Chapter 533: 533 feels a kindred spirit with Han Yan
"I never expected that you would actually reach the Realm of Tenth Rank Great Swordsmen," Xia Youchen said to Mu Hanyan, his tone filled with a sense of wonder.
"You flatter me." Lady Mu, after all, was once a Sword Saint level expert. Although her fame couldn’t compare to Xia Youchen’s (strictly speaking, she barely had any fame before she met her untimely demise), her mentality was different. Facing Xia Youchen, she didn’t exhibit the reverence shown by others and responded calmly.
Yet, inside, she found it a bit strange. Is it so surprising that I have such strength? If we’re talking about natural talent, yours shouldn’t have been any worse than mine. You were once seen as the rising hope of Chenxing Academy. What’s there to be sentimental about?
"As long as you behave, I can offer you a way out," Xia Youchen stated bluntly.
"What?" Mu Hanyan was taken aback for a moment.
"You should know what I want. Just hand it over honestly, and I can grant you a way out," Xia Youchen continued.
I don’t know anything about what you want; how would I know what a thousands-year-old monster like you desires? Mu Hanyan mused in her mind without saying it out loud, instead weighing her options silently.
If Xia Youchen were to take action himself, it’s likely that nobody would escape today. But now, he only wanted to spare her, which seemed like an opportunity.
Mu Feng and Yan Yuchu were both still behind her. One was someone she had resolved to save, and the other had ended up in this peril because of her. Naturally, she didn’t wish for them to meet their end here.
Moreover, escaping would be even more challenging with them. On her own, perhaps there was a slightly better chance.
"Let them leave first," Mu Hanyan decided quickly and addressed Xia Youchen.
"Oh?" Xia Youchen looked at Mu Hanyan strangely. At a moment like this, he didn’t worry about his own life and death, yet he cared for others. It somewhat surprised Xia Youchen.
Back in his day, Xia Youchen was also full of righteousness. To repay Chenxing Academy and his mentor’s kindness, he nearly risked his life in the competitions among the five great academies. It was only after a turn of events that his character drastically changed. Seeing someone now who resembled his younger self unsuspectingly ignited a sense of camaraderie in him.
However, he was unaware that Mu Hanyan only wished to save Mu Feng and Yan Yuchu. The others were mere extras, or rather, bargaining chips. If he wasn’t willing, Mu Hanyan wouldn’t bother with their survival at all, as long as Mu Feng and Yan Yuchu were released.
"Fine, I agree with you," Xia Youchen, infamous in his time and a man of decisive action, quickly made his decision after a brief surprise.
As long as he could obtain the complete Spirit Summoning Beast Language from Mu Hanyan, his power could break through its shackles and ascend further, far more important than the lives of the others right before him.
"Go, the farther the better," Mu Hanyan hadn’t expected Xia Youchen to agree so readily without any bargaining, which surprised her. Fearing that he would change his mind, she immediately said to Yan Yuchu.
"Let them go; I will stay," Yan Yuchu shook his head.
He didn’t know exactly what Xia Youchen would get from Mu Hanyan, but he assumed it wouldn’t be anything good. As a Life and Death Guardian ally, he couldn’t just leave.
Moreover, he was counting on Mu Hanyan’s help with the Condensation and Purification of Sky Star Energy. If something were to happen to Mu Hanyan, what would he do?
"You know my strength. Go," Mu Hanyan insisted firmly, while subtly signaling him with her eyes.