Chapter 81: Just in Case

That was not the case.

Qin Feiyang was very self-aware. The Ling Family Patriarch and several elders were all martial sects; with his current strength, he wasn’t even worth mentioning. What he was really doing was provoking Luo Xiong and his two companions to act.

As expected.

Seeing Qin Feiyang standing in front of Ling Yunfei, Luo Xiong and his companions’ expressions changed. In an instant, dazzling streams of battle energy surged out from within them like a raging torrent, enveloping the air above the high platform and exuding an aura of utter destruction.

“Anyone who dares to make a move will be killed without mercy!”

Luo Xiong shouted furiously.

The Ling Patriarch and the other elders trembled, halting their steps, and stared in terror at the battle energy hovering above their heads. Cold sweat drenched their bodies.

Qin Feiyang secretly let out a sigh of relief. He turned to the City Lord, who seemed unmoved, and frowned, saying, “City Lord, the life-and-death contract was written by your own hand. Are you really going to remain silent? Or do you intend to side with the Ling Family?”

“I will personally inspect the situation,” the City Lord replied, rising to his feet and striding toward Ling Sheng, his face darkening.

This was not the outcome he had wanted.

During these past three days, he had not once worried, nor had he imagined that Ling Sheng might lose. He had even planned how, after Ling Sheng’s victory, he would teach Qin Feiyang a lesson.

But now, everything was in chaos. He didn’t know what to do.

Arriving before Ling Sheng, he lowered his head for a careful inspection. Suddenly, a hint of uncertainty crept into his eyes. But gradually, the uncertainty faded and was replaced by shock.

“How is this possible?”

“His heart is actually shattered!”

Finally, he couldn’t help but exclaim.

“What?”

The various powerhouses and heads of families all changed expressions and stepped forward to examine.

“It really is shattered!”

Everyone was dumbfounded.

There was not a single external wound on his chest, but the heart within had been torn to pieces. How bizarre was this? Was this the legendary ‘striking the cow through the mountain’ technique?

The Martial Hall Master turned to Ling Yunfei, his eyes gleaming, and asked, “When did you master such a martial technique?”

“I don’t know,” Ling Yunfei replied, his face expressionless.

The Martial Hall Master was far too hypocritical. Neither Qin Feiyang nor Ling Yunfei had any fondness for him; in fact, he was revolting.

But the Hall Master ignored this attitude and even wore a slight smile.

Upon seeing this, the Ling Patriarch sensed trouble and hurriedly bowed, pleading, “Hall Master, I beg you to seek justice for Sheng’er.”

The Hall Master frowned, displeased. “Why should I do that?”

The Ling Patriarch was desperate. “Hall Master, he is at least a disciple of Martial Hall now. You personally agreed to this just now!”

“I did agree, but he has yet to formally enter the Martial Hall, so he cannot be considered a disciple of ours.”

“Besides, you have already signed a life-and-death contract. You should accept the outcome, win or lose.”

“Stop looking for trouble with Ling Yunfei, or else don’t blame me for being harsh!”

The Hall Master’s tone was cold.

The Ling Patriarch’s face turned ashen on the spot.

It was one thing not to help, but to think that he would even threaten him—what was this?

One had to ask: was such a man truly fit to be the Martial Hall Master?

But no matter how much resentment he bore, he could only swallow it.

Watching the Ling Patriarch’s miserable state, Qin Feiyang and Ling Yunfei exchanged glances, both revealing a trace of mocking amusement.

These powerhouses—were any of them not opportunists?

If you’re valuable, they’ll help you.

If you’re not, who are you to them? Why should they help you? You’re nothing; get lost as far as you can.

That was the reality.

So, if you want to be valued, you must prove your worth.

Qin Feiyang whispered, “As expected, the Hall Master will surely invite you to join the Martial Hall.”

And sure enough, before he finished speaking, the Hall Master looked at Ling Yunfei and smiled. “I deeply regret what happened before. Now, I solemnly invite you to join Martial Hall. I promise you, as long as you agree, the only guaranteed spot for the King’s Hall will be yours.”

The entire audience erupted once more.

But the members of the Ling Family looked as if they had swallowed something vile, their faces dark to the extreme.

Once Ling Yunfei agreed, he would surely soar to great heights. That meant he would slip entirely from their grasp, and they would be forced to look up to and flatter him. This was extremely disadvantageous for them.

Yet Ling Yunfei hesitated.

Though he greatly disliked the Hall Master, joining the Martial Hall had always been his greatest desire. But now, he had to consider Qin Feiyang.

Without Qin Feiyang’s help, he would still be that cowardly good-for-nothing, never achieving what he had today.

If he agreed to the Hall Master, wouldn’t that be burning the bridge after crossing it?

Suddenly, he gave a self-deprecating smile.

Why hesitate? Shouldn’t a person know gratitude and repay it?

With this thought, he looked up at the Hall Master and shook his head. “Sorry, I won’t join the Martial Hall, because I’ve already promised Jiang Haotian that I would be his sword for life.”

“He refused?”

Everyone was stunned.

Such a tempting offer, and he could say no? What was so special about this Jiang Haotian, that such a genius would willingly follow him for life?

