Publicly Announcing the Bounty

After hearing Xiao Yuanshan's words, Qiao Feng was so shocked that he took several steps back. It was known that none of the heroes at Juxian Village had managed to make Qiao Feng retreat even half a step, yet Xiao Yuanshan's few words had broken through his defenses.

At this moment, Qiao Feng had not yet experienced the bloody battle at Juxian Village, nor had he been branded a villain who had killed many martial artists. Although he had Khitan blood, he had always considered himself Han.

However, Xiao Yuanshan's words had directly brought the conflict between Song and Liao to the forefront. Song and Liao had been at war for many years, and both sides had long considered the other's people mortal enemies. Killing them carried no psychological burden.

At this moment, he deeply regretted stopping Xiao Yuanshan, because he had no answer to the question Chen Feng had asked him earlier.

Hearing Xiao Yuanshan's words, the surrounding crowd tightened their grip on their weapons. They knew that if one Qiao Feng was difficult to deal with, now there was also his father, who was already a martial arts master thirty years ago. If the father and son decided to go on a killing spree, the people present might not be able to stop them.

Seeing the wary eyes of the people around him, Qiao Feng was momentarily unable to make up his mind. On one side were his supposed compatriots, and on the other was his biological father. This put Qiao Feng in a difficult position.

"Hahaha, Feng'er, look at these people around you. They don't trust you because you are Khitan. These Southern martial artists are insidious and treacherous. What good can come of them?"

"Who was it that led the charge to kill your mother outside Yanmen Pass back then? These people knew it clearly but refused to say anything, all of them protecting him. Don't they deserve to die? Let's join forces, father and son, and kill them until rivers of blood flow, then find that leader and avenge your mother!!" Xiao Yuanshan said loudly, noticing the subtle movements of the people around them.

"I once said, 'At the beginning of life, human nature is good, similar in nature, and different in habit.' Qiao Feng, do you understand and agree with this statement?" Chen Feng said quickly, seeing that the situation was about to spiral out of control.

"My son's surname is Xiao, not Qiao!!!" Before Qiao Feng could answer, Xiao Yuanshan roared at Chen Feng.

"Qiao or Xiao, a name is just a label."

"'To raise without teaching is the father's fault; to teach without strictness is the teacher's laziness.' The Qiao couple provided for you, and although they may not have taught you grand principles, they taught you the ways of being a person. Otherwise, you wouldn't have become the renowned leader of the Beggars Sect, Qiao Feng."

"On the other hand, Senior Xiao, if I'm not mistaken, you've known Qiao Feng's identity for a long time. With your abilities, you could have taken Qiao Feng away and raised him yourself, but you didn't. You gave birth but didn't raise him, yet you only want to influence your son through blood ties. Aren't you thinking too simply?"

"He is a person! Not an object! He can judge right from wrong himself! As for the Yanmen Pass massacre back then, whoever was there, you can seek revenge from them, and no one will say anything. But you are killing innocent people indiscriminately, showing no regard for human life, and you want to pass this mindset on to your son!!!"

Chen Feng's words made Qiao Feng, who was already deeply conflicted, no longer hesitate. As the former leader of the Beggars Sect, he had led the sect to become the undisputed number one sect in the Jianghu. Qiao Feng was not lacking in wisdom; it was just that the successive unexpected events had left him no time to react.

"Brother Xiaoyao, may I speak with my father alone?" Qiao Feng asked, looking at Chen Feng.

"No, we can't let them leave! If we let them go, what if they return to Great Liao and become enemies of Great Song?" As soon as Qiao Feng finished speaking, Elder Xu immediately objected.

"Then you can handle it yourselves." Chen Feng shrugged and jumped off the roof, landing in front of Xue Muhua.

Qiao Feng looked at Elder Xu, snorted coldly, and rushed out of the village. Xiao Yuanshan followed him.

The experts on the roof who had surrounded Qiao Feng and his father looked at each other, but none dared to make a move to stop them.

"Sect Leader." Xue Muhua said immediately upon seeing Chen Feng approach.

"Don't call me Sect Leader. I haven't agreed to let you return to the sect yet." Chen Feng glared at Xue Muhua.

"Ah!" Chen Feng's words startled Xue Muhua and Fan Bailing.

"When you left Apricot Forest, weren't you investigating bloody cases across various regions? Why did you organize a heroes' gathering to deal with Qiao Feng?" Chen Feng asked.

"Well, according to Jianghu rumors, Qiao Feng killed his adoptive parents and his master..." Xue Muhua's voice trailed off.

He knew in his heart that the reason for hosting this heroes' gathering was for fame. After all, Qiao Feng was only one person.

On the other hand, the culprits of the bloody cases not only had few clues but were clearly part of an organization. Xue Muhua was reluctant to provoke such an unknown organization.

Chen Feng glared at Xue Muhua and walked directly to the center of the courtyard, circulating his internal energy and speaking loudly:

"Esteemed heroes, you must have heard the conversation just now. The murderer of Qiao Sanyuan and Master Xuan Ku was not Qiao Feng, but his father."

"Don't talk to me about a son paying for his father's debts. His father is still alive, so he alone will bear the consequences. Therefore, the purpose of your gathering here is nullified."

"However, do not worry, there is a more important matter for which I hope all heroes can help. Recently, there have been many bloody cases across various regions, and the culprits have arrogantly left strange and bizarre code names at the scene. I hope all heroes can find these villains and make them pay for their crimes with blood!!!"

"As for the reward, it is the supreme martial art of my Xiaoyao Sect!!!"

"Sect Leader, absolutely not!!!" As soon as Chen Feng finished speaking, Xue Muhua and Fan Bailing's faces changed drastically, and they hurriedly tried to stop him.

"Xiaoyao Sect? What kind of sect is that? I've never heard of it?"

"Supreme martial art, is it the palm technique and footwork he just used against Qiao Feng?"

For a moment, all the heroes who had come to Juxian Village began to whisper. After all, the Xiaoyao Sect was an reclusive sect, unknown to most. If not for the strength Chen Feng had just displayed, they would not have believed his words.

Chen Feng ignored the anxious two beside him and continued, "You may not know, but the brothers of the Beggars Sect must be aware that I, Xiaoyao, was just an ordinary person who knew no martial arts a few days ago."

"I am deeply indebted to the Sect Leader of the Xiaoyao Sect for bestowing upon me his lifelong cultivation and granting me a secret manual—Xiaoyao Yufeng."

"All the kung fu of the Xiaoyao Sect is derived from Xiaoyao Yufeng. I will now offer this as a reward. Anyone who finds the culprits of the bloody cases and can prove their identity will be allowed to view Xiaoyao Yufeng for one day."

"Of course, everyone need not worry about not having an opportunity. Any hero who kills ten Great Liao soldiers will also be allowed to view it for one day!!!"

"As for whether this book is real or fake, with so many expert seniors present, I can let them view it first to verify its authenticity. Afterward, you can kill Liao soldiers to settle the debt! I will place a copy of the secret manual at Juxian Village and have it transcribed, ensuring that all qualified heroes can see it. As for the reward, you two can view it freely. What do you two village masters think?"

Chen Feng's words caused a huge stir. Seeing Chen Feng's confident demeanor, most people had already believed him. Someone in the crowd immediately turned and left.

However, the You Brothers looked troubled. While they valued their reputation, they knew the level of their own kung fu. Possessing such a treasure could bring disaster upon their village.

But they knew that Chen Feng had transformed from someone who knew no martial arts into such a master in just a few days. It would be a lie to say they weren't tempted.