A Long Grind to Daoist Monarch-Chapter 184 - 150: Setting a Trap for Feng (Part 2)

Ten thousand taels of gold, a treasured weapon, a true skill manual, the reward is enormous!

Such a bountiful bounty nearly drove both Green Forest Dao and Jianghu Dao mad. With such momentum and so many people involved, there would inevitably be a few foolhardy ones recklessly rushing into ambushes and assassinations.

Qiu Qianchuan was also a fierce character, practicing the secret techniques of his sect, the Purple Sun Seven Kills Sword. Having achieved the Third Skin Refining Barrier, he cultivated four divine forms and was a famous individual recorded by the Capital City Simurgh Platform.

He slaughtered his way through, leaving bodies everywhere, openly declaring, "This great head is here, who dares to take it," fully displaying the heroic style!"

Bai Qi squinted his eyes, appearing nonchalant on the surface, yet listening attentively.

The Capital City Simurgh Platform is far superior to any black list in Yihai Prefecture, a place where heroes from all corners of the world gather.

Countless peerless heroes have emerged from there, such as Zhao Pijiang, the Grand General of Celestial Water Prefecture, who once stood at the top, full of ambition.

Ancestors who were ennobled as one of the Eight Pillars of the Realm, commanding an entire region, all took pride in reaching the pinnacle of the Simurgh Platform.

"Such a formidable young master, with background and martial arts, lacks nothing, yet the Hidden Pavilion dares to place a bounty on him?"

Bai Qi asked with a smile.

According to his master's words, the Hidden Pavilion was backed by Zhao Pijiang, the Grand General of Celestial Water Prefecture, second only to one and above millions.

The Hidden Pavilion's initiative to post a bounty on the Meridian Sword Sect's direct disciple conveyed an intriguing message.

Is it that the court is at odds with the sect, or are the noble families against the sect?

Or perhaps, it's both?

"The Hidden Pavilion is a profit-driven loose conglomeration. Compared to sect forces with mountain residences and lineages, they are like those without shoes. Even if you destroy ten of their shops and eliminate a hundred of their bases, it wouldn't harm their foundation; they'd just spend money to rebuild."

He Jingfeng sighed deeply.

"Moreover, martial arts are not like Daoist arts; the Road to Ascension is monopolized by Dragon Court. Aside from the major sects of Upper Sect, there are many scattered Green Forest Dao or Jianghu Dao individuals or gangs, and there's never a shortage of desperados willing to gamble for a chance.

As long as the pay is high, even acts like assassinating kings can find takers!"

Ridiculous! Under the Dragon Court's system of three registers and six households, nearly all six households are laboring for the three registers!

If those from humble origins don't fight desperately, how will they ever escape the mire and see the light of day?

Bai Qi couldn't help but secretly criticize. Even the descendants of the Thirteenth Branch in Yihai Prefecture, they longed for nothing more than to be a student of a Daoist school and receive a register from Dragon Court.

Because it was an honor enough to shine on the family and elevate status!

Like in ancient times, becoming a top scorer in the imperial examinations, passing the imperial scholar test!

Truly achieving a leap in social classes, stepping into the circle of noble families!

Even wealthy families are like this, let alone those from lowly slave and servant households.

"In the end, Qiu Qianchuan still died. Even with an Elder protecting him, even wielding one of the ten treasured weapons of the Meridian Sword Sect, the Reflecting Shadow Sword, he was still beheaded."

He Jingfeng put away his frivolous manner, unusually serious in tone:

"Even the direct transmission of the Upper Sect couldn't escape this Ghost Gate Barrier of the Hidden Pavilion. Brother Bai, forgive me for being blunt, but you absolutely cannot be careless."

Bai Qi was fully alert inside, but externally indifferent:

"Just some petty scoundrels..."

He paused, looking at He Jingfeng solemnly, and uttered five words with conviction:

"My master, Ninghai Zen!"

