Fang Wenhe's expression was deadly serious as he observed Lin Yun. He couldn't be sure if the young man was telling the truth, but for him, this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It was the only way to get out of this.
"You are the one who agreed to this," Fang Wenhe said, his voice menacing. "And all these people are watching. If you go back on your word, you will suffer the backlash yourself."
Faced with his threat, Lin Yun just nodded serenely. Others might be afraid, but he didn't give this man a second thought.
Even Fang Yu'er found the situation laughable. She knew that Fang Wenhe had always been incredibly arrogant. Even at this moment, he probably believed that the only reason he had been defeated earlier was because he had no other choice in that situation, not because Lin Yun was actually strong. He likely thought that if they were to fight one-on-one, he would have absolute certainty of victory.
Although such a thought sounded incredibly foolish, Fang Yu'er had to admit, that was the most honest reflection of what was currently in Fang Wenhe's heart.
"Rest assured," Lin Yun said, his voice calm. "I am a man of my word. As long as you can defeat me, I will not harm a single hair on the heads of these Crimson Ghost Sect disciples behind you. I will let them leave safely."
He stood there, showing not a trace of fear.
Fang Wenhe nodded with satisfaction. The very next moment, he launched a sneak attack.
Since it was a duel, he naturally wouldn't give Lin Yun a chance to breathe. He was certain that this rash surprise attack would give him more than enough time to kill Lin Yun.
But the instant he charged in front of Lin Yun, he suddenly felt as if a crushing weight of a thousand pounds had descended upon him.
With a great BOOM, Fang Wenhe slammed face-first into the ground. A trickle of blood oozed from the corner of his mouth.
Lin Yun looked down at him with a mocking expression. Then, the pressure on Fang Wenhe's body vanished.
"Get up," Lin Yun said flatly. "Continue."
The Crimson Ghost Sect disciples, who had been filled with joy just a moment ago, finally understood. The reason this man had dared to dismount and accept their challenge was not because he was an idiot. It was because, to him, none of them even counted as opponents. Even Fang Wenhe, the strongest in their eyes, had no ability whatsoever to challenge such a formidable enemy. Lin Yun was simply too powerful, giving them no room to breathe.
Fang Wenhe trembled as he lifted his head, his gaze fixed on Lin Yun. He simply could not understand how this man had done it—how he had managed to force him, step by step, into such a state.
"If you don't have the strength to continue fighting, I can permit you to remain lying on the ground. Of course," Lin Yun added, "it can be for eternity."
An intense desire for survival forced Fang Wenhe to his feet once more.
This time, Lin Yun merely glared at him. A stream of sword Qi erupted from his body.
A spray of blood burst from Fang Wenhe's chest, and his entire body was sent flying once again. He crashed heavily to the ground, his breathing now ragged and unstable.
"You fools. You think you can control everything between heaven and earth," Lin Yun said, walking towards Fang Wenhe step by step. "And now? Do you still dare to say you can defeat me?" he asked mockingly.
Towards this kind of creature who courted death, he had never been one to show mercy. His last strike had been made with the full intention of killing him. For now, however, Lin Yun had eased up slightly.
Fang Wenhe gasped for breath. After that heavy blow, he could feel his condition rapidly deteriorating. He had to admit, Lin Yun was a tenacious foe, and against such an enemy, he truly had no way to resist.
Just then, Fang Wenhe's gaze shifted to Fang Yu'er. Since this woman was able to stay by Lin Yun's side, she must have used her physical advantages to capture his affection.
"Yu'er! You and I, we are of the same blood! Are you just going to stand there and watch me die?" Fang Wenhe placed all of his hope on her. He thought that if she would just put in a good word for him, he might be able to leave here safely. As for the other disciples of the Crimson Ghost Sect, their fate had nothing to do with him. In a situation like this, just saving his own skin was a victory. He couldn't be bothered with the lives of others.
But after he spoke, he saw Fang Yu'er just let out a cold laugh.
"How did you treat me before? You didn't even hesitate to send me to the Prince's estate, hoping I would die at his hands. Now that you're about to die, you suddenly remember me? The blood ties between us have always been a joke to me."
Faced with his pleading, Fang Yu'er had no thought of forgiveness. To her, this man was a demon. If she let him go this time, who knew what fate would await her next?
"Do you see?" Lin Yun said, his foot pressing down on Fang Wenhe's chest. "This is the result of your own actions. So for you to die here today is truly no great loss."
"Now, confess. Where are the rest of the Crimson Ghost Sect? What are they planning? I know you know everything. So I am giving you this one chance."
Don't be fooled by Fang Wenhe's tough act before. He knew that the moment he revealed the Crimson Ghost Sect's greatest secret, he would die soon after. But now, in this life-or-death moment, what backbone did he have left to speak of?
After a short while, Fang Wenhe confessed everything, one five and one ten, leaving nothing out.
It seemed the Crimson Ghost Sect had discovered a long-lost tomb in this area. They had dispatched many experts to enter it, apparently searching for something. But it was a pity; after these experts entered, they all went missing. To investigate the cause, the Crimson Ghost Sect had sent a number of elders personally, a major mobilization of their forces.
But they had simplified things. They had successfully kept this a secret, but they never expected that because of Lin Yun's arrival, the entire matter would be brought to light.
Looking at Lin Yun now, Fang Wenhe knew that the Crimson Ghost Sect was likely in for some serious trouble.
After getting the information from him, Lin Yun didn't hesitate. He immediately issued an order, and all the soldiers began to advance rapidly. According to Fang Wenhe, the main force of the Crimson Ghost Sect should be right in Maoshan. The clash between the two sides would likely result in considerable losses.
But to Lin Yun, this was nothing. After all, these were Prince Zuo Cheng's elite troops. It would be good for some of them to die. It would only increase his own chances when it came time to deal with the prince later.