After Qin Feiyang left, everyone was silent, their expressions grim. This was especially true for the Lin Family Head and Lin Baili. Before coming here, they had been full of confidence. But they never expected such an outcome! Not only had they failed to eliminate Qin Feiyang, but they had also lost all the Lin family's one-star martial masters. Such a devastating loss was unprecedented for the Lin Family!
Lin Baili suddenly looked at Lo Qianxue and said solemnly, "Lo Qianxue, you must give me an explanation!"
If Lo Qianxue's daughter hadn't been captured, the Third Palace Master would have killed Qin Feiyang, and the Lin family's one-star martial masters wouldn't have died. So, he put the blame squarely on Lo Qianxue.
However, Lo Qianxue was also simmering with rage. Upon hearing this, she couldn't help but laugh in fury. She turned to Lin Baili and the Lin Family Head, her gaze as cold as ice!
"If it weren't for your repeated pleas for my help, would Qingzhu and I have come here?" she retorted.
"And now? Qingzhu has been taken by Qin Feiyang, her fate uncertain, and you dare to blame me? Don't you find that ridiculous?"
"Lin Baili, don't assume that just because you're from the Lin Family of Yan City, we people of Iron Bull Town must obey your every command. Let me tell you, you're not qualified for that!"
"And you, Lin Family Head," she continued, her voice sharp, "let me make this clear: if anything happens to Qingzhu, I will not only kill Qin Feiyang, but I will also ensure your entire Lin family is buried with her! Even the Lin Family of Yan City will not be spared!"
Lo Qianxue spoke with stern words and an unparalleled domineering spirit. She was truly a heroine, commanding the awe of those present. Lin Baili's face flushed, his eyes burning with fury! The atmosphere grew extremely tense.
"Alright, alright, I know everyone's in a foul mood right now. Let's all say a little less," the Third Palace Master interjected.
"Yes, let's try to be understanding of each other," the Martial Palace Hall Master added.
Seeing the situation escalating, they hurriedly stepped forward to mediate. Otherwise, given Lo Qianxue's temperament, she might have actually killed Lin Baili and the Lin Family Head then and there.
"HUMPH!" Lin Baili snorted coldly. He walked to the side, picked up the severed arm, and said, "Uncle Lin, take Xiao Hong. Let's go!"
The Lin Family Head asked, "What about Qin Feiyang?"
Lin Baili replied, "It's pitch black everywhere. Finding him now would be harder than reaching for the sky. Let's wait until dawn."
The Third Palace Master said in a deep voice, "There's no need to wait until dawn. If I'm not mistaken, that pack of White Wolves came from Wolf Valley. Qin Feiyang must have gone to Wolf Valley."
"Wolf Valley?" Lin Baili frowned. He had just arrived in Iron Bull Town and knew nothing about Wolf Valley.
The Lin Family Head, however, was aware of it. "Baili," he said, "you go back and nurse your injuries. Wait for my news."
"Bring his head back to me!" Lin Baili ground out each word, his eyes blazing with murderous intent.
The Lin Family Head nodded. "I definitely will!"
SWOOSH!
Lin Baili turned and vanished without a trace.
The Third Palace Master said, "Yin Chuan, Liu Yun, you two head back as well." He was worried the earlier incident might repeat itself.
Having witnessed Qin Feiyang's strength, Liu Yun and Yin Chuan knew they would only be a burden if they accompanied the others. Thus, without a word of complaint, they quickly went after Lin Baili.
The Zhao Family Head also instructed the young girl beside him, "Shuang'er, you go back too."
This young girl was Zhao Shuang'er, the apple of the Zhao Family's eye and the Zhao Family Head's cherished granddaughter. At fifteen, she was slender and graceful. Her jet-black hair cascaded over her shoulders, swaying in the wind, and her captivating eyes were as clear as a mirror. Usually, she was completely obedient to the Zhao Family Head, but this time, she shook her head in refusal.
The Zhao Family Head said anxiously, "Shuang'er, listen to me, go back quickly."
