After a period of engagement, Lu Fan could clearly sense that these individuals were not simple and possessed formidable strength. More importantly, the leading figure in black appeared to be a Xianhuang realm expert. If that were the case, apprehending them would prove to be a difficult task.
"Quickly, execute him without fail!" The leading figure in black spoke with a cold voice, a faint glint of chill in his eyes. Having reached this point, he would show no mercy. After all, they were under orders to come here and take Lu Fan's life.
"With just you lot?" Lu Fan's lips curled slightly. Although these individuals were not weak, with over a dozen of them being Wu Di realm powerhouses, Lu Fan was no longer the same as before and could not be dealt with by these few. In that instant, Lu Fan had already dispatched several of the men in black, his gaze turning sharp. This was, after all, at the foot of the Imperial City, and he was the Marshal of the Heavenly Court Dynasty. For someone to attack him here was truly audacious.
Upon witnessing this, the leading figure in black's eyes instantly sharpened. He had not expected Lu Fan to be so formidable, capable of killing several elite guards in an instant. The Grand Tutor Wen had invested considerable effort in cultivating these experts, but before Lu Fan, it seemed insignificant.
"Boss, this person's strength is immense. I fear with our capabilities, we may not be able to intercept him!" A man in black, sensing something was amiss, quickly warned, his eyes showing a hint of panic. They had not anticipated things would turn out this way, catching them off guard.
"The order from above is that no matter the cost, he must die!" the leading figure in black stated coldly. "If they return to the imperial capital alive, our mission will have failed!" Faced with this statement, everyone nodded slightly, not daring to say more. Even if they had to fight with all their might, they would not hesitate, as this was a matter of extreme importance to them.
Simultaneously, Lu Fan clearly sensed that these individuals were determined to fight to the death. If this were the case, it would not be a good situation for him. In that very moment, Lu Fan unleashed his spiritual energy in a grand offensive, dispatching several more men in black. A slight smile touched his lips, "With just a few of you, you are no match for me. More importantly, you should know that I possess an ancient divine artifact, bestowed upon me by the Heavenly Emperor!"
"So what!" the leading figure in black retorted without hesitation, advancing towards Lu Fan with a single palm strike, his eyes growing sharper. He was acutely aware that if he failed to capture Lu Fan today, he would not be able to return to the imperial capital or complete his mission. Therefore, even if it meant death, they would die here.
*Boom...*
With a resounding boom, the leading figure in black was forced to retreat violently, his face instantly turning somewhat ashen. He had not expected Lu Fan to be able to withstand his attack without any issues. After all, he was the leader of the elite guards and a Xianhuang realm expert. Under normal circumstances, this should not have happened.
"You are defeated!" Lu Fan declared coldly, "And you are no match for me, even if you are a Xianhuang realm expert!"
"You have not reached the Xianhuang realm, yet you possess such strength!" the black-clad leader frowned, his gaze fixed on Lu Fan, a chill emanating from him. He had not expected Lu Fan to be capable of this.
"I may not have reached the Xianhuang realm, but what can a Xianhuang realm expert do to me!" Lu Fan smiled slightly, his eyes growing colder. In his eyes, these men in black were utterly insignificant. Meanwhile, the black-clad leader's expression turned grim. Completing the mission today would not be easy. With Lu Fan's strength, they were simply no match. However, Grand Tutor Wen had issued a death order, and even if they had to die here, they would. With this thought, the black-clad leader did not hesitate and directly attacked Lu Fan again, his eyes becoming even more piercing. In the blink of an eye, Lu Fan unleashed his power again, sending the black-clad leader flying back with a palm strike, while simultaneously eliminating all the other men in black. In his eyes, these individuals were like ants, utterly insignificant.
*Pfft...*
The black-clad leader spat out a mouthful of blood, his eyes filled with unwillingness. Although he had only recently reached the Xianhuang realm, he was still a Xianhuang expert. Before Lu Fan, he appeared so weak, how could he accept this.
"Speak! Who sent you!" Lu Fan's lips curled slightly, his gaze carrying a cold glint.
"Even if I die today, you will never know!" the black-clad leader chuckled coldly, intending to self-destruct his spiritual energy. However, in that instant, Lu Fan sealed his spiritual energy and moved swiftly before the man. "I'll give you another chance. If you reveal the mastermind, I will not make things difficult for you and will even let you live. But if you remain obstinate, I have a hundred ways to torment you!"
"I have already told you, I will not tell you!" the black-clad leader replied coldly. "You need not say any more!"
"Very well, very well!" Lu Fan's tone was indifferent, yet carried a cold edge. In his eyes, the black-clad leader's words had thoroughly angered him. Meanwhile, the black-clad leader remained impassive, showing no fear even in the face of death.
Lu Fan let out a cold laugh. "Do you really think I would kill you like this?"
"As you wish! I will not say a single word!" the black-clad leader closed his eyes, his gaze becoming increasingly indifferent. He had already prepared himself and was fearless. Lu Fan said nothing further, directly taking him back to the military camp. Sending Xianhuang realm experts to intercept him clearly indicated an intent to kill him. Lu Fan could not easily tolerate such an action.
"What is going on?" the Northern County Princess asked. "Was that him just now?"
"It should be them!" Lu Fan shrugged. "I have already eliminated over ten men in black."
"Such a thing happened?" Xue Long the Eunuch walked over, his brow furrowed slightly. "Is the Marshal injured?"
"With just a few of them, they naturally could not injure me!" Lu Fan shook his head. "But they are not from the Hell Dynasty; they are from the Imperial City!"
"People from the Imperial City!" Xue Long the Eunuch started in shock, his expression shifting. If this were true, it was not a good sign. After all, people from the Imperial City ambushing the Marshal was no trivial matter; it was an act that defied heaven and earth.
The Ninth Prince also frowned. "Who exactly dares to be so presumptuous!"