Lin Yuan's Scheme

Lu Feng walked on without stopping and said calmly, "In a few days, I'll be leaving for the Demon-Slaying Bureau in the north."

"Huh? What's that got to do with the banquet?" Both of them looked utterly baffled and kept pressing him for an answer.

But Lu Feng said no more. How could he not know what Lin Yuan was thinking?

This was the perfect chance to put an end to all his troubles.

Meanwhile, at the yamen.

A constable stood before Lin Yuan, bowing as he reported in a low voice, "Sir, Lu Feng and the other two made a circuit of the city and have returned to Lu Feng's home."

"I see. You may go." Lin Yuan waved a hand. The smile vanished from his face in an instant, replaced by a sinister look.

After the constable withdrew, Lin Yuan hurried home and went to a corner of his study. He opened a concealed door and bent down to enter.

A rank stench hit him as soon as he passed through the door. More than a dozen first-tier demonic beasts were pacing restlessly back and forth. When they saw Lin Yuan enter, a thickset pig demon immediately stepped forward and growled, "Lin Yuan, where's the flesh you promised us? If you don't bring it soon, we'll tear this dump of yours apart!"

Lin Yuan hurriedly put on an ingratiating smile and soothed them. "Everyone, please be patient! I've invited Lu Feng to a celebratory banquet tonight, and I'll need your help when the time comes."

"Once Lu Feng is dead, I'll be sure to deliver the flesh and cultivation resources on time. I won't be late!"

At the mention of Lu Feng's name, the demons' expressions changed at once, and wariness flashed in their eyes.

"Are you sure? Can you really kill Lu Feng?" The pig demon frowned, sounding hesitant. "Word is, he can even slay a second-tier old ape. First-tier demonic beasts like us are no match for him!"

"Rest assured!" A sinister glint flashed in Lin Yuan's eyes. "I have a clever plan of my own. I'll make sure he comes but never leaves!"

At the same time, Lu Feng returned home.

Chen Lan was busy tidying the courtyard. When she saw him return, she immediately came over to greet him. "Brother Lu, you're back?"

"Mm." Lu Feng looked at her, his voice softening a little. "Lin Yuan is holding a celebratory banquet at his residence tonight. I have to go. Stay home, lock the doors and windows, and don't go wandering about. No matter what happens outside, don't open the door."

"All right, I understand." Though Chen Lan was a little worried, she nodded obediently. "Be careful and come back early."

Lu Feng acknowledged her, then turned and went back to his room. He sat down cross-legged and closed his eyes in thought.

He had long since guessed Lin Yuan's intentions-Lin Yuan resented him for ruining Lin Shan's plans and cutting off his dealings with demonic beasts, and wanted to take the opportunity to get rid of him at the banquet.

"Whatever tricks you have, if you dare come after me, death is your only road!" A cold glint flashed in Lu Feng's eyes. He went through every underhanded trick Lin Yuan might use, making thorough preparations.

When night fell, Lu Feng went to Lin Yuan's residence alone.

As soon as he entered, he saw that Chen Hu, Ergou, and several constables had already arrived. They stood off to one side, looking wary.

Lin Yuan sat upright in the seat of honor. When he saw Lu Feng enter, he immediately stood up with a false smile plastered across his face. "Lu Feng, you're here! Come, please sit down! We've been waiting for you!"

Lu Feng swept his gaze around, his eyes sharp as blades.

Lin Shan's former subordinates were scattered around the courtyard, their expressions guarded. Several maids carefully set wine and dishes on the tables, but their eyes betrayed some panic.

"Come, let me propose a toast to you all!" Lin Yuan raised his wine cup high above his head, a hypocritical smile plastered across his face. "Thank you all for protecting Lin'an City, and congratulations to Lu Feng on recovering from his injuries!"

Everyone picked up their cups, but no one dared drink-everyone knew there was something wrong with the wine.

Lu Feng raised his cup and gave it a gentle sniff. Then he set it down and looked calmly at Lin Yuan. "Thank you for your kindness, sir, but I'm afraid this wine is poisoned, isn't it?" he said coldly.

"What? Poisoned?!"

Ergou's hand shook with fright, and his cup fell to the ground with a clatter. The spilled wine instantly fizzed into white bubbles, giving off a pungent smell.

"It really is poisoned!" Ergou's face changed dramatically, his heart still pounding with fear-he had nearly drunk it!

Chen Hu and the other constables had long expected Lin Yuan to be up to no good and had not touched their cups. Now they all tightened their grips on their sabers, their expressions guarded.

"Hahahaha!"

Now that his scheme had been exposed, Lin Yuan showed no panic. Instead, he burst out laughing, the false smile disappearing completely from his face, leaving only a sinister expression. "I didn't expect you to discover it so quickly!"

Lu Feng's eyes were icy as he said calmly, "Whatever other tricks you have, go ahead and use them. Otherwise, you won't get another chance."

"Fine! Arrogant enough!" Lin Yuan's face darkened, and he shouted toward the concealed door, "Everyone, your chance for revenge has come!"

Before his words had faded, more than a dozen first-tier demonic beasts sprang out of the concealed doorway, baring their fangs and brandishing their claws. In an instant, they surrounded Lu Feng and the others.

"Pig demon, snake demon, bull demon... Twelve in all, every one of them a first-tier demonic beast!" Chen Hu quickly counted them, his expression grave.

"Lin Yuan! You actually dared to collude with demonic beasts, murder your colleagues, and harm the people!" Chen Hu shouted, his voice full of indignation.

Lin Yuan sneered and turned to Lu Feng, his voice venomous. "Didn't you already know that? Isn't that right, Lu Feng?"

"Good. That saves me the trouble of hunting you down one by one." Lu Feng's eyes turned cold. He stepped forward and snatched the long saber from Chen Hu's hand. "Today, I'll catch the lot of you in one net!"

Before he finished speaking, his saber intent surged. He instantly unleashed the perfected Gale Saber Art, his figure flashing like lightning as he charged straight at the pig demon in front.

"Ssssrrk!"

The saber flashed, swift as lightning. Before the pig demon could even scream, its head rolled to the ground, and blood sprayed everywhere.

[Ding! Successfully killed a first-tier pig demon. Demon Points gained: 1000;]

"Attack together!" A trace of surprise flashed across Lin Yuan's face at the sight, but his sinister expression soon returned. He shouted at the demons, "If you don't kill Lu Feng today, you'll never have a place to call home again!"

Though the demons feared Lu Feng's strength, they knew there was no way back. Roaring, they all lunged at him together.

Seeing this, Chen Hu and the others had the sense to retreat to one side and guard the way out. They knew Lu Feng was more than strong enough to deal with these first-tier demonic beasts, and joining the fight would only get in his way.

Faced with the demons' assault from all sides, Lu Feng showed no panic. He unleashed the perfected Carefree Steps, weaving through them like a ghost and easily evading every attack.

As his saber flashed up and down, screams rang out one after another.

[Ding! Successfully killed a first-tier bull demon. Demon Points gained: 1000;]

[Ding! Successfully killed a first-tier bull demon. Demon Points gained: 1000;]

[Ding! Successfully killed a first-tier...]

The system notifications sounded one after another. In only a short while, Lu Feng had slain all twelve first-tier demonic beasts, leaving none alive.

Lu Feng raised his hand and opened the system panel, a trace of delight flashing in his eyes:

[Host: Lu Feng]

[Demon Points: 36100;]

This battle had earned him a full twelve thousand Demon Points, bringing his total to more than thirty-six thousand!