Chapter Thirty-One: Striking Back Against Adversity

Qin Feiyang was completely unaware of what had happened at the Lin family’s estate. At this moment, he was roaming everywhere in search of Yuan Bo. After leaving the Lin residence, he had hurried to the stretch of forest where he and Yuan Bo had parted ways. Yet he found nothing. Not only did he not see Yuan Bo, but after shouting for a long time, he received no response at all.

Yuan Bo was a Battle Emperor; Qin Feiyang refused to believe that anyone in this area could harm him. So, he rushed toward the lake. Yuan Bo was supposed to be waiting for him there. But when he arrived at the lakeshore and searched all around, he still could not find a trace of Yuan Bo.

“Yuan Bo, where are you?”
“Please, answer me!”

He stood atop a large stone by the lake, gathering all his strength to shout, his face full of anxiety. Yet, in the silent night, his cries echoed back at him, but no other sound arose.

“Yuan Bo, where on earth are you?”
A deep sense of unease welled up in Qin Feiyang’s heart. Could something truly have happened to Yuan Bo?

Suddenly, Qin Feiyang stiffened, a glimmer of hope lighting his eyes as he turned to look back. At the entrance, a cluster of flames appeared. Thinking it was Yuan Bo, he was just about to rush over when a second flame appeared, followed closely by a third, then a fourth!

Disappointment swept over Qin Feiyang. With so many torches, it was obviously not Yuan Bo. He focused his gaze and saw that they were torches, each held by a shadowy figure illuminated by firelight.

“Why would anyone come here?” Qin Feiyang frowned. Moreover, these people moved with purpose, heading straight for him. As the distance closed, Qin Feiyang finally recognized their faces. At the front were Lin Baili and the Lin family’s patriarch, Lin Yong. Lin Yong held a maid captive, and this maid was none other than Xiaohong!

Behind them were the Third Hall Master, the Martial Hall Master, Luo Qianxue, the Zhao family patriarch, Liu Yun, Yin Chuan, and the two young women. Scattered around were a dozen Lin family members, torches in hand, searching the area as if looking for something.

“Why are they all here?” Suspicion nagged at Qin Feiyang. He had a bad feeling about these visitors.

“There’s Qin Feiyang!” Liu Yun suddenly spotted him and shouted. Instantly, the whole group surged toward Qin Feiyang, their faces twisted with hatred and undisguised loathing. The Lin family members, in particular, glared with murderous intent, as if wishing to tear Qin Feiyang limb from limb.

“What is the meaning of this?” Qin Feiyang’s gaze grew cold and dark. If he still couldn’t see their intentions, he would truly be a fool.

“Qin Feiyang, I misjudged you. I thought you were at least a man of honor, but to think you would try to poison Yiyi! Do you have any humanity left?”

“Qin Feiyang, your heart is as venomous as a serpent! You are utterly wicked!”
“Scum! Beast! Even if you were cut into a thousand pieces, it wouldn’t be enough!”

The Lin family unleashed a torrent of furious curses upon him, their spittle flying.

“Poison Yiyi?” Qin Feiyang frowned.

Lin Yong barked, “The evidence is right here. Do you still want to deny it? Xiaohong, now tell everyone exactly how he incited you to poison her, so all can see his true face!”

Qin Feiyang looked at the maid. Xiaohong glanced up at him, then quickly lowered her head, not daring to meet his eyes.

“Speak!” Lin Yong roared.

Xiaohong trembled and hurriedly said, “Not long ago, Qin Feiyang found me and ordered me to poison the young miss. He threatened that if I refused, he’d kill my family. He also said…”

Lin Yong pressed, “He also said what?”

Xiaohong replied, “He said if he, Qin Feiyang, couldn’t have her, no one else would.”

The Lin patriarch shouted furiously, “Qin Feiyang, what more do you have to say?”

Lin Baili added, “Earlier, you swore before everyone that you only regarded Yiyi as a friend, yet you secretly tried to poison her. Qin Feiyang, I never thought you were so hypocritical.”

The Third Hall Master sighed, “Qin Feiyang, this time you’ve gone too far.”

The Martial Hall Master, Luo Qianxue, the Zhao family patriarch—all shook their heads in regret.

“Everyone, this boy is narrow-minded and inhuman. If we don’t get rid of him now, who knows how many more will suffer at his hands in Iron Ox Town? I suggest, since Qin Yuan isn’t here, we execute him immediately!” the Lin patriarch said to the others, murder flashing in his eyes.

After a brief hesitation, the others nodded their agreement. Though Qin Feiyang was a promising talent, he was too heartless to be allowed to live.

Seeing their consent, the Lin patriarch was secretly delighted. He turned to Lin Baili and nodded.

Lin Baili stepped forward. “Qin Feiyang, I didn’t want to kill you, but for the greater good, I have no choice but to send you to hell. Rest assured, I’ll see that your corpse remains intact.”

