"If you know what's good for you, obediently hand over all your treasures, and the thousand spirit stones I just gave you! Perhaps I'll be in a good mood and grant you a quick death, so you won't suffer too much!"
"If you dare hesitate even a fraction, if you dare to conceal even the slightest thing..."
"Then I will show you what it means to wish you were dead!"
Lin Hao's face was full of smugness and arrogance. He was already convinced that this mere Qi Refining Level 6 soldier would be terrified by his threats and obediently hand over everything, allowing himself to be slaughtered.
He was completely unaware that the seemingly panicked masked man in black had already lost all fear in his eyes.
Qin Changsheng, controlling Hu Nan, maintained his panicked appearance, his shoulders trembling slightly, his tone timid, as if he was at a loss because of Lin Hao's threats. However, he was already prepared to retaliate.
He was waiting for the moment when Lin Hao completely lowered his guard and was at his most arrogant, to deliver a fatal blow.
Although Qin Changsheng knew Lin Hao was no match for Hu Nan,
this was a sect, and Lin Zhentian was within the Heavenly Sword Sect.
Qin Changsheng had to eliminate Lin Hao as quickly as possible to seize the Foundation Condensation Grass from him.
"I…I'll hand it over! I'll hand it all over! Please, Senior Brother, spare my life!" Hu Nan deliberately softened his voice, his tone filled with pleading and fear, even bordering on a sob, perfectly portraying the despair of a low-level cultivator driven to the brink.
As soon as he finished speaking, he raised his hand and yanked off the black storage bag from his waist. Without hesitation, he threw it frantically towards Lin Hao, his movements frantic, as if afraid that a moment's hesitation would result in Lin Hao killing him on the spot.
"Whoosh—" The storage bag arced through the air and landed steadily in Lin Hao's hand.
That storage bag was the one Lin Hao had just given him.
Lin Hao caught the storage bag, his eyes instantly brimming with smugness, a disdainful smirk playing on his lips.
"You're smart enough to know what's good for you," Lin Hao said arrogantly, his tone dripping with mockery. His gaze fell on the storage bag, completely ignoring Hu Nan.
In his eyes, a mere Qi Refining Level 6 soldier wouldn't dare to play any tricks, especially now that he was firmly locked onto by Lin Hao's oppressive aura, leaving him no room to resist.
Just as Lin Hao was caught up in his smugness and most relaxed, the black-clad masked man, who had previously appeared "panicked," suddenly changed his aura!
His timidity and fear vanished instantly, replaced by a concentrated and powerful surge of spiritual energy, far exceeding Lin Hao's expectations!
Lin Hao's expression changed drastically. His heart skipped a beat, a strong sense of crisis instantly surging within him. He instinctively wanted to retreat, to defend himself, but it was all too late.
A cold glint flashed in Hu Nan's eyes. His figure moved like a ghost, transforming into a black afterimage. The Black Wind Sword in his hand, carrying a chilling aura and sharp sword energy, was aimed directly at Lin Hao's throat. The angle was tricky, swift, accurate, and ruthless, without the slightest hesitation.
Lin Hao's pupils shrank drastically, his face turning deathly pale, his heart filled with disbelief and fear.
He never imagined that this seemingly useless Qi Refining Level 6 cultivator was actually a hidden master!
He instinctively dodged to the side, but the sword was too fast, already inches away, leaving no time to completely evade.
In desperation, Lin Hao could only muster all his strength, forcefully raising his only intact right hand to block it against his throat!
"Thud—" A crisp sound of a sharp blade piercing flesh pierced the deathly silence of the path.
The Black Wind Sword was incredibly sharp, and with Hu Nan's full power, its force was astonishing, far beyond what Lin Hao's flesh and blood could withstand.
The longsword instantly pierced Lin Hao's right hand, and with a swift slash, a flash of cold light, and Lin Hao's right hand was cleanly severed. Blood gushed out like a fountain, staining his luxurious spirit silk outfit, and also staining the soil and weeds beneath his feet.
"Ah—!!!" A scream of utter agony erupted from Lin Hao's mouth, echoing through the sky, filled with extreme pain and terror.
