Volume One: The Youth Enters the World Chapter Sixty-Four: Grudges and Gratitude

The two of them left the city gates, heading south at a brisk pace. Fang Tian had learned from Wolf Azure that the fugitive wanted by the bounty was hiding in a cave deep within the southern mountain range. Wolf Azure had spent a considerable sum to purchase this information from a place that specialized in trading secrets. The person who had approached Wolf Azure earlier was from that very establishment. Such people made their living by gathering intelligence for a price, capable of procuring any information for those who paid, which greatly eased the burden for bounty hunters.

As they walked, Wolf Azure wore a grim expression, revealing the depth of his personal vendetta against the fugitive. Meanwhile, Bai Yifan, who had been monitoring Fang Tian for days, convinced he would not leave the city, was suddenly informed that Fang Tian had departed—and in the company of Wolf Azure. Bai Yifan was overjoyed, quickly summoned a man surnamed Guo, and set out in pursuit.

“So, you finally left the city. My patience has paid off,” Bai Yifan sneered, sensing his opportunity.

Thus, Wolf Azure and Fang Tian pressed on ahead, with Bai Yifan close behind, tension mounting and conflict imminent.

After about an hour, Wolf Azure and Fang Tian arrived at the mouth of the cave. Fang Tian stepped forward to take a look but was stopped by Wolf Azure.

Wolf Azure strode to the entrance and shouted, “Fan Hun, come out and meet your death!”

After a moment, a figure slowly emerged from the darkness into the light, revealing a pale, sinister face. Fan Hun’s clothes were tattered, and he wielded a battered longsword stained with blood, exuding a palpable aura of murderous intent that assaulted them like a tangible force. Both men summoned their inner power to resist, pushing back the deadly aura.

Clearly, many had perished at his hands; only such a history could forge such a lethal presence.

Fan Hun observed the ease with which the two deflected his killing intent, surprise flickering across his face. He scrutinized them, then curled his lips into a mocking smile and said in a caustic tone, “So it’s you, Wolf Azure.”

During their journey, Fang Tian had learned from Wolf Azure that Fan Hun was infamous for his heinous deeds—a notorious executioner, his strength at the fifth level of the Spirit Gathering Realm. When Wolf Azure, then of a lower realm, was hunted by many, Fan Hun had been the most relentless, driving Wolf Azure to the brink of death. By a stroke of luck, Wolf Azure escaped, gravely wounded.

He fled to a farmer’s home and was saved, but within days, Fan Hun traced him there. He interrogated the farmer about Wolf Azure’s whereabouts. The farmer, refusing to betray his guest, kept silent, and in a fit of rage, Fan Hun slaughtered the entire household before leaving.

Wolf Azure had hidden in the cellar, not daring to make a sound. Listening to the screams, his heart twisted in agony, knowing his presence had doomed the innocent family. He swore then to tear Fan Hun to pieces, to appease the souls of the murdered.

After burying the family, Wolf Azure found a secluded place and devoted himself to cultivation. When his realm improved, he began searching for Fan Hun to exact his revenge, but Fan Hun had vanished. Wolf Azure hunted down those who had pursued him one by one, believing Fan Hun dead, until, at last, the heavens favored his persistence and Fan Hun resurfaced.

Upon learning this, Wolf Azure was elated and quickly claimed the bounty notice. Bai Yifan’s interference led to the conflict between the two.

“I see you remember me. After all this time, you finally appear,” Wolf Azure said in a low voice.

“Ha, how could I forget? The thrill of chasing you nearly to death still excites me,” Fan Hun narrowed his eyes and let out a harsh, grating laugh.

“Hmph, you’ll have no chance to laugh again. Today, I will end you,” Wolf Azure spat fiercely.

“Oh? You think you and that little brat beside you, barely at the third level of Spirit Gathering, are a match for me? Pathetic.”

“Do you still believe I am who I once was?”

With those words, Wolf Azure’s aura surged, elevating himself to his peak state, revealing the sixth level of the Spirit Gathering Realm.

“Sixth level? So, the martial techniques you obtained were indeed extraordinary. But don’t rejoice too soon—my realm is also sixth level!” Fan Hun unleashed his spiritual power, his presence dark and threatening, eyes fixed maliciously on Wolf Azure.

The sudden turn made Wolf Azure’s heart sink; he sensed danger. Already wounded, he was unsure whether he could defeat Fan Hun.

Fang Tian sensed the shift as well. His fears were justified: had Wolf Azure come alone, he would have surely perished. Fang Tian realized he must intervene. He spoke directly, “Big brother, let me take care of him. You’re injured and not his match.”

Wolf Azure refused, “Brother, I understand, but I must kill him myself. If I fall, avenge me.”

“There’s no need for such stubbornness.”

“No more words.”

With that, Wolf Azure prepared to charge at Fan Hun.

Fan Hun chuckled, eyes mocking as he regarded both Fang Tian and Wolf Azure. “Come out, second brother, third brother.”

No sooner had he spoken than movement stirred at his sides. Two figures flashed forward, taking their places beside Fan Hun.

“Big brother, is this the one with the precious cultivation technique?” asked the shorter one, holding a dagger.

“Second brother, Wolf Azure has achieved this realm in such a short time. Wouldn’t you say his technique is indeed a treasure?”

“If you say so, then it must be. Let me greet him properly with my dagger,” the second brother said, licking the blade with his tongue.

“Big brother, second brother, can I crush them as I please?” asked the burly man with the sledgehammer.

“Third brother, don’t smash them flat—I want them alive.”

“Understood, big brother.”

The three now stared at Wolf Azure and Fang Tian, as if eyeing lambs to slaughter.

Wolf Azure realized at once that Fan Hun had prepared well, spreading rumors to lure him in. His eagerness for vengeance had made him careless, dragging Fang Tian into the trap.

“Brother, I’ve brought trouble upon you. While they’re distracted, flee quickly,” Wolf Azure whispered.

Fang Tian shook his head. “Big brother, there’s no chance. We must defeat them to escape.”

“But, the two of us alone can’t win. How will we manage?” Wolf Azure said with concern.

“No matter. Help me hold one off, and I’ll deal with the other two,” Fang Tian replied with resolve.

“Brother, are you confident?”

“I don’t know, but we must fight with all we have.”

“Good. If you’re willing to risk your life with me, let’s stand together and chop these three bastards up for the dogs,” Wolf Azure no longer hesitated, channeling his spiritual power and gripping his blade.

“Are your final words spoken? Prepare to die,” Fan Hun sneered, sword raised as he lunged at Wolf Azure.

Seeing this, Fang Tian employed Wind Step, vanishing from his spot. His longsword blocked Fan Hun’s path.

“Not so fast. Your opponent is me.”