Chapter Eighty-One: The Seven-Star Demon-Sealing Array

Spurred on by Master Guo, Cao Rengui charged ahead, bringing his lackeys with him, all looking fierce and menacing as they confronted Lin Feng.

Pointing at Lin Feng with utter disdain, he sneered, "So you’re the lot who tried to take liberties with Miss Qian on the high-speed train? You must be tired of living! Have you even looked at yourselves? Lecherous as you are, ugly to boot, yet you dream of courting a goddess. Today, I, Cao Rengui, will act as judge and teach you, you ignorant mongrel, a lesson you won’t forget!"

"That’s right! Young Master Cao is a beacon of justice—these thugs must not be let off lightly!"

"Young Master Cao’s might is unmatched! A hero for the belle, hair bristling in righteous fury as he punishes these bastards!"

Cao Rengui’s sycophants chorused their support from behind, emboldening him further.

He schemed feverishly in his mind: "Ha! You reckless fools are the perfect stepping stone to show off my courage and wit. Once Miss Qian witnesses my heroism, her heart is bound to flutter. When I win her over in one fell swoop, my fortunes will soar!"

Without restraint, Cao Rengui raised his fist and struck out with all his might. Seeing Lin Feng stand motionless, he assumed Lin Feng had been cowed by his aura and grew even more self-assured, throwing a straight punch directly at Lin Feng’s face.

At the very instant Cao Rengui lunged, Lin Feng lifted his gaze slightly and looked at Zheng Xuance, his eyes sharp as blades, as if to say: "Everyone is here. How do you plan to end this?"

Yet Zheng Xuance was no easy mark either; he met Lin Feng’s eyes without flinching, unyielding.

"Luo Qiankun!" Lin Feng spoke calmly, his tone unruffled.

"Master Lin, Qiankun at your command!" At Lin Feng’s summons, Luo Qiankun stepped forward without hesitation. Ever since he had started following Lin Feng, his martial cultivation had soared, and now he stood at the very peak of inner strength, one step away from true mastery.

His reverence for Lin Feng was as lofty and unwavering as a mountain. Now, someone dared lay hands on Lin Feng in front of him? That was courting death.

Upon receiving his command, Luo Qiankun unleashed his inner force. He cared not whether the assailant was a privileged young master or a petty official’s son—raise a hand, and you’ve signed your own death warrant!

"Luo Family Seal!"

With a low growl, Luo Qiankun erupted forward, the signature technique of the Luo family unleashed. In a flash, he appeared before Lin Feng, right hand forming the seal, palm striking out to meet Cao Rengui’s fist head-on.

"What the—!"

Cao Rengui had thought this was his chance to grandstand, never imagining that Lin Feng would have a martial expert by his side. All he saw was a blur, and in the next instant, his right hand was struck by a tremendous force and sent flying.

Crack!

His arm snapped in an instant. His body, no more than a ragdoll, was hurled sideways, crashing into the mansion’s red-lacquered pillar.

Boom!

Nearly two hundred pounds of flesh slammed to the floor from the pillar, curling up like a giant prawn, howling in agony.

"My arm! What the hell are you all staring at? Get them! Beat them to a pulp!"

Cao Rengui bellowed, a scion of privilege for over a decade who’d never suffered such humiliation. Eyes bloodshot, he swore to tear Lin Feng and his companions limb from limb.

Yet his lackeys, having just witnessed a man thrown across the room with a single blow, dared not move. One after another, they shrank back like ostriches, silent and trembling, desperate not to draw trouble upon themselves.

Master Guo narrowed his eyes at the sight, murmuring softly, "Peak inner strength? Not worth fearing."

Indeed, his purpose here was to probe Lin Feng’s party. In his eyes, Lin Feng was just another wealthy youth from the mainland, sharing the same goal. Luo Qiankun was the muscle of the trio, a high-level bodyguard at best.

Over the years, he’d dispatched no fewer than seven or eight experts at this level himself. Now that he had tested Luo Qiankun’s strength, Master Guo grew even more audacious.

"Mr. Zheng, we wish to explore Yunfeng Mountain’s tombs. We would be honored if you would act as our guide. Succeed, and my lady will pay one hundred million as your reward!"

"A hundred million? Not bad at all!" Zheng Xuance, calm as ever, took a sip of tea and murmured, then turned his head to Lin Feng. "They’re offering a hundred million. How much do you plan to pay?"

"Me? Not a cent," Lin Feng replied with a shrug and a faint smile.

Qian Youyou crossed her arms, brows raised in contempt as she glared at Lin Feng, her voice cutting: "Ha! You have no money to offer, yet you dare compete with me? I advise you to quit while you can, before you embarrass yourself! I’ll have you know, our Qian family of Nanyang has never shown mercy to an enemy."

"If you leave now, I’ll pretend nothing happened and let you go. But if you persist in your foolishness, I promise you’ll regret it!"

"That’s right! If you keep sticking your neck out, I, Cao Rengui, will have the special police surround this place in minutes and turn you into sandbags!"

Cao Rengui shouted as he bandaged his wound, eager both to impress Qian Youyou and to settle his personal vendetta.

Never in his life had he suffered such a loss. His eyes were cold as ice, and he swore Lin Feng would pay for this in blood.

"Oh? Not even a penny? That’s rather stingy," Zheng Xuance remarked nonchalantly, tea cup in hand.

"I won’t pay in cash, but I can offer something else as recompense—the Seven-Star Demon-Sealing Array!"

"The Seven-Star Demon-Sealing Array!"

Before Lin Feng finished speaking, Zheng Xuance—steadfast as ever—suddenly trembled. His right hand shook, nearly dropping the teacup, spilling a splash of tea onto the floor.

A faint smile played at Lin Feng’s lips. The Seven-Star Demon-Sealing Array was the pinnacle of Sanqing Sect’s formations. Though not an offensive array, its power to seal and guard was unrivaled in the world.

If Zheng Xuance was connected to the formation outside Yunfeng Mountain, then the Seven-Star Demon-Sealing Array would surely move him!

No need for more words between the clever. Zheng Xuance set down his cup, straightened his robes, and slowly turned his wheelchair, lighting three sticks of sandalwood incense before the portrait of Laozi.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please stay here in my humble abode tonight. Tomorrow, I shall give you my answer."

With that, Zheng Xuance steered his wheelchair out of the hall. Attendants entered, inviting the guests to their chambers with utmost respect.

Master Guo narrowed his eyes, fixing Lin Feng with a penetrating gaze. Judging from Zheng Xuance’s reaction, this "Seven-Star Demon-Sealing Array" must be the real key.

"This young man is no ordinary fellow. Or perhaps a master stands behind him, guiding his every step."

"Hmph! He cannot be allowed to live!"

A gleam of murderous intent flashed in Master Guo’s eyes.

...

That night, at midnight.

Lin Feng pushed open the doors of the main hall and stepped inside, settling into the grand armchair where he had sat earlier that day. A steaming cup of tea waited on the side table.

A magnetic voice drifted out from behind the portrait of Laozi, low and haunting: "How did you learn of the Seven-Star Demon-Sealing Array? What is your connection to the Sanqing Sect?"

A faint smile appeared on Lin Feng’s lips. Unhurried, he lifted the cup and took a sip, answering lightly:

"The three pure winds rise, swirling clouds anew..."

A moment of heavy silence passed. Then, from behind the portrait, came a trembling line of verse:

"...Riding a bull, carefree, through Hangu Pass!"