“Is that so?”
As soon as Butler Wu’s words fell, a chilling voice echoed through the hall.
“Who’s there!?” Wen Ye, Iron Stone, and Butler Wu shot to their feet, faces ashen as they roared in anger. They couldn’t believe someone had infiltrated the heavily guarded Linghe Garden. Especially Butler Wu, whose face was grim—he had personally overseen the garden’s defenses, confident no one could breach them. Yet now, reality had slapped him hard.
*Tap, tap, tap…*
A series of footsteps sounded. The bodyguards outside the hall rushed in upon hearing the noise, but seeing the empty hall, they looked at Wen Ye in confusion.
“Which friend has come to visit this old man?” Wen Ye calmed himself, speaking in a deep voice.
“Friend? I’m no friend of Wen Ye,” the voice came again, but to Wen Ye and the others, it seemed to echo from all directions, impossible to pinpoint.
“Who are you? Too scared to show yourself?” Wen Ye’s face darkened. For someone to enter Linghe Garden undetected meant they could kill him just as easily. If he couldn’t find this person, he’d never sleep soundly again.
“Too scared to show myself? Wen Ye, do you think I’d dare come to Linghe Garden if I were afraid? You’ve ruled Tianhai City for decades, yet you still have such naive thoughts. Do you think this is a child’s game?” The voice dripped with disdain, making Wen Ye’s face turn livid with rage.
Just as Wen Ye was about to order a search, the voice spoke again: “Alright, I’ll stop toying with you, Wen Ye. Didn’t you want to see me? Here I am.”
*Thud, thud, thud!*
Footsteps echoed, and a young man descended the staircase.
“It’s you…” Iron Stone’s face paled, stepping forward to shield Wen Ye. He recognized this youth—the one who had killed nearly half of his Dark Hall brothers.
“Who are you?” Wen Ye asked, his face stern.
“Who am I? Heh, Wen Ye, don’t you recognize me?” The youth stood on the stairs, looking down at Wen Ye with a cold, menacing smile.
“Wen Ye, didn’t you want to kill me? Now that I’m standing before you, you don’t recognize me?”
“You’re Li Feng?” Wen Ye’s expression shifted.
“Correct, I’m Li Feng,” the youth nodded. He was indeed Li Feng, who had infiltrated Linghe Garden. Though its defenses were tight, to him, they were as good as nothing. He could slip in effortlessly.
“You’re really Li Feng.” Wen Ye’s face changed completely. If it had been someone else, even a Li family expert, he could accept it. But to think it was Li Feng, the rumored useless young master of the Li family.
At that moment, Wen Ye wanted to tear apart whoever had called Li Feng a waste. A waste? Someone who could infiltrate Linghe Garden? If Li Feng was a waste, then they were less than that.
“Surprised, Wen Ye?” Li Feng’s gaze locked onto Wen Ye. This scholarly-looking old man was the leader of the Black Stone Gang. In a park, one might mistake him for an ordinary elder.
“Very surprised. I didn’t expect you’d come to court death,” Wen Ye said, a cold glint in his eyes. Li Feng’s appearance was a golden opportunity. No matter how strong Li Feng was, this was Linghe Garden, Wen Ye’s turf. Here, he decided who lived or died.
“Court death?” Li Feng glanced at Iron Stone and the bodyguards, sneering. “Wen Ye, you think I’m here to die? Do you think you can keep me here with these pieces of trash?”
“Hmph, Li Feng, don’t think you can look down on us just because you sneaked into Linghe Garden. This is my domain. No one leaves without my permission,” Wen Ye sneered. He had absolute confidence in Linghe Garden’s defenses. No matter how strong Li Feng was, how strong could he be?
“Is that so?” Li Feng gave a cold smile, his eyes fixed on Wen Ye. “Wen Ye, I don’t seem to have any grudge with you. I’d love to know why you’re targeting me.”
“Some things don’t need a reason,” Wen Ye said indifferently.
