Catching Chu Feng

Yong'an City's county office backyard.

This was where the county magistrate and his family lived.

The reception hall.

Yang Chenwu sat upright in a redwood grand master's chair, chatting idly with the many family heads and gang leaders who had come to visit.

He lifted a precious celadon cup and took a small sip of tea.

"Everyone, I've summoned you here because I have an important matter to discuss..."

The hot-tempered Green Serpent Gang Leader, Lin Yuntian, said coldly, "Enough nonsense. Where is that murderer hiding?"

Yang Chenwu said unhurriedly, "There is only one copy of the Viscera Refining Breathing Technique. If I tell you, what about the rest of our friends?"

Lin Yuntian swept his gaze around and saw the scorching stares of Wang Chaosheng, the head of the Wang Family, and Li Nantian, the head of the Li Family. He obediently sat back down.

"Then what do you suggest?"

Yang Chenwu stood at the head seat and said loudly, "Fang Hanshan's strength is formidable. No one here is his match. If one person alone obtains the technique and he later goes back on his word, we'll probably be helpless. Only by advancing and retreating together can we make him afraid to renege."

"County Magistrate Yang is right. I suggest we all swear poisonous oaths to advance and retreat together, then share the technique after obtaining it. That is the best solution..."

A sharp glint flashed through Wang Chaosheng's eyes as he made the proposal.

"Good. We'll do as Brother Yang says. Everyone can obtain the technique without fearing Fang Hanshan's revenge. Brother Yang, that is truly a brilliant plan!" Li Nantian also said with a hearty smile.

The Viscera Refining Breathing Technique was an advanced technique monopolized by the Noble Families and great clans. For these small-city families and minor gangs, obtaining it would be an incredible stroke of luck!

"Lord Yang is truly noble and virtuous! We admire you immensely."

Everyone began showering him with shameless flattery. After all, they still had no idea where the murderer was.

Seeing this, Yang Chenwu stopped keeping them in suspense and had Captain Xu, who stood behind him, step forward.

"Your subordinate suspects that Chu Liu Xiang, the butcher at Hongyun Restaurant, is the person the Fang Family is looking for!"

"What makes you say that?" Lin Yuntian asked urgently.

"This humble man's sense of smell is exceptionally keen. A person can change his appearance, but he cannot change his scent. I can be certain that the butcher is the murderer because I smelled his scent on the Fang Family's dead."

"Since we've found the murderer, let's go together and capture him. Break both his arms and legs, then hand him over to Fang Hanshan in exchange for the Viscera Refining Breathing Technique." Wang Chaosheng rose to his feet as he spoke.

Everyone present stood up and prepared to head to Hongyun Restaurant to capture Chu Feng.

Just then, a constable hurried in to make a report.

"My lord, someone who looks like the Fang Family's rebellious servant has appeared on Central Avenue—the very man who slaughtered the Fang Family!"

Afterward, the attendants brought by the various families and gangs also relayed the same news one after another.

The smile that had just filled Yang Chenwu's face instantly froze.

"Has this man gone mad? Instead of hiding, he actually came out? Isn't he afraid of the furious Fang Hanshan?"

Chu Feng's refusal to hide had caused a crack to appear in Yang Chenwu's alliance plan.

"Lord Yang, something suddenly came up at home, so I'll take my leave first." Lin Yuntian was the first to jump out.

Now that Chu Feng had appeared, if Fang Hanshan killed him first, the Viscera Refining Breathing Technique would go up in smoke. He had no choice but to hurry.

"So will I..."

Everyone found excuses to leave and scattered in a rush. The hall, lively just moments ago, instantly fell silent.

Yang Chenwu's expression did not change as he bid them farewell one by one.

After everyone had left, he threw back his head and let out a long sigh.

"Refugees fill the land beyond the city walls, and countless people are starving to death, while the granaries of these wealthy clans within the city are piled high like mountains. They cannot finish their grain before it rots."

"The dynasty has weakened, and its authority is gone. I, a county magistrate governing a city, actually have to watch the faces of these gangs and powerful gentry. If I can become a Viscera Refinement Warrior, I will surely set Yong'an City right, restore order, and reshape heaven and earth!"

"Your Excellency's grand ambition is truly admirable. That day will surely come!" the aide beside him praised loudly.

"All right. Spare me the flattery. Let's first go see what that young man named Chu Feng is really trying to do."

Yang Chenwu's expression returned to calm. He left with his aide and several captains.

The noonday sun bathed the earth in fierce, warm light.

Yet one particular residence was shrouded in gloomy, sinister air.

The courtyard's bluestone floor was covered in mottled bloodstains. The garden pond was filthy and murky. Beneath several rotten, yellowed lotus leaves, the pale corpses of several carp could just be seen, giving off a faint fishy stench.

Fang Hanshan gazed at Fang Jian Xing's corpse, its skin deathly pale, and a look of reminiscence surfaced on his face.

"Family Head, Chu Feng has suddenly appeared on West South Street..."

