“Clap, clap…”
A middle-aged man stepped out from behind the electricity pole, applauding as he walked. “Young Master Feng is indeed Young Master Feng. I knew I couldn’t hide from you.”
“Who are you?” Li Feng’s pupils contracted. He asked in a low voice, sensing a dangerous aura from the man.
“Situ Ming,” the man replied. He stopped ten metres away and looked calmly at Li Feng.
“Situ Ming?” Li Feng stared at him, then his expression suddenly changed. “You’re from the Hongmen?”
“Correct. I belong to the Hongmen. This time I accompanied Chen Haotian to Tianhai City.” A trace of surprise flickered in Situ Ming’s eyes. He had not expected Li Feng to identify him so quickly.
“You’re here to avenge Chen Haotian?” Li Feng’s pupils shrank further. He regarded Situ Ming warily. This man was completely different from the two black-clothed guards earlier. Li Feng felt real danger from him, the same sensation he had experienced around Du Wen in the Hundred Thousand Mountains, and around Old Lu and Zhao Xiu. With his current strength he could fight Zhao Xiu on equal terms; he was confident that even if he faced Zhao Xiu again he would no longer feel this way. Yet facing Situ Ming right now, the feeling returned.
Could Situ Ming be an innate-realm expert?
Although Situ Ming appeared only about forty years old, Li Feng never assumed someone that age could not have reached the innate realm. China was vast; a few young innate-realm masters were hardly surprising. He himself was the best example.
But if Situ Ming truly was innate-realm, how had someone managed to kill Chen Haotian right under his nose? Was the killer even stronger than Situ Ming?
Whatever the truth, Li Feng instantly became twelve times more cautious. He could fight post-natal ninth-stage warriors, but he was still no match for an innate-realm expert. The gap between the ninth stage of post-natal and the innate realm was an entire major boundary; ten ninth-stage post-natal warriors might not even equal one innate-realm master.
“Avenge him?” Situ Ming shook his head. “I’m not here for revenge. Whether Chen Haotian lives or dies has nothing to do with me.”
“Then what do you want?” Li Feng asked gravely.
“I’m here to propose cooperation,” Situ Ming said with a smile.
“Cooperation?” Li Feng was taken aback. He looked at Situ Ming in confusion, wondering why the man would suddenly want to work with him.
“Young Master Feng, this isn’t the place for a proper talk. Why don’t we find somewhere quieter and discuss it at leisure?” Situ Ming suggested, still smiling.
“Very well.” Li Feng did not refuse. If Situ Ming wanted to fight, he could do it here just as easily. By suggesting a change of location, he clearly had an ulterior motive. Li Feng was curious to see what it was. Still, for safety, he slipped a hand into his pocket and quietly sent a text message from his phone.
“Follow me, Young Master Feng.” Situ Ming smiled again and set off.
Li Feng followed, remaining secretly on guard.
Soon Situ Ming led him to a park. It was already one o’clock in the morning, and the park was silent and deserted.
Situ Ming entered a pavilion, sat on a stone bench, and called out to Li Feng who was still outside. “Young Master Feng, let’s sit and talk.”
“Fine.” Li Feng walked in without objection, sat on the stone bench opposite Situ Ming, and asked, “Now you can tell me why you’re looking for me.”
“How much does Young Master Feng know about our Hongmen?” Situ Ming began.
Li Feng shook his head. He only knew the Hongmen was an underground organisation; he had no detailed knowledge.
“The Hongmen is the largest underground power in the world, but inside the Hongmen there are ten great families. Chen Haotian and the current Hongmen leader, Chen Junyi, belong to the Chen family. They are direct descendants of Chen Jinnan, founder of the Hongmen’s Propaganda Sect. I, Situ Ming, belong to the Situ family. Our relationship with the Chen family inside the Hongmen is extremely poor; one could say we are mortal enemies,” Situ Ming explained gravely.
“The Chen family, the Situ family…” Li Feng thought for a moment, then asked, “What is your relation to Situ Jizan?”
“He was my great-grandfather.” Reverence filled Situ Ming’s face. Years ago his great-grandfather had been the leader of the Hongmen and had expanded its influence across the globe. After his death, however, the Situ family suffered repeated assassinations and lost many talented members, allowing the leadership to fall into the hands of the Chen family.
To survive, Situ Ming had been forced to endure humiliation and willingly act as Chen Haotian’s lackey. In secret, though, he had rallied forces still loyal to the Situ family, waiting for the day he could reclaim the glory that belonged to them.
This time he had accompanied Chen Haotian to Tianhai City to develop the Situ family’s influence in China. He had never expected Chen Haotian to die. Although he did not know whether Li Feng was truly responsible, Situ Ming saw an opportunity. The enemy of my enemy is my friend; that was why he wanted to cooperate with Li Feng.
