War King Manor.
Ancient trees towered toward the sky, and along both sides of the bluestone path, exquisite lanterns swayed gently in the breeze, casting mottled patterns of light and shadow.
Qin Qingyue stood before the study window, gazing into the distance, her brow furrowed with anxiety and complicated emotions.
She wore a pale purple long dress embroidered with gold thread, her hair tied up in a high bun held by a delicate jade hairpin, fully embodying the nobility and dignity of a princess. Yet at this moment, that air of distinction seemed shaken by the turmoil within her heart.
Just then, a rhythmic knock sounded at the door.
"Milady," an elderly voice called from outside.
"Come in."
With those words, a white-haired, white-bearded elder pushed the door open, glanced around the room, and then carefully closed it behind him.
"Uncle Fu, is there any news about Qin Haotian?" Qin Qingyue asked with a sigh.
Because Qin Langtian was too proud to lower himself and search for Qin Haotian, she had no choice but to ask the estate manager, Uncle Fu, to go and gather information about him.
Manager Uncle Fu nodded and said, "Milady, I managed to find out, but..."
Uncle Fu hesitated, leaving his sentence unfinished.
"But what?"
"It's just that the news your old servant received is rather hard to believe." Uncle Fu still found it hard to fathom that the good-for-nothing heir who had lived right under his nose for several years could have pulled off such a feat.
Qin Qingyue's curiosity was instantly piqued. "Speak freely."
Uncle Fu bowed, a heavy look on his face. "Milady, according to the information your old servant received, Young Master Qin Haotian single-handedly killed a Xiantian Realm Late Stage assassin inside the ruined temple in the Imperial City. This matter has already spread in a small circle among the upper echelons, and I'm afraid it is true."
"Uncle Fu, are you certain you haven't made a mistake?"
Though her voice was soft, it carried an undeniable majesty as she asked the estate manager to confirm it again.
Uncle Fu nodded solemnly.
Qin Qingyue's beautiful eyes widened, and the teacup in her grip trembled slightly. A few drops of tea splashed onto her collar, but she remained completely unaware.
Single-handedly kill a Xiantian Realm Late Stage expert? That Qin Haotian whom she had mocked countless times? That good-for-nothing older brother who was utterly worthless in her eyes—did he now possess strength to rival her own? This sudden news struck like a bolt from the blue, leaving Qin Qingyue struggling to accept it.
How could this be?
"How... how could he have reached this point?" she muttered to herself, a tumult of emotions churning in her chest.
Recalling all her past scorn and mockery toward Qin Haotian, a wave of shame and unease washed over her.
If this were true, if Qin Haotian truly possessed such strength, and she were to be surpassed by someone she had once trampled underfoot, where would her pride and self-respect go?
Qin Haotian, just how deeply have you been hiding your true self...
"Where is Qin Haotian now?" Qin Qingyue asked, a peculiar light flashing in her lovely eyes.
"Milady, when your old servant went to the ruined temple, I discovered a line of large characters left behind by Qin Haotian. It might have to do with where he is heading."
"What characters?"
"This lord does not stay where this lord is not wanted; naturally, there are places that welcome me."
Uncle Fu bowed slightly. "Your old servant suspects he likely intends to leave the Imperial City. I fear he is already on the road by now."
"He cannot leave!" Qin Qingyue cried out softly, then suddenly froze.
Why was she in such a rush? Could it be that Qin Haotian had made her feel a sense of pressure?
Sensing her unusual reaction, Uncle Fu offered, "Milady, should your old servant go and bring him back?"
"Uncle Fu, send people immediately! You must ensure Qin Haotian stays alive!"
"Understood, Milady."
Uncle Fu was about to turn and leave when he suddenly stopped in his tracks, looking back at Qin Qingyue in utter astonishment.
The young mistress... actually wanted him to protect Qin Haotian?
Could someone be plotting against Qin Haotian?
Uncle Fu asked hesitantly, "Milady, should we report this matter to the Prince?"
"Father has entered the palace; there is no time."
Urging him on, Qin Qingyue said, "Uncle Fu, why are you still standing there? Go!"
"Your old servant takes his leave." Uncle Fu bowed respectfully and went to carry out the order, leaving Qin Qingyue alone in the study.
