Chapter 50 City Sealed
"Pack your things. We leave Qingyang City immediately."
Chen Chang'an made the decision at once. Though this clone's senses were limited, the unique Saint Realm ability of premonition told him that what was happening was most likely connected to the three of them.
No—more precisely, it was tied to Han Yu.
There was no need to ask why, not even a glance exchanged. Han Yu grabbed the bundle from the bed and began packing, while Li Hanzhou kicked open the shutters to watch the street.
In less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the two youths stood to either side of Chen Chang'an, bundles at their waists bulging, with half a piece of dry rations still sticking out.
A trace of satisfaction flickered in Chen Chang'an's eyes, quickly replaced by solemnity.
"Go out through the south gate," Chen Chang'an instructed.
The matter of taking disciples would have to wait. But as long as he could draw these two boys back to the valley, it was nearly certain he would succeed in accepting them.
With their current trust in him, Han Yu and Li Hanzhou voiced no objection.
After leaving the inn, the three did not bother to conceal themselves. They mingled casually with the crowd, heading toward the city gates.
When they were still a hundred paces from the gate, Chen Chang'an suddenly pressed a hand to both their shoulders.
"Wait!"
Looking ahead, the situation was worse than he had imagined.
Several black-robed cultivators appeared at the gates, blocking the way. At their waists hung jade tokens engraved with the character "Wang."
More alarming still, several cultivators were embedding blood-red talismans at the base of the walls, clearly constructing a formation to seal the city.
What now? Stay or leave?
As Chen Chang'an hesitated, a shout erupted from the front. "Why are you blocking me?"
An old man in a gray robe, late stage of the Profound Comprehension Realm, was quarreling with the gate guards.
"I am an officer of the Qingzhou Loose Cultivators Alliance!"
A token flew from his sleeve, only to be knocked contemptuously to the ground by the black-robed leader.
"By order of the clan master," the leader said arrogantly, "from this day forth, all cultivators may enter, but none may leave."
"Since when does the Wang Clan dare to be so overbearing? Then I insist on leaving!"
The old man erupted in fury, summoning his life-bound treasure—yet in the next instant he froze in place.
No one saw what happened. From the shadows atop the wall, a pale hand stretched out and gently pressed against his crown.
Crack.
The sound of skull shattering was crisp enough to set teeth on edge.
"Apologies," the leader sneered, kicking the corpse into the crowd waiting to leave.
At once, the people parted in fear, leaving a gaping void.
Faces turned pale with terror. None dared to speak.
Only then did the leader's voice echo coldly, "My Wang Clan has always been this overbearing."
"Back to the inn," Chen Chang'an said, his own voice sounding distant even to himself. "Now."
…
Back in the inn, none of the three spoke.
Han Yu sat at the bed's edge, fingers absently stroking the jade gourd in his arms.
The gourd's surface was faintly warm, as if echoing the frantic pace of his heartbeat.
For some reason, he felt… those black-robed cultivators seemed to have come precisely because of it.
The thought made him sneak a glance at Chen Chang'an by the window.
Sunlight outlined the man's tall figure. His fingers tapped rhythmically against the window lattice, each beat striking Han Yu's taut nerves.
"Sir, in truth I…"
The words caught in his throat. He remembered Mo Daoren's greedy eyes, remembered the tales his third uncle once told of murder for treasure. His throat tightened.
"Hm?" Chen Chang'an turned, his clear gaze seeming to pierce the boy's heart.
In that instant, Han Yu realized—the mysterious cultivator who had slain Mo Daoren with a single sword strike had already sensed his secret.
"I…" The youth clenched his fists, nails digging deep into his palms. Shame weighed heavy on his chest.
He was just about to speak again, ready to offer the jade gourd in exchange for their safety, when—
Chen Chang'an smiled.
He stepped before Han Yu, as if he could read the boy's very thoughts, and gently rested his hands on the trembling shoulders.
"Opportunities are gifts from Heaven. If Heaven gives and you refuse, calamity will follow. Rest easy. We have not yet reached the point where you must make that choice."
The youth pressed his lips tightly together, then nodded earnestly.
Chen Chang'an patted his shoulder once more.
…
Han Yu's loyalty +10.
Chen Chang'an ignored the system prompt in his mind.
Better to observe for a few more days.
That was what he thought, even as he finally made up his mind.
If necessary, he would have to send his true body to provide support!
He only hoped they would not first draw out the small fish, then the big ones, and in the end provoke some existence they could not afford to offend.
…
…
…
Several days passed.
Through careful observation, Chen Chang'an had already discerned the habits of the black-robed cultivators.
At first, they inspected every person attempting to leave the city with utmost strictness, even resorting to soul-searching techniques.
But as time passed, their attention gradually shifted—low-level cultivators and ordinary mortals were no longer in their sights.
"As expected. Whatever it is they are doing, to mobilize the entire Wang Clan, it cannot be something mere beginners at the Object Control Realm could be involved in."
Standing at the window, Chen Chang'an's gaze swept over the patrols in the street below, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
"Sir, have you come up with a plan?" Han Yu asked softly, noticing his expression.
"Mm. I've discovered that they no longer bother guarding against low-level Object Control cultivators." Chen Chang'an answered without hesitation.
Han Yu nodded, though a trace of disappointment flashed in his heart. He too had noticed this these past few days.
But then, he suddenly saw Chen Chang'an smile faintly—an unsettling, devilish smile—and before he could react, Chen Chang'an struck his own dantian!
"Sir!"
"Senior!"
Han Yu and Li Hanzhou cried out together, but it was already too late.
"Pff—"
Chen Chang'an groaned, blood seeping from the corner of his mouth. His spiritual power dispersed like receding tides, his aura plummeting to the mid-stage of Object Control Realm!
"You… what are you doing…" Li Hanzhou's voice trembled, disbelief written across his face.
"Don't panic." Chen Chang'an wiped the blood from his lips, his tone relaxed, as though he had merely stumbled. "I only sealed my cultivation temporarily, to make it easier to leave the city."
Han Yu's eyes reddened, his fists clenched until his knuckles turned white. "Sir, why go so far? We… we could have thought of another way!"
Li Hanzhou looked as if he might burst into tears.
"Pa!"
Chen Chang'an lifted his hand and lightly slapped each of them once. The blows were not strong, but they stunned both boys.
"You're men. Why put on such a face?" he scolded with a smile. "Don't worry. This state is only temporary. After a few days of recuperation, I'll recover."
Han Yu and Li Hanzhou exchanged glances. Though doubt lingered, neither argued further. They buried the shock and emotion deep in their hearts.
—For their sake, their teacher had willingly crippled his own cultivation!
…
The three gathered their belongings and strode boldly toward the city gate.
Sure enough, the Wang Clan guards merely glanced at them, and sensing their weak auras, did not even bother questioning. With a casual wave, they let them pass.
"Looks like we made it," Han Yu whispered, his taut nerves loosening slightly.
Li Hanzhou too exhaled in relief. But just as they were about to step beyond the city gate—
"Stop!"
A cold, harsh voice suddenly rang out from behind them!
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