Zhao Shuang'er turned a deaf ear. Instead, she faced the Third Palace Master and the others, curtsied, and said, "Esteemed Uncles, my grandfather and I have an urgent matter to attend to at home, so we won't be going to Wolf Valley."
The Third Palace Master and the others immediately looked at the grandfather-granddaughter duo.
"Shuang'er..." The Zhao Family Head frowned, about to say something.
However, Zhao Shuang'er simply smiled at him. "Grandpa, let's go home!" she urged. Then, brooking no argument, she began pulling the Zhao Family Head towards the exit of the lakeside area.
The Lin Family Head glanced disdainfully at their retreating figures, a murderous glint in his eyes. "Hmph. The timid will never amount to anything." With a sudden palm strike, he struck Xiao Hong on the head.
"AAGH!" Xiao Hong shrieked and collapsed, lifeless.
Zhao Shuang'er's beautifully arched eyebrows furrowed slightly. She turned to the Lin Family Head and said, "Uncle Lin, she was also forced by Qin Feiyang. Was it really necessary to kill her?"
The Lin Family Head retorted, "Even your grandfather has no right to interfere in the Lin Family's affairs, let alone a junior like you! Scram!"
"I apologize for my impertinence," Zhao Shuang'er said respectfully. Then, she once again pulled the Zhao Family Head and walked towards the exit without looking back.
"We should go too!" Lo Qianxue declared.
SWOOSH!!!
Lo Qianxue, the Lin Family Head, the Third Palace Master, and the Martial Palace Hall Master strode off, speeding towards Wolf Valley.
Watching the four of them disappear, the Zhao Family Head forcibly pulled his arm free. He looked at Zhao Shuang'er with irritation and said, "Shuang'er, you're truly muddle-headed! This was a golden opportunity to curry favor with these major powers. Why did you stop your grandfather?"
Zhao Shuang'er gave a mischievous smile and linked her arm with the old man's again. "Grandpa, don't be angry. I had my reasons for doing this."
"What reasons?" the Zhao Family Head asked, puzzled.
"The disparity is too great," Zhao Shuang'er explained. "The Elixir Palace, the Martial Palace, the Treasure Pavilion, the Lin Family—they all have powerful backers. They can afford not to fear Qin Feiyang, or even Qin Yuan. But our Zhao Family is just a minor clan in Iron Bull Town. Facing Qin Yuan, an expert at the War Emperor level, we have no power to resist. So, it's better not to get involved, lest we invite disaster upon ourselves."
The Zhao Family Head felt as if a veil had been lifted from his eyes; realization dawned. Indeed! Never mind Qin Yuan; even Qin Feiyang alone was not someone their Zhao Family could afford to cross.
Zhao Shuang'er giggled. "Grandpa, are you still angry with me now?"
"Of course not." The Zhao Family Head shook his head, his face full of doting affection.
Suddenly, a sneer touched his lips as he said with disdain, "The townsfolk only recognize Lin Yiyi, Cao Lang, Liu Yun, and Yin Chuan as prodigies. Little do they know that my granddaughter is the true unheralded genius of our generation!"
Zhao Shuang'er blushed. "Grandpa, please lower your voice."
But just then, a light chuckle sounded from behind them.
"Hehe, how interesting. Who would have thought Iron Bull Town was home to such an intelligent woman." The voice carried a hint of surprise.
"Qin Feiyang!" The grandfather and granddaughter exchanged a look and whirled around.
Two figures emerged from a dense thicket of shrubs. It was Qin Feiyang and the Wolf King!
After leaving earlier, he had indeed planned to head to Wolf Valley. But then he recalled that the people of Iron Bull Town were quite familiar with Wolf Valley, making it highly probable they would search for him there. So, he changed his plans on the fly. He circled around to the rear and had the other White Wolves conceal themselves behind the mountains to guard Lo Qianxue's daughter. He and the Wolf King then stealthily infiltrated this area, hiding in the darkness.
Just as he'd anticipated, Lo Qianxue and the others had indeed gone to Wolf Valley. He had only emerged now to see if the maid, Xiao Hong, could still be saved.