The Seventh Young Master of the He Family's main branch was momentarily speechless, finally realizing how detestable it was to constantly boast "my elder brother He Jingyun is of Daoist official bearing".

"If it must rain, and if a mother must marry, Young Master He, I can't just hide in Tongwen Hall for life because someone has placed a bounty on my head, can I? Should business not be conducted? There are so many mouths to feed."

Bai Qi smiled faintly, getting to the point:

"I heard that two high families from Yihai Prefecture have come to Black River County, and your Thirteenth Branches have all been fond of going to the countryside lately, why is that?"

He Jingfeng raised an eyebrow and answered truthfully:

"The ones who came are from the Zheng Family and the Feng Family's main branches. One is called Zheng Heng, the smiling tiger, the other is called Feng Shao Ling, a little dense.

The former came for the fire kiln, planning to meet Master Li, since he just had a falling out with the Zhu Family, and Zheng Family of the Weapon Craftsman Guild thought they'd take advantage of this, it's only natural;

The latter, well, aims to make a fortune, as Black River County was recently hit by the Red Eyebrow Bandits, and the harvest has not been good.

The Feng Family deals in brokerage and loves to exploit disaster years to buy people at low prices."

Bai Qi's gaze flickered, lowering his eyes:

"Brokerage?"

Human traffickers running their trade in Black River County?

Seems like a good excuse.

Who in the eight hundred li of Black Water River doesn't know the name of the noble-hearted Bai Qilang?

As someone who is keen to help, how could I sit by and watch an overseas dragon run rampant in Black River County?

"Lao He."

Bai Qi suddenly addressed kindly:

"What's your relationship with the Feng family?"

He Jingfeng frowned slightly:

"Just acquaintances, there was some friction, no serious enmity. I just punched him... Feng Shao Ling holds a grudge, probably considering settling the score."

Bai Qi understood:

"Lao He, I've received a lot of valuable gifts from you, so I've been thinking of doing something in return."

What?

Again?

"..."

He Jingfeng's scalp tingled, not knowing which nerve Brother Bai hit, quickly persuading:

"Brother Bai, you haven't even met Feng Shao Ling, you don't have to beat him to death, right?!"

Bai Qi suppressed a smile, maintaining a stern face:

"He dared to offend my newfound kin and brethren, isn't that reason enough for him to die?"

Brother, you're a bit extreme!

He Jingfeng was desperate; killing Zhu Shou Rang could be seen as rejoicing on all sides, but eliminating Feng Shao Ling was over the top.

The Feng Family was already small in number, the head was counting on this youngest son to continue the lineage.

If he died suddenly in Black River County, it would have deep repercussions, something that absolutely cannot be done.

"Master Bai, I beg you to let go of any murderous intent."

He Jingfeng's face was filled with a bitter smile, more than a little helpless, fearing Bai Qi was not joking and that Feng Shao Ling might not survive the night.

Apprentices following their master's footsteps is fine, but you don't need to surpass him!

The person hasn't been met, yet his name is already marked for erasure in the Book of Life and Death.

This is just too ruthless.

"Fine, in consideration of you, Lao He, I'll restrain myself a bit."

Bai Qi, immersing himself in the role of a killer embryo, gradually began to appreciate the pleasure of following Ninghai Zen's ways.

Being an unreasonable, rule-breaking "madman" was indeed gratifying.

Of course, the prerequisite was being strong enough.

"Phew..."

He Jingfeng barely breathed a sigh of relief, thinking Feng Shao Ling ought to be grateful.

Unnoticed, he came back from Ghost Gate Barrier.

If it weren't for my efforts to mediate, whether he could survive tonight was uncertain!

This was true life-saving grace!

But before he could relax, Xiaotou hurriedly entered the He Residence, seemingly looking for Bai Qi, with a flustered expression.

"Ah Qi! You need to help Ah Xie, he's been caught by Feng Family's human traffickers!"

He Jingfeng had just lowered his heart, which suddenly tightened, nearly breaking into a curse, Feng Shao Ling, you're really courting death!