Chapter Thirty-Nine: The Fall of the Azure Dragon Society

"It's Lord Qin."
"Exterminate Azure Dragon Sect."
Yan Chonghu, Shi Tie, Liu Qing, and Zhao Hu wore expressions of wild joy as they brandished their weapons and charged at Hall Master Shao and the other seventeen hall masters of Azure Dragon Sect, as well as the remaining martial artists.
"Run!"
"Quick, escape!"
"As long as the green hills remain, there will always be firewood to burn."
Upon hearing Qin Feng's command, the eighteen hall masters and over forty martial artists of Azure Dragon Sect turned pale and fled hastily.
"All of you, move quickly and slay the remaining martial artists of Azure Dragon Sect."
Qin Feng's gaze swept toward the martial artists of the Han and Wang families, who were numerous and powerful, and he raised his voice.
"Kill!"
"Strike! Destroy Azure Dragon Sect!"
The martial artists of the Han and Wang families dared not disobey Qin Feng. They drew their weapons and charged at the fleeing members of Azure Dragon Sect.
Screams and cries rang out.
In no time, the eighteen hall masters and over forty martial artists of Azure Dragon Sect were slaughtered by Yan Chonghu, Shi Tie, and the others.
"Shi Tie, return to Black Tiger Gang and bring men to wipe out the remaining dregs of Azure Dragon Sect."
Yan Chonghu spoke quietly to Shi Tie.
"Yes."
Shi Tie accepted the order and rushed away with ten hall masters in tow.
"Chonghu, see to our guests on my behalf."
"Let us take advantage of Ye Qinglong's celebration today to announce that the Black Tiger Gang is now under the protection of a Guardian-level martial artist. We are not to be bullied or insulted!"
Qin Feng declared in a loud voice.
"Lord Qin, with you overseeing Black Tiger Gang, who would dare show disrespect?"
Yan Chonghu offered a compliment, neither too obsequious nor too distant.
The patriarchs of the Wang and Han families cast flattering glances at Yan Chonghu. He was no longer the man he once was; now, with a Guardian-level expert backing him, he had become someone they could only look up to.
"Qin Feng pays his respects to Lord Yun, Master Chen, and Master Zhao."

Qin Feng cupped his fists at the many martial artists below, then turned and headed upstairs to meet Yun Qing, Chen Haicheng, and Zhao Hong.
"Guardian Qin’s methods are truly astonishing," Yun Qing remarked, watching Qin Feng with admiration.
"All of this was because Ye Qinglong went too far. Qin Feng merely responded in kind. I ask Lord Yun’s forgiveness for the bloodshed in Xuanzhou City."
Qin Feng made an inviting gesture to Yun Qing, Chen Haicheng, and Zhao Hong, and sat by the seats beside them.
"Guardian Qin jests. Ye Qinglong overestimated himself and provoked you; it is only natural that he met his end."
Yun Qing smiled.
Ye Qinglong was dead, and had lost all value to him.
Yun Qing did not mind stepping on Ye Qinglong to elevate Qin Feng.
Most important of all was Qin Feng’s youth—already a Guardian at such an age, he would surely advance to Commander in the future, perhaps even glimpse the boundary of the Human King realm.
As for the Human Emperor, that was almost the stuff of legend; for over a hundred years, no one had seen a Human Emperor. It was uncertain whether such a figure even existed in the world.
"Lord Yun, your insight is truly admirable. Qin Feng is in awe."
Qin Feng cupped his fists and spoke in a loud voice.
Chen Haicheng and Zhao Hong sat nearby, their eyes fixed on Qin Feng, a trace of wariness flashing in their gaze from time to time.
...
"Qianqian, you must maintain a good relationship with Chen Yunyun and the Chen family!"
"The Chen family is about to reach new heights!"
Qi Tengyun, having left Azure Dragon Sect—no, it was now strictly speaking Black Tiger Gang territory—wore a grave expression as he instructed Qi Qianqian.
"Father, Yunyun and I are already good friends."
Qi Qianqian nodded earnestly.
...
"Lord Qin, Azure Dragon Sect’s territory is vast. It will take half a month to fully absorb it."
"Lord Qin, these are the cultivation techniques and precious medicinal herbs we found within Azure Dragon Sect."
Yan Chonghu was flushed with excitement as he strode toward Qin Feng and spoke respectfully.
Qin Feng took the techniques looted from Azure Dragon Sect and examined them carefully before setting them aside.
The sect’s main technique was called the Azure Dragon Body Refining Art—a grand name, but it was merely a method for cultivating up to the Grandmaster level.
Now that Qin Feng possessed the Thunder Breathing Method, he had little interest in techniques that merely allowed one to reach the Grandmaster realm.

