Chapter 185: Evil Begets Evil, Pei Qingfeng

After days and nights of labor, their skin had darkened considerably and grown rough, utterly concealing their former identities, now resembling nothing but old farmers.

On a nearby boulder sat a black-haired youth with a Foundation Establishment cultivation base.

He was originally from the branch family of Sishui City, now a disciple of the Kaiyang Line, named Jiang Beixuan.

At this moment, as the herb field guardian, he was closely watching the subtle movements of the Luofeng Sect members.

Because he deeply remembered his duty, he had not left this place even after the recent strange phenomena.

Suddenly, he noticed someone approaching.

Jiang Beixuan looked up and, seeing Gu Xingjian arrive with a child in hand, froze in surprise.

Why would Master Gu bring a child here? Could this person be his... illegitimate son?

Just as he was thinking this, Gu Xingjian casually threw Pei Qingfeng onto the ground.

Caught off guard, Pei Qingfeng lost all balance and landed squarely on his buttocks, crying out in pain!

At that moment, Gu Xingjian turned to Jiang Beixuan and briefly described what had just happened.

After finishing, he immediately turned and left, eager to return and solidify the perfected Sword Intent he had just mastered.

Once Gu Xingjian was completely gone, Jiang Beixuan turned to look at Pei Qingfeng, his expression full of astonishment.

He had never imagined that the astonishing phenomenon moments ago had been triggered by this little brat.

After his surprise, remembering that this boy had once claimed he would destroy the sect, he let out a cold laugh, then ignored Pei Qingfeng's resistance and dragged him before Hu Long and the others.

"Chief Hu, I've brought you a helper—take good care of our esteemed Lord Pei from now on..."

No sooner had he finished speaking than Jiang Beixuan left, returning to the boulder to observe their reactions.

In an instant, only the Luofeng Sect members and Pei Qingfeng remained.

Hu Long and the Elders exchanged glances.

As seasoned veterans, they could easily sense the hidden meaning behind the words.

Wasn't this essentially instructing them to teach this brat a lesson?

At this moment, Pei Qingfeng remained completely unaware of the seriousness of the situation.

He crossed his arms, lifted his chin, and stared at the Luofeng Sect members with undisguised contempt.

Though subdued by Jiang Daoxuan, that did not mean he would feel any reverence toward these lowly commoners!

Sensing Pei Qingfeng's disdain, Hu Long's eyes narrowed slightly, a flicker of murderous intent deep within.

He glanced at one of the Elders and sneered: "If he's going to work with us in the herb field, he can't go without tools—go fetch a hoe."

At once, an Elder hurriedly extended both hands and offered a Huang Jie hoe.

Hu Long took the hoe with casual indifference, then flung it at Pei Qingfeng's feet: "Pick it up."

Seeing this boy was a troublemaker, he immediately intended to make this newcomer understand who truly ruled this herb field.

Pei Qingfeng glanced at it coldly and sneered: "You want me to do this filth work like you lowly peasants? Ridiculous! Had I not lost my cultivation, you pitiful creatures wouldn't even dare speak a single word in my presence!"

At these words, Hu Long's eyes flickered—he immediately realized this boy had once been someone of great stature.

Thinking this, he slightly bowed and asked with deliberate tone: "May I ask your name?"

Seeing Hu Long's sudden deference, Pei Qingfeng snorted, rose from the ground, brushed off the dust, crossed his arms behind his back, and looked down at the Luofeng Sect members.

"Hmph! In former times, you weren't even worthy to know my name—but now, alas, even dragons stranded in shallow waters are mocked by shrimp. Very well, I shall grant you the honor of learning it."

"Listen well—I am Pei Qingfeng, Lord of the Dahe Jiangong!"

As his words faded.

Hu Long and the Elders exchanged glances, their eyes filled with shock.

They had never imagined this brat's origins were so formidable.

After all, Lord Pei Jian's name was famed throughout Tiandou Prefecture—even they had heard of him.

Yet such a powerful figure had ended up in the same fate as them?

What exactly had happened within the Jiang family during this time?

Hu Long first felt a chill of dread.

But remembering Jiang Beixuan's instructions, he snapped back to reality.

He looked at the haughty, overbearing Pei Qingfeng: "Lord Pei Jian, in former times, you were indeed someone we could never even dream of serving as slaves—but now, heh..."

