CHAPTER 504: CHAPTER 504: THE ABNORMALITY OF WANG HONG_1

Wang Hong furrowed his brows, seemingly unsure what to say.

"What on earth is going on?" Qin Feiyang asked Wang Hong, looking at him.

Is the Mansion Lord deceiving him? Was imprisoning Zhao He just a stopgap measure? Would Zhao He be released once the situation blew over?

Wang Hong glanced at Qin Feiyang, then turned to Zhao He. "What the hell are you talking about?"

Zhao He chuckled sardonically. "Wang Hong, it’s been half a year. There’s really no need to keep hiding it from him."

"Make yourself clear!" Wang Hong’s frown deepened.

"Alright, if you won’t say it, I will." Zhao He chuckled lightly, then turned to Qin Feiyang. "The Mansion Lord imprisoned me simply to give an accounting to the world."

Qin Feiyang’s eyes darkened.

Simultaneously, Wang Hong’s expression changed drastically. "Zhao He, stop your nonsense!" he roared.

Zhao He smiled faintly. "You know best whether I’m talking nonsense or not."

Qin Feiyang clenched his fists, abruptly turning to Wang Hong. "Is that so?"

Wang Hong hurriedly replied, "Qin Feiyang, he’s just trying to stir up trouble. Don’t fall for his tricks."

Zhao He’s eyes glinted. He chuckled, "Qin Feiyang, Wang Hong is keeping this from you because he’s afraid that if you knew the truth, you’d cause trouble for the Mansion Lord."

Qin Feiyang shouted, "Shut up! I want Wang Hong to tell me himself!"

Zhao He chuckled. "Alright, alright, I’ll shut up.

"After all, this is a very cruel truth. Anyone would find it difficult to accept in a short time."

Wang Hong glanced at Zhao He, looking somewhat irritated.

"Speak!" Qin Feiyang shouted, his gaze growing more intimidating.

Wang Hong sighed deeply. "We’ve known each other for so long. Don’t you know what kind of person the Old Master is? He wouldn’t spare even his own relatives if they erred, let alone Zhao He."

Zhao He nodded again. "Yes, yes, yes, I was just talking nonsense. Don’t take it seriously."

Wang Hong’s face instantly darkened. "Zhao He, I told you to shut up! Didn’t you hear me?"

Zhao He’s eyes glinted with mockery, his words heavy with implication. "Alright, I won’t say another word.

"But I’d like to see how long certain people can keep up their act."

Qin Feiyang glanced at Zhao He, then back at Wang Hong, his face as dark as still water.

Wang Hong frowned. "I’ve explained what needs explaining. I have nothing more to say. Believe it or not, that’s up to you."

Qin Feiyang remained silent, his gaze flickering.

Suddenly, he raised his hand and slapped Zhao He hard across the face. SMACK! A bright red handprint blossomed on Zhao He’s aged face.

Zhao He was stunned on the spot.

Wang Hong and Li Duo were also somewhat dumbfounded.

What’s going on?

Didn’t he believe Zhao He’s words? Why did he suddenly slap him?

When they looked back at Qin Feiyang, the gloom on his face had vanished, replaced by blatant mockery.

He turned to Zhao He, shaking his head. "With your level of intelligence, you’re still trying to sow discord? Don’t you find that laughable?"

Hearing this, Wang Hong and Li Duo immediately understood.

It turned out Qin Feiyang hadn’t actually believed Zhao He’s slander; he was just playing along with Zhao He’s drama.

This showed that Qin Feiyang was actually in a decent mood; otherwise, he wouldn’t have wasted time playing along with Zhao He.

He actually didn’t believe me? Zhao He, in contrast, was filled with disbelief.

He had carefully considered every word he’d spoken, yet unexpectedly, he still hadn’t managed to deceive Qin Feiyang.

Qin Feiyang crossed his arms, watching Zhao He with an air of leisurely expectation, a playful smirk on his lips. "Why aren’t you talking?

"Come on, continue. I’m all ears."

A vicious glint flashed in Zhao He’s eyes. "Believe it or not, suit yourself!"

SMACK! Qin Feiyang raised his arm and landed another crisp slap on Zhao He. "I didn’t ask you to spout nonsense."

Zhao He glared at him furiously. "Haven’t you had enough?"

"Heh!" Qin Feiyang grinned, revealing a set of white teeth. "Honestly, no."

After saying this, a fierce look crept onto his face, and he began to slap Zhao He’s aged face relentlessly.

SMACK! SMACK! SMACK! The slaps were sharp and piercing.

Before long, Zhao He’s old face was beaten beyond recognition, blood pooling on the ground.

After dozens of relentless slaps, Qin Feiyang finally stopped. He shook the blood from his hand, smiling. "I didn’t expect your skin to be so thick at your age. My hand is almost sore. So, tell me, how did that feel? Good?"

Zhao He glared at him intensely, gritting his teeth. "Little Bastard, don’t get too cocky too soon!"

Qin Feiyang said mockingly, "Oh, I am definitely cocky.

"Right now, even if I were to ride on your head, all you could do is glare helplessly."

Venomous hatred filled Zhao He’s bloodshot, aged eyes.

Qin Feiyang sneered with disdain, then turned to Wang Hong. "Senior, I’d like to have a few words with Zhao He alone."

"Alone?" Wang Hong looked puzzled but didn’t say much more. He took Li Duo and left the prison cell.

Qin Feiyang closed the stone door and turned to Zhao He. "Tell me honestly, what is your relationship with Mu Tianyang?"

From the looks of it, the one who secretly rescued Zhao He twice must be Mu Tianyang. After all, throughout the entire Spirit State, only Mu Tianyang possesses the strength to contend with the Old Master.

