CHAPTER 122: CHAPTER 122: OLD FENG GETS KIDNAPPED_1

"What are you two whispering about over there?"

Feng Ling’er’s voice suddenly came from behind them.

Qin Feiyang and Ling Yunfei raised their eyebrows, turned, and saw Feng Ling’er getting up and walking towards them.

Ling Yunfei whispered, "This woman is very shrewd, not as easily fooled as Lu Hong and Fatty. You must be careful around her."

Qin Feiyang said, "Fatty isn’t that easily fooled either; he’s likely just playing dumb."

"Him?" A touch of disdain flashed in Ling Yunfei’s eyes.

"You haven’t spent much time with him, so you don’t know him well. Even though he’s timid and afraid of trouble, he isn’t stupid. In any case, don’t underestimate him," Qin Feiyang advised.

Ling Yunfei’s pupils constricted. To receive such high praise from Qin Feiyang, it seems I’ll have to pay more attention to this Fatty in the future.

Feng Ling’er approached the two.

Ling Yunfei stood up and said flatteringly, "Senior Sister Ling’er, I originally thought you wore a mask because you were too plain to show your face, but I never imagined you were this beautiful! You’re simply divine!"

With a cold expression, Feng Ling’er said, "Stop the flattery. You knew Jiang Haotian’s real identity yet chose to collude with him, deceiving everyone. This is a grave offense, do you understand?"

"What do you mean? How could your Junior Brother not understand?" Ling Yunfei’s heart chilled, but he feigned bewilderment.

"Still pretending? Don’t think I didn’t notice the murderous intent you revealed when we were speculating that Jiang Haotian was Qin Feiyang," Feng Ling’er scoffed.

Qin Feiyang stood up and looked at her. "What do you want?"

Since he couldn’t hide it any longer, there was no need to continue the charade.

Feng Ling’er shook her head. "If I wanted to do anything, I would have acted against you back then. Don’t worry, I’ll pretend I know nothing about this."

It wasn’t because Qin Feiyang was particularly charming. It was because Qin Feiyang had saved her back at Eagle Claw Peak. If not for him, she would have been violated by Lin Chen and lost her purity. For a woman, nothing was more important than that.

"Huh?" Qin Feiyang and Ling Yunfei, unaware of her reasons, were utterly bewildered.

However, now that Feng Ling’er had promised to keep their secret, they could finally breathe a sigh of relief.

Qin Feiyang asked, "Miss Ling’er, have you heard of someone named Lin Yiyi in Yan City?"

"Lin Yiyi?" Feng Ling’er pondered for a moment, then nodded. "Yes. She’s said to be from a branch of the Lin family. Lin Han is planning to adopt her as his goddaughter. There are also rumors that once she turns sixteen, she will be formally married into the royal family."

"Why are you suddenly asking about her? Do you know her?" Feng Ling’er asked, puzzled.

"Yes." Qin Feiyang nodded, a resolute light shining in his eyes.

No matter what, he had to rescue Lin Yiyi! It was a promise! And it was a brother’s love for his sister!

Feng Ling’er asked curiously, "Qin Feiyang, how did you end up feuding with the Yan King?"

"I don’t have a feud with the Yan King," Qin Feiyang said, shaking his head.

"Then why did he issue a warrant for your arrest?" Feng Ling’er frowned.

Qin Feiyang said, "My feud is with the Lin family of Yan City. Back in Iron Bull Town, Lin Yiyi’s hometown, I killed Lin Han’s youngest son, Lin Baili."

"What?" Feng Ling’er and Ling Yunfei exchanged shocked glances, their eyes wide with disbelief.

He even dared to kill someone from the Lin family of Yan City! This bastard was far too audacious!

"Tell me about it," Feng Ling’er said, her interest immediately piqued.

Qin Feiyang frowned. "Why are you so nosy?"

Feng Ling’er snorted and threatened, "If you don’t tell me, I’ll expose your true identity to everyone."

Qin Feiyang sighed helplessly and briefly explained what had happened in Iron Bull Town. However, he didn’t mention his relationship with Lo Qingzhu and her mother, nor Zhao Shuang’er and Uncle Yuan.

Upon hearing this, Feng Ling’er’s eyes widened in realization. She said angrily, "The Lin family is truly outrageous! Do they think they can act with impunity in Yan Province just because they’re close to the royal family? I detest such self-righteous people the most!"

"It can’t be helped; that’s just how the world is," Qin Feiyang said, shaking his head. "People with power and influence can do as they please, while those without find it hard to even maintain their dignity."

Ling Yunfei said, "However, the one who suffered the most in this affair is Lin Yiyi’s father. He gained nothing and instead lost a daughter."

Qin Feiyang said, "He brought it upon himself."

He had no sympathy for Lin Chang. Because that man was simply not worthy of sympathy.

Feng Ling’er said, "So, your main purpose for going to Yan City is to save Lin Yiyi?"

"You could say that," Qin Feiyang replied with a faint smile.

Only he knew that his real purpose was to return home. And also, to completely uproot the Lin family of Yan City!

Feng Ling’er shook her head. "I’m afraid that will be very difficult. The Lin family of Yan City has the royal family backing them, and they also have a War Emperor in their ranks. Even the Elixir King Palace, Martial King Palace, and Treasure Pavilion have to show them some deference. Your chances of succeeding alone are slim."

Qin Feiyang said, "We’ll cross that bridge when we get to Yan City."

Feng Ling’er suddenly said, "Actually, I have an idea."

"What idea?" Qin Feiyang and Ling Yunfei asked, looking at her suspiciously.

Feng Ling’er teased, "You could propose marriage to Lin Yiyi first. Given your talent in alchemy, the Lin family would probably agree without a second thought."

