Book 2: Chapter 34: New World
Vol 2 Ch 34: New World
The steward never expected, even in his dying moments, that this man would truly dare to kill him in the trading house in front of so many people!
The shopkeeper was a master at the Dharma Aspect Realm, and most importantly, his elder brother was an elder of the Destiny Hall! Acting this way was tantamount to declaring war against the Destiny Hall and opposing the entire Hanyuan City!
"Daring to kill the steward, you're courting death…"
The black-clad enforcers behind him were equally stunned, but they charged forward in unison.
Retreating would mean their own deaths as well, so they might as well fight with all they had for a slim chance of survival. These men were all at the peak of the Source Pool Realm’s third level, Energy Storing. With nearly 5 horsepower of strength and weapons in hand, their strikes tore through the air with a mournful wail.
In an instant, over ten blades and swords aimed squarely at Zhang Xuan’s back. If he didn’t dodge, he’d surely be hacked into mincemeat.
Buzz!
The air vibrated, and the descending blades suddenly froze mid-air as if striking an impenetrable barrier. They neither advanced nor retreated, leaving everyone immobilized, unable to move a muscle.
"Soul power… He's a Source Pool Realm expert above the eighth level!"Realizing this, the black-clad enforcers became anxious one by one.
Zhang Xuan tossed the steward's lifeless body aside and turned to face them.
"Regardless of the circumstances or who is right or wrong, you barged in to kill, not even sparing a child. You're nothing but accomplices, aiding and abetting evil. In that case, none of you deserve to live either!"
With a flick of his hand, over ten streaks of energy shot from his fingertips, colliding with the weapons of the black-clad men. They felt a sharp jolt at their wrists, and in the next moment, their weapons shattered with a resounding crack! The broken blades whistled through the air and embedded themselves straight into their throats.
"You… you…"
The black-clad men widened their eyes in disbelief before collapsing to the ground. In just one move, their lives had ended simultaneously.
From Zhang Xuan's slaying of the steward to the annihilation of the enforcers, less than five breaths had passed. The surrounding onlookers were only now beginning to react.
"He's killed people!"
"No matter how strong this guy is, offending Steward Feng means only one path—death!"
"I remember years ago, a Divine Soul Realm expert caused trouble here and was found dead the next day, his body hung outside for three whole days. This guy is doomed!"
"Wait, it’s him?"
The shopkeeper who had earlier directed Zhang Xuan to Bu Xu Hall was now trembling with unease. Fortunately, he had been polite and answered all of Zhang Xuan’s questions. Otherwise, he might have been among the dead now...
Having killed all the enforcers, Zhang Xuan walked back to the family of three. His eyes were full of guilt as he faced Yu Fei and his family.
"I should have come the moment I heard the commotion…"
If he had rushed over at the first sound of the battle, perhaps the family could have been saved. But no one could foresee the future, and now it was too late.
This unremarkable couple had struggled tirelessly to save their sick child. After obtaining the Red Leaf Grass, they were pursued in the forest, escaped by a stroke of luck, and then came to seek treatment—only to be framed and murdered before everyone's eyes.
Human lives were as insignificant as grass.
"Don't worry. I took your source coin, and I will ensure justice for you. This is my promise to you, Zhang Xuan's promise!"
He gently closed their eyes with his hand and slowly rose, his gaze sweeping across the trading house. With a thunderous shout that reverberated through the entire hall, he roared, "Where is Feng Yizhou? Get out here and face me!"
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The powerful voice, infused with soul energy, was like a clap of thunder, shattering the crystal chandeliers above and shaking the formations in the hall, causing them to hum and tremble.
Clatter!
More black-clad enforcers poured in from all directions.
The Fuyuan Trading House’s enforcement team was over two hundred strong, akin to a small army. This was why even Divine Soul Realm experts wouldn’t dare to provoke them.
With hundreds of people combining their strength and aura, the oppressive force could crush a soul and deter even the bravest.
Zhang Xuan remained seated, motionless, as if oblivious to their arrival.
"Whoever kills him will be rewarded with 200,000 source coins!"
Someone suddenly shouted, but before the words fully escaped his lips, his head twisted an entire circle to face his back. His voice abruptly cut off as life left his body.
Those initially tempted by the bounty froze in terror, none daring to step forward.
"Wait… Isn’t that Elder Ling?"
After a brief silence, someone recognized him in shock.
"Elder Ling? Which Elder Ling?"
"How many Elder Lings are there in Hanyuan City? It's obviously Ling Buyang of the Destiny Hall, the Hall Master of Bu Xu Hall!"
"Him?"
The room grew heavy with tension.
Ling Buyang was infamous for his deeds, not much better than Feng Yizhou. Why was he suddenly causing such a commotion here?
"Ling Buyang, what are you doing?"
An enraged voice cut through the crowd as an imposing elder, appearing to be in his fifties, strode forward with piercing eyes and a commanding aura.
"Shopkeeper!"
The black-clad enforcers collectively saluted him, visibly relieved.
Looking at the corpses strewn across the ground, Feng Yizhou narrowed his eyes. "Ling Buyang, you're committing murder in my trading house. Regardless of the reason, I demand an explanation!"
