Chapter Nineteen: The Treacherous Nature of the Human Heart

But he was a bit puzzled. Wasn’t this person supposed to be in the Martial Hall? How did the news reach him so quickly?

Cao Lang fixed his gaze on Qin Feiyang, his voice low and cold. “My father wouldn’t have told you these things. Did you torture him before he died?”

“Torture?” Qin Feiyang was taken aback, then shook his head. “I set fire to the Black Demon Fortress myself, and I killed the others as well, but your father’s death has nothing to do with me. This can prove it.”

With that, he took out the jade pendant.

Cao Lang’s eyes widened in shock. “Why is it in your hand?”

Qin Feiyang tossed the pendant over. “Your father gave it to me before he died, asking me to pass it on to you.”

Cao Lang caught it, lowered his head, and stared at the jade pendant. A trace of grief flashed in his eyes.

After a while, he put the pendant away and looked at Qin Feiyang. “This pendant is a family heirloom. Though it’s not a treasure, it means a great deal to me. My father wouldn’t have given it away lightly. The fact that he gave it to you means his death truly had nothing to do with you.”

Qin Feiyang let out a sigh of relief.

Cao Lang bowed low, begging, “You must know how my father died. Please, you have to tell me.”

Qin Feiyang replied, “He was ambushed and killed by an old man in black.”

“An old man in black?” Cao Lang frowned. Suddenly, something occurred to him and he exclaimed, “Was this man a Martial Master?”

Qin Feiyang nodded.

“How could it be him?” Cao Lang shuddered, his face turning pale.

Qin Feiyang asked, “You know him?”

“Of course I do. His name is Xiang Wu, a one-star Martial Master. He joined the Black Demon Fortress three years ago. My father always regarded him as his best friend. But who would have thought he’d betray my father! He’s also the one who had Ma Hongmei’s disciple, Bao Chuan, go to the Martial Hall and tell me that you killed my father!”

Cao Lang’s fists clenched tightly, a chilling light flashing in his eyes.

Qin Feiyang’s gaze also grew murderous. Whether it was Xiang Wu or Ma Hongmei, both deserved to die!

Suddenly Cao Lang said, “Qin Feiyang, how about we join forces to kill Xiang Wu?”

“That’s exactly what I was thinking.” Qin Feiyang smiled.

The two of them were perfectly in accord.

Qin Feiyang hurried back to inform Uncle Yuan, then rushed off toward Iron Ox Town with Cao Lang.

On the way, they discussed their plan.

About half an hour later, they emerged from the forest and stood on a large boulder, gazing toward Iron Ox Town shrouded in night. A fierce, icy light flashed in their eyes.

“We’ll act according to the plan. By the way, do you have a weapon?” Cao Lang asked.

“I used to have a dagger, but I lost it,” Qin Feiyang replied with a smile.

After thinking for a moment, Cao Lang took a jet-black dagger from his storage pouch and handed it over. “This dagger is forged from the finest black iron. It can pierce the defenses of a two-star Martial Master. Use it to assassinate Xiang Wu.”

Qin Feiyang nodded and gripped the dagger.

Without another word, Cao Lang turned and ran toward the town.

“Is that jade pendant really just a family heirloom?” Qin Feiyang watched Cao Lang’s silhouette fade into the darkness, his gaze uncertain.

If Xiang Wu told him about the fire at Black Demon Fortress, he’d likely also mention the treasure Qin Feiyang had acquired there.

But from beginning to end, Cao Lang had never brought up the treasure—not even once. That was clearly unreasonable.

“It seems I need to be cautious.” Qin Feiyang glanced around, then slipped into the forest behind him.

Soon, he found a wild boar and dispatched it swiftly—not for food, but for its blood.

With a clang, he used the dagger to skin a patch of the boar’s hide. He quickly fashioned a blood bag from the hide and placed it against his chest.

Everything was ready.

Qin Feiyang returned to the boulder, hid his storage pouch under a small tree, then concealed himself in the wild grass, patiently waiting for Cao Lang to lure Xiang Wu over.

Time ticked by.

About half an hour later, the sound of hurried footsteps approached the boulder.

Qin Feiyang parted the grass and saw Cao Lang standing three meters away with Xiang Wu.

But there was no way to strike yet. Cao Lang had his back to Qin Feiyang, with Xiang Wu facing him. If Qin Feiyang appeared, he would enter Xiang Wu’s field of vision.

He had to wait for the right moment.

