Free Web NovelChapter 205: Chapter 204: Annoyed Chu Feng
In a superior room at the Yuelai Inn.
Fang Han lay fully clothed on the bed, not deeply asleep, but in a state of light, vigilant slumber.
The *Ten Thousand Transformations Concealing Breath Technique* continued to operate at a minimal level even as he slept, causing his aura to become so faint it was nearly undetectable.
His ears caught every unusual sound from outside the window, be it the night watchman’s clapper, a stray dog’s bark, or the faint echo of footsteps in a distant alley.
He was waiting, or rather, he was on guard.
’Although I’m confident the Mastery Level of my *Ten Thousand Transformations Concealing Breath Technique* is enough to erase all traces, there’s always a chance of the unexpected.’
’The Huang Family has been entrenched in Baiyun City for many years, after all. There’s no guarantee they don’t have some unknown tracking methods.’
’If Huang Shiren discovers the theft and can quickly track me here, a fight will be inevitable.’
The night trickled by in silence, punctuated by the occasional chirp of insects. The pursuit and commotion he had anticipated never came.
The eastern sky slowly turned a fish-belly white as the first light of dawn appeared.
Fang Han opened his eyes, his vigilance easing slightly. ’The Huang Family must not have any way to track me. If they did, they would have already found me.’
He got up, washed his face, and changed into a plain set of gray clothes. With a calm expression, he went downstairs and ate breakfast in the inn’s main hall.
He ate his meal of thin congee, a steamed bun, and a small dish of pickles with unhurried composure.
After settling the bill and leaving the inn, he walked with a steady gait toward the city gate.
The closer he got to the gate, the more the atmosphere palpably changed.
Normally, the area by the city gate would be filled with carriages and pedestrians lining up to leave, slightly crowded but orderly.
But now, in addition to the regular City Guards, there were more than a dozen sharp-eyed Martial Artists dressed in matching brown combat attire.
They were positioned on both sides of the gate, meticulously inspecting and searching every person and carriage trying to leave the city.
Bags and parcels had to be opened, carriages were checked inside and out—even underneath—and pedestrians were subjected to simple body searches.
The common folk and merchants waiting to leave the city were murmuring among themselves, their faces a mixture of curiosity and unease.
"I heard the Huang Family was robbed! They lost a huge amount of money!"
"Heavens! Who would dare to cross the Huang Family?"
"Exactly! Patriarch Huang is said to be going mad with worry. See? He’s sent all his family’s experts to the city gate. He probably suspects the thief will try to smuggle the loot out of the city..."
"How long is this search going to take..."
Fang Han’s expression remained neutral, as if everything happening around him had nothing to do with him. He quietly got in line at the back of the queue to leave the city.
He had nothing on him but a small amount of money; not even a decent travel pack.
The line moved forward slowly, each person enduring the brusque inspections and searches of the Huang Family’s Martial Artists.
Wailing children, complaining merchants, carriage drivers fuming in silence... Fang Han observed it all with cold detachment.
Finally, it was his turn.
A wiry-faced Martial Artist from the Huang Family looked him up and down. Seeing his plain clothes and lack of any bags, his interest waned.
"Where are you headed?"
The Martial Artist asked gruffly.
"Out of the city to visit a friend."
Fang Han’s voice was flat.
"What are you carrying? Arms out!"
The Martial Artist waved his hand impatiently.
Fang Han did as he was told and spread his arms.
The Martial Artist gave him a few cursory pats on the chest, ribs, and waist. He felt nothing that suggested a hidden package.
"Alright, alright, get a move on!"
The Martial Artist waved his hand as if shooing a fly.
Fang Han gave a slight nod, lowered his arms, and walked calmly through the gate, stepping onto the official road outside the city.
Behind him, the towering walls of Baiyun City receded into the distance. The clamor and searches at the gate seemed like a story from another world.
The Huang Family assumed the thief would try every means to transport the stolen goods out of the city. They had no idea that the fortune causing such an uproar had already been converted into intangible numbers, resting quietly on a system panel only he could see.
