Indecisive

Feng Shiren lightly tapped his teacup against the table twice, signaling everyone in the hall to quiet down. Only then did he look at Dug. "Seventh Master, tell us what we should do next."

"First, send people to the major cities and towns to investigate the elderly, weak, sick, and disabled. See if anyone has suddenly recovered or undergone a drastic change in temperament. If so, bring them back to the Feng Family. Better to seize the wrong person than let one slip away. Once they are brought in, judge from their words and actions whether they are Heavenly Demons. Second, use the Martial Arts Convention as a pretext to visit the various families and sects under the guise of sparring. Search for Heavenly Demons who have infiltrated those sects. Recruit those who can be recruited; kill those who cannot, and ensure the Feng Family stands above all others." Dug gave his suggestions without hesitation.

As soon as he finished speaking,

Before Feng Shiren could state his position, Feng Yunjie stood up first. Looking at Dug, he said awkwardly, "Seventh Master, I'm afraid that won't work. The Feng Family's Martial Arts are not particularly outstanding. If something happens to me before the Martial Arts Convention, I may not even get the chance to participate. You don't know this, but other sects would love to use sparring as an excuse to eliminate competitors from rival sects before the convention. After all, the Qiao Family Sacred Land contains many treasures, enough to change a family's fate..."

Dug interrupted him. "Third Young Master, how many people from the Feng Family will participate in the Martial Arts Convention?"

Feng Yunjie said, "There are five who meet the requirements. I am a direct descendant of the Feng Family, while the others are personal disciples of my father and second uncle. Seventh Master, the Martial Arts Convention is meant to select the rising talents of the martial world and make their names known. Only young people between the ages of twenty and twenty-five may participate."

"Is five the participant limit?" Dug asked.

"No." Feng Yunjie replied, "The Martial Arts Convention only has an age limit, not a limit on the number of participants."

"Can Feng Jiu and I participate?" Dug asked again.

Feng Yunjie froze for a moment and looked at the two of them. "Your ages are naturally fine, but I'm afraid your martial skills wouldn't even pass the preliminary selection. To prevent street thugs from entering the Martial Arts Convention and ruining its reputation, the Qiao Family conducts an initial screening of participants. By my reckoning, I'm the only person in the Feng Family certain to pass it."

Remembering Feng Si's assessment of the Martial Arts Convention, Dug asked, "Third Young Master, in past conventions, has any Feng Family disciple ever achieved a good ranking and entered the Sacred Land?"

That one question struck at the Feng Family's sore spot. For a time, everyone wore awkward expressions and fell silent.

Feng Yunjie flushed. "Seventh Master, my aptitude for martial arts is relatively good. I am the Feng Family's best hope of earning a ranking and entering the Qiao Family Sacred Land."

"So that means no one has." Dug shook his head and smiled. "Third Young Master, perhaps you were the only one with a chance before, but things are different now. Don't forget that Feng Jiu and I are also members of the Feng Family."

Several pairs of eyes immediately focused on Dug and Feng Jiu.

"There are still six months until the Martial Arts Convention. With Heavenly Demons descending upon the world, who can say what will happen in half a year?" Dug paced back and forth a few times before stopping. His gaze settled on Feng Shiren, the family head, and he smiled. "Family Head, the times have changed. We need to learn to view things through the lens of development. The bigger your ambition, the bigger your stage. Perhaps in six months, even the Qiao Family's Martial Arts Sacred Land will bear the Feng name."

Feng Shiren had just raised his teacup and taken a sip. At Dug's words, the tea suddenly went down the wrong pipe. He coughed several times before recovering, then said helplessly, "Seventh Master, it is fine to say such things within the Feng Family, but do not spread them outside."