He felt a searing pain in his right hand, all his strength draining away instantly. The storage bag in his hand fell to the ground with a thud, scattering spirit stones and pills everywhere.
He staggered back a few steps, his legs giving way, and he collapsed heavily to the ground, convulsing. Cold sweat instantly soaked his clothes, and his face was deathly pale.
Qin Changsheng lowered his head slightly, his gaze coldly fixed on the screaming, wretched Lin Hao on the ground, devoid of any pity.
Because Qin Changsheng knew that if he hadn't been hiding his strength, he would have been the one killed by Lin Hao.
Lin Hao on the ground, his left hand empty, his right hand now severed, was now completely devoid of both hands. The excruciating pain nearly made him faint.
He raised his head, staring intently through the gap in his mask at the masked man before him, his eyes filled with disbelief, fear, and overwhelming hatred, but all his former pride and arrogance were gone.
He couldn't understand how his meticulously planned ambush had turned into a nightmare, and how the "trash" he had looked down upon had driven him to such a desperate situation.
Qin Changsheng glanced at Lin Hao on the ground, then controlled Hu Nan to walk towards him.
"Spare me..." Lin Hao begged for mercy as Hu Nan approached.
Qin Changsheng knew why the arrogant Lin Hao was begging for mercy.
Because he knew he was about to die.
Qin Changsheng slowly guided Hu Nan's body forward, raising the Black Wind Sword again, its tip gathering a sharp sword aura, a flash of cold light, aimed directly at Lin Hao's brow.
But just as the Black Wind Sword was about to touch Lin Hao's brow, a sudden change occurred!
A dazzling golden light suddenly erupted from Lin Hao's chest, so bright it was blinding. A vast and powerful surge of spiritual energy instantly swept across the path, forcefully blocking the Black Wind Sword's sharp sword energy.
"Clang—" A crisp metallic clang rang out as the Black Wind Sword was violently deflected by the golden light. Hu Nan instinctively took a step back, a barely perceptible look of surprise flashing in his eyes.
The golden light grew even more intense, forming a golden shield that firmly enveloped Lin Hao, isolating him from all danger. The immense spiritual energy emanating from it carried the aura of someone long accustomed to a superior position, inspiring involuntary reverence.
Qin Changsheng looked up and saw a blurry figure slowly coalescing within the golden light, gradually becoming clearer.
The figure wore a deep purple elder's robe, his face resolute, his brows exuding a formidable aura. His surroundings were imbued with a powerful and concentrated power—it was none other than Lin Zhentian, an elder of the Heavenly Sword Sect and Lin Hao's father!
Lin Zhentian's figure hovered in mid-air, his gaze sharp as torches, slowly sweeping over the masked man in black below. A sharp killing intent flashed in his eyes, but he forcibly suppressed it.
He didn't attack immediately. Instead, he first glanced down at the dying Lin Hao on the ground, a hint of heartache and helplessness flashing in his eyes. Then, he looked up again, his gaze landing on Hu Nan, his tone carrying a subtle restraint and politeness.
"Fellow Daoist, please show mercy," Lin Zhentian's deep and authoritative voice echoed across the path.
"My son Lin Hao is arrogant and ignorant of manners. He has offended you today, and it is his own fault. I apologize to you on behalf of my son. I hope you will be magnanimous and spare his life."
As the words fell, Lin Zhentian's illusory figure bowed slightly, his posture extremely humble.
"All the treasures and spirit stones on my son's body, fellow Daoist, are yours to take as my apology. I only beg you to show mercy and spare his life. He has lost both hands and can no longer pose any threat to you. He will never dare to offend you again."
At that moment, Qin Changsheng, far away in the inner courtyard of the Heavenly Sword Sect, clearly sensed, the instant Lin Zhentian's illusory figure appeared, a powerful and profound surge of Golden Core stage spiritual energy suddenly erupted within the sect, its aura sharp and fierce.
This aura was rapidly heading towards Qingyun Lake.
Qin Changsheng understood that Lin Zhentian's illusory figure's plea was not a genuine apology, nor was it a genuine willingness to hand over the treasures; it was merely a delaying tactic.
Once Lin Zhentian arrived, he could easily kill Hu Nan and save Lin Hao.