Chapter 703: Chapter 681: The Flea Theory

The Southern Heaven Continent’s territory is quite vast, and traveling to another sect or city almost takes more than half a month.

Having confirmed his plan, Shen Han set out in advance, choosing a point along their journey to lay in ambush.

The chosen location is about ten days’ journey from Tiger Peak Manor.

Acting from this point, Tiger Peak Manor would definitely not make it in time to assist.

However, Shen Han heard that Tiger Peak Manor had already communicated with sects along the way.

If any problems arise, nearby people would go to help if possible.

As for people from other sects, Shen Han found it difficult to assess the risks involved.

If they really came to help Tiger Peak Manor, he might encounter some trouble.

But in this world, nothing is guaranteed to succeed.

Even the path of cultivation is fraught with various dangers, a slight carelessness could lead to a wrong step.

It could very well ruin a hundred years of effort in an instant.

Everything carries risk; if you cower with hesitation, you won’t accomplish anything.

Without wasting more time, Shen Han headed to the predetermined location.

Shen Han and Ban Wu might also take a detour.

But it didn’t matter, Shen Han bet they would take this most direct route.

If it fails, then it fails, he could always plan anew next time.

Tiger Peak Manor.

Shen Ao had found many excuses, but in the end was still pulled along by Ban Wu to act as a guard together with him.

At the time of departure, the two set out with a team of guards.

They conferred with each other about their strategy, and only after traveling a while did the guards begin to act as bait in the front.

The group set off at 7:00 AM, as the sky was just brightening, but it was enough to clearly see the road ahead.

There were seven in total; besides Ban Wu and Shen Ao, the other five were guards.

Shen Ao’s face grew somber from the moment they set off, seemingly quite worried.

"Young Master Ao seems anxious, could it be because he’s too afraid of that guy called Shen Han?"

A guard spoke up, with a playful smile on his face.

It seemed like a joke, but Ban Wu knew very well.

The guards were actually sizing people up to see how to treat them.

Some people naively believe that being of higher status means they must be revered by people of lower status.

But in reality, humans are very complex beings.

Even though Shen Ao was a core disciple of Tiger Peak Manor, without establishing his own authority, without showing his abilities, the guards wouldn’t respect him.

In the future, if Shen Ao wanted to command these guards, just having them follow orders superficially would be considered good.

Without You Wanying, they might even contradict him openly.

As the senior brother, Ban Wu saw that the guard’s joking remark was actually a test, a test for Shen Ao.

If Shen Ao showed weakness, his standing in the guards’ eyes would drop a level.

"Junior Brother Ao, if you were truly fearful, you wouldn’t have come out with me.

That Shen Han may have some sinister tricks, but our brotherhood wouldn’t be intimidated by him."

While speaking, Ban Wu gave Shen Ao a sidelong glance.

Seeing this, Shen Ao also lifted his head, trying to look a bit more arrogant.

Then he looked at the guard with slight displeasure.

"I was just thinking about Senior Sister, worrying that I haven’t avenged her yet.

Shen Han, he doesn’t scare me.

Even though my power realm is still lacking, give us some time, which of us brothers would be weaker than him?"

Shen Ao’s tone was somewhat cold, and his words left the guards feeling awkward.

After a moment, the lead guard showed a sycophantic smile, easing the atmosphere.

"Young Master Ao, please don’t mind us, we were just joking.

None of us guards fear that Shen Han.

Of course you wouldn’t fear him either.

After all, he’s just someone practicing the Old Cultivation Method.

His power has already peaked.

To make further progress, it would take at least fifty or sixty more years."

Next to him, Ban Wu, upon hearing these words, still seemed dissatisfied.

"Don’t underestimate him too much, consider how many have perished by his hand already.

He definitely has some means.

Be mindful of safety as we proceed."

Hearing this, the guards all nodded with a smile.

"Don’t worry, Young Master Wu, we all know.

No matter what, we wouldn’t mess around with our lives at stake.

This time, we’re all prepared, always on guard against him, no problem."

"That’s good. If we indeed encounter him, be sure to relay the message to us as quickly as possible.

Do not hold back; use the poisonous mist if necessary, don’t save it."

They continued moving forward.

After being rebuffed by Shen Ao, the guards indeed no longer dared to say probing words.

Having traveled through the night, on the second day, the guards set off earlier.

Ban Wu and Shen Ao departed half an hour later.

The two maintained a short distance behind the guards.

If a situation arose, the guards would delay for a quarter of an hour, and Ban Wu should be able to arrive with full force.

After the guards left, Shen Ao’s expression once again seemed somber.

"Still worried?"

Before departure, Ban Wu couldn’t help but ask again.

Hearing this, Shen Ao furrowed his brows, neither nodding nor shaking his head.

"Senior Brother, to be honest, I’m feeling a bit uneasy..."