Even if the Huang Family dug three feet under the whole of Baiyun City, their efforts would be in vain.
Once he was out of sight of the city gate, Fang Han’s figure suddenly accelerated.
SWOOSH!
He unleashed the *Flowing Wind Shadowless Step*, his body transforming into a barely perceptible wisp of green smoke as he sped along the official road toward the Qingxuan Sect.
His speed far surpassed that of a galloping horse, leaving only afterimages that quickly dissipated in the wind.
Several hours later, the familiar silhouette of Qingxuan Mountain came into view.
Fang Han returned to his residence in the Sub-Branch, but soon left again, heading for the Task Hall.
The Task Hall was bustling with disciples, some turning in completed tasks, others browsing the listings.
Fang Han’s gaze swept quickly over the various wooden task plaques hanging on the wall. Finally, his eyes settled on one in particular.
[Task: Urgent Elixir Delivery]
[Details: Deliver the wooden box containing urgently needed elixirs to Steward Liu Wei of the Hundred Herbs Hall in Mo City.]
[Time Limit: Five days]
[Personnel: One person]
[Requirement: At least Eighth Grade Cultivation]
[Reward: 100 Contribution Points] freёwebnovel.com
[Note: The elixirs must be delivered in person without fail.]
It was a typical errand mission. The reward was average, but its main advantage was that it was a solo task, which suited him perfectly.
Fang Han took down the wooden plaque, walked over to the On-duty Steward, and presented his Identity Jade Token.
"Steward, I’ll take this task."
The On-duty Steward verified the Jade Token, recorded the entry, and handed a sealed wooden box to Fang Han with a routine warning.
"Deliver it on time. No delays, and don’t open it yourself."
"Understood."
Fang Han accepted the wooden box, placed it inside a satchel, and turned to leave the Task Hall.
He didn’t take this task for the 100 Contribution Points, but to create a plausible reason for his "disappearance" over the next few days.
The other three factions under Chu Feng’s control that were suitable targets were quite far away. Even traveling at full speed, a round trip would take at least three to four days.
As the top disciple of the Sub-Branch and ranked eighty-seventh on the overall list, his unexplained absence for several days would inevitably arouse suspicion, especially from Chu Feng’s side, which was likely monitoring his movements.
With this task as a cover, everything would be perfectly logical.
Not long after Fang Han accepted the task and his figure vanished from the Task Hall’s entrance...
A disciple in the Task Hall, with a furtive glint in his eyes, glanced in the direction Fang Han had gone. After asking a steward for leave, he quickly departed in another direction.
...
In the study of Chu Feng’s Villa in the True Inheritance Courtyard.
"Senior Brother Chu, we just got word. That punk Fang Han went to the Task Hall and accepted an urgent elixir delivery task to Mo City."
Song Xiang stood with his hands at his sides, a sycophantic and eager look on his face.
"He finally took a task."
Chu Feng, who was seated behind his desk, looked up at the news, a glint of coldness flashing in his eyes.
He tapped his fingers lightly on the smooth desktop and asked thoughtfully.
"A delivery task... How do you think we can use this to deal with him?"
A flicker of fawning malice crossed Song Xiang’s eyes. He took a step forward and lowered his voice.
"Senior Brother, this is easy. We can contact the steward who posted the task and persuade him..."
He leaned in a little closer and whispered his plan.
The gist of it was to have the steward deny ever receiving the elixirs after the task was completed, and instead accuse Fang Han of losing them or stealing them himself.
They could then use this as a pretext to charge Fang Han with incompetence and embezzlement of Sect property.
While it wouldn’t lead to a severe punishment, it would be enough to disgust Fang Han, dock his task reward, and perhaps even serve as a minor lesson by fining him some Contribution Points to blunt his momentum.
After listening, Chu Feng nodded slightly, a sinister smile appearing on his face:
"The plan is acceptable. It’s only a minor punishment, but it will be like a fishbone stuck in his throat. Go and arrange it. Make sure it’s clean and leaves no evidence."
"Rest assured, Senior Brother. I understand!"
