Chapter Sixty: Hostility Toward Imperial Power

“Why won’t you let me go?” As he watched the city lord and others enter the mountains, Ling Yunfei withdrew his gaze, approached Qin Feiyang, and asked in a low voice.

“I’m doing this for your own good, so you don’t end up losing your life,” Qin Feiyang replied.

“Is it really that serious?” Ling Yunfei asked, startled and suspicious. He glanced at the Martial Hall Master and the Treasure Pavilion Master sitting nearby, then whispered, “Be honest with me, what exactly happened last night?”

“Don’t ask. Just know that I mean you no harm,” Qin Feiyang said with a faint smile.

Ling Yunfei frowned, but his expression soon relaxed, a slight smile creeping onto his face.

Indeed, the process is not important—the outcome matters. He had obtained a superior martial skill without doing anything; he should be content. If he insisted on probing further, it might only antagonize Qin Feiyang.

“Here,” Qin Feiyang handed him a bamboo slip.

Ling Yunfei reached out with both hands, as if accepting a royal decree, carefully taking the bamboo slip. His hands trembled with excitement. “I’ll make a copy for you as soon as possible.”

Qin Feiyang smiled mildly. “I don’t need it. Keep it for yourself.”

“Don’t want it?” Ling Yunfei was shocked. This was a superior martial skill, and he didn’t want it?

“Jiang Haotian, are you interested in joining my Martial Hall?” At that moment, the Martial Hall Master’s voice sounded behind them.

Ling Yunfei froze, turning to look at Qin Feiyang with envy.

But Qin Feiyang only wore a bitter smile. He turned to the Martial Hall Master and cupped his hands. “Thank you for your favor, senior, but I am used to a leisurely life. I fear I’m not suited for the Martial Hall.”

“You refuse?” Ling Yunfei was dumbfounded. What was this guy doing? The Martial Hall was recognized as the sacred ground of martial arts. Others dreamed of entering it, but it was nearly impossible. For the Martial Hall Master to personally extend an invitation—this was an unparalleled honor for any youth!

At this moment, Ling Yunfei wished he were Qin Feiyang. Yet Qin Feiyang actually refused? He wanted to ask, “Could you give that spot to me?”

The Martial Hall Master was also taken aback.

“I told you he wouldn’t accept, but you didn’t believe me. Now you’ve embarrassed yourself—serves you right!” The Treasure Pavilion Master gloated at the side.

“I don’t believe it. I can’t handle a brat still wet behind the ears?” The Martial Hall Master snorted coldly to himself, glared at the Treasure Pavilion Master, then looked at Qin Feiyang and smiled, “If you join the Martial Hall, I will immediately request a reserved spot in the Martial King Hall in Yan City for you.”

“What?” “A reserved spot?” The Treasure Pavilion Master and Ling Yunfei were stunned.

The Martial King Hall was of an even higher rank than the Martial Hall. Within all of Yan Prefecture, Martial Halls were countless and found in every town. But the Martial King Hall—there were only two: one in Yan City, the other in Star Moon City. Anyone admitted to the Martial King Hall was a genius among geniuses. The Martial King Hall’s recruitment was famously strict. Even Martial Hall disciples had to pass layer upon layer of tests to enter. But with a reserved spot, entry was assured when the time came.

If it had been someone else, they would have been overjoyed. But little did they know, back in Iron Bull Town, the Third Hall Master and Martial Hall Master had offered the same condition. Qin Feiyang wasn’t interested at all. In fact, he felt a strong hostility toward it.

For whether it was the Martial Hall or the Pill Hall, both were controlled by imperial power, and Qin Feiyang deeply resented the empire’s authority.

Qin Feiyang cupped his hands. “I’m sorry, senior.”

“Still refusing?”

Ling Yunfei’s disbelief reached its peak. Was this lunatic’s head alright?

The two giants exchanged glances.

The Martial Hall Master frowned. “Is it because of the Pill Hall that you won’t join the Martial Hall?”

“Shen, you old dog! You dare poach from me? I won’t let you get away with it today!” Suddenly, an angry shout rang out.

Immediately, a white figure swept out from the city—a white-robed elder who had previously tested Qin Feiyang’s spiritual strength in the Pill Hall. Racing onto the platform, he said nothing, just rolled up his sleeves and charged at the Martial Hall Master, clearly ready for a fight.

The Martial Hall Master frowned.

“What a hot-tempered old fellow,” the Treasure Pavilion Master muttered, quickly got up, blocked the white-robed elder, and soothed him, “Old Feng, you’re overdoing it. Besides, at your age, you shouldn’t get so agitated. Calm down—let’s talk.”

“What is there to talk about?” Old Feng barked. “He knows full well that Jiang Haotian is wanted by my Pill Hall, yet he still tries to interfere. Isn’t that excessive?”

“Shen, you old dog, do you know no shame?”

He unleashed a torrent of scolding.

“Old Feng, Jiang Haotian has evaded the Pill Hall for a month. Clearly, he doesn’t want to go. Why force him? Besides, your Pill Hall is full of talent. Why fight me for this one?”

The Martial Hall Master retorted, his temper rising.

“Fight you for him? How ridiculous! Who gave you the nerve to be so shameless? Do you even understand first come, first served? Let me tell you, Shen, as long as I’m here, you won’t succeed. Jiang Haotian belongs to my Pill Hall!”

Old Feng shouted angrily.

