On the bridgehead.
He Qiyan, concealing her face, frowned slightly.
She had calculated everything, but never expected that the other party would demand Zhang Yang enter the cabin for the hostage exchange.
Now.
He Qiyan had no way to discern who the person in the cabin was.
Whether Qin Shengnan, who had called Zhang Yang, was the real Qin Shengnan.
However.
After a brief period of anxious waiting on the bridgehead, He Qiyan saw a new turn of events.
A powerful surge of energy suddenly erupted from the covered boat Zhang Yang had entered.
Clearly, a confrontation had occurred inside the cabin.
The surging energy spread outwards, causing ripples on the water's surface.
The boatmen paddling were thrown into the river.
Subsequently.
The roof of the covered boat was blown to smithereens.
After an explosion, Zhang Yang rushed out, holding the unconscious Han Xiyao in his arms.
His speed was astonishing, as if propelled by an external force.
As he glided through the air, Zhang Yang spat out a mouthful of blood.
It was exceptionally bright and eye-catching.
Soon.
Two more figures emerged from the now roofless cabin.
Qin Shengnan and the gaunt old man pursued Zhang Yang in succession.
However.
By the time they reached the bridgehead, Zhang Yang had already vanished into the vast crowd.
"Damn it, Zhang Yang got away. What do we do now, Senior?" Qin Shengnan asked.
Although she had retrieved the token, Zhang Yang had escaped alive, much to Qin Shengnan's frustration.
"Let him run. Zhang Yang is already heavily injured from my palm strike, not far from death," the gaunt old man stated confidently.
With that, the gaunt old man's gaze fell upon the spot where Zhang Yang had disappeared, a hint of nostalgia appearing in his eyes.
He resembled.
He truly resembled that person.
Zhang Yang was cast from the same mold as that individual.
And...
For some reason.
When he had struck Zhang Yang heavily in the cabin, the gaunt old man had a strange feeling.
Had he truly gravely injured Zhang Yang in the cabin?
"Young lady, your task is complete. You are now free, but do not forget our agreement," the gaunt old man said.
Qin Shengnan was overjoyed and immediately expressed her gratitude.
"Thank you, Senior. Please rest assured, I, Qin Shengnan, will not break my promise."
The gaunt old man nodded silently, his gaze drifting to a corner by the waterside bridge, lost in thought.
Then.
Right in front of the astonished tourists, he leaped into the river.
Performing a feat of lightness skill on the water, he vanished from sight.
This spectacle immediately drew exclamations from the tourists.
"This... this seems real. They actually know martial arts?"
"How is that possible? This must be a gimmick by the scenic area to attract tourists."
"..."
The tourists held differing opinions, with some who considered themselves sharp-witted believing it to be fake.
It was clearly an act.
Otherwise, how could anyone perform lightness skills on water?
Meanwhile, Qin Shengnan kept a lower profile.
Bowing her head slightly, she walked away.
He Qiyan, hidden and observing, secretly followed.
Half an hour later.
Qin Shengnan had already left the waterside bridge area.
He Qiyan, trailing behind Qin Shengnan, could no longer restrain herself.
She drew the long whip hidden at her waist, cracking it in the air.
She leaped forward, blocking Qin Shengnan's path.
However.
Qin Shengnan seemed to have anticipated He Qiyan's appearance.
She dodged He Qiyan's whip with a sidestep.
Then, with a swift dive, a dagger concealed in her sleeve was aimed directly at He Qiyan's neck.
Instantly.
A battle was imminent.
Caught off guard, He Qiyan suffered a disadvantage.
If not for her quick reflexes, her neck would have borne more than just a superficial scratch.
It was possible that her trachea could have been severed by Qin Shengnan's dagger.
"It really is you!" He Qiyan's eyes widened.
"Qin Shengnan, you're not dead? Who saved you?"
"How did you know I was dead? It seems the person who tried to kill me was indeed you." Qin Shengnan's eyes flashed with coldness.
After staring at He Qiyan for a moment, she began to speculate to herself.
"Let me guess, back at the Qin family, that bitch Tang Ruxue helped you, creating an inside job."
"Did that bitch Tang Ruxue knock me out first, allowing you to take me away?"
He Qiyan was inwardly shocked by this, but maintained a calm demeanor, saying.
"What are you talking about? I don't understand. I always thought you were dead."
"Otherwise, why didn't you appear when the Qin family was destroyed?"
The Qin family's destruction.
Upon hearing these words, Qin Shengnan's face contorted.
This was the pain of her life!
Originally.
She had intended to use the turmoil in Jiangnan City to elevate the Qin family to its peak.
Who would have thought.
That it would end up like this.
The Qin family was gone, and she herself had nearly died ignominiously.
Even though she had been rescued, she was still like a stray dog.
"Heh, your excuse is pretty lame, but you can explain however you want. I don't have any objections," Qin Shengnan chuckled mysteriously.
