Nine Heavens Martial Emperor

"In that case, I might as well just kill you." Lin Hao’s voice was completely flat.

Chu Sheng’s face turned deathly pale with fright. "No, no, no... Don’t you want Laughing Red Dust? I have some! I have some right here."

Lin Hao unceremoniously took his storage spirit ring and erased Chu Sheng’s mark from it with zero effort.

A sweep of his Divine Sense confirmed there were indeed no less than twenty jars of fine wine inside.

"Are you satisfied now? Let me go. I’ll let you leave. I guarantee I won’t stop you," Chu Sheng pleaded pitifully.

Lin Hao glanced at the eight men. "It’s not that you won’t stop me, it’s that you *can’t*."

Chu Sheng was speechless.

Just when he thought Lin Hao was about to let him go, Lin Hao said something that made his blood run cold.

"Once, I let someone who didn’t deserve to live survive for an extra month. As a result, thirty-eight innocent lives were lost. So, you can just go and die."

In Red Beauty City, Lin Hao was actually going to kill Chu Sheng!

Everyone’s expression changed drastically.

Because they knew what Chu Sheng had said was the truth.

In the City Lord’s Mansion, there were beings far more terrifying than these eight men.

To say nothing of the others, the City Lord, Chu Junxiong, was himself a master at the Seventh Layer of the Elemental Realm.

Because of Laughing Red Dust, he knew countless martial techniques.

Moreover, Chu Junxiong was a martial arts genius. He had assimilated the strengths of a hundred schools and eventually created his own unique martial techniques.

As Chu Junxiong’s only son, Chu Sheng’s status in Red Beauty City was incredibly noble.

But now, Lin Hao had bluntly stated his intention to kill that very son.

Arrogant, so damn arrogant!

"No, Lin Hao! Master Lin! Please spare me!" Feeling the threat of death, Chu Sheng screamed frantically.

Lin Hao was unmoved. "It’s useless no matter what you call me!"

"You dare!"

At that moment, an explosive roar thundered through the air like a crack of lightning.

Then, a figure flew over, arriving before them in the blink of an eye.

The newcomer was a middle-aged man with a goatee, his eyes looking as if they were about to burst from their sockets.

"Father, save me!"

Seeing the newcomer, Chu Sheng grabbed onto him like a final, life-saving straw.

This was the City Lord of Red Beauty City, Chu Junxiong.

"You are Lin Hao?" Chu Junxiong asked, staring at him.

Lin Hao smiled faintly. "The one and only. Accept no substitutes."

Facing a powerful expert at the Seventh Layer of the Elemental Realm, Lin Hao’s expression didn’t change as he continued to chat and laugh with ease.

"A true hero emerges from the young generation. Release my son, and you can name any condition," Chu Junxiong said with a nod.

The corner of Lin Hao’s mouth lifted. He retorted, "Really?"

Chu Junxiong nodded. "A gentleman does not go back on his word!"

"Alright then. I want the recipe for Laughing Red Dust!" Lin Hao quickly stated his condition.

Chu Junxiong’s mouth twitched, and his body trembled violently a few times.

’The recipe for Laughing Red Dust... this little brat really has the nerve. This is asking for the moon!’

However, this was coincidentally the thing he was least worried about.

"The City Lord isn’t thinking of going back on his word, is he?" Lin Hao asked, feigning nervousness.

But there wasn’t the slightest hint of nervousness in his eyes.

"Well, that wouldn’t have been a problem. But I have a deep appreciation for talent and truly can’t bear to see you die young."

Lin Hao shrugged and didn’t reply.

"In the past, others have had designs on Laughing Red Dust, including many powerful experts from the Soul Gathering Realm. But in the end, without exception, they all died. The recipe for Laughing Red Dust remains firmly in my hands."

Lin Hao nodded. This was a fact.

He had heard this rumor before.

"I am not like them," Lin Hao said, his five words brimming with powerful confidence.

Chu Junxiong nodded, then pulled a sheepskin scroll from his robes.

The scroll was ancient, and an aura of desolate antiquity washed over them.

