords. In mere moments, their collective sword energy coalesced into a radiant beam aimed directly at Mo Qing.


    These Golden Guards were only at the Jade Bone Realm, individually unimpressive, but together they posed a formidable threat even to a Star River Realm expert.


    Rather than retreating and risking being surrounded, Mo Qing darted into a corner of the room and stomped his foot.


    <em>Buzz!</em>


    A faint hum echoed as the courtyard’s array activated, enshrouding the area in thick mist that isted all iing sword energy. The dense fog also obscured visibility within the room.


    "How can you control the array within my Imperial Pce?"


    Han Qianchou’s voice rang out, filled with disbelief.


    Mo Qing’s resounding reply echoed throughout the pce: "That’s none of your concern. All you need to know is that if I wish to kill you, you can only sit quietly and await death!"


    <em>ng!</em>


    Mo Qing charged forward, his Mo Dao slicing down relentlessly. In a flurry of ten sessive strikes, the room''s furniture shattered under the relentless wave of de energy.


    Han Qianchou retreated swiftly, but before he could get far, he heard Han Qianye shout: "Die!"


    A momentter, Mo Qing’s furious roar followed: "You dare wound me? Then we’ll perish together!"


    The surrounding True Energy surged violently as de energy and spear light erupted, tearing through the room’s walls.


    <em>Boom!</em>


    The building copsed amidst a cloud of dust and debris.


    Silence fell.


    "What just happened?"


    Han Qianchou, his face tense, quickly took out hismand token and infused it with True Energy. The fog began to dissipate as the array stabilized, revealing the aftermath of the battle.


    The entire hally in ruins, covered in dust. Not far from Han Qianchou, a corpsey sprawled on the ground, gripping a spear tightly.


    It was his brother, Han Qianye!


    "Qianye..."


    Han Qianchou’s face turned ashen, his body trembling. His eyes then fell upon another figure—Mo Qing—whoy decapitated, his severed head nearby, and his Mo Dao discarded not far away.


    "...?"


    Han Qianchou froze.


    Dead? Mo Qing was killed by Han Qianye, his head severed? How could this be?


    Han Qianchou couldn''t believe it. Mo Qing’s strength seemed endless during their fight, yet in the blink of an eye, his brother had defeated him.


    Taking two steps closer to inspect the bodies, Han Qianchou grew even more puzzled.


    Mo Qing’s neck was cleanly severed by a de, while Han Qianye’s throat bore a small puncture wound, as if pierced by a spear.


    Han Qianye, skilled in spear techniques, was in by a spear. Mo Qing, a master of the de, was decapitated by a de. Everything about this was perplexing.


    "Your Majesty..."


    The Golden Guards approached and knelt. "Are you unharmed?"


    "I’m fine."


    Han Qianchou shook his head and gave new orders. "Search for the consort, Yu Longqing, and Lu Mingrong. I want them found, dead or alive!"


    "Yes!"


    The guards searched the area, but momentster, their leader returned, looking ashamed.


    "Your Majesty, we searched the entire courtyard but found no trace of the consort or the others. It’s as if they vanished into thin air!"


    "They disappeared?"


    Han Qianchou was stunned.


    In less than two breaths, his brother and Mo Qing perished, while the others vanished. Everything seemed both bizarre and perfectly logical.


    "Give Prince of Pingyuan a proper burial. Seal news of Mo Qing’s death, and send people to check Ling Buyang’s quarters. See if he’s still there!"


    Hismands were swift and resolute, befitting a ruler.


    "Yes!"


    Soon, a report came in: "Your Majesty, Ling Buyang hasn’t left his quarters, but Yue Longxiao, the Wanchang Sect Master, is there and hasn’t emerged..."


    "Yue Longxiao is with Ling Buyang?"


    Han Qianchou frowned.


    If he moved to confront "Zhang Xuan" now, Yue Longxiao would


    undoubtedly spread word of the incident. Whether capturing the Chaotic Fate Practitioner or enlisting his help, things would be far moreplicated.


    After pondering, Han Qianchou instructed, "Keep a close watch. If Ling Buyang leaves, capture him immediately. Do not let him escape!"


    "Understood!"


    The Golden Guards bowed in unison.


    "Guard this area. I need to recover my strength..."


    Having made all necessary arrangements, Han Qianchou finally allowed himself to sit down, consume a medicinal pill, and restore his True Energy.


    Though the fight with Mo Qing had been brief, every move was perilous. A single misstep could have meant death.


    Thankfully, Han Qianye had proved reliable and delivered the fatal blow. Otherwise, the victor of this battle would still be uncertain.


    Author''s Note