Chapter 249 - 131: Killing Fu Chenzhou

The reconstruction of Bibo City was in full swing.

Three days later, an awards ceremony for meritorious service was held at the City Lord’s Mansion.

Although Zhou Xinghe’s injuries had not yet healed, he still personally presided over the ceremony. Liang Cheng, Ye Zhiqiu, Xiao Qingxue, and other disciples from the Main Courtyard were rewarded for their deeds, receiving Guest Minister Tokens from the City Lord’s Mansion and vast quantities of Cultivation Resources.

As the banquet drew to a close and the guests were preparing to leave, the old Patriarch of the Yang Family, Yang Zhenhai, led a group of his clan members to block Chen Xuanfeng’s path.

Yang Zhenhai, his hair and beard snow-white, bowed deeply. Behind him, the Yang Clan Members dropped to their knees in unison.

"Elder Chen," Yang Zhenhai’s voice was heavy. "The Yang Family has failed in its discipline. First, there was Yang Chen and his insolent words, and then my unworthy son, Yang Xian, who nearly took Nephew Liang’s life. I have come to ask for forgiveness!"

Behind him, Yang Chen, bare-chested and carrying thorny branches on his back, walked step by step before Chen Xuanfeng. He dropped to his knees with a THUD, striking his forehead hard against the floor tiles.

"I am Yang Chen. My reckless tongue offended you, Elder Chen. Worse, my actions led my cousin, Yang Xian, to harbor a venomous grudge, nearly causing an unforgivable disaster. I am willing to accept any punishment!"

The entire hall fell silent.

All eyes fell on Chen Xuanfeng.

The Main Courtyard Elder just stood there quietly, his gaze sweeping over Yang Zhenhai, past Yang Chen, and finally settling on the distant sea, not saying a word.

Time ticked by.

Yang Chen’s forehead remained pressed to the ground. Cold sweat soaked the thorny branches on his back, and his whole body trembled slightly.

After a full ten breaths, Chen Xuanfeng finally spoke, his voice flat and emotionless. "Zhiqiu, Liang Cheng, take me back to rest."

Liang Cheng and Ye Zhiqiu quickly led the way. The entire hall was stunned for a moment, but Yang Zhenhai let out a sigh of relief.

He and Chen Xuanfeng had some history; otherwise, the Yang Family wouldn’t have sent him to plead their case.

Chen Xuanfeng’s refusal to pursue the matter meant he was letting the Yang Family off the hook. As for Yang Chen...

"Yang Chen, you are young and impetuous, and your tongue has brought disaster upon you. You are to be stationed on Deserted Reef Island for thirty years. Without a summons, you are not to return to the city!"

Deserted Reef Island!

Yang Chen’s face turned pale.

That was the most remote, desolate island under Bibo City’s jurisdiction. It was battered by fierce winds and massive waves year-round, Demon Beasts frequently roamed the area, and it was utterly barren of resources.

To be stationed there was tantamount to exile.

But since Yang Zhenhai had already spoken, the matter was settled.

"Yes."

Yang Chen’s voice trembled as he kowtowed heavily again. "Your grandson accepts the punishment!"

Only then did the Yang Family members hastily retreat.

Not far away, Chen Xuanfeng turned to Liang Cheng and Ye Zhiqiu, a faint smile finally appearing on his face. "You two did well this time."

"Especially you, Liang Cheng," his gaze fell on Liang Cheng. "Great Success in your Gang Body, Minor Success with your Mountain-Breaking Saber, and a stable foundation. It seems this Sea Beast Tide turned out to be your whetstone."

Liang Cheng cupped his fist. "I did not dare to slack off."

"Mm," Chen Xuanfeng nodded. "In three more days, the team from the Main Courtyard will be heading back. You two will come with me—"

"Master."

Liang Cheng suddenly spoke up, his voice low. "I have a request to make."

Chen Xuanfeng glanced at him, then turned and walked towards a Quiet Chamber within the mansion. "Follow me."

In the Quiet Chamber, only the master and disciple remained.

Liang Cheng closed the door and got straight to the point. "Master, Cyan Mist City on Central Origin Island is only a half-month journey from Bibo City by Sea Ship, passing through the high seas channel."

Chen Xuanfeng raised an eyebrow.

"I have now achieved Great Success with my Gang Body and Minor Success with the Mountain-Breaking Saber," Liang Cheng said, his voice calm, but a sharp, cold glint flashed in his eyes.

"The grudge from Fu Chenzhou’s assassination attempt is like a fishbone stuck in my throat. I want to end this matter with my own hands. I don’t want to let him see another new year."

Chen Xuanfeng was silent for a moment.

He looked at the disciple before him. His Blade Intent was already beginning to show its edge, and his disposition was even more decisive.

"You want to go by yourself?" Chen Xuanfeng asked.

"Yes."

Liang Cheng nodded. "This matter started because of me, and it should be ended by my own hands."

Chen Xuanfeng slowly paced to the window and looked toward the western sky, in the direction of Cyan Mist City.

Chen Xuanfeng turned around.

"Alright."

He only said one word.

’Liang Cheng’s current strength is a world apart from what it used to be. Fu Chenzhou is no longer his match.’

That afternoon, Chen Xuanfeng gathered the disciples of the Main Courtyard and announced the departure plans.

"Liang Cheng’s injuries have not yet healed, so he will need to remain in Bibo City for a period of time to recuperate."

He looked at the others. "Ye Zhiqiu will stay behind to look after him. The rest of you will return with me to the Main Courtyard in three days."

No one suspected a thing, and they all accepted the arrangement. Xiao Qingxue was among them, a flicker of confusion in her eyes. ’Liang Cheng’s injuries haven’t healed? How come I didn’t know about that?’

However, she did not voice her confusion. Only Ye Zhiqiu looked at Liang Cheng. Their eyes met, a silent understanding passing between them.

「Three days later.」

The Main Courtyard’s fleet set sail.

Liang Cheng stood on the docks, watching the fleet disappear over the horizon.

"Junior Brother," Ye Zhiqiu handed over a palm-sized Jade Bottle. "This is Corpse-Dissolving Powder. It’s colorless and odorless. It dissolves flesh and blood on contact, leaving not even bones behind in moments. I had it specially made by the Bibo City Alchemy Room. This is the only bottle."

Liang Cheng took it and tucked it into his robes. "Thank you, Senior Brother."

"Be careful."

Ye Zhiqiu patted his shoulder. "Fu Chenzhou is a City Lord, after all. Once you succeed, retreat immediately. Don’t get bogged down in a fight."

"Understood."

That night, Liang Cheng changed into an inconspicuous gray robe, wrapped his Zhenxian Saber in cloth, and slipped out of Bibo City unnoticed.

No one knew.

At a private harbor south of the city, he boarded a Ye Family cargo ship bound for Central Origin Island. The ship’s captain was a lean, middle-aged man who had clearly been given instructions, as he asked no questions.

The Sea Ship cut through the waves, heading west.

...

「Half a month later.」

Cyan Mist City.

At this moment, however, a strange atmosphere hung over the largest city on Central Origin Island.

The marketplaces were still bustling, and music and song spilled endlessly from the taverns and songstress houses, yet there was an air of oppression among the Martial Artists who walked the streets.

During the Three-City Tournament, all of Cyan Mist City’s prodigies had been lost: Fu Lingyun was crippled, and Liu Qingyun’s Dantian was destroyed. Although more than half a year had passed, this matter was still a sore spot in the hearts of the city’s Martial Artists.

More importantly, their allocation of resources had been drastically reduced, causing infighting among the city’s families to become more and more frequent.