Chapter 79: A Battle of Wits and Words Among Titans

Qin Feiyang followed Luo Xiong and the other two up onto the high platform. Turning, he looked at Ling Sheng, unable to comprehend what this man was so arrogant about.

The fat man did not go up.

He had a clear sense of his own standing, knowing full well that, given his status, he was not qualified to stand on that stage.

However, in the eyes of some, Qin Feiyang was just as unqualified.

“Jiang Haotian, get down from there!” the head of the Ling family barked.

The son hadn’t yet quieted down, and now the father came to add fuel to the fire.

It seemed this father and son duo would not let things rest today.

Qin Feiyang asked, “Why should I come down?”

“Look for yourself—everyone here is a person of status and position. As a mere martial disciple, what right do you have to stand as an equal among us?” The Ling family head sneered.

“He has a point,” nodded the Hall Master of the Martial Hall, speaking coolly. “Jiang Haotian, one must know their place in life. Go down now.”

The City Lord snapped, “You have no sense of etiquette at all! Luo Xiong, how do you teach your disciples?”

Luo Xiong chuckled, “How I teach is the Dan Hall’s business, not yours, City Lord. But as for this disciple, both our Hall, Elder Feng, and Elder Mo, are all very satisfied with him.”

Feng Cheng and Elder Mo nodded, faint smiles appearing on their faces.

“Jiang Haotian, don’t mind them. Come, stand behind me,” Elder Mo called out, waving Qin Feiyang over.

Qin Feiyang cupped his hands in thanks. “Thank you, Elder, but today, I’m afraid I’ll be needing a chair as well.”

“How dare you!”

“A mere disciple daring to demand a chair—what deluded ambition!”

“Not only are you without manners, it seems you’re lacking all upbringing!”

The heads of the families erupted in anger.

“Upbringing!”

At the mention of this word, Qin Feiyang’s body trembled violently, as if a raw nerve had been struck. In an instant, his entire demeanor transformed.

He was like a lion provoked, his hair bristling, eyes sweeping the scene. He gave a cold laugh. “I’d say the ones lacking manners and upbringing are you!”

“What did you say?”

“Say that again if you dare!”

The family heads glared, their eyes wide with fury. Were it not for the presence of Luo Xiong and the other two, they would have attacked Qin Feiyang already.

“I said, the ones lacking manners and upbringing are you.” Qin Feiyang enunciated each word.

“Outrageous!”

“City Lord, this boy shows no respect for his elders—I suggest we throw him out at once!”

The family heads all looked to the City Lord.

The City Lord’s gaze turned icy. “Jiang Haotian, unless you give me a satisfactory explanation today, don’t think about leaving here.”

Qin Feiyang replied, “As it happens, I too demand an explanation. May I ask, City Lord, why has everyone gathered here today?”

“Isn’t it obvious? To witness the duel between Ling Sheng and Ling Yunfei.”

“Exactly,” Qin Feiyang nodded. “Let me ask: who issued the challenge? Who signed the life-and-death pact?”

The City Lord frowned, not understanding the line of questioning. “You did.”

“That’s right. I issued the challenge, I signed the pact. I am Ling Yunfei’s guarantor. So why shouldn’t I be given a chair? And why shouldn’t I be allowed up here? If even I, the guarantor, am not qualified to stand here, why are any of you, who have nothing to do with this, entitled? Let me ask you, what’s it got to do with any of you? Are you just so bored you have to meddle? If you want to watch, go do it from below!”

Qin Feiyang let loose a furious tirade on the spot.

So what if you’re the City Lord? Or the head of a family? Do you think just because I’m weak, I’m easy to bully? You want to make trouble for me at every turn, humiliate me? Let me tell you—no way. I may be down on my luck, but I’m not to the point where anyone can trample me!

Taking a deep breath, Qin Feiyang once more composed himself, his expression tranquil as still water. He turned to the head of the Ling family and said evenly, “You are also a guarantor for Ling Sheng. If I’m not qualified to sit here, shouldn’t you be leaving as well?”

