Chapter Forty-Two: Trouble Comes Knocking

Qin Feng knew nothing of all this.

After stepping outside, he asked the two stewards at the gate and finally learned just how useful the elder’s token in his hand truly was. With it, he could go directly to the Dragon Banquet Hall and receive higher-grade spirit food.

Spirit food was sustenance rich in mysterious energy, somewhat akin to the hydra dragon bone broth Qin Feng had tasted before. Such delicacies were reserved for those of certain standing within Tianfeng City.

Though spirit food was indeed precious, Qin Feng did not hesitate to claim his share—it was rightfully his, after all. He had earned it with the blood leech from the Great Wilderness!

Ravenous, Qin Feng quickly asked for directions and made his way straight to the Dragon Banquet Hall.

To his surprise, he ran into Qin Hongyu there once again. However, she seemed to be avoiding him; upon spotting him from afar, her cheeks flushed and she turned on her heel, fleeing at once.

This action drew many unfriendly glances from the other Qin family disciples, all directed at Qin Feng.

Touching his nose, Qin Feng suddenly understood. So the girl wasn’t showing affection—she was using him as a pawn, playing a trick to incite others against him. Perhaps “murder” was too strong a word, as no one in Tianfeng City would dare kill a fellow clansman, but it was all too likely she wanted him to suffer a little.

How cunning! He had truly underestimated Qin Hongyu—who would have thought the willful princess could be so crafty?

“But she’d best not provoke me further, or else…” Meeting those hostile gazes, Qin Feng’s expression remained calm, but a cold glint flashed deep in his eyes.

Yet, what Qin Feng hadn’t anticipated was just how much power Qin Hongyu’s allure held.

Toward dusk, on his way back to his residence, three men stopped him.

Upon seeing who they were, Qin Feng’s gaze turned sharp, and his face darkened.

Qin Feng’s senses were acute; from the fluctuation of energy about their bodies, he could tell that the leader was at the Human Gang Realm, likely around the second stage, while the other two were at the first stage—judging by their unsteady aura, they had only just advanced.

The leader was quite handsome, bearing a resemblance to Qin Shaohong, though a bit older—clearly a direct relative. The two behind him, one tall and one short, were clad in the same disciple robes, their unremarkable faces the sort that would be lost in any crowd.

“Three Human Gang Realm cultivators,” Qin Feng thought grimly, realizing this situation could not end peacefully tonight.

“Who are you? What’s the meaning of this?” Qin Feng’s voice was cold as he spoke.

The leader laughed, his tone mocking. “Listen up, you little bastard—I’m Qin Shaoming, Shaohong’s older brother. My little brother’s told me plenty about how he can’t stand you, but I never paid it much mind. Never expected you’d dare harbor ill intentions toward our cousin Hongyu. If I don’t teach you a lesson today, I’m not fit to be called Qin Shaoming!”

“Qin Shaoming, is it? So you’re just looking for trouble?” Qin Feng’s gaze was steely as he stared directly into Qin Shaoming’s eyes. For a brief moment, a flicker of unease flashed across Shaoming’s heart, but the gulf in strength restored his confidence, and he barked, “That’s right! I am looking for trouble! You, a mongrel from a branch family, dare lust after cousin Hongyu? Have you looked in the mirror lately? You finally awakened a bloodline soul and it’s just a worthless dead snake, wasting so much of my blood, too! Today, I’m going to vent my anger. Kneel before me and kowtow three times—call me grandfather, and maybe I’ll consider how to deal with you!”

As Qin Shaoming spoke, he grinned maliciously, but Qin Feng’s expression grew only colder.

“You deserve to die,” Qin Feng replied, his eyes sharp as blades.

The vast disparity in power made Qin Feng wary—he’d only ever faced opponents below the Human Gang Realm, but now, there were three, all at that level, one even at the second stage.

The atmosphere was tense. Under such immense pressure, Qin Feng could feel sweat soaking his back.

“You two, seize him! Break his legs and make him kneel before me and kowtow until I am satisfied!” Qin Shaoming ordered.

“Yes!” The two behind him responded immediately, stepping forward with wicked grins, clearly not taking Qin Feng seriously. After all, he was only at the tenth stage of the Mortal Gang Realm. How could two Human Gang Realm cultivators fail to handle someone like him?

Confident, they didn’t even bother to unleash their bloodline souls, simply closing in on Qin Feng.

Perhaps, in their minds, Qin Feng wasn’t even worth the effort.

But their overconfidence gave Qin Feng a glimmer of hope.

As they drew near, each clamped a hand on Qin Feng’s shoulders. He didn’t resist, allowing their iron grips to hold him—his plan was to lull them into letting down their guard.

Sure enough, once they thought they’d secured him, their vigilance dropped to nothing, certain he’d surrendered completely.

Just as they turned to Qin Shaoming with triumphant grins, ready to claim credit—

Suddenly—

Qin Shaoming’s face blanched.

Before the two could react, searing heat surged from Qin Feng’s shoulders.

Pain shot through them; instinctively, they yanked their hands away, flames licking at their skin. As they shook their burning hands, Qin Feng’s iron fists struck without mercy—one blow to each chest, sending both men flying before they could even react, gouging deep furrows in the ground.

His strike succeeded only because they were careless.

But the real threat—Qin Shaoming—remained. Qin Feng dared not hesitate. As soon as the other two were dealt with, he charged at Qin Shaoming, who was still stunned, moving like a tiger unleashed from its cage.

All of this happened in the blink of an eye.

Qin Feng’s assault was swift and agile. By the time Qin Shaoming realized what was happening, Qin Feng’s fist was already upon him.

There was no time to dodge. With a roar, Qin Shaoming summoned a transparent shield of pure energy before himself—

The Profound Gang Shield!

Qin Feng recognized it at once. This external barrier was the hallmark of the Human Gang Realm—a defensive technique that could even withstand attacks from mystic weapons, the most common lifesaving method for body cultivators.

With the shield activated, it was too late for Qin Feng to withdraw; he had no choice but to press on. Channeling both hardening and multiplication techniques into his fist, he unleashed the Ninefold Devouring Flame, enveloping his hand in fire, and struck the Profound Gang Shield with all his might.

A thunderous boom rang out. The shield, as expected, withstood the punch for a moment.

But only for a moment. The flames on Qin Feng’s fist were too fierce—within a single breath, they burned a gaping hole through the shield.

Qin Feng’s spirit soared, and his fist landed squarely on Qin Shaoming’s chest.