"What?!"
This was completely unexpected for Feng Qi. Nothing like this had ever happened before. Could it be the Patriarch? he wondered.
It wasn't impossible, judging by how his grandfather had always treated him. Throughout all the years they had known each other, the old man had remained utterly cold toward him. It was obvious that he hated both mother and son for some reason Feng Qi still did not understand.
There was nothing he could do—nothing but accept it. Judging by the way he had been summoned, it sounded more like an order. Nothing good would come of this.
Upon arriving at the manor, Feng Qi was stopped by the household guards, but his entry was permitted. The Main Hall was located within the mansion itself. This enormous chamber, resembling an imperial court, was where the Patriarch and elders made serious decisions.
A drop of nervous sweat slid down Young Feng's face. He didn't know what had happened, but he felt something was terribly wrong. It was also his first time ever stepping into the Main Hall. Before him stood nearly all members of the Feng Clan, with the exception of a few who had not been mentioned—and Feng Zongyuan. Everyone else was present… even Li Yuhuan.
She looked visibly distressed. When she saw Feng Qi, her eyes lingered on him as if bidding farewell, before she quickly turned her face away.
Feng Qi glanced at her with distant eyes, then focused on the real problem.
The Patriarch of the Feng Clan, Feng Shidao, sat upon his elevated seat. Below him, elders and influential figures occupied side seats, and further down, standing with a sheathed sword in his right hand, was Feng Chen Haoran—wearing his usual smile.
Danger instantly surged in Feng Qi's heart. He knew something would happen in this hall. He hadn't provoked anyone or caused trouble. There were only two possibilities: either he was being hunted like his mother… or this was about Li Yuhuan.
She must have said something. Or even framed me… the guilt on her face says it all, Feng Qi thought.
"Feng Qi!"
A thunderous voice echoed throughout the hall. It was Feng Shidao.
"Do you know what kind of crime you have committed?"
Feng Qi remained silent for a moment. He took a deep breath, reflected, then spoke.
"Your Excellency, I have shown no disrespect to anyone here, nor have I stolen or broken anything. But if I were to guess why everyone has gathered, there can only be one reason."
His gaze fell deeply upon Li Yuhuan.
She merely lowered her head, shame mixing with sorrow. She knew exactly what was happening.
"Oh? You admitted to something we didn't even know about. Now we have two problems."
Feng Chen Haoran spoke mockingly.
Feng Qi's heart sank. He ran through every possible reason in his mind—none made sense, except his conversation with Li Yuhuan. Had he revealed something he shouldn't have? But still… why such a gathering?
Suddenly, laughter filled the hall. Chen Haoran laughed like a madman.
Feng Qi narrowed his eyes, unsettled by the bizarre amusement on the man's face.
"Look at him, that expression. Sorry for lying—yes, you're here because of Li Yuhuan. You already know what you did," Chen Haoran said.
Feng Qi took a deep breath.
"Then… what exactly did I do?"
"Feng Qi! You are being charged with attempted rape of Young Miss Li of the Li Clan—Li Yuhuan!"
Feng Qi's eyes widened in disbelief. He never imagined things would escalate this far.
Attempted rape?!
Who fabricated such a lie?!
He immediately looked at Li Yuhuan, but she only avoided his gaze.
"Nothing to say, cousin?" Chen Haoran sneered, leaning on his sheathed sword like a cane.
"They're framing me, Grand—" Feng Qi instinctively appealed, desperate.
"SHUT UP!!!"
A massive aura shook the entire hall.
"You filthy thing! I am not your grandfather! Do not call me that!"
It was worse than Feng Qi had imagined.
He stared at the old man seated on the throne-like chair and thought: Why am I descended from this thing? What's the difference between this monster and a demon?
Feng Qi lowered his head, utterly cornered.
"To my right stands Li Zhonghai, one of the protectors assigned to Young Miss Li. He will present this case. To my left is Young Miss Li Yuhuan herself. Speak, Young Miss—what exactly happened?"
Feng Shidao's piercing gaze seemed to intimidate her. Li Yuhuan trembled slightly, then forced herself to speak.
"Yes… Protector. He attempted to rape me. I was in the clan's Pagoda when he suddenly stopped me, harassed me, grabbed me, and began touching me. Fortunately, I managed to escape. I was so terrified that I couldn't even use my strength to subdue him—and partly out of respect for the Feng Clan…"
She even simulated sobbing, lowering her head and hiding her face. Inside, Li Yuhuan felt like trash—she was truly crying for what would happen to Feng Qi.
