Joining forces

After hearing Liu Feng's introduction, Zhang Lingfeng discovered, with some despair, that Master Hong was practically a titan among Ming Jin practitioners. At the very least, even he and Chen Sanshi together could not possibly be a match for him.

To deal with Master Hong, he could only ask Wu Yun to act. But Master Hong had a complicated network of connections, and Wu Yun might not agree. After all, this was different from rescuing Wang Biao.

If they wanted to control the water supply and stop having to bow to the Li Clan's wishes, they had to make the Li Clan afraid. Dealing with Master Hong was the best way.

Saving someone and killing someone were two different things. If this went badly, Wu Yun might not only refuse but also come into conflict with him.

After all, refusing certain requests could easily create a rift.

The bond they had worked so hard to build might break over this. Losing Wu Yun as a backer over one Master Hong clearly was not worth it at present.

Besides, there was now a Ye Fan in the martial arts school's inner courtyard, looking for trouble with him at every turn. Zhang Lingfeng needed Wu Yun's support even more.

[Middle section of the Twelve-Routine Iron Mountain Fist: (241/600)]

He glanced at the panel.

There are still more than six months until my second attempt to break through to Dark Force. Do I really have to let the fields at Little Moon Mountain lie abandoned for half a year?

Zhang Lingfeng had a bad feeling.

Once those six months were up, he would master Dark Force. Then Master Hong would no longer be anything to fear, and the Li Clan would have to repay everything, principal and interest.

But the Lineage had invested a great deal of manpower and resources into these 360 mu of land. Leaving it abandoned like this made Zhang Lingfeng and everyone at home feel deeply stifled.

If they had merely taken a punch or a kick, they could have let it go. But this land was the Lineage's foundation. Besides, they had already planted the seedlings and fertilized them once.

By cutting off the water now, the Li Clan meant to force the Zhang Clan to watch helplessly as their crops died. They were not merely killing, but stabbing at the heart, forcing them to sell their fields for next to nothing.

Even if they really left the land fallow, the Li Clan would still find ways to force the Zhang Clan to sell it cheaply. This was standard practice for all landlords.

"He broke through so quickly. It seems this Ye Fan really is extraordinary."

After returning to their rented home, Zhang Lingfeng told Zhang Pingping about Ye Fan's successful breakthrough and Guo Wei rewarding everyone with a few extra bowls of Qi and blood replenishing soup.

Zhang Pingping was astonished.

After all, Zhang Lingfeng had taken two months to break through. She had never expected such a huge gap between unclosed supreme-grade root bones and closed high-grade root bones.

"Little brother, will Ye Fan break through to Dark Force before you?"

Zhang Pingping asked.

"Impossible! Even if my master focuses entirely on him and gives him all that meat and Qi and blood replenishing soup, along with precious medicinal meals, I still don't believe Ye Fan can break through to Dark Force within six or seven months."

Zhang Lingfeng was certain. Ye Fan might take less time than he did to break through to Dark Force, but breaking through before him was absolutely impossible.

"In that case, we don't have to worry about you being unable to obtain the thirteenth move."

Zhang Pingping felt considerably reassured.

"Let's leave Ye Fan aside for now. Our most urgent concern is the water supply at Little Moon Mountain. I asked Senior Brother Liu. With my strength and Chen Sanshi's, we couldn't possibly defeat Master Hong. Even a sneak attack wouldn't give us much of an advantage."

Zhang Lingfeng said.

"Can Senior Brother Liu help?"

Zhang Pingping asked.

"There's little hope."

Zhang Lingfeng shook his head. In a life-and-death fight, the least one could suffer was damage to muscles and bones; at worst, one could die on the spot. How could Liu Feng casually agree to help him eliminate Master Hong?

Even a Dark Force expert like Wu Yun could not possibly agree, let alone Liu Feng.

"Then does that mean we can only sell the land cheaply to the Li Clan, or leave it fallow until you break through to Dark Force and settle this?"

