Volume One: A Youth Enters the World Chapter Seventy-Three: Hostage

“I admit that I killed him, but I’m quite curious—how did you know it was me who killed Bai Yifan?” Fang Tian looked at the Third Prince as he spoke.

“As long as you admit it. If you had killed someone else, it might have been hard to trace it to you. But you just had to kill someone from the Hall of Execution. You must know, the Hall of Execution specializes in punishing and dealing with those most-wanted criminals. Each of their members carries a special restriction. When one of them dies, it triggers a tracking spirit array in the Execution Hall, revealing exactly where the death occurred. The investigators then act swiftly. To be honest, even those wanted criminals who manage to kill someone from the Hall of Execution only ever choose to flee immediately, lest they expose themselves. Now do you understand?” The Third Prince explained to Fang Tian at an unhurried pace.

Fang Tian sighed lightly. So, Wolf Qing had expected this outcome and bore the blame alone, telling Fang Tian nothing so as to protect him. This only deepened Fang Tian’s trust that Wolf Qing would never betray him.

But the existence of this tracking spirit array caught Fang Tian off guard. It was like a larger version of the spirit array in Wufeng City, able to cover such a vast area. However, Fang Tian guessed that the array didn’t actually cover the whole region; rather, it marked each member of the Execution Hall with a thread connecting them to the array. If someone died, the thread broke, alerting the array. Covering such a wide area directly would require an unimaginable amount of energy.

Fang Tian had encountered this kind of formation during his studies and understood instantly what the Third Prince meant. Yet, as curious as he might be, his current situation was perilous, and he needed to focus on survival.

“I understand. May I ask where my brother Wolf Qing is now?” Fang Tian inquired.

“He’s probably already dead. The Grand Elder is in a terrible rage right now,” the Third Prince replied with a mocking look.

“Are you telling the truth?”

“Why would I lie?”

Fang Tian’s heart shuddered. Though he had only met Wolf Qing a handful of times, he already regarded him as a true friend. Hearing this, his fury surged. Spiritual energy exploded from his body, a chill of ice spreading through the air.

“Very well. You have thoroughly enraged me now,” Fang Tian said coldly.

“Still so stubborn in the face of death? Do you really think the Lin family will protect you like this? Even the Lin family could end up implicated.”

Fang Tian said nothing, his aura radiating outward. The people around him all felt a chill seep into their bones.

At this moment, Lin Shuang was at a loss for words. After all, Fang Tian truly had killed Bai Yifan; even if she wanted to help, her hands were tied.

Suddenly, the Execution Hall’s elder, who had been standing behind the Third Prince, pulled him behind and warned, “Your Highness, be careful.”

Fang Tian’s figure vanished in an instant, reappearing before the Execution Elder. The elder tried to counter, but in a flash, Fang Tian disappeared and materialized behind him, one hand already gripping the Third Prince’s throat.

“Don’t move, or I’ll kill him,” Fang Tian said calmly.

The Execution Elder, about to attack, could only lower his hand, inwardly marveling at Fang Tian’s astonishing speed.

Everyone present was shaken by this sudden turn, and many admired Fang Tian’s boldness—he dared to threaten a prince outright.

The Third Prince was terrified. He hadn’t expected Fang Tian to act so unexpectedly, but recalling Fang Tian’s cultivation at the sixth level, he dared not resist. Cautiously, he asked, “What do you want?”

“Take me to see that so-called Grand Elder,” Fang Tian demanded, tightening his grip.

“All right, all right, I’ll take you! Just don’t kill me,” the Third Prince agreed, fear thick in his voice.

“Smart choice. Everyone else, stand back!” Fang Tian shouted.

Though the surrounding crowd postured to make a move, none dared approach, afraid of provoking Fang Tian and risking the Third Prince’s life.

Then the Fourth Prince stood up and said, “Tianyu, let’s talk things out. Release my brother.”

“Fourth Prince, you see the situation for yourself. There’s nothing more to say. I’m sorry for disappointing your good intentions,” Fang Tian replied, unmoved.

Seeing Fang Tian’s resolve, the Fourth Prince fell silent, watching to see what he would do next.

“Lead the way,” Fang Tian ordered the Third Prince, then leapt out a window, taking off in the direction of the Execution Hall.

“After him!” commanded the Execution Elder, and the Execution Hall’s members all gave chase.

Once they had left, those remaining exchanged uneasy glances, unsure what to do, their eyes turning to the Fourth Prince.

The Fourth Prince sighed inwardly; what was meant to be a pleasant banquet had been ruined by his brother. He was also disappointed by Fang Tian’s rashness. If Fang Tian had kept his composure, even as Bai Yifan’s killer, the Fourth Prince might have saved him with some effort. But Fang Tian, for the sake of a friend, had acted recklessly, likely dooming himself.

Yet, he couldn’t help but feel a trace of anticipation at the thought that the Third Prince might fall to Fang Tian.