"Family Head, rest assured. I know my limits. From the moment I stepped forward, I became bound to the Feng Family. We rise and fall together. I will not do anything harmful to the Feng Family." Dug nodded to Feng Shiren, then turned back to Feng Yunjie. "Third Young Master, let us set aside taking the Martial Arts Sacred Land for now. Even if the martial world has not been affected by the Heavenly Demons and continues developing as before, we can still eliminate the seed competitors from other families ahead of time. The more we take out, the greater the Feng Family's chances of entering the Qiao Family Sacred Land!"

"I'd like to, but I'd need the ability to do it." Feng Yunjie said sheepishly.

"Third Young Master, even if you had that ability, you still could not be allowed to do it. Otherwise, once exposed, it would surely bring disaster upon the Feng Family." Dug pointed at himself and Feng Jiu, smiling. "For the Feng Family's stability, naturally we will handle the dirty work..."

Watching Dug consider the Feng Family at every turn and willingly make sacrifices, the Feng Family members looked at one another. For a moment, none of them knew what to say.

How should they put it?

Everything before them felt unreal...

Feng Shiren disliked Dug's boastful manner and frowned. "Seventh Master, we should still proceed more cautiously."

"Family Head, there isn't much time." Dug sighed. "You do not understand Heavenly Demons. They seize every bit of nourishment to grow. Take me, for example. I will spare no effort to protect the Feng Family's interests, because only when the Feng Family prospers can my abilities improve."

"I know what concerns you, Family Head. We should make the best plans, but also prepare for the worst. If the assassination of other seed competitors is exposed, you can simply put me forward as a shield and place all the blame on the Heavenly Demons. By then, other Heavenly Demons in the world should already have begun showing signs of themselves, so no one will suspect anything. The Feng Family could even use this to launch a grand demon-extermination campaign and make a name for itself..."

Feng Jiu looked suspiciously at Feng Qi, and his doubts loosened somewhat. He was thinking so wholeheartedly for the Feng Family... Could his Keyword truly be Protection?

Feng Yunjie looked at Dug, his eyes flickering repeatedly. He was clearly tempted.

Feng Shiren frowned. I haven't said anything yet. How did you make it sound as though everything has already been decided, even planning my escape route for me...

Dug clasped his hands and bowed deeply. "Family Head, wealth and honor are found in danger. Hesitation leads to defeat. After so many Martial Arts Conventions, the Feng Family has not even qualified to enter the Sacred Land. What do we have left to lose? Family Head, make your decision! For the Feng Family, I can make any sacrifice. Please do not doubt my sincerity."

Feng Shiren took a deep breath. "Seventh Master, this is a matter of great importance. Allow us to discuss it. Yunming, Yunlu, take the two gentlemen to the guest rooms for a short rest."

Feng Yunming stepped before Dug and Feng Jiu and gestured with his hand. "Please, gentlemen."

Dug looked helpless and unwillingly glanced at Feng Shiren. Raising his voice, he said, "Family Head, the Feng Family's future rests on a single thought from you. You must decide soon. Speed is of the Essence; time waits for no one!"

Buzz! Feng Shiren's head felt as though it had doubled in size, and he unconsciously clenched his fists.

Looking at the eager Feng Family members, he actually felt some fear toward Dug, along with a trace of murderous intent. The Feng Family had too many mediocre people. If this Heavenly Demon skilled at bewitching hearts was not handled properly, there was an eighty-percent chance he would bring disaster upon the Feng Family!

"Eldest Young Master, there is no point in watching over us. You might as well go persuade the family head. The descent of the Heavenly Demons is truly an excellent opportunity. We cannot let it go!"

"...Fourth Young Master, you are clever and quick-witted. One day, you too will participate in the Martial Arts Convention. Don't you want to compete right at your own doorstep?"

"Eldest Young Master, you will take charge of the Feng Family in the future. You must understand that managing a family is like practicing martial arts: rowing against the current, you either advance or fall behind..."

On the way to the guest rooms, Dug kept chattering around Feng Yunming and Feng Yunlu. Every word was filled with concern for the Feng Family's future, portraying the image of a loyal minister devoted to protecting the family to perfection.

