At the moment Brother Yan was under a great deal of pressure. His body was being pushed to the limit, as he used every means he had available to maintain the distance between himself and the approaching black figure, who was gradually closing the distance between them.
He felt that the black figure would have long caught up naturally if Brother Yan didn't exhaust so many treasures in a getaway attempt.
Initially, Brother Yan had great confidence in his ability to escape even from a Master Ranked expert, but his previous self-assurance in his fleeing capabilities was long gone.
The only thoughts now plaguing his mind, was the move he can make to preserve the Young Master's and his friend's life. He had been assigned into the escort group primarily because his abilities in fleeing from conflict, though now he was facing an enemy which proved to difficult to deal with he now had to quickly find the best method to safeguard their lives.
His thought process leads him into thinking of a risky, but the only gamble he could think of which could prevent the Young Master from falling into the hands of the people scheming against the Wang Clan.
Believing that this was the best option, he became resolved with his decision, nudging Wang Jian, he said, "Listen, Young Master, I haven't got long to talk, that guy is going to catch up eventually, even with the support treasures your Father gave me, I'm barely holding on. So I want to ask, have you still got that life-saving treasure your Dad gave you?"
Wang Jian feeling that something was off with his attendant's tone, asked, "Yes I do, but why? Uncle Yan, you sound like your not coming with us, shouldn't we all be involved?"
Knowing his Young Master was still unsure of the situation they were in, he firmly said, "Young Master, I cannot accompany you where I'm about to take you. When I drop you there, you must take your friend and run. Create as much distance between you and them, do not go too deep though because the treasure your Dad gave you cannot handle the stronger beasts at Master Rank. A messenger talisman has already been set back to Yuequang City, but it would take time for reinforcements to arrive to assist, so you need to hold on until then."
"What do you mean Uncle? I don't understand." Wang Jian said questionably.
The boy knew what his attendant was trying to tell him, but he still felt unwilling, and reluctant even to accept such a situation. He felt so weak and powerless, that the retainers who followed him at a young age were each now sacrificing their lives for his own.
He felt unworthy and guilty for their sacrifice. If only he was stronger, then he wouldn't be such a burden, who both restricted and forced his guard into having to give up their lives for him.
"One of the areas we passed on the way here, Devil Falling Valley, is a unique area in these parts. It is considered dangerous and perilous because of a distinctive feature, it disrupts a Mages divine sense. This would make it increasingly difficult to locate others within the Valley, and at the same time, it is easy to find yourself lost because of the way it influences your senses. Although this sounds threatening to you Young Master it isn't as perilous it sounds. Mainly, it is because if you remain within the outer-most layers the challenging beasts that you will face are only Journey-man Ranked Beasts which are restrainable by your treasure." Brother Yan said calmly.
In truth, he wouldn't send his Young Master there alone if it wasn't his only available option, however, he had little choice as the opposing side had a powerful mage who could easily use his divine sense to locate them if they didn't hide in Devil Fall Valley. Knowing his Young Master should remain safe, he could only reluctantly send him there as it was the best hope for Wang Jian to make it home safely. He had no confidence that the enemies of the Wang Clan would treat him favourably, and being captured by them would likely end up in a terrible fate. He decided this was the best option he had available.
Wang Jian just nodded in agreement, as he knew that Brother Yan would only use the best method to ensure his safety. He also didn't have a better idea for their predicament. Whilst, Li Fen remained silent, calmy taking the situation in stride, as she knew that there was nothing she could do to change the outcome, she may as well deal with it when the time came. Being disruptive would be meaningless, and would only worsen the situation, putting their lives even more at risk.
Brother Yan began to speed up as he directed himself to the Valley, the black figure who was in pursuit behind quickly noticed these changes and after a moment realised his aim.
"Not good, if he goes to that place it would prove challenging to locate the target, and even if we did he may not be found alive." Shadow Crane murmured, as he viciously stared at the trio in front with a gaze filled with killing intent.
Shadow Crane's figure began to blur as his movement speed began to pick up once again, putting up even more pressure on Brother Yan who was already on the brink of collapse to maintain his speed.
"This is a definite miscalculation." Brother Yan thought as he felt a sense of despair in his heart.
Before they left, he was specifically recruited because of his escape capabilities, with the assistance of the treasures provided by City Lord's very few could match his top speed when he exhausted every measure he had, even Master Ranked cultivators. However, they truly unlucky that the other side sent Shadow Crane, one of the most fearsome Master Ranked Assassins within the Kingdom, who was even known for his terrifying speed.
It was already incredible that Brother Yan was barely remaining ahead of him, even causing Shadow Crane himself to be both amazed yet frustrated.
Eventually, a deep valley came in view, surrounding it was a faint mist which covered the whole area.
Numerous different cultivators, ranging from Warriors and a few Mages stood outside the Valley, looking as if they were mainly here to profit out of the people leaving the Valley. At the moment, what looked to be a merchant was freely bartering with a group of cultivators who had just left the Valley.
