C62 Kill

"Fantastic! The heavens are indeed on my side!" Master Chang exclaimed with venomous glee.

The death of Chang Wenjun and the Chang family's failure to secure first place in the Family Trials had filled Master Chang with a deep-seated loathing for Han Feng.

Above all, it was Han Feng's rapid progress in cultivation that truly alarmed him.

In a mere two months, Han Feng had advanced from being a nobody to nearing the peak of the Middle Period of Mortal Rank. Such a pace struck fear into Master Chang's heart.

Only by eliminating Han Feng could Master Chang find peace of mind.

"Hei One, take your brothers to the Jade Peak Mountain Range. I want Han Feng's head delivered to me without fail!"

"Understood," came the even-tempered reply from the shadow on the ground.

Hei One was an orphan whom Master Chang had covertly adopted and groomed in the shadows, never once revealing his presence to the outside world. Neither the Han nor the Hong families had ever encountered Hei One, and within the Chang family itself, knowledge of Hei One's existence was scarce.

Master Chang had been preparing Hei One in secret for just such an occasion.

Hei One practiced a Cultivation Method not of the Chang family's teachings, so Master Chang had no concerns about any potential fallout implicating the family.

Master Chang was confident that even if Hei One were to be discovered, Hei One would rather take his own life than divulge any connection to the Chang pharmaceutical clan—a testament to Master Chang's years of personal mentorship.

Nine figures slipped silently from a hidden tunnel outside Renzhong City.

Hei One had been taken in by Master Chang, while Hei Two through Hei Nine had been brought under Hei One's wing.

En route to the Jade Peak Mountain Range, Hei One couldn't help but issue a stern warning, "Hei Eight, Hei Nine, you haven't yet advanced to Human Rank and are only at the extreme limit of the Late Mortal Rank. Be cautious around Han Feng. It's best not to engage him; instead, alert us immediately."

Hei Eight bristled at the caution. "Eldest Brother, he's just a thirteen-year-old kid, not even fourteen for a few more months. Surely we can handle him."

Hei Nine quickly nodded in agreement.

The other six exchanged puzzled glances at Hei One. From what they had heard, Han Feng was merely in the Middle Period of Mortal Rank.

Hei One furrowed his brow, sharing their confusion. Regardless of Han Feng's prowess, he was only at the Middle Period of Mortal Rank during the Family Trials. At best, he had recently advanced to the Late Period of Mortal Rank. Yet, the Family Head's solemn directive must have its reasons.

"This is the Family Head's wish," Hei One declared.

Hei Eight and Hei Nine exchanged a look and scoffed. "The Family Head is overestimating that kid. Eldest Brother, just you wait. I'll take that kid down for you to see."

Realizing his attempts at persuasion were futile, Hei One sighed in resignation. In his heart, though, he didn't fully heed the Family Head's command.

Was Han Feng, who was merely at the middle to late Mortal-rank, really worth such attention?

Before long, the nine of them reached the Jade Peak Mountain Range, dispersing in eight directions.

Hei Eight and Hei Nine, not yet having advanced to Human Rank, stuck together.

Deep within the Jade Peak Mountain Range, a mighty cry rang out: "Bone Crushing Hand!"

A towering Devil Beast collapsed with a thunderous crash.

For Han Feng, dispatching a Level-four Devil Beast was a breeze, and a Peak Level-four was no different.

After rummaging through the beast's skull, Han Feng stood up with a wry smile. "It's incredibly rare for a Devil Beast below Level Five to develop a Devil Core. I've slain over a dozen Level Four beasts without finding a single one. How did that Level Three One-Horned Wolf manage to mutate and produce a Devil Core?"

"I've taken down more than ten already; time for a break. If I push any deeper, I'll likely tread into the domain of Level-5 Devil Beasts."

At the thought of Level-5 Devil Beasts, even Han Feng's face grew stern with concern.

Sitting cross-legged, Han Feng slowly replenished his internal strength and the energy he had expended.

As he was nearing full recovery, his eyes snapped open. "Such a potent aura of malice. Someone's approaching."

No sooner had this realization dawned on him than two silhouettes materialized before Han Feng. They were young men in their twenties, clad in black, their expressions icy as they fixed their gaze on him.

"Little Nine, we're in luck. We've found our mark."

Hei Nine licked his lips in anticipation. "Offing this kid will net us a hefty reward. Maybe it'll even propel us to a breakthrough into the Human Rank."

"Exactly!"

Han Feng's expression turned grave. These two were here with the intent to kill him.

"You both wish to kill me? For what reason?"

Hei Eight scoffed. "No need for reasons. You can inquire with the Grim Reaper once you're dead."

With that, Hei Eight launched into action.

"Phantom Shadow Kick!"

Hei Nine observed with keen interest, confident that Han Feng stood no chance against Hei Eight.

"Bone Crushing Hand!"

The formidable power of the Phantom Shadow Kick sent Han Feng stumbling backward, struggling to maintain his footing. Yet, Hei Eight cried out in pain as his knee bones splintered.

"Damn it, this kid is almost at the later stages of the Mortal Rank. Our levels are not so different after all."

Gone was Hei Eight's earlier mockery, replaced with furious bellows.

The gap in internal strength between Hei Eight and Han Feng was narrowing. Although Han Feng had been pushed back, Hei Eight's right leg was now severely compromised, diminishing his fighting prowess.

Han Feng, however, was merely jolted, suffering no serious harm.

At this point, only a Human Rank expert surpassing the Mortal-rank posed a real threat to Han Feng.

Hei Nine was both astonished and enraged. He was well aware of Hei Eight's capabilities. Hei Eight was slightly stronger than Hei Nine, yet he had been wounded in a single exchange. Suddenly, Han Feng seemed much more formidable in Hei Nine's eyes.

"It's no wonder the Family Head issued such a stern command. He truly is wise. Cursed fate, if only I had heeded Eldest Brother's instructions, Eighth Brother wouldn't be injured." Stealthily, Hei Nine dispatched the news of their encounter.

Han Feng wounded Hei Eight and pressed him once more, "Are you an agent of the Chang family?" It seemed to be the only explanation.

Yet, Han Feng was baffled because the techniques Hei Eight and Hei Nine employed were not the signature moves of the Chang family.

Hei Eight, of course, vehemently denied any connection. But once Han Feng had made up his mind about the Chang family's involvement, he wouldn't be swayed. His frustration was palpable: "The Han family has purged a slew of spies, yet here's another, deeply embedded. This one must hold a significant position within our ranks. When did the Chang family plant such a mole? I need to alert the Family Head immediately; the Han family's security is at stake."

"The truth will have to come from these two."

Armed with the Soulsearch Space on the sixth level of the Nine Flames Heavenly Fire Tower, uncovering secrets was a trivial matter.

With this thought, Han Feng's gaze hardened with lethal intent as he stared down Hei Eight and Hei Nine.

Weakened, Hei Eight could only watch as Hei Nine launched an assault.

"Heavenly Eagle Claw!"

Hei Nine swooped in like a mighty eagle, clawing at Han Feng.

Han Feng's internal strength surged, conjuring a sphere of fire in his palm.

"Go!"

With a low growl, Han Feng hurled the mortal fire. Hei Nine's face twisted in horror as he was consumed by the flames, reduced to ashes.

"Mortal fire!" Hei Eight's eyes bulged in astonishment.

In that instant, Han Feng closed the distance, standing before Hei Eight. With a swift grab, he seized the injured Hei Eight, who was too slow to evade. And just like that, Hei Eight vanished.