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."