Volume One: The Youth Enters the World Chapter Seventy-Four: Escape

The night in the imperial city was alive with a dramatic chase. What was once a quiet evening had erupted into chaos; everywhere, the air was filled with noise as a large group scoured the city in pursuit of Fang Tian.

Glancing over his shoulder, Fang Tian saw that the Grand Elder was not far behind, closing in with swift determination. Without hesitation, Fang Tian ducked into a shadowy alley, hoping to lose his pursuers. With the gravely injured Lang Qing in tow, his pace was sluggish; he needed to find a way to escape the city.

Despite all his careful calculations, he had overlooked a single detail, leaving an opening that now saw him hunted and desperate. Darting through the city, hiding wherever possible, he realized the searchers were everywhere. He was trapped, unable to devise any means of breaking through the encirclement. The imperial city, he surmised, must already be sealed off. Any glimpse of him would draw a swarm of pursuers. The headache pressed in.

Given his predicament, Fang Tian could only use the city’s layout to edge closer to the gates, relying on his speed to dodge group after group of pursuers. Yet, he knew this was no lasting solution; escaping the city itself was the larger problem.

As he ran, torn by indecision, a figure suddenly appeared beside him. Focusing his gaze, he recognized Lin Shuang. She, too, spotted him. Fang Tian halted, pulling her behind a wall just as a patrol passed dangerously close—another moment and they would have been discovered.

“What are you doing here? It’s dangerous for you. If anyone sees you, it’ll only bring you trouble,” he said anxiously.

“Brother Yu, I came to give you this,” she replied, handing him a piece of parchment.

Fang Tian saw it was a map—upon closer inspection, a map of Ice Spirit Island.

“Thank you,” he nodded.

She continued, “Brother Yu, most of them are searching the east side. If you head toward the west gate, you might have a chance to slip out.”

“This isn’t a place to linger. I must go,” Fang Tian responded, carrying Lang Qing as he hurried toward the west gate.

Lin Shuang watched his departing figure, murmuring softly, “Brother Yu, you must escape.”

She, too, did not remain, hurrying back to her family estate to inform her father. The sudden turn of events demanded that the Lin family quickly prepare a response.

Following Lin Shuang’s instructions, Fang Tian moved swiftly toward the west gate. Soon enough, he arrived and saw, as she had said, that only a few dozen guards stood watch—none of them particularly formidable. Escaping would not be difficult.

Revealing himself, Fang Tian strode toward the gate.

“Who goes there?” the gate captain shouted.

But when they saw his face, anxiety flashed in their eyes. Clearly, they had already received the order to lock down the city and were searching for a cultivator named Tian Yu. One among them quickly fired a signal flare into the sky, its explosion illuminating the night.

The Grand Elder and his enforcers saw the flare from the west and cursed their luck. How had the fugitive known the west gate was lightly guarded, when just moments ago he’d been sighted in the east? The boy was cunning beyond measure. They immediately changed direction, racing toward the west at breakneck speed, fearing Fang Tian might escape if they delayed.

Fang Tian eyed the flare, then the soldiers at the gate, and drew his Frostfeather Sword. “Step aside. I have no wish to harm you.”

The captain braced himself, refusing to yield. Letting Fang Tian escape would bring consequences worse than death.

“Very well, don’t blame me for what happens. Martial art: Flying Frost.”

With a sweep of his sword, Fang Tian vanished. In the next instant, he stood at the gate, leaving behind a row of soldiers encased in ice, still frozen in their defensive stances, unaware of what had befallen them.

He looked back and saw the Grand Elder already closing in, shouting, “You brat, halt!”

Fang Tian sneered, mocking him with a glance, then slashed open the gate and slipped out. By the time the Grand Elder arrived, Fang Tian had vanished.

A short while later, more pursuers arrived, including the Third Prince.

He strode forward and asked the Grand Elder, “Where is he?”

The Grand Elder snorted, “He’s gone.”

Gone? Just like that? The Third Prince could scarcely believe it. Even the Grand Elder had failed to stop Fang Tian. How formidable was this man?

“Are we just to let him go? Grand Elder, why don’t you pursue him?” the prince demanded, his tone dark.

“Hmph! Do you think I don't wish to? The movement art he cultivates is remarkable—his speed is unmatched. In mere moments, he vanished from sight,” the Grand Elder snapped.