The Ling family head clenched his fists tightly, his gaze dark as ink.

The City Lord, Martial Hall Master, and all the other family heads were even more furious.

To be scolded so thoroughly by a junior in front of everyone—what a laughingstock!

Those below the platform found Qin Feiyang somewhat arrogant, yet what he said made sense. This was a private feud between Jiang Haotian and the Ling family; outsiders had no business interfering, yet here they were, acting as if they were the central figures of the world. Truly, they were begging for a scolding.

Qin Feiyang turned to Luo Xiong and the head of the Treasure Pavilion, cupping his hands. “You two are the most impartial people in Black Bear City. Why don’t you tell us—who here is truly lacking in manners?”

“What a cunning brat,” the two cursed inwardly. The little bastard was a shrewd one.

After a moment’s thought, the Pavilion Master smiled. “Normally, in a public setting, Jiang Haotian would not be qualified to stand as our equal, but now he is a principal party. Let’s put it this way: he is the host, and we are merely guests he’s invited to watch. We have no right to say otherwise.”

“He should have a chair,” Luo Xiong added simply, yet his stance was clear.

Qin Feiyang turned again to the City Lord, smiling. “City Lord, what do you think? I know you’d like nothing more than to strangle me, but fairness is known to all. If you’re not afraid of people talking behind your back, go ahead and act.”

“Well said!”

“Boss is worthy of being called Boss!”

“Boss, keep it up!”

“Ha ha…”

Suddenly, a loud shout broke the quiet crowd.

The fat man stood in the front row, bouncing and laughing like a madman.

“Is that fat fool looking to die?” The crowd looked over, all with odd expressions.

“Ahem!” Qin Feiyang cleared his throat.

The fat man shivered, and seeing everyone’s eyes on him, broke out in a cold sweat, his face pale, and quickly ducked his head, not daring to breathe.

“So, after all this talk, is anyone going to bring me a chair or not?” Qin Feiyang shouted.

Once again, he became the center of attention—a move that also helped deflect scrutiny from the fat man.

The City Lord’s face was somber as iron. “Bring him a chair.”

A guard hurriedly pulled a chair from his storage pouch. “Where should I put it?”

Qin Feiyang sighed, “As the principal, I ought to sit in the very center, but since all of you are elders, I’ll have to put up with a little grievance—put it to the side.”

“Grievance?”

“Elders?”

Hearing this, the whole crowd was speechless.

Just moments ago, when you were cursing them out, you didn’t seem to see them as elders. You’ve made such a scene over a chair and now call it a grievance? You want all the credit and none of the blame—how shameless can one be?

Even the guard was at a loss. He’d seen those unafraid of death before, but never someone so eager to court it.

After this affair, there would be no hope of mending relations between this man and the City Lord.

Once the chair was set, the guard stepped aside.

Qin Feiyang grinned broadly and strode over, sitting down heavily. “Ah, that’s more like it—this is the treatment I deserve. Thank you, City Lord!”

The City Lord turned away, conversing privately with the Martial Hall Master.

Qin Feiyang smiled faintly, glancing at the fat man, who promptly gave him a thumbs-up.

“Jiang Haotian, where is Ling Yunfei? He still hasn’t shown his face—don’t tell me I’ve scared him so badly he dares not come?” came Ling Sheng’s cold sneer.

“What’s the rush? While he’s not here, calm yourself. In your current state, I could kill you with a single blow.” Qin Feiyang replied coolly.

This man was far too arrogant, too impetuous—the very model of a pampered scion. Were it not for the need to save Ling Yunfei’s mother, Qin Feiyang wouldn’t have spared him a second glance.

Wait—Ling Yunfei’s mother?

Qin Feiyang raised an eyebrow, ignoring Ling Sheng’s livid expression, and looked toward the Ling family head.