"Chonghu, purchase large quantities of century-old medicinal herbs for me, and also look into any news regarding millennial spirit medicines."
Qin Feng nodded and gave his instructions to Yan Chonghu.
He felt that relying solely on century-old herbs made progress too slow; if he could obtain a single millennial spirit medicine, he might break through to the Guardian realm in one leap.
Qin Feng still remembered that Baozhi Pavilion was able to procure millennial spirit medicines, but the price was exorbitant.
Within the Great Chu Empire, there were countless martial artists; the consumption of medicinal herbs was tremendous. Century-old herbs were already rare—millennial spirit medicines were rarer still.
Qin Feng had once heard that even an ordinary millennial spirit medicine would cost a hundred thousand taels of gold.
A full hundred thousand taels—Qin Feng could not afford it.
Not just Qin Feng; even the top powers in Xuanzhou City, the Zhao and Chen families, or even the City Lord’s Mansion, could not produce such a sum at a moment’s notice.
Even if they could, there was no guarantee of acquiring one; millennial spirit medicines were extremely rare and precious.
Whenever a millennial spirit medicine appeared, it would trigger fierce competition among the Guardians, leading to bloody conflicts.
Usually, martial artists who obtained such a treasure would wait until they had reached the late Guardian realm, then consume the medicine to break through the bottleneck and step into the Commander level.
Qin Feng’s desire to use a millennial spirit medicine to cultivate and break through to Grandmaster would seem unimaginably extravagant to others.
"Lord Qin, I’ll issue orders at once for our men to search everywhere. At the first sign of a millennial spirit medicine, we will report to you immediately."
Yan Chonghu’s cultivation was mediocre and his experience limited; he did not understand the true value of a millennial spirit medicine and showed no surprise at Qin Feng’s inquiry, replying only with respect.
"Lord Qin, this residence is rather small and inconvenient for your training."
"I have already purchased a new manor for you. What do you think?"
Yan Chonghu hesitated as he was about to take his leave, his face showing uncertainty as he spoke politely.
"That was thoughtful of you."
Qin Feng nodded his agreement.
"Serving you, Lord Qin, is Chonghu’s honor."
Joy bloomed on Yan Chonghu’s face as he quickly withdrew. That afternoon, he called upon the brothers of Black Tiger Gang to help Qin Feng move.
Yan Chonghu knew Qin Feng’s character well—he disliked being disturbed and preferred quiet, secluded places. So Yan Chonghu bought him a residence on a small hill within the city: the surroundings were beautiful and tranquil, and from its heights, one could overlook the entire expanse of Xuanzhou City.
Originally, Zhao Hong of the Zhao family had his eye on this property, but upon hearing that Yan Chonghu had bought it for Qin Feng, he withdrew without protest.
"Black Tiger Gang is searching for news of millennial spirit medicines—could it be that Qin Feng has already reached the late Guardian realm and is seeking a breakthrough to Commander level with such a treasure?"
Zhao Hong had been keeping a close watch on Qin Feng and Black Tiger Gang. Upon learning this news, a look of shock appeared on his face.