North of Biquan City's gate stretched a vast, open plain. Northwest, over twenty li away, lay Willow Lake, its shores lined with willow trees. Beside it stood a large farm, now abandoned after failing as a business. The surrounding fields, once fertile, were choked with tall weeds. At the farm's center stood a dilapidated house, its structure crumbling. The entire area exuded desolation.
This forgotten place rarely saw visitors. Today, however, it was the stage for an extraordinary event...
...
The sky was overcast, mirroring Lin Feng's grim mood. Departing Biquan City, he walked swiftly and soon arrived.
Alone.
The location offered unobstructed views. Looking back, Biquan City was visible in the distance. Anyone trailing him would have been spotted instantly — undoubtedly why the enemies chose this spot.
Lin Feng couldn't be certain it was the Li Family behind this. Regardless, he resolved they would pay dearly.
Hundreds of meters from the derelict house, Lin Feng spotted a flicker of movement on the roof. They've been watching. They know I'm here.
His left hand gripped a Spirit Light Talisman, his right held his flying sword ready. He maintained constant vigilance, cautious of his surroundings despite his steady pace.
No traps barred his path. Soon, he stood before the house. Its door gaped open like a dark maw, waiting to swallow its prey.
Without the ability to project divine sense, Lin Feng couldn't sense inside. But he knew enemies lurked within. Having come this far, retreat wasn't an option. Tightening his grip on the talisman and sword, he stepped inside.
The overcast sky made the interior pitch-dark. Lin Feng discerned a large, hollow space – likely a former warehouse. The air hung thick with decay.
Lin Feng's pupils contracted sharply as he entered. A group of figures materialized in the center of the cavernous room.
BANG!!
The door slammed shut behind him. Lin Feng whipped around to see two hulking, vicious men blocking the exit.
Simultaneously, two more figures emerged from the shadows on his left, and two on his right. Combined with the group ahead, Lin Feng was completely surrounded.
Two behind. Two left. Two right. And directly ahead, eight figures. Seven stood spread out. Only one was 'seated' – more precisely, tied to a chair.
It was Zhang Fangzhou!!
Zhang Fangzhou's state was pitiful. His head lolled to one side, revealing a face bruised and blood-stained. His clothes were torn and stained. He'd clearly been tortured. He showed no reaction to Lin Feng's arrival, unconscious. Only the slight rise and fall of his chest confirmed he was still breathing.
Seeing Zhang Fangzhou like this, cold light flashed in Lin Feng's eyes. Killing intent surged within him.
His expression frigid, Lin Feng scanned the surrounding faces. None were familiar. His gaze finally settled on the imposing, leader-like figure at the front of the seven men facing him. "Who are you people?" His voice was ice. "I have no grievance with you. Why target me?"
"Hah!! You actually came alone! Brave? Or just stupid?" The leader sneered. His face was thick with jowls, marked by a single, savage scar running from his left eyebrow down to his right jaw. He radiated malice. "You're right. No quarrel. But we only care about coin. Someone paid big money for your life. Tough luck!"
"Oh?" Lin Feng raised an eyebrow. "Did this buyer tell you who I am?"
"Pfah! Who cares who you are?!" The scarred man snarled, his laugh cruel. "Falling into the hands of us, the Thirteen Tigers of Star City, means you're only a dead man!" Indeed, his gang cared nothing for Lin Feng's background. They were merely passing through, taking this 'job' as a 'bonus'. Once done, they'd vanish. What did it matter if their target was some spoiled city lord's son?
"From Star City? Bandits?" Lin Feng was momentarily taken aback. He recalled Dongfang Yuhui mentioning Star City – a Tier 4 cultivation city over a thousand li away. He hadn't expected pursuers from such a distance. "Thirteen Tigers? Did you come up with that idiotic name yourselves?" He then curled his lip in open contempt.
"Son of a bitch!! Still putting on airs at death's door?! Kill him!! Kill him now!!" The scarred man roared, fury blazing. He signaled his men.
"WAIT!!"
Lin Feng's sudden shout froze the Thirteen Tigers. They had drawn talismans, poised to attack.
The scarred leader mocked him. "What? Scared? Begging for mercy already?"
"Oh, not at all." Lin Feng shrugged casually. "Just figured, since I'm about to die... shouldn't the real mastermind step out first? Let me see his face."
"..."
Lin Feng's unnerving calm sent a flicker of unease through the scarred leader. Hearing the demand, he instinctively glanced towards the shadows behind a thick pillar to his right.
Lin Feng's sharp eyes caught the glance. He turned decisively towards the darkness. "So, you are here." His voice rang clear. "Too afraid to show yourself? With all these men around you... what are you scared of?"
"Hmph!"
A contemptuous snort echoed from the darkness. A figure stepped out into the dim light, voice dripping with scorn. "Afraid of you?! You're nothing but an ant with a few decent artifacts, full of hot air... Today, Young Master will make you understand the price of offending the Li Family!"
Seeing the haughty, venom-filled young man, Lin Feng suddenly laughed. "Young Master Li, just as I thought." His tone was almost conversational. "Did you clear this little scheme... with your elders?"
— The figure stepping into view was none other than Li Renyao, the Li Family Young Master whom Lin Feng had once taken hostage!
"Act! Keep acting!" Li Renyao's eyes flashed with vicious glee. "You fool others, but not me!! I know! You have NO 'master'! None of it is real!! HAH! It's all lies!! Prove me wrong! If your master exists, a Fifth Grade Artifact Refiner, a Golden Core cultivator... Let him come out! Let him save you now!! If you can't... today you die! This wretched place will be your grave!"
"..."
Lin Feng stared, dumbfounded, at the near-hysterical Li Renyao. A strange feeling washed over him. Why is he so utterly convinced I'm lying? Had Li Renyao uncovered some shred of evidence? Or... was this merely the raving of a deeply paranoid mind?