“We should follow as well. We can’t just abandon my brother,” he said.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

With that, the Fourth Prince led the group in pursuit.

At the back, Lin Shuang’s heart was filled with anxiety. She prayed that nothing would happen to Fang Tian. Though their relationship was only nominal, over time she had come to regard him as truly close.

Meanwhile, Fang Tian, maintaining control of the Third Prince, sped toward the Execution Hall as directed. Soon, they arrived. Fang Tian glanced at the plaque above—“Execution Hall”—and shattered it with a single palm, sending it crashing to the ground in a cloud of dust.

“We’re here. Will you let me go now?” the Third Prince asked nervously.

“Don’t be hasty. You’re still useful. I’ll let you go when the time comes.” With that, Fang Tian dragged the Third Prince inside, shouting, “Grand Elder of the Execution Hall, get out here now!”

“Who dares cause such a disturbance here? Do you not know where you are?” A figure slowly emerged from a distant hall.

Seeing the newcomer, the Third Prince rejoiced and cried, “Grand Elder, save me!”

“Hm? Third Prince? Weren’t you sent to capture my disciple’s killer?” the Grand Elder remarked, his voice calm.

“Grand Elder, I’ve been taken hostage! I had no choice!” the Third Prince shouted.

“Shut up, or I’ll kill you,” Fang Tian growled, tightening his grip to prevent any movement.

The Grand Elder strode forward with an air of authority, his gaze locking onto Fang Tian. A pressure as heavy as that of the Lin family’s patriarch crashed down, causing Fang Tian’s spirit to tremble.

“So this old man is at the ninth level as well. This is going to be difficult,” Fang Tian thought.

The Grand Elder strolled forward, speaking leisurely: “Young man, I advise you to let the Third Prince go. Otherwise, the consequences will be more than you can bear.”

Fang Tian chuckled. “I’ll let him go—if you release my brother first.”

The commotion had already drawn the Execution Hall’s members, who now surrounded Fang Tian. The group that had chased after him also arrived. The situation was grim, and Fang Tian was at a clear disadvantage.

The Grand Elder frowned. This brat dares speak to me so brazenly? He was displeased but, unwilling to risk the Third Prince’s life, ordered his subordinates to bring Wolf Qing forward.

Moments later, Wolf Qing was dragged forth, barely conscious, his body bloodied and clothes in tatters, a long trail of blood marking his path. Fang Tian’s heart sank—Wolf Qing had been gravely wounded.

“You dared to do this to my brother?” Fang Tian demanded.

The Grand Elder snorted coldly. “You joined forces to kill my disciple. Of course, I had to teach you a lesson. How else could I vent my anger?”

Fang Tian laughed softly and retorted, “He tried to kill me, and I killed him in self-defense. He brought it upon himself.”

“There’s no evidence now. You can say whatever you like. I’ve brought your brother, now release the Third Prince.”

Fang Tian stepped forward and, reaching Wolf Qing, used his other hand to channel spiritual energy and lift him, cradling him in his arms. Wolf Qing was already unconscious.

Slowly, Fang Tian began to back away, his gaze sweeping the crowd as he considered his escape. Reaching the doorway, he leapt onto the lintel, looked down at the gathered crowd, and with one palm, slammed the Third Prince to the ground, where the others rushed to catch him.

Fang Tian seized the opportunity to flee, but the Grand Elder was astonishingly fast, appearing before him in an instant.

“Young man, you underestimated me,” the Grand Elder sneered.

“I wouldn’t dare.” As he spoke, Fang Tian activated the Windstride technique. A wild gale howled, and his figure vanished. The force obliterated the great doors behind him, sending up a cloud of white dust and smoke. In the blink of an eye, Fang Tian was gone.

The Grand Elder leapt from the dust, surprised and secretly impressed by Fang Tian’s speed. Even he hadn’t been able to react in time, and Fang Tian had slipped through his grasp. But he would not let the boy escape—after killing his disciple, Fang Tian would be hunted to the ends of the earth.

Without hesitation, the Grand Elder pursued Fang Tian, intent on capturing and torturing him personally.

In a flash, pursuer and pursued vanished from the Execution Hall, their whereabouts unknown.

The crowd below gasped in awe. Was this the difference in cultivation? It was the first time any of them had seen the Grand Elder act, and they were equally impressed by Fang Tian’s strength. So young, so powerful—given time, he would surely become a peerless figure, if only he could survive the Grand Elder’s pursuit.

The Third Prince, seeing Fang Tian gone, could hardly contain his anger. His plan to disgrace his fourth brother had backfired. Now, having nearly lost his own life to Fang Tian, rage and humiliation surged within him. He bellowed to the crowd, “Go after him! I want that boy dead and his body destroyed!”

“Yes, Your Highness!” The Execution Hall’s men surged after Fang Tian.