Free Web NovelChapter 208: Chapter 207: Trap, 64x Swordsmanship
「A few days later. The Huang Mansion, Baiyun City.」
"Nephew Chu, I’ve spent the past few days employing every Tracking technique at my disposal. I have meticulously searched the Huang Mansion, inside and out, as well as every conceivable hiding place for the treasure within Baiyun City."
Zhou Kun’s face was etched with unconcealable shame and exhaustion as he cupped his hands and spoke in a low voice.
"Unfortunately, the thief’s methods were exceptionally cunning and sophisticated. They left no traceable clues, and there are no leads within the city. I... am truly at a loss."
His voice was hoarse, carrying a barely perceptible hint of embarrassment.
’To think that I, Zhou Kun, had a decent reputation in the Law Enforcement Hall for my skill with Tracking Techniques. I had hoped to put my abilities on full display when Chu Feng entrusted me with this task, using it as an opportunity to deepen our connection.’
’But I ran into a brick wall. Days of searching yielded nothing, and I’ve completely lost face.’
Chu Feng’s expression was grim. He was beginning to doubt Zhou Kun’s abilities.
’Not a single clue? Is this thief a ghost?’
’Or maybe... Zhou Kun’s skills are nowhere near as impressive as the rumors say.’
After a moment of silence, his expression became unreadable. His tone was flat as he said,
"Thank you for your hard work these past few days, Steward Zhou. If there are no clues, then we’ll let the matter drop."
"Nephew Chu, about this matter... I am ashamed. I will take my leave now."
Upon hearing this, the shame on Zhou Kun’s face deepened. He opened his mouth, but all that came out was a soft sigh as he cupped his hands.
With that, he retreated from the study, his steps heavy.
Only Chu Feng and Huang Shiren remained in the study.
"Patriarch Huang, wealth is a worldly possession. As long as your people are safe and your foundation is intact, you will always have a chance to make a comeback."
"I will issue an order. For the next year, the Huang Family’s tribute will be cut in half. Focus on overcoming this crisis first."
Chu Feng looked at Huang Shiren’s vacant gaze, suppressed his own irritation, and managed to force a comforting expression onto his face.
"Thank you for your compassion, Young Master Chu! The Huang Family... the Huang Family will be eternally grateful for this great kindness!"
At these words, a flicker of life finally returned to Huang Shiren’s dull eyes, and he moved to bow.
"Enough. Go and console your family members and focus on rebuilding your enterprise. I have been away for too long and must return to the Sect."
Chu Feng waved his hand dismissively.
Having wasted several days at the Huang Family residence with no progress, he had already decided to leave and was preparing to return to the Sect.
However, just as he was about to leave the study, he heard a rush of hurried footsteps from outside. A servant of the Huang Mansion was leading someone over in a hurry.
The newcomer was none other than Song Xiang, who was supposed to be back at the Qingxuan Sect!
Song Xiang’s face was pale, sweat beaded on his forehead, and his eyes were filled with anxiety. He had clearly rushed here at top speed, excessively consuming his Inner Strength.
"Senior Brother Chu, this is bad!"
Seeing Chu Feng was like seeing a savior. He rushed forward, not even bothering with courtesies, his voice trembling as he spoke.
"The rest of you, withdraw!"
Chu Feng’s heart suddenly sank, and the bad feeling he’d had instantly intensified to its peak.
’For Song Xiang to lose his composure like this and rush here overnight, it must be something serious!’
His gaze turned sharp as he swept it over the guiding servant and Huang Shiren, and he spoke in a cold voice.
As if granted a grand amnesty, the servant bowed hastily and retreated.
Although Huang Shiren’s mind was preoccupied with his family’s crisis, he saw Chu Feng’s glacial expression and didn’t dare linger. He stumbled out and pulled the door shut behind him.
Only Chu Feng and Song Xiang remained in the study.
"What’s the panic? The sky isn’t falling. Now speak. What happened?"
Chu Feng’s voice was deep, carrying an air of undeniable authority.
"Senior Brother, I just received an urgent message from the Wu Family in Bibo City! The Wu Family... the Wu Family was also robbed last night!"
Song Xiang took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing his panic as he spoke in a rapid-fire torrent of words.
