Mu Hanyan found it a bit strange. If this guy wanted to seize the Sword Heart Soul Cleansing Pond, he could just take action directly. Why bother with such petty tricks? However, upon reconsidering, he vaguely understood.

Since Ye Lanfeng had seen him once before, although he coveted the Sword Heart Soul Cleansing Pond, he couldn’t snatch it outright. Acting secretly might also expose him. Even if he didn’t, Ye Lanfeng could easily trace it back to him. After all, the Holy Court has its rules, and each country on the continent has its own. Plus, the Holy Court and the countries are now wary of each other despite appearances. With his status, he couldn’t just act recklessly.

So he simply took advantage of the opportunity when Fang Town was under attack by Exotic Beasts to openly exploit the situation.

Fortunately, the Family Head Fang adhered to his duties as a household head and resisted the pressure, not agreeing to it. Otherwise, it would have been a real bargain for him.

"Mu Hanyan, I won’t say much. Now that Fang Town is under attack by Exotic Beasts, you all lack the strength to defend it. Once the Exotic Beasts breach the town, not only will the Nanyan Commerce and Fang Family’s people struggle to survive, but the invited chambers of commerce will also be buried along with them. As the master of Nanyan Commerce and the sect master of the Fang Family, since you cannot ensure their safety, why persist in holding on to that broken pond?" Dan Tai Xuan said with a faint smile, indicating he had long known Mu Hanyan’s secret of posing as a man, calling her by name without the slightest surprise.

Mu Hanyan guessed correctly; he indeed was after the Sword Heart Soul Cleansing Pond. Seeing his confident expression, it was clear he had her cornered.

"I can’t defend it, but you think you can?" Mu Hanyan asked calmly.

Dan Tai Xuan gave a cold snort, releasing an invisible aura of pressure. Behind him, the ten young men in sword robes simultaneously unleashed their power.

A gasp was heard around them. The merchants had seen them fighting Exotic Beasts before from a distance, not truly grasping their strength until they revealed it now.

Including Dan Tai Xuan, there were three Ninth Rank Sword Masters, and seven Eighth Rank Sword Masters! Such strength, such youth, even among the Eight Great Families of the Capital, they could be called geniuses. More importantly, these geniuses were not just one, but ten.

Mu Hanyan and Huayue among others revealed looks of astonishment. Ninth Rank Sword Master, last time they saw him, he was Seventh Rank. Now he’s advanced to Ninth Rank, no wonder he was so confident. Yet they didn’t know, with such strength, he dared to boast in front of Mu Hanyan—was it not inviting ridicule?

Regardless of Mu Hanyan’s Great Sword Master’s strength, even Huayue Zirong and Jiang Yuzhe were not inferior to him. What right did he have to threaten Mu Hanyan? Did this guy have water on the brain? Wow, it truly was a huge joke!

"Mu Hanyan, you’ve seen our strength, right? Although you’re a Sixth-level Sword Master, it’s impossible for you to fend off those Exotic Beasts. Only we can preserve the lives of your subordinates and retain these chamber stewards who came from afar to support Nanyan Commerce." Dan Tai Xuan noticed Mu Hanyan and others’ surprise and, clueless that they marveled at his idiocy, assumed they were deeply impressed by his strength, growing even more self-satisfied.

"Lady Mu, even if you don’t think of us, consider your subordinates. To this old man’s view, you’d better agree to their terms." An elderly, prudent chamber steward, troubled, advised persuasively.

"Yes, Lady Mu, though breaking through is no hard task for you, it would severely harm your and Nanyan Commerce’s reputation if all your household and us perish in Fang Town. You’d better agree to his terms." Other chamber stewards advised, unaware of what this broken pond was, more concerned for their own lives.

"Mu Hanyan, we’re guests invited by Nanyan Commerce. We’ve devoted ourselves to defending Fang Town for you these days. You cannot disregard our lives or deaths. Today, whether you agree or not, you must agree. Otherwise..." Park Donghan, growing less courteous, threatened sternly.

"Or what?" Mu Hanyan gracefully interrupted him.

While feeling grateful for the chamber’s righteous acts, Mu Hanyan couldn’t tolerate his arrogance and continuous threats.

With her cultivation improving, her disposition became more restrained, yet when angered, the natural aura of power emerged, startling Park Donghan from speaking further threats.

"I’ve assured you all, I’ll ensure your safety. You don’t need to worry." Mu Hanyan softened her tone, addressing the chamber stewards.

"Assure, just with your Sixth-level Sword Master strength?" Park Donghan sneered mockingly.

"Mu Hanyan, are you truly unwilling to meet our terms?" seeing Mu Hanyan unyielding, Dan Tai Xuan’s face darkened.

"Matters in Fang Town, no need for Mr. Tantai to worry. If you wish to purchase strange flowers, herbs, Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, visit the chamber of commerce. If you want to leave, feel free." Mu Hanyan said indifferently.

"Lady Mu, you can’t act on your own will alone."

"Lady Mu, even not for us, considering Fang Town’s elderly and children without weapons." Alarmed by Mu Hanyan’s steadfastness, all chamber stewards pleaded.

"Hmph, she has Sixth-level Sword Master strength, can escape even if defeated, why care for our lives?" Park Donghan sneered again.

"Lady Mu, how can you? As the Mu Family’s patriarch’s grandson, acting without faith or loyalty!" Park Donghan’s words made the stewards change expressions, angrily questioning.

"Bad news, Lord, Family Head, those Exotic Beasts are here again." At this moment, a Fang Family disciple dashed into the hall in panic.

"How many this time?" Family Head Fang’s face shifted as he asked.

"More than ever before, thousands strong, led by the mightiest Exotic Beasts. Family Head, what should we do?" Fear overwhelmed the disciple’s face as his voice choked with sobs.

Outside chaos ensued, calls from the crowd and frantic footsteps echoed everywhere.

"Let’s take a look." Mu Hanyan, no time for Park Donghan and others, took the lead outside, followed closely by Huayue and friends.

"Huh, what’s there to see? Will a glance make the Exotic Beasts retreat?" Park Donghan snorted coldly, yet followed out, with stewards swarming after. These merchants, not strong but daring from traveling wide, were notable.