Chapter Thirty-Three: The Genius Shuang'er

After Qin Feiyang left, everyone fell silent, their faces dark and grim—none more so than the Lin Family Patriarch and Lin Baili. Before arriving, they had brimmed with confidence, never expecting things would end up like this. Not only had they failed to eliminate Qin Feiyang, but every one of their Lin Family’s One-Star Martial Masters had been lost. Such a devastating loss was unprecedented for the Lin Family.

Suddenly, Lin Baili turned to Luo Qianxue and demanded in a heavy voice, “Luo Qianxue, you owe me an explanation!”

Were it not for Luo Qianxue’s daughter being taken hostage, Qin Feiyang would have already been killed by the Third Hall Master, and the Lin Family’s martial masters would not have perished. Thus, he laid the blame squarely on Luo Qianxue’s shoulders.

But Luo Qianxue herself was fuming inside. At his words, she could not help but laugh in fury, turning to glare icily at Lin Baili and the Lin Family Patriarch.

“If not for your repeated pleas for help, would Qingzhu and I have come here? And now, Qingzhu has been taken by Qin Feiyang, her fate unknown, and I am to shoulder your complaints? Don’t you find that laughable? Lin Baili, just because you hail from the Lin Family of Swallow City, don’t think we people of Iron Ox Town are bound to obey your every command. Let me tell you, you are not qualified to demand that! And you, Patriarch Lin, let me be clear: if anything happens to Qingzhu, I will not only kill Qin Feiyang, but your entire Lin Family will accompany her to the grave! Even the Lin Family of Swallow City will not escape responsibility!”

Her tone was sharp and overbearing, the very image of a heroic woman, drawing stares from all around.

Lin Baili and the Patriarch’s faces flushed with fury, eyes blazing with anger. The atmosphere grew tense and oppressive.

“All right, enough. I know everyone is upset—let’s all say a little less,” the Third Hall Master tried to smooth things over.

“Yes, let’s have a little mutual understanding,” the Martial Hall Master added quickly, seeing the situation grow dangerous. Otherwise, knowing Luo Qianxue’s temperament, she truly might have killed the two Lin men on the spot.

Lin Baili snorted, strode aside, picked up the severed arm lying there, and said, “Uncle Lin, take Xiao Hong with us. We’re leaving!”

The Patriarch asked, “What about Qin Feiyang?”

Lin Baili replied, “It’s pitch dark out, finding him would be harder than scaling the heavens. We’ll wait for daylight.”

The Third Hall Master said solemnly, “No need to wait for dawn. If I’m not mistaken, that pack of white wolves hails from Wolf Valley—Qin Feiyang must have headed there.”

“Wolf Valley?” Lin Baili frowned. He had just arrived in Iron Ox Town and knew nothing of Wolf Valley.

But the Patriarch understood. “Baili, you return and recover from your injuries. Wait for my news.”

“Bring me his head,” Lin Baili said coldly, murderous intent flashing in his eyes.

“I will,” the Patriarch nodded.

With a swish, Lin Baili turned and vanished into the darkness.

The Third Hall Master said, “Yinchuan, Liu Yun, you two should go back as well.” He feared a repeat of the earlier disaster. Having witnessed Qin Feiyang’s strength, Liu Yun and Yinchuan understood they would only be a burden if they went along, so they gave no complaint and hurried after Lin Baili.

The Zhao Family Patriarch turned to the girl at his side and instructed, “Shuang’er, you should return as well.”

The girl’s name was Zhao Shuang’er, the cherished granddaughter of the Zhao Family Patriarch, a fifteen-year-old beauty—tall and graceful, with jet-black hair fluttering in the breeze, and eyes clear as crystal. Normally, she obeyed her grandfather in everything, but this time, she shook her head in refusal.

“Shuang’er, be good, go home,” the patriarch said anxiously.

Zhao Shuang’er paid him no heed; she faced the Third Hall Master and the others, bowed, and said, “Uncles, my grandfather and I have urgent matters at home and will not accompany you to Wolf Valley.”

At once, the Third Hall Master and his companions looked to the grandfather and granddaughter.

“Shuang’er…” The patriarch frowned, about to speak.

But Zhao Shuang’er smiled and said, “Grandfather, let’s go home.” Without waiting for a response, she dragged him toward the exit of the lake.

“Cowards will never amount to anything,” the Lin Family Patriarch said with disdain, casting a cold glance at the pair. His eyes flashed with murderous intent as he suddenly struck Xiao Hong, the maid, on the head.

A pitiful scream rang out; Xiao Hong fell dead on the spot.

Zhao Shuang’er’s delicate brows knit faintly. She turned to the Lin Family Patriarch and said, “Uncle Lin, she was only used by Qin Feiyang. Was it really necessary to kill her?”

The patriarch barked, “The affairs of the Lin Family are none of your concern—not even your grandfather has a say, much less you, child. Now get lost!”

“My apologies for overstepping,” Zhao Shuang’er said politely, then left with her grandfather without another glance.

“Let’s go as well,” Luo Qianxue said.

With a whoosh, Luo Qianxue, the Lin Family Patriarch, the Third Hall Master, and the Martial Hall Master set off toward Wolf Valley.

Watching the four depart, the Zhao Family Patriarch wrenched his arm free, glaring at Zhao Shuang’er. “Shuang’er, you foolish girl! This was a golden chance to ingratiate ourselves with the great powers—why did you stop me?”

