After Wang Xiong left, Master Wen turned to Butler Wu beside him and asked, “Old friend, what do you think of this matter? Did I make a mistake?”
“Master Wen, what’s done is done. Regret is useless now,” Butler Wu replied.
“Indeed, it’s too late to say anything now. I only hope this doesn’t bring disaster to the Black Stone Gang.”
A glint flashed in Master Wen’s eyes as he said gravely, “Tianhai City is still the Black Stone Gang’s territory. So what if it’s the Li family? Here in Tianhai, the Black Stone Gang might just be able to take them on.”
A strong dragon cannot suppress a local snake. The Black Stone Gang was the local snake of Tianhai City, and the Li family was merely a dragon crossing the river. Li Feng, at most, was a young dragon. Master Wen refused to believe that with his methods and the gang’s strength, he couldn’t handle him.
“Master Wen, don’t forget the Emperor’s Pavilion,” Butler Wu reminded.
“Right, the Emperor’s Pavilion,” Master Wen’s eyes narrowed, a spark of realisation flashing through them. Without Wu’s reminder, he might have overlooked the Emperor’s Pavilion.
“Old friend, still no leads on the Emperor’s Pavilion?” Master Wen asked seriously. When the Emperor’s Pavilion appeared in Tianhai City years ago, the Black Stone Gang, as the local power, had clashed with them. Had Master Wen not retreated swiftly, the gang would have ceased to exist.
Since then, he had deeply feared the Emperor’s Pavilion. Over the years, he had investigated them in secret, but they remained as mysterious as ever, with no leads uncovered.
Master Wen held a deep wariness toward the Emperor’s Pavilion.
Butler Wu shook his head. “No leads at all. The Emperor’s Pavilion is like it appeared out of thin air, too mysterious.”
As Master Wen’s butler, Wu also led the Black Stone Gang’s Shadow Hall, monitoring the world for him. Investigating the Emperor’s Pavilion had been his task for years, yet it was the only mission the Shadow Hall had failed to complete.
“This time, I hope the Emperor’s Pavilion doesn’t disappoint me,” Master Wen said, a sharp glint in his eyes. He wanted to see how the Emperor’s Pavilion would react to Li Feng’s tactics and how Li Feng would handle their mysterious offensive.
“Master Wen, we can’t predict what the Emperor’s Pavilion will do. They might immediately change plans and target Li Feng, or they might abandon their plans entirely. Their decisions are beyond our guesses, so we can only rely on ourselves,” Butler Wu said, shaking his head.
Master Wen nodded. “You’re right, old friend. We can’t pin our hopes on the Emperor’s Pavilion. This time, you might need to step in.”
“Don’t worry, Master Wen. It’s been a while since I’ve stretched my legs. I hope this won’t be disappointing,” Butler Wu said, exuding a formidable aura.
At the Black Eagle Team’s training base.
Li Feng was locked in combat with the Black Eagle Team on the training ground, facing all its members. At Body Refining Stage Seven, he possessed formidable combat power. After half a month of training, the Black Eagle Team’s strength had risen significantly, and both sides fought fiercely, evenly matched.
To Li Feng, a martial artist’s strength wasn’t just from training. While cultivation was vital, combat experience was crucial. In his past life, he had vast combat experience, but he knew it needed to meld with his current strength to be effective.
The Black Eagle Team, formerly mercenaries, had decent combat skills but fell far short of Li Feng’s standards. So, during training, he often sparred with them.
Though alone, Li Feng’s Body Refining Stage Seven strength could overwhelm the entire team. Most members were at Stage Three or Four, with only Tianlang at Stage Five and Dark Tiger at the peak of Stage Four.
Before, Tianlang and Dark Tiger might have been smug about their strength. But against a monster like Li Feng, they had no room for pride. The gap between them was vast.
The sparring benefited both sides. The Black Eagle Team improved rapidly, while Li Feng’s main goal was to train them. He often held back his strength to better enhance their skills.
In the arena, Li Feng moved like a tiger, weaving through the group. Each punch sent a Black Eagle member flying.
Thud, thud, thud…
The sound of bodies hitting the ground echoed. In just a few minutes, every Black Eagle member was down.
Looking at the fallen team, Li Feng nodded with satisfaction. Using the same level of strength, they had lasted half a minute longer than last time—a significant improvement.
“Young Master Feng, you’re too strong,” Tianlang said, looking at Li Feng with admiration. Who would have thought this seemingly delicate man had such formidable strength? They were military elites turned battle-hardened mercenaries, yet compared to Li Feng, their experience and techniques were leagues behind.
“Strong?” Li Feng shook his head. He was only at the Body Refining stage. Beyond that lay Qi Refining and the Innate Realm. His martial path had just begun. The wonders of the Nine Heavens Heart Sutra and Mysterious Body Refining Technique awaited exploration.
“You’ll be at least a hundred times stronger than I am now,” Li Feng said seriously. He looked forward to a Black Eagle Team where every member reached the Innate Realm.
“A hundred times?” Tianlang’s eyes blazed with fervor.
“Yes. Don’t let me down, and don’t get complacent over small achievements. This world isn’t as simple as you think. You’ve never faced true experts before,” Li Feng said gravely.
In his era, martial artists thrived, but their legacy stretched back thousands of years. Though hidden from ordinary people, who knew how many martial artists lurked among the mountains and rivers?
Li Feng wouldn’t grow arrogant over his current strength. He hadn’t met other martial artists yet, but he was certain they existed in China.
Tianlang and the others showed resolute gazes. Before seeing Li Feng’s strength, they might have scoffed at his words. But now, they believed him.
“Next is the Black Eagle Team’s first test,” Li Feng said, scanning the members. “Your target in the coming days is the Black Stone Gang. Dark Tiger.”
“Here.”
“You’ll lead a team to investigate everything about the Black Stone Gang. I want all their details in three days.”
“Don’t worry, Young Master Feng. I’ll complete the task.”
“Tianlang.”
“Here.”
“You’ll personally monitor the Emperor’s Pavilion, especially their Brother Peng. I need to know their every move.”
“Yes, Young Master Feng,” Tianlang said confidently.
Li Feng fixed his gaze on Tianlang for a moment. “The Emperor’s Pavilion is mysterious. Don’t be careless. If necessary, abandon the mission.”
“Don’t worry, Young Master Feng. I’ll complete the task even if it kills me,” Tianlang said urgently, sensing Li Feng’s doubt.
Hmph!
Li Feng snorted coldly. “Die? Remember, you’re Black Eagle Team members. Without my order, no one dies.”
Training each member had cost a fortune. To boost their strength, he’d provided Body Refining potions. Over half a month, each member had cost millions. Losing one would break his heart.
“Tianlang, it’s not that I doubt your ability, but if the Emperor’s Pavilion has someone with my skills, you, even the whole team, might not be a match. Wouldn’t that be a pointless death? I’ve spent so much on you—wouldn’t it go to waste?” Li Feng snorted.
He didn’t know the Emperor’s Pavilion’s strength, but their mystery demanded caution. Saying they might have someone like him was a warning to Tianlang not to act recklessly or underestimate the mission.
Sure enough, Tianlang’s expression changed, turning serious. “Don’t worry, Young Master Feng. I know what to do.”
