At that moment, a hunter passing by the Windwave Pavilion stopped abruptly. His eyes widened as if he had seen a ghost. He saw two blurry figures within the pavilion. Their voices were faint and low, like ghosts whispering to each other.
"Ah!"
"Ghosts!"
The hunter dropped his game and fled.
A moment later…
"That wasn't very nice."
"Out in the wilderness, where are we going to find food? This hunter clearly knew what he was doing; he wouldn't starve."
One of the figures picked up the hunter's discarded game – a wild wolf. With a flick of the wrist, a flash of blade and shadow, as fast as lightning, the wolf was instantly transformed into a hairless, skinless carcass.
A bonfire blazed, and the aroma of roasting wolf meat filled the air.
These two figures were the renowned Heaven Saint and Earth Saint, peak experts within the imperial court, serving in the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion, holding the titles of Martial God and Martial Saint.
The Heaven Saint's swordsmanship was divine, earning him the title of Sword God in the Jianghu. The Earth Saint's fist technique was equally impressive, his punches like thunder, each blow accompanied by an explosive boom. Few could withstand them.
"We've searched everywhere, but we haven't found them. Where do you think they've gone? Could they have truly vanished from this world?" the Heaven Saint pondered, his bright eyes gleaming.
With his status and connections, finding two people should have been simple, effortless even. Yet, nearly six years had passed without a trace. It was a disgrace.
"No, there's still one place we haven't checked," the Earth Saint said.
The Heaven Saint frowned, surprised there could be anywhere left unsearched. "You mean the imperial palace?"
The Earth Saint had hoped for a more insightful answer. To be his equal, the Heaven Saint shouldn't be foolish. But now, he was truly disappointed. If they were in the imperial palace, would they have been searching for so many years?
"Purple Mountain, the Lin Estate."
"The Lin Estate? The Lin family has been secluded for ages. How could they be at the Lin Estate?" The Heaven Saint didn't even notice the Earth Saint's look of disdain. If he had, he would have certainly argued, The way you're looking at me is really unsettling.
The Earth Saint's expression turned serious. "Han Yan and Han Xiaoxiao are remnants of the previous dynasty. The secret of the treasure lies with them. The Lin family is also a family from the previous dynasty. Although they live in seclusion, it's highly possible they're hiding remnants of the previous dynasty within the Lin Estate."
"Would the Lin Estate dare to hide remnants of the previous dynasty? Aren't they afraid of being exterminated?" The Heaven Saint didn't believe it at all. He thought, Even if they had ten times the courage, they wouldn't dare.
The Earth Saint shook his head. "In the past, they wouldn't have dared. But if the remnants revealed the secret of the treasure to them, they might take the risk."
The Heaven Saint pondered. It was indeed a possibility. When the potential reward was high enough, even knowing the unimaginable consequences, people would gamble. Even they might not be able to resist such temptation.
The Earth Saint said, "Let's go to the Lin Estate on Purple Mountain. We'll know the truth when we get there."
"Alright, let's depart tomorrow. The wolf meat is just roasted. It would be a waste not to eat it." The Heaven Saint agreed with the Earth Saint's plan, but suggested delaying their departure. No matter how important the matter was, he still wanted to enjoy the wolf meat.
The Earth Saint shook his head, speechless. Disappointing.
Several days later, Lin Fan strolled through the estate. Ever since Han Xiaoxiao had confronted her sister, she had been openly visiting Lin Fan. Han Yan had always avoided him, but for her sister's sake, she now remained by her side, silent, simply observing.
Over the years, the words exchanged between her and Lin Fan were few and far between. There wasn't much to say. If it weren't for her sister, she wouldn't want to see him at all. From the very beginning, she had always considered Lin Fan a dangerous presence, both powerful and cunning. Ordinary people couldn't outsmart him.
Not even her sister, let alone herself.
"Brother Lin, I want to go down the mountain to play. I heard the outside world is very fun," Han Xiaoxiao said, looking at Lin Fan expectantly. She tugged at his arm, swaying slightly. Acting cute was a good tactic, but it depended on the person. Lin Fan's resistance to such tactics was strong. He might even perceive it as normal behavior, at most finding his arm slightly uncomfortable.
Upon hearing this, Han Yan was startled. "Xiaoxiao, we can't go down the mountain. And he can't either. This is the condition the imperial court imposed on the Lin family. They can never leave Purple Mountain. Stepping outside means extermination."
"I didn't know," Han Xiaoxiao said, her heart skipping a beat. Such danger! She definitely couldn't go down the mountain. She couldn't bring disaster upon them because of her whims.
Lin Fan smiled. "Is it really fun down the mountain?"
"No, it's not fun at all," Han Xiaoxiao shook her head vigorously. She wouldn't go anywhere. She would stay right here.
