Chapter Sixty-Eight: Heading to the Treasure Herb Workshop!

“Who told you to do this?” Qin Feng strode into the tavern, his tone calm.

“Ah— Why are you back again?” Gao Yunchian was busy calculating his losses when he heard the voice. Looking up and seeing Qin Feng, his face changed drastically, and he nearly collapsed in fright.

“No one told me to do it. There was a problem at my home…” Under Qin Feng’s gaze, Gao Yunchian was trembling all over, panic in his voice.

With a thunderous crash, Qin Feng’s arm muscles tensed as he slammed his halberd into the ground, blasting a large pit.

“I’ll give you one more chance.” Observing Gao Yunchian’s expression, Qin Feng was already certain of his suspicion; there was more to this than met the eye.

“My lord, it’s not my idea! It was the Chen family who ordered me to do this. I dared not disobey!” Gao Yunchian fell to his knees before Qin Feng, his forehead knocking against the stone slab as he begged for mercy.

“So it really is aimed at me… The Chen family? Shouldn’t it be the Zhao family?” Qin Feng murmured softly to himself, his eyes shining with golden light as he pondered. After a moment, he turned and left.

Qin Feng visited six taverns in succession. As soon as the staff heard his name, not one dared let him stay. He disdained to hide his identity or check in under a false name. Face clouded, he walked out of yet another tavern.

“Brother Qin! You’re a hard man to find.” Lin Xiaozhong had been searching for Qin Feng throughout Cloud Sky County. When he saw Qin Feng emerge from the tavern, joy lit his features and he hurried over.

“Brother Lin.” Qin Feng’s face was bleak. Seeing Lin Xiaozhong approach, he nodded.

“Brother Qin, you don’t need to search anymore. Now, ninety percent of the taverns in Cloud Sky County won’t dare let you stay. The rest are hesitating whether to accept you.” Lin Xiaozhong was already aware of Qin Feng’s predicament. Standing before him, he spoke gravely.

“Brother Lin, do you know who is behind this, who’s making trouble for me?” Qin Feng’s face was grim, his eyes cold.

“Brother Qin, come with me.” Lin Xiaozhong sighed and led Qin Feng to his residence in Cloud Sky County.

“Have a cup of hot tea first,” Lin Xiaozhong said, handing Qin Feng a cup.

“Brother Qin, as commander of the city guard, you’ve already offended Qian Yun’gao and the Zhao family. I heard the Zhao family previously approached you and you refused to cooperate. Angered, they swore you would find no place to stay in the city. No tavern would do business with you, and they want you to be unable to move a step in Cloud Sky County. The Chen family of Cloud Sky County, who count a mid-level Warden among their ranks, are allies of the Zhao family and were the first to threaten the taverns sheltering you, forcing you out. The Zhao family’s influence here is paramount, and together with the Chen family, they command four Wardens. Other families must give the Zhao family face. That’s why almost no tavern dares to do business with you.” Lin Xiaozhong sat opposite Qin Feng, his expression solemn as he recounted everything he knew.

“Despicable. The Zhao family is truly hateful.” Qin Feng’s face grew darker, fury burning inside him.

“Brother Qin, settle down here for now. My personal strength may not match yours, but I command the Mighty Guard. Together, we need not fear the Zhao family,” Lin Xiaozhong said resolutely.

“Thank you, Brother Lin.” Qin Feng nodded, saying no more, his own plans forming in his heart.

…

“Master, Qin Feng has been taken in by Lin Xiaozhong and is now living in his residence.” Zhao Taotu had men monitoring Qin Feng. On hearing this news, his expression shifted and he hurriedly reported to the head of the Zhao family, Zhao Weichuan.

“Lin Xiaozhong dares meddle in this!” Zhao Hongzhi’s face was gloomy as he spoke angrily.

“No matter,” Zhao Weichuan said evenly. “I’ll visit Brother Qian tomorrow, and warn Lin Xiaozhong.”

“Master, Qin Feng is rather tactless. Should we act and kill him?” Zhao Taotu sat down, nibbling a pastry as he spoke coolly.

“Wait a few days. Let’s see if he truly fails to take a hint. If he persists in his folly, I won’t hold back—contact the sects within Cloud Sky County and have them act,” Zhao Weichuan replied coldly.

Zhao Weichuan, a collateral member of the Zhao family, had seized the family headship through iron-handed means. Ruthless and cunning, his methods were anything but ordinary.

“Very well. I will assign men to watch Qin Feng closely.” Zhao Taotu, trusting Zhao Weichuan utterly, nodded in assent.

…

“Zhao family. Chen family.” Sitting cross-legged in his room, Qin Feng’s blood seethed with killing intent as he muttered to himself.

“Brother Lin, may I borrow some money from you?” Qin Feng wished to meditate and cultivate, but irritation gnawed at his heart, making it impossible to quiet his mind, much less operate the Ninefold Tidal Surge Technique. His eyes flashed as he finally made up his mind, rising and heading to Lin Xiaozhong’s room.

“How much do you need, Brother Qin?” Lin Xiaozhong asked directly, giving little thought to the matter.

“Seventy thousand taels of gold,” Qin Feng said, locking eyes with Lin Xiaozhong.

Lin Xiaozhong drew in a sharp breath, staring at Qin Feng in astonishment. “What do you need such a large sum for?”

“To purchase a millennium spiritual herb,” Qin Feng replied without the slightest concealment.

Lin Xiaozhong frowned deeply, pondering. He did not have seventy thousand taels of gold—only fifty thousand, saved up over years of thrift. Yet even that was no small sum, not something to part with lightly. Though he was friends with Qin Feng, they were not sworn brothers who would entrust their lives to each other. He hesitated.

“Very well,” Lin Xiaozhong finally said with a sigh, giving Qin Feng a long look. He went to several places in the room, gathering banknotes.

“Brother Qin, I count you as a true friend. Here are banknotes worth fifty thousand taels of gold. Take them.” Lin Xiaozhong handed them over with a deep breath.

“Brother Lin, I will never forget this debt.” Moved, Qin Feng clasped his fists in gratitude, then turned and hurried toward the Treasure Herb Hall.

He believed the Treasure Herb Hall was certain to have millennium spiritual herbs. The question was whether ten thousand taels of gold would be enough to buy one. Such rare herbs were priced at ten thousand taels, but their rarity made them priceless; not even gold could always secure them. Previously, he had spent twelve thousand taels for one.

“Please, inform Master Huang that Qin Feng seeks an audience with her.” Arriving at the Treasure Herb Hall, Qin Feng found it ablaze with light; many people were there purchasing medicine or seeking treatment. Qin Feng strode forward to a dignified-looking middle-aged man and spoke calmly.