"Such overbearing internal energy!" Chu Chen's expression grew solemn. The opponent's internal energy was no less potent.
"You are no match for me," the masked man in black said arrogantly. "If you are willing to surrender and reveal the secrets you carry, I might spare your life."
"Dream on!" Chu Chen shouted coldly, drawing his Wulong Saber and slashing fiercely.
"You court death!" The masked man in black snorted, lightly slapping his palm forward. A surge of powerful energy erupted, clashing head-on with the Wulong Saber's sharpness.
In an instant, the two figures became entangled in a fierce battle. Violent ripples of power spread outwards, causing the surrounding vegetation to break and leaves to scatter.
Although the aftershocks of their battle were terrifying, they did not reach the village nestled in the forest.
This village had long been requisitioned by the Marquis of Wu'an's mansion, and thus, it had not been subjected to slaughter. Everything had returned to peace.
"Bang!" Suddenly, the masked man in black delivered a powerful kick. Chu Chen, unable to evade, took the blow squarely.
His body shot out like a cannonball, smashing into a nearby ancient tree and shattering it.
With a "噗哧" sound, Chu Chen spat out a mouthful of blood.
The masked man in black advanced step by step, saying coldly, "Since you are stubborn, do not blame me for being harsh!"
"Heh heh, I'd like to see how you kill me!" Chu Chen wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, a chilling killing intent flashing in his eyes. He suddenly exerted force in his arm.
"Crack!" The ancient tree directly cracked. Using this force, Chu Chen leaped into the air and fiercely slashed his saber towards the masked man's neck.
"Hmph! A dying struggle." The masked man in black snorted, raising his hand and slapping the Wulong Saber, sending Chu Chen flying.
With a "噗哧" sound, Chu Chen spat out another mouthful of blood, his face turning deathly pale. His injuries were severe.
Just then, the sound of hurried footsteps approached. Over a dozen guards on horseback galloped over.
"Commander, that scoundrel has escaped!" one of the guards shouted.
Chu Chen nodded and said coldly, "Listen carefully, all of you. This mission has failed. The only consequence is the crime of exterminating the clan and confiscating property!"
Upon hearing this, the guards turned ashen, and they all responded in unison, "Your subordinates obey the commander's orders!"
"You go chase him," Chu Chen waved his hand, saying this, and then fled into the distance.
"Chase!" The masked man in black waved his hand, leading the dozen guards to pursue immediately.
"Damn it, why are they chasing me? This has nothing to do with me!" Chu Chen gritted his teeth and cursed.
Chu Chen was unlucky to have encountered the elite forces under the Marquis of Wu'an's mansion. Their strength was formidable. With Chu Chen alone, he was unable to resist and could only choose to retreat for now, seeking an opportunity to escape.
Chu Chen's speed was incredibly fast. If he were to be surrounded, his chances of survival would be slim. He had to shake off the pursuers first.
"This won't do..." Chu Chen frowned, thinking. If this continued, he would eventually be caught.
Within Wu'an City, tall walls stood, streets were wide, and the crowds were endless. Chu Chen arrived in Wu'an City, experiencing the prosperity of this city for the first time.
He sat down in a restaurant, ordered several dishes, then picked up a bowl of rice and began to eat ravenously.
While eating, he carefully observed everything around him. The entire Wu'an City was overcrowded and bustling with activity.
"As expected of the capital of a commandery. It is indeed prosperous, several times larger than Yunzhou City."
Chu Chen exclaimed. In his memory, Yunzhou City was only one-third this size. The difference was vast.
"Hmm? What is that..." Chu Chen's gaze suddenly fell upon a luxurious and extravagant carriage approaching from the end of the street. The horses pulling it were Ferghana horses, worth a thousand gold.
"This carriage seems very familiar," Chu Chen's eyebrows twitched.
Following closely behind, a gasp of surprise erupted from the street.
A carriage inlaid with rubies and sapphires stopped. A beautiful woman, around twenty years old, dressed in a purplish-red palace gown, stepped out of the carriage.
Her features were exquisite and perfect, her figure slender and alluring, her skin snow-white, her curves graceful, and her demeanor elegant and dignified.
Chu Chen's gaze fell upon the woman's face, his pupils suddenly contracting, his mind going blank with a buzzing sound.
This woman was none other than Su Rou'er, who had saved his life in Hundred Flowers Valley that day!
Her identity also dawned on Chu Chen. So she was the young lady of the Marquis of Wu'an's mansion. No wonder she was always accompanied by so many guards.
"Miss Rou'er, these servants are too disrespectful, blocking your path. Fortunately, I arrived in time."
A fawning laugh came from inside the carriage. Then, a middle-aged man with a large head and ears emerged, looking obsequious and ingratiating.
Su Rou'er's delicate eyebrows furrowed. She glanced coldly at the胖 man and said indifferently, "I wish to rest. You can leave."
"Heh heh, Miss Rou'er, it's a desolate place. Why don't I escort you back to your mansion? I promise to serve Miss Rou'er well tonight. I will not betray Miss Rou'er's grace." The胖 man said with a grin, his gaze sweeping over Su Rou'er's delicate body, filled with greed and desire.
"If you babble any more, do you believe I will make you lie dead in the wilderness right now?" Su Rou'er said coldly, her pretty face grim, emanating a sharp sword aura that made people tremble.
Su Rou'er's aura was very powerful, causing the胖 man to shiver involuntarily. He said sheepishly, "Alright, Miss Rou'er. Then I will visit you again tomorrow."
"Scram!" Su Rou'er roared, turning and entering the carriage.
After the胖 man left, Su Rou'er lifted the carriage curtain and saw Chu Chen standing not far away.
"Why are you here?" Su Rou'er's delicate eyebrows furrowed, and she asked in confusion.
"Just passing by," Chu Chen shook his head, then turned to leave.
"Stop!" Su Rou'er called out. "You have quite the nerve, daring to ambush people from the Marquis of Wu'an's mansion!"
"This has nothing to do with you. Farewell." Chu Chen did not look back, continuing to walk forward.
"Do you know who I am? I am the third young lady of the Marquis of Wu'an's mansion, Su Rou'er!" Su Rou'er said coldly. "If you dare to run, I guarantee you will die without a burial place!"
"Su Rou'er?" Chu Chen's footsteps slowly stopped. He turned to look at the carriage, a devilishly charming smile appearing on his lips. "That's right, I recognize you!"
"You... you are... Chu Chen?!" When Su Rou'er clearly saw Chu Chen's appearance, her pretty face instantly froze, and she stood stunned on the spot.
Her eyes widened, she could hardly believe what she was seeing.
Chu Chen, it was Chu Chen! Su Rou'er was not unfamiliar with this name; it was even etched in her memory! Two years ago, she had been abandoned in the mountains outside Yunzhou City. If Chu Chen had not arrived in time, she would have likely fallen victim to poisoning and become a wandering ghost!