Chapter 148: The Tyrant Blade Sect

The attacker stood frozen, paralyzed by fear! He had just experienced firsthand exactly how lethal He Tian’s marksmanship was.

This realization filled him with intense fury. A dignified inner-energy practitioner carrying a firearm? How could such a person even be considered a legitimate practitioner of inner energy?

The attacker felt a deep, profound regret—regret that he hadn’t brought a gun himself.

"What do you want? If you have any guts, put that gun down!" the attacker growled.

"What do I want? I should be asking you that. Sneaking around, afraid to show your face, launching a surprise attack—and you have the nerve to tell me to put my gun down? Aren't you ashamed? Since when did the Tyrant Blade Sect start producing such spineless cowards?" He Tian sneered.

"You’re the coward! No one in the Tyrant Blade Sect is a coward!" the attacker retorted, trembling with rage.

"If you aren't a coward, why hide in the shadows? If you wanted to take my life, why not challenge me openly instead of ambushing me? You didn't even dare to announce your name! I don't see a shred of the Tyrant Blade Sect’s famed dominance in you," He Tian mocked. "There isn't even enough power in your blade technique; it's tainted with softness. I’m starting to wonder if you’re actually a woman."

"You're the woman! Damn it, listen well: my name is Fan Jian! A true disciple of the Tyrant Blade Sect!" Fan Jian shouted.

"What was that? 'Fan Jian' (a play on words sounding like 'asking for trouble')? Goodness gracious... incredible! Your parents are truly remarkable to have given you such a superlative name," He Tian said, mouth agape in mock astonishment and 'admiration.'

"You’re courting death!" Fan Jian roared. He had always been speechless about his name, and being mocked so blatantly by He Tian pushed him over the edge.

A gunshot rang out.

A bloody hole appeared in Fan Jian’s raised arm, and the blade he was holding clattered to the ground. Even a fourth-level inner-energy expert could be easily gunned down by a firearm.

He Tian’s smile vanished, replaced by cold killing intent.

"Did you really think I wouldn't dare pull the trigger?" He Tian said in a low voice. "Tell me now, who sent you! Maybe then I’ll let you live. Otherwise... prepare to be executed. I don't believe your speed can outrun my bullets."

Fan Jian clutched his wounded arm, glaring at He Tian with dark, hateful eyes. He had calculated everything, but because his initial strike failed, he had suffered this crushing reversal. He felt utterly helpless.

The sniper who had been lying in wait was now completely silent. It was clear that he had either been driven off, neutralized, or captured by He Tian’s companion. There was no one left to help Fan Jian.

"Don't waste your breath asking if I dare to kill you. Whether you’re from the Tyrant Blade Sect or not, I will kill you regardless!" He Tian stared at him coldly. "Anyone who tries to take my life is someone I will deal with without hesitation."

"You think you really dare to kill me?" Fan Jian asked.

"You talk too much." He Tian lowered the muzzle slightly and pulled the trigger. A bullet whistled through the air, piercing Fan Jian’s calf.

Fan Jian hadn't expected He Tian to fire so suddenly, without the slightest warning. He didn't even have time to react. The agony in his leg caused sweat to pour down his face. Using his inner energy, he managed to stem the bleeding, but with both arms and his right calf wounded, his combat capability had plummeted by more than sixty percent. Even if He Tian put the gun away now, Fan Jian would be no match for him.

However, He Tian did not put the gun away. He kept it aimed at Fan Jian, ready to fire again at any moment.

"He Jiansheng!" Fan Jian growled.

"You work for He Jiansheng?" He Tian looked at him, slightly surprised. The Tyrant Blade Sect was a respectable sect in their circle, though it was known for being somewhat insular and out of touch with the modern world. Yet, because of that, every disciple they produced possessed a refined and domineering blade technique. With fifth-level inner-energy practitioners in their ranks, they held a solid status.

But now, the Tyrant Blade Sect seemed to have turned toward He Jiansheng. Was it for money?

"Our sect has a partnership with the He family," Fan Jian said through gritted teeth.

He Tian had guessed correctly. The Tyrant Blade Sect couldn't keep up with the changing times. While their isolation allowed them to focus on training, the financial burden had become so great that they couldn't even cover the basic costs of their practice. Left unchecked, the sect would eventually be destroyed by its own conservatism.

The arrival of He Jianhong and his offer of support had presented a perfect opportunity. The partnership solved their financial crisis, and with ample funding, they realized that it didn't hinder their training—in fact, it made it more efficient. Of course, this cooperation came with a price: the sect had to perform tasks for He Jianhong. Fan Jian had been dispatched to deal with He Jiansheng’s request, leading to this ambush.

"I see... so how should I deal with you now?" He Tian shook his head. He knew that families—political, military, commercial, or even wealthy tycoons—all kept inner-energy practitioners nearby or maintained partnerships with such sects.

Human energy is finite. In such a rapidly developing society, it was incredibly difficult for practitioners to balance training with earning a living. Partnering with the wealthy had become a common choice. Some sects developed independently, but many had succumbed to these arrangements.

He Tian sighed internally. It was a pity these powers couldn't be harnessed for the nation. The government had tried to consolidate them in the past, but it proved to be a mistake. Without loyalty to the country, these individuals only caused trouble. Given their raw power, if not for the state’s control over heavy weaponry, even the law would hold no sway over them.

"I am at your mercy. Kill me or torture me, do as you please. Why keep asking?" Fan Jian said.

"If I kill you, the Tyrant Blade Sect will hunt me to the ends of the earth. I don't want that kind of trouble. So, I will spare you. But you go back and tell your sect leader: stay out of my business with He Jiansheng. If there is a next time, I will not show mercy. Get out!" He Tian stared him down.

"You're letting me go?" Fan Jian was stunned. He Tian’s killing intent had been so palpable that he had already accepted his death.

"You don't want to leave?" He Tian countered.

"No... I just mean, I alone cannot change their decision," Fan Jian said.

"I have said what I needed to say. If the Tyrant Blade Sect dares to come again, I will not hold back," He Tian said sternly. "Just relay that message."

Fan Jian took one last look at He Tian, then endured the pain in his leg and fled.

"Tyrant Blade Sect... the He family... you really will stop at nothing," He Tian murmured, rubbing his temples with a sigh. He had always tried to avoid contact with these sects, knowing the trouble they brought. But now, whether he liked it or not, he was involved. And he knew the trouble from the Tyrant Blade Sect would likely continue.

He returned to his car. Seeing the bullet holes, he scanned the surroundings and leaped out into the darkness. He needed to find the sniper. If the sniper was also an inner-energy practitioner stronger than Shen Feng, then Shen Feng could be in danger.

He moved quickly, ears straining for the slightest sound. In the quiet of the wilderness, even the faintest noise was audible. A rustle from the east caught his attention, and he dashed in that direction.

But the danger he feared hadn't materialized. Shen Feng was safe, though he looked somewhat empty-handed.

"Boss!" Shen Feng looked a bit embarrassed when he saw He Tian.

"Did they get away?" He Tian asked.

"They did! Damn it, that person moved faster than a rabbit. Here is his rifle," Shen Feng said, holding up the weapon.

"Was it an inner-energy practitioner?" He Tian asked.

"No... it wasn't," Shen Feng admitted, looking even more awkward.