“Well said, no reason needed. Truly befitting Wen Ye, full of dominance,” Li Feng praised.
Then his voice turned icy. “But do you know, Wen Ye, that your ‘no reason needed’ will bring down the Black Stone Gang you’ve ruled for years?”
“Not necessarily. If I can keep you here today, the Black Stone Gang will remain the Black Stone Gang,” Wen Ye said with a cold smile. “Li Feng, you shouldn’t have come to Linghe Garden. If you hadn’t, I might not have been able to deal with you and your men. But now that you’re here, once you’re dead, what waves can your subordinates stir?”
“Pity, though. You’re not the waste of legend, but you’re arrogant and overconfident.”
“Hahaha, let’s see how you plan to keep me,” Li Feng said, his face turning fierce, eyes narrowing. He stomped the ground, charging at Wen Ye. His palms transformed into blades, slashing down with lethal force.
“Wen Ye, watch out!” Iron Stone shouted, startled, stepping forward to block with his fists.
*Swish! Swish!*
Sharp winds tore through the air, emitting piercing whistles. Li Feng’s eyes flashed with killing intent as Iron Stone blocked his path.
“Courting death.”
Li Feng’s palms slashed down like lightning, accompanied by low whooshing sounds.
*Bang!*
His palm-blades met Iron Stone’s fists, and with a crack, Iron Stone’s fists were split open, blood spraying as bone was exposed.
With a few swift movements, Li Feng’s palms struck again, hitting Iron Stone’s chest. Iron Stone grunted, flying backward and collapsing, unable to rise.
Li Feng landed lightly, sneering at the stunned Wen Ye. “Wen Ye, is this your subordinate? Too weak. Do you think these trash can save you today?”
Wen Ye took a deep breath, suppressing his shock, his voice hoarse. “I never expected you to have such skill, Li Feng. Worthy of the Li family’s young master. You have the capital to be arrogant.”
In decades, Wen Ye had never been so shocked. Even when the purple-robed youth presented a hundred-year vermilion fruit, he wasn’t this stunned. Iron Stone was the top expert of the Black Stone Gang’s Dark Hall, with fists that were nearly unmatched. Even Wen Ye and Butler Wu would struggle to defeat him. Yet Li Feng had taken him down so easily.
Was this the strength of a noble family’s heir?
Previously, Wen Ye hadn’t believed Iron Stone’s claim that Li Feng single-handedly turned the tide and saved the attackers, thinking Iron Stone was making excuses. But now, seeing Li Feng’s prowess, that notion was thrown out the window. With such strength, the entire Dark Hall was no match for him.
Thinking of the rumors about Li Feng, and the purple-robed youth’s assessment, Wen Ye scoffed. The rumors were likely spread by the Li family deliberately. Li Feng must be their secretly trained prodigy.
Wen Ye gave a bitter smile. These top families were terrifying, hiding someone so well—a “waste” mocked for over twenty years with such skill. Had he known, even for a hundred-year vermilion fruit, he wouldn’t have crossed a noble family’s heir.
But it was too late. Even if he wanted to avoid Li Feng, Li Feng wouldn’t let him go.
“My arrogance isn’t for you to judge,” Li Feng said coldly, staring at Wen Ye. “You have two choices now. First, surrender and disband the Black Stone Gang, and I might spare your life. Second, resist stubbornly. But do you have the strength to resist? I think you’re just a mantis trying to stop a chariot, seeking your own death.”
“Hahaha…” Wen Ye laughed coldly, staring at Li Feng. “I admit you’re strong, stronger than I expected. But do you think you can do as you please in Linghe Garden? You underestimate me, Yuwen. I’ve controlled the Black Stone Gang for decades. Do you think this is all I have?”
“Oh? So you choose to resist. Let’s see what trump card you have,” Li Feng sneered.
Wen Ye’s gaze turned icy. “Old friend, it’s your turn.”
Butler Wu stepped forward, a powerful aura surging from his body.
