Stranger Danger

Chapter 443: Hanba Blood Essence

“You’re sure about this?!” Zhao Lan said in a hushed voice, barely able to control his excitement. His grip on Ding Xuan’s shoulders increased to the point where veins were clearly popping on his arms.

“Ow ow ow! You’re gonna break my shoulders, man!” Ding Xuan yelped in pain.

“Sorry. I got too excited.” Zhao Lan let go of Ding Xuan’s shoulder before asking again, “You’re sure about this? You’re not lying to me?”

Ding Xuan smiled. “Of course I’m not lying to you! I have a relative who works in the Pacification Bureau. He’s the one who told me about this.”

“Thank the heavens! My brother will recover from this ordeal!” Zhao Lan exclaimed with pure joy.

The Ding Clan wasn’t a noble clan in Tian Yong, but they were a noble clan in Chang Shan. They were also quite powerful, so Zhao Lan wasn’t surprised that they had someone inside the Tian Yong Pacification Bureau.

Zhao Lan’s delight only lasted for a few seconds, however. In fact, his expression soured the more he really thought about this.

Ding Xuan noticed his mood and aahed knowingly. “You’re worried that you won’t be able to win the Hidden Dragon Meet, right?”

Zhao Lan nodded without a word.

“You don’t have to worry about that. I have a plan!” Ding Xuan declared confidently.

“What do you mean?” Zhao Lan watched Ding Xuan with suspicion.

“Take a look at this, Brother Zhao.”

Ding Xuan produced a porcelain bottle from his shirt and slowly opened it. As soon as the cork was removed, a scalding, violent, and terrible aura spilled out of the bottle. Whatever was inside the bottle, it was so potent that its aura alone was enough to warp the space around them, wither the plants, and dry the ground.

Even a powerful warrior like Zhao Lan felt stifled by its aura.

The blood drained away from Ding Xuan’s face as he hurriedly corked the bottle once more. It was only then the terrible aura slowly dissipated.

“What is this item?” Zhao Lan asked seriously.

“This is the blood essence of the Hanba. It is said that a dead body that is destined to transform into a Hanba will never rot, that its grave will be devoid of grass, that its gravestone will be soaked in water, and that the place where it is buried would be beset by successive, severe droughts. If left untouched, it would transform into a Hanba a century later.”

“A Hanba is a naked, humanoid-shaped Stranger between six to ten meters tall. Its eyes were grown on the top of its skull, and it is capable of moving like the wind. Any realm it lays its eyes on would be struck by a severe drought, and anywhere it sets foot on would turn into a scorching hot, unlivable land as far as the eyes can see. All mature Hanbas are Disaster-class Strangers.”

Ding Xuan ended his explanation before saying, “I have three drops of Hanba blood essences with me. They’re not the blood essences of a mature Hanba, but it’s still incredibly potent. I’m not exaggerating when I say that each drop contains that power of a Half-Step Grandmaster at least.”

“If you encounter a foe that you cannot beat, you only need to consume a single drop to temporarily gain the power of a Hanba. No one will be able to stand in your way.”

“You’re going to give all three blood essences to me?!” Zhao Lan’s eyes flickered with even deeper suspicion. “There is no such thing as a free lunch in this world. Why are you doing this?”

“You’re a gifted warrior, and your younger brother is no less talented. You both have a bright future ahead of you,” Ding Xuan said frankly. “I want the two of you to join my clan. Consider these blood essences my down payment to buy your lifelong servitude.”

Zhao Lan bowed his head and didn’t say anything for a time. Seeing this, Ding Xuan smiled and said, “But of course, I won’t force you into anything you don’t want to. I’m happy just befriending you as well.”

“No, I’m fine with your terms,” Zhao Lan replied. “If I can obtain the Profound Fruit of Nature, and if it really can heal my brother back to full health, then you have my word that I will join the Ding Clan.”

