Chapter Thirty-Three: The City Lord's Invitation

Qin Tianyun's gaze swept over the martial artists below—Lin Jiuyang, Chen Haitian, Feng Chengyun, Hu Xiaotian, and others who had mastered the art of internal force. These formidable individuals had once been figures he could only look up to, yet now they were bowing to him.

He remained silent, acutely aware that the true respect and awe from these martial practitioners were directed at Qin Feng. Pride illuminated his face. Qin Feng was his grandson, the true dragon of the Qin family!

"Please, rise," Qin Feng said in a calm, measured tone.

He already understood the power wielded by a Guardian-level warrior; the arrival of Lin Jiuyang, Chen Haitian, Feng Chengyun, Hu Xiaotian, and the others caused him no surprise.

"Lin is delighted to hear that Guardian Qin has slain Jiang Jinghong and shaken the city of Tianyang. I have brought gifts to celebrate," Lin Jiuyang declared, clapping his hands. Three young women entered from outside, each carrying a silver tray, upon which rested three ornate boxes.

"Lin Jiuyang congratulates Guardian Qin and presents one thousand taels of gold, a set of five-hundred-year-old medicinal herbs, and a pair of jade dragon-lions," Lin Jiuyang announced boldly.

Qin Tianyun’s expression changed, deeply moved; the gifts Lin Jiuyang offered were comparable to the entire wealth of the Qin family.

"Chen Haitian presents one thousand five hundred taels of gold and two sets of three-hundred-year-old medicinal herbs," Chen Haitian followed, his voice loud and clear.

One after another, Feng Chengyun, Hu Xiaotian, and the rest advanced, each announcing their precious gifts.

"Such generous offerings from all of you; henceforth, you are friends of the Qin family," Qin Feng said, a hint of delight at the corner of his lips as he mentally calculated the gains and how much power he could absorb from them. "The subordinate forces of the Jiang family have all been expelled from Tianyang City; you may take their place. However, each month, you are required to deliver thirty percent of your profits to the Qin family."

"Thank you, Guardian Qin!" came the jubilant chorus from Feng Chengyun, Hu Xiaotian, Lin Jiuyang, and Chen Haitian. Their faces shone with joy as they bowed with hands clasped. With Qin Feng's decree, the leading families of Tianyang City would soon experience a dramatic upheaval.

"Master, Young Master, someone from the City Lord's Mansion requests an audience," Qin Zhong hurried in and spoke quickly.

"Someone from the City Lord's Mansion?" Qin Feng’s eyes showed a flash of surprise. The city lord was surely a master, and the fact that the mansion had sent someone made him pay close attention. "Let him in," he said.

"Zhao An from the City Lord's Mansion greets the Qin family head and Guardian Qin," Zhao An strode in, dressed in a blue robe, hands clasped, speaking in a strong voice.

He represented the City Lord's Mansion, and before Qin Feng, he was neither servile nor arrogant. The martial artists, Feng Chengyun, Hu Xiaotian, Lin Jiuyang, Chen Haitian, and the others, stepped aside, making way for Zhao An. They recognized him as the chief steward of the City Lord's Mansion, rumored to have reached the internal force stage, with one foot already in the master realm.

"The envoy from the City Lord's Mansion has arrived. Forgive Qin for not welcoming you sooner; may I ask why you have come?" Qin Feng stood and clasped his hands, speaking loudly.

"Guardian Qin has become famous with a single battle, shaking Tianyang City—a prodigy among youths!" Zhao An proclaimed. "The City Lord, upon hearing of it, was overjoyed and ordered me to bring congratulatory gifts: five thousand taels of gold and ten century-old spiritual herbs."

"My thanks to the City Lord for his generosity," Qin Feng replied calmly. "I will visit the City Lord to express my gratitude in person."

"Guardian Qin, the City Lord also asked me to deliver a message: he invites you to the mansion this evening for a meeting," Zhao An said solemnly.

"Very well! Please inform the City Lord that Qin will certainly attend," Qin Feng answered loudly.

After Zhao An departed, Qin Feng turned his gaze to the martial artists below—Feng Chengyun, Hu Xiaotian, Lin Jiuyang, Chen Haitian—and spoke in a deep voice, "I have another matter that requires your assistance."

"Guardian Qin, just say the word. Jiuyang is willing to brave fire and water for you, without hesitation!" Lin Jiuyang declared loudly.

"Willing to share Guardian Qin's burden!" echoed Feng Chengyun, Hu Xiaotian, and Chen Haitian, their hands clasped as they spoke. Eager to prove their loyalty, they saw this as an excellent opportunity to draw closer to the Qin family.

"Although I have slain Jiang Jinghong, the Jiang family still has remnants of its forces within Tianyang City," Qin Feng said evenly. "My wounds have not fully healed, so I hope you all will eradicate the remaining Jiang forces in the city."

At present, he was only just adapting to the power within him and was not in a position to act. The Qin family’s strength was insufficient to eliminate the remnants of the Jiang family.

"Rest assured, Guardian Qin. After tomorrow, there will be no trace of the Jiang family in Tianyang City!" Feng Chengyun, Hu Xiaotian, Lin Jiuyang, and Chen Haitian quickly promised. With Jiang Jinghong fallen and six major forces united, eradicating the Jiang family's remnants would be effortless.

...

"Xiao Feng, the City Lord has invited you to the mansion; I wonder what his purpose is. Be cautious," Qin Tianyun voiced his concern as evening approached and Qin Feng prepared to depart.

"Grandfather, you need not worry. With my current strength, even if the City Lord's Mansion moves against me, I can retreat unharmed," Qin Feng replied confidently.

He had learned from Qin Tianyun about the classifications of Guardian-level martial artists: three thousand jin of strength marked the early stage, five thousand jin the middle stage, and seven thousand jin the late stage. Qin Feng possessed eight thousand jin, surpassing the late Guardian stage, and could still add more, making him fearless before any Guardian-level warrior.

"Be cautious! Remember, one must always guard against others," Qin Tianyun admonished.

"Grandfather, rest assured, I understand," Qin Feng nodded, his voice solemn.

This world was perilous; disaster could strike at any moment, and there were always those who sought to harm him. Qin Feng would not lower his guard for an instant.

"Drive!"

Wang Fu urged the carriage forward at speed toward the City Lord's Mansion.

"Guardian Qin, greetings. The City Lord awaits you inside," Zhao An greeted Qin Feng at the gates of the mansion on Tianyang City's eastern edge, leading him inside.

"Guardian Qin, please enter," Zhao An said respectfully, guiding Qin Feng to a pavilion.

Qin Feng glanced toward the pavilion, where wine and dishes had already been set out. Seated inside was a middle-aged man in white robes, his bearing scholarly and refined, like a man of letters. Sensing Qin Feng’s gaze, he turned and nodded in greeting.

Zhao Zhonghao had long known of Qin Feng's achievement—reaching the Guardian realm at sixteen. Yet, seeing Qin Feng’s face now, he could not help but feel astonished and deeply impressed.

Step by step, Qin Feng nodded back at Zhao Zhonghao, surveying his surroundings as he strode confidently toward the pavilion.