Chapter 162: No Takebacks
The two women knew they were in trouble. They hurriedly relaxed their bodies, but Xu Jingfeng had already lost interest. He got up to his feet, circled around the courtyard once, and eventually came to a stop inside his study. He picked up a celadon teacup he had once cherished and gave it a look.
There was a lingering fragrance in it.
He casually placed the teacup on the left side of the study desk. The two maidservants exchanged glances, their faces pale. They had only just remembered that Xu Jingfeng was accustomed to holding his tea with his left hand.
The desk hadn’t been wiped down yet, and the lacquered surface felt a little greasy. Xu Jingfeng ran his finger across the desk and brought it to his nose—it smelled of cosmetics.
With a flick of his sleeve, Xu Jingfeng sent the teacup crashing to the floor, shattering it into pieces. He then strode off.
Once outside the small courtyard, the young swordsman headed straight for the dungeon located in another estate. A raging fire of anger was burning within him, and he needed to vent it properly.
The guards on duty were all familiar faces. Some of them looked surprised upon seeing Xu Jingfeng, but they still treated him with respect. Xu Jingfeng grunted and selected two men to lead the way. Then, he entered the dungeon and headed straight for the high-security wing.
The dungeon was cold and damp, but the high-security wing was surprisingly neat and clean. There was even a small skylight that let in some sunlight. Having been here many times, Xu Jingfeng headed straight for the cells at the far end.
It was at this moment one of the prison guards leading the way blocked his path and said with a forced smile, “Now... is not a good time, my lord.”
“What? Is the slut gone already?”
“No, she’s still here. It’s just that now really isn’t a good time.”
The prison guard’s smile was respectful, but he refused to make way for Xu Jingfeng no matter what.
Just then, an unusual sound drifted faintly from the cell at the end of the corridor. Xu Jingfeng stared at the guard for a moment before slapping him across the face without warning!
The prison guard flew back a few zhang, facial bones shattering, and teeth flying out of his mouth. He lost consciousness on the spot.
Xu Jingfeng strode into the corridor, his heavy footsteps echoing through the passage. In the past, only he and Xu Zhiyuan had the authority to enter this section of the dungeon. It also served as a reception area whenever important figures from the Xu Clan visited.
But now, someone else had entered this place and laid a hand on his prized possession!
The corridor wasn’t long; it took Xu Jingfeng just a few steps to reach the cell door. Just then, the door swung open to reveal a strapping young man. He bore a striking resemblance to Xu Jingfeng, though his brow carried an added air of ruthlessness and decisiveness.
Xu Jingfeng’s face turned ugly beyond description. Looking past Xu Jingzhe[1], he could see a slender, fair-skinned figure inside. In the past, that figure had belonged almost exclusively to him. The bastard had no right to touch her!
Xu Jingzhe showed not a trace of panic. He calmly fastened his sash and smoothed out his clothes, saying, “You’ve returned rather early, Big Brother.”
Xu Jingzhe strode toward the exit after straightening out his clothes. For a moment, Xu Jingfeng was so intimidated that he subconsciously stepped aside to let him pass.
Xu Jingzhe sneered, “You really are useless, Big Brother. Go inside then. Try and recapture that feeling of being a superior. Starting tomorrow, this place is no longer for you.”
“So you’re the one behind all this!” Xu Jingfeng’s eyes blazed with fury.
“So what if I am? You’ve been out of the picture for only two weeks or so, and all your men have become mine. Everything you have failed to accomplish over the past few years, I’ve accomplished them as well! Do you know why I hadn’t sent anyone to kill you when I heard that you were coming back?”
Xu Jingfeng blurted out, “Why?”
“Because your return changes nothing. In fact, having a good-for-nothing like you around makes me look even more capable!”
Xu Jingfeng finally lost his composure and yelled, “Impossible! I am father’s favorite! He would never let you get away with this!”
“Father’s ‘favorite’ is power and wealth. He has so many sons and daughters. Whoever brings him the most power and wealth will naturally become his favorite. In this regard, I’m far superior to you,” Xu Jingzhe said mockingly.
“Impossible!!”
“I’m leaving first. You take your time.” Xu Jingzhe patted his older brother on the shoulder before adding, “Oh, I almost forgot to tell you—that courtyard of yours isn’t very comfortable to sleep in, but your two maidservants are definitely slutty!”
