Father's Secret
Whoosh!
Zhang Yunfeng's longsword moved like lightning, thrusting straight toward Zhang Lingxiao's chest.
Zhang Lingxiao was horrified.
That seemingly ordinary strike carried an indescribable momentum—one that left him with no room to evade.
He had a strong premonition that even if he used Phantom Step, he would still be unable to dodge his father's sword.
Bang!
Just as the blade was about to pierce his chest, Zhang Yunfeng abruptly twisted his wrist. The longsword's hilt slammed into Zhang Lingxiao instead.
With nowhere to retreat, Zhang Lingxiao was sent flying. He crashed heavily to the ground.
A muffled groan escaped his throat, followed by a metallic sweetness—clear signs of internal injury. At the same time, the wound on his arm tore open once more, blood gushing out.
"Father, what are you doing?"
Zhang Lingxiao stared in disbelief at the longsword pressed against his neck, his brows furrowed in confusion.
"Who are you?" Zhang Yunfeng demanded coldly. "How dare you impersonate my son and slaughter members of the Zhang Family? What are your intentions?"
"Father, I am Zhang Lingxiao—your son!" Zhang Lingxiao said urgently.
"Nonsense!" Zhang Yunfeng snorted. "My son Zhang Lingxiao was born with blocked Innate Meridians and cannot cultivate. How could he possibly be a Qi Wu Realm Perfection martial artist—let alone kill Zhang Yuntao, who was at the Lingwu Realm Middle Stage?"
"Father, it really is me," Zhang Lingxiao said quickly. "The reason I can cultivate now is because I obtained an opportunity—"
"Oh, right. And if I remember correctly," Zhang Lingxiao suddenly added, "you have three moles on your left buttock."
"…!"
Zhang Yunfeng's old face instantly flushed crimson.
Without another word, he sheathed his longsword and pulled Zhang Lingxiao up from the ground.
From beginning to end, he didn't even spare a glance at Zhang Yuntao's corpse lying nearby.
As for the so-called opportunity Zhang Lingxiao mentioned, Zhang Yunfeng didn't ask a single question—as if he wasn't interested at all.
"Let's go. We're going home."
He sighed softly as they walked.
"Yuntao is dead. The Zhang Family cannot go even a single day without a master. Otherwise, the Li Family will suppress us mercilessly, and the Zhang Family will never rise again."
"…Looks like I still can't escape the fate of becoming the Zhang Family Head."
After a few more words, Zhang Lingxiao silently followed his father back toward the Zhang Family compound.
---
By the time they arrived, people from the Ma Family, the Li Family, and even the City Lord's Mansion had already gathered, completely surrounding the Zhang Family estate.
"Brother Yunfeng, you're back."
The Ma Family Head, Lord Ma, strode forward.
Bald and broad-shouldered, he was nearly identical in build to Zhang Lingxiao's deceased uncle, Zhang Yuntao.
Zhang Yunfeng nodded. No words were needed between them.
During these past few days, Zhang Yunfeng had been recuperating at the Ma Family. Lord Ma was his sworn brother since childhood and had treated him with great kindness.
Nearby, the Li Family Head, Lord Li, let out a cold snort, his expression clearly displeased.
Moments later, Qingyun Town's City Lord, Long Qingyun, stepped forward with a solemn expression.
He was the strongest presence among them—a Xuanwu Realm Late Stage powerhouse.
"Second Family Head Zhang," City Lord Long said calmly, "Qingyun Town is under my jurisdiction, but I have long stated that I will not interfere in disputes between your three families."
"So long as the common people are not harmed, casualties are acceptable."
"Your Zhang Family's internal matters—see that they are completely resolved today."
Zhang Yunfeng cupped his fists and bowed respectfully. City Lord Long was older than him and belonged to the same generation as his father, so this courtesy was only proper.
"Reporting to City Lord Long—everything will be settled shortly."
