Chapter 60: Chapter 60 Hostility Towards Imperial Power_1
"Why didn’t you let
go?"
Ling Yunfei watched as the City Lord and the others entered the mountain range, then withdrew his gaze. He strolled over to Qin Feiyang and asked quietly.
"I’m doing this for your own good, to prevent you from losing your life," Qin Feiyang replied.
"Is it that serious?" Ling Yunfei asked in surprise. He glanced at the Hall Master of the Martial Palace and the Pavilion Master of the Treasure Pavilion, who sat nearby, and whispered, "Tell
honestly, what exactly happened last night?"
"Don’t ask. All you need to know is that I haven’t hard you," Qin Feiyang chuckled lightly.
Ling Yunfei furrowed his brow, but it quickly smoothed out again as a smile crept onto his face.
Indeed. The process wasn’t important; only the result mattered. He had done nothing and received a superior martial arts technique; he should be content. If he kept pestering and tried to get to the bottom of it, he might instead arouse this person’s displeasure.
"Here." Qin Feiyang handed the bamboo slips to Ling Yunfei.
Ling Yunfei reached out with both hands, receiving the bamboo slips as carefully as if they were a sacred edict. His hands trembled with excitent as he said, "I’ll make a copy for you as soon as possible."
Qin Feiyang smiled faintly. "I don’t need it. You keep it."
"You don’t want it?" Ling Yunfei was stunned. This is a superior martial arts technique, and he doesn’t want it?
"Jian Haotian, are you interested in joining my Martial Palace?"
Just then, the voice of the Hall Master of the Martial Palace sounded from behind them.
Ling Yunfei froze, turning to look at Qin Feiyang with envy.
Qin Feiyang, however, rely wore a wry smile. He turned, cupped his hands in a salute to the Hall Master of the Martial Palace, and said, "Thank you for your kind offer, Senior, but I’m accustod to a leisurely life and fear I’m not suited for the Martial Palace."
Ling Yunfei was stunned. He’s refusing? What on earth is this guy thinking? The Martial Palace is recognized by all as a holy land for martial arts. Others dream of entering, but it’s incredibly difficult. Not to ntion this is a personal invitation from the Hall Master of the Martial Palace! For any young man, this is an unparalleled honor! At this mont, I wish I were Qin Feiyang. Yet this guy... he actually refused? I really want to ask, can you give that spot to ?
The Hall Master of the Martial Palace was also sowhat taken aback.
"I told you he wouldn’t agree, yet you didn’t believe . Now you’ve made a fool of yourself, serves you right!" the Pavilion Master of the Treasure Pavilion gloated from the side.
The Hall Master of the Martial Palace thought with a cold snort, I refuse to believe I can’t handle a wet-behind-the-ears brat. He glared at the Pavilion Master of the Treasure Pavilion, then turned to Qin Feiyang with a smile. "As long as you join the Martial Palace, I’ll imdiately apply to the Martial King Palace in Yan City for a reserved spot for you."
"What?"
"A reserved spot?"
Both the Pavilion Master of the Treasure Pavilion and Ling Yunfei were dumbfounded.
The Martial King Palace held an even higher status than the Martial Palace. Throughout the entire Yan Province, there were countless Martial Palaces, with one in every major town and city. However, there were only two Martial King Palaces: one in Yan City and the other in Star Moon City. Anyone who could enter a Martial King Palace was a genius among geniuses. The Martial King Palace was also renowned for its strict disciple recruitnt process. Even disciples from the Martial Palace had to pass through layers of assessnts and selections to enter. But it was different if one obtained a reserved spot; when the ti ca, entry into the Martial King Palace was guaranteed.
Anyone else would be jumping for joy at this mont.
But they didn’t know that back in Iron Bull Town, the Third Palace Master and the Hall Master of the Martial Palace had already offered him the sa terms. Qin Feiyang wasn’t interested in it in the slightest. He even harbored a deep-seated animosity! This was because both the Martial Palace and the Elixir Palace were controlled by the imperial authority, sothing he utterly detested!
Qin Feiyang cupped his hands and said, "I’m truly sorry, Senior."
