Book 2: Chapter 36: Lady Yu
"Yizhou…"
His body trembled as he cried out.
Orphaned from a young age, Feng Zhaoting had grown up relying on his younger brother. Their bond was unshakable. Despite Feng Yizhou\'s many misdeeds, Feng Zhaoting had always covered for him, resolving problems quietly without a word of complaint.
He had hoped that once he secured the position of vice hall master, his brother would no longer face any threats. Never did he imagine that day would never come—Feng Yizhou was already dead.
"Master Feng was trying to help you obtain the Red Leaf Grass when the conflict with Ling Buyang occurred," reported an elderly messenger, bowing respectfully.
"Ling Buyang…" Feng Zhaoting clenched his fists.
Though they were competitors for the vice hall master position, there was an unspoken rule: family was off-limits. Yet Ling Buyang had openly killed his brother, daring to strike him down in front of witnesses.
"Take out 30 million Source Coins and contact the All-Encompassing Sect. Increase Ling Buyang’s bounty," Feng Zhaoting ordered coldly.The old man hesitated, frowning. "Master, will you not handle this personally? Killing Master Feng publicly is a direct challenge to your authority."
Feng Zhaoting shook his head. "I’ve just acquired a Purple Bamboo Elixir that will aid my breakthrough. Once refined, I should reach the third level of the Dharma Aspect Realm. When that happens, my strength will be unparalleled, and the vice hall master position will naturally fall into my hands. Right now, confronting him head-on lacks certainty."
Though grief-stricken, he remained rational.
If Ling Buyang dared to kill his brother in public, it meant he had something to rely on. Rushing into a confrontation could fall into his trap. Instead, he would raise the bounty, gauging the response of various factions. Their actions would reveal Ling Buyang’s true strengths and weaknesses, allowing him to plan accordingly.
"You are wise, Master," the elder acknowledged.
"But just because I won’t act now doesn’t mean I’ll let this go. Send Yunshan Hall to harass No Need Hall—hit them hard. And prepare my horse. I’m going to see the hall master."
Feng Zhaoting intended to formally present the case to their superior. Depending on the hall master’s reaction, he would decide whether to act directly or bide his time.
---
Unaware of these developments, Zhang Xuan was engrossed in the Hunting List in his palm.
Should I kill Ling Buyang right now and claim the bounty?
The thought was tempting—nearly 60 million Source Coins were at stake.
"When I claimed the reward for Feng Yizhou, his name disappeared. Ling Buyang, however, is still listed, even though he’s dead. That’s because no one else has claimed his death. The list updates in real-time, but it doesn’t monitor life or death directly, nor does it track hidden figures."
For example, though Zhang Xuan had killed Feng Yizhou, it was recorded under Ling Buyang’s name, whom he impersonated.
"Forget it. I’ll keep using Ling Buyang’s identity to kill more scum. The higher his bounty climbs, the better the payoff when I finally claim it."
Killing Feng Yizhou had already doubled Ling Buyang’s bounty. With a few more kills, it could surpass 100 million. At that point, Zhang Xuan would present Ling Buyang’s corpse to claim it all. ṙαɴօЁṡ
Killing to earn money, then earning more by being "killed"—a two-way profit.
Confirming his location, Zhang Xuan tucked the Hunting List into his New World, dismounted Dao Li, and patted its flank.
"Head back for now."
As the horse trotted away, Zhang Xuan focused and transformed his appearance into that of Lian Huo.
The tragedy of Yu Fei and Xiao Zhuo was not just Feng Yizhou’s doing; No Need Hall under Ling Buyang was also deeply involved. If its members were as unscrupulous as Lian Huo, Zhang Xuan wouldn’t hesitate to wipe them out.
Additionally, he still needed to learn about the Mo Dao Heaven’s Fate.
After walking for a while, a large compound came into view. Though unmarked, two Body Tempering Realm cultivators stood guard at the entrance.
Mimicking Lian Huo’s gait and tone, Zhang Xuan approached confidently.
"Who goes there?"
The guards tensed but then froze in shock upon recognizing him.
"Lian Huo? You’re… alive?"
"Alive and kicking!" Zhang Xuan snapped impatiently. "I have urgent news for the hall master."
The guard on the left sneered, "The hall master? Dream on. You know he never comes here. You’ve been around long enough—when have you ever seen him?"
"I need to report something important," Zhang Xuan insisted.
No wonder Lian Huo hadn’t recognized him during their earlier encounter in White Roc City—he had rarely seen Ling Buyang himself.
"Wait here. I’ll inform Lady Yu," the guard relented.
Lady Yu? Zhang Xuan’s heart skipped a beat.
Wasn’t she the concubine who had sought him at Destiny Hall? He hadn’t expected her to be running No Need Hall.
After a short wait, the guard returned. "Lady Yu will see you."
Following the guard, Zhang Xuan entered the sprawling compound. He passed through a training ground where dozens of disciples practiced Mo Dao techniques, their blades shimmering with faint soul-cleaving energy.
Zhang Xuan took note. Though the energy was weak, the cumulative effect could be dangerous if many attacks landed.
They reached a spacious hall where a woman sat with her back to the door, surrounded by a faintly glowing formation. Streams of Heaven’s Fate Energy flowed into her body, enhancing her cultivation.
"Heaven’s Fate Energy here? There must be Destiny Disks nearby," Zhang Xuan thought, intrigued.
"Lady Yu, Lian Huo is here," the guard announced, bowing.
"Leave us," she replied coolly.
The guard departed, and Zhang Xuan prepared to search for the Destiny Disks when Lady Yu spoke again.
"Lian Huo, do you know your crime?"
"Your subordinate acknowledges his guilt," Zhang Xuan responded, bowing deeply.
Lady Yu stood, revealing herself as the young and beautiful woman from Destiny Hall. Despite her delicate appearance, her cultivation had already reached the Seventh Level of the Source Pool Realm, Jade Bone.
"Explain yourself. What happened with the Red Leaf Grass? Why has there been no word for days?" Her sharp gaze pinned him in place.
"It was Feng Yizhou!" Zhang Xuan quickly fabricated a story. "I was on the verge of securing the herb when his men intervened. All my comrades were slain. I barely escaped and only just recovered enough to report."
"You claim Feng Yizhou stole the Red Leaf Grass?"
Lady Yu’s eyes narrowed. Then, with a sudden burst of killing intent, she lashed out.
Zhang Xuan didn’t flinch as her palm stopped inches from his forehead, the force ruffling his hair.
"Why didn’t you dodge?" she asked coldly.
"My life belongs to Lady Yu. If you wish to take it, so be it," Zhang Xuan replied calmly.
Satisfied, Lady Yu withdrew her hand. "No need to pursue the Red Leaf Grass. Feng Yizhou is dead, killed by our hall master. Yunshan Hall will retaliate soon. Focus on your training to prepare for battle."
"Understood." Zhang Xuan bowed and turned to leave when her voice halted him.
"Wait. As promised, I’ll demonstrate the Mo Dao techniques. Learn what you can."
Lady Yu summoned a blade with a flick of her wrist. Her demeanor transformed from a gentle beauty to a fierce warrior.
With a single slash, her blade radiated with Heaven’s Fate Energy, emitting a soul-cleaving force. The technique seemed capable of severing not just souls but also fate itself, potentially breaking cultivation barriers.
As Zhang Xuan observed, he noted several Destiny Disks hidden in the room, their energies intensifying the blade’s aura.
Author\'s Note