The panic on Yao Wangtian's face screamed 'trouble' even before he spoke. Lin Feng frowned. "What happened? Where are Zhang Fangzhou and Xu Rong?"
"Big Brother… he's been detained by the Li family! Third Brother went to find Long Chengkong for help!" Yao Wangtian blurted out anxiously.
"Detained by the Li family?!" Lin Feng's expression darkened. "Explain. Now."
"Alright…" Yao Wangtian took a quick breath, then rattled off, "After we split from you this morning, we went straight to the Li family. At first, everything seemed fine. The Li family head personally received us. After verifying Li Sha's head, they didn't try to cheat us – they gave us the fifty thousand low-grade spirit stones. But then… they suddenly started asking about Li Sha's belongings! They claimed he'd stolen a precious family heirloom and demanded we return it. We said we didn't have it! They actually forcibly searched us! We couldn't fight them off… they even took Big Brother's spatial ring and searched it by force! Of course, they didn't find any so-called 'heirloom'. They realized the three of us couldn't possibly have killed Li Sha ourselves and started pressuring us to reveal who really took his possessions. Big Brother refused to talk! They wouldn't let us leave! Eventually, they released me and Third Brother but kept Big Brother! They said… they said if we don't bring back their 'heirloom', they'll… they'll cripple Big Brother's cultivation! Boss Lin, you have to save him!!"
"..."
Lin Feng listened, his face growing increasingly grim, a spark of anger igniting in his chest. He nodded sharply. "Relax. I won't abandon Zhang Fangzhou. We're going there now!"
The two then hurried along the street Yao Wangtian had come from. As they moved further away, several shadows lurking in the gloom of the adjacent buildings detached themselves and began to follow discreetly…
These were indeed Li family members. They had tailed Yao Wangtian and Xu Rong the moment they left the Li estate earlier. Their goal: find the person who actually killed Li Sha. If they led them back, perfect. If Lin Feng heard the news and tried to flee, abandoning Zhang Fangzhou… well, alternative plans existed.
As for the group that had followed Lin Feng out of the Free bazaar, a stubborn few also persisted, merging with the new shadows trailing them.
...
Lin Feng followed Yao Wangtian rapidly through the streets. He also noticed the figures tailing them – likely Li family men – and understood their intent. He ignored them, focusing instead on the situation.
Who could have predicted such trouble from simply claiming a bounty? He'd seen the Li family's notice just that morning. It solely mentioned the reward for Li Sha's head. Not a single word about any 'heirloom'. Yet, when Zhang Fangzhou went to claim it, they suddenly sprung this demand, resorting to detention and threats. It was outrageous.
Lin Feng deduced the Li family's strategy: leaving the heirloom off the notice was deliberate. They feared attracting undue attention from powerful figures. Their target was precisely people like him – likely lone cultivators or small groups desperate enough to hunt Li Sha for the sizable, but not galaxy-shattering, 50,000 stone reward. Such hunters would typically be at Foundation Establishment level, matching Li Sha himself. Against such individuals, the Li family, with their superior numbers and home advantage, could easily bully and coerce. Even if word got out later, they could claim they were merely reclaiming stolen property – a seemingly righteous act.
As for the 'heirloom' itself, Lin Feng's first thought was the mysterious spirit artifact fragment. If Li Sha had indeed possessed something valuable enough to warrant this, that fragment was the prime candidate.
"Young Friend Lin!"
The call cut through Lin Feng's thoughts mid-stride. He instinctively halted, startled.
Looking towards the sound, he saw a refined, scholarly middle-aged man approaching from the opposite side of the street. Beside him stood another amiable-looking man. It was Qi Minghe… and Sun Ronghan!
Qi Minghe reached Lin Feng, smiling pleasantly. "I came to Biquan City's Myriad Treasures Pavilion to collect some items. Truly a fortunate coincidence to run into you here, Young Friend Lin." He genuinely hadn't expected to encounter Lin Feng while out enjoying tea with Sun Ronghan.