Hearing this, Ban Wu reached out and patted Shen Ao on the shoulder: "Junior Brother, you were bullied by him before, and the fear has always lingered in your heart.

But let me tell you, it’s never been Shen Han that you’re truly afraid of.

You’re afraid of that moment in the past.

At that moment, you were very insignificant, not a match for him at all, and even felt hopeless.

But you should know, he’s not that formidable.

He cultivates the Old Method, as you once did, and you know the drawbacks of the Old Method well.

Sooner or later, Junior Brother, you will surpass him and crush him.

Just consider this: once you enter the Rainbow-Devouring Realm and reach my level of strength.

You will have more than enough capability to toy with him."

Ban Wu paused and noticed Shen Ao’s brows relaxing a bit, sensing that his words seemed to have taken effect.

"Forget about the past, don’t dwell on it.

You, Shen Ao, are a Core Disciple of Tiger Peak Manor, no longer someone from a remote place.

All past circumstances have vanished; in the future, it should be he who fears you, not the other way around."

Shen Ao looked at Ban Wu, and this time, he nodded.

"Do you know how the Manor Master and our Master describe him?"

Seeing that Shen Ao’s mood was easing, Ban Wu started to talk about some lighter topics.

"Right now, we’ve encountered some trouble.

But this Shen Han, to us, is just a flea.

He’s not a tiger; he can’t bite off the legs of our Tiger Peak Manor or devour its heart.

Yet this flea can cause us some trouble.

Think about it, Junior Brother Ao, would you find it easy to catch a flea with your bare hands?"

Upon hearing this analogy, Shen Ao felt a lot more relieved.

Tiger Peak Manor, during this period, has been unable to deal with Shen Han, which elevated Shen Han considerably in Shen Ao’s mind.

This flea analogy indeed cured Shen Ao’s internal struggle.

It’s not that Shen Han is too strong; rather, he’s too tiny.

So tiny that he’s hard to see, let alone caught.

Taking advantage of this, Shen Han has been harassing us, making Tiger Peak Manor suffer like this.

Feeling much better, Shen Ao thought for a moment and couldn’t help but ask further.

"Senior Brother, although he doesn’t have a big impact on our Tiger Peak Manor, we can’t let him keep annoying us like this, right?

We’d really be at a disadvantage then...?"

Hearing this, Ban Wu chuckled lightly.

"He can harass us many times, but he can’t cause another incident like last time where a Core Disciple dies.

At most, he can bring some minor troubles, injure a few guards.

But that flea, if he makes one mistake, his life will be forfeit.

Let’s play along and see if he can avoid making mistakes forever."

The conversation between the brothers made Shen Ao feel much more at ease.

"Don’t overthink it; this Shen Han can’t cause us that much trouble.

Junior Brother Ao, what you should focus on now is improving your strength and refining your mindset.

Everything else, just relax.

Having unlocked eight restraints, entering the Rainbow-Devouring Realm is inevitable for you.

As for Shen Han, he’s not worthy of being considered a rival."

The two of them continued on their way following the guards.

Ban Wu was quite relaxed; he didn’t believe Shen Han would dare come.

He actually knew that the arrangement to be protected by Rainbow-Devouring Realm experts wasn’t really a secret.

In fact, the outside world knew it well.

Since Shen Han holds a grudge against Tiger Peak Manor, he would surely pay extra attention to this kind of information.

He concluded that Shen Han wouldn’t come.

That’s why Ban Wu insisted on bringing Shen Ao out.

He truly had no intention of using Shen Ao as bait.

But within the manor, various rumors were swirling.

Without Shen Ao stepping up to help, his reputation in the manor would worsen.

Seeing his senior brother being so carefree, Shen Ao was influenced and felt much more relaxed.

The journey over the past three days had been calm and peaceful.

Just like before, no one dared to provoke Tiger Peak Manor.

After several days, both the guards and Ban Wu, along with Shen Ao, had lowered their vigilance.

During this time, Shen Han lay in wait along the route.

Flea, Ban Wu probably never imagined that the flea they talked about was fiercer than a tiger.

At this moment, Shen Han quietly stood guard in the vicinity.

With his cultivation in the Old Method, he didn’t leak any aura, making concealment simple.

In this area, Shen Han had already set up an array.

As soon as someone passed through, he would know.

Judging by the dates, it should be within these few days.

If they haven’t appeared yet, it means Shen Ao and his group might not have taken the shortest path.

Perhaps they were cautious and chose a detour.

Shen Han didn’t overthink it and patiently waited there.

On the twelfth day, the guards from Tiger Peak Manor finally reached this area.

In fact, this place was already very close to their destination, at most a bit more than a day away from the sect’s power they were heading to.

And precisely because they were close, their vigilance was relaxed.

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