"This is the recipe and brewing method for Laughing Red Dust, but I advise you not to take it. According to the Chu family records, it once caused a powerful expert of the Sealed Martial Realm to die a sudden and inexplicable death!" Chu Junxiong revealed a terrifying fact.

At his words, everyone’s expression changed drastically once more.

The Sealed Martial Realm!

This was a legendary realm on the continent.

The Blood Coagulation Realm was the beginning of the martial path.

The Elemental Realm, where one condensed True Essence and formed weapons from the elements!

The Soul Gathering Realm, where one awakened their Divine Soul and attacked with it.

The Spirit Transformation Realm, where the Divine Soul could leave the body to take a person’s head from ten thousand miles away.

As for the Sealed Martial Realm, one comprehended the laws of the martial path. With a mere raise of the hand, they could imprison other Martial Artists. There was a saying: before the Sealed Martial Realm, do not speak of true martial arts.

Moreover, experts of the Sealed Martial Realm possessed the ability to traverse the void.

Upon reaching the Sealed Martial Realm, one could roam the void, exploring ever higher mysteries of martial arts.

But now, Chu Junxiong was saying this sheepskin scroll could cause a Sealed Martial Realm expert to die suddenly.

Now, many people finally understood why the recipe for Laughing Red Dust had always remained in the Chu family’s possession.

This was too shocking!

Lin Hao’s heart clenched as well.

He wasn’t arrogant enough to look down on experts of the Sealed Martial Realm.

Lin Hao had just been speaking casually, naturally intending to make things difficult for Chu Junxiong. But now that Chu Junxiong had actually taken it out and explained the stakes, Lin Hao hesitated.

No matter how tempting the scroll was, it was just a tool for making money. Lin Hao had plenty of ways to make money, but he only had one life.

"So, do you still want it?" Chu Junxiong watched Lin Hao with a faint, mocking smile, his expression full of amusement.

It had to be said, Chu Junxiong had played this move beautifully.

In an instant, the initiative was back in his hands.

If Lin Hao really took the scroll and then died inexplicably, with Chu Junxiong’s prior warning, it could only be described with four words: reaping what he sowed.

If he didn’t take it, Lin Hao would lose in terms of momentum.

Lin Hao didn’t answer. He activated the Godslaying Celestial Slash Skill, and his gaze shot like lightning toward the sheepskin scroll.

’My thinking is simple,’ he thought. ’Since the Godslaying Celestial Slash Skill is an Emperor-level technique, it should naturally be able to sense anything evil.’

’Maybe I can see through its secrets.’

However, to Lin Hao’s disappointment, aside from the simple, desolate, and ancient aura coming from the scroll, he didn’t sense anything unusual.

The corner of his mouth lifted, and Lin Hao’s entire demeanor immediately became spirited and confident.

"I’ll take it. Why wouldn’t I?" Lin Hao agreed readily.

’Of course, I wouldn’t joke with my own life. I’ve thought of Lord Lingdi.’

’Lord Lingdi has seen no fewer than two Emperor Venerables and has lived for countless eons. She might know the origin of this scroll.’

Chu Junxiong hadn’t expected Lin Hao to actually dare to take it. After a brief moment of shock, he flicked his wrist, and the sheepskin scroll flew over.

As he grasped it, Lin Hao felt a chill run through his body, and he couldn’t help but shiver.

’This scroll is a bit unsettling.’ 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

"It’s been over a hundred years since anyone dared to have designs on it. You’d best be careful." Chu Junxiong showed no heartache at losing a treasured item, only offering a false, well-intentioned reminder.

But the cold sneer at the corner of his lips betrayed him.

Lin Hao had caused a scene in Red Beauty City and used his son as a hostage to threaten him. There was no way Chu Junxiong would ever let Lin Hao off the hook.

He had originally planned to send men from his mansion to ambush Lin Hao after he left the city, but Lin Hao had courted death himself, greedily demanding the recipe for Laughing Red Dust.

From the moment Lin Hao accepted the scroll, he was already a dead man in Chu Junxiong’s eyes.