Zhang Pingping felt a headache coming on.

If the Li Clan began supporting a Dark Force expert afterward, they would have to keep enduring it.

"Sister Pingping."

Suddenly, Chen Sanshi's voice came from the doorway.

"Come in."

Zhang Pingping said.

"Brother Feng, Sister Pingping, I just heard that Wei He failed to break through to Dark Force."

Chen Sanshi came in and said.

"The fellow who borrowed a hundred taels of silver and became Elder Zheng's disciple?"

Zhang Lingfeng remembered Wei He clearly.

That day, he and Tang Baihu had just returned from collecting money at Zhang Family Gully when Chen Sanshi came to get money to lend Wei He. Nine paid out, twelve repaid, with a term of one month.

They had originally planned to let Wei He repay only a hundred taels when the loan came due if he successfully broke through. They had never expected him to fail.

"Yes, him. I heard this failed attempt damaged his foundation. His chances of mastering Dark Force in the future are next to nothing."

Chen Sanshi said.

"There are thirteen days left."

Zhang Pingping checked the ledger and said.

"Wei He is looking everywhere for loans to scrape together enough silver to buy Qi and blood replenishing medicine. Everyone is avoiding him now. At this rate, he won't be able to repay us in thirteen days."

Chen Sanshi sighed.

Zhang Lingfeng looked at Zhang Pingping.

"How much does the damage to his foundation affect his current strength?"

Zhang Pingping asked.

She knew nothing about cultivation.

"At the very least, it will sap his vitality. He'll go through a period of weakness, probably ten days to half a month."

Zhang Lingfeng explained.

"Good. In half a month, the three of you will join forces against Master Hong."

Zhang Pingping tapped the table.

"Huh?"

Chen Sanshi froze.

Zhang Lingfeng frowned and reminded her, "Wei He failed to break through, but once he recovers his vitality, even if he can't attempt another breakthrough, he'll still be at the peak of Ming Jin. Sanshi and I..."

Zhang Lingfeng felt that he and Chen Sanshi might not be able to defeat Wei He then.

If they subdued Wei He now, first, the loan was not yet due, so they had no suitable justification. Second, if they hindered his recovery, even if he later agreed to help fight Master Hong, the three of them might not be able to handle Hong Wenjun!

"Little brother, you've forgotten. Senior Brother Liu has a stake in Warm Breeze Hall too."

Zhang Pingping smiled.

Zhang Lingfeng paused, then realization dawned.

Early the next morning, Zhang Lingfeng sent Tang Baihu back to Zhang Family Gully to tell Zhang Erxi to continue fertilizing and not let the crops suffer.

"Father, the water problem clearly hasn't been resolved yet?"

Zhang Erxi had sent someone to Little Moon Mountain to check. The Li Clan still controlled the water.

"Since Lingfeng said to fertilize, he must have found a solution. Replace the chicken manure with horse manure and fertilize today."

Although Old Master Zhang did not know how Zhang Lingfeng would resolve this, he still followed his instructions.

Chicken manure was rich, horse manure mild. Although horse manure would affect the harvest, if they kept withholding fertilizer and missed the period when the crops absorbed nutrients, they would not harvest a single grain.

Any harvest was better than nothing.

"All right, I'll see to it now."

Zhang Dadao said.

Then the three brothers led a group of laborers carrying horse manure in a long, dragonlike procession to fertilize the 360 mu of paddy fields.

Word soon reached the Li Clan.

"Hmph! That old worm Zhang is deliberately crossing me. Guard the water carefully. If anyone from the Zhang Clan dares come release water at night, chop their hands off!"

Old Master Li brought Steward Li and a group of others up Little Moon Mountain. Seeing the crowd of laborers hired by the Zhang Clan fertilizing the 360 mu below, he gave repeated cold laughs in anger.

Without a water supply.

Even if they replaced chicken manure with horse manure, the paddies would eventually dry and crack, and the crops would have no water. Unless Heaven favored them, they were destined to harvest nothing.

