Unrivaled Martial Emperor

Chapter 120 - Sending Yourself to Another’s Doorsteps

“Haha, what a surprise, little bastard! Your resilience is truly remarkable—still brimming with life even after burning your blood and jumping from a cliff.”

As Chen Fan and Qin Yao were on the verge of leaving the desert, a voice echoed from a distance, making them pause and gaze ahead simultaneously.

“Zhong Li!”

Chen Fan’s gaze suddenly turned cold when he saw the rapidly approaching figure.

“That’s right, it’s me.” Zhong Li descended from the sky.

Looking at Chen Fan mockingly, he said, “It's genuinely surprising, little bastard. You really survived. Yang Feng and the others told me this, but after seeing you... Truly astonishing.”

Zhong Li's sharp gaze scrutinized Chen Fan from head to toe. “A miracle, indeed. Surviving is one thing, but you don't even appear injured. It's shocking. It seems both of you stumbled upon some opportunity beneath the Scarlet Cliff—”

Suddenly, Zhong Li stopped speaking, his eyes fixed on Chen Fan’s hand.

He exclaimed in surprise, “Ice Jade Snow Lotus! You’ve actually obtained the Ice Jade Snow Lotus! Did Wang Fuchen suffer grave injuries trying to obtain it? Is that how you two managed to snatch it away from him!”

Yang Feng and the others also arrived at the scene, encircling the pair. Joy shone in their eyes at the sight of the Ice Jade Snow Lotus. Their expressions were unfriendly, hinting at a readiness to snatch it.

“What are you guys trying to do?” Qin Yao shouted.

Chen Fan had just emerged from a fierce confrontation with Wang Fuchen, and his injuries were far from minor.

Zhong Li had effortlessly traversed through the air—a skill characteristic of Yuanfu realm powerhouses. Given Chen Fan's injuries, any hostile action from Zhong Li could spell disaster for them.

“What are we doing? Of course, it’s—” He Junyang smiled coldly.

“That’s enough.”

Zhong Li waved his hand, interrupting He Junyang. He looked at Chen Fan and said, “Speak, what treasures do you have? You went from being a martial arts trash to a Qi Grandmaster in just a few months. Rumors suggest you found some opportunity in the Qingyang Mountain Range. Confess to the nature of this opportunity, become my servant, and work for us. I can spare your life.”

“Boss, it’s fine if you want him as your servant, but you should cripple his cultivation. This little bastard is rebellious. You mustn’t let him keep his cultivation,” He Junyang said grimly.

“I will decide that for myself.”

Hands clasped behind his back and gaze trained on Chen Fan, Zhong Li said, “You have no other choice now. Speak. If you don’t, I will capture you and use all kinds of interrogative methods to force it out of you. It’ll be too late for regrets then. Let's not complicate things.

“You must have seen earlier that I can traverse the air—a skill exclusive to those in the Yuanfu realm. Don’t harbor any hopes of getting lucky. Moreover, you should think about your senior sister even if you don’t think about yourself. She is quite beautiful.”

When Zhong Li brought up Qin Yao, an icy light flashed in Chen Fan's eyes. He whispered, “Aren’t you scared of the Sect Master? After the Outer Sect Grand Competition, he told us that we must work as a team in the blessed land and forbade us from killing one another. You would be disrespecting the Sect Master by defying his words. Aren’t you afraid of the consequences? Those outside can see all this happening.”

“Haha, you foolish brat. You’re dreaming even now.”

Zhong Li burst out in laughter at hearing this. Then, he composed himself, a cold glint shining in his eyes as he said chillingly, “So what if they can see this? The Ice Jade Snow Lotus will be mine after I kill you. I will be making a great contribution to the sect by winning this and will soon become a true member of the alliance.

“Will the Sect Master punish us for a dead man and offend Senior Brother Duan Jingtian? No, he will turn a blind eye to it and pretend nothing happened. Wake up, kid. Senior Brother Duan Jingtian’s status in the Spring Autumn Sect is beyond your imagination.”

......

Dragon Mountain Peak:

Zhuo Bufan watched as Zhong Li made his speech, which everyone on the peak heard, and his expression immediately turned cold.

Zhong Li's audacity in disregarding him didn't escape notice, but Zhuo Bufan, without saying a word, merely humphed coldly in his heart.

Zhong Li had gotten one thing correct—Duan Jingtian's status in their sect was beyond ordinary comprehension.

Duan Jingtian, also on the peak, heard the speech mutely; his silence implied agreement.

If Chen Fan were killed, Zhuo Bufan would indeed have to turn a blind eye, pretending nothing had happened.

......

“Chen Fan, quickly kneel and acknowledge Boss as your master. Spill all your secrets!”

He Junyang suddenly shouted, “It's your only way out. You've offended Heaven’s Alliance; you're a dead man no matter where you run. Become our loyal dog. Do whatever we command, even if it means eating shit. Understand?!”

Chen Fan's icy gaze fixed on He Junyang as he nodded. “Very well. You want to cripple my cultivation and force me to eat shit, right? Fine. I will give you a taste of your own medicine.”

“What did you say?!”

Despite being surrounded by enemies, Chen Fan acted arrogantly and even threatened He Junyang. This infuriated He Junyang, and he decided to take action.

A long blade materialized in his palm, a formidable qi weapon stained with blood and exuding a murderous aura. It manifested from his powerful cultivation technique and martial art, capable of slaying immortals.

“Ghost Massacre Blade Technique.”

He Junyang laughed maliciously. “Little bastard, you’ll learn the consequences of offending our Heaven’s Alliance today. I've been itching to get rid of you, and now that I am a Qi Grandmaster, you'll serve as a sacrifice for my blade.”

“Hold on.”

Zhong Li stopped He Junyang and said, “Chen Fan, you better know what’s good for you. I’ll give you one last chance. Be a dog under me, and use the heavenly opportunities you’ve gained so far to pay for your sins. You still have a chance at life. If you let this go, not even I can save you. You're ignorant of the rules within Heaven’s Alliance. Submit, or we will strip you of the will to live, denying you the satisfaction of death.”

Zhong Li harbored a strong desire to unravel Chen Fan's secrets, the key to his rapid ascent. Securing such a heavenly opportunity would elevate his cultivation, status within the Spring Autumn Sect, and importance to Duan Jingtian.

“Giving me a chance?”

Chen Fan chuckled coldly and said, “Do you understand what you're doing? It's called delivering yourselves to my doorstep! I had planned on seeking you out later. Do you think I’m unaware that your group forced my senior sister into that situation? Trying to kill others with a borrowed knife?!

“I vowed never to let anyone who tries to harm my senior sister escape, and that includes all of you. You think you can scare me with Heaven’s Alliance, huh? Assuming you have some kind of authority?” [1]

“Good, very good. Your mouth is still as stubborn as ever. I like that.”

Zhong Li laughed coldly, but his voice was filled with murderous intent. “Take him down, He Junyang. I will personally use the Soul Searching Technique on him. I'll make him endure the most agonizing experience and turn him into a half-wit.”

1. The last part here is a Chinese idiom that literally says to wave a chicken feather as a token of authority. ?