Chapter 25: The Mysterious Pursuer

As Gu Qingyi galloped across the road, he suddenly sneezed several times. He couldn’t help but mutter, “Who’s thinking about me right now? Is it Miss Nangong, or maybe my mother and sister?”

Lost in thought, his mood lifted, and a smile crept onto his face.

Wanting to get back to Sky Sword City as soon as possible, he urged his horse on, pushing himself to ride faster.

But just as he was happily humming a tune, the forest behind him shook violently. Leaves scattered to the ground.

Several figures closed in without a sound and appeared before him in an instant.

Gu Qingyi sized up the newcomers. Their auras were overwhelmingly strong—his heart sank at once.

“Not good. They’re all Sword Emperor Realm cultivators—three at the fifth stage, two at the fourth. Things look grim today.” He kept his eyes fixed on them, clenching his fists. “If they’re allies, fine. But if not, I might not leave here alive.”

He tentatively called out, “May I ask why you seniors have stopped me? If you need my help with anything, just say the word.”

Wang Laosan couldn’t help snickering when he saw Gu Qingyi’s wary expression. “Heh heh heh… At least you’re a sensible kid. Any other day, maybe we’d let you live.” He paused, tone turning cold. “But today, you’ve got to die. Otherwise, we’ll never rest easy.”

Wang Lin chimed in, “Not only do we want your life—we want that treasure that let a waste like you walk the cultivation path again!”

“Wang Laosan, Wang Lin, aren’t you two just a bit too greedy? Do you really want everything for yourselves? At least leave something for the rest of us!” Several others looked disgruntled when they heard this.

“Enough, Laosan. Quit with the nonsense. Let’s move before anything changes. Be careful, everyone—this kid’s got a few tricks up his sleeve. No mercy. Go all out.”

Wang Lin ignored the rest and said to Wang Laosan, “Even a lion goes full force when hunting a rabbit. Don’t underestimate him.”

Wang Laosan burst out laughing, “Wang Lin, you’re always hot-headed, but now you’re suddenly so cautious? Not like you at all. Are you scared or something? Why fret about a measly second-stage Sword King? With our combined strength, wiping out a small town is child’s play. Killing a Sword King is like crushing an ant.”

“So your fear is needless. Gu Qingyi is not getting away today, not in a million years.” His gaze turned venomous, glaring at Gu Qingyi like he couldn’t wait to rip him apart.

A few others echoed the sentiment, “Wang Lin, it’s just one little Sword King. He can’t stir up much trouble. You’re worrying for nothing!” They immediately started arguing over how to divide up Gu Qingyi and his treasures.

“I get Gu Qingyi’s corpse,” Wang Lin declared, bursting forth with oppressive power.

“Hold on, Wang Lin—why do you get the biggest reward? If you ask me, we should split the body fifty-fifty,” Wang Laosan said, also unleashing his aura.

Li Qing snorted, “If you two claim the body, then all his treasures go to my Ten Thousand Beast Sect! How about that?”

Li Shuang agreed, “That’s right! There’s no way Heavenfire Gate gets all the loot. The treasures belong to us, or forget it!” The pair released their own overbearing power.

The group was so caught up fighting over their shares that they barely spared a glance for Gu Qingyi below. It was as if he wasn’t worth their time.

“Instead of squabbling, why not catch the kid first? We can divvy up the spoils after,” Liu Mang of the Vast Sea Sect shook his head at his foolish teammates.

“Trust Liu Mang to see the bigger picture. Let’s go with his plan—everyone, make your move!” The group agreed with a hearty laugh.

In a flash they lunged at Gu Qingyi, ready to take him down.

Seeing this, Gu Qingyi quickly spoke out, “Please wait, seniors!”

Their movements froze midair. They stared at Gu Qingyi, curious what trick he might try.

“Why not listen to me for a moment?” Gu Qingyi said calmly from the saddle. “There’s only one set of treasures on me. However you split it up, someone’s bound to get the short end of the stick. Do you really want that?”

“Wouldn’t it be better if one person took it all? That way, you’d maximize your own benefit and your sect would gain the most too. Why share with others when you don’t have to?” The crowd traded glances. What he said made perfect sense, and they started plotting about how to claim everything for themselves.

Wang Laosan sneered, “Wang Lin, the kid’s got a point. If we split, we all lose out. Why not just snatch it all?”

“Agreed,” Wang Lin’s gaze sharpened, locking onto Li Qing and Li Shuang.

“Looks like you two can’t hold back anymore. Nothing left to discuss then,” Li Qing and Li Shuang exchanged a look, a murderous gleam in their eyes.

Li Qing roared, “Do it!”

Immediately, the four of them turned on each other, tearing into a brutal melee.

…………..

Watching them brawl, Gu Qingyi grinned, “Looks like the plan worked. Time to leave you idiots behind.”

He spurred his horse, slipping away while their attention was elsewhere—gone in a heartbeat.

Liu Mang was so furious at the sight that he almost swore out loud. “How can these idiots be so easily manipulated? A few words and they get used like tools.”

“It’s not clever enemies you need to fear, it’s stupid allies,” Liu Mang muttered, regaining his composure. He snapped his fingers, stunning the four with a quick slap each to bring them to their senses.

Face flushed with anger, Liu Mang snapped, “Stop fighting, all of you! Are you idiots? The kid was playing you from the start—he’s long gone by now!”

Unwilling to let it go, he slapped them twice more, cursing, “Why in the world did I ever agree to work with you fools? Worst luck ever!”

After getting slapped around, the group sobered up, clutching their faces as Liu Mang tore into them.

They stared at the spot where Gu Qingyi had just been—he’d vanished without a trace.

“What? Where’d the kid go?” Wang Laosan’s eyes nearly popped out.

Wang Lin’s face twisted, “Damn it, he got away!”

Everyone started passing the blame.

“This is all your Ten Thousand Beast Sect’s fault! If you hadn’t attacked out of nowhere, we wouldn’t have started fighting each other,” Wang Laosan pointed at Li Qing and Li Shuang.

Bruised and swollen, Li Shuang yelled back, “Like your Heavenfire Gate is any better!”

“What’s the point of arguing now? Still trying to pass the buck?” Li Qing growled at Wang Laosan.

Liu Mang, trembling with rage, barked, “Are you all stupid? There’s no time for fighting!”

His face darkened as he yelled, “Hurry up and chase after him! If we waste any more time, the higher-ups will make us all pay!”

“He’s right. There’s no time for infighting—we need to move!” The group snapped to attention and began a frantic search, following the horse’s tracks.

With a whoosh, they disappeared from the scene.