Indecisive

Feng Shiren tapped his teacup twice on the table, signaling the people in the hall to quiet down. He then looked at Du Ge and said, "Seventh Master, why don't you tell us, what should we do next?"

"First, send people to various towns and cities to investigate the elderly, weak, sick, and disabled—anyone who has suddenly recovered or undergone a drastic personality change. If found, bring them back to the Feng Family. Better to arrest the wrong person than let one slip. Once captured, discern through their words and actions whether they are Heavenly Demons. Second, under the pretext of the Martial Arts Tournament, visit various families and sects in the name of sparring, seeking out Heavenly Demons that have infiltrated them. Recruit those you can; eliminate those you cannot, ensuring the Feng Family stands alone at the top." Du Ge gave his advice without a moment's hesitation.

As soon as he finished speaking.

Before Feng Shiren could respond, Feng Yunjie stood up first. He looked at Du Ge and said with difficulty, "Seventh Master, I'm afraid that won't work. The Feng Family's Martial Arts are not outstanding. If something happens to me before the Martial Arts Tournament, I might not even get the chance to participate. You don't know this, but other sects can't wait to use sparring as an excuse to take out competitors from other sects ahead of time. After all, the Qiao Family Holy Land holds many treasures, enough to change a family's destiny..."

Du Ge interrupted him and asked, "Third Young Master, how many people from the Feng Family are participating in the Martial Arts Tournament?"

Feng Yunjie said, "There are five who meet the conditions. I am a direct descendant of the Feng Family; the others are the personal disciples of my father and Second Uncle. Seventh Master, the Martial Arts Tournament is meant to select rising stars in the martial world and make their names known. It's restricted to young people between twenty and twenty-five."

"Is five the participant limit?" Du Ge asked.

"No," Feng Yunjie replied. "The Martial Arts Tournament only has an age limit, not a participant limit."

"Can Feng Jiu and I participate?" Du Ge asked again.

Feng Yunjie was taken aback. He looked at the two of them and said, "Your ages are naturally fine, but I'm afraid your martial skills won't even pass the preliminary screening. To prevent riffraff from the martial world from joining the tournament and spoiling the spectacle, the Qiao Family conducts an initial screening of participants. As it stands, I'm the only one in the Feng Family confident of passing that screening."

Recalling Feng Si's assessment of the Martial Arts Tournament, Du Ge asked, "Third Young Master, in past Martial Arts Tournaments, have any Feng Family disciples ever achieved a good ranking and entered the Holy Land?"

This question struck a nerve with the Feng Family. For a moment, everyone's faces turned awkward, and they fell silent.

Feng Yunjie reddened. "Seventh Master, my martial arts aptitude is relatively outstanding. I am the Feng Family's best hope of earning a ranking and entering the Qiao Family Holy Land."

"So that means no!" Du Ge shook his head and laughed. "Third Young Master, perhaps before, only you had a chance. But things are different now. Don't forget, Feng Jiu and I are also members of the Feng Family."

Several gazes converged on Du Ge and the other man at the same time.

"There are still six months until the Martial Arts Tournament. The Heavenly Demons have descended; who can say what will happen in half a year?" Du Ge paced back and forth a few times before stopping, his gaze fixed on the family head, Feng Shiren. He smiled and said, "Family Head, the times are changing. We need to learn to look at problems with a developmental perspective. The bigger the heart, the bigger the stage. Who knows, maybe in half a year, the Qiao Family's Martial Arts Holy Land will have changed its surname to Feng."

Feng Shiren had just taken a sip of tea. When Du Ge said this, the tea unexpectedly went down the wrong pipe, making him cough a few times before he recovered. He said helplessly, "Seventh Master, it's fine to say such things within the Feng Family, but don't spread them outside."

"Family Head, put your heart at ease. I know my limits. The moment I stepped forward, I tied myself to the Feng Family—a loss for one is a loss for all, a gain for one is a gain for all. I won't do anything that harms the Feng Family." Du Ge nodded to Feng Shiren, then turned back to Feng Yunjie. "Third Young Master, setting aside the matter of seizing the Martial Arts Holy Land for now. To take a step back, even if the martial world remains unaffected by the Heavenly Demons and proceeds as before, we can still take out the seed contestants from other families ahead of time. The more we eliminate, the greater the Feng Family's chances of entering the Qiao Family Holy Land!"

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

"Third Young Master, even if you had the ability, we couldn't let you do it. Otherwise, if exposed, it would surely bring disaster upon the Feng Family." Du Ge pointed at himself and Feng Jiu, smiling. "For the stability of the Feng Family, the dirty, thankless work naturally falls to us..."

Watching Du Ge, who seemed to consider the Feng Family's interests in everything and was willing to sacrifice, the Feng Family members exchanged glances. For a moment, none of them knew what to say.

How to put it?

Everything before them gave them an unreal feeling...

Feng Shiren disliked Du Ge's boastful manner. He frowned and said, "Seventh Master, we should still be cautious in our actions."

"Family Head, time is running out." Du Ge sighed. "You don't understand the Heavenly Demons. They will seize every bit of nourishment to grow. Just like me, I will go to any lengths to protect the Feng Family's interests, because if the Feng Family prospers, my abilities will improve.

I know what the Family Head is worried about. We should make the best plans, but also prepare for the worst. If the assassination of other seed contestants is exposed, the Family Head can push me out as a scapegoat and blame everything on the Heavenly Demons. By then, other Heavenly Demons in the world should already be showing signs, so no one will suspect a thing. The Feng Family could even use this to launch a grand demon-extermination campaign and make a name for itself..."

Feng Jiu looked suspiciously at Feng Qi, his doubts about him loosening slightly. If he was putting this much effort into thinking for the Feng Family, could his Keyword really be Maintenance?

