Lin Hao pondered in his heart, among the four major families, he only had a conflict with the Luo Family headquarters, but where could the disciples of the Luo Family have invited these experts to deal with him?
Without mentioning anything else, just the reward for hiring these killers would be astronomical, at least several hundred thousand, or even a million silver taels.
Lin Hao looked at Bai Zhanchen, fearing that those people were closely related to him and were targeting Bai Zhanchen.
"Mr. Bai, it's getting late, we should leave and meet again later," Lin Hao said softly, and with that, he was about to leave with Lin He.
If it was a matter of the Bai Family, Lin Hao did not want to get involved in this mess. His current strength was weak, and facing strong opponents, he could be in mortal danger at any moment.
Bai Zhanchen also seemed to realize something and did not stop Lin Hao from leaving.
However, when Lin Hao had walked a hundred meters, intentionally putting some distance between himself and Bai Zhanchen, there were still martial artists following them in secret, their killing intent even more evident, as if they did not intend to let anyone near Bai Zhanchen leave.
...
"Not good..." Lin Hao quickly turned around with Lin He, but the martial aura locking onto them did not ease at all.
"Brother Hao, what's going on?" Lin He was anxious, seeing Lin Hao's expression grow increasingly serious, he also became nervous.
"Those martial artists are following us in secret, and they don't seem to have any intention of letting us leave," Lin Hao said solemnly.
"Why can't I see anything?" Lin He looked around but found nothing, not seeing any hidden martial artists.
Lin Hao shook his head, "If I say they're there, they're there."
At this moment, Bai Zhanchen and his group, protected by the male and female guards, were retreating to the rear. Lin Hao waved his hand and followed with Lin He.
The two guards by Bai Zhanchen's side were not weak. If something really happened, they might still have a chance to fight. But if Lin Hao and Lin He left alone and were caught by those martial artists, the consequences would be unimaginable.
"Brother Hao, those people are after Bai Zhanchen, why are they still following us?" Lin He wished he could leave this place as soon as possible. If he had known, he wouldn't have come today.
"Cutting off the roots, we left the 'Xianshi Tower' with Bai Zhanchen, it might be because of this," Lin Hao whispered.
Lin Hao's words about "cutting off the roots" made Lin He's face change repeatedly. To dare to cause trouble for the third young master of the Bai Family, their strength must be at a high level. If they really intended to cut off the roots, how could they escape?
At this moment, Lin He was somewhat nervous. He looked at Lin Hao and asked cautiously, "Brother Hao... those martial artists are very strong, how strong are they... if we join forces with the third young master, can we fight them?"
Hearing this, Lin Hao frowned. Currently, he had discovered seven hidden martial artists, six of whom were at the Sixth Level of the Second Earth Gate, and one had reached the peak of the Seventh Level of the Spirit Body!
The peak of the Seventh Level of the Spirit Body at the Second Earth Gate could already compete with the elite disciples of the four major families. Going alone to the Heavenly Swinging Mountain Range, they had the ability to instantly kill a 'Ghost-faced Red Lion.'
"Don't think too much, we just need to follow Bai Zhanchen. The two guards by his side are not weak. If something really happens, we can still fight together," Lin Hao calmly analyzed.
Lin He thought about it but didn't think it was a good idea. It would be better to quickly head to the Lin Family headquarters. If that didn't work, they could call for help, drawing the attention of people in the city, which might make the hidden martial artists hesitant to act.
Lin He shared his thoughts with Lin Hao, but Lin Hao immediately rejected them.
If they dared to target the young master of the Bai Family, they must have a well-thought-out plan. Those people might be desperate, and if they called for help now, it would only make the hidden martial artists act sooner, with unpredictable consequences.
At this point, the only option was to follow Bai Zhanchen. There was no other way. With their speed, it was impossible to escape the pursuit of a peak Seventh Level Spirit Body expert.
Lin He seemed to understand the severity of the situation and did not say anything more. He just followed behind Lin Hao, feeling deeply regretful. One reason was coming to the appointment today, and the other was dragging Lin Hao into this mess.
"Brother Hao... I'm sorry, it's my fault..." Lin He's voice was very soft.
"It's fine," Lin Hao patted Lin He's shoulder. If he hadn't come today, who knows what might have happened.
At this moment, Lin Hao stepped forward and stared at Bai Zhanchen, "Mr. Bai, these people seem to be targeting you."
Bai Zhanchen did not deny it, nodding and saying, "Yes, I just didn't expect it to come so soon. The hidden martial artists are indeed after me, wanting to take my life."
"If they want to take your life, why are they still following us!" Lin He was unwilling, he and Lin Hao hadn't done anything, why should they also be targeted?
Bai Zhanchen sighed, "Those people think you and Brother Lin Hao are with me, so they want to cut off the roots. But don't worry too much, Xiaoqing and Chen Wu are not weak."
Chen Wu and Xiaoqing, the male and female guards, were indeed strong. Together, they could handle the peak Seventh Level Spirit Body expert, but what about the other six?
Lin He, who was only at the Fifth Level of the Spirit Body, was not much of a help. As for the third young master, he wasn't even a match for Lin He.
In a direct confrontation, Lin Hao admitted he could handle at most two Sixth Level Spirit Body experts. If all six came at once, he wouldn't stand a chance.
"What do we do now, where should we go?" Lin He asked, seeing that they were heading out of the city.
If they stayed in the city, the hidden martial artists might not dare to act, but if they left the city...