Time hurried by.

Another thirteen days passed in the blink of an eye.

The blazing sun shone high overhead.

Deprived of irrigation, the cropland below Little Moon Mountain had developed a dense web of spiderweb-like cracks.

Yesterday, Old Master Zhang had finally lost patience.

He had personally come into town to ask Zhang Lingfeng when the matter would be resolved.

Zhang Lingfeng had told him to return and wait for news. The matter would be settled in two days at the earliest, three at the latest.

Boom!

The blazing sun hung overhead.

Zhang Lingfeng practiced Iron Mountain Fist over and over. His movements grew ever more proficient, and his Ming Jin strength could flow like blood throughout his body as he performed the fist technique.

Toward evening.

Zhang Lingfeng checked his panel.

[Middle section of the Twelve-Routine Iron Mountain Fist: (266/600)]

The day of his breakthrough to Dark Force was drawing ever closer.

"Junior Brother, save some strength for tonight!"

Liu Feng reminded him.

That morning, Zhang Lingfeng had told him that a fellow training at the Zheng Family Martial Arts School had borrowed a hundred taels of silver. The loan had come due yesterday, but when Chen Sanshi went to collect, he got no money and was instead roundly cursed out by the borrower, who relied on his martial ability.

He had invited Liu Feng to deal with Wei He that evening.

Liu Feng had invested three hundred taels in Warm Breeze Hall altogether. How could he swallow this insult?

He had spent the day resting and building up his strength, just waiting to deal with Wei He that night.

"All right."

Zhang Lingfeng stopped practicing and went aside to drink a bowl of Qi and blood replenishing soup.

"Senior Brother Wu, let's go!"

Ye Fan called.

"All right, coming."

Wu Yun and several other senior brothers and sisters with Dark Force cultivation headed out of the martial arts school with Ye Fan. Since Ye Fan's successful breakthrough to Ming Jin, his relationship with Wu Yun and the others had grown closer.

They frequented the major restaurants together, going everywhere in a group and remaining inseparable. As a result, Zhang Lingfeng had very few opportunities left to eat and drink alone with Wu Yun.

If this continued, his relationship with Wu Yun might gradually grow distant.

After all, if Wu Yun had to choose, he would certainly choose Ye Fan rather than him.

Zhang Lingfeng told himself not to let his thoughts run wild for now.

Once he successfully broke through to Dark Force, everyone's attitude toward him would naturally change. No matter what, that thirteenth move could only be his.

That night.

Liu Feng and Chen Sanshi first gathered at Zhang Lingfeng's home.

Before they left, Zhang Pingping and Chen Sanmei brewed a pot of Qi and blood replenishing soup for the three of them, ensuring they had ample Qi and blood strength to deal with Wei He.

After drinking the soup, Zhang Lingfeng wiped his mouth and said, "Senior Brother Liu, you rarely show yourself at Warm Breeze Hall. When we see Wei He, Sanshi and I will go first and see whether we can subdue him. If we really can't, sneak in an attack during the confusion and take Wei He down in one move to avoid any danger."

"All right."

Liu Feng nodded.

"I don't understand martial arts, but since that Wei fellow can't pay, he might not give in easily. Lingfeng and Sanshi only recently mastered Ming Jin and lack combat experience. I'm afraid they might not only fail to suppress Wei He but actually embolden him."

Zhang Pingping gathered up the bowls and chopsticks as she spoke with some concern.

"Sister Pingping, what do you think would be best?"

Chen Sanshi asked.

"Senior Brother Liu is highly skilled. Wei He would already feel some fear at the sight of him. With you supporting from the side, once fighting starts, Wei He certainly won't have time to watch his surroundings. If Lingfeng suddenly strikes at the crucial moment, the three of you will surely subdue him instantly and prevent him from suddenly counterattacking and hurting you."

Zhang Pingping analyzed.

"Sister Pingping seems to have a point."

Chen Sanshi could not help nodding.