The Treasure Pavilion Master was puzzled. “Old Feng, Jiang Haotian can’t even refine pills. Why do you want him?”

“Exactly! The Pill Hall is for alchemy. Sending him there would be a waste of his talent,” the Martial Hall Master wondered.

“Nonsense! Sending him to Martial Hall, now that’s a waste!” Old Feng sneered.

Seeing his unreasonable attitude, the Martial Hall Master grew angry. “If you won’t be reasonable, don’t make me get rough!”

Old Feng scoffed. “Try it if you dare! If you lay a hand on me, I’ll ban your Martial Hall. From now on, Black Bear City’s Martial Hall will never get a single pill from my Pill Hall!”

“Outrageous! Don’t push me too far!” The Martial Hall Master sprang to his feet, his hair bristling with rage.

“Please, seniors, don’t argue. Whether it’s Pill Hall or Martial Hall, I won’t join either.” Seeing the two about to come to blows, Qin Feiyang’s voice suddenly reached their ears.

Both paused, turned to Qin Feiyang, and asked, “Why?”

Ling Yunfei and the Treasure Pavilion Master also looked at him in confusion. They couldn’t understand why he would refuse both powerful factions. What did he want?

Qin Feiyang sighed. “I have my reasons. Please forgive me.”

The group exchanged glances, not knowing what to say.

Qin Feiyang turned away, walked to the base of the city wall, leaned back against it, and lowered his head in silence.

Ling Yunfei came over, patted his shoulder, and smiled, “If you ever want to talk, I’m willing to listen.”

“Thank you.” Qin Feiyang looked at him gratefully, but some things could only be buried in the heart.

Roar!

Howl!

Screech!

Suddenly, a chorus of deafening beast cries erupted from within the mountains, shaking the earth and echoing in all directions!

There were savage beasts roaring, ferocious birds shrieking. Some sounds came from the outskirts of the mountains, others from the remote depths.

Qin Feiyang lifted his head abruptly, his eyes flashing as he stared at Black Bear Mountain, murmuring to himself, “Is the beast tide beginning?”

“What’s happening?” Ling Yunfei and the Martial Hall Master and the others looked at Black Bear Mountain in astonishment.

The people inside the city, hearing the commotion, surged out toward the city gates.

“Let’s go see!” The white-robed elder stepped out and sped toward Black Bear Mountain.

The two giants exchanged glances and quickly followed.

Soon, the three returned, their faces dark as water.

Seeing this, Qin Feiyang and Ling Yunfei approached.

Ling Yunfei asked, “Sirs, what happened?”

“Beast tide!” The white-robed elder struggled to utter the words.

“What?” “A beast tide?”

“I’ve lived most of my life in Black Bear Mountain, but there has never been a beast tide. Why today?”

“There must be a reason!”

“But all those young people are still hunting in Black Bear Mountain. What should we do now?”

By now, many had gathered outside the city. Hearing the words “beast tide,” an uproar erupted.

“Everyone, do not panic. The beasts show no sign of leaving Black Bear Mountain. For safety, please return to the city at once. The Martial Hall will send all disciples to protect everyone to the utmost,” the Martial Hall Master shouted.

Before his words finished, the crowd outside surged back into the city.

“Old Pei, Old Feng, stay here. I’ll go make arrangements,” the Martial Hall Master said, then hurried into the city and disappeared.

“How could this happen?”

“We have always coexisted peacefully with the beasts of Black Bear Mountain. Why have they suddenly gone mad today?”

“City Lord, hurry! Those young people are the future pillars of Black Bear City—they must not die in Black Bear Mountain!”

Staring at Black Bear Mountain, the white-robed elder and the Treasure Pavilion Master were filled with worry.

All of Black Bear City entered a state of high alert.

“Beast tide…” Ling Yunfei muttered the words to himself.

Suddenly, as if struck by a thought, he turned to Qin Feiyang and asked in a low voice, “Did you already know a beast tide would occur in Black Bear Mountain?”

Qin Feiyang nodded.

Ling Yunfei grabbed Qin Feiyang’s arm and hurried down from the platform.

The Treasure Pavilion Master and the others saw this, but paid no mind, thinking the two were merely frightened by the beast tide.

They found a deserted corner.

Ling Yunfei turned and glared at Qin Feiyang, furious. “Since you knew, why didn’t you warn the city lord? Do you realize how many people could die because of your silence?”

Qin Feiyang said, “Are you worried about your family?”

“I worry about everyone!”

“Jiang Haotian, when you killed Jiang Chuan and the others yesterday, I thought your cruelty had limits. But now I see I was naive.”

“You’ve lost all humanity. You’re unfit to be human.”

“With a friend like you, I, Ling Yunfei, am truly reaching above my station. I hope we never meet again.”

With disgust in his voice, Ling Yunfei turned and stormed away.

“I’ve lost all humanity…” “I’m unfit to be human…” Qin Feiyang couldn’t help but laugh—but it was a mocking laugh.

Five years ago, he had been much like Ling Yunfei. But after the calamity, and five years in Iron Bull Town, he had learned a bitter truth.

The world is not as beautiful as it seems. It is harsh; everywhere is filled with cruelty. Mercy and compassion only hasten one’s demise.

“You truly are too naive.”

“Because soon, those you worry about will once again cast you into the abyss.”

“All your hopes will eventually turn to nothing.”

Qin Feiyang watched Ling Yunfei’s retreating figure and murmured thoughtfully.