"All the roads are blocked, we can only leave the city first..." Bai Zhanchen said.
"Then where are we going now!" Lin He's forehead broke out in a cold sweat. He wasn't afraid of death, but he didn't want to die for no reason.
"Leave the city first, then we'll split up and run," Chen Wu said.
"We can't run, that will only make them pick us off one by one. We should stay together for mutual support," Xiaoqing, the woman, disagreed with Chen Wu's idea.
Bai Zhanchen leaned in and whispered to Lin Hao, "Brother Lin Hao, can the trick you showed earlier be useful now?"
"Not for now," Lin Hao shook his head. Although he still had some of the illusion powder left, it wasn't much, only enough for one person. He hadn't expected this situation, so he hadn't prepared much.
Bai Zhanchen's expression was somewhat disappointed. After learning that Lin Hao's trick wouldn't be useful, he sped up and ran forward.
If only Lin Hao's body could currently withstand the 'Immortal Golden Armor,' he would have the power of the Fifth Earth Gate, making him nearly invincible for a short time.
Not long after, the group left Liuyun City and put some distance between themselves and the hidden martial artists.
"Mr. Bai, who wants to kill you? Is there no one left in the Bai Family!" Seeing that the situation was no longer as urgent, Lin He asked.
"Perhaps it's my older brother, Bai Zhen," Bai Zhanchen said.
"Your older brother Bai Zhen?!" Lin He was incredulous. Bai Zhen was the eldest son of the Bai Family, how could he harm his own younger brother?!
Lin Hao didn't say anything, looking at Bai Zhanchen a few times, deep in thought.
The Bai Family was a first-tier power, controlling many towns, and could be considered a major family. There were only two male heirs in the main line, one being Bai Zhen, and the other Bai Zhanchen. The future inheritance of the family would definitely be chosen from between Bai Zhen and Bai Zhanchen.
"Mr. Bai, your womanizing and frivolous behavior might be an act for your brother to see, am I right?" Suddenly, Lin Hao looked at Bai Zhanchen and said.
Upon hearing this, Bai Zhanchen's expression changed slightly, looking at Lin Hao a few times, but did not respond.
Lin Hao smiled. He had only guessed before, but now he was certain. Bai Zhanchen was indeed a person with deep thoughts.
It was likely that Bai Zhanchen had invited Lin He to the bustling 'Xianshi Tower' to use others' mouths to spread his frivolous nature, all part of a well-calculated plan. Lin He was just an unwitting pawn.
It was said that Bai Zhanchen was exceptionally intelligent from a young age, with a spirit root of high quality. Several major sects had intended to take him in, but the head of the Bai Family saw potential in Bai Zhanchen and wanted to cultivate him with the family's resources, so he refused the sects.
But now, Bai Zhanchen did not cultivate martial arts and was obsessed with wine and women, which was strange.
Now, thinking about it, it wasn't strange at all, but rather confirmed that Bai Zhanchen was extremely intelligent. His actions were all to seek a way out and avoid this crisis.
Bai Zhen, the eldest son of the Bai Family, was already in his late thirties. The position of the head of the Bai Family would not be passed to the two other female heirs, making Bai Zhanchen a strong competitor.
Now, everyone knew that the head of the Bai Family was in his seventies, with no breakthrough in martial arts. When he reached the end of his life, the successor to the head of the Bai Family would be chosen from Bai Zhen and Bai Zhanchen. If Bai Zhanchen were eliminated, the position would go to Bai Zhen.
Bai Zhanchen's lips moved, about to say something, but his expression suddenly changed, looking back and saying, "They're here."
"Mr. Bai, you go first! I and Xiaoqing will hold them off!" Chen Wu stepped forward, his expression resolute.
As he spoke, Chen Wu's head flew into the air, his headless body swaying.
Xiaoqing held a blood-soaked sword, kicking Chen Wu's staggering body away.
"Xiaoqing, what are you doing!" Bai Zhanchen was shocked, seeing Xiaoqing kill Chen Wu!
Lin He's face turned pale, quickly protecting Lin Hao, afraid that the woman would harm him next.
Before Xiaoqing could speak, Bai Zhanchen suddenly understood, staring at her, "So, you're working for Bai Zhen, staying by my side to monitor me."
Hearing this, Xiaoqing nodded, "Bai Zhen has given me a second life."
"A second life..." Bai Zhanchen laughed bitterly, "You've been with me since I was seven, I treated you like family, but you see me as a corpse."
"Mr. Bai..." Xiaoqing's right hand, holding the sword, tightened, her expression changing repeatedly, "Mr. Bai Zhen has done me a great favor, I cannot repay his kindness..."
"So, today you want to kill me and claim credit," Bai Zhanchen's eyes flashed.
"Mr. Bai Zhen has done me... a great favor..." Xiaoqing repeated.
"How have I treated you?" Bai Zhanchen sneered.
"Mr. Bai has..." Xiaoqing dared not look him in the eye. She had been with Bai Zhanchen since she was thirteen, for seven years now. If not for Bai Zhen's deep kindness, she would never have betrayed Bai Zhanchen.
"I don't ask for a way out, I don't want to see you in a difficult position. I, Bai Zhanchen, am here. If it makes you happy, I will go with you to face my death," Bai Zhanchen said softly.
At this moment, Lin Hao couldn't help but look at Bai Zhanchen a few more times. This person was indeed very deep, and Xiaoqing might not be able to outsmart him.