Especially after using his intelligence network to investigate Li Feng’s background, Situ Ming concluded that cooperation would bring far more benefits than drawbacks.
“So he was your great-grandfather.” Respect appeared on Li Feng’s face.
“Young Master Feng, I’ll dispense with pleasantries. I know you haven’t much time, so I’ll be direct. I seek cooperation to deal with the Chen family together, to deal with Chen Junyi. Regardless of whether you killed Chen Haotian, with Chen Junyi’s personality he will never let you go. I can use the forces under my control to inform you of his every move, allowing you to prepare in advance,” Situ Ming said solemnly.
“State your terms,” Li Feng replied, a sharp glint in his eyes.
“My terms are simple. One day, when I move against the Chen family, I hope you will lend me your strength.” Situ Ming answered.
“That’s all?” Li Feng was surprised.
“That’s all.” Situ Ming nodded and looked at Li Feng. “This benefits us both. Although Chen Junyi is currently the leader of the Hongmen, he does not have absolute say within the organisation. The forces he can mobilise to avenge Chen Haotian are limited. With my help, you might even turn the tables on him. My goal is simply to weaken the Chen family’s power inside the Hongmen.”
Li Feng’s eyes flickered. If Situ Ming had been evasive, he would not have believed him. But speaking so openly made the story credible. Every major power had its factions, especially an organisation with centuries of history like the Hongmen.
So whatever Situ Ming’s true aims, his proposal was genuinely tempting. Li Feng did not fear Hongmen retaliation, yet knowing your enemy as well as yourself ensured victory in every battle. With intelligence from Situ Ming, things would be much easier.
“I agree to cooperate.” Offending the Hongmen was different from clashing with Qin Feng and the others. Those heirs might belong to top-tier families, but conflicts between them remained among the younger generation. Offending the Hongmen, however, would provoke direct retaliation from its leader, Chen Junyi. Li Feng could not afford carelessness.
“I knew Young Master Feng would not refuse. Rest assured, the moment the Hongmen makes any move against you, I will inform you,” Situ Ming said, a smile breaking across his face.
“Then many thanks, Brother Situ.” Li Feng stood. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave.”
“Please, Young Master Feng.” Situ Ming rose as well and cupped his hands in salute.
Li Feng left the pavilion without looking back.
Shortly after Li Feng departed, an old man appeared at Situ Ming’s side. “Young Master, is this Li Feng trustworthy?”
Situ Ming gave a faint smile. “Whether Li Feng is trustworthy is unimportant. What matters is that he killed Chen Haotian and offended Chen Junyi.”
The old man said, “But Chen Haotian may not have been killed by him.”
Situ Ming shook his head. “No, Chen Haotian was killed by him.”
The old man looked startled.
Situ Ming stared in the direction Li Feng had gone, a cold laugh escaping him. “It doesn’t matter who actually killed Chen Haotian. We only need to report to the higher-ups that it was Li Feng. That alone will make Chen Junyi send people after him. That is our opportunity.”
A sharp light flashed in the old man’s eyes. “Brilliant plan, Young Master. Those two Black Banner Guards already believe Li Feng is the killer. If we report it that way, given how much Chen Junyi doted on Chen Haotian, he will certainly believe it. Some evidence would make it perfect.”
Situ Ming smiled. “Evidence is the easiest thing to create. We fabricate whatever we need. As long as Chen Junyi believes Li Feng killed Chen Haotian, that’s enough.”
The old man nodded. “My only worry now is whether Li Feng can withstand Chen Junyi’s revenge. The forces at Chen Junyi’s command are not weak. To avenge his son, the people he sends definitely won’t be ordinary.”
Situ Ming laughed coldly. “Old Dong, you underestimate Li Feng far too much. From what I’ve observed, his martial skill is extraordinary, and with the influence he wields in Tianhai City, he may well be able to hold off Chen Junyi’s retaliation. Moreover, if Li Feng lacks even the ability to withstand Chen Junyi’s revenge, then he is simply not qualified to cooperate with me. His life or death would then be irrelevant.”
Old Dong paused, then nodded. “The Young Master is right. Whether Li Feng is worthy to cooperate with our Situ family depends on whether he has the strength to resist Chen Junyi’s vengeance. However, Young Master, apart from Li Feng, there is another person you should keep an eye on. That individual may also be qualified to work with our Situ family.”
“I know who Old Dong means, but that person still needs testing. For now, we watch Li Feng. We’ll see if he possesses the necessary qualifications. If he does not…” A chilling light flashed in Situ Ming’s eyes as he continued coldly, “then perhaps, to gain Chen Junyi’s trust, I will personally send him to the next world.”