"Mu Tianyang?" But upon hearing this, Zhao He looked confused.

Seeing this, Qin Feiyang couldn’t help but frown. It seems Zhao He doesn’t know Mu Tianyang at all.

After a moment’s thought, Qin Feiyang asked again, "Let me ask you differently then. Who saved you back then?"

Zhao He’s eyes glinted for a moment before he sneered, "What business is it of yours?"

"Fine, forget it." Qin Feiyang turned to leave.

Zhao He gave a sinister laugh. "He is someone you cannot afford to offend.

"His strength surpasses even the Mansion Lord’s!

"I’m telling you, sooner or later, you will die by his hands!"

"Is that so?" Qin Feiyang halted, turning his head to look at Zhao He with an indifferent gaze.

Zhao He sneered repeatedly. "What do you think?"

"Then tell me, why did he save you?" Qin Feiyang frowned.

Zhao He replied, "Because he and I are friends!"

"Friends?" Qin Feiyang was stunned, then burst into laughter.

One must understand, even the Sacred Monkey from the Great Canyon was only qualified to be Mu Tianyang’s subordinate. A mere Commander from the Spirit State, worthy of being Mu Tianyang’s friend? If he was going to lie, shouldn’t he at least come up with a more credible reason?

"Congratulations then, for having such a powerful friend." Qin Feiyang gave a faint smile and turned to leave without hesitation.

Zhao He clearly knows nothing. Continuing to probe would be a complete waste of time. It’s better to stick to my plan; perhaps I can really bait out this big fish, Mu Tianyang.

After leaving the prison, Qin Feiyang planned to gather medicinal herbs.

After all, relying solely on Ren Wushuang was too inefficient.

But he found that Wang Hong had been following him all along.

Initially, he didn’t draw attention to it and flew towards the bustling city area.

However, no matter where he went, Wang Hong followed.

Finally, Qin Feiyang couldn’t stand it anymore. He stopped in mid-air, turned to Wang Hong, and asked in confusion, "Senior, weren’t you going to investigate that valley?"

Wang Hong smiled faintly. "With Fan Jian and the others going, I don’t need to."

"But you can’t follow me around all the time!" Qin Feiyang frowned.

Wang Hong chuckled. "We’ve known each other for so long, but we haven’t really spent much time together. This is a good opportunity to interact more and get to know you better."

"Interact?" Qin Feiyang raised an eyebrow.

Who would believe such a flimsy excuse?

His gaze hardened, and he said in a deep voice, "Senior, tell me honestly, are you spying on me?"

"Spying?" Wang Hong was taken aback, then shook his head with a laugh. "Your imagination is quite rich. Tell me, why would I spy on you?"

Qin Feiyang replied, "If I knew, I wouldn’t be asking you."

Disappointment immediately showed on Wang Hong’s face. He sighed, "Alas, times have changed. You’re no longer the Qin Feiyang from Yan Province. Now, even I can’t presume to be in your league!"

"Uh..." Qin Feiyang was taken aback, a wry smile playing on his lips. "Alright, alright. Just pretend I didn’t say anything. And you can follow me for as long as you like. That should be fine, right?"

"That’s more like it." Wang Hong rolled his eyes at Qin Feiyang, a smile creeping onto his face as he added, "Don’t get me wrong, I’m not following you. I just want to communicate more and understand you better."

"Okay, okay, have it your way." Qin Feiyang nodded repeatedly, opened a portal, and returned directly to Alchemy Room No. 2 in the inner hall.

"Sit wherever you like." After calling out to Wang Hong, Qin Feiyang entered the alchemy room and began preparations to refine Battle Intent Pills.

Wang Hong indeed stayed, surveyed the surroundings, then went into the rest area. He sat down leisurely on a chair, watching with interest as Qin Feiyang bustled about in the alchemy room.

Qin Feiyang was rather aggravated.

I originally planned to go gather medicinal ingredients, but I never expected Wang Hong to pull a stunt like this. But why is he doing this? To interact more? To understand me better? He wouldn’t believe that nonsense even if his life depended on it. Most likely, Wang Hong is here to keep an eye on me, and it’s definitely related to the Mansion Lord. But why would the Mansion Lord want to monitor me? Qin Feiyang really couldn’t figure it out. It’s not like I’ve done anything wrong, have I? Whatever the reason, with Wang Hong following him around, doing anything is inconvenient. So, I might as well just perform Alchemy and try to wear Wang Hong out. Once Wang Hong loses his patience, he’ll naturally leave.

However, it turned out that Qin Feiyang was the first to lose patience.

It had been three days, and Wang Hong was still sitting in the lounge, not having moved an inch.

What on earth is this person trying to do? Qin Feiyang stood by the Pill Furnace, performing Alchemy while lost in thought, his brows tightly knitted.

BUZZ!

Suddenly, the Image Crystal Stone vibrated.

It must be Ren Wushuang sending a message. But with Wang Hong here, I obviously can’t talk to him. What should I do?

He pondered for a moment, then his eyes suddenly lit up. After finishing the pills in the Pill Furnace, he extinguished the furnace fire, turned to Wang Hong, and said with a smile, "Senior, I need to go to the ancient castle. Would you care to join me?"

"Ancient castle?" Wang Hong’s eyes also lit up. He nodded. "Since you’ve extended such a generous invitation, of course, I must go."

Truth be told, he had been interested in the ancient castle for a long time but never had the chance to check it out. Now that an opportunity presented itself, how could he possibly pass it up?

However, he didn’t know that Qin Feiyang was just being polite.

Or perhaps he did know but simply pretended not to.