“That’s wonderful!” Ding Xuan exclaimed in excitement. “With your strength and the Hanba blood essence, taking first place in the Hidden Dragon Meet will be child’s play for you!”

“I certainly hope so,” Zhao Lan replied and accepted the porcelain bottle containing the Hanba blood essences.

“Oh right, the Hanba blood essence is strong, but it can only empower you for a short time. Not only that, it will damage your body to a certain extent. You must be careful,” Ding Xuan advised.

“I understand.”

“Alright, I shan’t disturb your rest any longer.” Ding Xuan saluted Zhao Lan. “Be seeing you.”

“You too.” Zhao Lan returned the salute.

After Ding Xuan left, Zhao Lan stared the porcelain bottle in his hand for a bit before bursting into a mad laugh.

A far distance away, Ding Xuan heard Zhao Lan’s laughter and felt his lips curling into a strange smile as well.

“You best not disappoint my mister, Zhao Lan.”

......

Three days later, the Hidden Dragon Meet resumed with the losers group tournament first. After everyone had drawn their lots, it was determined that Yang Zhao would fight against Wen Xiaonuan, and Jian Wusheng against Zhao Bu’er.

Yang Zhao was a named warrior on the Human Champions Ranking, and Xu Rulin was lucky to be able to beat him. Wen Xiaonuan didn’t possess such luck.

The second the battle kicked off, Yang Zhao immediately unleashed his full power and blew a “Spring Blossoms On The Moonlit River” with his silver flute. The tune was as beautiful as it was terrifying. The sheer astral qi and spirit contained within the flute somehow recreated the fantastical scene as described in the tune and pinned Wen Xiaonuan in place, making it difficult for her to take even a single step. Until the end, the warrioress never managed to enter within three meters of Yang Zhao.

This was the first time Yang Zhao showed everyone the true strength of a named warrior on the Human Champions Ranking and why he was called the Silver Flute Scholar.

The battle between Jian Wusheng and Zhao Bu’er was even more predictable. During the battle against Zhao Lan, Zhao Bu’er had shaved his own head using the Ghost Razor and allowed himself to be possessed in hopes of making an ultimate comeback. He failed, and he remained exhausted even after three days of recovery. Rather than fighting to win, it was more like he was showing courtesy to his opponent. After a few exchanges, he threw in the towel and left the platform.

The next day, the winners group tournament was held. Ye Qing, Xu Rulin, Zhuo Henshui and Zhao Lan were supposed to compete against each other, but Xu Rulin forfeited the match because his condition was even worse than Zhao Bu’er’s.

After drawing lots, Zhuo Henshui became the lucky winner to advance to the next round without having to fight anyone, leaving Ye Qing and Zhao Lan to duke it out with each other.

“Haha, this is going to be a show,” Lei Xiaodan commented with a chuckle after the lots were drawn. Yang Shixiu, Zhang Huai’en and the others looked interested as well.

Almost everyone present was aware of the grudge between Ye Qing and Zhao Lan. Ye Qing had whispered, “I want to kill you with my own hands.” His voice might be too low for most of the participants to hear, but not them.

They didn’t know if Ye Qing was just being emotional, but the grudge between the two warriors was very real. They might not duel each other to the death, but they certainly weren’t going to hold back against each other.

“Aren’t you worried at all, Brother Hong?” Lei Xiaodan noticed Hong Jianglong’s calm expression and teased.

Hong Jianglong replied, “What can I do? This is their fight, not mine.”

“Lord Hong, the point of the Hidden Dragon Meet is to seek out the future pillars who will support the imperial court. Any death incurred during this tournament is a huge loss for Chu, so if it’s possible to resolve this situation with peace, then why not?” Fang Muyun advised.

“I agree, Mister Farseeing,” Hong Jianglong echoed in agreement before shrugging. “But this is a no-holds-barred tournament where killing is permitted. It truly is out of my hands.”

Fang Muyun sighed but didn’t say anything more.

