Chapter 83: Conspiracy

When Liu Feng heard this familiar voice, his own voice trembled with excitement. “Father, I’ve finally found you,” he said.

The man paused for a moment, then, filled with emotion, replied, “Xiao Feng, how did you end up here?”

“Xiao Feng, my child, I’m finally able to see you again.” The sound of Liu Feng’s mother echoed, full of warmth.

Liu Feng had already dispelled his disguise, returning to his true appearance. He strode swiftly down the steps, and inside a spacious room, he found his parents, their faces radiant with joy as they looked at him.

His parents hadn’t suffered abuse at the hands of the Zhao family; they were simply confined, their freedom restricted.

Liu Feng hurried to them, reaching out to embrace his parents.

Liu Yu Ming’s face was filled with comfort and pride. He patted Liu Feng’s shoulder firmly, saying, “My child, you must have suffered much to find us.”

Liu Feng smiled gently. “Father, no matter how much hardship I endured, it was nothing if it meant seeing you again.”

Zhao Jing reached out to touch Liu Feng’s face, her voice heavy with emotion. “My child, you’ve grown thinner since we last saw you.”

Liu Feng couldn’t help but laugh at his mother’s words. “Mother, you must be mistaken—I don’t think I’ve lost any weight. In fact, I feel I’ve put some on.”

Suddenly, Liu Yu Ming said, “This isn’t the place to talk. We should leave right away.”

Liu Feng nodded. This was indeed no place to linger.

The three quickly moved upward and soon exited the storage chamber.

Liu Feng led his parents, slipping quietly toward the Zhao family’s outer grounds, carefully avoiding the patrols. Soon, they were nearly out.

“Who are you?” A young man approached from outside the main gate, blocking their path.

“Xiao Fei, is that you?” Zhao Jing called out to the young man.

“You are… Sister Jing?” the young man asked uncertainly.

“Yes, it’s me. Xiao Fei, it’s been over ten years since we last saw each other—you were just a teenager then. You’ve changed so much since those days,” Zhao Jing said, delight lighting her face.

The young man, hearing Zhao Jing’s confirmation, quickly ran over and grasped her hand, his face breaking into a broad smile.

Zhao Jing held his hand, pointing to Liu Yu Ming and Liu Feng. “This is your brother-in-law, Liu Yu Ming, and your nephew, Liu Feng.”

The young man released Zhao Jing’s hand, stepped before the two, and scrutinized them carefully, smiling. “Brother-in-law, Xiao Feng, this is my first time meeting you both.”

Liu Yu Ming smiled softly. “It seems you must be the Lin Fei little brother Jing Jing often mentioned.”

Liu Feng looked at the young man. “Uncle, Mother truly missed you. She often said that among the Zhao family, you two were closest.”

The young man, Zhao Lin Fei, suddenly asked, “It’s so late—where are you all headed?”

Zhao Jing’s expression changed slightly. “Second Brother invited us here, saying he wanted us as guests. But once we arrived, he locked us up, claiming that your brother-in-law possessed a martial arts manual of extraordinary power and that he shouldn’t keep it to himself, insisting he share it with the family. After all, your brother-in-law is considered part of the Zhao clan.”

The young man, Zhao Lin Fei, furrowed his brow in anger. “How could Second Brother do that? Even if brother-in-law has such a manual, whether he chooses to share it or not should be his own decision. How could he be forced?”

Zhao Jing said, “If only there were a manual. But Yu Ming truly has no martial arts secrets. We explained everything to Second Brother, but he wouldn’t believe us, locking us in the storage room for over three months. Only today did Xiao Feng rescue us.”

Zhao Lin Fei declared, “Sister, brother-in-law, come with me. I’ll speak to Second Brother right now and demand he apologize. With me here, he won’t dare harm you.”

“This…” Liu Yu Ming hesitated.

Zhao Lin Fei saw his concern and quickly reassured him. “Brother-in-law, there’s no need to worry. I’ve always been closest to my sister since childhood. I won’t let any harm come to you.”

With that, he took Liu Yu Ming and Zhao Jing by the hand and led them toward Zhao Gao Feng’s residence.

They wound through various courtyards, and after half an hour, arrived at Zhao Gao Feng’s abode.

Zhao Lin Fei said, “Wait here; I’ll bring Second Brother out.”

He pushed open the doors and proceeded toward Zhao Gao Feng’s bedroom.

Liu Feng and his parents waited outside the courtyard, unease etched on their faces.

After about fifteen minutes, Zhao Lin Fei and Zhao Gao Feng emerged from the courtyard.

Zhao Gao Feng glanced at the three, a flash of cunning in his eyes that vanished quickly. He approached with a beaming smile.

“Xiao Jing, Yu Ming, I sincerely apologize. It was my misguided zeal to develop the Zhao family that led me astray. I believed rumors and invited you here, then pressured Yu Ming to hand over the legendary martial arts manual. Ultimately, I even locked you up. Can you forgive me for this mistake?” Zhao Gao Feng’s face was full of remorse.

Zhao Jing and Liu Yu Ming exchanged uncertain glances.

After a moment, Liu Yu Ming spoke. “Second Brother, this was a plot spread by ill-intentioned people. You were deceived. Don’t worry—we won’t hold it against you.”

Zhao Jing nodded, addressing Zhao Gao Feng. “Let’s leave this matter behind today, Second Brother. No one should mention it again.”

Zhao Gao Feng’s gaze flickered. “Yu Ming, since you’re willing to forgive me, I can be at ease. To express my apology, I’ve decided to host a grand banquet tomorrow morning in the council hall, where I’ll formally apologize to you before everyone.”

Zhao Jing frowned slightly. “Second Brother, there’s no need for a formal banquet and apology.”

Zhao Gao Feng’s face darkened. “Sister, if you refuse, it means you haven’t truly forgiven me.”

Liu Yu Ming hurriedly said, “Jing Jing, since Second Brother is sincere, let’s accept his request.”

Zhao Jing nodded. “If you insist, Second Brother, we’ll attend the banquet tomorrow.”

Zhao Gao Feng’s face brightened. “Good, I’ll await your arrival tomorrow.” He then turned to Liu Feng. “You must be Yu Ming’s son. You have the air of a young hero. Come along with your parents tomorrow.”

Liu Feng replied, “Thank you, Second Uncle, for your praise. I’ll certainly attend.”

Zhao Gao Feng then addressed Zhao Lin Fei. “Xiao Fei, please take care of Yu Ming and his family. I remember you’ve always been closest to Xiao Jing.”

Zhao Lin Fei replied, “Don’t worry, Second Brother. I’ll make sure they’re well settled.”

Zhao Gao Feng nodded to them and turned back toward his residence. In his eyes, a flash of ruthless ambition appeared as he thought, “After tomorrow morning, my time to control the Zhao family will have arrived.”