Chapter 16: Violent Uprising and Murder

This afternoon.

Qin Feng donned the long robe that signified the dignity of the family head; its main fabric was black, woven with silver threads into cloud patterns, the hem and seams were edged with gold thread, and a jade belt encircled his waist.

Subtle, restrained, yet luxurious.

Xiao Hong meticulously styled her hair again.

Zhang Fu entered, bowed, then surveyed from head to toe, looking quite pleased: "The family head is handsome and resolute, charming and dashing; this departure will surely draw many eyes. If the chance arises, you might try to get to know some prominent young ladies. You should also spread your branches and continue the family bloodline."

"Fu Ye Ye, I'm only fifteen!" Qin Feng said softly.

"Ha ha, what's wrong with being fifteen? Many fifteen‑year‑olds already take wives and have children, some even with kids running everywhere." Fu Ye Ye couldn't help but laugh.

Seeing that time was late, Qin Feng boarded the carriage, with Xiao Qing and Xiao Hong together.

Qin Kai led twenty guards in pursuit.

In the carriage, Qin Feng closed his eyes, contemplating the situation of the Lu Family.

Within Wan'an City, the Lu Family could not rank among the top tier, but aside from the Qin, Xiang, and Liu families, the Lu and Cao families were among the strongest.

There were two seventh‑rank masters within the clan.

The foundation is powerful.

Qin Feng also thought of the Xiang and Liu families; each had an eighth‑rank pillar, and more than one seventh‑rank master.

"Our father fell abroad, causing the Qin Family's foundation to be drained by more than half; had I not time‑traveled here, the Qin Family would have been essentially finished."

No matter how large a family, if a pack of wolves descends, it will be gnawed clean to the last scrap.

Soon they arrived at the city lord's residence.

Many carriages had already stopped here.

Seeing the Qin Family's emblem, many people cleared the road.

"The Qin Mansion's head, Qin Feng, has arrived!" Xiao Qing and Xiao Hong presented gifts, and as the gatekeeper shouted a high‑pitched "Welcome," Qin Feng walked in.

Maidservants and older women came and went.

The front courtyard hosted many guests, all with smiles on their faces.

Xiao Qing and Xiao Hong were led to the side courtyard; Qin Feng, who was being escorted toward the main courtyard, was blocked from proceeding.

"Hey, Qin little brother, you finally made it; I've missed you a lot," a young man greeted, eyes slanted, a bit swaggering. "These days we haven't seen you at the gambling den, nor you go to the Emerald Cloud Pavilion, nor you come to the Drunken Blood Manor. What, have you gotten rich and don't want to play with us anymore?"

Qin Feng's face darkened.

The gambling den needs no further mention.

The Emerald Cloud Pavilion is a brothel.

The Drunken Blood Manor is a place for underground boxing—passion, wagers, flesh and blood flying everywhere.

He spoke a string of words, clearly humiliating him.

"Lu Yi, the Lu Family's upbringing is like this—ignorant of propriety, unaware of hierarchy, lacking cultivation," Qin Feng said, raising his hand to the other's shoulder; his true qi surged, instantly shattering the opponent's internal qi and seizing control of his body.

"No wonder the Lu Family is only second‑tier; it's because of scum like you—indulging in debauchery, flaunting words, scheming tricks, despicably low, unable to appear on the stage, bringing shame all the way to the city lord's residence. If Lu Kui, your brother, were to find out, he'd surely send you back to the furnace for remaking, lest you provoke the wrong people and bring a cataclysm upon the Lu Family."

Qin Feng pushed the other aside and continued forward.

As for Lu Kui?

He is the head of the Lu Family, also Lu Yi's father.

These words left the surrounding young masters, who had been waiting to mock, all gaping in astonishment.

Lu Yi's face flushed with shameful anger, as if he wanted to kill on the spot, but seeing the city lord's guards watching like tigers, he could only suppress his fury.

Yet his eyes still revealed an intensely bitter hatred.

Today he's been shamed all the way to his grandmother's house.

Main courtyard.

"Lord of the City!" Qin Feng looked at the imposing middle‑aged man who came forward and quickly clasped his hands in salute.

"Qin family head!" Zhou Yicheng returned the salute, then looked at Qin Feng and said warmly, "Dear nephew, in the blink of an eye you've grown so much and become the head of the Qin Family. The child has also burdened you; whenever trouble arises, come find me."

"Uncle!" Qin Feng bowed slightly, "In the future there will certainly be trouble for you, Uncle."

"Ha ha, that's right. Come, let's meet your Yunhai Ge!"

Without further ado, he was pulled into the main hall.

There were already quite a few people here.

All had taken their seats.

Qin Feng scanned the room and saw that the Xiang, Liu, and Cao families had also arrived.

There were also many notable figures.

Among them he was the youngest, yet everyone still gave him a salute; after all, he is now the head of the Qin Family, and even if they look down, they must maintain appearances.

Zhou Yunhai came over and exchanged a few words with him.

Today is this person's coronation ceremony.

He has a rather cool temperament. Qin Feng observed silently, watching those around; everyone wore smiles, and upon seeing him, they cheerfully nodded in greeting.

A harmonious atmosphere.

But Qin Feng sensed two extremely subtle murderous intents.