While they were conversing, Ye Qing and Zhao Lan had already entered the platform. Their surroundings warped until it took the form of an old-styled town. The evening lanterns were just lit, and everything seemed peaceful and tranquil in the town. The only two people in the town were smiling as well.

But of course, their smiles were anything but friendly.

“You probably have no idea how much I anticipated this moment.”

Zhao Lan wore an odd smile on his face as he stared at Ye Qing.

“From the day you hurt my brother, I’d spent every second thinking how best to teach you my pain.”

“That is why I hurt your friend, but it’s not enough. After all, you healed him all too quickly, while my brother is still lying in bed. How is that fair? How is that fair?!”

Zhao Lan’s face grew contorted. “Did you know? I wanted to say damn the consequences and cut you into many pieces back then. It is the only way I could vent this hatred inside me.”

“But on second thought, I realized that killing you would be too easy; too good for the likes of you. So, I came up with a better plan.”

“Do you want to hear about it?”

Ye Qing didn’t say anything. His lips were curled into a small, seemingly uncaring smile. And yet, it seemed to contain all the disdain there was in the world.

It wasn’t an aggressive smile, but it certainly was a scornful one.

Noting Ye Qing’s disdainful expression, Zhao Lan’s anger and hatred burned even brighter. “I’m going to break your bones and rip it off your sockets piece by piece. I’m going to snap every tendon in your arms and limbs. And I’m going to break your dantian and every point inside your body.”

“I want you to become a cripple forever. I want you to spend the rest of your life in bed.”

“That is the only way I can vent my hatred. Do you agree?”

“Are you done bullshitting?” Ye Qing said unhurriedly, “If you are, then I’m going to send you to hell now!”

“You think you can—” Zhao Lan sneered, but Ye Qing abruptly split into nine silhouettes and charged him before he could finish. In response, Zhao Lan thrust his bamboo stick forward and surrounded himself in a flurry of stick afterimages.

“Dog Beating Stick Technique: Eight Directions Beating”

All nine silhouettes were crushed by the technique, but Zhao Lan flinched. It was because he felt pain erupting from multiple parts of his body. When he looked down, he saw a thin, long wound on his chest, his arms, his legs and more parts of his body. There were nine wounds in total.

At the same time, Ye Qing appeared behind Zhao Lan with a long, slender saber held lightly beside his waist. Clearly, Zhao Lan’s defense was completely useless. Ye Qing had dished out nine cut and landed all of them.

Zhao Lan sneered and fell backward. In the process, he struck the floor with his bamboo stick like the rain pitter-pattering against a banana leaf. The stone split apart, and the cracks spread toward Ye Qing from multiple directions.

Treating the floor like a gong, Ye Qing stomped it so hard that dust was flung into the air, and the entire town shook a little.

Using the dust cloud as cover, Ye Qing disappeared and reappeared in front of Zhao Lan. The ragged warrior quickly found himself gaining a couple more wounds.

“Your saber is seriously fast,” Zhao Lan looked down on his wounds again with a sneer, “but it’s no use.”

Even as he spoke, his wounds began healing slowly. Recovery was the theme of the “Eight Directions Art of Begging”.

“Is that so?” Ye Qing mused indifferently. “If one cut isn’t enough, then two cuts will do it. If two cuts aren’t enough, then ten cuts will do it. If ten cuts aren’t enough, then a hundred cuts will do it.”

“I wonder how much blood you can bleed before you die? Show me.”

Ye Qing charged toward Zhao Lan again, and this time his illusions seemed to be anywhere and everywhere at the same time. His silhouettes looked like the leaves of autumn raining endlessly from the trees.

It looked like Ye Qing was moving randomly, but in reality his movements were perfectly compatible with the nature around him. The profoundness of dao and the strangeness of the dark could both be found in his technique.

Zhao Lan could only endure the beating one-sidedly like a grass weathering the storm.