Chapter Forty-Nine: Danger Lurks on Every Side! (Please vote for recommendations!)

The martial artists who met Qin Feng’s gaze all quickly lowered their heads, not daring to meet his eyes. Qin Feng, wielding his halberd, strode toward the Xuanhai Martial Hall. The martial artists around him hurriedly stepped aside to make way.

“Master Qin, the Zhao family’s martial artists have all been cleared out.”

As Qin Feng entered the martial hall, Yan Chonghu and Shi Tie led their men outside. Upon seeing Qin Feng, Yan Chonghu greeted him with utmost respect.

Qin Feng nodded and walked purposefully inside.

“Mr. Liu, how is Uncle Chen’s condition?” Qin Feng asked, noticing Uncle Chen lying unconscious on the bed, his face pale, his body covered in wounds. He turned to Mr. Liu, who stood at the bedside.

“Reporting to the town guardian, Master Chen’s injuries are severe, but his life is no longer in danger. Once he wakes, several months of rest should see him recover,” Mr. Liu replied respectfully, awe in his tone.

“Thank you for looking after him, Mr. Liu.” Relief flickered in Qin Feng’s eyes as he nodded at Mr. Liu, a faint smile appearing at the corners of his mouth.

Outside the room, Xuan Youming’s heart was full of astonishment. He whispered to Wang Xiaohua and Chen Yunyun, “Mistress, junior sister, what’s going on? How did Young Master Qin become the town’s guardian?”

“Speak carefully!” Wang Xiaohua quietly rebuked. Curiosity burned within her as well, but she knew some matters were not for her to inquire about.

“Master Qin, you have slain Zhao Hong—the Zhao family will not take this lying down. They are certain to seek revenge,” Yan Chonghu said in a low voice as he directed his men to clean the blood from the courtyard. “The Zhao family hasn’t heard the news yet. Perhaps we should strike first and destroy them.”

He had spent his life on the streets and understood well that though the Zhao family would not dare retaliate against Qin Feng openly, they would surely resort to underhanded tricks in secret. The Zhao family could not be allowed to remain.

“The Zhao family, is it?” Qin Feng pondered for a moment, then nodded in agreement. “Let’s go. I’ll go with you.”

“The Zhao family is a top clan, with many experts inside. If I come along, I can prevent losses for the Weiyuan Escort Agency.” Seeing Yan Chonghu about to leave, Qin Feng strode outside as well.

“Master Qin, it is my incompetence that I cannot ease your burdens,” Yan Chonghu said ashamedly.

“You have done well. It’s only that your cultivation has been a bit slow,” Qin Feng replied calmly, shaking his head.

Yan Chonghu’s mouth twitched, but he did not argue. Compared to Qin Feng’s progress, their pace was more than just a little slow. He hurried after Qin Feng.

...

“Are you sure? It’s truly a millennium herb?” In the City Lord’s mansion, Yun Qing’s face was alight with excitement and anticipation as he questioned his subordinate.

“Reporting to the City Lord, I cannot confirm with absolute certainty, but the herb emits a white glow, as though a pale halo surrounds it, and it gives off a strange fragrance. And the Zhao patriarch, with his dying breath, cried out that it was a millennium herb,” Chen Qin reported, bowing with respect and awe.

“A white glow, like a halo… It seems it really is a millennium herb.” Yun Qing’s heart raced. Such a great opportunity—if he could obtain the millennium herb, he could break through to the Commander realm. With the right connections, he could become a provincial governor, presiding over an entire region with great power.

“You may go for now. If it truly is a millennium herb, you will have rendered a great service. I will appoint you as the commander of the city guard in the future,” Yun Qing told Chen Qin.

“I am willing to give my life in your service, my lord!” Chen Qin was overjoyed, bowing deeply before swiftly departing.

“A millennium herb—I must have it! If I can learn of it, the Chen family and the other powers will surely hear of it as well. If I act now, gathering the Xuan Iron Guards to kill Qin Feng, I will surely obtain the herb. But if I do so, I will face attacks from the other factions—especially the lawless sects. No, I cannot act yet. I must wait. The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind!”

After Chen Qin left, Yun Qing clenched his fists, his eyes glinting coldly as he murmured to himself.

“A millennium herb? Has such a treasure truly appeared?” When word reached Chen Haicheng, head of the Chen family, even his deep self-control could not hide his excitement.

“Alas! I lack the strength. My power is on par with Zhao Hong’s, yet Qin Feng defeated Zhao Hong without so much as a scratch. He is far stronger than I. If I try to seize the herb, I will be courting death, just like Zhao Hong, and might even drag the Chen family down with me.”

After a moment’s reflection, Chen Haicheng sighed, as though doused with cold water, and dropped heavily onto his chair.

“But wait—there is still a sliver of hope. News of Qin Feng’s acquisition of the millennium herb is spreading. Not only will I covet it, but so too will guardians from surrounding cities, even those outside the city. If they clash and both sides suffer, I may yet profit from it. I never thought I’d have a chance to glimpse the power of a Commander-level expert.”

Excitement rekindled on Chen Haicheng’s face. He hurried from the room to assemble his trusted followers, ordering them to keep a close watch on the Weiyuan Escort Agency and on Qin Feng.

News of Qin Feng’s acquisition of the millennium herb swept through the whole of Xuanzhou City and beyond its walls. Many Commander-level experts, eager for a chance at the herb, set out with all haste toward Xuanzhou, afraid to let another snatch the opportunity.

They were not worried that Qin Feng would simply take the herb himself. The millennium herb was so precious, its potency so overwhelming, that even a Commander-level martial artist could not suppress or absorb it all at once; doing so would only lead to injury from the immense power. Only by consuming it over several sessions, gradually refining its essence to open the meridians, could one break through to the Commander realm—an effort that would take days, even half a month.

Outside Xuanzhou City, Liu Qingchang of the Blackwind Bandits received the news. With twin sabers at his waist, he mounted his fastest steed and galloped toward the city.

“Loose!” Yan Chonghu gave the order. Three hundred men behind him loosed their arrows in unison, sending a deadly volley into the Zhao family estate. Screams, curses, and furious shouts rang out within.

“Charge!”

After three rounds of arrow fire, Yan Chonghu, long blade in hand, led the assault into the Zhao family residence.

“Kill!” “Kill!” Shi Tie and the others roared, storming in with their blades.

The sounds of slaughter, shrieks, and battle filled the Zhao estate. Qin Feng stood atop the Zhao family’s rooftop, overseeing the entire battlefield. Whenever a Zhao martial artist of the advanced level appeared, Qin Feng would strike instantly, cutting them down.

“Chonghu, gather the Zhao family’s valuables and return immediately to the Weiyuan Escort Agency. Have our brothers go into hiding—do not show yourselves. Also, let the Xuanhai Martial Hall know to leave Xuanzhou City if possible.”

After the Zhao family’s forces were annihilated, Qin Feng issued orders to Yan Chonghu and Shi Tie.

Qin Feng understood all too well the priceless value of the millennium herb. Now that it had appeared, it would surely draw a storm of bloodshed and violence, and many powerful figures were likely already on their way. But he would not hand it over—nor would he try to hide away with it. If he tried to refine the millennium herb in secret, he would only bring disaster upon the Qin family.