"Senior Brother Liu, what do you think?"

Zhang Lingfeng looked at Liu Feng.

"Your sister is right. Wei He must be seething after failing to break through to Dark Force. To be safe, Sanshi and I will fight him first. Hide nearby and seize the right moment to take him down."

Liu Feng said after careful consideration.

"All right, that's what we'll do."

Zhang Lingfeng nodded firmly.

"Sanmei and I will stew horse meat at home and wait for your triumphant return."

Zhang Pingping smiled.

Having Liu Feng and Chen Sanshi fight Wei He first while Zhang Lingfeng struck from hiding was a plan the siblings had made beforehand. After all, if something went wrong in a real fight, the least they might suffer was damage to muscles and bones; at worst, their lives could be in danger.

Both siblings understood that they could not afford to stumble now.

Thus came the performance of Zhang Lingfeng volunteering, Zhang Pingping proposing a different approach, and Chen Sanshi agreeing from the side.

This would get Liu Feng to take the initiative, prevent Zhang Lingfeng from being injured, and swiftly subdue Wei He-three gains in one stroke.

Half an hour later.

"Wei He's courtyard is just ahead."

Chen Sanshi led Zhang Lingfeng and Liu Feng to Wei He's residence. He lived in Willow Tree Alley, not far from Baile Street.

As someone who had nearly become a Dark Force expert, Wei He had a courtyard comparable to Wang Biao's residence. Both were their owners' private property.

It made Zhang Lingfeng deeply envious.

He had been busy cultivating and improving his strength lately. All the silver he earned went toward meat, Qi and blood replenishing soup, and maintaining relationships. He simply had no money to buy a courtyard like this.

"Let's go!"

Liu Feng took the lead.

He kicked open Wei He's courtyard gate.

And stormed inside.

"Who's there?"

Although Wei He had failed to break through,

his perception remained intact, and his vital Qi had already recovered. Only his foundation had been damaged, affecting his next attempt at a breakthrough. His strength was still just as formidable as before.

"Whoosh!"

He rushed out of the room.

Ducking low, he rolled toward Liu Feng.

Liu Feng was just about to approach when Wei He, still on the ground, suddenly flung out a handful of lime powder. Fortunately, Liu Feng reacted in time. Well acquainted with the treachery of the martial world, he narrowly avoided the cloud of lime powder.

He began trading blows with Wei He in the courtyard.

"Wei He, pay back the money!"

Chen Sanshi charged over.

"You're from Warm Breeze Hall? It's only a hundred taels of silver. Do you really have to go this far?"

Wei He had not expected Liu Feng to be an expert Chen Sanshi had brought.

Liu Feng had failed three times to break through to Dark Force, and his strength fell short of both Master Hong's and that of Wei He before him. But with the help of Chen Sanshi, an expert at the early stage of Manifest Force, the two could still gain the upper hand.

Iron Mountain Fist and Mountain-Collapsing Fist worked together.

Their fist intents were in harmony.

Wei He was forced into a corner, the Black Baleful Intent Fist he had learned from Elder Zheng suppressed.

"Give me another half a month, and I'll pay back the principal and interest!"

Wei He shouted.

His two older sisters were still at home. If he were crippled, one could well imagine what their lives would be like afterward.

"Pfft!"

Yet just as he shouted, a figure darted out from the corner of the wall on his left and flung a handful of lime into his face.

It was none other than Zhang Lingfeng, who had been hiding in the shadows.

The instant the lime powder scattered, Wei He felt a searing pain in his eyes, and his vision blurred. At the same time, he discovered that the other man's lime powder actually had chili powder mixed into it. He had even less martial virtue than Wei He.

"Bam!"

Liu Feng seized the opportunity and struck one of Wei He's vital spots.

Chen Sanshi delivered a knife-hand chop to Wei He's shoulder, while Zhang Lingfeng locked his shoulder blades from behind. The three finally subdued Wei He and bound him tightly.

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