"Release my son, and I will let you leave the city. I will absolutely not stand in your way," Chu Junxiong guaranteed, his eyes narrowing.

Lin Hao shrugged and released Chu Sheng.

He had made an outrageous demand earlier precisely because he wanted to blow things up. To be honest, he really had wanted to take Chu Sheng’s life, and that thought hadn’t changed even after Chu Junxiong appeared.

But now that Chu Junxiong had given him the scroll, he couldn’t just go back on his word.

"Sigh..." After releasing Chu Sheng, Lin Hao let out a sigh.

"Father, kill him!" Humiliated by Lin Hao once again, and on his own turf no less, Chu Sheng became arrogant the moment he was freed.

Hearing this, Lin Hao actually revealed a smile.

He wasn’t afraid of making an even bigger scene.

He was still very much interested in taking Chu Sheng’s life.

"Insolence! The Chu family does not go back on its word! Haven’t you caused enough embarrassment? Get your ass back home!" Chu Junxiong berated him, then gestured for Lin Hao to leave the city.

But Lin Hao shook his head. "It’s my first time here. I’d like to look around."

After killing men from the City Lord’s Mansion and threatening the City Lord with his own son, Lin Hao still wanted to stroll around Red Beauty City. For these words to come from a Blood Coagulation Realm Martial Artist, his presence was truly magnificent.

Domineering, just too domineering!

Watching him, Chu Junxiong’s expression was complicated. ’This young man is truly extraordinary!’

"As you wish," Chu Junxiong said, then turned and left with Chu Sheng.

What he needed to do now was get as far away from Lin Hao as possible.

If Lin Hao were to die suddenly in Red Beauty City, it would be a troublesome matter.

Chu Junxiong was already well aware of everything that had happened in War Dragon City. Compared to the sects and aristocratic families, Red Beauty City was simply not worth mentioning.

Lin Hao swaggered through the streets. Before long, he saw a middle-aged man, drenched in sweat and looking anxious, rushing toward him.

"Lin Hao... Young Master Lin?" The middle-aged man stopped directly in front of Lin Hao and asked respectfully.

On the surrounding streets, those who saw this scene stared with wide eyes, finding it hard to believe.

One must know that this middle-aged man’s status in Red Beauty City was in no way inferior to that of the City Lord, Chu Junxiong. Yet he was being so respectful to Lin Hao. It was incredible.

Lin Hao nodded.

"This humble one is Ninety-Three, the Pavilion Master of Red Beauty City’s Treasure Hunting Pavilion. I have arrived late, and I hope Young Master Lin can forgive me," the man said, introducing himself.

The Treasure Hunting Pavilion naturally had its own information network. Ninety-Three had received news of Lin Hao’s impending arrival in Red Beauty City long ago. He had originally planned to greet him personally at the city gates, but a small incident had occurred at the Pavilion.

Even now, the matter remained unresolved.

But when he learned that Lin Hao had clashed with the City Lord’s Mansion, he had managed to break away with great difficulty and rushed over.

A month ago, a portrait of Lin Hao had already been distributed to all branches of the Treasure Hunting Holy Hall. Wenren Yuxin had given the order: seeing Lin Hao was the same as seeing her in person.

If anything happened to this Lin Hao, the consequences would be severe.

Now, seeing Lin Hao safe and sound, Ninety-Three finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Greetings, Pavilion Master. What happened?" Seeing Ninety-Three’s expression, Lin Hao knew the Treasure Hunting Pavilion must have run into some trouble. Otherwise, a Pavilion Master like him wouldn’t be wearing such a look.

"To be frank, we’ve run into a few difficult young masters and ladies. They want a Rejuvenation Blood Pill," Ninety-Three said with an embarrassed look.

Lin Hao was a little surprised. "Don’t they know about the Treasure Hunting Pavilion’s background?"

Behind the Treasure Hunting Pavilion stood the Wenren family, one of the four great families. For someone to dare cause trouble for the Pavilion in a place like Red Beauty City, were they ignorant of the danger, or did they have powerful backing of their own?