Ling Yunfei was utterly incredulous. He’s refusing this too? Is this bastard’s head screwed on right?
The two powerhouses exchanged glances. The Hall Master of the Martial Palace frowned. "Is it because of the Elixir Palace that you’re unwilling to join the Martial Palace?"
"Shen, you old dog! How dare you try to poach from ! I’m not finished with you today!"
Just then, an angry roar echoed. Following that, a white figure streaked out from within the city. It was the sa white-robed old man who had tested Qin Feiyang’s spiritual power at the Elixir Palace.
He rushed onto the high platform and, without a word, rolled up his sleeves and charged at the Hall Master of the Martial Palace, looking ready for a fight.
The Hall Master of the Martial Palace frowned.
What a fiery old fellow, the Pavilion Master of the Treasure Pavilion thought, shaking his head. He quickly stood up to intercept the white-robed old man, appeasing him, "Old Feng, you’re going a bit too far. Besides, you’re not young anymore. Don’t get so worked up. Calm down, let’s talk things over properly."
"What’s there to talk about?" Old Feng retorted. "He clearly knew Jian Haotian is soone my Elixir Palace wants, yet now he’s sticking his oar in! Isn’t he the one going too far? Shen, you old dog, do you have any sense of sha left?"
The white-robed old man launched into a torrent of abuse.
"Old Feng, Jian Haotian has been avoiding you for a whole month; it’s obvious he doesn’t want to go to the Elixir Palace. Why are you trying to force him? Besides, your Elixir Palace is brimming with talent; you’re not lacking just him. Why insist on snatching him from my Martial Palace?" The Hall Master of the Martial Palace was also getting riled up, glaring back.
"Snatching him from you?" Old Feng bellowed. "How ridiculous can you be? Who gave you such a thick skin to be so shaless? Do you even understand the principle of ’first co, first served’? Let
tell you, Shen, you old dog, with
here today, you can forget about succeeding! My Elixir Palace is determined to have Jian Haotian!"
The Pavilion Master of the Treasure Pavilion asked perplexedly, "Old Feng, Jian Haotian doesn’t know Alchemy. What do you want him for?"
"Exactly! The Elixir Palace is a place for Alchemy. Sending him there would be a complete waste of his talent," the Hall Master of the Martial Palace added, equally bemused.
"Nonsense! Him joining the Martial Palace would be the real waste of talent!" the white-robed old man sneered.
Seeing his unreasonable attitude, the Hall Master of the Martial Palace said angrily, "So you’re determined to be unreasonable, are you? Don’t force
to get rough!"
The white-robed old man scoffed, "Try
if you dare. If you lay a finger on , I’ll blacklist your Martial Palace. From this day forward, the Martial Palace in Black Bear City can forget about getting a single pill from my Elixir Palace!"
"You scoundrel! Don’t push your luck!" The Hall Master of the Martial Palace shot to his feet, bristling with rage.
"Seniors, please stop arguing. Whether it’s the Elixir Palace or the Martial Palace, I will not be joining either."
Just as the two seed on the verge of fighting, Qin Feiyang’s voice suddenly cut in.
Instantly, both n paused, taken aback. They turned to Qin Feiyang and asked in unison, "Why?"
Ling Yunfei and the Pavilion Master of the Treasure Pavilion also looked at him, puzzled. They truly couldn’t understand. He wouldn’t join either of these two great powers; what on earth did this person want?
Qin Feiyang sighed. "I have my reasons. I hope you can understand."
The group exchanged glances, montarily at a loss for words.
Qin Feiyang turned, walked to the base of the city wall, and leaned against it with his head bowed, remaining silent.
Ling Yunfei ca to his side, patted his shoulder, and smiled. "If you ever want to talk to soone, I’m willing to be a listener."
"Thank you." Qin Feiyang glanced at him gratefully. However, so matters could only be buried deep within his heart.
ROAR!!
AWOO!!
SCREECH!!
Suddenly, a series of powerful beast roars erupted from the mountain range, deafening and startling everything for miles around! There were the roars of ferocious beasts and the shrill cries of predatory birds! So sounds ca from the outer parts of the mountain range, but others were extrely distant, originating from the central region and even the depths!
