Chapter 43

"Second Young Master, at the rate you're going, it will take more than ten days or half a month to reach Qingfeng Mountain."

On the official road ten miles outside the southern gate of the capital, an elderly man with a kind face was earnestly advising a young man in his early twenties.

"Uncle Fu, it's not often I leave the capital. If I don't take the time to savor the beautiful scenery along the way, wouldn't I be wasting this great opportunity?" The speaker was Lin Chaofeng, the second son of the Lin family, who served as the Minister of Revenue. "Besides, if Father assigns such a tedious task to me, can he really expect me to put in my best effort?"

"Old servant also understands that Young Master is upset about Miss Lin, but the will of one's parents is hard to defy. If Lord Lin has truly decided to betroth Miss Lin to the Xiao family, even her master would be powerless to stop it." Uncle Fu patiently advised, "Moreover, Lord Lin has only asked Second Young Master to invite Miss Lin back to discuss family matters. He will likely take her opinion into account before making a final decision."

"Uncle Fu, are you trying to fool me like a child?" Lin Chaofeng's tone carried a hint of sarcasm. "Father has probably already agreed to the marriage. Inviting her back to discuss family matters is just a show, to avoid seeming inhuman by suddenly arranging a marriage after so many years. I've met Xiao Wenjian before. Although he is highly skilled and ranks second on the Hero List, he is cold and arrogant, and not a good match. If Elder Sister marries him, she will likely suffer."

"Who can truly understand matters of the heart?" Uncle Fu smiled. "Moreover, if Miss Lin really doesn't want to, can Lord Lin force her?"

"If Father didn't intend to force her, I could have gone alone to invite Elder Sister. Why would Father arrange for a Tian Lun expert like you to come along?" Lin Chaofeng stared intently at Uncle Fu, speaking each word deliberately.

"..." Uncle Fu fell silent for a moment, then sighed, "Second Young Master has grown up."

"When I was a child, I was very close to Elder Sister, unlike my third brother who has no memory of it. Now, to carry out such an unjust act, though I cannot defy Father's command, I can delay the journey for a few days, and no one will say anything." Lin Chaofeng sneered, "Uncle Fu, don't you think so?"

"Since Second Young Master has the leisure to enjoy the scenery, how can old servant not accompany you?" Uncle Fu smiled faintly and said no more.

Under the scorching sun, two unicorns slowly moved along the wide road, their shadows stretching long behind them, very long...

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"Miss Shangguan, merchants are supposed to value harmony and profit, so why does the Silver Ring Guild send people to invade others' homes? Is this still a guild, or just a gang of bandits?"

Zheng Yueting's head was dazed, half awake, and she could vaguely hear voices chatting.

"I also find this hard to understand. The Silver Ring Guild is our old rival, and we know each other well. Although they are somewhat aggressive, they generally act within the rules. However, their recent behavior is quite strange, giving me a sense of urgency, as if they are plotting something significant." This was Shangguan Mingyue's voice. "What do you plan to do about this?"

"The Silver Ring Guild is backed by the Xiao family. If we send a Tian Lun expert to resolve the issue, it might trigger a direct conflict with the Xiao family." Zhong Wen thought for a moment and said, "It's best for you and me to handle it."

"Why me?" Shangguan Mingyue shot him a glance.

"What do you think? Do you think the Silver Ring Guild is targeting who?" Zhong Wen glared back, "Because of your Shengyu Guild, Tingting's family is now in unknown danger. Can you stand by and do nothing?"

"This..." Shangguan Mingyue had no intention of staying out of it, but because of her aunt Shangguan Junyi's recent issues, she found Zhong Wen somewhat annoying and liked to deliberately make things difficult for him. "Fine, fine, for Zheng girl, I'll reluctantly agree to help you."

"Besides the Dili Level 2 who pursued Tingting, the Silver Ring Guild has a Dili Level 7, a Dili Level 8, two Dili Level 4s, and over ten Ren Lun level minions in Fufeng City." Zhong Wen listed the Silver Ring Guild's strength in detail. "I can handle one Dili, and the remaining three need to be dealt with by Miss Shangguan's people."

"How do you know this so clearly?" Shangguan Mingyue asked, somewhat skeptical.

"I just interrogated the Dili Level 2. This is the information he provided." Zhong Wen naturally wouldn't mention the Soul Capture Technique.

"Alright, if it's just dealing with three Dili level cultivators, I can arrange it." Shangguan Mingyue said, then suddenly realized, "You, you just said you can handle a Dili expert?"

"I just advanced to Dili yesterday." Zhong Wen proudly raised his right arm in a strong pose. "Otherwise, how could I have saved the damsel in distress from the Dili Level 2?"

A chorus of gasps echoed around, as everyone except Chen Dachui, his grandson, and Qiao Erniang were present.

"Little brother, I remember you were only at Ren Lun Level 4 two days ago?" Shangguan Junyi had a clear understanding of Zhong Wen's strength.

"Yes, I refined some pills these past two days, and after taking them, I advanced to Dili." Zhong Wen acted nonchalant, but he secretly enjoyed the attention and admiration from the many beautiful women.

Everyone: "..."

Is cultivation really that easy? What have we been working hard for all these years?

"Zhong Wen, I've heard of pills that can enhance cultivation, but my master once said that relying solely on pills can lead to an unstable foundation and a lack of deep understanding of one's cultivation method. Even if you progress quickly, it will affect your future achievements." Lin Zhiyun kindly advised, "Cultivation requires steady progress, step by step. It's best not to be overly dependent on external forces."

"Palace Master, that might be true for others, but do you think I lack understanding of cultivation methods?" Zhong Wen smiled.