This was a puzzle for all the gathered powerhouses.

However, the Hall Master was furious!

He’d said all the right things, offered his help, yet was still refused—and all for the sake of a mere four-star Martial Master.

Could a four-star Martial Master compare with the Martial Hall? Absolutely not. The difference was like that between the clouds and mud.

Yet Ling Yunfei chose mud over clouds—this was a humiliation to him and to the Martial Hall!

As for Qin Feiyang, he was naturally delighted.

It proved he had not misjudged Ling Yunfei.

However, he smiled and said, “Ling Yunfei, go to Martial Hall. The King’s Hall is your stage—show your talent there!”

“What?”

Ling Yunfei was stunned.

So were the others.

“I’m a man of my word. Don’t test me,” Ling Yunfei said, a little annoyed.

Qin Feiyang laughed. “I’m not testing you. I truly hope you join the King’s Hall.”

Ling Yunfei still didn’t believe him, so Qin Feiyang could only smile helplessly. He turned to the Hall Master and said, “I promise on his behalf. Please, treat him well.”

“Of course,” the Hall Master replied with a smile.

For the first time, he found this young man rather pleasing.

“But why?” Ling Yunfei asked Qin Feiyang.

“There aren’t so many ‘whys’ in the world,” Qin Feiyang said, shaking his head with a smile. He then turned to the Ling Patriarch. “Now, can you hand over Ling Yunfei’s mother?”

At the mention of this, Ling Yunfei set aside his doubts and turned to glare coldly at the Ling Family.

“Patriarch, what do we do now?” a group of elders asked anxiously.

The Patriarch was desperate too, racking his brains for a plan.

Suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck him.

“Don’t worry, I’ve still got a card up my sleeve. I’ll make sure Jiang Haotian never recovers!”

He whispered this to the elders, then turned to the City Lord and bowed. “City Lord, there’s something I must report.”

“What is it?” the City Lord asked, frowning.

The Patriarch said, “Three nights ago, Jiang Haotian killed two city guards named Zhao Liu and Li Qi.”

“So he wants to frame me,” Qin Feiyang thought coldly.

“Is this true?” the City Lord asked, not bothering with the details—just the truth. This alone showed he still wanted to deal with Qin Feiyang.

The Patriarch nodded. “Absolutely true. I swear on my life. I even know their corpses are buried outside the Pill Hall gates.”

A sharp glint flashed in the City Lord’s eyes. “Take me there at once!”

The Patriarch turned, muttering to the elders. They nodded, picked up Housekeeper Ling and Ling Sheng’s bodies, and left quickly, disappearing into the city.

“Why let them go first?” Qin Feiyang muttered, his eyes thoughtful.

There was no need to be so urgent just to bury the bodies, was there? Normally he wouldn’t be suspicious, but given the circumstances, sending all the elders away at once seemed highly irregular.

The Patriarch shot Qin Feiyang a cold glance, then turned to the City Lord and bowed. “Please, City Lord.”

The City Lord glanced at Luo Xiong. “Let’s go together.”

“Fine,” Luo Xiong replied, frowning.

The Patriarch led the powerhouses away at a brisk pace.

Feng Cheng came over to Qin Feiyang and whispered, “Did you really do it?”

Qin Feiyang smiled. “Just wait and enjoy the show, Elder Feng!”

“You rascal, always so mysterious. Fine, I’ll be watching. But for now, stay close to me—I worry the Ling Family may get desperate and try something against you.”

Feng Cheng warned in a low voice, then turned to Ling Yunfei. “You too.”

Both nodded and followed him toward the city gate.

Ling Yunfei said, “You want me to go to Martial Hall—surely you have your reasons.”

“Not really,” Qin Feiyang joked, “I’m just worried I can’t afford to keep you.”

Ling Yunfei’s face darkened. He wasn’t a woman—why would he need to be kept?

“Boss Jiang, wait for me!”

At that moment, the Fatty squeezed out of the crowd, waddled over to Qin Feiyang, and grinned. “Boss, you’re amazing! You’re Fatty’s idol!”

Qin Feiyang rolled his eyes, then suddenly had an idea. He whispered, “Fatty, do me a favor.”

“What favor?” Fatty asked, surprised.

Qin Feiyang muttered a few words into his ear.

“Really?” Fatty looked doubtful.

Qin Feiyang shook his head. “It’s just a guess, I’m not sure. But people are unpredictable; it’s best to be prepared. Hurry—if you succeed, I’ll give you dozens of top-grade pills.”

“No problem, leave it to Fatty!” Fatty’s eyes lit up, and he thumped his chest, promising. Then he squeezed into the crowd, rushed ahead, and vanished into the city without looking back.

Ling Yunfei asked, “What did you send him to do?”

“Just in case,” Qin Feiyang replied calmly, then asked, “Do you still feel anything for the Ling Family?”

Ling Yunfei said, “Three days ago, I still had some feelings. But when I saw Housekeeper Ling come into Black Bear Mountain to kill me, all those feelings disappeared. Once I save my mother, there will be nothing left between me and the Ling Family.”

“That’s good,” Qin Feiyang nodded, a gleam of light appearing in his eyes.