“Have the Hongmen people come to Tianhai City?”
Just as Li Feng and Zhong Shuhui were discussing matters, at Song Zhiyuan’s residence, Song Zhihuan was listening to Uncle Ning’s report. A glint flashed in his eyes. “Uncle Ning, have the Hongmen people really arrived?”
“They have indeed arrived. This news comes from a hidden informant our family has inside Hongmen,” Uncle Ning nodded solemnly.
Song Zhiyuan took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. “Uncle Ning, the Hongmen people are here for Li Feng. What should we do?”
In the past, Song Zhiyuan would have been delighted to see someone cause trouble for Li Feng. But things were different now. He was currently Li Feng’s ally, and as allies, they were supposed to advance and retreat together, at least until the Nine Dragon Jade was secured. This time, however, it was different.
If it had been anyone from another top-tier family, Song Zhiyuan would not have hesitated to act. But this was Hongmen, and that changed everything, because Hongmen and the Song family had a special relationship.
Hongmen’s predecessor was the Heaven and Earth Society. Several hundred years ago, when the society was first developing in southern China, the Song family, then the dominant power in the south, had provided considerable assistance.
Later, after the Heaven and Earth Society restructured into Hongmen, the Song family gained substantial benefits through Hongmen connections. Even now, many members of the Song family had joined Hongmen. This was precisely why Song Zhiyuan felt so conflicted.
After all, Li Feng was very likely the one who killed Chen Haotian. Chen Junyi was sending people to avenge his death. If Song Zhiyuan helped Li Feng now, it could cause misunderstandings with Hongmen and provoke the fury of his own family. That would hardly be worth it.
The reason he had allied with Li Feng was not only to obtain the Nine Dragon Jade, but also to use Li Feng’s strength to help him become the Song family heir. If helping Li Feng angered the family and cost him his chance at inheritance, the loss would outweigh the gain.
Moreover, as a global underground organisation, Hongmen was a colossal force. Even the military strength of some small countries could not compare. When matched against China’s top families, unless one considered thousand-year legacies, they might not surpass them.
“Young Master, what did Young Master Feng say?” Uncle Ning also knew this matter was of critical importance. Otherwise, he would not have activated family intelligence to monitor Hongmen’s movements the moment he learned of Chen Haotian’s death.
The plan to cooperate with Li Feng had been his idea. After witnessing Li Feng repeatedly displayed astonishing methods, Uncle Ning believed allying with him was the best choice, especially after learning that an Innate Realm expert stood behind Li Feng. He had strongly urged Song Zhiyuan to commit fully to the alliance.
But he never imagined Li Feng would be such a trouble magnet, actually offending Hongmen. Offending Hongmen was not the same as offending direct descendants of top families like Qin Feng, Fu Yanxiong, or Zhu Yuanyang. This was a matter of life and death.
Even if Li Feng had not killed Chen Haotian, as long as Chen Junyi believed he deserved to die, Li Feng would face enormous danger.
“Young Master Feng hasn’t said anything,” Song Zhiyuan shook his head. If Li Feng asked for help, he would not know whether to agree. But since Li Feng remained silent, Song Zhiyuan was equally unsure how to proceed.
“Young Master, I believe we should sit back and observe,” Uncle Ning said gravely after a moment’s thought.
“Sit back and observe?” Song Zhiyuan was taken aback and looked at Uncle Ning in confusion. He had assumed Uncle Ning would urge him to help Li Feng, since Uncle Ning had always pushed for the alliance. Was Uncle Ning also wary of Hongmen?
“Exactly. For any other matter, we could intervene, but not this one. Offending Hongmen brings you no benefit, Young Master. It might even enrage the family, which would run counter to your interests,” Uncle Ning nodded.
“Uncle Ning, I understand,” Song Zhiyuan’s eyes flickered as various thoughts crossed his mind.
“Young Master, while Li Feng is busy dealing with Hongmen’s retaliation, it would be best if you kept your distance. If he manages to withstand their revenge, we can continue the cooperation. But if he cannot, then there is no need to maintain the alliance,” Uncle Ning did not believe for a second that Li Feng could survive Hongmen’s wrath.
At this point, a cold glint appeared in Uncle Ning’s eyes. “If Li Feng cannot withstand their retaliation, Young Master, you could offer his head to Hongmen as a gesture of goodwill.”
“Uncle Ning, is that really necessary?” Song Zhiyuan’s expression changed. He found it hard to accept such a drastic shift in Uncle Ning’s stance.
“Why not? Young Master, to achieve great things one must be ruthless. Li Feng is our ally now, but the moment he becomes useless, we should use his head to obtain the benefits we need. That is called making the most of waste,” Uncle Ning said gravely.
Song Zhiyuan stared at Uncle Ning in disbelief. He had never realised Uncle Ning’s scheming ran so deep.
Taking a deep breath, Song Zhiyuan said, “Uncle Ning, let me think about it.”
