Chapter Sixty-One: The City Lord’s Wrath

Qin Feiyang returned to the platform, paying no further attention to Ling Yunfei, as if the two were strangers. Time drifted by. Dusk descended.

A crowd of people fled desperately from Black Bear Mountain. At the head was the City Lord, leading more than a dozen guards who cleared the way. Luo Xiong, accompanied by the elite of the Pill Hall, covered the rear. The old man in black who guarded the medicinal fields, the Battle King from the Lin family of Swallow City, the heads of Black Bear City’s prominent families, and their elite members spread out along both flanks. In the center were the young hunters. Yet, over three thousand had entered, and now only a few hundred remained.

Moreover, every survivor bore wounds of varying severity. Even Luo Xiong, a Battle King, was battered and in a sorry state. They rushed to the platform, collapsed, and lay gasping for breath. The City Lord and others supported themselves on their knees, hunched over, greedily inhaling fresh air. Their eyes were shadowed with lingering terror.

Qin Feiyang surveyed the survivors; the six young men and women, Jiang Wei, Mu Fei, Ling Sheng—all fortunate enough to still live. Meanwhile, Ling Yunfei was scanning the crowd, and upon spotting the head of the Ling family, hurried over in concern. “Second Uncle, are you alright?”

“I’m fine.” The Ling family head waved his hand, his face grim.

“Second Uncle?” Qin Feiyang was surprised. So Ling Yunfei had a high status in the family. Why, then, was he suppressed by the family head?

Roar! Screech! Fierce beast cries rang out, shaking the heavens. The crowd turned pale and looked up. A multitude of wild beasts and birds, large and small, prowled at the mountain’s edge, eyes glowing with menace, roaring continuously.

“Damn it!” “Are they going to attack the city?” Panic spread instantly.

The City Lord barked, “Quick, send word—full city alert!” But all the beasts suddenly turned and vanished into the mountains. Only then did everyone truly breathe a sigh of relief.

“City Lord, Luo Xiong, why are so few people left?” The Master of the Treasure Pavilion frowned.

“The beast tide came too quickly. The wild beasts of Black Bear Mountain all went mad at once. We had no time to rescue anyone.” “Most of those we brought in died or were injured. The losses are too severe.” “The Black Bear King’s strength has advanced again—it’s now a Two-Star Battle King. Without Lin Liang’s help, even we would not have escaped intact.” The City Lord and the other titans spoke in turn, recalling their ordeal in Black Bear Mountain with pounding hearts.

Lin Liang was the Battle King of Swallow City’s Lin family.

“A Two-Star Battle King!” The Pavilion Masters were stunned. Qin Feiyang was equally astonished. He hadn’t expected the Black Bear King’s power to be so terrifying that even these titans could do nothing against it.

The six young men and women suddenly approached Qin Feiyang, their eyes hostile. Qin Feiyang’s gaze flashed, and he said mockingly, “Well, did you find Qin Feiyang? If not, your efforts were wasted.”

The six had volunteered to lead the way only to earn merit and rewards. But instead of gaining anything, they encountered the beast tide and nearly lost their lives—a total loss.

Faced with Qin Feiyang’s sarcasm, the six were silent, their eyes icy as they surrounded him.

One young man in white spoke coldly, “You weren’t there last night. How could you know Qin Feiyang and the wolf appeared?”

Qin Feiyang replied calmly, “Sorry, I was there—hiding in the shadows. You just didn’t notice.”

“Damn you! Stealing our credit!” “Hand over the martial arts technique the City Lord gave you, or I promise you’ll never have a place in Black Bear City again!” The six made no effort to conceal their threats.

“There’s no martial arts technique. If you have the guts, ask the City Lord. As for ‘a place in Black Bear City,’ sorry, I don’t care in the least.” Qin Feiyang shrugged.

“You—court death!” “Listen, even if we kill you now, the City Lord won’t punish us.” Murderous intent surged in their eyes.

“So confident?” Qin Feiyang was surprised, his tone mild. “I don’t believe there’s no law in Black Bear City.”

The young man in white sneered, “Law only applies to ordinary people. For talents like us, it’s meaningless. Now do you see the vast gulf between us? If you don’t want to die, hand it over!”

“You six—get over here!” Suddenly, an angry shout exploded.

The City Lord glared at the six young men and women, his gaze lethal.

“City Lord, are you calling us?” The six froze, puzzled, turning to him.

The City Lord said, “Yes, you!”

The six hurried over. The young man in white asked, “Have we done something wrong?”

“You still don’t realize your mistake?” “If you hadn’t provoked the Black Bear cub, would the Black Bear King have unleashed the beast tide?” “Without the beast tide, would so many have died?” “Let me make it clear: their deaths are your responsibility!” The City Lord spoke in an uncompromising tone.