He noticed the Ling family head was gazing off toward Black Bear Mountain, his brows furrowed, looking somewhat anxious.

Qin Feiyang’s eyes flickered. “Ling family head, are you wondering why Steward Ling hasn’t returned yet?”

“How does he know?” The Ling family head was startled.

Qin Feiyang smiled. “The night the challenge was issued, I happened to see Steward Ling sneaking out of the city, heading into Black Bear Mountain. I wondered at the time—what business did he have there? Do you know, Ling family head?”

“I don’t,” the Ling family head replied, voice stern.

Qin Feiyang’s tone was playful. “Who in Black Bear City doesn’t know Steward Ling is your right-hand man? You expect us to believe you don’t know?”

“I said I don’t, and that’s that. What’s the point of all this chatter?” the Ling family head snapped, though unease was rising within him.

The City Lord and others paused their discussion, watching the two with thoughtful expressions.

It seemed there was much more to this than met the eye.

Qin Feiyang waved dismissively. “All right, I’ll stop. But let me ask—where is Ling Yunfei’s mother? Why isn’t she here?”

The Ling family head sneered, “No need to rush—wait until Ling Yunfei wins, then we’ll talk.”

“I’m just afraid you’ll go back on your word!”

At that moment, a cold, sharp voice rang out.

The world seemed to plunge into a wintry chill, making everyone shiver.

Qin Feiyang looked up, spotting a blood-stained figure at the rear of the crowd.

Who else could it be but Ling Yunfei?

He looked like a revenant returned from hell, shrouded in a murderous, ferocious aura.

Instantly, the Ling family head and all the elders sprang to their feet, eyes wide with disbelief.

For upon Ling Yunfei’s shoulder was slung a man—the very person they had been worrying about: Steward Ling!

The crowd quickly parted.

Step by step, Ling Yunfei approached the platform, the scent of blood emanating from him sending waves of terror through the onlookers.

With a leap, he landed on the platform, set Steward Ling down before his family, then stood at Qin Feiyang’s side, his eyes locked on Ling Sheng like a beast awakening from slumber—a truly chilling sight.

The Ling family head crouched down, putting a finger under Steward Ling’s nose.

At once, his arm shuddered. He glared up at Ling Yunfei. “Did you kill him?”

Ling Yunfei replied, “Think before you speak. I’m just a martial disciple—could I possibly kill a Martial Master? I just happened to run into him. I couldn’t bear to see his body left in the wild, so I brought him back for you. You ought to thank me.”

He had no feelings left for the Ling family—only hatred. Had it not been for the Black Bear King’s intervention, he would have died at Steward Ling’s hands.

What he didn’t know was that the one secretly helping him all along was the Wolf King.

Luo Xiong glanced at Steward Ling’s wounds. “He was indeed killed by a savage beast—and by the Black Bear King at that. The claw marks are unmistakable. You Ling family people are bold indeed, daring to provoke such a creature.”

The latter half of his words dripped with mockery.

The Ling family head’s fists clenched tighter, the knuckles cracking.

Not only had they failed to kill Ling Yunfei, but had lost a Martial Master into the bargain—how could he not be furious? He knew full well that things could not be so simple, but he had to swallow it for now. If his dirty dealings became public, not only he, but the whole Ling family would become targets, and not even the City Lord might be able to protect them.

But this matter would not be let go.

He looked up at Ling Sheng, a murderous glint in his eyes. “Son, begin.”

Ling Sheng nodded, turning to Ling Yunfei. “Come and receive your death!”

Qin Feiyang asked, “Are you confident?”

Ling Yunfei shot him a cold, proud smile. “Just watch.”

He strode boldly to the center of the platform, facing Ling Sheng.

Only five meters separated them.

Ling Yunfei asked, “Is killing allowed?”

Ling Sheng answered, “We signed a life-and-death pact—of course killing is allowed. I never intended to let you walk off this platform alive!”

The last words were mouthed in silence.