Beside him, Feng Jiu clutched his stomach as he watched in shock. For the first time, he felt that his loss had not been undeserved.

That complete immersion, inside and out.

If he had not known Feng Qi's true nature, he really would have been fooled by him.

Compared to him, he lacked far too much. Was this the education of the Elite Academy? They had both entered the Simulation Arena for the first time, so how could he already be this outstanding?

Thinking of how he had tried to tempt Feng Qi with a place at the Elite Academy, Feng Jiu felt wave after wave of embarrassment. Feng Qi had probably seen through him from that very moment.

Upon arriving at the guest rooms, Dug finally fell silent. Sitting in a chair, he considered where his plan might have gone wrong and how to patch up any oversights.

But in the eyes of the brothers Feng Yunming and Feng Yunlu, Feng Qi was worried that his proposal would not be accepted.

The two exchanged glances, and Feng Yunming took the initiative to break the silence. "Seventh Master, you are being too anxious. Do not overthink it. My father has always acted cautiously. He will definitely make the best choice."

Feng Yunlu grinned. "Exactly. Seventh Master, you've already explained the stakes clearly. We can't decide the rest anyway, so we might as well wait peacefully. Seventh Master, tell us about the Demon Realm! I'm rather curious about Heavenly Demons."

Did I push too hard?

Dug's thoughts shifted slightly, and he sighed. "I can't afford not to be anxious! The stronger the Feng Family becomes, the stronger I become! Otherwise, when other Heavenly Demons come to kill us, if I haven't grown strong enough to protect the Feng Family, I won't even be able to save my own life. How could I still speak of living freely? Gentlemen, competition among Heavenly Demons is cruel."

As he spoke, he seemed to remember something. Looking at Feng Jiu, he smoothly changed the subject. "Eldest Young Master, I've been so focused on my own growth that I forgot about this. Quickly have someone prepare some food for Ninth Brother. His Keyword is Taotie. He must rely on eating to grow stronger. Once he grows stronger, he will also be an asset to the Feng Family."

The affairs of the Demon Realm were fabricated to begin with. The more he said, the more likely he was to make a mistake. Better to use this chance to protect a few more people and strengthen himself.

Just now, while he had been wholeheartedly planning for the Feng Family, he had no idea how much his attributes had increased. He only felt overflowing with energy, his five senses sharpened, and strength seemingly inexhaustible throughout his body. This kind of improvement was intoxicating.

Dug could also see that Feng Shiren was indecisive and would never accomplish anything great.

It was one thing if Dug's plans benefited the Feng Family, but once they encountered setbacks, or once Dug slipped beyond Feng Shiren's control,

Feng Shiren's blade would likely turn on him at the first opportunity.

Improving his own strength was the foundation of survival. Then, when the time came to Backstab the Feng Family, he would have the confidence to do so...

Feng Jiu stared at Dug in astonishment, as though he had not expected him to find food for him as well.

Dug smiled. "Ninth Brother, don't look at me like that. I said we were cooperating, so we will cooperate. I'll see it through to the end. I won't harm you."

Feng Jiu looked at Dug, then suddenly sighed and said bitterly, "No need. I can't eat anymore. Eldest Young Master, have a physician prescribe me some medicine to aid digestion. My stomach feels a little too full..."

"Full?" Dug stared intensely at Feng Jiu as though he were looking at something incredibly amusing.

Feng Jiu's face reddened. Avoiding Dug's gaze, he said awkwardly, "I ate too much just now. I really can't eat anymore."

Dug rose to his feet. Under Feng Jiu's panicked gaze, he circled around him several times before suddenly stopping. He looked at him, shook his head, and said decisively, "Ninth Brother, you've taken the wrong path."

Feng Yunming had already been about to order a servant to summon a physician for Feng Jiu. Hearing this, he stopped.