A Distant Departure

Father, it's father. My whole body trembled inexplicably. I wanted to turn back and go to the courtyard gate to see him, but I couldn't bring myself to forgive him. Why did he just hide outside and not come in to see me? Haha, father, you're still insisting on your family's interests. Haha…

"Young Master, we're ready, can we go?" Chun Yu stood at my door, holding some things, and said to me.

Looking at Chun Yu and the others, I wanted to laugh. Today, I was driven out of the house with only one able-bodied man, and the rest were women and children. Moreover, the First Wife was still sick. I was in a sorry state, yes, a sorry state. But one day, I would be glorious in front of the entire Zhang Family. I swore in my heart.

"Let's go," I led the way out.

Zhang Tiande silently watched his son leave and quietly walked towards the main hall. The Court Session was about to begin.

"By unanimous decision of the Elder Council: From today onwards, Zhang Xingfeng has no relation to the Zhang Family. All subordinates under Star Peak Pavilion will be paid off and dismissed. An announcement will be made to the world." Steward Zhang stood straight and announced loudly. The First Madam and Second Madam of the Zhang Mansion had triumphant smiles, Zhang Tiande remained silent, and the Third Madam did not appear today.

The five of us were sitting in two carriages. Lang Feng and I sat in the front carriage. Brother Wang and Sister Yu (that is, Chun Yu, since she's with Brother Wang, I'll call her that), they were in the back carriage with the First Wife. They could also take good care of the First Wife.

We left Suzhou City in Yangzhou Prefecture, one of the Nine Provinces, and headed for the center of the entire Ming Dynasty, also one of the Nine Provinces, Shizhou Prefecture. The capital of the entire Ming Dynasty was located there, and we were going to make a name for ourselves in the most prosperous capital.

These days have been too comfortable; my whole body is getting soft.

"Little Young Master, something's wrong, something's wrong, there are bandits, there are bandits!" The old man driving my carriage shouted at me, trembling.

I already knew. My spiritual sense had already sensed it. Ha, I was just lamenting that my body was getting soft, and immediately a group of bandits came to give me something to do.

I jumped out of the carriage and looked at this group of bandits. Not bad, they haven't made a sound yet. Their discipline is very strict, and I admire it greatly. Lang Feng was eager to try, his eyes emitting a terrifying gaze, staring at this group of bandits. He hadn't fought anyone since entering the Innate Realm!

Brother Wang and the others also came out of the carriage. Sister Yu and the First Wife seemed a little panicked. It's no wonder, they don't understand martial arts at all. Brother Wang's martial arts are quite good, almost entering the Innate Realm, but it can take more than ten years for ordinary people to reach this point. But meeting me, Brother Wang will enter the Innate Realm very quickly.

A middle-aged man in white walked forward. He looked somewhat presentable, but the fan he held, which was incongruously pretentious, showed that the person in front of him was a good-for-nothing.

"Haha, Young Master Zhang San, oh, you're not Young Master Zhang San anymore, little brother Zhang. I know you have one hundred thousand taels of silver on you, and your mother probably gave you a lot too. I won't ask for too much, just pay fifteen thousand taels of silver, and I'll let you go. How about it? I know your martial arts are good, but no matter what, you're just a child. All three hundred brothers in my entire stronghold are here, so you'd better obediently hand over the money to me, ah, ha ha ha…" The middle-aged man laughed wildly. It's no wonder, it's so easy to get fifteen thousand taels of silver, who wouldn't laugh? Moreover, he had three great generals, so even a master of the Innate Realm would be useless.

"Zhang Yu, attack."

A young man in purple clothes stood on a rock behind me. He glanced indifferently at the shameless middle-aged man and shouted indifferently, "One, surround."

Oh, the Twelve Heavenly Gate Array. I looked at the purple-clothed youth in surprise. He's really amazing, this is even more interesting now. At this moment, Lang Feng looked at me anxiously. I nodded, and Lang Feng excitedly rushed in.

The first major team consisted of one hundred and twenty people, divided into twelve groups, standing in twelve positions. The leaders of the two groups of the "Destroy" and "Death" gates were two bald youths who looked almost identical, but they were extremely brave. The most important part of the Twelve Heavenly Gate Array was the "Destroy" and "Death" gates. These two boys alone doubled the power of the formation. It seems that Brother Lang Feng is going to suffer. Let him experience it, it's good for him.

As soon as Lang Feng entered the formation, his heart trembled. What happened? He couldn't see the people outside, only some people setting up the formation.

Suddenly, a soaring aura pressed towards Lang Feng. Lang Feng turned and punched straight out, his True Qi surging towards the perceived location. The aura stopped, but immediately struck again with even greater force. What Lang Feng hit was the "Destroy" gate's small team. The leader, Li Er, with only an eighth-grade cultivation, relying on the formation and the help of the other eleven people, unleashed immense power.

Lang Feng, like a blind man, immediately threw punches whenever he felt a threat. His True Qi was being consumed severely, and Lang Feng was going mad. He hadn't seen the enemy until now and could only keep attacking like this.

This was Lang Feng's first time using Innate True Qi, and he couldn't effectively unleash its power. He was sandwiched between the "Destroy" and "Death" groups, and his True Qi was being consumed in large quantities. He was already showing signs of defeat.

I looked. It's time for me to make a move. How can I prevent others from knowing my profound martial arts? I've got it, my unique skill from the Golden Core stage – changing my body shape and appearance.

