Chapter Forty-Three: Breaking the Deadlock

At that critical moment, perhaps sensing something was amiss, Hua Feng suddenly became aware of someone approaching. He snapped his eyes open just in time to see a dagger gleaming with cold light. Forcing himself upright, he caught the blade aimed at his throat with his left hand, while his right hand twisted the assailant’s wrist. With a metallic clang, the dagger fell to the ground. The two exchanged a palm strike and both retreated, causing rocks to shatter and tumble to the cave floor, the force of their clash tearing through the air with a sound that echoed through the cavern.

“Vice Hall Master Zhou, are you here to kill me?” Hua Feng brushed the dust from his clothes and slowly stood, locking eyes with his attacker.

Startled by the sudden turn of events, Vice Hall Master Zhou realized he had underestimated the strength of this newly appointed Heroic Leader. He understood that, even at the peak of the Yuan King realm, he would likely fail in his assassination attempt today. Staggering back, almost falling, he confessed, “Heroic Leader, I have no choice. My wife and child have been taken hostage. Someone placed me by your side to look for an opportunity to eliminate you, so their own people could seize the position of Heroic Leader and obtain the Flame Emperor’s Mark and legacy.”

Hua Feng realized that upon awakening, he had advanced to level forty, though his vital energy was still unstable. If he didn’t stabilize his cultivation soon, he risked suffering a backlash. He decided not to press Zhou further. “Truly, a man’s virtue is his own undoing. I should have known that inheriting the title of Heroic Leader, and the legacy of the Flame Emperor, wouldn’t come so easily. I thought I was exceptionally lucky, but it turns out I’ve become a soft target for others.”

Just then, the guards at the cave entrance prepared to go inside, but stopped when they saw Shen Qiu leap ahead of them. They hurried forward to salute him.

“Who just went inside?” Shen Qiu asked.

“It was Vice Hall Master Zhou,” one guard replied.

“Follow me!” Shen Qiu charged into the cave with the guards in tow. Upon entering, both he and the guards were struck by the scene before them: the stone between the two men had been ground to powder, and Vice Hall Master Zhou Xing of the Divine Farmer Hall lay paralyzed on the ground as if his acupoints had been sealed, unable to move. Hua Feng was seated, regulating his breath.

“My apologies for arriving late. Are you alright?” Shen Qiu greeted with a salute.

Hua Feng opened his eyes. The faint golden energy swirling around him slowly drew back into his body, and the yin-yang fish within the Taiji diagram at his dantian grew darker in color. “Hall Master Shen, you’re here? Take Vice Hall Master Zhou into custody. As for the power behind him, I’ll investigate personally and find a way to protect his family. The rest of you, escort Vice Hall Master Zhou out to rest. Hall Master Shen, stay.”

“Yes, understood!” Shen Qiu replied, as the guards carefully carried Zhou Xing out of the cave.

“There’s no need for formalities, Hall Master Shen. Please, sit,” Hua Feng said. Shen Qiu took a seat on a brown meditation cushion. “What has happened during my slumber? Has Yun Meng awakened?” Hua Feng asked.

“Miss Yun Meng is still unconscious; I just checked on her. About a quarter of an hour ago, Elder Ying Long, Grandmaster Zhang, and Alliance Leader Dan Qiusheng set out to investigate the alien presence on the Australian continent. They’re searching for the missing cultivators’ hiding place, so we can prepare for our landing in Australia.”

“That’s good. It’s time we took the initiative. Though the aliens have advanced technology, I doubt their martial prowess could rival ours. The only uncertainty is what kind of life forms they are. If they’re similar to us, it will be manageable, but if they are something entirely unknown, it could be very troublesome.”

“Rest assured, Heroic Leader. In my opinion, since they can extract energy from our vital force, their form should be similar to ours. As long as we act cautiously, we will surely be able to bring back our missing comrades!”

Hua Feng took a few steps, feeling nearly recovered. Since obtaining the Flame Emperor’s legacy and some of the power of previous heirs, he found his body’s healing abilities had become astonishing, as though his cells and organs were now able to repair themselves at unprecedented speed.

The strength of Shennong, the accumulated knowledge and secret techniques from generations of Flame Emperors—all this he would have to explore slowly. For now, others coveted his position and the power of this legacy. Having just joined the Farmer Clan, he had no power base of his own. Even the harmless-seeming Hall Master Shen was inscrutable; perhaps he too harbored secrets. Strategically and politically, Hua Feng knew he was still far behind.

In those few minutes of silence, Hua Feng pondered many things. Seeing him so deep in thought, Shen Qiu worried he had said something wrong and could not help but ask, “Did I say something amiss?”

“You’re overthinking, Hall Master Shen. You said nothing wrong. For now, let’s quietly wait for news. Also, don’t tell anyone I’ve recovered. I want to see who else might try to make a move against me from behind Zhou Xing.”

“Understood. I’ll be vigilant and make sure nothing like tonight happens again!”

“Oh? And how will you ensure that? Those lurking in the shadows are invisible to us in the light. We can only wait until they act, then follow the clues to uncover the mastermind and break the deadlock in one stroke!”

“Understood, Heroic Leader. Wise as always!”

“Enough, Hall Master Shen. You don’t have to keep calling me Heroic Leader. If you don’t mind, just call me Hua Feng. I’m new to the Farmer Clan and unfamiliar with everything. I hope you can offer me your guidance, Brother Shen.” Hua Feng’s eyes shone with sincerity, giving Shen Qiu a long-lost feeling of being truly trusted.

“I couldn’t possibly. Even though the Farmer Clan values equality, there’s still a hierarchy. Like Hall Master Tian Meng, I’ll call you Boss from now on.”

“Very well, as you wish. Now, let’s go check on Yun Meng.” Hua Feng did not insist further on the matter of address.

“Yes, Boss.” Though it felt strange at first, Shen Qiu complied. What Hua Feng did not know was that Shen Qiu, abandoned by his parents as a child, had been taken in and raised by the former Hall Master of the Divine Farmer Hall. He had always acted with caution, fearing abandonment. Though his cautious and diplomatic path had served him well, this was the first time he had met a superior so free of guile. Accustomed to intrigue and ruthless power struggles, he now felt a bit out of place.

Outside the cave, the sea breeze blew, cool and refreshing. Shen Qiu collected himself and quickly caught up. On this day, he resolved to assist the young man before him with all the talents at his disposal.