Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
Chapter 144: Pei County - Lei Family
Lin Feng and the others entered the Medicine King Pavilion, learning that the Guan Family was the wealthiest in Gaojing, leaving them speechless. The Medicine King Pavilion was merely one of the many businesses under the Guan Family's control.
Whether in the Cultivation World or among mortals, all the most profitable enterprises fell within the Guan Family's sphere of influence.
The Medicine King Pavilion alone had branches throughout the Cultivation World. It provided everything a Walker needed, including magical artifacts, Martial Arts Techniques, Elixirs, and more. Additionally, the Medicine King Pavilion frequently auctioned rare treasures, yielding substantial profits.
As they approached the Medicine King Pavilion, Lin Feng suddenly recalled his time in Qingshan Town when he had killed some low-tier ferocious beasts and exchanged their Beast Cores for Mountain Ginseng. Now, he was about to meet the behind-the-scenes big boss of the Medicine King Pavilion—an unimaginable turn of events.
Bamboo Elder Liu Mang led Lin Feng into the back courtyard. The courtyard was uniquely designed, featuring a Rockery, a Lotus Pond, a garden, and bamboo groves. It served as a reception area that ordinary people could not enter, giving it a tranquil atmosphere.
A woman dressed in black sat quietly in a pavilion within the bamboo grove, playing a Guzheng. The beautiful melodies filled the air, bringing joy to all who heard them.
"Junior Lin Feng pays respects to Senior Guan."
Lin Feng stood outside the pavilion and bowed respectfully to the Guan Family.
Only Lin Feng was granted an audience with Senior Guan; Lin Miaomiao and Magenta wandered around the Medicine King Pavilion, captivated by various peculiar magical artifacts and jewelry.
"Receive my strike."
Without looking up, Senior Guan continued to play the Guzheng. Her delicate hands glided over the strings. A note coalesced into a bamboo sword that shot straight toward Lin Feng.
"Understood."
Lin Feng understood that the Guan Family was testing him. He immediately dispersed all his cultivation, allowing his physical body to reach the peak of defense.
A bamboo sword sliced through the air, tracing a beautiful arc before piercing Lin Feng's chest. With a crisp sound, the bamboo sword shattered and disappeared.
The Guan Family still did not look up, merely waving the strings of the guqin once more.
Another bamboo sword shot forth, its power clearly surpassing the previous one. When this bamboo sword struck Lin Feng's chest, it did not immediately shatter; instead, it held firm for a moment before the tip of the sword pierced into Lin Feng's flesh.
Lin Feng felt a sharp pain radiating from his chest. He took a deep breath and channeled Vital Energy into the wound, forcing the bamboo sword out of his body.
Only then did the Guan Family stop playing and slightly raise their head to look at Lin Feng.
Lin Feng paid no mind to his injury and respectfully bowed again to the Guan Family, saying, "Junior Lin Feng pays respects to you, senior."
The Guan Family quietly regarded Lin Feng and said, "It is not merely a matter of Physical Strength reaching one hundred thousand pounds in Foundation Establishment. You surpass Dugu Po from years past."
Upon hearing this, Lin Feng felt a surge of surprise and pride within him. He had never imagined he could be compared to his second senior brother. However, while he was pleased, Lin Feng knew very well that he was not truly comparable to his second senior brother.
"Senior, you flatter me," Lin Feng replied with a smile.
The Guan Family continued, "You are first in both rankings. If you achieve first in the Martial Examination as well, you will hold first place in all three rankings. Do you have confidence?"
Lin Feng thought seriously for a moment and said, "The odds of taking first are not particularly high; there are still some issues I haven't figured out."
Guan Family nodded and said, "Do you know why I summoned you?"
"I do not know," Lin Feng replied.
"In recent days, Gaojing has been stirring. Yet you have been affected by these events, nearly losing your life several times. From today onward, Gaojing will know that you are a member of my Guan Family. No one will dare to trouble you again."
Though spoken lightly, Guan Family's words left Lin Feng deeply impressed. This was the true power of Gaojing, every action influencing the city.
"Thank you for your great kindness, senior," Lin Feng said as he bowed respectfully. After standing up, he pondered for a moment before asking, "There is something I do not understand. I am unsure if I should ask."
"Go ahead," Guan Family replied.
"Why do you wish to help me? What is your relationship with Dugu Senior?" Lin Feng inquired.
Guan Family paused slightly before responding, "I have a connection with Dugu Po. Before you arrived in Zhongzhou, he sent me a letter asking me to look after you."
"I see," Lin Feng understood, feeling even more grateful towards this unseen senior brother. This kindness was something he could never repay.
At that moment, a thunderous roar echoed as dark clouds gathered. Suddenly, rain began to pour down. The raindrops grew heavier until they fell like beans against the ground.
Lin Feng stood outside the pavilion, getting drenched in the rain. Guan Family did not invite him in, so he dared not enter.
It seemed that Guan Family did not notice the downpour; she said, "With your current abilities, it is indeed somewhat impossible for you to defeat He Rongsheng."
Lin Feng fell silent upon hearing this. He understood in his heart that if he had the Golden Armor, he might stand a chance against He Rongsheng, and if he was willing to fight, there could be a possibility of victory. However, without the Golden Armor, the Moon City Sword and the Blood Devouring Cauldron would be useless, leaving him with no chance of winning.
His weakness lay in his low Foundation, and he had yet to grasp the Manifestation of Divine Powers. He still hadn't figured out the Sword Techniques.
All of this required time to cultivate. Yet with the Jiu Zhou Gathering and Martial Examination approaching, there was simply no time for Lin Feng to enter seclusion for training.
"Follow me."
