Chapter Twenty-One: Lord Qin!

Yan Chonghu and Shi Tie were seated in the main hall. When they saw Qin Feng arrive, they rose swiftly and moved to greet him.

"Greetings, Master Qin."

"Greetings, Master Qin."

Approaching Qin Feng, Yan Chonghu and Shi Tie clasped their hands in respect, their voices reverent and filled with awe.

"Eh?"

Qin Feng was momentarily taken aback by their words.

"Don’t call me Master Qin. It sounds awkward. Just address me as you always have," Qin Feng waved his hand casually.

Yan Chonghu and Shi Tie did not respond immediately; instead, their eyes drifted toward Wang Fu.

"No need to hold anything back—speak freely. Uncle Fu is utterly loyal to me and can be trusted completely," Qin Feng saw through their cautiousness and spoke calmly as he walked further into the hall.

Wang Fu, listening nearby, felt deeply moved. Yet he was even more curious about the attitude Yan Chonghu and Shi Tie displayed toward the young master. Both were formidable fighters at the Internal Energy level, renowned for their strength and reputation throughout the region. Now, however, they showed the utmost respect to the young master, even calling him Master Qin! Wang Fu felt as though he had uncovered an extraordinary secret.

"Master Qin, in the martial world, the strong are respected above all. Your cultivation far surpasses ours. It is only fitting that we address you as Master Qin," Yan Chonghu said in a deep voice. "From this day onward, we pledge ourselves to you and look to you as our leader."

"Indeed, Master Qin’s strength is unparalleled. It is most appropriate that we call you Master Qin. With your peerless power, we gladly follow you," Shi Tie echoed.

"You truly wish to follow me?" Qin Feng was stunned by their words, his eyes narrowing as he gazed intently at Yan Chonghu and Shi Tie.

"Master Qin, henceforth I will serve only you, faithful and unwavering," Yan Chonghu said, bowing deeply with hands clasped.

"Master Qin, I too wish to follow you, without a second thought," Shi Tie declared with equal resolve, imitating Yan Chonghu’s gesture.

Qin Feng’s display of strength had utterly convinced them. Both harbored ambition, but were self-aware; their talents and opportunities had already brought the Black Tiger Gang to its peak. Qin Feng’s arrival opened up boundless hope and a promising path—they were willing to take the risk.

"Very well! When I reach the summit, I shall share its glory with you both," Qin Feng accepted their allegiance, his gaze steady as he spoke.

"Greetings, Master Qin!"

"Greetings, Master Qin!"

The faces of Yan Chonghu and Shi Tie lit up with joy, and they bowed deeply to Qin Feng. This salute was different from before; from this moment, their fates would be entwined with his.

"But I’m still not quite used to you calling me Master Qin," Qin Feng remarked to them, but seeing their insistence, he said no more.

After listening for a while, Wang Fu fully understood: the young master possessed overwhelming strength, capable of defeating the famed Internal Energy masters Yan Chonghu and Shi Tie. In fact, his power far exceeded theirs, which explained their newfound respect.

"Master Qin, these are the riches we seized from the Li family after their downfall," Yan Chonghu announced. "Time was short that day, so we only managed to take the most valuable items. The rest we left behind."

Yan Chonghu placed the treasures from the Li family on the table before Qin Feng.

"One hundred thousand taels of silver!"

"The Golden Bell Shield technique!"

"Nine centuries-old medicinal herbs!"

Qin Feng swiftly inspected the haul, setting aside the silver notes and herbs. He took up the Golden Bell Shield manual and examined it closely.

Though it was not as valuable as the Thunder Breathing Method, the Golden Bell Shield was still a precious technique—a method capable of cultivating one to the Grandmaster level.

"In time, when I return to the Qin family, I’ll pass on the Golden Bell Shield to them," Qin Feng decided internally.

"Master Qin..." Shi Tie called, his face hesitant, struggling to voice his thoughts.

"Now that you both have pledged yourselves to me, there’s no need for secrecy. Speak your mind," Qin Feng said calmly.

"May I ask if you have already broken through to the Grandmaster realm?" Shi Tie asked, steeling himself.

Yan Chonghu’s eyes showed concern at Shi Tie’s question, but seeing Qin Feng’s composure, he relaxed, looking to him with anticipation. He too yearned for the answer.

"No," Qin Feng replied. "My current fighting strength is at the Internal Energy level—I can defeat martial artists of that rank—but I am still far from the rare Grandmaster realm."

He shook his head, speaking plainly. In truth, his level was only just at the Dark Energy stage, not yet having broken through to Internal Energy, let alone Grandmaster. Qin Feng glanced at the herbs on the table, uncertain whether refining the century-old medicines taken from the Li family and the Axe Gang could help him reach Internal Energy.

"Master Qin’s talent is exceptional; breaking through to Grandmaster is only a matter of time," Yan Chonghu declared.

"Our young master is just sixteen. Surely, he will achieve the Grandmaster realm!" Wang Fu stood nearby, his face proud as he spoke.

"Sixteen!"

"Master Qin is only sixteen?" Yan Chonghu and Shi Tie were shocked.

Master Qin had reached Internal Energy at sixteen, whereas at that age, they had still been struggling to break through to the Bright Energy stage.

"Master Qin, we have decided to dedicate all resources of the Black Tiger Gang to your cultivation, to help you attain the Grandmaster realm!" Yan Chonghu said resolutely.

"Good. When I become a Grandmaster, I’ll do all I can to help you glimpse its mysteries," Qin Feng accepted their offer. Breaking through to Grandmaster was his highest priority.

...

"Young master, disaster has struck!"

"News from the family—Wang, Xue, and Hong clans have attacked us. The patriarch is gravely injured."

"The patriarch has summoned all descendants: those who can resolve the crisis may return home. Otherwise, we are to lie low; even if the Qin family falls, its bloodline must survive for a future revival."

Qin Feng was practicing the Thunder Breathing Method when Wang Fu rushed in from outside, his face anxious as he spoke.

"What?" Qin Feng abruptly halted his training, leaping up to Wang Fu and snatching the letter from his hands.

"I only wish to cultivate in peace, yet there are always those who seek my harm!"

"The Wang, Xue, and Hong families have gone too far. Wang Fu, instruct Leopard and Tiger to pack our things—we return to the family at once!"

Qin Feng spoke in fury.

He had inherited the emotions of his predecessor perfectly. Now that the Qin family was in peril, his heart burned with anger—a longing to sprout wings and fly back that very instant.