“Young Master, Li Feng is merely the eldest young master of the Li family, not yet the heir. Chen Junyi, on the other hand, is the leader of Hongmen. You must weigh which side matters more. If Chen Junyi supports you, your chances of becoming the family heir will be far greater,” Uncle Ning said solemnly.
A glint flashed in Song Zhiyuan’s eyes. “Uncle Ning, I understand your meaning, but this is a major decision. I need to consider it carefully.”
Uncle Ning sighed. “Then take your time, Young Master.” With that, he left the room.
Struggle flickered in Song Zhiyuan’s eyes. This decision would affect his entire future.
After an unknown length of time, Song Zhiyuan stood up, determination now shining in his gaze.
At the same moment, in Zhu Yuanyang’s villa, she too received the news.
“Chen Junyi has finally sent people.” A sharp light flashed in Zhu Yuanyang’s eyes. To her, this was excellent news. If Chen Junyi had not acted, she would have worried her plan might fail. After all, it was her people who killed Chen Haotian. Though she had covered her tracks carefully, there was always the chance a clue remained.
“Yes,” said Chang He, standing before her. He nodded and continued, “We have confirmed intelligence. Chen Junyi wants Li Feng’s head.”
“Good, wonderful.” Excitement shone in Zhu Yuanyang’s eyes. As long as Chen Junyi wanted Li Feng dead, the second phase of her plan had succeeded.
“However…” Chang He glanced at her, hesitating.
“However what?” Zhu Yuanyang asked.
“This time, Chen Junyi has dispatched Blood Shadow,” Chang He replied.
“What? Blood Shadow?” Zhu Yuanyang’s face instantly paled.
Others might not understand what Blood Shadow represented, but how could Zhu Yuanyang not know? It was precisely because she knew that her expression changed so dramatically.
Blood Shadow. She had never imagined that to kill Li Feng, Chen Junyi would send Blood Shadow. She had clearly underestimated how important Chen Haotian was to him. This development was completely beyond her calculations.
If Chen Junyi had sent anyone else, everything would have remained within her expectations. But Blood Shadow was different. Against Blood Shadow, Li Feng stood no chance.
At this moment, Zhu Yuanyang felt a trace of panic. Blood Shadow’s involvement had thrown the entire situation out of her control.
“Yes, and…” Chang He looked at her, uncertain whether to continue.
“Speak. I can handle it,” Zhu Yuanyang said. She knew whatever came next would not be good.
“The family has also sent word. We are to assist Blood Shadow in eliminating Li Feng,” Chang He said heavily.
“Eliminate Li Feng?” Zhu Yuanyang’s expression shifted again. In her entire plan, she had never intended for Li Feng to die. But now everything had spiralled beyond her control. Chen Junyi had sent Blood Shadow, and the family ordered her to help hunt Li Feng down.
She knew full well there was an Innate Realm expert protecting Li Feng, and no one knew exactly how strong that expert was. Although Blood Shadow was formidable, killing Li Feng might not be easy. The whole affair could easily backfire.
Chang He nodded and asked, “Young Miss, what do we do now?”
As Zhu Yuanyang’s most trusted confidant, Chang He knew exactly what she was trying to achieve. Ever since the plot against Chen Haotian began, their fates had been bound together. But faced with this massive change, even he no longer knew the right course.
If it were anyone else, they could refuse the family’s command. But given Zhu Yuanyang’s unique position, refusal was not an option. Chang He understood perfectly well what consequences she would face if she defied the family.
Yet if they followed orders and helped kill Li Feng, everything they had worked for would collapse. From the very beginning of this plan, Zhu Yuanyang had never wanted Li Feng dead.
“We proceed according to the original plan,” Zhu Yuanyang thought for a moment, then spoke with firm resolve.
“The original plan?” Chang He’s expression changed. He said gravely, “Young Miss, you must think this through carefully. This could offend both the family and Hongmen. Do we still need to follow the original plan? In my opinion, we should cooperate with Blood Shadow, eliminate Li Feng, and once he is dead, there will be no evidence left. No one will ever suspect us in Chen Haotian’s death.”
Zhu Yuanyang shook her head, a wise glint in her eyes. She looked at Chang He and asked, “Chang He, do you think Li Feng will die?”
Will Li Feng die?
Chang He was stunned, then asked incredulously, “Young Miss, you don’t actually believe Li Feng has any chance of surviving Hongmen’s vengeance, do you? Even without our involvement, with Blood Shadow after him, he is as good as dead.”
Zhu Yuanyang shook her head again. Wisdom shone brightly in her eyes as she said to Chang He, “On the contrary, I believe Li Feng will not die. Therefore, we will continue exactly as originally planned.”
“What about the family?” Chang He asked worriedly.
“I will handle the family.” A sharp glint flashed in Zhu Yuanyang’s eyes. She felt that the time had come to play that particular card.