"Listen that is a rip-off, within Yuequang City the goods I have brought out are easily worth fifty silvers!" A burly man exclaimed in dissatisfaction at the price merchant offered.
"Well, if you do not like my price, then head off to Yueguang City, I'm sure you will be satisfied with what they offer you!" The merchant said slyly.
The burly man stared at the merchant with a resentful impression, of course, he would want to sell his goods at Yueguang City but would take a few days worth of travel time and that would, in the end, take a week out of their time of generating an income. They had no storage pouches, so they could only carry a limited amount of goods, on hand and because of that his team would end up not making that much profit. He needed to sell the items he had on him now, otherwise, it wouldn't be worth going to Yueguang City, where he could currently sell to the merchant, and then enter the valley once again in search for more resources.
Seeing the burly man was wavering and was about to agree to his proposal, the merchant let out a grin in satisfaction at securing another deal, however, they were soon disrupted by the sight of a fleeing figure moving at a rapid speed.
Following closely in pursuit was Shadow Crane, who was immediately recognised by one of the cultivators.
"Hey, isn't that Shadow Crane?" Hesitantly said a skinny man.
The other cultivators soon recognised the black figure causing them to feel a great sense of panic and fear, Shadow Cranes reputation within the Kingdom was true to notorious, making them realise they might end up being silenced by Shadow Crane after he finished his target.
Some figures decisively choose to flee straight away, the others realising their disappearance was also about to make a quick getaway, however, both Shadow Crane and the figure he was chasing had already arrived in front of the cultivators.
Brother Yan face was filled with panic, as he saw that he could no longer keep Shadow Crane at bay with his current speed. Decisely, letting down both Li Fen and Wang Jian, he ordered, "Run into the Valley! Do as I instructed, and do not come out unless the reinforcements have arrived."
Turning around, he launched an attack at Shadow Crane who was in pursuit, who was slightly surprised by the sudden attack from Brother Yan, however as a proficient Assassin who was a rank higher than his opponent, casually evaded the strike, and launched an attack of his own which was barely parried by Brother Yan who scrambled back in response.
Li Fen soon realised that Wang Jian seemed to be frozen, so she strongly grabbed his hand, dragging him to the entrance of Devil Fall Valley and said, "Come on we got to move, don't let their sacrifice be in vain."
Waking up from hearing Li Fen's voice, Wang Jian knew it was not the time to be distracted, so joined Li Fen in rushing to enter Devil Fall Valley.
Shadow Crane realising that the two were closing onto the Valley, attempted to chase after the duo but was blocked by Brother Yan who stood resolutely in front of him.
The assassin stared viciously at Brother Yan, as he was about to use his Shadow Element to bypass him, Brother Yan used his speed to entangle the Assassin locking him into a battle, without any time what so ever to use his techniques.
Normally, he could look at any Warrior in contempt in the Master Rank, nevermind Journeyman Rank, but Brother Yan was special for a few reasons. Firstly, Shadow Crane speciality is burst strength, his strongest form of attack was not in direct battle and is instead sudden unexpected attacks. Very few Master Ranked experts could survive Shadow Crane's attempted assassination. Second, was Brother Yan had great speed and was better in direct combat. At the same time, Brother Yan was fighting with his life on the line and put everything into distracting Shadow Crane, allowing him to pre-occupy Shadow Crane for a short period.
Before long, both Li Fen and Wang Jian arrived at the entrance of Devil Fall Valley, Wang Jian was about to turn to look back at Brother Yan, however, Li Fen continued to move into the valley, dragging along the boy with her.
Upon knowing that the duo chance of being found would get worse and worse if the battle drew on, Shadow Crane became even more vicious, and Brother Yan who was barely holding on was finally unable to bear the brunt of the pressure, eventually leaving him into being injured.
A large gash was left across his chest as Shadow Crane struck him, Brother Yan lunged at the assassin in an attempt to leave an injury of his own, but Shadow Crane dexterously evaded slicing cleanly through his opponent's flesh once more.
Ignoring his injuries Brother Yan tried to continue to throw strikes at Shadow Crane without abandon, however, his speed has noticeably slowed and each move was easily dealt with, leaving him covered in more and more injuries.
Eventually, Brother Yan couldn't remain standing any longer and collapsed onto the floor. Blood poured out of his wounds continuously, soon forming a puddle of blood around him, his breathing became lighter and lighter, as life eventually left him and he breathed his last.
Shadow Crane stared at the corpse of his felled foe without a hint of emotion, he was about to make a move into the valley before he received a messenger talisman and voiced wordlessly, "It looks like those fools should arrive soon, although I don't value them much, the extra manpower should aid in finding the target. Anyways there is no exit out of the Valley apart from this one, and by the time his support has arrived, he will have long fallen into our hands."