“Is there nothing else to be done?” the prince pressed, seeing the elder’s foul mood.

“I will reorganize and dispatch all our enforcers to search outside the city. I’ll also issue a bounty—make it generous, to draw the bounty hunters to the chase. I want to see where that boy can possibly hide.”

“He dared to take me hostage. He will pay for this,” the Third Prince growled after hearing the plan.

When it became clear Fang Tian had escaped, the crowd gradually dispersed. The Grand Elder and the Third Prince, seeing nothing more could be done, turned back. Thus, the night’s chaos ended with Fang Tian’s flight, but ahead lay relentless pursuit.

No one could have imagined that a mere Fang Tian would cause such upheaval—kidnapping a prince and escaping the imperial city as if it were nothing. His name quickly spread throughout the city, leaving all in awe. Yet Fang Tian remained oblivious to his burgeoning reputation.

Once clear of the city, Fang Tian noted the absence of pursuit and surmised they had given up, realizing they could not catch him for now. Still, he doubted they would let him go so easily—they might be lurking nearby. He remained on high alert.

After fleeing several miles, Fang Tian settled Lang Qing against a tree in the woods, fetched a flask of water from his storage, and helped him drink. After a while, Lang Qing coughed and slowly opened his eyes, glancing around before asking, “Where am I?”

“We’re outside the imperial city, brother,” Fang Tian replied.

Lang Qing frowned, still dazed, but tried to clear his head. “Did you save me, brother?”

“Yes, but don’t speak. Your injuries are serious.”

“I owe you my life once again—fate truly plays with us,” Lang Qing said with a bitter smile.

“Enough of that. Like I said, if I don’t save you, who will?” Fang Tian replied with a gentle laugh.

“Perhaps I’m being sentimental. But how did you manage to escape?” Lang Qing was curious. Even before losing consciousness, he knew those people would go after Fang Tian; he had pleaded for them to take him instead, but only received harsher punishment for his efforts.

Fang Tian thought for a moment. “I had help from a benefactor.”

“Do you blame me, brother? If not for me, you wouldn’t be in this predicament,” Lang Qing said hesitantly.

“You’re being too harsh on yourself. I believe in you. Don’t say more; let me tend your wounds,” Fang Tian replied, examining his injuries.

Lang Qing nodded.

Fang Tian then applied medicine and used his spiritual power to heal Lang Qing’s internal injuries.

Several hours passed, and Lang Qing’s complexion improved. His wounds began to heal. Fang Tian finished his treatment, and Lang Qing flexed his body, finding his injuries much improved. He could walk, though his spiritual power remained depleted—the enforcers had forced him to take a debilitating powder that left him powerless since being captured in Wufeng City.

He glanced at Fang Tian, noticing his pale face, likely from exhaustion. “Are you alright, brother?” he asked softly.

Fang Tian nodded. “I’m fine, just drained. I’ll be alright after some rest,” he motioned for Lang Qing not to worry.

The two rested in the woods for the night. At dawn, Fang Tian consulted the map, glanced toward the snowy mountains, and set off, supporting Lang Qing as they disappeared into the forest.

Time passed; half a month went by. Fang Tian, now alone, journeyed toward the snowy mountains, having settled Lang Qing in a small farmhouse. By chance, the owner was the same elder Fang Tian had aided in Wufeng City. Upon hearing Fang Tian’s story, the old man was deeply concerned, remembering the help that had saved him from disaster.

Fang Tian marveled at how quickly news spread—even the old man, living in seclusion, had heard of the troubles he’d caused.

Fang Tian stayed two days, teaching Lang Qing the art of disguise. He himself adopted a new appearance before continuing his journey, confident he would not be recognized so long as he avoided drawing attention with his powers.

He urged Lang Qing to rest and heal, promising to return when his injuries mended. In the future, Lang Qing would likely live under his new identity.

Lang Qing had no objections. He told Fang Tian he would find a secluded mountain forest to live the rest of his days in peace; having avenged his great enmity, he was unburdened and ready to live freely. As for cultivation, he knew it was impossible to leave Ice Spirit Island. To live out his days in peace was his greatest wish.

Fang Tian was moved by these words, though he himself could not choose such a life. There was still much he had to do, and many paths he must walk alone.

Having settled Lang Qing, Fang Tian set out for the snowy mountains without delay.