Chapter Sixteen: Regret!

Qi Qianqian, Chen Yunyu, Zhang Jinhai, Wang Yulin, and the other six all turned pale in an instant. Li Tianlong was the eldest young master of the Li family, whose reputation in Xuanzhou was formidable, guarded by a powerful expert, unmatched in strength. They simply could not afford to offend him.

Although Chen Yunyu’s mother’s family also boasted a formidable martial artist, they were not an influence in Xuanzhou, their reach unable to extend into the city.

"Young Master Li, please calm your anger. Yunyu didn’t mean it just now," Zhang Jinhai, who secretly admired Chen Yunyu, saw her fearful expression and, gathering his courage, spoke to Li Tianlong.

Bang!

Li Tianlong glanced at Zhang Jinhai with contempt, his lips curling in disdain, and struck him with a slap. At twenty, Li Tianlong’s mastery had reached the Bright Force, soon to break through to the Dark Force—a true prodigy. With one blow, Zhang Jinhai could not withstand it, sent flying with the slap.

Blood gushed from Zhang Jinhai’s torn lips as he crashed to the ground, unconscious.

"A mere third-rate family scion dares stand before me?" Li Tianlong snorted coldly, his gaze once again settling on Chen Yunyu.

"Well? Have you thought it over?" Li Tianlong spoke coldly.

Fear gripped Chen Yunyu, her body trembling. Her eyes sought Qi Qianqian, Wang Yulin, and the others. They avoided her gaze.

"Young Master Li, perhaps you could let Yunyu go home first, so she may discuss it with her parents?" Qi Qianqian bit her lip and stepped forward, her words quivering.

"Get out of the way, or you’ll share his fate!" Li Tianlong snorted.

"Ah!" Qi Qianqian, frightened by the chill in Li Tianlong’s eyes, squatted down, crying out in alarm.

"So, what is your decision?" Li Tianlong pressed closer to Chen Yunyu, his eyes gleaming coldly.

"No, I would rather die than marry you!" Chen Yunyu backed away, teeth clenched, voice resolute. Her heart longed for true love; she would not compromise.

He sneered. "Don’t be so quick to refuse. Think of your parents, think of the Xuanhai Martial Hall. They could face utter destruction because of your words. Don’t underestimate the Li family’s might—destroying a mere Xuanhai Martial Hall costs us nothing."

Chen Yunyu’s strength faltered; Li Tianlong’s words weighed on her like a mountain. Tears fell uncontrollably from her eyes.

"What’s this? Is there no rule of law in Xuanzhou? A mere Li family scion dares to seize women and wipe out entire families?" Qin Feng happened to ride by and saw Li Tianlong menacing Chen Yunyu. He approached on horseback, voice cold. He had no fondness for Chen Yunyu, but as Chen Uncle’s daughter, he could not stand idly by. Furthermore, Li Tianlong had threatened the Xuanhai Martial Hall, stirring a chill in Qin Feng’s heart.

"Who are you?" Li Tianlong meant to teach Qin Feng a lesson, but upon seeing Liu Qing and Zhao Hu behind him, his expression grew serious. Liu Qing and Zhao Hu were hall masters of the Black Tiger Gang—why were they following this man? Perhaps this man was not ordinary.

"You cannot touch her," Qin Feng said, his gaze fixed on Li Tianlong.

"Young Master Li, would you grant the Black Tiger Gang this favor and let her go?" Liu Qing called out. The Li family was not weak, though not as powerful as the Black Tiger Gang, yet not to be underestimated. He had to proceed cautiously.

"Hmph! If Master Yan or Second Master Shi were here, I’d walk away immediately! But if I leave now, where is the dignity of Li Tianlong?" Li Tianlong was unafraid of the Black Tiger Gang, glaring at Qin Feng, his voice loud.

"Young Master Li, as long as we are here today, you cannot act!" Zhao Hu narrowed his eyes, speaking gravely.

"Hmph! Today, I will give the two hall masters this favor!" Li Tianlong’s face was angry; he snorted and turned away.

"Let’s go," Qin Feng glanced at Li Tianlong, expressionless, and spoke calmly to Zhao Hu and Liu Qing.

"Yunyu, isn’t that Qin Feng?" Qi Qianqian, stunned, watched Qin Feng’s back and whispered to Chen Yunyu.

"It’s him!" Chen Yunyu’s eyes were equally shaken.

"Those two are hall masters of the Black Tiger Gang? My goodness, Qin Feng has befriended the Black Tiger Gang, a mighty force with two top martial artists. With their help, his future is bright!" Qi Qianqian exclaimed.

"If Qin Feng hadn’t suffered that severe injury, making him unable to practice martial arts, with the Black Tiger Gang’s support, he might well have become a Dark Force master."

Chen Yunyu looked at Qin Feng’s back, her heart filled with gratitude, confusion, and regret.

"Ah, he can no longer practice martial arts?" Qi Qianqian also looked at Qin Feng’s retreating figure, her face full of pity and sorrow.

"Yes. No one knows who struck him. According to Mr. Liu’s diagnosis, his muscles and meridians are damaged—unless he finds a thousand-year-old miracle herb, he’ll never practice martial arts again." Chen Yunyu sighed.

"Come on." Chen Yunyu and Qi Qianqian helped Zhang Jinhai up and left. Zhang Jinhai was seriously injured; he needed treatment, or his life would be at risk.

...

"Come, come, everyone, meet Third Master Qin!" "Don’t judge Third Master Qin by his youth—he’s not to be underestimated." "Let me tell you, Third Master’s strength is absolutely equal to mine." "From now on, Third Master’s status in the gang will be equal to mine and Second Master’s."

Yan Chonghu summoned the twelve hall masters of the gang, solemnly announcing Qin Feng’s new role.

"Greetings, Third Master!"

"Greetings, Third Master!"

"Greetings, Third Master!"

Eight of the twelve had witnessed Qin Feng’s skills; the rest had heard stories. Shocked and awed, they greeted him without doubt.

Shi Tie sat nearby, hearing Yan Chonghu’s words, and curled his lip, feeling that the chief was overestimating Qin Feng.

"Please rise, heroes!" Qin Feng called loudly.

"Brother Yan, there is something I wish to ask your help with," Qin Feng said gravely, once the banquet was over and he was alone with Yan Chonghu and Shi Tie.

"Brother Qin, you needn’t be so formal! You’re Third Master of the Black Tiger Gang—your matters are mine," Yan Chonghu replied loudly.

"Earlier, I encountered the Li family’s eldest son bullying an elder’s daughter. I rebuked him, but I fear he may hold a grudge. I’d like to ask you to have someone keep an eye on him, watch his every move," Qin Feng said gravely.

In this world, life was as cheap as weeds, filled with danger and terror.

"Do you want me to personally warn Li Tianlong? That should deter him," Yan Chonghu agreed without hesitation, already thinking on Qin Feng’s behalf.

"No need. Perhaps I’m being overly cautious," Qin Feng replied calmly.