Chapter 386: Black Ear's Web

Under the moonlight, Cheng Feng's mansion was like an impregnable fortress,

yet outside the mansion, the winds and clouds were shifting, treacherous and unpredictable.

Cheng Feng sat calmly in his study, his expression composed and at ease, as if all the clamor and disturbance outside the mansion could not affect him in the slightest.

In his heart, only those who survived after the war had ended

were qualified to express opinions on these current events.

Unfortunately, those who knew the news that the Red Lotus Sect army was about to arrive were very few.

And the initiative of this news had long been firmly grasped in Cheng Feng's hands.

In an inconspicuous corner outside the mansion, dark shadows flashed repeatedly; these were all members of the Black Ear of the Hong Sect.

After undergoing cruel selection, they were transferred outside the Cheng Mansion to become Cheng Feng's outermost secret guards.

Under the hazy moonlight, the eyes that followed Lin Xiong's carriage and hid in the shadows were all plucked out one by one by the Black Ear secret guards.

In the shadows, a figure in black covered a spy's mouth with one hand,

then, ignoring the spy's resistance, the blade in their hand was entwined with Blood Qi, their eyes cold and ruthless, their technique clean and swift.

Before slitting the throat, they wrapped the opponent's robe around their neck.

Blood flowed out continuously, without splashing.

By the reflection of the moonlight, this person was none other than He Wu, whom Cheng Feng had arranged to train in the Hong Sect.

This former foot soldier, who had charged into battle while defending against the Southern Barbarians, had now become a "Black Ear" arranged by the Hong Sect outside Cheng Feng's mansion.

His past was also full of hardships.

Having escaped death from the smoke of the battlefield, he and his mother had become refugees fleeing disaster,

and were eventually taken in by Cheng Feng to become servants and laborers in the mansion.

He Wu never forgot his origins, nor had he become slack because of the temporary stability of the present.

He took advantage of the opportunity given by Cheng Feng and resolutely threw himself into the assessment and training of the Hong Sect disciples, relying on his tenacious will and outstanding skills to forge ahead.

Once, he was only slightly stronger than those Ordinary people who only knew some fisticuffs,

but he was not satisfied; instead, during that cruel three-month assessment of the Hong Sect,

he strove to be the first in everything and won the top spot among the servants of Cheng Mansion.

You must know, at that time, Cheng Feng had intended to cultivate a group of experts Proficient in Martial Dao,

to be used to protect the mansion. That group of guards and laborers was naturally pinned with high hopes by Cheng Feng.

Resources, cultivation, and procedures were all provided,

what was lacking was only letting the real gold shine.

Cheng Feng's appreciation for He Wu stemmed not only from his skills and past performance, but also from his valuing of that unyielding spirit and steady temperament.

Therefore, Cheng Feng had been secretly paying attention to He Wu, hoping he could have even more outstanding performance.

He Wu's outstanding performance made Cheng Feng nod repeatedly. However, He Wu made a request to Cheng Feng: "Master, I want to go to the Black Ear."

Cheng Feng asked curiously: "Oh? There are still vacancies for reserve high-level positions in the Hong Sect.

You don't want to be a glorious Hong Sect expert and bring honor to your ancestors?"

At that time, He Wu was only in the Skin Refining Realm, yet he said to Cheng Feng with a serious face: "Master, He Wu was taken in by you during my time of destitution, so I should naturally repay your kindness.

But the high-level position of the Hong Sect is not what He Wu pursues.

For the sake of your safety, Master, He Wu wants to go to the Black Ear, to fight on the front line, to gather intelligence,

and to do something meaningful for the Hong Sect and for you, Master. Being a high-level official is not my wish."

Cheng Feng gazed at He Wu, his heart full of emotion.

This young man's firm gaze moved him.

Looking at He Wu's expression, one knew that what he said came from his heart.

And this vision and breadth of mind could not help but make one sigh.

