"Yes, that Helian Wuji apparently incapacitated the second young master of the Patrick family because of his mother."
"Now the Helian family is in a difficult situation. All the powers that have come are eyeing them, and I heard they plan to use Helian Wuji's mother as a threat to make him show himself," the young man in white seemed to have a deep understanding of the situation.
"What has been the Helian family's reaction?" Ye Han suddenly asked from behind, concerned about his mother.
"What can they do? They've been suppressed by so many powerful forces, suffered many casualties, yet they've always protected Helian Wuji's mother," the young man in white turned around to look at Ye Han but couldn't make out his face.
"I heard Helian Wuji's mother was accidentally killed by the Helian family head, wasn't she?" Ye Han inquired in a different way to avoid suspicion.
"She's not dead. The Helian family later asked the cleric Otto for help with light magic healing. But she was seriously injured, and the cleric couldn't heal her."
"And then what?" Ye Han put down his chopsticks and asked urgently.
"Although Otto couldn't heal her, he inexplicably sought help from the Holy Light Church's headquarters in the Frostwind Empire and even used a drop of holy water for treatment. It's really puzzling," the young man in white seemed puzzled, frowning in thought.
Hearing this, even Ye Han was surprised. Holy water from the Holy Light Church is a highly sought-after commodity, rumored to heal any injury as long as the person isn't dead and significantly improve one's physical condition.
Usually, only imperial families could request holy water. It's out of reach for most large families, and the price to pay is considerable. Besides imperial families, few large families or forces can afford it. It's not that the Holy Light Church is greedy, but holy water is scarce even within the church.
"I also know a bit about that Helian Wuji, and it all happened a month ago," a mage descending from the second floor of the tavern said.
"Oh, Magister, can you share with us?" Seeing a mage, especially one with the strength of the sixth tier, the swordsmen on the first floor looked at him enviously.
"Hehe, don't be so formal. We're all just trying to make a living," the mage said with a laugh, sitting down beside a third-tier swordsman without a hint of arrogance.
"It was during the Patrick family's pursuit of Helian Wuji when the first four they sent out were all killed. Three of them were fourth-tier swordsmen, and the other was a peak fourth-tier mage," the mage whispered.
"Whoa!"
The crowd gasped at the mage's revelation. This news was too shocking for them, and after the shock, they began discussing other matters. Ye Han, having gathered some useful information and seeing no further news about himself, paid and left.
Walking silently on the street, Ye Han reflected on the news from the tavern. His most pressing concern was whether his mother was truly alive and the perplexing actions of the Helian family.
"Sigh," Ye Han shook his head and stopped thinking about it. A visit to the Helian family tonight would reveal everything.
Having made up his mind, Ye Han began to wander the streets. Suddenly, a gleam in his eye caught the sight ahead.
"Young Master Yun, look at that," a slightly chubby attendant was saying to his master, pointing at the girls on the street as they walked towards Ye Han.
Ye Han, now a rising star in Kelth City, had grown in strength from a third-tier swordsman to a fifth-tier swordsman in just a year thanks to his family's considerable investment.
In a moment, Yun Han and his entourage were in front of Ye Han, who blocked their path. "Get lost, didn't you see our young master is passing?" the chubby attendant shouted when someone blocked their way.
"Young Master, I didn't see you, but I saw a dog with its tail held high," Ye Han's voice was loud enough for everyone around to hear, drawing laughter from the crowd.
"You... do you know who our young master is?" The attendant couldn't find a quick retort to Ye Han and resorted to flaunting their identity.
"Does it matter to me who he is?" Ye Han asked contemptuously, silencing the laughter around him.
Since Yun Han became Kelth City's new star a year ago, his arrogance has caused many to fall at his hands.
"Friend, you should watch your words," Yun Han said in an uncharacteristically calm manner, which was unusual given his typical arrogance.
"Why should I watch what I say?" Ye Han's response infuriated Yun Han, as it implied Yun Han wasn't worthy of respect.
Yun Han had been doted on since childhood and,
bolstered by the event from a year ago, acted arrogantly backed by his family's power. Seeing that he couldn't gauge Ye Han's strength, Yun Han altered his approach, but he didn't expect Ye Han to be so dismissive.
"Hmph," Yun Han snorted coldly, signaling his guards, who drew their weapons and charged at Ye Han. "Let's see if your strength matches your bold words," Yun Han sneered.
The three approaching swordsmen, all at the fifth tier, were no match for Ye Han. With a light step, he advanced rather than retreated, meeting their charge. The distance was closed in moments.
Ye Han's right hand went to his waist, and as he met the first guard, he blurred, and a faint sound was heard. The following two guards, close behind, were taken down just as quickly.
In a matter of seconds, Ye Han had efficiently killed the three men, surprising everyone. His sixth-tier peak swordsman speed was not something they could match.
"Is it my words or my strength that's greater?" Ye Han asked Yun Han, finally lifting his head from beneath his hood.
As Ye Han raised his head, his snow-white hair reflected in Yun Han's eyes. Greed filled Yun Han's gaze, but just as he was about to name the man in the hood, a hand fiercely grabbed his throat, silencing him.
"Young Master Yun, what were you about to say?" Ye Han's voice was low and threatening. Yun Han, strangled by Ye Han's vise-like grip, turned purple.
"Go back and tell them, I have returned." Ye Han's index finger moved, and a half-finger-length cut appeared on Yun Han's neck, followed by a stench-filled black mist that entered the wound and disappeared moments later.
Releasing his grip, Ye Han let Yun Han collapse, paralyzed but for his eyes.
PS: Please collect this story.