Chapter 45: An Acquaintance Requests an Audience with Lord Qin

“Farewell, Young Master!”
Liu Qingchang felt deeply moved; the young master trusted him so wholeheartedly. He clasped his hands and bowed, sending Qin Feng off with utmost respect.

“Remember—if you ever encounter a problem you cannot resolve, come to Xuanzhou City to find me!”
Qin Feng rode swiftly away, heading toward the city, his voice lingering in the air behind him.

...

Inside the Xuanhai Martial Hall, chaos reigned. The head of the hall, Chen Xuanhao, lay gravely injured and unconscious. Before losing consciousness, he warned Wang Xiaohua, Chen Yunyun, and Xuan Youming that the powerful Zhao family intended to destroy Xuanhai Martial Hall.

There was more he wished to say, but with his severe injuries, he only managed to utter the word “thousand” before falling into a coma.

“What on earth happened? How did we provoke the Zhao family?”
Wang Xiaohua paced nervously within the room, her heart filled with anxiety. The Zhao family, a dominant force, was far beyond the resistance of Xuanhai Martial Hall. Even her own family, who had a master of inner strength presiding, could not withstand the might of the Zhao family’s decree.

“Youming, go immediately and find out what happened—why does the Zhao family seek to annihilate Xuanhai Martial Hall?”
Seeing Xuan Youming standing nearby, Wang Xiaohua quickly instructed him.

Chen Yunyun stood beside her, wiping away tears. Proud as she was, even she felt utter despair in the face of the Zhao family.

Mr. Liu, Chen Hou, Lu Youwei, and Cen Xuanhao sat silently, saying nothing.

As for the rest of the Xuanhai Martial Hall, upon hearing that the Zhao family would act against them, they had already announced their departure, severing ties with the hall.

A whistling sound pierced the air—a three-pronged dart struck the wall.

“Who’s there?”
Wang Xiaohua, Chen Hou, Lu Youwei, and Cen Xuanhao reacted instantly, rushing out to investigate, but found nothing.

...

“Father, how is he?”
Not far from the Xuanhai Security Bureau, Qi Qianqian anxiously questioned Qi Tengyun.

“Don’t worry, the message has been delivered. Let’s hope that person will act to resist the Zhao family; only then will Xuanhai Martial Hall have a chance to survive.”
Qi Tengyun nodded heavily, speaking in a low voice. He then quickly pulled Qi Qianqian away, returning to the Qi family.

The situation was uncertain. Qi Tengyun dared not approach Xuanhai Martial Hall; if the hall fell to the Zhao family, the Qi family might be dragged down with it.

...

“Madam, there’s a letter attached to this dart.”
Chen Hou returned to the room, retrieved the dart from the wall, and handed the letter affixed to it to Wang Xiaohua.

“There is a powerful figure atop Qingyun Mountain, one with deep ties to Xuanhai Martial Hall. If you can secure his help, you may have a chance to overcome this crisis.”
Wang Xiaohua opened the letter and read the line written upon it.

...

“Yunyun, Chen Hou, come with me to Qingyun Mountain.”
Wang Xiaohua did not know whether the letter was genuine, but this was her last chance. She was willing to try; otherwise, with the Zhao family’s intervention, Xuanhai Martial Hall would be doomed.

“Mr. Liu, I leave Xuanhao in your care!”
Before departing, Wang Xiaohua addressed Mr. Liu gratefully.

“Rest assured, madam. I will look after the hall master.”
Mr. Liu nodded solemnly, his voice heavy.

“Let’s go!”
Chen Hou readied the carriage, and they sped toward Qingyun Mountain.

“Heaven help us—let that mighty figure lend his aid.”
Haggard, Wang Xiaohua sat in the carriage, praying fervently.

Chen Yunyun sat beside her, hope shining in her eyes.

Wang Xiaohua, Chen Yunyun, and Chen Hou arrived at Qingyun Mountain, disembarked, and began their ascent. Along the way, they encountered Yan Chonghu, Liu Qing, and Zhao Hu, who were also heading up the mountain.

