Upon hearing this, Han Li was initially stunned, then found himself torn between laughter and tears.
He finally understood why the middle-aged man surnamed Feng had been hostile toward him—it was because he had taken a fancy to the lovely Mei Ning. Moreover, seeing them arrive together, the man had likely mistaken their relationship for something intimate.
However, this was hardly surprising. Whether due to the local environment or not, the women here, though not outright ugly, all had rough and dark skin. Even with well-proportioned features, they were far from attractive. No wonder Elder Feng had been instantly smitten upon seeing Mei Ning.
After all, Mei Ning’s delicate beauty, though not on the same level as the devastating charms of Yuan Yao or Zi Ling, was still rare and striking. Moreover, years of cultivation had imbued her with an ethereal grace that ordinary mortals lacked, making her all the more captivating.
“What you just said, I can pretend I never heard. I am a cultivator and will not marry a mortal. Please leave at once.” To Han Li’s surprise, Mei Ning, without his presence, displayed unexpected resolve, delivering a cold and unyielding rejection.
“Hmph! Miss Mei, you clearly don’t understand the situation here. This is the Land of Shadows. Your status as a cultivator means nothing to me. While ordinary folk may hold some reverence for your kind, in my eyes, without Shadow Beast Crystals, you are no more exalted than anyone else. Do you truly believe your male companion can stand against me in these circumstances? With my martial prowess, honed across the Western Sea, if I decide to eliminate him, who in this village could stop me?” The middle-aged man, evidently provoked by Mei Ning’s refusal, grew furious, his tone turning sinister as he resorted to threats.
“You dare threaten me?” Mei Ning, seemingly shocked that a mortal would dare to intimidate her, trembled with anger.
“Why wouldn’t I? In fact, I dare—”
“What are you doing—”
Before the man could finish, Mei Ning let out a terrified scream, suggesting he had crossed a line.
Hearing this, Han Li rubbed his nose, inwardly sighing. Though he had no real connection to this woman, they were fellow cultivators who had arrived here together. To stand by and do nothing would be too cold-blooded even for him.
With that thought, the bitter amusement in his heart turned into a cold smirk on his face.
With a loud *bang*, before Mei Ning could scream again, Han Li kicked open the door and strode in calmly.
Inside, the middle-aged man, who had been cornering Mei Ning with a vicious grin, froze at the sudden noise and turned around.
Upon seeing Han Li, his eyes flickered with suspicion before his expression darkened.
Meanwhile, Mei Ning, her face pale with fright, rushed over in relief and hid behind Han Li.
“Be careful, Fellow Daoist Han! This man seems intent on harming you!” she warned urgently, her voice steadier now.
“Don’t worry. I overheard some of your conversation,” Han Li replied coolly, not bothering to turn his head.
“When did you return? I didn’t hear a thing,” the middle-aged man demanded coldly, not even deigning to address Han Li by name. Proud of his refined internal energy, which allowed him to detect even the faintest rustle of leaves within a dozen yards, he found it strange that Han Li had approached without a sound.
“It seems you’re quite confident in your martial skills. However, setting your sights on me was rather foolish,” Han Li remarked lazily, as if disinterested.
“Foolish? It’s been a long time since anyone dared call me that. As repayment, I’ll start by breaking one of your arms as a lesson.” The man’s eyes flashed with cruelty. Without hesitation, he lunged forward like a bolt from a crossbow, his right hand swelling slightly as it shot toward Han Li’s right arm with a fierce gust of wind.
His stance made it clear he intended to snap Han Li’s arm in two with a single grip.
Han Li, expressionless, watched the attack. Suddenly, his figure blurred, splitting into three or four identical shadows that darted straight at the charging man.
Startled, the man instinctively swept his right hand in a half-circle, enveloping all the shadows, and struck with full force.
Yet, the shadows dissipated like illusions the moment his palm touched them.
“What—” Before he could react, a small green sword pressed silently against his throat from behind.
The icy touch against his Adam’s apple sent a chill down his spine.
“Best not move. While I’d prefer not to kill and flee this village, if you force my hand, I won’t hesitate,” Han Li’s emotionless voice came from behind him.
The man stiffened. The sword’s edge was undeniably sharp, and he had no doubt it could slit his throat with the slightest pressure. Yet, his face twisted in disbelief—how had Han Li moved behind him without him noticing?
“Since you intended to break my arm, it’s only fair I return the favor.” Before the man could react, Han Li’s other hand shot out, seizing his forearm. With an almost unnatural twist, Han Li applied a precise, effortless force.
A sharp *crack* echoed as the arm snapped cleanly in two.
“Ah!” The man, though tough, couldn’t suppress a grunt of pain. Beads of sweat rolled down his face, but he clenched his teeth, refusing to cry out further.
“Remember—if you dare step foot in this room again, I won’t stop at just an arm. I’ll take your life,” Han Li warned calmly, suppressing his killing intent as he withdrew the sword and reappeared in his original spot.
Though he had subdued the man effortlessly using the Phantom Shadow Step, outright killing him wasn’t an option. Who knew how many people were aware the man had come here? Han Li had no desire to be hunted again so soon after arriving in this unfamiliar place.
With his arm broken, the man would be incapacitated for at least half a month. By then, whether Han Li remained in the village was another matter entirely.
Still, letting him go carried risks—the man’s tenacity suggested future trouble. But for now, this small punishment would suffice. If another opportunity arose, Han Li wouldn’t hesitate to eliminate him quietly.
“I misjudged you. To think you were also a peerless martial artist. I admit defeat,” the man spat through gritted teeth before staggering out of the room, cradling his broken arm.
“Thank you, Brother Han, for your help!” Mei Ning exhaled in relief once the man was gone, her cheeks faintly pink as she bowed in gratitude.
“Never mind. If you truly have no interest in him, avoid him as much as possible. Though, if you wish to stay in this village, accepting his proposal might not be a bad idea,” Han Li remarked indifferently, tucking his flying sword away.
“Marry him? Never! Since embarking on the path of cultivation with my brother, I vowed never to wed anyone below a high-ranking cultivator. How could I agree to a man without even a spiritual root?” Mei Ning shook her head firmly.
Han Li’s expression remained neutral, offering no reply as he moved to a chair and sat down, closing his eyes to meditate.
“Fellow Daoist Han, do you have a plan to escape this place?” Mei Ning, still unsettled from the earlier incident, couldn’t match his composure. Sitting nervously by the stone bed, she soon turned to him with hopeful eyes.
“The method of escape was the same one we both heard. What better plan could I have?” Han Li replied after a pause, his tone indifferent as he reopened his clear eyes to regard her.
“Don’t deceive me, Fellow Daoist Han. The moment I heard the elder’s method, I knew it was impossible for me. Yet you remained calm throughout, as if confident in leaving. Do you find me a burden, planning to act alone?” Mei Ning’s eyes reddened with unshed tears, her voice trembling with disbelief.
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