Lin Feng's heart tightened. He knew he had encountered a truly troublesome opponent.
Fortunately, before heading to Black Wind Stronghold, he had learned the distinguishing features and names of the notable figures within the stronghold from the bandits.
The blue-robed man before him was named Green Snake. He had always been at odds with Hu Biao, so it was hardly surprising that he had come looking for trouble.
Lin Feng, however, put on an enraged expression.
"Green Snake, what the hell do you mean? You suspect me? I did suffer some internal injuries, but what the hell does that have to do with you? A good dog doesn't block the road. Get the hell out of my way!"
The blue-robed man known as Green Snake grew even sharper-eyed, like a venomous snake's tongue licking over every inch of Lin Feng's disguise.
Their gazes collided in midair. The atmosphere was taut, with killing intent spreading everywhere.
The surrounding bandits held their breaths, not daring even to breathe loudly.
Seeing that the conflict was about to escalate, the small sentry leader who had previously questioned Lin Feng rolled his eyes and hurried forward, stepping between them. He smiled obsequiously at Green Snake.
"Lord Green Snake, Headman Hu has just returned after rendering great service. It's only natural that he's a little hot-tempered.
"We're all brothers from the same stronghold. Why damage our brotherly harmony? Third Master is still waiting for Headman Hu to report. If we delay important business, none of us can afford the consequences."
Green Snake let out a cold snort and glared viciously at Lin Feng. In the end, he did not press the matter further and stepped aside, but his cold, sinister eyes never left Lin Feng.
As he brushed past Lin Feng, Green Snake spoke in a venomous voice audible only to the two of them.
"Hu Biao, whatever the hell you're up to... During the stronghold's tournament later, fists and feet have no eyes. You'd better pray you don't run into me.
"Otherwise, this day next year will be your death anniversary!"
Almost as soon as his words fell, the Slaughter System in Lin Feng's mind issued a cold notification:
Killing the blue-robed man will award 500 Slaughter Points!
Lin Feng's footsteps paused almost imperceptibly, and a flash of cold light passed through his eyes.
Five hundred Slaughter Points!
Killing intent boiled in his heart, but his face remained impassive. He merely answered with a disdainful snort before leading his men straight into the stronghold.
The side hall of Black Wind Stronghold's Assembly Hall.
Third Master, "Mountain-Splitting Palm" Zhao Kun, sat upright in a tiger-skin chair. After hearing Lin Feng's report about killing a thousand-household commander of the Northern Garrison Command, he gave a slight nod, his rugged face revealing neither joy nor anger.
Green Snake immediately cut in with a mocking, yin-yang tone. "Third Master, Headman Hu's accomplishment this time is truly impressive.
"However... as far as this subordinate knows, that thousand-household commander of the Northern Garrison Command was exceptionally powerful.
"For Headman Hu to snatch food from the tiger's jaws and walk away unharmed is truly... worthy of a second look."
He deliberately emphasized the words "worthy of a second look," making his sarcasm plain for all to see.
Zhao Kun turned his gaze toward Lin Feng, a trace of scrutiny in his eyes. "Oh? What Green Snake says does make some sense.
"Hu Biao, tell us in detail. How did you manage to pull it off?"
Seeing this, Green Snake grew even more pleased with himself and continued fanning the flames. "Some people probably got a little lucky and forgot how much they weigh.
"Third Master, this subordinate believes that this accomplishment requires verification. It wouldn't do for certain people to kill a few ordinary soldiers and then claim credit for it!
"Our Black Wind Stronghold doesn't support useless trash, and it certainly doesn't support liars!"
Trash! Liars!
Those two words were sparks that instantly ignited the killing intent Lin Feng had been suppressing.
He had disguised himself as Hu Biao in the first place to infiltrate the stronghold and kill people. Now that Green Snake had provoked him again and again, with the system's mission urging him on, continuing to endure would only arouse suspicion.
"Green Snake! You're courting death!"
Lin Feng roared, his voice shaking the roof tiles.
