Chapter Forty-Six: Astonishment!

"Master Qin, the weapons you ordered—the Sky-shaking Halberd and the Heaven-shattering Hammer—have been completed. Should we deliver them directly to Qingyun Mountain, or place them in the Weiyuan Escort Agency?" Yan Chonghu spoke with respectful awe.

Both weapons were immensely heavy, making them difficult to carry; thus, he had not brought them to Qingyun Mountain.

"Let's go to the Weiyuan Escort Agency," Qin Feng's eyes brightened as he leapt up, ready to descend Qingyun Mountain and head to the agency.

"Master Qin, there’s one more matter I must report." Seeing Qin Feng's eagerness, Yan Chonghu quickly interjected.

"Speak," Qin Feng halted, his tone calm.

"Three people outside request an audience, claiming to have a deep connection with you. They say they are from Xuanhai Martial Hall," Yan Chonghu replied swiftly.

"Xuanhai Martial Hall," Qin Feng’s eyes lit up. "Do you know who these three are? Is there a middle-aged man among them?"

Within the Xuanhai Martial Hall, only two or three people mattered to him—Chen Xuanhao and Xuan Youming.

"No, there’s not. The visitors are two women and a thin man. Two of them are named Chen Yunyun and Chen Hou," Yan Chonghu answered after recalling the names.

"Let them in," Qin Feng’s expression grew more reserved as he sat down, his voice steady.

"Yes, Master Qin." Sensing the shift in Qin Feng’s demeanor, Yan Chonghu felt a chill in his heart. With a gesture of his hand, he signaled Zhao Hu.

Zhao Hu immediately left the hall to invite Wang Xiaohua, Chen Yunyun, and Chen Hou inside.

Wang Xiaohua, Chen Yunyun, and Chen Hou entered with nervous faces and uneasy hearts, following Zhao Hu.

Wang Xiaohua was filled with anxiety, unsure of the relationship between Xuanhai Martial Hall and Master Qin—or whether Master Qin would risk offending a Guardian-level powerhouse for their sake.

"This way, Master Qin is waiting for you inside," Zhao Hu led them toward Qin Feng’s chamber.

"Master Qin, they are here," Zhao Hu announced, cupping his fists respectfully as he entered.

"Xuanhai Martial Hall, Wang Xiaohua pays respects to Master Qin!"

"Xuanhai Martial Hall, Chen Yunyun pays respects to Master Qin!"

"Xuanhai Martial Hall, Chen Hou pays respects to Master Qin!"

Nervous and apprehensive, the three stood behind Zhao Hu, saluting with cupped fists and bowing deeply. The oppressive atmosphere of the room kept them from daring to look up at Qin Feng.

"Speak, what brings you here?" Qin Feng asked in an indifferent tone, his gaze resting on Wang Xiaohua, Chen Yunyun, and Chen Hou. Not one of the people he truly cared for was among them.

"I beg Master Qin to save Xuanhai Martial Hall!" Wang Xiaohua dropped to her knees, kowtowing to Qin Feng in desperation.

Seeing her kneel, Chen Yunyun and Chen Hou quickly followed suit, bowing low.

"Get up," Qin Feng said, stepping aside. After all, Wang Xiaohua was Uncle Chen’s wife; he could not accept her prostration.

"It’s you!"

"Qin Feng?"

"Young Master Qin?"

As Wang Xiaohua, Chen Yunyun, and Chen Hou stood, their eyes fell upon Qin Feng’s face and they cried out in astonishment.

"Indeed, it is I," Qin Feng replied. "Now tell me—what has happened at Xuanhai Martial Hall? Why did Uncle Chen not come himself?"

Standing with his hands behind his back, Qin Feng’s gaze was calm.

"You are Master Qin?" Wang Xiaohua asked in disbelief, seeing Yan Chonghu, Liu Qing, and Zhao Hu all standing in deference to Qin Feng. In her memory, Qin Feng had not even reached the Ming Strength stage; when he left Xuanhai Martial Hall, his muscles and meridians were damaged beyond repair. How had he become a powerhouse capable of slaying a Guardian-level enemy?

Chen Yunyun and Chen Hou, too, looked at him in shock and disbelief.

"Madam Chen, who here would dare impersonate Master Qin?" Yan Chonghu declared loudly, hands clasped in respect.

"Qin Feng—no, Master Qin, please, save Xuanhai Martial Hall, save Xuanhai!" Wang Xiaohua’s face twisted with emotion as she knelt before Qin Feng once more, pleading desperately.

"Get up. Tell me what happened," Qin Feng said, pulling Wang Xiaohua to her feet.

"Yes, yes, I will," she stammered. "This morning, Xuanhao returned gravely wounded and told me that the powerful Zhao Clan intends to destroy Xuanhai Martial Hall! Word spread, and panic swept through the hall. Later that morning, a mysterious intruder delivered a dart warning me that atop Qingyun Mountain there was a powerful figure with ties to Xuanhai Martial Hall, who could save us."

Wang Xiaohua recounted everything in detail.

"Master Qin, all past grievances were my fault, not Uncle Chen’s. I beg you, please, for the sake of Xuanhao," Wang Xiaohua pleaded, guilt and anxiety written on her face as she clutched at Qin Feng’s sleeve.

"Master Qin, please save my father! I am willing to repay your kindness even as a beast of burden!" Chen Yunyun’s face showed her shame as well.

She had once looked down on Qin Feng, but now he was like a soaring dragon among the heavens, while she remained a mere sparrow, forced to look up in awe.

"Uncle Chen has always acted with the utmost caution; he would never provoke the Zhao Clan. Why would they attack him? Do they know of my connection to him, and am I their true target? But I have no grievance with the Zhao Clan—why would they move against me? And who is this mysterious person? Are they from the Zhao Clan, trying to lure me down the mountain, where a deadly trap awaits?"

Qin Feng fell deep into thought, unable to fathom why the Zhao Clan would take action against him.

Wang Xiaohua and Chen Yunyun, seeing his silence, grew even more anxious and deeply regretted their previous actions.

"Could it be the City Lord’s Mansion and the Zhao Clan have joined forces to set an ambush for me? Yes, it must be Yun Qing and Zhao Hong conspiring together. They have gone too far—if so, they cannot be allowed to live!"

A cold light flashed in Qin Feng’s eyes, murderous intent surging within him. Someone wanted him dead.

"Let’s go—down the mountain!" Qin Feng ordered Yan Chonghu to summon Wang Fu, Wang Bao, and Liu Hu, then led Wang Xiaohua, Chen Yunyun, Chen Hou, and other martial artists down the mountain in haste.

Chen Xuanhao had treated Qin Feng like family; now that Chen Xuanhao was in danger, Qin Feng would not hesitate.

"Chonghu, gather the brothers and head to Xuanhai Martial Hall. Liu Qing, come with me to retrieve the weapons," Qin Feng commanded. He would not go straight to Xuanhai Martial Hall, but first to the Weiyuan Escort Agency—he needed to be fully prepared.

If Yun Qing and Zhao Hong truly sought his demise, he would ensure neither of them survived.

"As you command!" Yan Chonghu, seeing the gravity in Qin Feng’s expression, wasted no time summoning Shi Tie, the other hall masters, and all the brothers to assemble.