Seeing that Chu Feng had approved his plan, Song Xiang’s face lit up with delight. He bowed to accept the order and was about to turn and make the arrangements.
Just then, the sound of hurried footsteps came from outside the study. A servant disciple reported respectfully from the doorway.
"Reporting to Senior Brother Chu, there is someone at the Sect gate asking for an audience. He claims to be Patriarch Huang Shiren of the Huang Family in Baiyun City. He says it’s a matter of utmost urgency and that he must see you. He looks... he looks extremely anxious and disheveled."
Chu Feng’s brow furrowed instantly. ’Huang Shiren from Baiyun City? What is he doing here? And in such a state?’
Song Xiang also looked surprised. The Huang Family was one of the factions that depended on Chu Feng.
They were usually quite deferential, and their yearly tributes were never lacking. For the Patriarch to suddenly arrive in such a sorry state, he had likely run into some serious trouble.
"Song Xiang, go bring him in."
The Huang Family was one of his subordinate powers, after all. If something had really happened, he couldn’t just ignore it, he told Song Xiang.
Ordinary disciples couldn’t bring outsiders into the Sect, but as a True Disciple on the Celestial Pride List, he had that privilege.
"Yes."
Song Xiang acknowledged and quickly left.
Before long, Song Xiang returned with someone behind him—it was none other than Huang Shiren.
But the Huang Shiren of this moment was a far cry from the shrewd, portly Patriarch he usually was.
His face was ashen, his eyes were sunken, his hair was a mess, and his robes were covered in dust. It was as if he had aged ten years overnight.
Upon seeing Chu Feng seated above, he reacted as if he’d seen his savior. With a THUD, he fell to his knees and cried out.
"Young Master Chu! Young Master Chu, you must seek justice for my Huang Family!"
"Huang Shiren, get up and speak. What happened to make you so frantic?"
Chu Feng was taken aback by Huang Shiren’s behavior and said in a grave voice.
But Huang Shiren refused to get up. He crawled forward two steps on his knees, tears streaming down his face, and hoarsely recounted the tragic discovery from last night: his secret chamber had been robbed, and decades of savings had vanished without a trace. He ended his tale by beating his chest and stomping his feet in despair.
"...Young Master Chu! That was the lifeblood of several generations of the Huang Family! It’s all gone, just like that."
"I beg you, for the sake of the Huang Family’s years of loyal service, please help me recover my assets and capture the vile thief! The Huang Family... the Huang Family would be eternally grateful!"
After listening to the whole story, Chu Feng’s expression instantly turned as dark as water.
’The Huang Family robbed? Their savings completely wiped out?’
This was a blatant slap in his, Chu Feng’s, face!
The Huang Family was one of his subordinate powers, a fact easily discovered with a few inquiries.
By targeting the Huang Family, the thief was clearly showing no regard for him, a True Inheritor on the Celestial Pride List! If this matter wasn’t handled properly and news spread, what would become of his, Chu Feng’s, reputation?
’What would my other subordinate factions think? They would surely be terrified, believing I can’t even protect the assets of my own people!’
More importantly, the Huang Family provided a substantial annual tribute, making them a significant source of income.
Now that the Huang Family had suffered such a devastating blow, they were on the verge of collapse, which would mean a considerable loss of income for him as well.
A vicious anger surged into his heart.
First, there was Fang Han, who repeatedly defied his expectations. Now, some audacious thief had appeared, daring to steal from a faction under his, Chu Feng’s, command.
He couldn’t be bothered to plot against Fang Han right now. The urgent priority was to deal with the Huang Family’s situation as quickly as possible, to save face and stabilize morale.
He took a deep breath, suppressed his rage, and instructed Song Xiang.
"Go to the Law Enforcement Hall at once and ask Steward Zhou Kun to come here. Tell him I’m requesting his assistance to help me investigate a theft in Baiyun City."
Steward Zhou Kun was a Steward who had taken the initiative to befriend him, seeing his potential. He served in the Law Enforcement Hall, his cultivation had reached the Middle Stage of Sixth Grade, and he was an expert in criminal investigation and tracking—the perfect person to handle this matter.
