"What?!"
This was completely unexpected for Feng Qi. Nothing like this had ever happened before. Could it be the Patriarch? he thought.
It wasn't impossible, judging by how his grandfather had always treated him. Throughout all the years they had known each other, the old man had remained completely cold toward him. It was obvious that, for some reason Feng Qi still did not understand, he hated both his mother and her son.
There was nothing he could do—nothing except accept it. Judging by the way he had been summoned, it seemed more like an order. Nothing good would come of this.
When he arrived at the manor, Feng Qi was stopped by the household guards, but he was allowed inside. The Main Hall was located within the manor itself. This enormous chamber, resembling an imperial court, was where the Patriarch and the elders made important decisions.
A nervous bead of sweat trickled down Young Feng's face. He did not know what had happened, but he felt that something was terribly wrong. It was also the first time he had entered the Main Hall. Before him stood almost all the members of the Feng Clan, with the exception of a few who had not been mentioned—and Feng Zongyuan. Everyone else was present… even Li Yuhuan.
She looked visibly distressed. When she saw Feng Qi, her eyes lingered on him as though saying goodbye, before she quickly turned her face away.
Feng Qi gave her a distant look before focusing on the real problem.
The Patriarch of the Feng Clan, Feng Shidao, was seated upon his elevated seat. Below him, elders and influential figures occupied seats along the sides, and farther below, standing with a sheathed sword in his right hand, was Feng Chen Haoran—wearing his usual smile.
Danger instantly invaded Feng Qi's heart. He knew that something was about to happen in that hall. He had not provoked anyone or caused any trouble. There were only two possibilities: either he was being hunted down like his mother… or all of this had something to do with Li Yuhuan.
She must have said something. Or even framed me… the guilt on her face says everything, Feng Qi thought.
"Feng Qi!"
A thunderous voice echoed throughout the hall. It was Feng Shidao.
"Do you know what kind of crime you have committed?"
Feng Qi remained silent for a moment. He took a deep breath, reflected, and then spoke.
"Your Excellency, I have shown no disrespect to anyone present here, nor have I stolen or broken anything. But if I had to guess why everyone has gathered here, there could only be one reason."
His gaze settled deeply upon Li Yuhuan.
She merely lowered her head, shame mixed with sadness. She knew exactly what was happening.
"Oh, really? You admitted to something we didn't even know about. Now we have two problems."
Feng Chen Haoran spoke mockingly.
Feng Qi's heart sank. He mentally went over every possible reason—none of them made sense except for his conversation with Li Yuhuan. Had he revealed something he shouldn't have? But even so… why such a gathering?
Suddenly, a burst of laughter echoed through the hall. Chen Haoran laughed like a madman.
Feng Qi narrowed his eyes, annoyed by the strange amusement plastered across the man's face.
"Just look at that expression of his. Sorry for lying… yes, you're here because of Li Yuhuan. You already know what you did," Chen Haoran said.
Feng Qi took a deep breath.
"Then… what exactly did I do?"
"Feng Qi! You are being accused of attempting to rape the young miss of the Li Clan—Li Yuhuan!"
Feng Qi's eyes widened in disbelief. He had never imagined things would reach this point.
Attempted rape?!
Who had made up such a lie?!
He immediately looked at Li Yuhuan, but she merely averted her gaze.
"Nothing to say, cousin?" Chen Haoran sneered, leaning against his sheathed sword as though it were a cane.
"They're framing me, Grand—" Feng Qi said impulsively, desperately.
"SHUT UP!!!"
An immense aura shook the entire hall.
"You worm! I am not your grandfather! Do not call me that!"
It was worse than Feng Qi had imagined.
He stared at the old man sitting in the chair that resembled a throne and thought: Why am I descended from this thing? What difference is there between this monster and a demon?
Feng Qi lowered his head, completely cornered.
"To my right is Li Zhonghai, one of the protectors assigned to the young miss of the Li Clan. He will present this case. To my left is the young miss herself, Li Yuhuan. Speak, young miss—what exactly happened?"
Feng Shidao's piercing gaze seemed to intimidate her. Li Yuhuan trembled slightly, but then forced herself to speak.
"Yes… Protector. He tried to rape me. I was at the clan's pagoda when he suddenly stopped me, harassed me, grabbed me, and began touching me. Fortunately, I managed to escape. I was so terrified that I couldn't use my strength to subdue him—and partly out of respect for the Feng Clan…"
She even pretended to cry, lowering her head and hiding her face. Deep down, Li Yuhuan felt like trash—she was truly crying over what would happen to Feng Qi.
