Make Way Within Ten Breaths, or Bear the Consequences!

On the surface of a stretch of river.

Two fleets of boats intercepted Zhou Chengyuan's convoy.

Two ships of clearly larger scale lay broadside across the path ahead of Zhou Chengyuan's vessel.

Groups of people stood on their respective decks.

"They're the Black Snake Gang from Zishan Town, as well as the Liu Family from the county seat."

"The one in front is Liu Chengfeng, the younger brother of the current Liu Family head."

After glancing at the people standing on the decks of those two large ships, Wu Pengjing frowned and spoke quietly to Fang Hong.

"The Black Snake Gang is nothing much, but this Liu Family is rather troublesome."

"They've entrenched themselves in the county seat, and their power runs deep."

Looking at Fang Hong's calm expression, Zhou Chengyuan chuckled and flattered him.

"If this had happened in the past, our situation would naturally have been perilous."

"But now that Mr. Fang is here, they've kicked an iron plate."

Fang Hong swept his gaze over the two fleets across from them.

In his perception, neither of those fleets gave him much of a sense of danger.

That meant they posed no real threat to him.

Thus, Fang Hong remained entirely calm.

"Elder Zhou, I heard you found some treasure up ahead. I wonder if you might let us broaden our horizons?"

On the large ship to the right, a middle-aged man in an ornate brocade robe looked at Zhou Chengyuan and asked with a light smile.

Though he claimed he merely wished to have a look.

The tone in his words was incomparably forceful.

It was obvious that he wanted Zhou Chengyuan to hand over the treasure they had found.

"Mr. Fang, what should we do now?"

Hearing the other man's overbearing words, Zhou Chengyuan's expression did not change much.

Instead, he immediately turned to Fang Hong and asked respectfully.

Fang Hong glanced at Zhou Chengyuan.

This old fellow truly was shrewd enough.

Though Fang Hong knew Zhou Chengyuan wanted him to step forward, he did not mind.

He only wanted to wrap this matter up quickly, return to Fenshui Town, and obtain the Star River Sect Token in Zhou Chengyuan's possession.

With that thought, Fang Hong stepped forward directly.

Seeing Fang Hong move, everyone promptly made way and stood respectfully behind him on both sides.

On the large ship opposite them, the brocade-robed middle-aged man who had spoken earlier immediately narrowed his eyes when he saw this.

"Who is this young man? Why are Zhou Chengyuan's people treating him with such respect?"

"I'm in a hurry. If you don't want to die, get out of my way now!"

Fang Hong walked to the bow, calmly fixed his gaze on the brocade-robed middle-aged man, and spoke indifferently.

Upon hearing this, Wu Pengjing and Zhou Chengyuan both raised their brows.

A barely perceptible smile flickered in their eyes as they looked at the brocade-robed man.

That felt good.

Weren't you, Liu Chengfeng and the Liu Family, arrogant as all hell? Now you've kicked an iron plate.

If you've got the guts, keep acting arrogant.

Let's see whether you die!

Both Zhou Chengyuan and Wu Pengjing thought this with immense secret delight.

As powers within the same county, they naturally had dealings with one another many times.

And the Liu Family had entrenched itself in the county seat, its power far greater than theirs.

Thus, they had suffered at the Liu Family's hands more than once in the past.

However, they were not fools. They did not try any petty tricks to fan the flames or kill with a borrowed knife.

The other side truly was no match for Fang Hong, but Fang Hong would soon leave.

When that time came, they would still be the ones facing the Liu Family.

If they angered the Liu Family now, once Fang Hong left, the ones suffering would be them.

So, for now, they could only gloat in their hearts.

And upon hearing Fang Hong's words, which were even more arrogant than his own.

The brocade-robed middle-aged man immediately furrowed his brow, his eyes filled with anger.

But having made it to his current position, he was not some brainless fool.

He stared at Fang Hong's calm expression, so confident and fearless.

Then he sensed the faint yet persistent pressure in the air, even from such a distance.

The brocade-robed middle-aged man forcibly suppressed the anger in his heart and revealed a smile.

"May I ask how I should address this little brother?"

"I am Liu Chengfeng of the Liu Family. Might this little brother grant the Liu Family some face?"

Liu Chengfeng asked very politely.

Fang Hong raised his brow slightly and looked at him.

"What Liu Family? Who cares who you are? Why should I give you face?"

"Make way within ten breaths, or bear the consequences yourself!"

Fang Hong spoke coldly, a dangerous glint flashing through his eyes.

As he spoke, the inner force within his body had already begun to churn.

He could not be bothered to waste time arguing with these people here.

If they still refused to move aside, he would immediately erupt and kill.

Sensing that sudden surge of danger, Liu Chengfeng's expression changed drastically.

Then, without the slightest hesitation, he gave the order directly.

"Please calm your anger, little brother. We'll move aside at once!"

After apologizing, Liu Chengfeng immediately had his men move the ships of their fleet aside.

On the other side, when the Black Snake Gang saw the Liu Family fleet retreat, they could only follow suit.

Even the Liu Family had chosen to yield, so they naturally dared not provoke Fang Hong.

"Go."

Seeing the ships blocking their way move aside, Fang Hong glanced at Zhou Chengyuan.

Then their vessels passed one after another through the gap between the two fleets.

"Second Master Liu, are we really just letting them leave like this?"

"What if the treasure they found is extraordinarily valuable..."

Watching the departing fleet, the leader of the Black Snake Gang came aboard the Liu Family's ship, unwilling to accept it.

"Hmph. If you don't want to give up, you can go stop them yourself."

"I certainly won't stop you."

Liu Chengfeng snorted coldly and spoke with some irritation.

"Uh, of course I wouldn't dare. I just wonder who that young man really is."

The Black Snake Gang man said in confusion, "How have I never heard that Fenshui Town had someone like him before?"

"How would I know? Since the operation has already failed, you may leave!"

Liu Chengfeng glanced at him, flicked his long sleeve, and turned to enter the cabin.

"Second Master, do you truly intend to give up?"

After entering the cabin, one of Liu Chengfeng's trusted subordinates asked in a low voice.

"Go to Fenshui Town at once and find out exactly who that young man is."

"Also, learn as much as possible about what treasure Zhou Chengyuan and Wu Pengjing discovered."

After pondering for a moment with a somewhat gloomy expression, Liu Chengfeng gave his orders directly.

"Yes!"

Meanwhile, after the Liu Family ceased blocking their path, Zhou Chengyuan and his group also returned smoothly to Fenshui Town.

What came next was naturally dividing the spoils.

Fang Hong made the final decision that the division would take place at the Zhou Family.

Wu Pengjing and Zhang Wenshan were both somewhat surprised by Fang Hong's decision.

Zhou Chengyuan, however, gave a bitter smile.

He knew Fang Hong intended to use this opportunity to obtain the Star River Sect Token immediately.

Originally, he had planned to host Fang Hong at another private banquet and deepen their connection.

Fang Hong was so powerful despite his young age, and he would later join the Star River Sect.

If the Zhou Family could receive his protection, they would undoubtedly rise to another level.

But unfortunately, Fang Hong had chosen the Zhou Family as the place to divide the gains.

That clearly meant he did not wish to have too much association with him or the Zhou Family.

Thinking of this, Zhou Chengyuan sighed inwardly once more.

"Then we shall do as Mr. Fang says. Everyone, please!"

Suppressing the myriad thoughts in his heart, Zhou Chengyuan smiled and invited them onward.

Then the group boarded a carriage together.

Their subordinates, meanwhile, hauled this round's gains behind them.