Chapter 437 - 204: Go on, Run

"Little Silver Dragon Bai Xichao. Master unknown, age unknown.

"Master of the Disguise Technique, skilled in the use of poisons, and an expert in Lightweight Technique.

"When he first entered the martial world, he disguised himself as a woman in a foolish attempt to infiltrate the Shuiyue Sword Sect. After being discovered, he was pursued for thirteen hundred li but managed to escape by a stroke of luck.

"He remained unrepentant, later abducting the daughter of a merchant from the Jia family.

"By the time she was found, the young woman from the Jia family had been dead for quite some time. Her body was covered in wounds, a truly gruesome sight.

"After that, he moved between several prefectural cities, leaving a trail of bloody crimes in his wake.

"His victims included the daughters of officials, martial heroines, and the wives of wealthy families.

"But his Lightweight Technique was so exceptional that he evaded capture time and time again.

"His last known appearance was in the Capital City.

"However, he was immediately ambushed by the city’s experts and nearly lost his life.

"He vanished without a trace after that... his whereabouts are unknown.

"Your evil deeds are considerable, earning you the bone-deep hatred of countless people in both the imperial court and the martial world.

"That is why the Sword Holding Department has placed a bounty of eight thousand taels of silver on your head!

"That’s quite a hefty sum."

Jiang Ran finished reading from the booklet in his hand, casually snapping it shut with a soft chuckle.

"I never thought today would be my lucky day. So many people from the Sword Holding Department couldn’t find you, yet you’ve run right into my hands."

"You’re an Assassin? You... who exactly are you?"

Bai Xichao’s expression changed slightly.

"I am Jiang Ran."

Jiang Ran spoke softly, "I advise you, surrender peacefully!"

The moment those words left his lips, Bai Xichao spun around and fled without a second thought.

With a flick of his wrist, Jiang Ran sent two Cold Moon Nails whistling through the air.

But unexpectedly, the man’s Lightweight Technique was truly superb.

His figure blurred, leaving an afterimage in his place as he reappeared dozens of zhang away.

Jiang Ran’s heart stirred. With a push of his feet, he executed the Hidden Shadow Enchanting God Step and gave chase.

Tang Huayi, not wanting to be left behind, hurriedly followed.

The two of them took off after the man at the drop of a hat.

Scholar Jingtan, who was chatting idly with Li Tianyu, glanced over, clicked his tongue, and went back to his conversation... he couldn’t be bothered with those two.

He had originally figured that no matter what kind of expert showed up, catching them would be a piece of cake for Jiang Ran and Tang Huayi.

But this time, Scholar Jingtan was mistaken.

This Bai Xichao’s Lightweight Technique was indeed good enough to be considered unmatched in the martial world.

Even with Jiang Ran pushing his Inner Strength to its limits, constantly using the Hidden Shadow Enchanting God Step and the Celestial Nine Steps, the distance between them inevitably grew wider.

Fortunately, Jiang Ran had completely locked his aura onto the man. So even if he couldn’t catch up right away, he wasn’t worried about his target making a clean getaway.

But this turned it into a contest of stamina.

After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Tang Huayi started to fall behind. She shouted to Jiang Ran:

"You... you go on ahead... I can’t keep up."

Jiang Ran glanced at her, then turned a single palm and sent a burst of energy toward her.

"You head back first. I’m not letting this lecher get away today!"

Tang Huayi froze for a moment, feeling a wave of Inner Strength envelop her. It was like warm water, like the gentle sun, and it instantly flowed into her meridians, calming the chaotic energy within her.

She shot Jiang Ran a look and huffed.

’The moment he sees a pretty girl, he just *has* to catch the pervert...’

’Sis, this brother-in-law of yours is going to be a handful.’

Muttering to herself, she turned and headed back the way they came.

She was quite obedient, after all.

She did whatever Jiang Ran told her to do, she just couldn’t help but talk back to him all the time.

Jiang Ran, for his part, paid Tang Huayi no more mind.

He steeled his resolve, as firm as Cyan Mountain itself. He absolutely had to capture Bai Xichao.

It was unclear what martial arts Bai Xichao practiced. Setting aside the depth of his Inner Strength, his stamina was certainly impressive.

Of course, he needed to rest too.

He would occasionally pause on a treetop or land on the ground to catch his breath, then start running again just as Jiang Ran was about to catch up.

In his heart, he was now determined to outlast Jiang Ran.

He refused to believe that Jiang Ran didn’t need to stop for a breather at all.

As a result, the two of them ran straight from noon until nightfall.

By now, even with Bai Xichao’s considerable Inner Strength, his rest stops were getting longer and longer.

And yet, Jiang Ran showed no intention of resting whatsoever.

"You son of a bitch, what the hell are you made of? Are you planning to run to the ends of the earth?"

Bai Xichao couldn’t stop himself from cursing at Jiang Ran.

Jiang Ran just nodded.

"You cursed at me. I’ll remember that!"

"..."

Bai Xichao’s face turned Black. He could feel his Inner Strength gradually failing.

He knew it wouldn’t be long before he couldn’t go on.

He glanced at the struggling girl still in his arms, gritted his teeth, and took a deep breath.

"This is your lucky day..."

As he spoke, he took a medicinal pill from his robes and stuffed it into the girl’s mouth.

He tilted her chin up, forcing her to swallow it before she could refuse.

Then, he looked back.

"Catch!!"

Jiang Ran was stunned for a second, seeing a pale-faced girl with despair in her eyes flying toward him.

For a split second, a flicker of hesitation crossed Jiang Ran’s mind. ’Should I save her?’

But the hesitation was fleeting. The next moment, he reached out, caught the girl, and shouted:

"Bai Xichao, have you run out of tricks? Don’t tell me you thought I would let you go just because you threw this girl at me!"

Bai Xichao was in no condition to reply.

Now a person lighter, his speed naturally increased. He just sprinted ahead desperately, turning a deaf ear to Jiang Ran’s words.

As Jiang Ran’s brow furrowed, he felt the temperature of the girl in his arms begin to rise.