He Qiyan's expression turned cold as she scrutinized Qin Shengnan.
She sensed that Qin Shengnan's words held hidden meanings.
But.
He Qiyan was unsure of Qin Shengnan's true intentions.
However.
For the sake of her and Tang Ruxue's plan, Qin Shengnan had to die.
Because Qin Shengnan had just obtained the token from Zhang Yang.
Once this token fell into the hands of Qisha, things could become complicated.
With a crackle, He Qiyan's long whip snapped in the air, and she charged directly at Qin Shengnan.
"I didn't kill you last time, so I'll finish you off completely this time!" He Qiyan's killing intent surged, her whip strikes locking onto Qin Shengnan.
"You are not worthy to finish me off!" Qin Shengnan sneered.
Her energy erupted, and the dagger in her hand became incredibly sharp, meeting the attack head-on.
A long whip, an inch longer, an inch stronger.
A dagger, an inch shorter, an inch more perilous.
However, each had its advantages and disadvantages.
Initially, Qin Shengnan was at a disadvantage due to the distance from He Qiyan.
But as they closed in, He Qiyan gradually found herself on the defensive.
After a fierce exchange.
Neither could gain the upper hand, and both sustained injuries, temporarily halting the fight.
He Qiyan did not wish to let it go.
But Qin Shengnan had no desire to continue playing.
She coldly sneered.
"You're lucky this time, but the next time we meet, it will be your death!"
With those words.
Qin Shengnan flashed and fled forward.
He Qiyan, naturally unwilling, pursued.
However, after a chase, she lost track of Qin Shengnan.
She could only leave the place with lingering resentment.
He Qiyan was now certain that Qin Shengnan was truly alive.
But there was still one point to confirm.
That was whether Han Xiyao, whom Zhang Yang had rescued today, was the real Han Xiyao.
Because before coming here, He Qiyan had gone to the place where Han Xiyao was being held.
She hurried to find Zhang Yang.
On the way, He Qiyan thought for a moment and made a call.
"Ruxue, the situation has changed. Qin Shengnan is alive and should be returning to you now."
"Oh? Really? You didn't kill her last time?"
On the phone, Tang Ruxue sounded surprised, her question even carrying a hint of blame.
He Qiyan felt extremely annoyed by this.
"I find that very strange myself. I clearly confirmed Qin Shengnan's pulse and heartbeat had stopped, and then I left her body in the wilderness."
"Who would have thought that she would reappear in Jiangnan City as if nothing had happened."
Tang Ruxue pushed her glasses up, falling into a brief period of contemplation.
Vaguely, she seemed to understand.
How Qin Shengnan had come back to life.
"You should have dismembered Qin Shengnan back then. That way, even if she didn't die, she wouldn't have been able to cause any trouble."
After speaking, Tang Ruxue added.
"Alright, I know about this. I will handle it. You remember what you need to do."
"I know," He Qiyan replied solemnly.
Clearly.
The fact that Qin Shengnan was alive would affect their plans.
However, Tang Ruxue should be able to resolve it.
After hanging up the phone, He Qiyan set off to find Zhang Yang.
...
On the other side.
Tang Ruxue, having received He Qiyan's report.
Immediately set out and found Baili Wei.
At this moment.
Baili Wei was leisurely sipping tea on a stone bench, his eyes full of curiosity as he saw the flustered Tang Ruxue.
"Senior Baili, I need your help with something," Tang Ruxue said directly.
"Tang girl, why are you looking for me in such a hurry? Has something happened?"
"Qin Shengnan is alive. I want you to kill her. She absolutely cannot be allowed to return alive."
"Oh? Qin Shengnan is alive? That's a miracle. Must she be killed?"
"Yes, she must be killed!"
"Alright, but you must give me an extra tenth of what you promised me."
"..."
Everything was fine at first.
But upon hearing Baili Wei's last-minute price increase, Tang Ruxue felt a pang of dissatisfaction.
However.
Their side currently had limited strength and should not be exposed to the sight of various factions.
This gave Baili Wei the leverage to raise his price.
After a moment of thought, Tang Ruxue replied.
"Alright, I'll add another tenth, but Qin Shengnan must die."
"Heh, that's excellent. Wait for my news," Baili Wei said, finishing his tea and rising to leave.
He followed the general route Tang Ruxue had provided and had already arrived at Qin Shengnan's expected path.
He was waiting in ambush again to intercept Qin Shengnan.
About half an hour later, Qin Shengnan appeared as expected.
"Qin girl, since you've survived a great disaster, why bother returning to this muddy water?" Baili Wei said, seeing her pale and somewhat disheveled face, shaking his head.
"Senior Baili, you're going to stop me too? Did Tang Ruxue send you?" Qin Shengnan asked with a grave expression.
She hadn't expected her return journey to be so arduous.
"Senior Baili, although I don't know what cooperation you've reached with Tang Ruxue, if you're willing to let me pass, my Qisha will owe you this favor!"