With a servant like this, how could Cheng Feng not grant his wish?

"He Wu, I am very gratified that you have this intention. But the path of the Black Ear is fraught with crises; you must consider it carefully," Cheng Feng said solemnly.

He Wu straightened his back and bowed: "Master, He Wu has already made up his mind; I will not shirk even at the cost of my life!"

Cheng Feng nodded slightly, a flash of appreciation in his eyes: "Good, since your mind is made up, then go.

But remember, caution is paramount in all things; only by keeping your life can you better repay my kindness and do things."

He Wu responded heavily and thus embarked on the path of the Black Ear.

The path of intelligence is about seeking stability within stability.

Within the Black Ear, He Wu relied on his own abilities and that ruthless drive to quickly stand out.

He obtained one important piece of intelligence after another, secretly resolving many potential crises for Cheng Feng and the Hong Sect.

However, He Wu's outstanding performance also attracted the attention of hostile forces.

They sent assassins, attempting to get rid of this thorn in their side, He Wu.

During a dangerous intelligence-gathering mission, He Wu encountered an enemy ambush.

The opposing side was numerous and all were experts. He Wu was trapped in a heavy siege and suffered multiple wounds, but he never gave up.

Just as He Wu's physical strength was gradually failing, Cheng Feng led Hong Sect experts to arrive in time.

"He Wu, today I will definitely not let anything happen to you!" Cheng Feng roared, engaging in a fierce battle with the enemies.

In the end, the enemies were repelled, and He Wu was saved.

He Wu looked at Cheng Feng, tears flickering in his eyes: "Master, He Wu is incompetent and has let you risk yourself."

Cheng Feng patted his shoulder: "What nonsense are you talking about? You did very well; you are the pride of me, Cheng Feng!"

After this battle, the friendship between He Wu and Cheng Feng became even deeper.

He Wu's status within Black Ear also became increasingly secure, as he established even more illustrious merits for Cheng Feng and the Hong Sect.

Even after Cheng Feng later retired from public view, He Wu's loyalty to Cheng Feng remained undiminished,

and he prepared to withdraw from the Hong Sect, asking only to be an ordinary servant in the Cheng Mansion.

Fortunately, Cheng Feng stepped in privately to explain things, which finally made He Wu abandon that idea.

And now, He Wu is not only a secret guard protecting the Cheng Mansion, but also handles the collection of information for Black Ear around the Cheng Mansion. Holding multiple posts, his responsibilities are heavy.

Cheng Feng actually wanted to say that he had the Eight Hundred, Cheng Yi, and the Mechanical Dog, so there was no need to arrange so many people for these night shifts.

However, he was met with strenuous opposition from Wang Hu and the others.

In the current Hong Sect, they could lose anyone, but they could not lose Cheng Feng.

Cheng Feng had no choice but to accept this good intention, and he was very satisfied in his heart with this test.

As the person behind the scenes, controlling the overall situation is what is most critical.

Those who dared to break away from his organization after he left certainly could not be kept.

Seeing that these subordinates were so sensible, Cheng Feng naturally went along with the flow.

And the development of Black Ear is naturally the most important of the Hong Sect's affairs.

Viewed from the perspective of a later arrival,

Cheng Feng naturally knows the importance of intelligence.

Unfortunately, the barrier between the aristocratic families of the Great Zhou and the world of ordinary people is too deep.

Cheng Feng can only obtain some ordinary life data.

But even so, it still allowed the development of Black Ear to spread throughout the entire Wofeng Prefecture.

One prefecture has four prefectural cities.

Lianshan Prefecture, Heimu Prefecture, Qingyun Prefecture, and Hongyu Prefecture all have eyes and ears of the Hong Sect.

One prefecture has four counties, and all sixteen county towns have disciples of the Hong Sect.

Both overt and covert,

hidden identities and public identities,

are all performing basic and important work.

That is, intelligence work.

This is also what Cheng Feng values.