The Killing Intent around him suddenly erupted, almost solid. The Nine-Ringed Ghost-Head Saber at his waist slid halfway from its sheath with a metallic clang, its cold edge flashing. His fierce killing intent locked onto Green Snake like a surging tide, and blood seemed about to splash five paces away!
"Presumptuous!"
Third Master Zhao Kun suddenly slammed the armrest of his chair. His surging inner force stirred the air, and a powerful wave of energy instantly stretched between Lin Feng and Green Snake, jolting Lin Feng's movements to a halt.
"In front of the Assembly Hall, how dare you fight among yourselves! All of you, stop!"
But Lin Feng's killing intent had already risen. How could anything stop him now?
The temptation of those 500 Slaughter Points and Green Snake's repeated provocations had made this inevitable!
"Third Master! This beast has humiliated me time and again. If I don't kill him today, I, Hu Biao, will be unworthy to call myself a son of man!"
Roaring, Lin Feng took advantage of the momentary delay caused by Zhao Kun's obstructing force. Instead of retreating, he suddenly shot forward like a ghost!
The complete Thousand Faces Illusionary Art brought more than simple disguise. It also granted precise control over his muscles and blood flow, allowing him to explode with speed far beyond what Hu Biao could normally achieve.
Green Snake had never expected "Hu Biao" to dare erupt into violence after being stopped by Third Master, much less that his speed would be so terrifying!
The mockery on his face had only just turned to astonishment when a cold blade flashed past his neck like a startled swan.
Fast! Ruthless! Precise!
The blade light vanished in a flash.
Green Snake stood frozen in place, his eyes bulging wide as he stared at the murderous "Hu Biao" before him in disbelief.
He tried to say something, but all that came from his throat was a leaking, rattling sound.
A fine blood line slowly appeared across his neck. Then blood spurted out like a fountain!
"Thud!"
Green Snake's corpse toppled straight to the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust.
The side hall fell deathly silent.
Everyone had been stunned by the sudden, bloody scene.
Third Master Zhao Kun shot to his feet, his beard and hair bristling. His vast aura pressed down on Lin Feng like a mountain, his face filled with both fury and shock.
"Hu Biao! You... you dare disobey my orders?! Kill someone right in front of me?!"
Lin Feng stood with his saber in hand, blood dripping from its tip. His expressionless face met Zhao Kun's enraged gaze without flinching.
Killing the blue-robed man. Obtained 500 Slaughter Points!
The system's notification rang out, cold and timely.
The air congealed as killing intent rose once more. Everyone's eyes focused on the enraged Third Master and the terrifyingly calm Lin Feng.
Lin Feng slowly raised the bloodstained Ghost-Head Saber in his hand. Its edge reflected a chilling gleam in the dim light, standing no more than three zhang from the furious Third Master.
The air was dead silent. The only clear sound was the steady gurgle of blood flowing from Green Snake's neck.
Third Master Zhao Kun's chest heaved violently, clearly consumed by rage. As the third master of Black Wind Stronghold, he had always commanded great authority. When had anyone ever defied him so openly to his face?
What was more, the one who had died was Green Snake, a man of considerable strength and some background!
"Hu Biao!" Zhao Kun's voice was as cold as ice, each word distinct. "You, very good! You killed a fellow stronghold brother right in front of me. Are you trying to rebel?!"
Facing the mountain-like pressure and interrogation bearing down from Zhao Kun, Lin Feng stood with his saber in hand. Not only did his face show no fear, he instead pulled out a savage grin mixed with anger and brutish arrogance, imitating Hu Biao's reckless temperament to perfection.
"Third Master! You saw it yourself! That bastard Green Snake humiliated me again and again!
"He called me trash and a liar!
"I, Hu Biao, risked my life to render great service to the stronghold. I came back without asking for a reward, only to be humiliated like this?
"If I can endure even that, how am I supposed to establish myself in Black Wind Stronghold from now on? How am I supposed to lead my brothers?"
His voice rang with fierce indignation, carrying the violence of a man who had suffered endless grievances. The tip of his saber pointed directly at Green Snake's corpse.
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