Feng Yunjie stared at Du Ge, his eyes flickering repeatedly, clearly somewhat tempted.

Feng Shiren frowned. I haven't said anything yet, so how is it that in your mouth, things already seem settled, and you've even thought of a way out for me...

Du Ge clasped his fists and bowed deeply. "Family Head, great fortune lies in peril; hesitation leads to defeat. In all the Martial Arts Tournaments, the Feng Family hasn't even qualified to enter the Holy Land. What more do we have to lose? Family Head, make up your mind! For the Feng Family, I am willing to make any sacrifice. Please do not doubt my sincerity."

Feng Shiren took a deep breath and said, "Seventh Master, this is a matter of great importance. Allow us to discuss it. Yunming, Yunlu, take the two masters to the guest rooms to rest for a while."

Feng Yunming came before Du Ge and the other man, gesturing with his hand. "Please, both masters."

Du Ge looked reluctant, casting a dissatisfied glance at Feng Shiren, raising his voice by a notch. "Family Head, the future of the Feng Family rests on a single thought of yours. You must decide quickly. Speed is paramount in war; time waits for no one!"

Buzz!

Feng Shiren's head felt like it had swollen a size. He unconsciously clenched his fist.

Watching the eager members of the Feng Family, he actually felt a hint of fear toward Du Ge, and a hint of murderous intent. The Feng Family was full of mediocrities; if this beguiling Heavenly Demon wasn't handled properly, it would most likely bring calamity upon the Feng Family!

"Eldest Young Master, guarding us is pointless. Why not go and persuade the Family Head? The descent of the Heavenly Demons is truly a golden opportunity. We can't give it up!"

"...Fourth Young Master, you're clever and quick-witted. One day, you'll also participate in the Martial Arts Tournament. Wouldn't you like to do it at your own doorstep?"

"Eldest Young Master, you will one day take charge of the Feng Family. You must understand that managing a family is like practicing martial arts—rowing against the current, if you don't advance, you fall back..."

On the way to the guest rooms, Du Ge chattered incessantly at Feng Yunming and Feng Yunlu, his every word filled with concern for the Feng Family's future, perfectly portraying the image of a loyal minister devoted to protecting the family.

Feng Jiu, clutching his stomach, watched in shock. For the first time, he felt that his loss wasn't unjust.

This consistency between appearance and reality, this immersion in the role.

If he hadn't known Feng Qi's true background, he really would have been fooled.

Compared to him, he himself was lacking far too much. Was this the education from the Elite Academy?

Both of them were entering the Simulation Field for the first time. How could he be this outstanding?

Thinking back to how he had tried to lure Feng Qi with the Elite Academy slot, Feng Jiu felt a wave of embarrassment. He was probably seen through back then.

Arriving at the guest room, Du Ge finally fell silent. He sat on a chair, pondering where he had slipped up, considering how to find and fill the gaps.

But in the eyes of the Feng Yunming and Feng Yunlu brothers, it seemed Feng Qi was worried his suggestions wouldn't be adopted.

The two exchanged a glance, and Feng Yunming broke the silence first: "Seventh Master, you're too anxious. Don't overthink it—my father always acts with caution; he'll make the best choice."

Feng Yunlu grinned and added, "Exactly, Seventh Master. You've already laid out the stakes, and the rest isn't up to us. Might as well wait in peace. Seventh Master, tell us about the Demon Realm! I'm pretty curious about Heavenly Demons."

Did I overdo it?

Du Ge's thoughts stirred, and he sighed. "I can't afford not to be urgent! If the Feng Family grows strong, I grow strong! Otherwise, when other Heavenly Demons come slaughtering, if I haven't matured yet and can't protect the Feng Family, I'll lose my life—what's left to talk about living freely? Young masters, competition among Heavenly Demons is brutal."

As he spoke, he seemed to recall something, looked at Feng Jiu, and deftly shifted the topic. "Eldest Young Master, I've been too focused on my own growth. Quickly find someone to prepare some food for Ninth Brother. His Keyword is Taotie—he can only grow by eating. If he matures, he'll be a boon to the Feng Family."

The Demon Realm matter was fabricated from the start; the more he said, the more mistakes he'd make. Better to use this chance to win over a few more people and bolster his own strength.

Just now, he had devoted himself entirely to planning for the Feng Family, and his own attributes had risen who knew how much. Now he felt brimming with energy, his senses sharp, his body seemingly filled with inexhaustible power—this kind of enhancement was intoxicating.

Du Ge also saw it: Feng Shiren was indecisive, not cut out for great things.

His schemes, if they benefited the Feng Family, might be fine. But once they hit a snag, or if he slipped out of Feng Shiren's control...

That butcher's blade would likely turn on him first.

Raising his own strength was the foundation for survival—and for when the time came to Backstab the Feng Family with confidence...

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

Du Ge smiled. "Ninth Brother, don't look at me like that. I said cooperation means cooperation—steadfast to the end. I won't harm you."

Feng Jiu looked at Du Ge, then suddenly sighed, saying bitterly, "No need, I can't eat anymore. Eldest Young Master, have the physician prescribe me some digestive medicine. My stomach's a bit full..."

"Full?" Du Ge's gaze burned as he studied Feng Jiu, as if looking at something immensely amusing.

Feng Jiu's face reddened. Avoiding Du Ge's eyes, he mumbled, "I ate too much just now. I really can't eat anymore."

Du Ge stood up, circling Feng Jiu a few times amid his flustered gaze, then stopped abruptly, shook his head at him, and declared decisively, "Ninth Brother, you've taken the wrong path."

Feng Yunming had already been about to order a servant to summon the physician for Feng Jiu, but at these words, he paused.