I walked behind the carriage and circulated my True Primordial Energy. My body crackled. My body gradually grew taller, and I stopped when I reached about 1.8 meters. It's time to change my appearance. I circulated True Primordial Energy to my face. My eyes couldn't be changed; I just needed to emit some True Primordial Energy from my eyes. My sword-like eyebrows didn't need to be changed. An aquiline nose would be cooler, and slightly thicker lips would be good. The overall appearance became very cold.

Brother Wang and Sister Yu stared at me, stunned by my transformation. I couldn't help it; I couldn't let them think I was a monster.

I whispered, "Wait a moment, I'll tell you why after we save Brother Lang Feng." I even used my mental power to make them subconsciously accept me. Seeing them stabilize, with only expressions of curiosity, I smiled. It's time to deal with those ignorant bandits.

With my Phantom Tracing Steps, I instantly appeared before the bandits like a phantom. I said coldly, "Stop."

The sound emitted by my True Primordial Energy echoed throughout the mountains, "Stop, stop…" Strangely, the sound grew louder and louder, directly targeting the bandits. Sister Yu and the others felt no discomfort at all.

Hmph, if they don't stop, their ears will go deaf.

"Great hero, I am Li Si from Pingding Mountain. My friends in the jianghu give me some face. Please don't interfere in this matter. Afterwards, I, Li Si, will also recognize you as a friend. If you encounter any insurmountable problems in the jianghu in the future, mentioning my name, Li Si, will still be somewhat useful." The middle-aged man, shaking his fan again, said loudly.

"Idiot," the purple-clothed youth's voice reached my ears clearly. I smiled faintly at him. Truly, great minds think alike. But this idiot seemed not to have heard and was about to speak again. No, I'll speak first.

"You with the fan, listen. Release these people, and then hand over fifteen thousand taels of silver, and I'll let you bandits go." I said loudly to this guy.

"Ha ha ha… Did I hear correctly? A kid, just because he has a loud voice, is so arrogant, and wants fifteen thousand taels of silver from me? Have I got a problem with my ears? Someone actually wants money from Li Si of Pingding Mountain. You should know I'm not someone to be trifled with. Boys, kill that loud-mouthed kid!" Li Si was so angry that he even threw his fan away.

"Idiot, loud voice, hmph…" the purple-clothed youth grumbled again from the side.

He really spoke my mind. He actually called the ultimate skill of my Tianxin Sect a loud voice. He's truly an idiot.

I sighed helplessly. Li Si, such a vulgar name, and an even more vulgar person. I waved my hand and circulated the Cloud Wiping Sleeve. Although I didn't exert much strength, they still fell in droves, except for those two bald youths. The purple-clothed youth still had a cold expression, but the fleeting shock in his eyes did not escape my keen observation.

My feet shifted, and I flew over the fallen shrimp soldiers and crab generals. I was surprised to find that the two bald youths had no reaction to my charge towards the middle-aged man. It seems this middle-aged man doesn't have good popularity.

As soon as he saw my supreme lightness skill, the middle-aged man immediately retreated rapidly. Judging by his retreat speed, he was at least a master. He's truly a hidden master. Ah! It seems I was wrong. A mere soldier's broadsword tripped him. Oh, what a pity for that snow-white outfit.

I brought my index and middle fingers together, and a sword light nearly a meter long flashed between my fingers. I casually waved it without any specific move. Those loyal soldiers, for their leader, resolutely extended their very sturdy weapons. In an instant, as if cutting tofu, the sword light passed through these weapons, treating them as air. The sword light, as if tearing through space, arrived in front of Li Si.

Li Si looked at the sword light, which was constantly extending and retracting before his eyes, covered in cold sweat. He knew that this thing in front of him was not some treasure sword, but Sword Light, a symbol of the ultimate of swordsmanship. If he touched it, he would be finished.

"Great hero, as long as you spare Li Si of Pingding Mountain, I will give you fifteen thousand taels of silver. How about it? Also, you will be my boss from now on. The boss of Li Si of Pingding Mountain, it sounds very impressive when spoken out. What do you say?" The foolish and narcissistic Li Si looked at me with expectant eyes.

I couldn't take it anymore. I circulated my energy to calm my mood. I really couldn't understand how someone like him became a mountain king, and also talents like that purple-clothed youth and the two bald youths.

"It's too late. Earlier, I wanted fifteen thousand taels, but now it's all your possessions. Hurry up and take me to get the money, ah, did you hear me?" I couldn't help but shout at this guy. Seeing his demeanor, I got angry. How can there be such a person!

"What? Fifteen thousand taels for you, that's already giving you a lot of face. You kid, don't push your luck. I am Li Si of Pingding Mountain, and I have three hundred brothers under me. You'd better be careful." Hearing that I wanted all his possessions, Li Si went mad. He was furious: This is what I worked hard for nearly twenty years to earn, how can I give it to you like this? Hmph!

"Idiot," the familiar voice sounded again. I turned to look at the purple-clothed youth and smiled at him. This kid is really just as I thought. This Li Si, sigh! He's truly an idiot.

"Your life or your possessions, choose one!" I said lightly to this guy and walked towards the purple-clothed youth. He has piqued my interest greatly.

And Li Si at this moment was shaking his head and muttering to himself: "All the silver, no, my life, no, the silver I worked hard for my whole life, no, my life, no…"

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