Jiang Xiaotian's guess was spot on!
Indeed, it was Jiang Han who returned to Jiangjia Town, and the signal flare was released by a member of the Jiang Family Hunting Squad. It was meant to alert the Jiang family members to be on guard and to draw them in for rescue and ambush.
In fact, Jiang Han had already descended the mountain by noon.
He deliberately attacked and killed two members of the Hunting Squad at the Eighth Peak to lure Jiang Xiaotian and others into searching and hunting him on the mountain.
Upon hearing that Jiang Xiaotian had gone up the mountain, Jiang Han decided to secretly descend and rescue Jiang Li in Jiangjia Town.
The Jiang Family had four Mystic Void Realm experts. The Patriarch was in seclusion, trying to break through to the Mountain and Sea Level. The Great Elder was bedridden, the Second Elder was in Yunmeng City, and the only Mystic Void Realm expert left, the Third Elder Jiang Xiaotian, was also on the mountain.
This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. If he could rescue Jiang Li, they could escape together. After all, with the Mountain Penetration Technique, no one could stop him.
Jiang Han arrived in Jiangjia Town but didn't act immediately. Instead, he patiently waited for the right moment.
After dark, he used the Mountain Penetration Technique to move underground and emerged near the courtyard where Jiang Li was held, as he had predicted.
But he found it empty.
Jiang Li had been moved to the Elder's Courtyard by the Third Elder, leaving the small courtyard deserted.
With no other choice, Jiang Han had to take action. He quietly subdued a member of the Hunting Squad and interrogated him to find out where Jiang Li was being held.
To be safe, he sent that person to meet his end.
Unfortunately, before he could reach the Elder's Courtyard, a burst of fire shot into the sky, followed by a flare blooming in mid-air.
It seemed his luck was bad; perhaps the body of the Hunting Squad member had been discovered...
Staring at the fireworks in the sky, Jiang Han's face was full of conflict.
Should he leave?
Or fight?
The Elder's Courtyard was just ahead, not far from where the Jiang Family's Patriarch resided. If he alerted the Patriarch, the consequences would be unimaginable.
It was known that the Jiang Family's Patriarch was a Mystic Void Realm expert of the ninth level, and killing him wouldn't require a second move.
"Take a chance!"
Jiang Han's face showed a hint of determination. He was already outside the Elder's Courtyard, so close to seeing Jiang Li. Leaving now would be too frustrating.
He decided to gamble that the Jiang Family's Patriarch was in deep seclusion and wouldn't be disturbed.
Whoosh!
Jiang Han no longer hid his presence and leaped onto the courtyard wall.
He scanned the area and quickly locked onto a spot where many people were gathered, likely where Jiang Li was being held.
Determined, Jiang Han dashed towards the courtyard on the left, the shortest route. This chapter is updated first at g.com.
"Jiang Han!"
Torches were lit on both sides of the gate, and several people stood guard, led by Jiang Long.
Seeing Jiang Han charging in, Jiang Long's eyes filled with murderous intent. His long sword was drawn in an instant as he said menacingly, "There's a path to heaven, but you refuse to take it. You've barged into hell with no door. Since you're here, don't think about leaving!"
As Jiang Han advanced, he shouted at Jiang Long and the others from a distance, "I just want to take Jiang Li away. Don't force me to start a massacre. Get out of my way!"
The others exchanged glances, feeling a bit uneasy. Jiang Han had been on a killing spree these past few days, with too many deaths at his hands.
In their eyes, Jiang Han was no longer the simple, weak, and easily bullied boy he once was. He had become a god of death, a demon.
"Attack together, kill him!"
Jiang Long shouted, charging forward first.
The others gritted their teeth and followed. Despite their fear, Jiang Han had reached the Elder's Courtyard, and they couldn't let him escape, or they wouldn't be able to explain to the Third Elder.
"Die—"
Jiang Long used a Mystic Skill, his long sword thrusting at Jiang Han like a relentless tide.
Jiang Han shouted, leaping high to dodge Jiang Long's attack, then suspended in mid-air.
This was a new combat method Jiang Han had recently mastered. By using Phantom Shift in mid-air, his shadow remained motionless, drawing the enemy's attention and causing them to be instinctively shocked and slightly slow to react.
Jiang Han's real body appeared beside someone, slashing them away with a single strike.
Jiang Han didn't hold back with this strike. His experiences these days taught him that when dealing with enemies, either don't act or show no mercy.
Being soft-hearted towards enemies would only lead to his own death.
Whoosh!
He charged to the left, his long blade slicing through the air like a meteor, aiming for another person's head. That person quickly retreated in fear, while Jiang Long and others rushed to support.
But... Jiang Han's form suddenly froze again.
He used the Phantom Shift Divine Ability, his real body appearing behind a Hunting Squad member, killing them with one strike.
In the blink of an eye, Jiang Han had killed two people, leaving everyone gasping in shock. Jiang Han was too strong, slaughtering Purple Mansion Realm experts like dogs.
"Hold on, reinforcements are on the way!" Jiang Long swung his sword again, shouting, "Jiang Han is here!"
"Die!"
Jiang Han focused on Jiang Long, using Phantom Shift to appear at his left rear.
He counterattacked with his sword, but when he pierced Jiang Han's body, he realized it was another illusion. A sound of breaking air came from behind him again.
"Bang!"
He felt a powerful force and intense pain from his back.
His heart trembled, and his face showed despair. He knew this strike would be fatal, as his internal organs were shattered. With all his strength, he roared, "Let's die together!"
Jiang Long, disregarding everything, swung his long sword back at Jiang Han, fighting desperately.
Boom!
Jiang Long's eyes were blood-red, staring at Jiang Han. His sword easily passed through Jiang Han's body, missing again.
Then, his body fell heavily, eyes wide open, staring at the slowly dissipating illusion, filled with hatred and unwillingness. Gradually, his world turned dark...
Jiang Long, dead!
Jiang Long was the strongest, yet Jiang Han easily killed him. The remaining few were terrified and turned to flee.
Jiang Han didn't pursue them, kicking open the door and rushing into the courtyard.
But the hall was empty, not a soul in sight. He shouted anxiously, "Jiang Li, where are you? Jiang Li, where are you?"
No one answered him, and his voice echoed in the empty hall of the Elders' Hall.
"Jiang Li, Jiang Li!"
Jiang Han shouted hoarsely, kicking open room after room. But... he searched all the rooms and still couldn't find Jiang Li.
In the distance, heavy footsteps and chaotic shouts could be heard.
Jiang Han knew he was out of time. He had used Phantom Shift repeatedly, consuming a lot of mental energy, and the Berserk Power Divine Ability's weakness period was approaching.
He threw the torch onto the bed and broke through the window, looking for a soft patch of earth to escape.
"What's going on? Why is it so noisy?"
At this moment, a middle-aged woman from the adjacent courtyard ran over. Seeing the room on fire, she shouted loudly, "Fire! Someone put out the fire!"
"Hmm?"
Jiang Han glanced over, and his killing intent surged. This was the woman who had been guarding Jiang Li.
He clearly remembered her roughly dragging Jiang Li away, the sound of slaps echoing.
"Ah?!"
Jiang Han flashed in front of the woman. She was still shouting, but when she saw someone suddenly appear before her, she was startled and screamed.
Pfft!
Jiang Han's long blade pierced straight through, leaving the woman cold. Then he used the Mountain Penetration Technique to dive underground and vanished.