Zhao Shuang’er smiled mischievously, taking his arm once more. “Don’t be angry, Grandfather. I have my reasons.”

“What reasons?” he asked, puzzled.

“The gap is simply too vast. The Pill Hall, Martial Hall, Treasure Pavilion, the Lin Family—they all have powerful backers and need not fear Qin Feiyang, or even Qin Yuan. But our Zhao Family is only a minor clan in Iron Ox Town. Against a Battle Emperor like Qin Yuan, we stand no chance at all. So it’s best not to get involved, lest we bring disaster down on ourselves.”

Her words hit him like a bolt of clarity. Indeed! Even leaving Qin Yuan aside, Qin Feiyang alone was not someone the Zhao Family could oppose.

Zhao Shuang’er giggled. “Now, do you still blame me, Grandfather?”

“Of course not,” he replied, full of doting affection.

Suddenly, a cold smile crept onto his face. “All Iron Ox Town knows are the talents Lin Yiyi, Cao Lang, Liu Yun, and Yin Chuan. But little do they realize that my granddaughter is the true peerless prodigy!”

Zhao Shuang’er blushed and whispered, “Grandfather, keep your voice down.”

At that moment, a light chuckle sounded behind them. “How marvelous. Who would have thought that Iron Ox Town still had such a clever young woman?”

The voice was laced with surprise.

“Qin Feiyang!” The grandfather and granddaughter turned sharply to see two dark figures emerging from a dense thicket—it was Qin Feiyang and the Wolf King.

After leaving earlier, Qin Feiyang had indeed intended to go to Wolf Valley. But realizing the townsfolk were familiar with it and might pursue him there, he changed his mind, circled around, and had the other white wolves lie in wait behind the mountains to guard Luo Qianxue’s daughter. He and the Wolf King then slipped back quietly, hiding in the darkness.

As expected, Luo Qianxue and the others had gone to Wolf Valley. He now emerged only to see if there was any hope of saving Xiao Hong.

“White-Eye, go check her,” Qin Feiyang ordered.

The Wolf King darted over to the maid, while Qin Feiyang’s eyes flashed with cold light as he strode toward Zhao Shuang’er.

“Qin Feiyang, what are you doing?” the Zhao Family Patriarch cried, shielding Zhao Shuang’er behind him, on guard.

“Out of my way!” Qin Feiyang barked.

The old man’s face darkened, true energy surging in his hands.

But then Zhao Shuang’er reached out, gently pushed him aside, and faced Qin Feiyang directly, a swirl of true energy gathering in her right palm.

As Qin Feiyang approached, he lashed out with a punch.

Zhao Shuang’er responded with a palm strike.

With a bang, fist and palm collided. Qin Feiyang’s body trembled and he staggered back three steps, a trickle of blood at the corner of his mouth. Yet Zhao Shuang’er stood unmoved.

“Interesting,” Qin Feiyang wiped away the blood, a faint smile playing at his lips.

With a sudden burst, he unleashed the Thunderclap Killing Fist!

But this time, Zhao Shuang’er neither countered nor dodged, meeting his attack head-on. His fist stopped three inches from her cheek, the force ruffling her slightly disheveled hair.

Qin Feiyang frowned, “Why didn’t you fight back?”

“I am a Two-Star Martial Master, versed in mid-level martial skills. Altogether, I have the strength of four wild elephants. But your punch carried the force of five—what use would it be to fight back?” Zhao Shuang’er replied.

Qin Feiyang withdrew his fist and retreated three meters, studying Zhao Shuang’er carefully.

This girl was always so low-key, rarely even leaving her home. In Iron Ox Town, she was almost invisible, hardly noticed by anyone. Who would have thought her talent was so extraordinary? At only fifteen, she was already a Two-Star Martial Master, nearly on par with Lin Baili, who was a Three-Star Martial Master. With equal resources, she might even surpass Lin Baili!

“Qin Feiyang, our Zhao Family has no enmity with you. I beg you to show mercy,” the patriarch pleaded, fearing Qin Feiyang meant to nip Zhao Shuang’er’s talent in the bud.

Qin Feiyang shook his head with a wry smile. “Patriarch Zhao, relax. I may not be a good man, but I am a reasonable one. Since you did not pursue me further, I will not harm you. I only wished to test your granddaughter.”

The patriarch sighed in relief.

“But you two really are adept at hiding—deceiving everyone for more than ten years,” Qin Feiyang continued.

Zhao Shuang’er retorted, “Haven’t you also deceived everyone for five years?”

“Me?” Qin Feiyang was taken aback.

At that moment, the Wolf King returned and shook his head at Qin Feiyang.

“Damn it!” Qin Feiyang cursed. He hadn’t expected the Lin Family Patriarch to be so ruthless. With the maid dead, there was no witness left. In that case, he would go kill Lin Baili!

Murderous intent flashed in his eyes. He looked at Zhao Shuang’er, grinning. “Shall I tell you that I’ve only been cultivating for six days?”

“White-Eye, take Luo Qianxue’s daughter to the mountain where I healed before and wait for me there. Once I’ve killed Lin Baili, I’ll come find you!”

With that, Qin Feiyang launched into the Misty Step and sped toward the exit. The Wolf King immediately turned and melted into the night.

The Zhao Family Patriarch and Zhao Shuang’er exchanged glances.

Only six days of cultivation? Could that be true?