Strange Man

The three of them said nothing along the way. Zhang Yuezhen disdained speaking much with Chen Fei, and Chen Fei naturally would not go out of his way to approach her.

"Should I just leave the Medical Hall?"

A thought suddenly popped into Chen Fei's mind, but he immediately rejected it. He had already been branded with the Zhang family's mark now. Did he really think he could pay a small termination fee and leave safe and sound?

Unless Chen Fei left Pingyin County, tearing all pretense of cordiality with the Zhang family like this would only bring more trouble afterward. Or else he would have to change his face and continue living in Pingyin County.

In that case, it naturally would not be a problem for Chen Fei to support himself, since his Pill Refining Art was right there. But after that, if he wanted to obtain any cultivation techniques or secret manuals, it would become very difficult.

The damaged secret manuals in the Black Market were honestly somewhat unreliable.

Chen Fei had placed great hopes on Thunderclap Sword Force before, thinking that with a dozen or so volumes, there ought to be some gains at least. In the end, after reading through more than a dozen books, the Panel had not acknowledged a single one. They had not even met the most basic requirements for Simplification.

It could be said that Chen Fei's previous ability to obtain one move of Immortal Guides the Way and the Startling Word Incantation had absolutely been a burst of heaven-defying luck.

But luck really was not something that would keep following you just because you wanted it to.

As for leaving Pingyin County, the Rebel Army was running rampant outside now, and he did not know if it was because Heaven was angered and the people were resentful, but Weird had also increased.

The merchant caravans he had often seen in the past now traveled to and from Pingyin County far less frequently.

He was unfamiliar with the people and places outside, and his strength was also insufficient. Chen Fei had not completely decided where he should go.

"I'll take a look first."

Chen Fei glanced at Zhang Yuezhen. The Zhang family had suddenly summoned them today, and he did not know what it was for. If it was too dangerous, Chen Fei would definitely weigh it carefully.

In less than the time it took for an incense stick to burn, the three arrived at the Zhang Family Residence. They entered through a side gate and came into the Great Hall.

There were already many people standing inside the Great Hall at this moment. Chen Fei stood at the very end, while Zhang Yuezhen stood in the middle. From this alone, one could see Chen Fei's current position in the entire Zhang family.

"Everyone is more or less here, yes?"

The current head of the Zhang family, Zhang Ting, swept his gaze over everyone present and said in a deep voice, "I will not waste words on idle talk. Today, we are here for only one thing: capture and kill Sun Shu!"

Everyone was startled when they heard this. So many people had been gathered today, and it was actually still for the matter of Sun Shu. After so much time had passed, many people had thought Sun Shu had long since left Pingyin County.

"If he is alive, we must see the man; if he is dead, we must see the corpse! Whoever can do it, the Zhang family will certainly reward them heavily!"

Zhang Ting's voice rang throughout the entire Great Hall. This counted as a promise. With so many people watching, if anyone could capture and kill Sun Shu, the Zhang family would probably truly take out something good; otherwise, it would not be enough to convince the crowd.

A quarter of an hour later, the crowd dispersed, and Chen Fei and the others came to Zhang Sinan's courtyard.

"The matter is just as my father said. If any of you has a way to kill Sun Shu, the Zhang family will not let you down." Zhang Sinan picked up a cup of tea and took a few light sips.

"Hasn't Sun Shu already left Pingyin County? Why..." Zeng Defang asked in confusion.

"There are some things that are inconvenient to explain in detail. I hope Old Zeng can forgive me."

"I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare." Zeng Defang hurriedly waved his hand.

"If that Sun Shu dares show himself, I alone can kill him!"

Zhang Yuezhen narrowed her eyes slightly. Regarding this matter, she was somewhat determined to obtain success. Her status in the Zhang family was still rather awkward now, after all; she had come to seek refuge.

If she could kill Sun Shu and gain everyone's recognition, her position in the Zhang family would certainly become even more secure.

"That Sun Shu is now a rat crossing the street. How would he dare show himself?"

Zhang Sinan shook her head. Sun Shu's strength was at the Bone Forging Realm. Though that was not ordinary, as far as the Zhang family was concerned, they still had the ability to deal with him. The issue now was that they could not find him, and the other party was hiding in the Dark Corner.