She gazed out at the darkening sky outside the window as an unprecedented sense of crisis welled up within her.
"Strength capable of killing a Xiantian cultivator..." She had always scoffed at Qin Haotian as trash, but what if she were truly surpassed by this good-for-nothing...
"Hmph, Qin Haotian, do you think this will make me afraid? No matter what your purpose is in hiding your cultivation, I will never let you have the chance to surpass me!"
Qin Qingyue gritted her teeth and growled angrily under her breath.
…………
On a narrow path.
Treading on the faint morning light after leaving the Imperial City, Qin Haotian set out alone on the road toward the Great Wilderness.
Before officially embarking on his path of cultivation, he planned to make a trip to the Great Wilderness to pay his respects to the old village chief. On one hand, this was to fulfill an obsession left by the original owner of this body; on the other hand, it would serve as a clean break with his past.
From this moment on, there would only be Qin Haotian the transmigrator, not Qin Haotian of the War King Manor! Yet fate seemed determined not to let him have his way so easily.
"Well, well, if it isn't the useless trash."
A taunting voice rang out from behind Qin Haotian.
He turned around to see Li Yifeng, dressed in luxurious silk robes, sneering as he looked at him.
Standing behind his opponent was a group of black-robed martial artists with cold expressions.
"Li Yifeng, it's you!"
The man leading them was none other than the Li Family young master, Li Yifeng, who fancied himself a standout talent among the younger generation in the Imperial City.
Over the past three years, Li Yifeng had frequently invited Qin Haotian out for drinks.
Qin Haotian had never expected that upon leaving the Imperial City, he would actually be intercepted by this person.
"Qin Haotian, I truly never imagined that after killing someone from the Li Family, you'd still have the guts to leave the Imperial City!"
"Without the protection of the War King Manor, do you really think I'd fear your status as the young lord? Today will be your day of death!"
Li Yifeng curved his lips into a sneer, a vicious glint flashing in his eyes.
Beside him, several other Xiantian Realm martial artists of no small capability stood ready, clearly determined to take Qin Haotian's life.
Qin Haotian's expression remained calm, his gaze piercing as he swept it across the enemies surrounding him, already formulating a plan in his mind.
These fellows had clearly come prepared; it seemed this battle was unavoidable. Only by fighting through it could he demonstrate his resolve and strength.
"Li Yifeng, there was never any enmity between us. Why come looking for trouble?"
Li Yifeng let out a cold laugh. "Enmity? Just the fact that you, a piece of trash, are unworthy of Third Princess yet dare to harbor delusions about my woman—that alone is a capital crime!"
"However..."
Li Yifeng changed his tone and let out a strange laugh, "If you are willing to kneel, kowtow, and beg for mercy, I might consider sparing your life!"
"Third Princess?"
Qin Haotian frowned. It seemed there were secrets here he was unaware of.
"Enough talk. Since you chose to stand against me, don't blame me for being ruthless."
Qin Haotian's voice was not loud, yet it carried an icy chill.
"Heh, in such a rush to throw your life away?" Li Yifeng sneered. "Take him down and kill him!"
As the words fell, the group of martial artists swiftly moved in to attack Qin Haotian.
The battle broke out in an instant.
Qin Haotian shifted slightly, spiritual energy surging within his body as a formidable momentum instantly erupted, seeming to freeze the surrounding air solid.
The next moment, the Netherworld Demonic Sword quietly slid from its scabbard, cutting a trail of black light as Qin Haotian plunged into the crowd.
Yet this time, Qin Haotian clearly sensed a hint of resistance.
This group of Xiantian Realm experts who had come to kill him surpassed the previous rabble in both numbers and quality.
Clearly, this was going to be a fierce battle.
Yet Qin Haotian felt no fear.
To practice the Ruthless Sword Dao was to sever emotional ties, and fear was merely one of them.
Only by severing the shackles of fear within one's heart could one achieve mastery in the Ruthless Sword Dao.
"Hahaha, brat, go die!"
A black-robed figure suddenly flashed behind Qin Haotian with a wild laugh, a massive saber in his hand glowing with a red aura as he chopped downward fiercely, vowing to split Qin Haotian in two.