Xiang Wu asked, “Lang’er, what did you call me out here to say?”

“Shh!” Cao Lang made a silencing gesture, scanning the surroundings warily. He moved behind Xiang Wu, pretending to check for danger.

In truth, he was shifting their positions to give Qin Feiyang a perfect opportunity to attack.

Sure enough, Xiang Wu turned as well, watching Cao Lang suspiciously.

Now, Xiang Wu’s back was to Qin Feiyang.

Seeing that his goal was accomplished, Cao Lang dropped the act and faced Xiang Wu directly with a smile. “Uncle Xiang, I’ve already killed Qin Feiyang.”

“So soon?” Xiang Wu was surprised.

Cao Lang nodded.

Xiang Wu quickly asked, “Where’s the storage pouch? It holds the fortress’s accumulated wealth. It must not be lost.”

Cao Lang grinned. “It’s right here in my arms. It’s not going anywhere.”

A cold glint flashed in Xiang Wu’s eyes. He smiled. “Good. Let me check it to see if everything’s there.”

“Of course,” Cao Lang responded readily, taking out a storage pouch and handing it over with a bright smile.

No matter how talented you are, if you lack wits, you won’t live long. Once I have this pouch, I’ll send you to join your father.

Xiang Wu secretly sneered and reached for the pouch.

At that moment, Qin Feiyang sprang from the grass like lightning, dagger shimmering with cold light, and drove it forcefully into Xiang Wu’s back!

“Aaah—” Xiang Wu screamed in agony.

The smile instantly vanished from Cao Lang’s face, replaced by murderous intent. His left hand shot out, true energy surging, and landed a full-force palm strike on Xiang Wu’s chest!

Still reeling from the ambush, Xiang Wu was utterly bewildered as Cao Lang’s blow landed.

What was happening?

Qin Feiyang yanked out the dagger and kicked Xiang Wu hard.

With a crash, Xiang Wu went sprawling, face-first in the dirt.

“Old man, you never expected you’d die by my hand after all.” Qin Feiyang walked to stand beside Cao Lang and smiled coldly at Xiang Wu.

“How could it be you? Cao Lang, didn’t you say you’d already killed Qin Feiyang? How is he alive? And why are you attacking me?”

Xiang Wu was both furious and aghast.

“Because you deserve to die!” Cao Lang pocketed the storage pouch and stared at Xiang Wu with killing intent.

As soon as he finished speaking, a murderous gleam flashed in his eyes, and he suddenly struck Qin Feiyang’s chest with a palm, true energy erupting and sending Qin Feiyang flying into the grass.

At the same time, the black dagger fell from his hand, clattering against the boulder and sparking brightly.

Blood poured from his chest, drenching him in an instant, the metallic scent thick in the air.

“Aaah!” Qin Feiyang cried out in pain, propping himself up with effort. He glared at Cao Lang. “Why?”

“Though you didn’t kill my father with your own hands, if you hadn’t set fire to the Black Demon Fortress, he wouldn’t have died. In the end, it’s all your fault. So, like Xiang Wu, you must die!” Cao Lang replied with a sinister smile.

“You’re ruthless!” Hatred filled Qin Feiyang’s eyes. With that, he slumped over, his breath and heartbeat fading swiftly.

Seeing Qin Feiyang lying in a pool of blood, Xiang Wu shuddered and quickly said, “Lang’er, don’t believe Qin Feiyang’s nonsense. He’s trying to sow discord between us, to make us kill each other…”

“Qin Feiyang’s words are more trustworthy than yours,” Cao Lang spat. “You dared plot against my father—go to hell!”

With a roar, Cao Lang stomped on Xiang Wu’s head, crushing it with brutal force.

The scene was unspeakably gory.

“Not even death is enough for you to repay this blood debt… You’ll stay here, and when the wild beasts catch scent of blood, they’ll come and tear you to pieces… until not even bones remain!”

Cao Lang gave a cruel smile.

He tore off Xiang Wu’s storage pouch, then walked over to Qin Feiyang.

“Huh? Where’s his storage pouch? I clearly saw one tied to his waist on the way here… Maybe it fell somewhere. No matter, he probably didn’t have anything valuable. I need to hurry to the Black Demon Fortress—my father’s treasure must not fall into someone else’s hands.”

Muttering to himself, Cao Lang picked up the black dagger and quickly disappeared into the forest.

A dozen breaths later, Qin Feiyang’s eyes snapped open, two cold beams shooting out!

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