Chapter Fifteen: Harvest!

“Pass down my orders—our opponent is a master of internal force. Exercise caution during the search,” Huang Chengjun commanded in a deep voice. “Also, if you discover anything, do not act rashly. Notify me at once. Furthermore, suppress this matter immediately. Warn the surrounding residents—no one is to spread word of this!”

News of the massacre of over two hundred members of the Shen family would undoubtedly cause an uproar in Xuanzhou City, stirring panic and unease among the populace. Of course, Huang Chengjun was well aware that the other noble clans would soon learn the truth, but as long as it was kept from the common people, it was enough.

“Yes, Commander,” Lu Fei replied respectfully, hands clasped in salute.

“Good. Go and see to it,” Huang Chengjun said. He cast a final, grave look at Shen Haoyin’s corpse, his expression weighty, then strode away. He needed to inform the city lord. Dealing with a master of internal force was a challenge for someone of his rank, but to the city lord—a grandmaster, as elusive as a dragon—such a foe was hardly worth mentioning.

A thunderous crash resounded as Qin Feng arrived outside the manor. Carrying a two-meter-long bed on his shoulder, he vaulted directly into the rear courtyard.

“Who goes there?” The heavy landing startled Wang Fu, Wang Bao, and Liu Hu, who had remained hidden in the estate after Qin Feng’s departure, waiting in silence. Hearing the commotion, they hurried out.

“It’s the young master!”

“Young master,” they cried, faces lighting with relief and joy. He had finally returned.

“Young master, are you injured?” Wang Fu’s eyes anxiously scanned Qin Feng, and seeing him spattered with blood, his heart clenched with worry.

“I’m not hurt. This blood isn’t mine,” Qin Feng replied. “But masters of internal force truly live up to their reputation—their strength is formidable.” He recalled how each of his blows sent Shen Haoyin flying, yet he was unable to finish him quickly.

“Of course!” Wang Fu exclaimed. “The family head, as a practitioner of hidden strength, is already a local power, building the mighty Qin household. But those above him, masters of internal force, are truly extraordinary! Yet you, young master, can already rival such figures. Your future is limitless—you might even catch the eye of the Great Chu Empire and be made governor of a city.”

Qin Feng nodded. “Were it not for my iron mace, which let me fully unleash my power, I could not have slain him,” he admitted privately, acknowledging Shen Haoyin’s strength.

“What?” Wang Fu gasped in shock. “Young master, you killed a master of internal force?”

“I did. After slaying Shen Huaidong, the Shen family’s master of internal force returned. It took several exchanges before I finally killed him,” Qin Feng replied gravely. Then, he crouched down and began inventorying the treasures seized from the Shen family. In the days to come, these would be the foundation of his own power.

“Young master has slain a master of internal force!” Wang Fu could barely believe it, his face alight with excitement. Such masters were revered wherever they went. With the young master at their helm, the Qin family would surely rise to prominence in Tianyang City.

“Thirty thousand taels of silver in all! Twenty-six century-old medicinal herbs, and over a hundred lesser herbs,” Qin Feng counted, his face radiant with joy. His wealth had soared. If he converted it all into strength, he too would advance enormously. Next time he faced a master of internal force, it would not be so taxing.

“Baozi, Huzi, you both need to increase your strength as well,” Qin Feng said. “Here are two century-old herbs for you—refine and absorb them, and you should reach the level of refined strength.” He turned to Wang Fu. “Fu Bo, though you’re older, you must not neglect your training. Take some of these lesser herbs to temper your body, and sell the rest when the chance arises.”

Wang Fu, Wang Bao, and Liu Hu were fiercely loyal. They would be his right-hand men in the future, and their power must grow with his own. Now that Qin Feng had reached the level of hidden strength, century-old herbs were the only ones that truly benefited him—the rest he barely valued.

“Young master,” Wang Fu began, wanting to refuse, but Qin Feng gave him no chance, heading straight into his room and closing the door.

“Don’t let the young master down,” Wang Fu instructed, handing the two century-old herbs to Wang Bao and Liu Hu.

“Of course, Fu Bo! To me, the young master’s life matters more than my own,” Wang Bao replied solemnly. Together, they entered their rooms to refine the precious herbs and advance their strength.

Wang Fu gathered up the remaining herbs, then smashed the bed to pieces and burned it, leaving no trace.

Inside his room, Qin Feng found the hot water Wang Fu had prepared and washed away all the blood. Ever since his body had undergone its transformation, his ability to recover was astonishing. His torn skin and muscles had already healed completely.

“Strength is all that matters,” he thought. “Today, I annihilated the Shen family—but in the future, someone even stronger might come for me. I must grow even more powerful!”

He sat cross-legged, swallowed a century-old herb, and began to temper his body using the Thunder Resonance Breathing Method.

“So powerful!” By dawn, Qin Feng had refined ten century-old herbs. He could feel the change in his body, a pleased smile tugging at his lips. His physical strength had taken another leap; the pains of his previous growth had vanished. He could now push himself further, to new heights.

Stepping outside, he found Wang Fu, Wang Bao, and Liu Hu waiting. The aura they gave off was far more forceful—it seemed they had broken through to the realm of refined strength.

After breakfast, members of the Black Tiger Gang came to call upon him. When they were admitted, Qin Feng recognized two familiar faces—of the eight experts who had come before, these two were among the twelve hall masters of the gang.

“Let’s go to Black Tiger Hall,” Qin Feng said calmly, and Liu Qing and Zhao Hu led the way. Qin Feng, Wang Bao, Liu Hu, and Wang Fu followed them outside, where six fine horses stood ready. Though Qin Feng had never ridden before, his predecessor’s memories included plenty of equestrian experience, so he felt at ease mounting up.

...

“Chen Yunyun, I’ll give you two choices: become my concubine, or I’ll tear down the Xuanhai Martial Hall.” Chen Yunyun was out strolling with five friends, playfully sparring with her close companion Qi Qianqian, when she accidentally bumped into Li Tianlong, the eldest son of the Li family. Already seething from a recent scolding by his father, Li Tianlong’s temper exploded at the collision. Recognizing Chen Yunyun as the precious daughter of the Xuanhai Martial Hall—and a rare beauty—he shouted at her in anger.