"The one who owes this favor is not me, but my Qisha's junior disciple!"
The condition Qin Shengnan offered was significant and tempting.
Even Baili Wei, the head of the provincial family, was slightly moved.
Qisha's junior disciple, a favored son of heaven.
The future successor of Qisha.
It was rumored that he had already arrived in Jiangnan City today.
Such a person's favor was not insignificant.
However.
After careful consideration, Baili Wei still decided against switching sides.
"Qin girl, setting aside whether your words are true or not, just based on your meticulous planning, which is no less than that of Ruxue, I dare not cooperate with you carelessly."
"Dealing with you young people is quite taxing for an old man like me."
Mid-sentence.
Baili Wei rubbed his temples, and his expression suddenly turned fierce.
"Therefore, you might as well die!"
In an instant, Baili Wei's peak Yin Yuan realm aura fully bloomed.
The terrifying pressure.
Directly suppressed Qin Shengnan, who was already heavily injured.
Preventing her from even attempting to escape.
Subsequently.
Baili Wei's body transformed into a blur, rapidly charging towards Qin Shengnan.
His palm strike, filled with astonishing power, whistled through the air.
If it struck Qin Shengnan, she would undoubtedly die.
Facing such a desperate situation.
Qin Shengnan's eyes held only despair.
Was heaven playing a joke on her?
Since she had survived death once, why was she not given even a sliver of a chance to turn the tables?
However, heaven was actually quite favorable to her.
At the critical moment.
A powerful fluctuation arrived, directly disrupting Baili Wei's aura.
The gaunt figure who had appeared at the waterside bridge stood before Qin Shengnan.
With a casual raise of his hand, he blocked Baili Wei's palm strike.
Then, the gaunt old man snorted coldly and cursed.
"Hmph, bullying a young girl at your age is truly beneath your dignity."
A mere cold snort, coupled with the released aura, sent Baili Wei staggering backward.
Spitting blood, he was sent flying.
This!
How could this be!
Baili Wei's face was filled with shock! Terror!
The opponent's aura was incredibly strong.
So strong it was outrageous; even a True Yuan realm expert seemed somewhat lacking.
Perhaps the opponent was not just an ordinary True Yuan realm expert?!
"Who... who are you!" Baili Wei asked solemnly.
"You are not worthy of knowing my name. If you don't want to die, scram quickly," the gaunt old man said with a dismissive wave.
Upon hearing this, Baili Wei dared not linger and fled with his tail between his legs.
"Senior, why did you follow me?"
Rescued, Qin Shengnan asked the gaunt old man before her with great excitement.
"I was worried someone might have ill intentions, so I followed to see," the gaunt old man replied.
Then.
He closed his eyes and sensed, finding that Baili Wei had already left, he continued.
"Alright, you are safe now. You can go back."
With that, the gaunt old man disappeared.
He arrived quickly and left just as fast, as if he had never appeared.
Qin Shengnan also breathed a heavy sigh of relief.
Although the danger had passed, Qin Shengnan did not dare to be careless.
She touched the token in her embrace and hurried towards her destination.
"You all wait for me, I, Qin Shengnan, have returned!"
...
As for Zhang Yang.
Having successfully rescued Han Xiyao, he quickly returned with her to the villa residence.
During the escape.
Zhang Yang had checked Han Xiyao's pulse and found her condition to be extremely dire.
Therefore, as soon as they reached the villa, he placed her on the bed and conducted a thorough examination.
Gradually, Zhang Yang's brows furrowed into a character resembling '川'.
This indicated.
Just how serious Han Xiyao's current condition was.
Even with the inheritance of the "Carefree Immortal Scripture," Zhang Yang was still at a loss.
He could not find the root cause of Han Xiyao's current state.
"Could it be because of the dragon脉?" Zhang Yang thought to himself.
Han Xiyao's father had mentioned in a letter.
That their father and daughter falling into a coma was not simply due to malevolent energy entering their bodies.
But due to other reasons.
What could be done!
Han Xiyao's current condition was very serious; she was in a coma.
Her organs were dormant, and she had a high fever.
Zhang Yang did not know how long Han Xiyao had been feverish.
But if it continued for too long, something would surely happen.
If no solution was found to alleviate Han Xiyao's fever.
Han Xiyao would surely be in trouble.
"Qin Shengnan, I won't let you off!"
Zhang Yang cursed.
Then, he desperately channeled the true qi within his body into Han Xiyao.
To see.
If it could help Han Xiyao bring down her high fever.
However.
As time passed, Zhang Yang discovered something.
The true qi he had infused into Han Xiyao's body was disappearing.
Upon closer observation, it seemed to be vanishing into the ground.
"It is indeed because of the dragon脉. What can be done!"
Zhang Yang, pacing anxiously, was at a loss for a solution.
Fortunately, at this moment.
Someone chanted a Buddhist phrase and slowly entered the villa.
"Amitabha."