Chapter 57 The Master's Collapse and the Hypocrite's Mask: Silence Speaks Louder Than Words
The Heavenly Dou Empire, at the edge of Sunset Forest.
The setting sun, like blood, dyed the clouds on the horizon an ominous dark red. The group, returning from the city of slaughter, carrying with them the lingering stench of blood and chill, slowly emerged from the shadows of the forest.
Ye Feng walked at the front, the Thousand Chance Umbrella casually slung over his shoulder, a Blue Silver Grass root he'd plucked dangling from his mouth, his eyes languid yet profound. Behind him stood five women: Shui Bing'er, Huo Wu, Dugu Yan, Zhu Zhuqing, and Hu Liena, lined up in a row. Their demeanor had changed. If before they entered they were budding flowers, now they were thorny, blood-red roses. Especially Zhu Zhuqing; the occasional flash of red light in her cold eyes seemed to freeze the surrounding air.
"Finally... I'm back." Hu Liena took a deep breath of the outside air. Although it wasn't as tense as in the Killing City, it still made her feel a little dazed. "Don't let your guard down." Ye Feng didn't turn around, his voice calm. "The Killing City is just a beginner's village. In the outside world, people's hearts are dirtier than beasts."
Before the words were even finished, a dozen figures had been waiting on the road ahead. It was the group from Shrek Academy and Tang Hao (hidden in the shadows). The middle-aged man at the head of the group had a buzz cut, his hands behind his back, his expression stiff and serious; he was none other than Yu Xiaogang, revered as "Master." Beside him stood Flander and Liu Erlong, their expressions complex. Most noticeable was Tang San, standing beside Yu Xiaogang, now dressed in clean clothes, but still pale.
Enemies meeting are bound to be filled with hatred.
"Ye Feng." Yu Xiaogang spoke first, his voice hoarse, carrying a condescending air of scrutiny. "Xiao San has already told me everything that happened inside." "You actually ruined the Trial Path of the City of Slaughter, and even used those unorthodox 'tricks and gimmicks' to pass the test." "You're destroying your own future! You're also misleading others!"
Yu Xiaogang pointed at the girls behind Ye Feng with a pained expression: "Shui Bing'er, Huo Wu, they are both geniuses. Yet you taught them to use those iron pipes that don't require soul power to operate? If they develop a habit of relying on external objects, their future path as Soul Masters will be cut off!" "Soul Masters cultivate their Martial Soul, they cultivate themselves! What you're doing is an evil path!"
Ye Feng stopped, spat out the grass root in his mouth, and looked at Yu Xiaogang with an expression as if he were an idiot. "Finished?" "You..." Yu Xiaogang was speechless, choked by Ye Feng's attitude.
"Yu Xiaogang, known as 'Master'." Ye Feng took a step forward, his Killing God Domain slightly released, causing the surrounding temperature to plummet. "A Great Soul Master who can't even break through level 30 in his entire life, here to teach me how to cultivate?" "You say I rely on external aids?" "Then what are those hidden weapons your good disciple Tang San is covered in? If he hadn't relied on those bone-piercing nails and dragon whisker needles in the City of Slaughter, he probably would have turned into excrement long ago, right?"
Tang San's expression changed, and he was about to explain, but Ye Feng didn't give him a chance at all.
"You call that 'ingenious tricks'?" Ye Feng's Thousand Manifestations Umbrella suddenly snapped into the form of a spear, pointing directly at Yu Xiaogang's nose. "My umbrella has a precise structure; every screw and every gear conforms to the principles of mechanics. It's the crystallization of human wisdom." "And what about you?" "Of your so-called 'Ten Core Competencies,' which one have you actually verified?" "'There are no useless martial souls, only useless soul masters'? Doesn't that sound ironic coming from your mouth? If there are no useless martial souls, why are you stagnating? Why do you still need Tang San's twin martial souls to prove your theory?" "To put it bluntly, you're just a pathetic wretch who can't cultivate, so you desperately try to find a sense of existence in theory..."
"Shut up!" Tang San roared, his Purple Demon Eyes flashing brightly. His master was the person he respected most, like a teacher and a father, and he would never allow Ye Feng to humiliate him like this. "Ye Feng, you have insulted my master! Today I will not forgive you!"
"You dare to challenge me?" Ye Feng sneered. "Perfect, you're fast in the Killing City. Today, I'll show you what real 'skill' is."
"Teach him a lesson, Xiao San! Don't hold back!" Liu Erlong, with her fiery temper, had long since lost patience. Tang San nodded, his figure blurring as he activated Ghost Shadow Steps. Having experienced the baptism of the Slaughter City, Tang San's combat abilities had indeed improved several levels. His figure moved like smoke and mist, instantly closing the distance with Ye Feng. "Controlling Crane and Capturing Dragon!" Tang San's hands made a grasping motion, a suction force pulling at Ye Feng's clothes, while his right leg slashed down like a battle axe.
Facing Tang San's attack, Ye Feng stood still, motionless. Until the instant Tang San's leg swept towards his face, Ye Feng moved. Not backward, but a barely perceptible half-step to the left and forward. "Sharpshooter Low-Level Skill - Slide Tackle."
