Chapter Thirty-Six: The Reckoning Begins!

“Congratulations to Master Ye on your breakthrough.”
“In the future, should Master Ye encounter problems with cultivation, you may send word to me; we can discuss and explore them together.”
“I myself broke through to the Guardian level five years ago, and am now at the mid-stage of that realm. I have gained some insight into cultivation at this level.”
Chen Haicheng glanced warily at Zhao Hong. The Chen and Zhao families were rivals, their relationship strained and competitive. With Ye Qinglong’s new breakthrough, the longstanding balance in Xuanzhou City was disrupted, so Chen Haicheng sought to win Ye Qinglong to his side.
“Master Ye, you are always welcome to consult with me as well. I will answer your questions without reservation, unlike some old men who keep their knowledge hidden,” Zhao Hong said, his expression shifting as he heard Chen Haicheng’s words. He could not allow Chen Haicheng to win Ye Qinglong over, so he replied with a veiled jab.
“That’s enough. Today is a day of great celebration for Master Ye. There’s no need for you two to argue further.”
Yun Qing frowned, displeasure in his sharp gaze as he looked at both Zhao Hong and Chen Haicheng, his tone stern.
“Yes, City Lord.”
“Thank you for your reminder, City Lord.”
At Yun Qing’s words, Zhao Hong and Chen Haicheng shot each other cold looks but ceased their squabbling.
Although all three were Guardian-level experts, Yun Qing was already at the late stage, while the others were in the middle stage.
Moreover, Yun Qing was an official City Lord, appointed by the court, with military power at his command.
In the face of an elite army, even a Guardian-level martial artist would have to concede.
“City Lord, Masters Chen and Zhao, please come inside.”
Seeing the awkward atmosphere, Ye Qinglong quickly spoke up, leading the way into the Qinglong Sect.
“City Lord, honored elders, please rest here for a moment. I have some matters to attend to but will return shortly.”
Ye Qinglong escorted Yun Qing, Zhao Hong, and Chen Haicheng to the second floor of a building, apologized, and left in haste.
All three understood the purpose of Ye Qinglong’s banquet—to resolve old grudges and enmities.
Yun Qing, Zhao Hong, and Chen Haicheng walked to the edge of the second floor, hands clasped behind their backs, gazing down at the hall below.
In the main hall below, the leading factions—the Black Tiger Gang, the Han family, the Wang family, the Baili family, and Liu Wu the Quick Blade—sat off to the side, an open space surrounding them.
Especially around the Black Tiger Gang, the Baili family, and Liu Wu, a gap of three to four meters kept others at a distance, no one daring to approach.
Other factions crowded together at the lower end of the hall.

“That’s him!”
Qi Qianqian, standing beside her father Qi Tengyun in the hall, was inconspicuous. She looked curiously around and caught sight of Qin Feng.

A look of delight appeared on Qi Qianqian’s face. She wanted to thank Qin Feng for rescuing her and Chen Yunyun earlier.
“Father, I’ll be right back,” Qi Qianqian said to Qi Tengyun, then walked toward where Qin Feng, Yan Chonghu, and Shi Tie were sitting.
“A legendary Guardian-level expert!”
Qi Tengyun glanced stealthily at the second floor, catching sight of Yun Qing, Chen Haicheng, and Zhao Hong, feeling their overwhelming presence and quickly lowering his head.
He looked over at Qi Qianqian, and when he saw her approaching Qin Feng, Yan Chonghu, and Shi Tie, his face changed dramatically. He hurried after her, grabbing her arm and quickly melting into the crowd out of sight.
“Father, what are you doing?”
Qi Qianqian’s wrist hurt from being pulled so hard, and she complained in protest.
“Are you mad? How dare you approach the Black Tiger Gang?”
“Do you want to doom the entire Qi family?”
Qi Tengyun glared at her, scolding in a low, angry voice.
He knew well the purpose of Ye Qinglong’s banquet. Anyone who approached the Black Tiger Gang at this moment was courting disaster.
“What’s wrong, Father? I just wanted to thank Qin Feng for saving me.”
Qi Qianqian shrank back, feeling very wronged.
“What do you know?”
“That’s the Black Tiger Gang’s area.”
“The Qinglong Sect and the Black Tiger Gang, the Baili family, and Liu Wu have had many conflicts. Now that Master Ye has broken through, do you think he’ll spare them? If you get close to the Black Tiger Gang now, are you looking to die?”
Qi Tengyun quickly dragged her to a secluded spot, lowering his voice and speaking rapidly.
“Then Qin Feng is in danger, isn’t he?”
“Father, Qin Feng saved me—you have to help him!”
Qi Qianqian’s face filled with panic as she pleaded.
“Enough!”
“Don’t mention this again.”
“Do you know what it means to be a Grandmaster? I couldn’t withstand even a single finger from one!”
Qi Tengyun gripped her arm tightly, hissing in anger.

...

“Yan Chonghu, who are those men?”
Qin Feng glanced up at the second floor, where Yun Qing, Chen Haicheng, and Zhao Hong stood.
“Master Qin, those are the three giants of Xuanzhou City, all Guardian-level experts: the City Lord Yun Qing, Zhao Hong of the Zhao family, and Chen Haicheng of the Chen family,” Yan Chonghu explained, following Qin Feng’s gaze.
In the past, he would have never dared look directly at Yun Qing, Chen Haicheng, or Zhao Hong. But now, facing a desperate situation, he had little left to fear.
“Xuanzhou City has four Guardian-level experts, twice as many as Tianyang City.”
“It seems Xuanzhou is far stronger overall than Tianyang.”
Qin Feng nodded thoughtfully, fixing his gaze on Yun Qing, Chen Haicheng, and Zhao Hong.
“As recorded in the Thunder Breathing Technique, a Transforming Strength martial artist forges internal energy and tempers bones, muscles, and skin until their bodies resonate with the roar of beasts and thunder.”
“When their energy and blood are unified and their bones shine black, their cultivation breaks through to the Grandmaster realm.”
“Once this is settled, I must strive to break through to the Guardian level as soon as possible.”
“Only by becoming a Guardian can I truly set foot on the martial path and become a true powerhouse!”
Qin Feng silently planned, eager to refine the herbs he had seized from the Jiang family.

“Everyone, may I have your attention!”
“Today’s banquet is to celebrate my breakthrough to Guardian-level. First, I thank you all for coming.”
“The banquet will begin soon. Before that, I have a few personal matters to attend to. I ask for your understanding.”
Ye Qinglong descended from the second floor, standing above the hall, exuding authority, and cupped his fists as he spoke loudly.
“Patriarch Baili of the Baili family once slew seventy-six of my Qinglong Sect brothers. Today, I demand justice for them, and I ask you all to bear witness.”
With a dragon’s stride and a tiger’s gait, Ye Qinglong marched toward the Baili family’s seat, his voice ringing out.
All the martial artists in the hall were awed into silence by his presence, watching intently.
“Ye Qinglong, you broke through to Guardian first. I cannot prevent you from settling old scores,” Baili Kong replied, standing up with an imposing air. Though already sixty-two, he was still robust. He drew a deep breath and spoke in a deep, steady voice.
“I only ask that you spare the Baili family’s bloodline for the sake of its legacy.”