Qin Zhan seized Qin Yan and immediately backed away, putting distance between them and Gao Wei.
Yun Lang and the other warriors—veteran fighters all—also fled in a hurry, keeping as far from Gao Wei as they could.
Even so, Qin Zhan's eyes were tight with worry. A half‑step Martial Saint's self‑destruction packed terrifying power—enough to flatten a city in an instant. If it wasn't handled properly, the blast could ripple through the capital and cause catastrophic harm.
Qin Zhan settled Qin Yan down, layered over a dozen protective wards in front of him, then charged at Gao Wei again. He intended to minimize the damage Gao Wei's explosion might unleash.
Seeing everyone withdraw, Gao Wei glanced back at Xiao Fan, then produced a palm‑sized crystal from his hand. The gem resembled a diamond—luminous, translucent, dreamlike.
He squeezed it with all his strength. Cracks spidered across its surface before he hurled it at Xiao Fan.
The crystal, already fractured, shattered as it struck Xiao Fan's forehead.
In an instant a pitch‑black spatial gate tore open behind Xiao Fan and began to swallow his body.
At the sight, danger flared in Qin Yan's eyes. "Spatial core."
The Spatial Core was a crystalline nucleus harvested from an alien known as the Void Dragon—saturated with spatial force and staggeringly rare. A martial artist could absorb its spatial power to gain a space‑tied ability. More importantly, breaking a Spatial Core would open an exit—a teleportation channel that could instantly send someone thousands of li away.
Gao Wei was sacrificing himself to save Xiao Fan.
Watching Xiao Fan's figure fade into the voiding tunnel, a peaceful smile crossed Gao Wei's face. "Xiao Fan, work hard. Don't let me down."
Xiao Fan snapped out of the stupor and shouted, "No, Master! Don't—don't go! Take me with you!"
Gao Wei's expression softened with relief. "Foolish child—your wish is enough to satisfy me."
A young image flickered through his mind: a former disciple who'd been full of talent, youthful and fierce—only to be struck down by the alien horde ten years ago. Gao Wei had stood nearby then, watching helplessly. He had been too scared to leap in. That guilt had haunted him ever since, and he hadn't taken a new student—until Xiao Fan. He had seen the same spark in this boy and took him in.
Now, a look of final resolve hardened Gao Wei's face. "Last time I was cowardly. This time I will not run from what I must do. I will give my life to protect my disciple."
With that he turned, eyes flashing cruel determination, and with a roar lunged at Qin Zhan like a living bomb. He meant to take Qin Zhan with him in death—to gut some of the Qin family's strength as his final contribution to the realm.
Muttering to himself, he said, "In this way I serve Daxia… the world has long suffered under the Qin family."
Qin Zhan perceived the intent and snorted. "Want to die with me? Let's see if you have the power."
He produced a palm‑sized, spindle‑shaped device from his spatial ring and shouted, "Lei‑Guang Shuttle—go!"
The Lei‑Guang Shuttle expanded instantly into the size of a blade and lunged at Gao Wei. Gao Wei tried to resist, but his internal energy had already gone into tumult; he could only muster a fraction of his former strength.
The shuttle pierced his robes, skewered him, and then shot him skyward like a spear. In moments he vanished from sight.
A blinding flash erupted high in the sky, followed after a short while by thunderous detonations. A violent shockwave struck the ground like a category‑twelve gale.
Qin Zhan wore an expression of rueful pain. "Wasted a Lei‑Guang Shuttle… what a loss."
Qin Yan's mouth twitched. "Second Uncle, there are dozens more at home."
Qin Zhan cleared his throat. "Ahem—saving money where I can."
Qin Yan smiled faintly and turned to the others. "This matter is settled. Let's go."
A warrior approached and asked, "Young master, what about that girl?"
Qin Yan looked over and recognized Xiao Fan's sister, Xiao Ruyi. She was truly pretty—porcelain skin, delicate features, a graceful figure, and an air of refreshing purity, like a mountain grove after rain.
Qin Yan considered for a moment and said, "Take her with us."
A living Xiao Ruyi was far more useful than a dead one—Xiao Fan was peculiarly sentimental. With his mother gone, Xiao Ruyi would be the only family member he had left, and he would cling to her. Keeping her gave Qin Yan a trump card to use against Xiao Fan. If Xiao Ruyi were dead, Xiao Fan would truly be unbridled.
A warrior hoisted Xiao Ruyi onto his shoulders and followed Qin Yan as they departed.
…
At the Qin residence, Yun Qing paced anxiously back and forth. She had no idea how things had unfolded—but more than the details, she worried about Qin Yan's performance. She wanted her son to act like the family's young master; otherwise the Qin family would be ridiculed and Qin Yan would be criticized.
Just then Qin Yan's voice sounded outside: "Mother, we're back."
A smile bloomed on Yun Qing's face as she hurried out. Qin Yan led the way, Qin Zhan and Yun Lang trailing like two guardians. All three wore relaxed smiles.
Relief washed over Yun Qing. It seemed Qin Yan had handled things well.
"Come in, come in," she urged them into the main hall.
Once seated, she couldn't hide her impatience. "Yan'er, how did you deal with the Lius and Gao Wei?"
Qin Yan smiled coldly. "Naturally, I killed them."
He then recounted the events in full.
When Yun Qing heard the details, satisfaction gleamed on her face. "Well done, son. That's the spirit of a Qin young master. You must show strength so others won't dare trifle with us."
"It's a pity that Xiao Fan escaped," she added. "What a shame."
Qin Yan comforted her, "It's fine, Mother. Xiao Fan is nothing but a crippled mutt—let him bark. If he ever shows his head, I'll kill him."
Yun Qing beamed with pride. "My son has grown up. He's mature now."
Qin Zhan chimed in, "That's right, sister‑in‑law. Yan has already enough to support a household. With him, we won't worry about the frontlines being taken advantage of."
Yun Lang nodded. "Yan's impressive. I should tell Yun Lei to learn from him."
Yun Lei—the young master of the Yun family—was Qin Yan's cousin. The three of them heaped praise upon Qin Yan with flattering words.
Qin Yan said nothing, his face thoughtful. Yun Qing noticed and asked, "Yan'er, what are you thinking about?"
Qin Yan looked at her. "I'm thinking about how to deal with Jiang Mingqing."
"He actually had the nerve to go after our Qin family. I'll strip him of the academy dean position."
Qin Zhan and Yun Lang fell silent, turning to look at him.
Jiang Mingqing would be difficult to handle—he was a true Martial Saint and a member of Daxia's Elders' Council. Moving against him wouldn't be simple.
Qin Zhan couldn't help but caution, "Yan'er, this won't be easy."
Qin Yan nodded. "I know. But I have a plan. Second Uncle, when are you free?"
Qin Zhan scratched his head. "The day after tomorrow. Your grandfather gave me three days off."
A faint smile curled Qin Yan's lips. "With Second Uncle's help, this will definitely succeed."