"Good idea!" Ling Yunfei nodded in agreement. "Someone who can refine top-grade elixirs, as long as they don’t die young, will have a future value far exceeding that of the royal family. The Lin family would be more than eager to curry favor with you."

In his heart, he was actually bitter. To think that when Qin Feiyang had said he wanted to refine the Vermilion Glazed Pill, he had not only disbelieved him but also ridiculed him. Later, when the news that Qin Feiyang had refined a top-grade elixir quickly spread throughout Black Bear City, he had been dumbfounded on the spot. This guy was too heaven-defying! He was practically inhuman!

"That won’t work," Qin Feiyang said, shaking his head.

If that were the case, he could have eloped with Lin Yiyi from the start. Why go through all this trouble? He only saw Lin Yiyi as a sister; there were no romantic feelings involved. He simply couldn’t bring himself to propose.

Suddenly, a thunderous BOOM! echoed from far away.

The three looked at each other and then urgently scanned the distance.

Fatty and Lu Hong were also startled awake and immediately ran towards Qin Feiyang and the others.

"What happened?" Fatty asked.

"We don’t know either," Qin Feiyang said, shaking his head.

"The sound came from the direction of Black Bear City," Ling Yunfei said, looking puzzled. Could something have happened in Black Bear City?

"Should we go back and check?" Feng Ling’er asked.

"Let’s go and take a look." After some thought, Qin Feiyang nodded.

The group of five immediately turned back, sprinting through the forest. After battling their way through the undergrowth for two hours, the west gate of Black Bear City finally came into view.

As the city gate came into view, a sense of unease crept over them. Normally, only two guards stood at the gate, but now there were over a dozen. The city walls, usually empty, now had guards posted every three steps and sentries every seven. The security was even tighter than when the city had been locked down to search for Qin Feiyang!

By now, the sky had darkened, and a full moon hung high above. Hazy moonlight spilled down, blanketing the mountains and landscape in a silvery sheen.

Seeing figures approach, the guards at the gate immediately drew their swords. "Who goes there?" one shouted, on alert.

"It’s me, Jian Haotian!" Qin Feiyang shouted.

"Jian Haotian?" The guards exchanged puzzled glances.

As the group drew closer, the guards recognized Jian Haotian and his companions. A middle-aged man stepped forward to greet them—it was Gu Eight.

He asked, "Weren’t you headed to Yan City? Why are you back?"

Qin Feiyang asked in surprise, "Elder Gu, why are you personally standing guard here?"

Gu Eight replied gravely, "Two hours ago, our Elixir Palace was attacked, and the Alchemy Flame was stolen."

"What?" Qin Feiyang and the others exchanged shocked looks.

Someone actually dared to steal the Alchemy Flame from the Elixir Palace? Who could be so brazen?

"The culprit came and went like a ghost; none of us saw their true face. And..." Gu Eight trailed off, looking at Feng Ling’er, hesitant to continue.

Feng Ling’er frowned. "Elder Gu, what are you trying to say?"

Gu Eight gritted his teeth and said in a heavy tone, "Your grandfather was also taken."

"How could this be?" Feng Ling’er exclaimed, her face turning deathly pale.

"We don’t know either," Gu Eight said, shaking his head.

"Stealing the Alchemy Flame... kidnapping Old Feng..." Qin Feiyang muttered, his mind racing. Suddenly, a glint appeared in his eyes. "Could it be Zuo An?"

Fatty said grimly, "You’re thinking the same thing as I, Master Fatty. It’s almost certainly him!"

"Oh no!" Ling Yunfei’s expression changed drastically. He turned to Gu Eight and asked, "What about my mother?"

Gu Eight said, "I’m not sure about your mother, but she should be fine. There haven’t been any reports of abductions from the Martial Palace."

"No, I have to go to the Martial Palace and check. I’ll find you all later," Ling Yunfei said to Qin Feiyang and the others before dashing into the city without a backward glance.

Qin Feiyang glanced at Feng Ling’er, patted her shoulder, and comforted her, "Don’t worry. The Netherworld Demon Flame is still in our hands. Zuo An won’t harm your grandfather for now."

"Mm." Feng Ling’er nodded, tears streaming down her face.

Qin Feiyang asked, "Elder Gu, where is the Hall Master?"

Gu Eight replied, "They are all in the conference hall."

Qin Feiyang said, "Let’s go. We’re heading to the Elixir Palace."

The four of them entered the city and rushed towards the Elixir Palace.

Moments later, they dashed into the familiar conference hall.

Luo Xiong, Elder Mo, the Martial Palace Master, the Treasure Pavilion Master, and the Jiang Family Head were all seated in the hall, discussing something. The atmosphere was tense.

Seeing Qin Feiyang and the others suddenly rush in, the leaders were first taken aback, then quickly rose to greet them.

Luo Xiong asked, "Why are you back?"

Without wasting any words, Qin Feiyang said directly, "Hall Master, we know who stole the Alchemy Flame and abducted Old Feng."

"Who?" Luo Xiong asked.

"Zuo An! And Lin Chen!" Qin Feiyang stated, enunciating each word.

"Lin Chen?" Luo Xiong exclaimed, his face filled with disbelief. "How could it be him?"

The Jiang Family Head frowned. "And who is Zuo An?"

Elder Mo said in a deep voice, "Eight years ago, an alchemist committed a heinous crime condemned by all by refining the notorious Bloodfiend Pill. He was eventually hunted down and killed by the Yan King and others outside Yan City. That alchemist was Zuo An!"

The Jiang Family Head nodded. "That’s right! I remember now. It was him. The incident caused quite a stir throughout Yan Province back then. But... wasn’t he killed?"