City Lord Long nodded and watched as Zhang Yunfeng entered the Zhang Family estate.
Zhang Lingxiao followed behind, respectfully bowing to both the Ma Family Head and City Lord Long.
Lord Ma was his future father-in-law. His daughter, Ma Yinger, was an extraordinary woman—his age, yet already at the Lingwu Realm Early Stage.
---
Inside the Zhang Family courtyard, Su Qing was nowhere to be seen.
Grand Elder Zhang Qingshan stood with several clan members, their expressions heavy.
The Second, Third, and Fourth Elders—as well as Zhang Zhong—lay lifeless on the ground.
Zhang Qingshan was directing the clan members to collect the bodies.
Zhang Lingxiao glanced at the corpses, a flicker of surprise crossing his eyes.
He had no interest in how his father would handle the aftermath, nor in how the Grand Elder would explain Su Qing's disappearance.
Instead, he immediately stepped forward to help carry the bodies to the Zhang Family's back mountain.
In his eyes, these corpses were priceless resources for strengthening himself.
Though he was currently stuck at a bottleneck, they could still greatly temper his Physical Body.
Grand Elder Zhang Qingshan was very pleased with Zhang Lingxiao's initiative. As he discussed the Zhang Family's future with Zhang Yunfeng, his gaze toward Zhang Lingxiao unconsciously softened.
---
At the back mountain, all the corpses were gathered together.
Several Zhang Family members worked together to dig a pit, preparing to bury them.
"Young Master, congratulations in advance," a core clan member in his twenties said respectfully. "We'll be relying on you from now on."
Zhang Lingxiao recognized him—one of the Grand Elder's trusted subordinates.
He nodded calmly.
Once everyone had left, Zhang Lingxiao's eyes lit up. He immediately began circulating the Devouring Heaven Demon Art.
The Second, Third, and Fourth Elders were all Lingwu Realm cultivators, and Zhang Zhong was only half a step away from that realm.
Their combined Qi and blood were no weaker than Zhang Yuntao's.
Buzz!
Violent Qi and blood energy surged through Zhang Lingxiao's body, transforming and refining his flesh.
Moments later, he suddenly opened his eyes. A sharp glint flashed within them.
"It's done. I've grown stronger again."
"With my physical body alone… even if I fought Father just now, I wouldn't be pushed back so easily, right?"
Zhang Yunfeng was a genuine Lingwu Realm Late Stage powerhouse—far stronger than Zhang Yuntao, who had relied on a mysterious pill.
To face him head-on with Qi Wu Realm Perfection cultivation and not be completely overwhelmed was already astonishing.
"Heh heh… are you certain you truly understand your father?"
As Zhang Lingxiao filled in the pit to erase all traces, Gu Yue Ningbing's voice suddenly echoed from within the ring.
"What do you mean?" Zhang Lingxiao frowned.
"Heh heh… your father is no simple man," Gu Yue Ningbing said meaningfully.
"Explain."
"Your father is either using a secret treasure to conceal his strength, or he's suppressing himself due to some hidden ailment," she said solemnly.
"Although I couldn't determine his exact realm… it is at least above Su Qing's."
Earlier, before Zhang Yunfeng even appeared, she had sensed an overwhelmingly powerful Divine Soul.
Terrified, she had immediately hidden herself within the silver ring that could sever external perception.
She had even believed a God Race powerhouse had discovered her aura.
In the end… It was Zhang Lingxiao's father.
Zhang Lingxiao was stunned.
Su Qing was a Tianwu Realm expert—an existence on par with the Human Emperor of Tianhuo Country.
If his father was even stronger than that…
Then why live quietly in a small Qingyun Town?
Why remain merely the Second Family Head of a minor family?
Zhang Lingxiao's mind was filled with questions.
He decided that when the opportunity arose, he would ask his father directly.
Did Zhang Yunfeng also possess an opportunity?
…Or was he burdened by some hidden difficulty?
---