Chapter 76: News Exposed!

Yan Chonghu and Shi Tie, after breaking through, immediately summoned Liu Qingchang to guard Xuanzhou City, while the two of them hurried toward Yuntian Commandery.

Upon reaching Xuanzhou, Yan Chonghu and Shi Tie scoured the area for news of Qin Feng, only to be discovered by Lin Xiaozhong. He recognized them both as Qin Feng’s trusted subordinates.

Lin Xiaozhong arranged for Yan Chonghu and Shi Tie to stay within the Zhao family residence, instructing them to wait until Qin Feng emerged from seclusion.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! ...

On the fifth night of Qin Feng’s retreat, five sharp whistling sounds split the air above the Zhao residence as five figures landed silently atop the roof.

Zhou Yunzhi, Zhang Longquan, Xiao Yunzhou, and the other two had come by order of the Northern Martial King to seek out Qin Feng and demand an item from him. The Northern Martial King’s command was clear: once the item was retrieved, Qin Feng and his associates were to be wiped out, leaving no loose ends.

The Northern Martial King was now certain that the fragmented map to the Xuantian Sect’s treasure was in Qin Feng’s possession. On the second day after Haimingzhun fell into a coma, he regained consciousness, recounted the events in fits and starts, struggled to sketch Qin Feng’s likeness, and then died.

After investigating the portrait and confirming Qin Feng’s identity, the Northern Martial King immediately dispatched Zhou Yunzhi, Zhang Longquan, Xiao Yunzhou, and two other commanders. Upon arriving in Yuntian Commandery, they gathered information about Qin Feng and were stunned by what they learned.

He had destroyed the Chen and Zhao families, slain five commandery commanders, and in his most dazzling feat, single-handedly killed four such commanders. Zhou Yunzhi, Zhang Longquan, and Xiao Yunzhou grew deeply wary and fearful of Qin Feng, not daring to attack rashly.

But when they learned that, despite slaying four commanders alone, Qin Feng himself had been severely wounded and was now recuperating in the Zhao family estate, they were overjoyed—this was their opportunity. Without delay, they launched a night raid on the Zhao residence.

"Who goes there?" Lin Xiaozhong, charged by the commandery governor to protect Qin Feng, heard the disturbance on the rooftop. Sword in hand, he rushed out and bellowed.

Boom!

The five—Zhou Yunzhi, Zhang Longquan, Xiao Yunzhou, and the others—turned their icy gazes below and shot downward.

"Not good! Strong foes are attacking! Quick, inform the commandery governor!" Lin Xiaozhong’s heart sank at the explosive speed the five displayed. All of them clearly had the prowess of commandery commanders; the five on the rooftop were most likely all at that level.

He roared, knowing he was no match for them. All he could do was delay, hoping reinforcements would arrive.

Boom!

The five, working in concert, sent Lin Xiaozhong flying with a single exchange. Blood spewed from his mouth as he crashed heavily to the ground, his chest caving in, his internal organs seemingly shattered. He slipped into unconsciousness.

"Finish them quickly! Move!" Zhou Yunzhi, Zhang Longquan, Xiao Yunzhou, and the others rushed toward the room where they suspected Qin Feng was secluding himself.

"Stop! You are not allowed near!" Yan Chonghu and Shi Tie, standing guard outside Qin Feng’s room, saw the fleeting shadows closing in.

They could barely make out afterimages.

Without hesitation, Yan Chonghu and Shi Tie quickly planted themselves before Qin Feng’s door, shouting furiously.

"Charge!"

"Out of our way!"

Zhou Yunzhi, Zhang Longquan, Xiao Yunzhou, and the others growled in low voices, brandishing their blades as they surged forward.

"Ah!" Yan Chonghu could not track their figures; the pressure was immense, sweat beading on his forehead as he roared and swung his blade at the assailants.

"Kill!" Shi Tie felt as though the air itself was being torn apart as the five figures charged him like savage beasts. Fear gripped his heart, but retreat was not an option; Master Qin was healing and could not be disturbed.

With a furious roar, Shi Tie swung his staff in a dense, unyielding defense before the door.

Boom!

Inside the room, Qin Feng heard the despairing, suppressed roars of Shi Tie and Yan Chonghu. He leapt up, Heaven’s Halberd in hand, and charged outside.

Boom!

Bursting through the door, he saw five figures hurtling toward him, their speed astonishing, the force they exuded terrifying—clearly, all were commandery commanders.

"Back!" Qin Feng swung his arm, sending Shi Tie and Yan Chonghu flying a dozen meters from the battlefield.

The two were too weak to withstand the onslaught of commanders.

"Kill!" Qin Feng, having forced his companions back, stomped on the steps, shattering them, and hurled the debris at the five attackers.

He unleashed his full strength. Though his wounds had healed, his renewed exertion split his skin and muscles anew, blood seeping out.

Crash! Crash! Crash!

The five—Xiao Yunzhou, Zhou Yunzhi, Zhang Longquan, and the others—swiftly swung their weapons, smashing and scattering the flying stones.

"Who are you people?" Qin Feng demanded coldly, brandishing Heaven’s Halberd as he swept his gaze over the five.

"Hand over the Xuantian Sect’s treasure map and you’ll be spared!" Zhou Yunzhi eyed Qin Feng warily.

"You’re men of the Northern Martial King?" Qin Feng’s heart sank. The events he’d experienced on the way to Yuntian Commandery had finally come to light. So, that fish that slipped the net had survived and returned to the Northern Martial King with news.

"What exactly is this Xuantian Sect’s treasure map? What secrets does it hold?" Qin Feng asked, curiosity lingering.

"That’s not for you to know. Surrender the map and you will live. Otherwise, when the Northern Martial King is enraged, not only will you die, but your entire clan will be exterminated!" Zhou Yunzhi scrutinized Qin Feng, noticing the many wounds and the fresh blood on him; his wariness began to ease.

"Why bother lying to me?" Qin Feng replied calmly. "From the moment I killed the Northern Martial King’s men and took the Xuantian Sect’s treasure map, it was fated that he and I would not rest until one of us is dead. Even if I yielded, would the Northern Martial King ever let me go?"

He was no fool and would not be taken in by Zhou Yunzhi’s words. He shook his head lightly. Now that the Northern Martial King had sent five commanders after him, there could be no peaceful resolution—only a fight to the death.

"Five commanders!"

Qin Feng looked at the five, his expression grave, and swiftly donned the Profound Yin Gloves.

Today, he would face five commanders alone—the greatest challenge since his arrival in this world.

Victory was his only option.

"Kill!"

With a furious roar, Qin Feng unleashed his full strength. Gripping Heaven’s Halberd, he charged at Xiao Yunzhou, Zhou Yunzhi, Zhang Longquan, and the others.

He believed that the best defense was offense—overwhelm the enemy so they could do nothing but defend.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Heaven’s Halberd, carrying the entirety of Qin Feng’s strength, crashed down upon Zhou Yunzhi, Zhang Longquan, and Xiao Yunzhou with wild, unrestrained force.