"Patriarch Wu Qiming was knocked unconscious in his study and their entire treasury was plundered! The situation is identical to what happened to the Huang Family!"
"What?!"
Even with Chu Feng’s usual composure, his face turned livid the moment he heard the news.
His fists clenched so tightly his knuckles crackled.
’The robbery at the Huang Family’s home could have been a coincidence, the work of some random, audacious thief.’
’But for the Wu Family, another one of my subordinate powers, to suffer the same disaster with such similar methods in just a few days...’
’This is no longer a coincidence. This is a targeted operation!’
’Someone is targeting me, Chu Feng!’
BANG!
Chu Feng slammed his fist onto the red sandalwood tea table beside him, sending the teacups jumping and water splashing everywhere.
His chest heaved violently, a cold glint shooting from his eyes like a predator about to pounce.
’Who is it?’
’Who in the world has the gall to so brazenly provoke a True Inheritor of the Qingxuan Sect, a name on the Celestial Pride List?’
Countless possibilities flashed through his mind, each one dismissed as quickly as it appeared.
"Senior Brother, what... what should we do? With two families robbed in succession and suffering such heavy losses, there’s no way we can keep this quiet. The other powers loyal to us will surely panic!"
Seeing Chu Feng’s utterly grim expression, Song Xiang grew even more anxious and pressed the question.
Chu Feng forced himself to calm down. He took several deep breaths, suppressing the churning rage and killing intent as his mind raced.
’The Huang Family and the Wu Family are both clans with only a single Seventh Grade Martial Artist presiding over them; neither has a Sixth Grade Expert.’
’This means the perpetrator, whether a group or an individual, is likely not very strong. They’re only picking on the weak.’
’Their motive probably isn’t just money. It’s to undermine my, Chu Feng’s, authority and make me lose all face.’
’Hmph. Trying to run me ragged? It won’t be that easy!’
A vicious glint flashed in Chu Feng’s eyes as he quickly made a decision.
He looked at Song Xiang and ordered in a grim voice,
"Listen carefully. Use my authority to secretly visit the Black Water Gang and the Golden Sand Gang—powers loyal to me that have Sixth Grade Martial Artists."
"Order them to dispatch their Sixth Grade Martial Artists to stand guard at my other subordinate families—the ones who only have Seventh Grade Martial Artists!"
"They are to lie in wait. The moment they spot any sign of the thief, they are to capture him at any cost! Dead or alive!"
"I’d like to see just what reckless fool dares to provoke me!"
Song Xiang’s eyes lit up at the command!
’What a brilliant plan!’
’Using Sixth Grade Martial Artists to deal with a thief who is, at most, at the Seventh Grade Cultivation, is practically a guaranteed success!’
’If that thief dares to strike again, he’ll be walking right into a trap from which there is no escape!’
"Yes, Senior Brother! I’ll get on it right away!"
His spirits lifted, Song Xiang bowed to accept the order and hurried away.
Chu Feng stood alone in the study, his face covered in a frosty scowl.
He had been backstabbed twice in a row. He would repay this slight a thousand times over.
...
「Two days later.」
A travel-worn Fang Han returned to the Qingxuan Sect and went straight to the Task Hall to report the completion of his mission to Mo City.
The On-duty Steward verified his credentials, confirmed everything was in order, and transferred one hundred Contribution Points to his Identity Jade Token.
After thanking the steward, Fang Han left the Task Hall and returned to Room C-7 of his Sub-Branch.
Only after closing the door and shutting out the noise of the outside world did he allow a look of irrepressible joy to cross his face.
His two heists against the Huang and Wu Families, from the gold and treasures he plundered, had netted him a massive fortune of over 1.4 million silver!
It was an enormous sum, far exceeding all his previous savings combined.
’But, I’ll have to put this on hold for now.’
Fang Han walked to his table and sat, a cool light glinting in his eyes.
’Chu Feng is no fool.’
’Two of his subordinate powers were robbed in almost the exact same way. If he can’t see that this is a targeted campaign, then he doesn’t deserve his title as a True Inheritor on the Celestial Pride List.’
’Chu Feng is bound to retaliate.’
’The most likely scenario is that he’ll ask Sixth Grade Martial Artists to lie in wait, setting traps within his other subordinate families.’
’To strike again now would be to walk right into a trap.’