Qin Feiyang ordered, "White-Eyed Wolf, go check on her quickly."
The White-Eyed Wolf immediately sprinted toward the maid, Xiao Hong.
A glint flashed in Qin Feiyang's eyes as he executed Smoke Step, charging towards Zhao Shuang'er!
"Qin Feiyang, what do you think you're doing?" The Zhao Family Head hurriedly shielded Zhao Shuang'er, bracing himself as if facing a powerful foe.
"Get out of the way!" Qin Feiyang roared.
The Zhao Family Head's expression darkened, True Qi surging in his palms.
But suddenly, Zhao Shuang'er gently pushed the Zhao Family Head aside and faced Qin Feiyang directly, True Qi gathering in her right palm!
As Qin Feiyang closed in, he threw a punch. Zhao Shuang'er met it with a palm strike of her own!
BANG!
The fist and palm collided. Instantly, Qin Feiyang's body shuddered, and he staggered back three steps, a trickle of blood seeping from the corner of his mouth. But Zhao Shuang'er hadn't moved an inch!
"Interesting." Qin Feiyang wiped away the blood, a slight smile playing on his lips. He unleashed his Charging Thunder Killing Fist, attacking fiercely once more!
But this time, Zhao Shuang'er neither counterattacked nor dodged; she simply stood her ground, calmly facing Qin Feiyang.
The fist halted a mere three inches from Zhao Shuang'er's cheek, the force of the blow stirring her somewhat disheveled hair.
Qin Feiyang frowned. "Why didn't you fight back?"
Zhao Shuang'er replied, "I am a Two-star martial master and have mastered a Middle Grade Martial Arts Technique. Combined, they only give me the strength of four Savage Elephants. Your punch, however, carries the force of five Savage Elephants. What would be the use of me fighting back?"
Qin Feiyang withdrew his fist and stepped back three meters, scrutinizing Zhao Shuang'er closely.
This young woman usually maintained an extremely low profile, rarely even leaving her home. Consequently, she was hardly noticed in Iron Bull Town; almost no one paid her any mind. Yet, unexpectedly, her talent was astounding. At only fifteen, she was already a Two-star martial master, making her almost comparable to Lin Baili. After all, Lin Baili was only a Three Star martial master. If Zhao Shuang'er were given equivalent resources, she might even surpass him!
"Qin Feiyang, my Zhao Family holds no grudges against you. Please, show mercy," the Zhao Family Head pleaded. He thought Qin Feiyang intended to eliminate Zhao Shuang'er's potential before she could fully develop.
Qin Feiyang shook his head with a slight laugh. "Family Head Zhao, don't be so nervous. While I may not be a saint, I am a reasonable person. Since you didn't continue to pursue me, I naturally won't harm you. I merely wanted to size up your granddaughter."
The Zhao Family Head was taken aback, then finally let out a sigh of relief.
Qin Feiyang continued, "Still, you two, grandfather and granddaughter, are truly skilled at concealment. You've managed to deceive everyone for over a decade."
Zhao Shuang'er retorted, "And haven't you deceived everyone for the past five years?"
"Me?" Qin Feiyang paused, taken aback.
Just then, the White-Eyed Wolf ran over and shook its head at Qin Feiyang.
"Damn it!" Qin Feiyang cursed angrily. Who would have thought the Lin Family Head could be so vicious! With the maid dead, any chance of corroborating testimony was gone! In that case, I'll just have to kill Lin Baili!
A murderous glint flashed in his eyes. He looked at Zhao Shuang'er and grinned wickedly. "Would it shock you if I told you I've only been cultivating for six days?"
"White-Eyed Wolf, take Lo Qianxue's daughter and wait for me in the cave where I was recuperating last time," Qin Feiyang instructed. "I'll rendezvous with you after I've killed Lin Baili!"
With that, Qin Feiyang activated his Smoke Step and shot towards the exit. The White-Eyed Wolf also turned and darted off, swiftly vanishing into the night sky.
The Zhao Family Head and Zhao Shuang'er stared at each other in stunned silence.
Only cultivating for six days? Was that even possible?