Chapter Seventy-Four: A Night Visit to the Zhao Residence

After dinner, Liu Feng lay on his bed to rest. Time slipped by in silence.

Around ten o’clock at night, Liu Feng rose from bed, left the inn, and made his way to the Zhao family residence.

Arriving beneath the wall encircling the Zhao estate, he checked his surroundings to ensure no one was around, then vaulted effortlessly onto the wall. With a few swift, agile movements, he found himself before a grand and imposing building.

The place was brightly illuminated, the courtyard vast, with over a dozen guards patrolling the grounds. Liu Feng concealed himself in a shadowed spot atop the roof ridge, a patch of utter darkness where it was almost impossible to be seen.

At that moment, a voice drifted out from within the grand house: “Father, I heard from Steward Zhao that earlier today, someone named Liu Feng came searching for his parents, Liu Yuming and Zhao Jing. Do we have these two people in our household?”

“Very few in our family know about this matter,” another voice replied. “But since you asked, you mustn’t breathe a word to anyone. Zhao Jing and Liu Yuming are indeed here, and Zhao Jing is actually your own aunt.”

“Then why did Steward Zhao instruct the guards to tell Liu Feng that those two people don’t exist? Are they of some importance to our family?”

“Not long ago, your second uncle caught wind of some news. Liu Yuming was once a disciple of a great sect. During his travels, he acquired a peerless martial art, which led to him being hunted down. He suffered grievous injuries and was left crippled, his cultivation destroyed.”

“So, they’ve been placed under house arrest by Second Uncle?”

Listening intently above, Liu Feng’s rage flared—so his parents had indeed been confined by them.

He strained to hear more of their conversation, but the voices soon dropped to hushed tones, and he could no longer make out their words.

“What should I do? Should I demand the Zhao family hand them over directly, or should I investigate further, quietly and carefully?” Liu Feng’s mind raced with possibilities.

In the end, he decided to proceed cautiously and investigate the situation. Since the Zhao family had some use for his parents, they were unlikely to harm them—for now.

With that thought, Liu Feng leapt away, landing in the distance, then took another swift bound and soon left the Zhao estate behind.

He returned to the inn and lay down on his bed.

The next day.

Liu Feng resolved to find a way to infiltrate the Zhao household and search for news of his parents from within.

He approached the Zhao residence and hid beneath a large tree nearby, watching the entrance.

The Zhao family estate was bustling with activity. People came and went; some were guards, others finely dressed young men and women. Their faces beamed with joy, suggesting a celebration was underway.

Liu Feng stepped out and intercepted a well-dressed young man, pulling him aside.

The man was startled and asked in confusion, “What’s wrong with you? Why are you stopping me?”

Liu Feng drew a gold ingot from his sleeve and handed it over. “Brother, do you know why the Zhao family is so lively today?”

Upon receiving the gold, the man’s demeanor transformed. He grinned and replied, “You don’t know, do you? Today, the second son of Master Zhao’s third brother is marrying the niece of the city lord of Wang City. Many important people have come to offer their congratulations.”

A glint flashed in Liu Feng’s eyes as he thanked the man, “Thank you for the information, brother. Farewell.”

He slipped away to a secluded spot and activated the golden radiance of his flawless golden body—a minor ability known as the “Art of Disguise.” His facial bones shifted subtly, altering his appearance: his once delicate features became more resolute and striking, making him look about eighteen or nineteen years old.

He then made his way back to the Zhao family gate.

Two guards stopped him. “Today is the second son’s wedding. What business brings you here?”

Liu Feng smiled calmly. “I’ve come to offer my congratulations to the groom.” As he spoke, he handed each guard a gold ingot.

Their faces lit up as they accepted the gold. “Ah, so you’ve come to celebrate with the second young master. Please, go right in.”

Liu Feng entered through the main gate, blending in with the crowd as they made their way to the grand courtyard where the wedding was to be held.

Meanwhile, in a spacious courtyard, three men sat together, flanked by forty identically dressed guards standing watch.

A ruddy-faced man in his fifties spoke, “Brother Zhao Tu, I hear your second son has already broken through to the Yin-Yang Realm and become a true disciple of the Kai Shan Sect. That’s truly remarkable.”

A man of similar age replied with a modest smile, “Oh, it’s nothing. I hear both your son and daughter are Yin-Yang Realm experts. My son can’t compare.”

“Brother, let’s set those compliments aside. Your son is about to be wed; you should preside over the ceremony.”

“City Lord, would you do me the honor of joining me to host the wedding?”

“Of course, Brother Zhao, let’s proceed.”

It turned out the men speaking were Wang Rui, the lord of South State City, and Zhao Tu, the head of the Zhao family.

The three walked together toward the grand hall, now fully prepared for the wedding rites.

“The auspicious hour has arrived!” With this announcement, the bride and groom entered, accompanied by attendants. Their parents took their seats of honor.

“First bow to Heaven and Earth!” The bride and groom knelt, ready to bow.

“Wait!” Suddenly, a discordant voice rang out from outside. A young man strode in quickly.

The groom, Zhao Hong, immediately scowled, a sense of humiliation rising within him. He stepped out of the hall and glared at the newcomer. “Zhang Wenbin, this is my wedding day. What are you doing here?”

Zhang Wenbin’s face was also clouded with anger. “Wang Yue and I share a deep bond, but you’ve stolen her away from me. I can’t swallow this humiliation. I’m here today to take Wang Yue with me.”

Zhao Hong’s father, Zhao Heng, stepped forward, his voice cold. “Young man, don’t go too far, or you’ll pay a price you can’t afford.” As he spoke, he reached out to seize Zhang Wenbin.

“Zhao Heng, don’t bully the young just because you’re older! Let me, Zhang Jiayang, face you!” As the voice sounded, its owner arrived, meeting Zhao Heng’s palm with his own.

A surge of violent force erupted, forcing everyone in the courtyard to retreat, while the ground cracked beneath their feet.

Zhao Heng glared at his opponent. “Zhang Jiayang, are you here to cause trouble?”

Zhang Jiayang gave a cold laugh. “Cause trouble? I’m here to demand justice for my son.”

At this point, City Lord Wang Rui could no longer stand by. He approached his niece, Wang Yue. “What’s going on? How did you get involved with the Zhang family? And which one do you truly love?”

The bride, Wang Yue, stammered, “They’re both outstanding. I find it hard to choose between them. If it weren’t for Uncle’s decision, I still wouldn’t know whom to choose.”