The few remaining servants and guards came to report with extreme caution.

Fang Hanshan's expression turned cold upon hearing this. His palm instantly crushed a fist-sized chunk of ice.

"Bastard, you actually dare show yourself!"

"Xing'er, watch as your father avenges you and washes away your hatred!"

After saying this, Fang Hanshan picked up a long sword and strode out.

After leaving the restaurant, Chu Feng changed his appearance.

His originally thin and frail body gradually became tall, handsome, and imposing.

The various major forces had long since filled Yong'an City with informants. The instant Chu Feng restored his original appearance, countless eyes turned toward him.

Chu Feng paid them no mind. Surrounded by countless gazes, he returned to the small courtyard he had rented and calmly took the ancient, crude Mò Dāo Heavy Mountain from beneath his bed!

"Your time to take the stage has come again..." He stroked the mottled blade, then strode out through the courtyard gate.

"Make way! Green Serpent Gang Leader Lin Yuntian is here..."

By now, none of the onlookers were ordinary citizens. They were all martial artists who cultivated the martial way.

When a burly man with a face full of coarse flesh approached, everyone hurriedly scattered to either side.

The moment Lin Yuntian appeared, he shouted, "Brat, did you kill Zhao Wen Tai, my Green Serpent Gang's Left Protector, Soul Locking Hand?"

What?

The many watching martial artists froze. So the young man had not only killed people from the Fang Family—he had also killed the Green Serpent Gang's Left Protector!

"You mean that idiotic Muscle Tendon Realm martial artist?"

Chu Feng tilted his head and thought for a moment. He remembered the idiot martial artist who had suddenly appeared during his battle with Gao Han. The impression had run deep.

"Arrogant bastard! Today, there is no need for the Fang Family's Old Master to act. I, Lin Yuntian, will rid the people of this menace!" Lin Yuntian said hypocritically.

"Tyrant Saber Slash!"

The Ring-pommel Saber in Lin Yuntian's hand descended in a forceful Mount Tai Split, carrying a fierce blade aura as it hacked toward Chu Feng.

"He clearly wants the Viscera Refining Technique and is deliberately currying favor with Fang Hanshan, yet he makes it sound so righteous. What shamelessness! A true role model for our generation!"

Wang Chaosheng had actually wanted to make a move as well, but Lin Yuntian had beaten him to it. He was also concerned about his reputation and did not want people accusing him of bullying one with many, so he had held back.

By now, most of the leaders of Yong'an City's various forces had arrived at the scene. Many were eager to try, but they lacked a justifiable pretext. They were afraid that forcing their way forward would make people say they were licking the Fang Family's filthy boots, so they restrained themselves.

The Viscera Refining Breathing Technique was truly irresistible!

"Lin Yuntian is an idiot too. From what I know of Fang Hanshan, he is alone, his bloodline severed. It would be a blessing if he hasn't gone mad. He actually expects the other party to honor his promise? How laughable!"

The head of the Li Family had a different view, and he had struck directly at the heart of Fang Hanshan's current condition.

Lin Yuntian's saber descended with the momentum of a dragon. Its sharp blade aura made Chu Feng's skin prickle and stirred the battle intent in his heart, causing it to surge higher and higher.

"A Bone Forging Realm expert? Perfect. I'll use you to test my skills!"

Chu Feng's eyes lit up slightly. He had never fought a Bone Forging Realm martial artist head-on, so this was the perfect chance to experiment!

Chu Feng neither dodged nor evaded. He stood rigidly in place until the long saber was about to strike his forehead, then raised the Mò Dāo horizontally to block.

Clang!

The weapons collided with a piercing ring.

Chu Feng's hands did not move in the slightest, while Lin Yuntian's hands trembled violently.

"That was a little too light. Is that all the strength a Bone Forging Realm martial artist has? Were you afraid of hurting me?" Chu Feng sneered.

"What an incredibly powerful body!"

Lin Yuntian was startled. He was an expert in the Bone Forging Realm, and his arms could unleash nearly a hundred thousand jin of force. Yet he could not shake the body of the villain before him in the slightest?

"Are you going to keep fighting?" Chu Feng asked with a smile as he watched the other man's uncertain expression.

"Arrogant bastard, don't underestimate me!"

Lin Yuntian had already begun to retreat in his heart, but Chu Feng's provocation sent his blood rushing to his head. He immediately gripped his Ring-pommel Saber tightly and charged forward.

Clang!

Clang!

Blades flashed in every direction, radiating boundless killing intent.

Yet Chu Feng always managed to block Lin Yuntian's attacks with leisurely ease, slipping past them by the narrowest of margins.

"Too light..."

"Too light..."

"With force this light, how do you even manage to lift your saber?"

After exchanging blows, Chu Feng remained standing in place, his feet not having shifted an inch. He spoke calmly.

Lin Yuntian stopped, panting heavily. As he looked at Chu Feng, who remained calm and composed, his expression turned utterly grim.