Li Zhonghai's expression darkened. A murderous aura flooded toward Feng Qi.
"If it weren't out of respect for the Patriarch and the Feng Clan, I would kill this bastard here and now!" the protector roared.
"Then it is decided. Sentence him to death by hanging," Feng Shidao said coldly. "But… that is what I would say. Feng Chen!"
Feng Qi had nothing to say. It was a hunt—the final hunt.
He looked behind him and realized that the doors were closed, guarded by two guards armed with spears.
"Considering that you touched my woman, I should let you die like a chicken in a slaughterhouse," Chen Haoran said with an ironic smile. "But I spoke with Grandpa. He allowed me to turn your execution into a bet. What do you think?"
Feng Qi had no choice.
"What kind of bet?" A bead of sweat formed on his forehead.
"Simple."
Suddenly, Chen Haoran swung his sheathed sword with tremendous force, hurling the scabbard toward Feng Qi. Feng Qi narrowly dodged it. The scabbard embedded itself in the door, smashing it open. The guards recoiled in terror, not daring to interfere.
Chen Haoran's sword was crimson, almost like blood, radiating a sinister aura. It was clearly no ordinary weapon.
"I heard you reached the Body Refinement level. Congratulations."
"What?!"
The entire hall erupted in shock. Feng Qi had reached Immortality?!
Even Feng Shidao did not know.
"Is this true?" the old man asked.
Feng Qi reluctantly nodded.
Normally, this kind of information would not reach the upper echelons, but Feng Chen Haoran was different. He maintained informants among both the servants and the elite.
Fear overwhelmed Feng Qi, but it also reminded him of his previous experience on the brink of death—from which he had survived.
"Our little game is simple," Chen Haoran said. "You are a newly advanced Body Refinement cultivator. I am at the Third Level and have already been there for a long time. With this Crimson Sword, you must dodge ten of my attacks. If you succeed, you will be free to leave."
It sounded simple, but the difference was enormous. Chen Haoran had wealth, training, techniques, and the support of the sect. Feng Qi was merely a servant from the village.
It was not a bet.
It was an execution.
"Do you swear by the clan and by your life?" Feng Qi demanded.
"I swear in the name of God," Chen Haoran immediately replied.
Feng Qi did not trust him, but at least now there was a chance to escape.
When the fight was about to begin, Chen Haoran called over a guard, who handed Feng Qi a short sword.
"Let's change the rules a little. If you manage to injure me three times, you live. How about it?"
Feng Qi looked at the sword. He had never wielded one before—only knives for cattle.
But between animal blood and the blood of trash like this… the choice was easy.
"Fine."
The battle began.
In an instant, the Crimson Sword flew toward him. Feng Qi narrowly dodged it. As soon as he landed, Chen Haoran kicked him with all his strength, sending him crashing into the wall. Blood trickled down his forehead.
"Huh? Not dead?" Chen Haoran muttered in shock.
Feng Qi staggered and got back up, dizzy but alive.
His chest burned like fire.
Only one thing explained this.
The Jade Sacred Armor.
Slowly, Feng Qi recovered his sword.
"Oh, really? What a tough guy, huh? Come on, hit me. I won't attack."
Feng Qi did not believe him.
Chen Haoran soon attacked with his bare hands. Feng Qi dodged—once, twice, three times.
"That makes five!"
Chen Haoran became furious. He drew his sword—
But Feng Qi had already anticipated it.
With a swift kick, he sent Chen Haoran crashing into the wall.
Shock swept through the hall.
Blood streamed down Chen Haoran's face.
Blinded by rage, Chen Haoran reinforced his Qi and attacked again, but Feng Qi continued dodging.
"Ten attacks have already been made!"
No one listened.
At that moment, Feng Qi understood the world: a place of lies, where the innocent were executed.
A flame ignited in his eyes.
He struck Chen Haoran squarely in the chest, then leaped forward and smashed his skull against the ground, shattering the stones.
Without looking back, Feng Qi ran.
"Close the gates!" Feng Shidao roared.
Too late.
With Qi channeled into his legs, Feng Qi leaped through the narrowing gap.
And fled.
In his heart, his destination was clear.
North—to Qingyao City.