"This..." Lin Zhiyun thought of Zhong Wen's enlightenment, and was momentarily speechless.

"Zhong Wen, can I take your pills?" Liu Qiqi suddenly asked.

Just as Zhong Wen was about to answer, Zheng Yueting, lying on the bed, suddenly called out, "Father! Mother! Brother!"

Everyone turned to see Zheng Yueting suddenly sit up, drenched in sweat, as if waking from a nightmare.

"Tingting." Liu Qiqi quickly went to support her, gently patting her back.

"Qiqi." Seeing Liu Qiqi, Zheng Yueting suddenly burst into tears, releasing the pent-up emotions in her heart.

"Tingting, we already know what happened." Zhong Wen said softly, "Don't worry, since they didn't catch you, they likely won't harm the Zheng family. We will definitely rescue the members of the Golden Saber Sect."

"Thank you, thank you!" Zheng Yueting sobbed in gratitude.

"By the way, Miss Shangguan, can the experts you arrange use swords?" Zhong Wen's eyes twinkled, and he had an idea...

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In the training hall of the Golden Saber Sect, Zheng Gongming and his family were bound and kneeling on the ground, with several loyal disciples tied behind them.

Sai Baiwei stood before the group of captives, hands behind his back, frowning as he paced back and forth. The people he sent to capture Zheng Yueting, including Wang Hongwei, had not returned, which made him somewhat unhappy.

Behind him stood three Dili experts, a group of minions, and about ten disciples who had been persuaded to defect by the Golden Saber Sect's traitor, Zhao Tianming.

"Zhao Tianming, when you were down and out, I took you in, fed you, and taught you cultivation techniques. I treated you well, so why do you repay me with such treachery?" Zheng Gongming asked, kneeling on the ground, his heart heavy with regret.

Zhao Tianming lowered his head, a hint of guilt flashing in his eyes, but it quickly disappeared.

"Master Zheng, since your good disciple won't speak, I'll speak for him. He has been infatuated with your precious daughter for some time. I merely promised to reward him with Miss Zheng after the deed was done, and he immediately betrayed us to the Silver Ring Guild." Sai Baiwei sneered, "But to be fair, upon seeing Miss Zheng today, she is indeed a beauty of the highest caliber. This boy's taste isn't bad. If you blame anyone, blame yourself for having such a beautiful daughter, a source of disaster."

With that, Sai Baiwei laughed triumphantly.

"Zhao Tianming, is this true?" Zheng Gongming's eyes filled with pain. "Tingting is only seventeen, and I haven't arranged a marriage for her. If you like her, you should pursue her. Why betray the sect?"

Zhao Tianming hesitated, "Master, Little Sister doesn't like me."

"Pursuing a girl isn't easy. You need to be persistent and never give up." Zheng Gongming advised earnestly, "Do you know how much effort I put into pursuing your master? But the happiness after success is immeasurable!"

"It's no use. I know I don't deserve Little Sister, and she won't look at me." Zhao Tianming shook his head, "If I don't do this, I might never have the chance to be close to her."

"You... You are no longer a man!" Zheng Gongming was furious, "You are truly beyond redemption!"

"Master Zheng, even if he is a traitor, isn't he still your disciple?" Sai Baiwei, growing impatient, said, "Your poor judgment in choosing people and your lack of proper guidance are to blame. What's the point of complaining now? Just tell us where the Golden Saber Sect's treasures are, and then prepare to die."

From his tone, it was clear he intended to not only destroy the Golden Saber Sect but also to seize its assets.

"Sai Executive, you have already searched the Golden Saber Sect's assets. The remaining items, Zheng will willingly disclose, not asking for mercy for myself." Zheng Gongming pleaded, "I only ask that you spare my family and disciples. The Golden Saber Sect currently has only one Dili level cultivator, and the rest, even if they survive, will not pose a threat to you."

"Lord!" Xiao Shi could not hold back her tears.

"Father!" Zheng Qiyuan clenched his teeth, his fists trembling with anger, deeply regretting his own weakness, which had brought misfortune to his family.

"Master, I am willing to die with the Golden Saber Sect!" The dozen disciples kneeling on the ground were moved.

"Master Zheng's deep affection for his family and disciples is truly admirable." Sai Baiwei's face was expressionless, unmoved. "Unfortunately, I believe in the principle that 'if you don't cut the roots, the grass will grow back.' To avoid future troubles, I must ask you to die together with your family."

"Sai Executive, the Silver Ring Guild is a merchant guild, yet you act like bandits. Why go to such lengths, why go to such lengths!" Zheng Gongming's tears streamed down his face.

"It is my fault, Father and Mother, for being weak and bringing this upon you. Even if I die, I will become a vengeful ghost and never forgive the Silver Ring Guild or the traitor Zhao Tianming!" Zheng Qiyuan cried out, his voice hoarse.

"Oh? Little Brother, you have quite a bit of backbone." Zhao Tianming, already feeling guilty, was further enraged by the insults from his usually meek junior. He kicked Zheng Qiyuan to the ground and pointed his sword at his chest, "With your skills, even as a ghost, do you think I would be afraid of you?"

"Beast!" Zheng Qiyuan's eyes blazed with anger, and for a moment, even Zhao Tianming felt a hint of fear.

Zhao Tianming, enraged and ashamed, kicked Zheng Qiyuan away again, then quickly stepped forward, stomping on his frail body, and raised his sword to strike. Suddenly, he heard Sai Baiwei's voice behind him, "Who is there?"

He turned to see a group of black-clad figures in the training hall.

These figures wore black uniforms, masks, and wielded long swords, entering the hall without making a sound.

The leader coldly replied, "Heavenly Saber Alliance."