Indecisive

Feng Shiren tapped his teacup against the table twice, signaling for everyone in the hall to quiet down. Then he looked at Du Ge and said, "Seventh Master, let's hear your thoughts. What should we do next?"

"First, send people to the major towns to investigate whether any elderly, weak, sick, or disabled people have suddenly recovered or undergone a drastic change in temperament. If you find anyone, bring them back to the Feng Family. Better to catch the wrong person than let one slip through. Once they're here, we can judge from their words and actions whether they're Heavenly Demons. Second, use the Martial Arts Tournament as a pretext to visit the major families and sects under the guise of friendly sparring, and search for Heavenly Demons who have infiltrated them. Recruit them if possible. If not, kill them, and ensure the Feng Family stands alone at the top." Du Ge offered his suggestions without hesitation.

As soon as he finished speaking,

before Feng Shiren could respond, Feng Yunjie stood up. Looking at Du Ge, he said with some difficulty, "Seventh Master, I'm afraid that won't work. The Feng Family's Martial Arts aren't particularly impressive. If something happens to me before the Martial Arts Tournament, I might not even get the chance to compete. You may not know this, but the other sects would love to use sparring as an excuse to kill their rivals' contestants before the tournament. After all, the Qiao Family Holy Land is full of treasures, enough to change the fate of an entire family..."

Du Ge cut him off. "Third Young Master, how many people from the Feng Family are entering the Martial Arts Tournament?"

"Five meet the requirements," Feng Yunjie replied. "I'm a direct descendant of the Feng Family. The others are my father's and second uncle's personal disciples. Seventh Master, the Martial Arts Tournament is meant to select the rising stars of the martial world and make a name for them. Only young people between twenty and twenty-five may participate."

"Is five the limit?" Du Ge asked.

"No," Feng Yunjie replied. "The Martial Arts Tournament has an age limit, but no limit on the number of participants."

"Can Feng Jiu and I compete?" Du Ge asked.

Feng Yunjie froze for a moment and looked at the two of them. "You're both young enough, of course, but your Martial Arts probably wouldn't get you past the preliminaries. To prevent street thugs from entering the Martial Arts Tournament and spoiling the event, the Qiao Family holds preliminary screenings for all contestants. As things stand, I'm the only one from the Feng Family who's certain to pass."

Recalling Feng Si's comments about the Martial Arts Tournament, Du Ge asked, "Third Young Master, have any Feng Family members ever placed well in past tournaments and made it into the Holy Land?"

His question hit a sore spot. Everyone in the Feng Family turned awkward and fell silent.

Feng Yunjie blushed. "Seventh Master, my aptitude for Martial Arts is relatively good. I'm the one in the Feng Family with the best chance of placing well and entering the Qiao Family Holy Land."

"So, none of them have!" Du Ge shook his head and smiled. "Third Young Master, perhaps you were the only one with a chance before, but things are different now. Don't forget, Feng Jiu and I are members of the Feng Family too."

Several pairs of eyes turned to Du Ge and Feng Jiu in unison.

"The Martial Arts Tournament is still half a year away. With the Heavenly Demons having descended, who can say what will happen in six months?" Du Ge paced back and forth a few times, then stopped and fixed his gaze on the family patriarch, Feng Shiren. Smiling, he said, "Patriarch, the world has changed. We need to learn to look at things with an eye to the future. The bigger our ambitions, the bigger the stage. Who knows? In six months, the Qiao Family's Martial Arts Holy Land might even bear the Feng name."

Feng Shiren had just taken a sip of tea. At Du Ge's words, he choked, coughing several times before recovering. He said helplessly, "Seventh Master, you can say such things within the Feng Family, but don't go spreading them outside."

"Patriarch, rest easy. I know what I'm doing. The moment I stepped forward, I tied myself to the Feng Family. If one of us suffers, we all suffer; if one of us prospers, we all prosper. I won't do anything that harms the Feng Family." Du Ge nodded at Feng Shiren, then turned back to Feng Yunjie. "Third Young Master, let's set aside the matter of taking the Martial Arts Holy Land for now. Even if the martial world continues along its old course, unaffected by the Heavenly Demons, we can still take out the promising contestants from other families ahead of time. The more we eliminate, the better the Feng Family's chances of entering the Qiao Family Holy Land!"

"I'd like to, but I'd need the ability to pull it off," Feng Yunjie said awkwardly.

"Third Young Master, even if you could do it, we couldn't let you. If you were exposed, you'd surely bring disaster upon the Feng Family." Du Ge pointed at himself and Feng Jiu, smiling. "To keep the Feng Family safe, we'll handle the dirty work..."

Watching Du Ge put the Feng Family first in everything and willingly make sacrifices for it, the Feng Family members exchanged glances. For a moment, none of them knew what to say.

How could they put it?

Everything before them felt unreal...

Feng Shiren didn't like Du Ge's boastful manner and furrowed his brow. "Seventh Master, we still need to be cautious."

"Patriarch, we're running out of time." Du Ge sighed. "You don't understand the Heavenly Demons. They'll seize every resource they can to grow. Just like me: I'll do whatever it takes to protect the Feng Family's interests, because the stronger the Feng Family becomes, the more my abilities improve.

"I know what you're worried about, Patriarch. We should make the best plan, but also prepare for the worst. If the assassination of the other promising contestants is exposed, you can always put me forward as a scapegoat and blame everything on the Heavenly Demons. By then, other Heavenly Demons should have already begun showing signs of their presence in the world, so no one will suspect anything. The Feng Family could even use the opportunity to launch a grand campaign to exterminate demons and make a name for itself..."

Feng Jiu looked at Feng Qi with suspicion, but his doubts about him eased a little. Feng Qi was going to such lengths for the Feng Family's sake. Could his Keyword really be "protecting"?