Hu Long let out a cold laugh, then suddenly struck—slapping Pei Qingfeng's tender face with full force!

Though he had no cultivation, he was still an adult male in body—how could Pei Qingfeng, now reduced to a child, possibly match him?

One slap was enough to send Pei Qingfeng reeling, crying out in agony as he collapsed to the ground.

Immediately after, Hu Long pulled back his right hand and spat a thick glob of phlegm directly onto Pei Qingfeng's swollen cheek.

"But times have changed—you are no longer the mighty Moon Wheel cultivator you once were. You are now merely a common mortal, like us."

"Tsk tsk—I wondered if slapping a Moon Wheel cultivator would feel different from slapping a commoner. Now I've tried it—indeed it does! How utterly satisfying—ha ha!"

Hu Long burst into wild laughter.

Pei Qingfeng's arrival.

Had brought him much-needed amusement during these dull days, and become the perfect outlet for his frustrations!

Seeing this, the six Elders behind him all clenched their fists, their hearts burning with excitement.

Such an unattainable great figure now stood before them, helpless and at their mercy.

This was a prospect that stirred the soul beyond measure!

Noticing the fiery glances in their eyes, Pei Qingfeng trembled all over—he could no longer imagine what horrors awaited him.

Seeing the terror on Pei Qingfeng's face, Hu Long's smile widened.

Indeed, no matter how wretched one's own life, seeing someone even worse off instantly lifts one's spirits!

Then Hu Long suppressed his smile and turned to the Elders behind him: "We've worked hard enough today—time for a short rest. Let's hand these tools to our Lord Pei Jian—he can shoulder some of the burden for us. After all, the capable should bear more, don't you agree?"

All the elders laughed without any hesitation and immediately tossed a pile of miscellaneous tools at Pei Qingfeng.

Staring at the pile of tools before him, Pei Qingfeng clenched both hands, scooped up a fistful of dirt, and a boundless fury surged within him!!

He had never imagined that being humiliated by Jiang Daoxuan moments ago was not enough — now he was being humiliated by these lowly wretches he had never even deigned to look at!!

However, just as Pei Qingfeng was trembling all over with rage, his chest heaving, and fury churning within him.

Hu Long slowly bent down, suddenly reached out, spread his five fingers, and viciously grabbed Pei Qingfeng's hair, yanking it upward, forcibly lifting the head that had been pressed against the ground!

Aaaagh!!

Pei Qingfeng felt as though his scalp were about to be torn from his hair, an intense rending pain shooting through him!

The agony brought tears streaming down his face; he forced his eyes open, looked to the side, and just happened to meet the gaze of Hu Long, who had leaned in close — their eyes locking!

"Sword Marquis Pei, I, Hu Long, respect you as a senior, which is why I've been speaking to you properly. Don't fail to recognize what's good for you and force us to use our hands!"

Pei Qingfeng endured the pain, swallowed, and said in a trembling voice: "I... I'll do..."

At this point, he had completely faced the reality.

He was no longer the lofty Moon Wheel cultivator he once was, but merely a frail child.

Hearing the reply, Hu Long gave a slight nod, a look of satisfaction crossing his face.

His five fingers loosened, instantly releasing the strands of hair in his grip.

Immediately after, Pei Qingfeng's head slammed hard into the ground, his face smeared with dirt — a most sorry sight!

Seeing this, the onlookers burst into laughter.

The dignified Palace Master of Dahe Jiangong actually cutting such a sorry figure here — you wouldn't see this outside!

Listening to the mocking laughter around him, Pei Qingfeng's face showed grief and indignation, his heart seething with rage; he longed to slaughter every one of them and tear them into a thousand pieces!

But the weakness in his body made him understand that this would forever remain an impossible fantasy!

At this moment, boundless regret welled up within him.

Why had he left the comfortable Dahe Jiangong behind, only to come to Cangwu Mountain to die, suffering such an agony worse than death?!

If heaven could grant him one more chance to start over.

Pei Qingfeng swore he would never again set foot in this godforsaken Jiang family place!!

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PS: The main storyline of Pei Qingfeng is finally wrapped up. He'll still be dragged out for a spin now and then in the future, to help all you dear readers vent some frustration!

Wishing everyone a pleasant life!!