Xu Jingfeng left the dungeon in a daze. He did not recall how he had made his way back to his courtyard.
The two maidservants were sweeping the grounds when they saw Xu Jingfeng and hurried to greet him.
“Get lost! Get lost!” Xu Jingfeng roared, kicking and lashing like a madman. The two maidservants took several blows before fleeing in panic. Right after that, thunderous thuds echoed throughout the courtyard as everything was smashed to pieces.
Moments later, Xu Jingfeng hurried out of the estate. No one dared to stop him or ask him anything.
At the Lie Flat Inn, a mysterious figure wrapped in a long robe from head to toe stepped inside. People like him were a dime a dozen in Willow Ash Town, so everyone ignored him and went about their respective business—eating, drinking, and bragging.
The mysterious figure went straight to the back of the inn and knocked on a gate. The gate swung open to let him in before closing behind him.
Inside a small house, Wei Yuan was sitting at the desk and poring over a novel. Upon seeing Xu Jingfeng, he remarked, “You’re back earlier than I expected.”
“They took it way too far! I was only gone for a little over ten days, and I’ve already lost everything! Father is terribly biased as well—he wouldn’t even listen to a word I had to say!” Xu Jingfeng confessed somewhat incoherently.
Wei Yuan replied calmly, “Your younger brother is a capable individual. Even before you were gone, he had already secretly won over many of your men. Your capture had merely given him the opportunity he needed. Even if you hadn’t fallen into my hands, you would never have been a match for him.”
Xu Jingfeng suddenly dropped to his knees and said through gritted teeth, “I’ve come to my senses! As long as I can get back everything I’ve lost, I’ll do whatever you say! No—from this day forward, I swear my allegiance to you. Should I break this oath, may heaven and earth destroy me!”
Wei Yuan put down his book. “Oh? Are you sure about this?”
“I won’t go back on my word!”
Xu Jingfeng’s reactions fell entirely under Wei Yuan’s prediction. Having never experienced any real setbacks, it wasn’t until he actually lost something that he became desperate. At this point, he would grasp even a straw tightly.
Wei Yuan nodded and touched his forehead with a finger, injecting a wisp of black qi into his body. He then said, “I’ve just bestowed upon you a stroke of fortune. Not only will it bring you good luck and make your wishes come true, but it will also render many of the schemes against you ineffective. Your estate is equipped with a fengshui array, right?”
“There is an array that was given to us by the clan. It’s been there for over a century.”
“When you head back, go through that array again and re-register your identity. Just say you’re worried there might be something impure on you.”
Xu Jingfeng nodded in agreement. Then, he remembered something and hurriedly added, “Earlier, Father asked me to pay Master Mu Shang a visit for an examination.”
“It’s no problem. If he actually detects something, you can tell me then.” Wei Yuan wasn’t particularly worried. The otherworldly fortune was an extremely high level of existence, so much so that even True Lord Xuan Yue wasn’t able to calculate it back then. What was the chance that a mere “master” of the western regions could do what he couldn’t do?
Wei Yuan continued, “In two days, a caravan carrying tribute to your clan will set out. Find a way to secure this assignment and travel with the caravan. If your father demands a reason, just tell him that you wish to pay Inner Jin a visit to clear your head.”
Xu Jingfeng’s wits were much sharper after receiving Wei Yuan’s blessing of fortune. He instinctively noticed something was amiss and asked, “Is something going to happen to this caravan?”
Wei Yuan replied calmly, “If you go, trouble is likely to follow. You don’t need to worry about anything, though. When the time comes, just make sure to protect the caravan.
Wei Yuan then produced a small bottle and placed it on the table. He said, “There’s a drop of clear water inside. When everything is in place, find an opportunity to add a drop to your father’s tea or food.”
Xu Jingfeng’s eyelids twitched. He reached out his hands, but they were trembling uncontrollably. Hesitating, he lowered his head and asked, “Must we do this?”
Wei Yuan replied, “I can help you deal with one Xu Jingzhe, but there will be another. Your father has many women, and you are drowning in siblings already. There will only be more in the future. But if you truly don’t want to do this, that’s fine as well. I can simply find someone else.”
Wei Yuan reached out to grab the bottle, but Xu Jingfeng acted first and snatched it with both hands.
1. He first appeared in Chapter 148. ☜