Just yesterday, two direct-line members of the Zhang family had actually already died. Otherwise, the Zhang family would not have been so furious.

Chen Fei did not say a single word and merely stood to the side. This matter was indeed very tempting, but with the strength Chen Fei currently displayed to the outside world, he did not look like someone who could kill Sun Shu no matter how one looked at it.

In the end, even if Chen Fei put in effort, he would probably only be making wedding clothes for others.

A moment later, everyone left Zhang Sinan's courtyard. On the way, Zeng Defang patted Chen Fei on the shoulder. He knew that last time, the Zhang family had not given Chen Fei the Light Spirit Pill's pill recipe.

This matter was somewhat unfair, but although Zeng Defang was an old Alchemist, he was powerless to change the Zhang family's decision. In the final analysis, as long as one was not a direct-line member of the Zhang family, in the Zhang family's eyes, they were merely servants.

Chen Fei smiled and cupped his hands in farewell.

The Zhang family's bounty soon spread throughout Pingyin County.

The Zhang family had issued a bounty for Sun Shu before, only it had had no effect. But this time, the Zhang family was truly serious. The amount of the bounty was extremely high, and they had also offered other benefits.

If someone outside the Zhang family discovered Sun Shu, not only would they receive money, they could also directly enter the Zhang family's shops, and their personal safety would be guaranteed.

For ordinary people, the temptation had undoubtedly become much stronger.

North City Slums.

Compared with other places, not only were the sanitary conditions here poor, even the order seemed somewhat chaotic.

Zhou Shi would glance every now and then at a figure beneath the courtyard wall. He did not know when, but a few days ago, this person had come nearby. As usual, he never saw him go out to work, nor did he see him eat anything. It was as if he had remained motionless all along.

However, there were many such strange people in the slums. Zhou Shi normally did not take it to heart, but ever since the Zhang family's bounty was sent out, a change had occurred in Zhou Shi's heart.

Perhaps this person was the one the Zhang family was looking for?

Such a thought could not help surfacing in Zhou Shi's mind, but he had no way to prove it. He could not very well decide the other party was Sun Shu just because he looked strange.

Night fell. Zhou Shi gnawed on the black, hard steamed bun in his hand, and for some reason, the person he had seen during the day surfaced again in his mind.

Zhou Shi thought for a moment, then went to find Zhou Li, who had grown up with him.

"Go to the Zhang Family and report that person?" Zhou Li looked at Zhou Shi in surprise.

"I asked other people on purpose. That person really is strange. Normally he never goes out to work, only heads out once in a while. Unless he's got money himself—but if he does, why would he stay here with us?" Zhou Shi said in a low voice.

Zhou Li's brows drew together. He felt there was some sense in Zhou Shi's words. Of course, the most crucial point was that the Zhang Family's reward was truly too tempting.

As long as they provided useful information, they could receive a handsome reward, and even get work in one of the Zhang Family's shops. Even if the Zhang Family was only putting on a show for others, they would probably still arrange a decent job.

"Then... shall we try?"

"Try? Of course we try. We'll go together!"

A brilliant smile appeared on Zhou Shi's face. His brother was currently working as a Handyman in the Medical Hall, and though he had food and lodging, if he wanted to support their whole family, he was still stretching a blanket too short to cover them.

If that Strange Man really was Sun Shu this time, then their whole family would leave the refugee slum behind and live the normal life of ordinary people.

"Let's go!"

Zhou Li nodded and was just about to pull Zhou Shi out the door when he suddenly noticed Zhou Shi's body had gone rigid, his gaze fixed deathly on the space behind him.

Zhou Li's heart jolted. He turned back to look, and saw a figure standing there at that very moment, staring at the two of them with eyes full of bloodshot veins.

"I heard you mention the Zhang Family. Looks like it should have something to do with me."

Sun Shu grinned, and there was actually some bright red on his teeth. Who knew what he had eaten?

"Th-this place is already occupied. If you want somewhere to stay, you'll have to go somewhere else," Zhou Li swallowed and said loudly.

"Don't be afraid. It won't hurt. Just once!"

Sun Shu did not pick up Zhou Li's thread of conversation. His figure flickered, and he arrived in front of Zhou Li, pressing both hands onto Zhou Li's head.