Li Zhonghai's expression darkened. Killing intent flooded toward Feng Qi.
"If not for respect toward the Patriarch and the Feng Clan, I would kill this bastard right here and now!" the protector roared.
"Then it is settled. Sentence him to death by hanging," Feng Shidao said coldly."But—this is what I would say. Feng Chen!"
There was nothing Feng Qi could say. It was a hunt—a final hunt.
He glanced back and noticed the doors were shut, guarded by two spear-wielding guards.
"Considering you laid hands on my woman, I should let you die like a chicken in a slaughterhouse," Chen Haoran said with a grin. "But I spoke with Grandfather. He allowed me to turn your execution into a wager. What do you say?"
Feng Qi had no choice.
"What kind of wager?" A bead of sweat formed on his brow.
"Simple."
Suddenly, Chen Haoran swung his sheathed sword with tremendous force, hurling the scabbard toward Feng Qi. Feng Qi narrowly dodged. The scabbard embedded itself into the door, bursting it open. The guards retreated in fear, daring not to interfere.
Chen Haoran's sword was crimson, almost blood-like, radiating a sinister aura. It was clearly no ordinary weapon.
"I heard you reached Qi Refinement. Congratulations."
"What?!"
The hall erupted in shock. Feng Qi had reached Immortality?!
Even Feng Shidao hadn't known.
"Is this true?" the old man demanded.
Feng Qi reluctantly nodded.
Ordinarily, such information wouldn't reach the upper ranks—but Feng Chen Haoran was different. He maintained informants among both servants and elites.
Fear gripped Feng Qi, yet it reminded him of his previous brush with death—one he had survived.
"Our little game is simple," Chen Haoran said. "You're a newly advanced Qi Refinement cultivator. I'm at the Third Layer and have been there for a long time. With this Crimson Sword, you must dodge ten of my attacks. If you succeed, you're free to go."
It sounded simple—but the gap was enormous. Chen Haoran had wealth, training, techniques, and sect support. Feng Qi was merely a village servant.
It wasn't a wager.
It was an execution.
"Do you swear on the clan and your life?" Feng Qi demanded.
"I swear in God's name," Chen Haoran replied instantly.
Feng Qi didn't trust him—but at least now there was a chance to escape.
Just as the fight was about to begin, Chen Haoran called a guard, who handed Feng Qi a short sword.
"Let's change the rules slightly. If you manage to wound me three times, you live. How about it?"
Feng Qi looked at the sword. He had never wielded one before—only knives for livestock.
But between animal blood and the blood of trash like this… the choice was easy.
"Fine."
The battle began.
In a flash, the Crimson Sword came flying at him. Feng Qi dodged barely in time. As he landed, Chen Haoran kicked him with full force, smashing him into the wall. Blood streamed from his forehead.
"Huh? Not dead?" Chen Haoran muttered in shock.
Feng Qi staggered to his feet, dizzy—but alive.
His chest burned like fire.
Only one thing explained it.
The Sacred Jade Armor.
Slowly, Feng Qi retrieved his sword.
"Oh? Tough, aren't you? Come on—strike me. I won't attack."
Feng Qi didn't believe him.
Chen Haoran soon attacked barehanded. Feng Qi dodged—once, twice, three times.
"That's five!"
Chen Haoran grew furious. He lunged for his sword—
But Feng Qi anticipated it.
With a swift kick, he sent Chen Haoran flying into the wall.
Shock filled the hall.
Blood trickled down Chen Haoran's face.
Blind with rage, Chen Haoran reinforced his Qi and attacked again—but Feng Qi kept dodging.
"Ten attacks have passed!"
No one listened.
In that moment, Feng Qi understood the world: a place of lies, where the innocent were executed.
A flame ignited in his eyes.
He struck Chen Haoran square in the chest, then leapt forward and smashed his skull into the floor, shattering stone.
Without looking back, Feng Qi ran.
"Close the gates!" Feng Shidao roared.
Too late.
With Qi channeled into his legs, Feng Qi leapt through the narrowing gap.
And fled.
In his heart, his destination was clear.
North—toward Qingyao City.