“Young Master, how could Li Feng be involved in the deaths of the Du Patriarch and Zheng Xiaoyang? Besides, over a hundred Du Clan members died, including all four guardians. The entire Du Clan is essentially wiped out. Li Feng came alone—how could he kill so many?” Uncle Tang said, as if he’d heard the most absurd joke.
Li Feng was no longer a nobody, but no matter how strong he was, could he surpass the Du Patriarch and Zheng Xiaoyang? They were peak Acquired Realm martial artists. Uncle Tang had never heard of someone as young as Li Feng reaching that level.
Even if Li Feng had somehow reached the peak Acquired Realm, killing two such powerhouses was impossible. Especially the Du Patriarch—a Song family Innate Realm expert had once said that even an ordinary Innate Realm martial artist couldn’t defeat him.
Song Yongquan smiled faintly. When he mentioned Li Feng, he already knew it was unlikely. Killing two peak Acquired Realm martial artists was no easy feat, and Li Feng couldn’t possibly have done it. He’d only asked because Li Feng had been to Kunyang Town and clashed with the Du Clan.
But if it wasn’t Li Feng, then who?
After pondering, Song Yongquan couldn’t figure it out and buried the question in his heart.
“Young Master, whoever killed the Du Patriarch and Zheng Xiaoyang isn’t your concern. The family head will handle it,” Uncle Tang said, looking at Song Yongquan. “But with the Du Patriarch dead and the Du Clan destroyed, this is an opportunity for you.”
“An opportunity?” Song Yongquan looked at Uncle Tang, puzzled.
“Young Master, Kunyang Town is a key exit from the Hundred Thousand Mountains. Controlling it means controlling a route into the mountains. With the Du Patriarch and his clan in the way before, you had no chance to take it. But now that they’re gone, it’s your perfect opportunity to seize Kunyang Town,” Uncle Tang explained.
Song Yongquan’s eyes lit up. Though Kunyang Town was small, it was an ideal place to build his own power base.
“Moreover, with the Terrestrial Martial Realm ruin you’ve found in the Hundred Thousand Mountains, you’ll need to visit often. Without controlling a route like Kunyang Town, your movements could raise suspicion. But with it under your control, you can enter the mountains anytime without question,” Uncle Tang continued.
“Well said. Kunyang Town must be mine,” Song Yongquan said, thrilled. As Uncle Tang pointed out, controlling Kunyang Town would give him a base to explore the ruin.
“There’s another benefit to the Du Clan’s destruction,” Uncle Tang added.
“What else?” Song Yongquan asked eagerly.
“The Du Clan’s leadership—the patriarch and the four guardians—are dead, but not all their members. This is a rare opportunity. The Du Clan had over a thousand people. Even after losing a hundred and some fleeing, hundreds remain, leaderless. If you organize them, they’d be a significant force. Whether for exploring the ruin or securing your position as the family heir, they’d be a great asset,” Uncle Tang said gravely.
Song Yongquan’s eyes gleamed. He hadn’t considered this. Uncle Tang’s suggestion was a godsend—he desperately needed such a force.
“These Du Clan members were trained by the Du Patriarch. They’re not just a rabble, and while they may not match your elite followers, they’re not far off. You must act quickly to prevent others from seizing this chance,” Uncle Tang urged.
Song Yongquan waved confidently. “Don’t worry, Uncle Tang. With Second Brother not in Yongzhou, no one’s competing with me.”
“Young Master, I’m not talking about Second Young Master—I mean the family,” Uncle Tang clarified.
“The family?” Song Yongquan looked puzzled.
“Young Master, don’t you think the family will seize the chance to take Kunyang Town, given its importance?” Uncle Tang countered.
“Why would they want it? They don’t know about the ruin,” Song Yongquan said, confused.
“Young Master…” Uncle Tang sighed, wishing he could knock some sense into him. “Kunyang Town’s value isn’t just the ruin. It’s about profit. Even without knowing about the ruin, it’s a key exit from the Hundred Thousand Mountains. Controlling it means controlling a lucrative trade route. Even ordinary herbs from the mountains fetch sky-high prices outside. If the family takes Kunyang Town, it’s another revenue stream. The family’s leaders are shrewd—they won’t pass up such profit. Plus, with so many martial artists needing resources daily, controlling Kunyang Town adds another source. They didn’t act before because of the Du Clan and its patriarch, but now, with no obstacles, they’ll swoop in like wolves.”
Song Yongquan was stunned. He hadn’t realized Kunyang Town held so much value.
“Moreover, Young Master, to build your own force, your title as the Song family’s young master isn’t enough. You need money and cultivation resources. Controlling Kunyang Town solves that. You could turn it into a supply base, sending men into the mountains for resources, charging tolls for passage, buying herbs from travelers, or providing supplies. Any of these would bring you substantial wealth,” Uncle Tang continued.
Song Yongquan trembled, awakened by Uncle Tang’s words. He hadn’t seen Kunyang Town’s potential, nor realized his true competition wasn’t his brother Song Zhiyuan, but the family itself.
“And the Du Patriarch ran the Du Clan in Kunyang Town for years, amassing considerable wealth. If you secure that, Young Master…” Uncle Tang trailed off, but Song Yongquan understood.
“I’ll go to my father now,” Song Yongquan said urgently. His father, Song Xiaye, was the family head. Only with his approval could he seize Kunyang Town.
—
Kunyang Town, a hidden cave in the back mountain.
“Hoo!”
Li Feng exhaled, opening his eyes with a trace of helplessness.
The battle, especially Du Wu’s strike, had injured him severely. After a night of healing, the results were minimal, even with a thousand-year ginseng. He estimated it would take ten days to half a month to recover.
With the Tianhai City business networking event happening the night after tomorrow, he couldn’t stay here that long. He’d have to return to Tianhai City and recover slowly.
Standing up, Li Feng slowly walked out of the cave.
Exhausted from two sleepless nights and his heavy injuries, he felt unprecedented weakness. Pushing aside the boulder blocking the cave, blinding sunlight poured in, making him squint.
Once adjusted, he stepped out.
After walking less than five minutes, chaotic voices reached him. Startled, he wondered if they were Du Clan remnants.
Cautious in his weakened state—barely stronger than an ordinary person, unable to handle even someone like Wild Fox, let alone Du Wu or Zheng Xiaoyang—he crept forward, climbing a tree to survey the scene. He saw police directing people to handle bodies and sighed in relief. Not Du Clan remnants, so no pursuit. The government’s involvement meant the matter was wrapping up, as only they could clean up such a mess.
Jumping down, Li Feng took another route to avoid the police. Appearing now would signal his involvement in the deaths, and he wasn’t that foolish.
Though injured and weakened, he moved quickly enough. Outside the Hundred Thousand Mountains, with no beast threats, he reached a road by noon.
Hoping to hitch a ride to Yongzhou or a nearby city, he soon realized his plan was flawed. After half an hour on the road, he saw no one, let alone a car.
“Walk to Yongzhou?” Li Feng gave a bitter smile. Getting to Kunyang Town had been tough, and leaving was no easier.
Using Phantom Nine Steps in broad daylight wasn’t an option. Even if no one was around, his depleted true qi couldn’t sustain it.
Buzz, buzz, buzz…
A motorcycle’s hum came from behind. Li Feng turned, seeing one approach.
Overjoyed, he was about to wave when it stopped in front of him. A voice called out, “Brother, didn’t expect to run into you here!”
