Chapter 223: The Liu Family

The government officials, finding nothing, burned the bandits' corpses and the entire main hall to the ground.

Fortunately, the Black Wind Stronghold was located far enough from the forest that there was no worry about the fire spreading to the woods.

As for the county soldiers blocking the perimeter, Cheng Feng had secretly gone to verify; there were only a few small soldiers, not the massive encirclement the County Lieutenant had claimed.

Cheng Feng felt relieved; if there had really been tracking experts lurking about, that would have worried him!

The County Lieutenant led his exhausted and varied-looking team on the return journey. The fire in the distant forest gradually died out, leaving only a few wisps of blue smoke, as if recounting the day's battle results and sacrifices.

On the road, silence became the main theme, occasionally broken by the neighing of horses or the light clashing of weapons, shattering the dull atmosphere. Cheng Feng rode on his horse, his gaze deep, calculating his next moves in his heart.

The team that came was mighty and grand, wiping out the Black Wind Stronghold.

The team that returned was halved, or even less than half.

Every family suffered significant losses, and most importantly, there were no major gains; the leaders sent by each family looked very grim.

Cheng Feng was joyful inside, but his expression remained calm.

The County Lieutenant relied entirely on military merit; this was a great victory, and he could hold his head high anywhere.

The Lin Family solved the main problem of their own grain route; although there were losses, it was acceptable.

Tieshan Martial Arts Hall had Zhang Hu leading the team, and his Blood Refining Perfection strength was enough to protect the disciples, not to mention he had the bond of fellow discipleship with Cheng Feng, and the Hong Sect and the martial arts hall disciples had looked out for each other on the surface.

Cheng Feng did not know about the other forces, nor did he care; in any case, none of those present had gained as much as he had.

Cheng Feng warned himself not to make a sound, to make a fortune in silence; staying steady was victory.

Returning to the county town, the various forces parted ways; the group that had been full of schemes to carve up the Black Wind Stronghold just like that returned to their old nests to lick their wounds.

The County Lieutenant went straight to the Fuya to report the battle situation in detail to the County Magistrate.

"What? Evil soldiers appeared?"

The County Lieutenant said sternly, "Yes, the evil soldiers were killed by my subordinates and the Hong Sect Leader, but the three leaders of the Black Wind Stronghold escaped."

Upon hearing this, the County Magistrate felt regret for not achieving total success, but he highly praised the heroic performance of Cheng Feng and the others, and promised to provide corresponding rewards and compensation.

After the County Lieutenant left, the County Magistrate's chubby, fleshy face sagged.

"Where on earth did that fellow Liu Dong escape to? Did he expose anything?"

The County Magistrate dared not delay, hurrying back to the Rear Courtyard of the Fuya to find his wife, Liu Shi.

He casually grabbed a maid and asked, "Where is the Madam now?"

The maid bowed first and said respectfully, "Replying to Master, the Madam is currently resting in the Liangting."

The County Magistrate found his target and immediately walked toward the Liangting. Upon entering, he saw the enchanting Liu Shi with a face like peach blossoms resting on a lounge chair, her breathing causing her chest to rise and fall in a way that made one linger.

"Madam, Madam, news has come from the Black Wind Stronghold."

Liu Shi, who was taking a nap, was just about to ask what was so urgent.

"The Black Wind Stronghold has been broken, Liu Dong has escaped, his whereabouts unknown, and County Lieutenant Li killed the evil soldiers during his battle with Liu Dong at the Black Wind Stronghold, even bringing their heads back to claim credit."

Hearing what her husband said next, Liu Shi's lazy sleepiness vanished completely.

"How is that possible? That blockhead County Lieutenant Li only broke through to the Bone Refining Realm not long ago; two evil soldiers were enough to deal with him. How could he be counter-killed by County Lieutenant Li?"

"It is said that Cheng Feng of the Hong Sect is also a Bone Refining Martial Artist, and Wang Tieshan had hidden the news. He followed along this time, and unexpectedly, it turned into this situation. Madam, what should we do now?" the County Magistrate said in a panic.

"With the appearance of evil soldiers, it must be reported to the provincial government immediately. Both the County Lieutenant and I must submit reports. That blockhead County Lieutenant Li must have already reported it. What should I do?"

Liu Shi regained her shrewdness at this moment: "You report it as normal. I will contact the Altar Master on my side to see what he says."

"We must not attract the Inspection Division, otherwise my time as County Magistrate will be at an end," the County Magistrate said even more anxiously.

"That shouldn't happen. Later, I will find an opportunity to test that Cheng Feng. If Cheng Feng meets the criteria, we will also have a great merit," Liu Shi said thoughtfully.

"Sigh, alright. Handle your side as quickly as possible and see if there are any twists and turns later."

The County Magistrate came in a hurry and left in a hurry.

The maid serving Liu Shi behind her stepped forward and said, "Madam, the Master has left. Are you going to rest or...?"

Liu Shi returned to her lazy appearance: "Nothing major, of course I am resting. You check on this Cheng Feng later; a suddenly appearing Bone Refining Martial Artist, it all feels too coincidental."

The maid said obediently, "Yes, Madam."

Cheng Feng returned home and took a good hot bath. The Black Wind Stronghold matter was settled, and Wang Hu would naturally keep an eye on the Hong Sect's compensation. Cheng Feng, this hands-off Shopkeeper, could finally rest well.

Cheng Feng walked out of the bathroom, the steaming vapor seemingly still clinging to his body, carrying a trace of imperceptible relaxation and comfort.

He walked to the window, letting the cool night breeze brush his face, taking away all his exhaustion.

The moonlight was like water, spilling into the empty courtyard, draping the quiet night in a layer of silver gauze.

The women in the residence all looked at Cheng Feng with flowing eyes, their gazes almost dripping with water.

Cheng Feng laughed and walked close to the women: "Are you all waiting for me? Tonight, I will give you a good lesson."

In Cheng Feng's main room, a new battle began on an extra-large bed.

As the saying goes, the silver vase suddenly shattered with a splash of water, and the iron cavalry charged out with the clanging of blades.

The withered bones on the road to the Black Wind Stronghold, the bloody scenes on the battlefield, the head of Liuding that had been exploded, the tragic sight of Wu Jiang's severed arm, and the murmurs of Liu Dong before his death,

After experiencing the fierce slaughter at the Black Wind Stronghold, Cheng Feng hadn't felt much at the time.

After returning home, these scenes flashed in Cheng Feng's mind from time to time, impacting his soul; back home, he desperately needed a gentle environment to comfort himself.

When Cheng Feng saw the women trembling with excitement because of his heroism, lying sprawled out, the murderous aura in his heart gradually dissipated, and his inner peace was slowly restored.

When everything settled, Cheng Feng realized with shock that he could actually throw himself into fierce battles without fear! This transformation was so obvious, as if he were a different person from the Ordinary self of the past.

The battle at the Black Wind Stronghold undoubtedly became an important lesson on Cheng Feng's path of growth. This experience also allowed Cheng Feng to adapt and integrate faster into this world of Great Zhou, which was full of variables and dangers.