One from the Lu family head.

One from the Xiang family head.

He felt malice emanating from the Liu family head.

At this moment a young man leaned in, waving his cup, and said, "Qin family head, now that you've become the head of a household, I'm even embarrassed to stand near you."

"I have no choice, unlike you, Cao Jian, who is unburdened and carefree," Qin Feng laughed.

He is the second son of the Cao Family, and his relationship with the previous generation is fairly good.

"There's no such thing as being carefree; either my father pushes me to cultivate, or my older brother supervises me to study. Even going out to enjoy wine and women has to be done in secret. This life is unbearable!" Cao Jian said, then leaned over again and silently handed over a paper bundle.

Qin Feng's gaze sharpened, and he couldn't help but smile: "You are blissfully unaware of your blessings! Be careful, your father might hear and beat you up. Come, drink!"

"Drink!" Cao Jian clinked a cup and said lowly, "I won't say more, or else when I get back my old man will really beat me."

Cao Jian retreated behind Cao Dexing, sitting upright.

Qin Feng covered it with his sleeve, slowly unfolded the paper bundle, which bore two lines of text: "Lianyun Stronghold enters the city to the Lu Residence; the ruffians close in on Qin Old Manor."

His pupils contracted.

People coming from Lianyun Stronghold was one thing, but not too unexpected.

But to approach Qin Old Manor?

"Seeking death!"

Qin Feng's eyes narrowed to a slit.

Qin Old Manor is the ancestral manor belonging to the Qin Family.

The Qin Family rose to prominence from there.

The ruffians heading there, it goes without saying, are most likely there to destroy the manor.

"How does the Cao Family know? And why would they sell me this? The earlier lead that uncovered the Lu Family's affairs—could that also have been the Cao Family?"

Qin Feng's doubts multiplied.

He glanced at Cao Dexing and sensed ill intent from him.

"Drive the wolf, devour the tiger!" Qin Feng flashed a hint of enlightenment.

He pretended to be unwell, bowed his hands around, and walked out.

He found Qin Kai, gave a command, and returned to the living room.

Watching Zhou Yicheng radiate authority, watching Zhou Yunhai poised and refined, watching cups clink and praises flow, watching them discuss everything under heaven, watching Zhou Yunhai complete the ceremonial crown…

Qin Feng felt an inexplicable sense of alienation.

After a dance ended, the cups and plates lay in disarray.

The night was waning, and the moon shone at midnight.

The guests gradually left the venue.

Qin Feng pretended to be drunk, staggered, and was grimly helped away by a servant.

Inside the carriage was spacious; Xiao Qing had already warmed the sobering broth, scooped a ladle and brought it to his lips. At that moment, a knock on the carriage window sounded, and Qin Kai's voice came: "Master, Ma Chao personally went to Qin Old Manor, rushed back, and indeed there were strangers hidden there, all martial artists, without causing a stir. The Lu Family indeed had several members staying, personally received by Lu Kui."

"Send word to Ma Chao, have him make another arduous trip and lead men to annihilate them." Qin Feng sat upright, gave the order, then took the sobering broth and drank it down, "Which route does the Lu Family take?"

"They take Dexin Street, then normally Qingfeng Street, cross Qinghe Bridge, go along Shifang Street, and then arrive." Qin Kai replied swiftly.

"Good. You all return home normally; if I cannot return in time, have someone pretend I'm drunk and carry me straight to the bedroom." Qin Feng seized the Flowing Cloud Sword, lifted the carriage curtain to glance, and as the street corner turned, he leapt out.

"Lord…" Xiao Qing called softly, but it was already too late to persuade.

On the other side.

Lu Kui and his son rode on horseback, followed by more than ten guards, moving slowly.

"What a sharp‑tongued brat." Lu Kui, hearing his son speak of the clash with Qin Feng, snorted coldly, "Let him have a little edge now; when tomorrow's plan is executed, we'll completely bury the Qin Family."

"Father, will the plan truly work? Even if we destroy Qin Old Manor, he probably won't leave Qin Mansion." Lu Yi said.

"If they don't leave, we strike hard." Lu Kui flashed a ruthless look, "The head and second head of Lianyun Stronghold have already arrived; in a couple of days, the Bai Family will also send men, and then they'll overwhelm the Qin Family. Hmph, if it weren't for Zhou Yicheng's inadvertent favoritism toward the Qin Family, they wouldn't have survived this long. Up to now they haven't made a major move, which is giving Zhou Yicheng face; if he still meddles in the family feud, that would break the rules."

"Father, I've never understood, we have no grudge against the Qin Family, why must we annihilate them? Could it be that Qin Wenshan was killed by you?" Lu Yi asked.

"If I, as father, had the power to kill Qin Wenshan, I wouldn't be pressed down by the three families. The grievances here you need not know for now." Lu Yi sneered again, "The Qin Family is courting death. Even if we don't act, the Qin Family will inevitably be destroyed."

Suddenly, under the moonlight, silver rays flickered, and sword qi fell like rain.

In the blink of an eye, the guards behind him all clamped their throats.

"Why must my Qin Family be destroyed?"

Having already caught up, Qin Feng sprang forward, then spoke softly.

(End of Chapter)