“Hold us responsible?” The six were stunned.

“City Lord, we’re victims too!” “Why should we bear this responsibility?” “If you insist, Jiang Haotian was there too—he should share it!” The six protested, attempting to drag Qin Feiyang down with them.

“Jiang Haotian, what do you have to say?” The City Lord turned to Qin Feiyang, his face dark as water.

Qin Feiyang smiled, “City Lord, I was indeed present, but I never took action. I think this matter has nothing to do with me.”

The City Lord turned to Ling Yunfei, expressionless. “You were with Jiang Haotian. Is what he says true?”

All eyes fell upon Ling Yunfei, whose next words could change everything.

The Ling family head said, “Yunfei, you must speak the truth.”

Ling Sheng added, “Yes, as a member of the Ling family, you must not lie.”

Ling Yunfei glanced at the two, then at Qin Feiyang, and shook his head. “I was resting on the mountain, not with Jiang Haotian, so I don’t know much about it. But I just asked him—he knew about the beast tide in advance.”

“Knew in advance?” All present turned to Qin Feiyang; every gaze was cold and sharp.

Qin Feiyang looked deeply at Ling Yunfei, shaking his head. “It seems no one in this world is truly trustworthy.”

Ling Yunfei said, “You saved me. I’m grateful. But what I say now is the truth—I have a clear conscience.”

“A clear conscience, indeed.” Qin Feiyang laughed loudly, a hint of ridicule in his eyes. “I hope you always keep it that way. Don’t ever come to me, kneeling and begging, in tears.”

Ling Yunfei replied, “Rest assured—I never will.”

Thud!

The six young men and women exchanged glances and knelt on the ground.

“City Lord, we admit our fault. We shouldn’t have provoked the Black Bear cub. We accept punishment.”

“But if Jiang Haotian had warned everyone earlier, so many wouldn’t have died.” “He concealed the truth and deceived you. Please punish him severely!” “I even suspect he’s in league with the Black Bear King!” The six said.

Their words were venomous, clearly meant to destroy Qin Feiyang.

The City Lord’s face was cold. “Jiang Haotian, what do you have to say?”

The Hall Master of the Martial Hall sighed, “I once admired you, but never imagined you could be so malicious.”

“To accuse someone, any excuse will do.” Qin Feiyang shook his head and smiled, looking at the six. “You wounded the Black Bear cub. As the king of Black Bear Mountain, the Black Bear King would never let that slide. If I anticipated this, it only proves I have some sense. That you failed to consider it shows you’re even dumber than pigs.”

“You—” The six were furious.

“Am I wrong?” Qin Feiyang mocked.

The City Lord and others looked displeased as well. They hadn’t thought of this either. By this logic, weren’t they dumber than pigs too?

Qin Feiyang’s words had offended everyone, but he didn’t care. If necessary, he could hide in the old fortress—who could touch him?

He glanced at the titans. “Let me leave you with this: survival belongs to the fittest. Remember to use your brains, because no one will save you. Your fate is in your own hands.”

The scene was deathly silent. No one spoke.

The City Lord exhaled deeply. “Though your words make sense, you still made a mistake and must bear the main responsibility. I’ll have someone tally the losses—you’ll pay half, the Jiang, Mu, and Ling families will split the rest. Any objections?”

“None,” the three family heads shook their heads.

“On what grounds?” Qin Feiyang frowned. He had never seen such unreasonable people. Whether he spoke or not was his own choice—why should he bear half the responsibility? If anything, the four powers should shoulder it all, since they organized the hunting contest.

The City Lord was simply trying to shift blame. So many deaths meant huge compensation. More importantly, this incident might alarm the most powerful figures in Swallow Prefecture; should blame fall, the City Lord and others would be implicated, possibly affecting their futures. They needed scapegoats—so the burden fell on Qin Feiyang and the three families.

The families had to maintain their position in Black Bear City, even if it meant bankruptcy. But Qin Feiyang was different. As a prince of the Great Qin Empire, his pride would never bow to petty men. He was alone—what did he have to fear?

Meanwhile, the City Lord, repeatedly challenged, felt his dignity slipping and a murderous intent was growing within him.

He stared coldly at Qin Feiyang for a long time before saying, “Because I am the City Lord of Black Bear City. My word is law. Dare you defy me?”

“Sorry, I’m not from Black Bear City—I have no reason to obey your orders.” Qin Feiyang sneered, turning away from the platform without a backward glance. A mere City Lord dared command him? Ridiculous.

“Seize him!” The City Lord was furious, shouting loudly.

Clang!

A dozen guards immediately rushed in front of Qin Feiyang, blades drawn.