"An explanation?" Zhang Xuan chuckled coldly. "Was it you who ordered your subordinates to seize the Red Leaf Grass? Was it you who had them frame Yu Fei and his family, and then kill them all?"
"Yu Fei?"
Feng Yizhou frowned and turned to one of the black-clad men nearby.
The man hurriedly saluted. "Shopkeeper, per your orders, we were to obtain the Red Leaf Grass at all costs. We discovered it on Yu Fei just now. The steward demanded it, but he refused and even resisted, which led to his death."
"Couldn't you have handled this discreetly? Did it have to create such a public spectacle?" Feng Yizhou flicked his sleeve.
These idiots had blown things out of proportion, turning a simple matter into a city-wide scandal!
"We tried, but he was about to use the herb. Waiting any longer would have made it too late..." The man looked aggrieved.
"Enough! Haven’t you embarrassed me enough?" Feng Yizhou snapped before looking at Ling Buyang. "Elder Ling, we will compensate the victims and restore the damaged stalls. If these people were your friends, I’ll have my subordinates apologize!"
"An apology and some compensation? You think that can repay a life?" Zhang Xuan sneered.
"What more do you want?" Feng Yizhou said, waving his hand. "Let’s not mince words. If you wanted the Red Leaf Grass, you could’ve just followed the proper channels instead of intervening like this. My people found it first, and you’ve disrupted our operation. Aren’t you afraid I’ll report this to my brother or the Destiny Hall?"
"Disrupted? You think I need to steal Red Leaf Grass?" Zhang Xuan’s eyes narrowed.
Feng Yizhou smirked. "Stop feigning ignorance. You know full well who wants it and why. If you’re vying for the Vice Hall Master position, do it through proper competition, not these underhanded methods."
"Vice Hall Master?"
Zhang Xuan’s mind cleared as if struck by lightning.
Could it be… this Red Leaf Grass was the very item Hall Master Han Xiao had asked him to obtain?
Realization dawned. Ling Buyang must’ve received Bu Xu Hall’s message about the herb, but Yu Fei got to it first, prompting relentless pursuit. Zhang Xuan had disrupted their plans.
Though rare, the herb’s medicinal value wasn’t significant. Yet, if it was tied to Han Xiao and the Vice Hall Master rivalry, everything made sense.
"Competing for the Vice Hall Master position should be fair. Did they deserve to die? Did the child deserve to die?"
Zhang Xuan’s gaze landed on the lifeless body of the young boy, Xiao Zhuo.
He was only three years old, having barely tasted the joys of life. He hadn’t even savored his favorite candied hawthorn before departing this cruel world.
"What do you mean by this?" Feng Yizhou hesitated, glancing at the child before sneering. "Just a child. Stop playing the hero. A lowly life like his should feel honored to die by our hands!"
"Honored? Very well. Let me show you what honor feels like!"
Having no patience for further argument, Zhang Xuan leaped forward, his palm descending with overwhelming force
Boom!
A massive force accompanied Zhang Xuan’s strike as it descended upon Feng Yizhou. The technique was none other than the Xuanlong Palm!
Since the other party treated human lives with such disregard, there was no need to waste any more words!
"Ling Buyang, are you insane?"
Seeing Zhang Xuan charging at him and launching an attack, Feng Yizhou couldn’t believe it. However, he quickly realized it was not the time for questions. With a flip of both palms, he retaliated to meet the incoming strike.
Being ranked 47th on the Hunter’s List, Feng Yizhou’s strength was not far behind Ling Buyang's. His palm technique, Breaking Wind Palm, was known for its extraordinary force. At its pinnacle, it was said to break even the wind itself—although exaggerated, the power behind the technique was undeniably formidable.
As the two palms collided, the surrounding air seemed to be sucked away, creating a temporary vacuum. A crushing force equivalent to over 200 horsepower surged towards Zhang Xuan's descending palm.
"Ling Buyang, your strength is impressive, but without using your Mo Dao, do you really think you can harm me? Dream on!"
Feng Yizhou let out a cold snort, his confidence unwavering. But before his words had fully landed, his expression changed drastically. From Zhang Xuan’s palm came an overwhelming, unending surge of energy, like relentless tidal waves crashing down upon him.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Forced to retreat seven or eight steps, Feng Yizhou’s face turned pale as paper.
"You…"
His pupils shrank in disbelief.
He had assumed Ling Buyang’s strength was on par with his own, and even if one emerged victorious, it would only be after exchanging hundreds of blows. Yet, in just a single strike, he was nearly overwhelmed!
When had Ling Buyang become so terrifyingly strong?
If his strength had always been this overwhelming, there would’ve been no need for his elder brother to vie for the Vice Hall Master position.
"Hmph!"
Not giving Feng Yizhou any time to recover, Zhang Xuan stepped forward once more. This time, it wasn’t a palm strike but a fist, bringing forth a deafening roar as it tore through the air. Each punch carried a staggering 500 horsepower, the force crushing and oppressive.
Overwhelmed, Feng Yizhou retreated continuously, his expression now a mixture of fear and rage. "What exactly are you trying to do?"
"To take a life for a life, and bring justice for Xiao Zhuo!" Zhang Xuan replied coldly, his fists unrelenting.
Author's Note