Sun Ronghan also greeted warmly, "Young Master Lin, a pleasure to meet again."
"Manager Sun," Lin Feng acknowledged Sun Ronghan with a slight nod before turning to Qi Minghe. "Manager Qi, my apologies, but I'm currently dealing with an urgent matter. I cannot linger to chat."
"Oh?" Qi Minghe's eyebrow arched slightly. He glanced at Yao Wangtian's anxious face beside Lin Feng and his smile faded, replaced by a look of concern. "Has Young Friend encountered trouble? If there's anything I can assist with, please do not hesitate."
"Thank you for your kindness, Manager Qi. It's not a major issue. I believe it can be resolved without too much difficulty." Lin Feng assumed the offer was mere politeness. He didn't expect substantial aid from near-strangers, nor did he wish to incur an unnecessary debt of gratitude so casually. "Manager Qi, Manager Sun… I must take my leave."
Lin Feng had no mind for further conversation. With a brief farewell, he quickly led Yao Wangtian away.
"..."
Watching their rapidly retreating figures, Sun Ronghan remarked thoughtfully, "They certainly seemed troubled… Given what you said, this Lin Yun isn't local, perhaps newly arrived? What trouble could he have stirred up so quickly?"
"Precisely because he isn't local, he'd be more vulnerable to trouble, wouldn't he?" Qi Minghe replied, his gaze fixed on the direction Lin Feng had disappeared. A flicker of contemplation passed through his eyes.
...
The Li family held considerable standing in Biquan City. From Long Chengkong's brief mentions, Lin Feng knew they operated talisman shops. While lacking a Golden Core cultivator, they boasted several late Foundation Establishment experts, including two at the Great Perfection stage. This made them several times more formidable than the He family back in Qingyun City, potentially rivaling even the Zheng family.
The Li family compound sprawled impressively along a bustling street in the eastern city center. High walls and imposing roofs spoke of wealth and power. Yao Wangtian led Lin Feng to the spot and pointed furiously at the wide-open gate. "Boss Lin! We're here! This is it!"
"Mm-hm. Let's go." Lin Feng nodded and strode forward. While Yao Wangtian radiated nervous tension, Lin Feng felt little fear. Even if the Li family intended to bully them, they surely wouldn't dare blatantly murder and rob in broad daylight. And if they were foolish enough to harbor truly malicious intent… Lin Feng doubted they could easily succeed.
Guards flanked the Li mansion's entrance. Clearly briefed, they eyed Lin Feng and Yao Wangtian with hostility but made no move to stop or question them, merely watching as the pair walked inside.
Following Yao Wangtian's lead, Lin Feng crossed the spacious front courtyard and entered the main hall of the Li residence.
Immediately, he spotted Zhang Fangzhou. The man sat slumped dejectedly on a chair. He didn't appear physically abused; a cup of tea even sat beside him. However, two burly men, built like temple guardians, stood imposingly behind him, preventing any attempt to rise.
"Big Brother!"
Zhang Fangzhou's face lit up with relief at the sight of Lin Feng. He instinctively jumped up, rushing towards them. This time, the two guards didn't stop him, though they moved swiftly to block the doorway behind Lin Feng instead.
Lin Feng looked Zhang Fangzhou over. "Are you unharmed?"
"They haven't roughed me up," Zhang Fangzhou shook his head, frustration bubbling in his voice. "But their arrogance is intolerable! Forcing us to hand over some 'heirloom'..."
"So, you're their 'Big Brother'?"
A voice dripping with open mockery cut Zhang Fangzhou off. Lin Feng looked up. The speaker was a young man in lavish robes, appearing about twenty-four or twenty-five. His features were unremarkable, yet he carried himself with an air of affected superiority, ostentatiously waving a folding fan. Arrogance radiated from him – the epitome of a fop.
Lin Feng gave him a single glance, then utterly ignored him. His gaze shifted instead to the pale-faced middle-aged man seated commandingly in the central seat beside the young man…