Qin Feiyang swept his gaze over the crowd and suddenly burst into loud laughter. Now he understood. All of this was a plot, a deadly trap meticulously arranged by the Lin patriarch and Lin Baili to eliminate him.

Lin Baili frowned. “Not only do you show no remorse, you even laugh at everyone. You are beyond saving.”

Qin Feiyang stopped laughing and looked down at the Lin patriarch. “I truly admire you—poisoning your own daughter just to frame me. Aren’t you afraid that a single misstep might actually kill her?”

The patriarch laughed in fury. “Utter nonsense! Baili, enough talk, kill him now!”

“Very well!” Lin Baili nodded, leaping forward as true energy surged from him.

“Return to Origin Palm!” he roared, striking at Qin Feiyang with a terrifying palm wind.

“Thunderclap Fist!” Qin Feiyang countered with a punch. At the instant fist met palm, the stone beneath his feet exploded with a thunderous crash, shattering into pieces. Lin Baili’s palm was far stronger than his own attack!

Qin Feiyang was sent flying, crashing into the rocks by the lake, spitting blood in fury.

Return to Origin Palm was also a perfect martial technique! The Lin family of Swallow City was indeed no match for a small family of Iron Ox Town. Lin Baili, a three-star martial master, wielded the strength of seven wild elephants with the boost from a perfect technique—two full elephants stronger than Qin Feiyang!

But he was not without a chance.

“I, Qin Feiyang, am not so easily killed!” He sprang to his feet, wiped the blood from his lips, and slammed his palm into a giant stone beside him. The boulder, as large as a winnowing basket, shot through the air with a shrill whistle, hurtling toward Lin Baili.

At the same time, in a flash, Qin Feiyang dashed after the boulder, reaching into his robe and drawing out the Cangsnow blade.

“In Iron Ox Town, you might be considered talented,” Lin Baili sneered, “but in Swallow City, you’re no more than second-rate. Let me show you what a true genius is!” With a look of disdain, he reached out, crushing the flying boulder effortlessly. Shards scattered everywhere.

The two faced each other at close range. In that moment, the killing intent in Lin Baili’s eyes was unconcealed.

“Return to Origin Palm!” Lin Baili struck again, palm wind roaring, sending dust and grit swirling into the air. The force made the Lin patriarch and others blanch in shock and retreat. Only the Martial Hall Master, Third Hall Master, and Luo Qianxue stood firm, their eyes fixed on Qin Feiyang, a trace of doubt upon their faces. Why was Qin Feiyang’s hand inside his robe?

It seemed Qin Feiyang would be killed by Lin Baili’s palm. But suddenly, he twisted aside, narrowly dodging the blow. At the same time, his hand, like a venomous snake striking from his robe, slashed fiercely at Lin Baili’s arm.

With a flash of cold steel, blood spurted forth.

A moment later, Lin Baili screamed in agony, horror twisting his face, and staggered back in panic.

“Trying to run? You think I’ll give you that chance?” Qin Feiyang sneered, lunging after him. The blood-stained Cangsnow blade in his hand flashed like a shooting star in the night, stabbing toward Lin Baili’s chest.

“What’s going on?” Everyone present was stupefied.

A severed arm thudded to the ground, drawing every eye. Lin Baili’s right shoulder was a gaping wound, blood spurting like a fountain—the arm was gone.

“Qin Feiyang actually severed Lin Baili’s arm?” All were struck dumb, unable to believe the horrifying scene before them.

“Qin Feiyang, cease your stubborn resistance, stop at once!” The Third Hall Master, seeing Lin Baili in peril, shouted and leapt to Qin Feiyang’s side, striking with his palm.

“Damn it!” Qin Feiyang cursed, giving up his chance to finish Lin Baili, and dodged the attack by a hair’s breadth. Cold sweat drenched him. The Third Hall Master was a nine-star martial master—even without a martial technique, he was no match for him. If he hadn’t dodged in time, he’d be lying seriously wounded on the ground, powerless to resist.

The Third Hall Master did not pursue further. He shielded Lin Baili behind him and looked at Qin Feiyang, his gaze dark.

Qin Feiyang exhaled quietly, then fixed the Third Hall Master with an icy stare. “Does the Pill Hall insist on making me your enemy?”

The Third Hall Master replied, “A villain like you deserves death. Surrender peacefully now, and I promise you a swift end, and that your corpse won’t be left for the wild beasts.”

Qin Feiyang laughed. “Should I thank you for that?”

“He can still laugh while facing the Third Hall Master?” Liu Yun, Yin Chuan, and the two girls found this inconceivable. This man was truly unfathomable.

“There’s no need to thank me,” said the Third Hall Master. “Just hope that in your next life, you’ll be a kinder soul.”

Qin Feiyang burst out laughing again, as if he’d heard the greatest joke in the world.

The Third Hall Master’s face darkened. This youth’s stubbornness was truly remarkable.