Qin Feiyang jerked his head up, looking towards Black Bear Mountain. A sharp glint flickered in his eyes as he muttered to himself, Has the animal stampede begun?
"What’s going on?"
Ling Yunfei, the Hall Master of the Martial Palace, and the Pavilion Master of the Treasure Pavilion also gazed at Black Bear Mountain in stunned disbelief. The people within the city, hearing the commotion, also began to pour out towards the city gates.
"Let’s go take a look!" Old Feng took a step and sped towards Black Bear Mountain.
The two powerhouses exchanged a glance and quickly followed.
Soon after, the trio returned, their faces as dark as water.
Seeing their expressions, Qin Feiyang and Ling Yunfei went forward to et them. Ling Yunfei asked, "Esteed sirs, what happened?"
"An animal stampede!" Old Feng bit out, the words heavy.
"What?"
"It’s actually an animal stampede!"
"I’ve lived near Black Bear Mountain for most of my life and have never seen an animal stampede! Why would one happen so suddenly today?"
"There must be a reason!"
"Those young people are still hunting in Black Bear Mountain! What are we going to do?"
By now, many people had gathered outside the city. Upon hearing the words "animal stampede," a clamorous uproar erupted among them.
"Everyone, don’t panic!" the Hall Master of the Martial Palace shouted. "Those ferocious beasts show no signs of leaving Black Bear Mountain. However, for safety, please return to the city as quickly as possible. My Martial Palace will dispatch all its disciples to do our utmost to protect everyone’s safety!"
Before his voice had even faded, the people outside began surging back into the city.
"Old Pei, Old Feng, you two guard this spot. I’ll go make arrangents." After giving this instruction, the Hall Master of the Martial Palace also hurried into the city and disappeared into the crowd.
"How could this happen?"
"We’ve always coexisted peacefully with the ferocious beasts of Black Bear Mountain. Why would they suddenly go berserk today?"
"City Lord, you all must hurry back! Those young people are the future pillars of Black Bear City; they can’t be allowed to die in Black Bear Mountain!"
Gazing towards Black Bear Mountain, both Old Feng and the Pavilion Master of the Treasure Pavilion were filled with deep worry. The entire Black Bear City was now on high alert.
Animal stampede... Ling Yunfei, standing nearby, kept repeating these words silently to himself.
Suddenly, as if he had realized sothing, he turned his head, looked at Qin Feiyang with alard suspicion, and whispered, "Did you already know that Black Bear Mountain would experience an animal stampede?"
Qin Feiyang nodded.
Ling Yunfei grabbed Qin Feiyang’s arm and hastily pulled him down from the high platform. The Pavilion Master of the Treasure Pavilion and Old Feng saw them leave but paid little heed, rely assuming the two had been frightened by the animal stampede. They quickly found a deserted corner.
Ling Yunfei turned to face Qin Feiyang and said angrily, "Since you knew beforehand, why didn’t you inform the City Lord and the others? Do you realize how many people could die because of this?"
Qin Feiyang asked, "Are you worried about the people from your Ling Family?"
"I’m worried about everyone!" Ling Yunfei retorted. "Jian Haotian, when you killed Jiang Chuan and the others yesterday, I thought your cruelty had limits. Only now do I realize how na??ve I’ve been. You’ve completely lost your humanity; you don’t deserve to be called human! A ’friend’ like you... I, Ling Yunfei, am truly not worthy of associating with. I hope we never et again."
Ling Yunfei spoke with disgust, then turned and stord off indignantly.
I’ve lost my humanity... I don’t deserve to be human... Qin Feiyang couldn’t help but let out a laugh—a mocking one.
Five years ago, he had been so similar to the Ling Yunfei of today. But after that upheaval, and his five years of experience in Iron Bull Town, he had co to deeply understand one truth: nothing in this world was as beautiful as one imagined. This world was cruel, filled with desire everywhere. rcy and compassion would only lead to a quicker death.
Watching Ling Yunfei’s retreating figure, Qin Feiyang murmured aningfully to himself, "You are indeed too na??ve. Because soon enough, the very people you worry about will once again cast you into an unfathomable abyss. All your hopes will ultimately turn into a phantom bubble."
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