This sliding tackle was extremely tricky. Ye Feng practically slid along the ground, not only dodging Tang San's flying kick but also instantly cutting into Tang San's blind spot. Tang San, his attack missing its mark, was shocked and was about to turn around when he found Ye Feng had vanished from his sight!
"Looking for me?" The voice came from behind Tang San's head. Glory Divine Skill: Shadow Step! Utilizing the opponent's attack stun and blind spots, perform high-frequency continuous movement, always remaining behind the opponent or in a blind spot.
Tang San whirled around, only to see a blur. Ye Feng had already moved to his other side and behind him in sync with his turn. The Thousand Manifestations Umbrella instantly switched to its Eastern Staff form. "Fighter Skill - Back Throw!"
Ye Feng gripped Tang San's belt with both hands, exerted force with his waist, and swung him backward violently. Boom! Tang San was slammed headfirst onto the ground by Ye Feng. The ground cracked, and dust flew everywhere.
"Ugh..." Tang San felt as if his internal organs had shifted, and he spat out a mouthful of blood. But he was the protagonist after all, and his reaction was extremely fast. The Eight Spider Lances on his back instantly sprang out, trying to pierce Ye Feng's body.
"I've been waiting for this move for a long time." Ye Feng released his grip and jumped, the Thousand Manifestations Umbrella instantly transforming in mid-air into a jet-black heavy sword. "Swordsman Skill - Silver Light Falling Blade!"
Ye Feng's body froze in mid-air, defying the laws of physics, before he brought his heavy sword down with tremendous force. Clang! The heavy sword struck precisely at the base of the Eight Spider Lances. Sparks flew everywhere. The immense impact slammed Tang San, who had just managed to prop himself up, back into the ground.
"What? Not using hidden weapons anymore?" Ye Feng held his sword in one hand, the tip pressed against Tang San's throat, his foot pressing down on Tang San's chest, grinding it forcefully. "Tang Clan's ultimate technique? That's all?"
The entire arena fell silent. Yu Xiaogang's eyes widened, his lips trembling. His prized disciple was utterly powerless against this young man? That uncanny footwork (Shadow Step), that incredibly fluid weapon switching… it was completely beyond his theoretical understanding!
Dai Mubai watched from the sidelines, his fists clenched, wanting to rush forward, but was deterred by Zhu Zhuqing's icy gaze. "Dai Mubai, don't move." Zhu Zhuqing coldly pointed her oversized AWM sniper rifle (without scope) at Dai Mubai. "Right now, you don't even have the right to make me fire."
The conflict temporarily subsided. Liu Erlong rushed over like a madwoman to save Tang San, and Ye Feng didn't actually kill him (after all, Tang Hao was still lurking in the shadows, and a direct confrontation wouldn't be worthwhile). He put away his Thousand Chance Umbrella, turned and left with the women, leaving the Shrek Academy members with only a dashing silhouette.
Night falls at a makeshift camp outside Tiandou City. A campfire flickers.
Zhu Zhuqing sat alone on a branch of a tree, wiping her AWM sniper rifle. Her hands trembled slightly. She had acted ruthlessly towards Dai Mubai just now, but deep down she was not without turmoil. After all, he was her former fiancé, the shadow and obsession of her childhood.
A figure landed silently beside her. Ye Feng handed her a bottle of chilled juice. "Your hands are shaking?" Ye Feng asked casually.
Zhu Zhuqing did not deny it. She took the juice and said in a low voice, "Am I really useless? Even though I have gained power, seeing him still makes my heart turmoil." "Just now, I wanted to kill him, and I also wanted to... ask him why he abandoned me back then."
Ye Feng didn't answer immediately. Instead, he took the sniper rifle from her hand, skillfully disassembling the magazine and checking the firing pin. "As a sniper, a confused mind is a major taboo." "Zhu Qing, remember that." Ye Feng turned his head, his gaze fixed on her black, pearl-like eyes. "You are not anyone's possession. You are not the Star Luo Prince's Consort, nor anyone's fiancée." "You are Zhu Zhu Qing." "You are the only person in this world capable of wielding this 'Kiss of the Underworld'."
Ye Feng gently touched her brow with his finger. "Dai Mubai represents the past, that corrupt rule where survival depended solely on arranged marriages." "And this gun represents your future." "When you look at him through an eight-times scope, he's just a moving target. Targets have no feelings, understand?"
Zhu Zhuqing was stunned. She looked at Ye Feng's face, so close to hers, feeling the warmth emanating from between her brows. The thrill of being treated "as an independent person" was more intense than any sweet words. She didn't need comfort; she needed direction. And Ye Feng had given her the direction she most desired—the freedom of the strong.
"I understand." The confusion in Zhu Zhuqing's eyes vanished, replaced by an unprecedented determination. She suddenly leaned forward, like a kitten that had let its guard down, gently resting her forehead on Ye Feng's shoulder. It was only for a fleeting moment before they separated. "Thank you... Captain." This "Captain" was more sincere than ever before.