’For now, I should focus on digesting these gains and improving my strength.’
’Strength is the foundation of everything.’
’As long as I’m strong enough, I can come and go as I please, even if Chu Feng lays an inescapable trap.’
His mind made up, he no longer hesitated and silently called out in his thoughts,
’Panel.’
A translucent screen of light quietly materialized before him, the data on it clear and distinct:
[Host: Fang Han]
[Root Bone Talent Amplification: 64x (Level 7 Amplification requires 10,000,000 silver)]
[Swordsmanship Talent Amplification: 32x (Level 6 Amplification requires 1,000,000 silver)]
[Stepping Talent Amplification: 32x (Level 6 Amplification requires 1,000,000 silver)]
[Secret Technique Talent Amplification: 32x (Level 6 Amplification requires 1,000,000 silver)]
[Wealth: 1,123,000 silver]
A fervent glint flashed in Fang Han’s eyes as his gaze fell upon his wealth: 1,123,000 silver.
’It’s enough to activate a Level 6 Amplification for another one of my talents!’
He had already decided which talent he would upgrade.
Within a Sect like Qingxuan, a disciple’s ranking and resource allocation depended heavily on the Power of Attack they displayed during the Martial Arts Stele test.
Compared to his Body Technique, it was undoubtedly a better choice to focus on cultivating his Swordsmanship to a higher Realm. Raising his rank on the overall list would net him more Contribution Points. freēwēbηovel.c૦m
’Activate Level 6 Swordsmanship Talent Amplification!’
Fang Han focused his will and made the choice without hesitation.
In an instant, the wealth value on his panel plummeted by one million!
[Wealth: 123,000 silver]
The text in the [Swordsmanship Talent Amplification] row blurred for a moment before sharpening into new characters:
[Swordsmanship Talent Amplification: 64x (Level 7 Amplification requires 10,000,000 silver)]
’Sixty-four times Swordsmanship Talent Amplification!’
There was no world-shaking phenomenon, but Fang Han felt as if a clear spring had been poured into his mind. His thoughts and insights regarding Swordsmanship became nimbler and sharper than ever before.
Many profound Sword Principles that once required repeated contemplation to grasp now became clear with just a flicker of thought. All his previous points of confusion and stagnation were resolved with effortless ease.
A deeper level of Insight into the very essence of the Sword Dao welled up within him.
’Time to test it out!’
A sharp glint flashed in Fang Han’s eyes. He picked up his Cyan Blade Sword, pushed open the door, and headed once more for the familiar clearing in the woods.
The twilight of the setting sun stretched his shadow long across the ground.
In the clearing, he held his breath and focused his spirit. The Cyan Blade Sword shot from its sheath!
SWISH! SWISH! SWISH!
As the sword flashed, he began to execute the Wind Shadow Annihilation Sword technique.
The unpredictable Sword Techniques and their peerlessly sharp killing intent seemed to take on a new life under the terrifying boost of his 64x Swordsmanship Talent.
The transitions between each of the Sword Techniques, the subtle changes in his Inner Qi circulation, the fusion of his Sword Momentum and the Wind Momentum—everything became incredibly clear and natural.
As he practiced, he quickly perceived and corrected flaws he had previously overlooked. His comprehension of the "Annihilation" concept within the Swordsmanship deepened at an unprecedented rate.
After just a few practice runs, he could feel that his Wind Shadow Annihilation Sword had improved significantly.
Once his Wind Shadow Annihilation Sword reached Minor Achievement, its power was comparable to his Perfection Split Wind Sword Technique. After that point, practicing the Perfection Split Wind Sword Technique no longer provided any benefit to his training.
The pace of his cultivation for Wind Shadow Annihilation Sword had inevitably slowed.
After all, even among Top Grade Sword Techniques, Wind Shadow Annihilation Sword was known for being incredibly difficult to cultivate. Its difficulty was so extreme that those with insufficient talent might never even reach the Entry Level in their entire lifetime.
To feel such obvious progress after just a few practice sessions showed just how ridiculously powerful the 64x Swordsmanship Talent Amplification was.
’Excellent. As expected of a 64x Swordsmanship Talent!’
Fang Han sheathed his sword and stood still, slowly exhaling a breath of stale air. A look of deep satisfaction appeared in his eyes.