Guan Family stood up gracefully and stepped lightly into the pouring rain. Despite not having any Vital Energy fluctuations around her, the raindrops seemed to slide off her body without sticking.
Outside the Medicine King Pavilion stood a Black Horse Carriage, into which Guan Family stepped. The coachman was none other than Bamboo Elder Liu Mang, whom Lin Feng had met before.
Lin Feng knew he couldn't just hop into the carriage and sit alongside a senior like Guan Family. So he obediently sat on the carriage frame, watching as Bamboo Elder drove the carriage.
This carriage was certainly not an ordinary one. The Spirit Steed soared through the clouds at incredible speed. Lin Feng could only hear the wind howling past his ears.
Lin Feng attempted to ask, "Senior Liu, where are we going?"
"To Zhongzhou, Pei County."
"What are we going there for?" Lin Feng inquired again.
"I don't know," Liu Mang replied quietly.
Lin Feng felt a sense of mystery that even Liu Mang did not understand. He couldn't help but glance inside the carriage, recalling his earlier conversation with the Guan Family, and thought to himself, "The Guan Family truly has exquisite women."
As he pondered this, Lin Feng instinctively added, "Miaomiao is also a beautiful person; compared to the Guan Family, she just lacks a bit of the flavor of time."
An hour later, they arrived at Pei County.
The Guan Family chose an ordinary inn. After ordering a pot of tea, just as the tea was being poured, an elderly man in a yellow robe approached her.
The old man was sweating profusely, looking somewhat hurried from his journey.
He clasped his fists and bowed to the Guan Family, saying, "I am Lei Xuan, the steward of the Lei Family. The head of the family learned that the Guan Family has arrived in Pei County and specially sent me to welcome you."
The Guan Family continued to drink tea without even glancing at Lei Xuan.
Beside them, Bamboo Elder spoke up, "Our Medicine King Pavilion has little connection with the Lei Family in Pei County; there is no need for such formalities."
Lei Xuan humbly replied, "The Guan Family holds a noble status. Today, upon your arrival in Pei County, my Lei Family naturally wishes to extend our hospitality. If the Guan Family does not mind, please consider visiting Thunder Manor."
Bamboo Elder smiled slightly and said, "We are just resting our feet here and will be leaving Pei County shortly. We appreciate the Lei Family's kindness."
Seeing that they had made up their minds, Lei Xuan tentatively asked, "Today happens to be Lord Lei's three-hundredth birthday. We will be holding a grand feast at Thunder Manor; it will be quite lively."
"A few days ago, my Empress of the Great Zhou acknowledged my Lei Family's contributions and graciously bestowed a painting. It is said that the Guan Family excels in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. The Guan Family must have heard of this. My Empress is skilled in talismanic arts and loves painting; she once studied this path under Elder Ji. The Empress's brushwork is exquisite; each stroke contains profound cultivation methods and flows with the mysteries of Earth Qi. Tomorrow, the old master will showcase this painting. I wonder if the Guan Family would be interested in visiting Thunder Manor to take a look?"
"There are hidden meanings in your words," Lei Xuan remarked. How could the Bamboo Elder not understand?
Seeing the Bamboo Elder remain silent, Lin Feng gradually deciphered the implications of those words. It meant: You could have come at any other time, but you chose to come now, during my lord's birthday celebration. Just passing through? Who would believe that? My lord is a favored figure in front of the Empress of the Great Zhou. Just days ago, the Empress even bestowed a painting upon him. If you dare to wander around Pei County, you might offend even the Empress herself.
The Bamboo Elder replied coldly, "In Zhongzhou, who doesn't know how much the Queen cares for Pei County and the Lei Family? My master dislikes crowds; we are merely passing through and have important matters to attend to, so we cannot stay long."
Only then did Lei Xuan feel reassured, believing they were indeed just passing through.
"I understand. If the Guan Family wishes to rest at Thunder Manor, just send word, and my carriage will be there promptly. Farewell."
Lei Xuan bowed respectfully and then turned to leave.
As he entered the carriage marked with the character 'Lei', he traversed through the bustling streets before finally heading toward one of the most prosperous courtyards in Pei County.
This courtyard was vast, with red walls and glazed tiles stretching far beyond what one could see.
The moment Lei Xuan stepped down from the carriage, his humble demeanor vanished. He walked tall and proud, his expression filled with arrogance. The servants of the Lei Family greeted him with respect as they bowed.
Inside the courtyard sat a young man. He had a handsome face and slightly furrowed brows, as if deep in thought. Upon seeing Lei Xuan return, the young man asked, "Did you find out what was going on?"
Lei Xuan replied, "They were just passing through."
The young man pondered for a moment and said, "I’ve heard that the Guan Family has long resided in Gaojing and rarely ventures out. Their outing this time must surely be for something important."
"Young Master, I think the same," Lei Xuan said. "I have asked him several times, but he just happened to be passing by."
"If that is truly the case, then good. However, if he is here for my grandfather's birthday, I will not let her have it easy. The nobility of Gaojing are not necessarily still nobility on my turf," the young man said proudly.
Lei Xuan thought for a moment and replied, "Young Master, the Guan Family belongs to the Master Realm. Unless absolutely necessary, it is best to avoid provoking them."
"I understand. I heard she brought a young man with her?" the young man inquired.
"Indeed. From his appearance, comparing him to the disciple roster from Gaojing's Jiu Zhou Gathering, he seems to be Lin Feng from Solitary Moon City."
"The Lin Feng who is already ranked first on both lists?" The young man was slightly taken aback.
"Exactly, the biggest dark horse," Lei Xuan responded. (To be continued...)
Comment 0 Comment Count