On the other side of the camp, Hu Liena was packing her bags. She was leaving. Returning to the Spirit Hall, back to Pope Bibi Dong's side. But the year she had fought alongside Ye Feng in the City of Slaughter had given her extremely complex feelings for this man. He was her enemy, and also her savior; he was a rogue, and also her most reliable support.
Ye Feng walked over, leaned against the tent, and looked at her. "You're leaving already? You still haven't paid me back the money you owe me." Ye Feng's flippant tone broke the dull atmosphere.
Hu Liena stopped what she was doing, turned to look at him, her eyes filled with resentment. "Ye Feng, you know perfectly well that I am the Holy Maiden of the Spirit Hall. We... are ultimately enemies." "Today you humiliated Grandmaster and Tang San, completely offending that circle. But the Spirit Hall... is ten thousand times more terrifying than them." "If one day, my teacher (Bibi Dong) orders me to kill you, I..."
"Will you kill me?" Ye Feng interrupted her, a smile playing on his lips.
Hu Liena bit her lip, remained silent for a long time, and finally turned her head away. "I don't know." "Maybe. I was raised by the Spirit Hall."
Ye Feng smiled, stepped forward, took a crumpled piece of paper from his pocket, and stuffed it into Hu Liena's hand. "What's this?" Hu Liena asked, surprised.
"The recipes for flashbangs and stun grenades," Ye Feng said casually. "Although you can't make the core fuse technology, the simplified version is enough for self-defense." "Your charm skill is useless against those with stronger mental strength. Keep this for survival."
Hu Liena gripped the blueprints, her palms burning. This was top secret! He'd just given it to her like that? "You...why did you give me this? Aren't you afraid I'll use it against you?"
Ye Feng shrugged, leaned close to her ear, and whispered, "Because I don't want you to be a corpse when we meet again." "You're my creditor, and until this debt is settled, your life is mine." "And..." Ye Feng paused, his tone becoming more serious. "Be careful of Bibi Dong. When she goes mad, she'll even kill her own people."
After saying that, Ye Feng took a step back and waved his hand. "Let's go, Fox. Next time we meet, if it's on the battlefield, I won't hold back."
Hu Liena gazed deeply at Ye Feng, as if trying to etch his image into her soul. She didn't say thank you again, but carefully tucked the blueprints away, turned, and disappeared into the darkness. A single tear seemed to slide down her cheek. She knew that from this moment on, her heart could no longer completely belong to the Spirit Hall.
After seeing Hu Liena off and comforting Zhu Zhuqing, Ye Feng returned to the campfire. Shui Bing'er handed him a cup of hot tea: "Where do we go next? Back to the academy?"
"No." Ye Feng shook his head, his gaze turning towards the direction of Tian Dou City, where it was brightly lit but rife with undercurrents. "The ivory tower of the academy is no longer suitable for you now." "Besides, there's an 'old friend' who probably wants to see me."
Ye Feng retrieved the inner core of the Ten-Headed Fiery Sun Serpent from his storage ring. The inner core radiated a scorching heat, illuminating his ambitious face. "The sixth form of the Thousand Manifestations Umbrella requires a vast amount of rare metals and top-tier energy." "In the entire Heaven Dou Empire, only one person can provide these things." "That is the current Crown Prince—Xue Qinghe."
Dugu Yan frowned: "Xue Qinghe? That gentle and refined crown prince? I heard he is respectful to scholars, but we have no connection with him."
"Whether we have a relationship or not, we'll know after meeting." Ye Feng toyed with his inner core, a cold smile playing on his lips. Qian Renxue, oh Qian Renxue. You've been pretending for so many years, it's time you showed some signs, wasn't it? Since Tang San wants to take the "orthodox route" to build relationships, then I'll take the "villainous route" and make a deal with you directly. You're after the Heaven Dou Empire, I'm after your resources (and the secret of the Angelic Martial Soul). We each get what we want.
"Bing'er, starting tomorrow, the entire team will be on high alert," Ye Feng ordered. "Tian Dou City is about to descend into chaos." "What we need to do is... collect protection money in this chaotic world."
The following day, outside the Moon Pavilion in Tiandou City.
Ye Feng changed into a sharp black trench coat, holding a seemingly ordinary oil-paper umbrella. He came alone to this most elegant academy of noble etiquette on the entire continent. He knew that this was where Tang San washed away his murderous aura. And Xue Qinghe also frequented this place.
As soon as they arrived at the entrance, a luxurious carriage pulled up. A handsome and refined young man stepped down from the carriage. This was Xue Qinghe (Qian Renxue), the Crown Prince of the Heavenly Dou Empire.
Seemingly sensing something, Xue Qinghe turned his head, his gaze meeting Ye Feng's. Ye Feng didn't bow, but merely raised an eyebrow, a meaningful smile playing on his lips. His lips moved, silently uttering three words.
Xue Qinghe's pupils suddenly contracted. Because he (or she) understood those three words: "woman, fragrance".
Xue Qinghe's eyes sharpened instantly, though only for a fleeting moment, Ye Feng keenly sensed the hidden killing intent within them. "Interesting." Ye Feng opened his Thousand Chance Umbrella, shielding his head from the sunlight. "The game begins."
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