Recognizing Yan Chonghu, Wang Xiaohua, Chen Yunyun, and Chen Hou quickly slowed their pace, keeping their distance.

“Who are you?”
Yan Chonghu eyed Wang Xiaohua, Chen Yunyun, and Chen Hou, his voice somber.

Hearing his question, the three were startled. Yan Chonghu was not only a master of inner strength, but also the chief escort of Weiyuan Security Bureau—a figure of considerable stature.

“Greetings, Chief Yan. I have come to seek the help of the esteemed person atop Qingyun Mountain for Xuanhai Martial Hall.”
Wang Xiaohua took a deep breath and stepped forward, speaking with reverence.

Chen Yunyun and Chen Hou stood behind her, awed by Yan Chonghu’s reputation, not daring to meet his gaze.

“Do you know Master Qin?”
Yan Chonghu’s expression shifted, his gaze sharpening as he looked at Wang Xiaohua.

“Chief Yan, my husband has deep ties with Master Qin.”
Wang Xiaohua replied respectfully.

“In that case, come along. I am also here to seek an audience with Master Qin.”
Yan Chonghu’s tone toward Wang Xiaohua was friendly, inviting her to join. His words were courteous.

“Thank you, Chief Yan.”
Wang Xiaohua, seeing Yan Chonghu’s reverence for Master Qin, felt her own respect deepen.

Along the way, Wang Xiaohua tried to learn more about Master Qin. The deeper her understanding, the more excited she became.

He alone had destroyed the Shen family, the Li family, and the Hatchet Gang.

He had slain Ye Qinglong, the guardian-level master of the Azure Dragon Sect.

He was the true master of Weiyuan Security Bureau.

“Master Qin will surely save Xuanhai Martial Hall—he will save my husband!”
Wang Xiaohua clenched her fists, her heart filled with hope.

Chen Yunyun and Chen Hou, hearing of Master Qin’s feats, felt awe, longing, excitement, and admiration.

“Madam Chen, please wait here. I will notify Master Qin of your arrival once I am inside.”
Upon reaching the mountaintop estate, Yan Chonghu glanced at Wang Xiaohua, pondered briefly, and spoke in a serious tone.

He was unsure of Wang Xiaohua’s relationship with Master Qin and could not rashly bring her inside.

Wang Xiaohua, Chen Yunyun, and Chen Hou waited outside the estate, tense; after all, a guardian-level master resided within.

“Thank you, Chief Yan.”
Wang Xiaohua quickly expressed her gratitude upon hearing Yan Chonghu’s willingness to help.

“Come, let us pay respects to Master Qin.”
Yan Chonghu, Liu Qing, and Zhao Hu, led by a maid, headed toward the room where Qin Feng cultivated.

Wang Fu, Wang Bao, and Liu Hu were all training; the household matters were left to the servants.

“Chonghu requests an audience with Master Qin.”
Reaching Qin Feng’s door, Yan Chonghu clasped his hands and announced gravely.

Liu Qing and Zhao Hu stood behind him, their faces filled with reverence.

“Come in.”
Qin Feng heard the call, opened his eyes—bright light flickered in them—and exhaled a breath of stale air, speaking calmly.

“Chonghu pays respects to Master Qin.”
“Liu Qing pays respects to Master Qin.”
“Zhao Hu pays respects to Master Qin.”
Yan Chonghu, Liu Qing, and Zhao Hu entered the room with utmost respect, seeing Qin Feng seated cross-legged, and paid their obeisance.

Qin Feng’s expression was placid, yet Yan Chonghu, Liu Qing, and Zhao Hu felt an overwhelming aura of authority—majestic without anger.

“Chonghu, what urgent matter brings you here? Has something changed at Weiyuan Security Bureau, or is there trouble within the City Lord’s Mansion?”
Qin Feng’s deep eyes regarded them calmly.