Feng Yunjie looked at Du Ge, his eyes flickering. He was clearly tempted.

Feng Shiren furrowed his brow. I haven't even said anything. How are you talking as if it's already settled, and even planning my way out?

Du Ge cupped his hands and bowed deeply. "Patriarch, fortune favors the bold. Hesitation leads to defeat. The Feng Family hasn't even qualified to enter the Holy Land in all these years of Martial Arts Tournaments. What do we have left to lose? Patriarch, make up your mind! I'm willing to make any sacrifice for the Feng Family. Please don't doubt my sincerity."

Feng Shiren took a deep breath. "Seventh Master, this is a serious matter. Give us some time to discuss it. Yunming, Yunlu, take the two gentlemen to the guest rooms to rest."

Feng Yunming came over to Du Ge and Feng Jiu and gestured toward the door. "This way, gentlemen."

Du Ge looked at Feng Shiren with a face full of reluctance and raised his voice. "Patriarch, the Feng Family's future depends on what you decide. You must make up your mind soon. Speed is essential. We can't afford to wait!"

Buzz!

Feng Shiren's head felt like it had doubled in size. He clenched his fist without thinking.

Watching the Feng Family members buzzing with excitement, he found himself feeling a little afraid of Du Ge, along with a murderous urge. The Feng Family was full of mediocrities. If they didn't handle this Heavenly Demon, who was so skilled at swaying people, properly, he would very likely bring disaster upon the family!

"Eldest Young Master, there's no point in keeping an eye on us. Why not go persuade the patriarch instead? The Heavenly Demons have descended. This really is an incredible opportunity. We can't let it go!"

"...Fourth Young Master, you're clever and quick-witted. One day you'll be able to enter the Martial Arts Tournament too. Wouldn't you like to compete right here at home?"

"Eldest Young Master, you're going to take charge of the Feng Family someday. You should know that running a household is like practicing Martial Arts: if you don't move forward against the current, you fall behind..."

On the way to the guest rooms, Du Ge kept chattering at Feng Yunming and Feng Yunlu. Every word showed how concerned he was for the Feng Family's future, and he played the part of a loyal servant devoted to protecting the family to perfection.

Beside him, Feng Jiu clutched his stomach, watching with wide eyes. For the first time, he felt that losing to Feng Qi wasn't so unfair after all.

That sense of being completely immersed in the role...

If he hadn't known Feng Qi's true nature, he really would have been taken in.

Compared to him, Feng Jiu still had a lot to learn. Was this the education they got at the Elite Academy?

They'd both entered the Simulation Field for the first time, so how was Feng Qi already this good?

Thinking about how he'd tried to tempt Feng Qi with a place at the Elite Academy, Feng Jiu felt a wave of embarrassment. Feng Qi must have seen right through him back then.

When they reached the guest room, Du Ge finally fell silent. Sitting in a chair, he thought about where he'd gone wrong and how he could cover his tracks.

But Feng Yunming and Feng Yunlu saw only Feng Qi worrying that his advice wouldn't be accepted.

The two exchanged a glance, and Feng Yunming broke the silence. "Seventh Master, you're worrying too much. Don't overthink it. My father has always been cautious. He'll make the best choice."

Feng Yunlu grinned. "Exactly, Seventh Master. You've already explained all the pros and cons. There's nothing else we can do about it. Let's just wait patiently. Seventh Master, tell us about the Demon Realm! I'm quite curious about the Heavenly Demons."

Had he overdone it?

Du Ge's thoughts shifted. He sighed. "I can't afford to take it slow! The stronger the Feng Family is, the stronger I become. Otherwise, when the other Heavenly Demons come after me, I might not have grown enough to protect the Feng Family. I'd lose my life, let alone live freely. You two young masters, the competition between Heavenly Demons is brutal."

As he spoke, he seemed to remember something. Looking at Feng Jiu, he deftly changed the subject. "Eldest Young Master, I've been thinking only about my own growth. Get someone to prepare food for Ninth Brother. His Keyword is Taotie. He has to grow by eating, and once he does, he'll be an asset to the Feng Family too."

The Demon Realm was made up. The more he said about it, the more likely he was to trip himself up. Better to use the opportunity to win over more people and strengthen himself.

He'd devoted himself to planning for the Feng Family, and his attributes had improved by who knew how much. He felt full of energy now, his senses sharp, and his body brimming with strength. The improvement was intoxicating.

Du Ge had also realized that Feng Shiren was indecisive and not likely to achieve much.

His plans might benefit the Feng Family, but if he encountered a setback or slipped out of Feng Shiren's control,

the man would probably turn his blade on Du Ge first.

Improving his own strength was the only way to secure his footing. Then, when the time came to backstab the Feng Family, he'd have a better chance...

Feng Jiu looked at Du Ge in surprise, as though he hadn't expected him to find food for him.

Du Ge smiled. "Ninth Brother, don't look at me like that. I said we'd work together, and I meant it. I'll see it through. I won't hurt you."

Feng Jiu looked at Du Ge, then suddenly sighed and said bitterly, "No need. I can't eat another bite. Eldest Young Master, have a physician prescribe me something to help with digestion. My stomach feels like it's about to burst..."

"Burst?" Du Ge stared intently at Feng Jiu, as if he were looking at something incredibly entertaining.

Feng Jiu blushed and avoided Du Ge's gaze. Stammering, he said, "I ate too much just now. I really can't eat anymore."

Du Ge stood up and circled Feng Jiu a few times as Feng Jiu looked at him in alarm. Then he stopped, shook his head, and said with finality, "Ninth Brother, you're on the wrong path."

Feng Yunming had already been about to call for a servant to fetch a physician for Feng Jiu, but at those words, he stopped.