Lin Fan stroked Han Xiaoxiao's head affectionately. "You just said it was fun outside. Why don't you want to go out now? It's alright. I'll take you out to see the world sometime soon. I don't usually like going out alone, so I haven't seen much."
"Now that you want to go out, we can go together."
He had been here for many years and had little interest in the outside world. But since Xiaoxiao had asked, he was willing to fulfill her request.
"But…" Han Xiaoxiao hesitated. Her sister's words must be true, and the consequences would be dire.
Lin Fan said calmly, "It's alright. I'm here."
No matter who it was, he would always say these words. Not to comfort others, but because it was the truth. He could do it.
Just then, a voice echoed, "The head of the Lin Estate cannot leave as they please. Otherwise, there will be trouble, and by then, it will be too late for regrets."
Two figures approached from afar. The Heaven Saint and Earth Saint had arrived. They found the Lin family's chosen location to be quite beautiful, a prime spot for retirement.
Han Yan's face paled when she saw them. Others might not recognize them, but how could she not? The Heaven Saint and Earth Saint, current lackeys of the imperial court, possessed terrifying strength, almost superhuman, with powerful martial arts that few could resist.
Han Yan discreetly pulled Han Xiaoxiao aside, keeping a distance, lest they be seen.
"Don't hide. We've seen you," the Earth Saint said, spotting the two beautiful women, one older, one younger. Weren't they the two they had been searching for?
Han Yan's blood ran cold. Even staying at the Lin Estate was useless now. With these two here, no one could possibly defeat them.
"Sister…" Han Xiaoxiao said, worried as she saw her sister's pale face.
Han Yan gripped Xiaoxiao's hand, whispering, "Remember, no matter what happens, don't panic, don't be afraid. Run as far as you can, and don't look back."
When Han Xiaoxiao tried to speak, Han Yan gave her a terrifying look that silenced her.
Lin Fan smiled warmly. "Welcome. Who are you, and who are you looking for?"
The Heaven Saint said, "We're looking for you, and for them. It was truly difficult to find you, a hiding place we never expected. We've been searching for you for nearly six years, and we never thought you'd be hiding here."
"And you," he continued, turning to Lin Fan, "you have great audacity. You dare to harbor those the imperial court wants to capture? You're courting death."
The Earth Saint glanced at the Heaven Saint, exasperated. Have you cultivated your brain into mush?
"You be quiet. I'll handle this." The Earth Saint stepped forward, stopping the Heaven Saint's foolish behavior. Harsh words were useless in this situation.
The Heaven Saint looked at the Earth Saint, not understanding his thinking. They had found their targets, so what else was there to say? With their combined strength, there shouldn't be any problem. Just capture them and return.
The Earth Saint clasped his hands. "Your Lin family is a family of the previous dynasty. You were granted grace and allowed to live in seclusion here. You should be grateful and avoid any involvement in such matters. Now, as long as you hand these two over, along with what we need, and let us return to complete our mission, this matter will have nothing to do with the Lin family. Otherwise, you know the consequences."
"Martial artists can fight against heaven and earth, but not against the Emperor. Once the imperial army marches upon this mountain, do you think you can withstand them?"
"Not to mention, which sect in the Jianghu isn't under the control of the imperial court? Once the order is given, the sects will mobilize. Your small Lin Estate on Purple Mountain won't stand a chance."
The Earth Saint's words were reasonable. Even if one had ambitions, one needed the capability to realize them.
The Heaven Saint's earlier words were too domineering, clearly meant to provoke a conflict. Even if the other party wanted to yield, such arrogance would make it a matter of losing face. They would have to fight.
Han Yan's face was white. She didn't believe Lin Fan would sacrifice the entire Lin Estate for them. But the jade pendant had already been given to him. It depended on whether he was willing to part with it.
Lin Fan looked at them with confusion. "I don't understand what you mean. Why should I hand them over to you? Xiaoxiao is my friend. I've watched her grow up. Are you saying you want to bully her?"
He didn't quite understand, so he wanted to clarify their intentions.
The Earth Saint was about to speak, but the Heaven Saint cut him off. For the Heaven Saint, watching the Earth Saint hog the spotlight was intolerable. They were both Saints, so why did the Earth Saint always speak first, leaving him with no status?
This was the most unbearable thing.
"That's right. They are people the imperial court wants to capture, remnants of the previous dynasty. Do you intend to protect them?" The Heaven Saint said, his domineering aura flaring.
Lin Fan said, "I won't allow you to capture my friend. Can you make another request?"
The Heaven Saint was about to speak, but the Earth Saint cut him off again. Damn it, if you can't speak properly, then don't speak at all.
"What do you mean?" The Earth Saint felt like Lin Fan was toying with them. Did he still not understand the situation?
Lin Fan replied calmly:
"What do you mean?"