Chapter 981: Fei You

The ebony sword was already stirring, ready to strike. Hidden behind the door, Bai was also about to make his move. The young man’s sudden reaction caught both of them completely off guard.

Bang!

Bai slammed the door shut, blocking the young man’s escape.

Qin Sang flicked his finger, and the ebony sword halted mid-air. Its sword light pulsed with deadly intent, pointing straight at the young man’s forehead.

The youth froze in shock at the sight before him. Feeling the sharp edge of killing intent pressing against him, cold sweat instantly drenched his back. When he noticed Manager Liu lying on the floor, his heart jolted once more.

Before he could recover, he was already surrounded by Qin Sang and Bai, with no way out.

"You know me?" Qin Sang’s eyes narrowed slightly as he studied the young man.

He was certain they had never met, yet the youth’s face felt somewhat familiar. His reaction was also unusual, as if he had come specifically for him.

Seeing that the young man posed no threat, Qin Sang gave Bai a look. Bai understood immediately, lifted Manager Liu, and quietly left the quiet room to deal with the aftermath.

"Senior, you truly are Daoist Master Qingfeng!" The young man dared not ask anything more. Relief washed over him, for he had risked his life to come and deliver his warning, thinking he would have to deceive Manager Liu first and fearing that he might give himself away.

Unexpectedly, Manager Liu was already a captive, as though the entire plot had been exposed.

"Senior, you may not remember me, but I have always remembered your kindness. My name is Fei You. My parents once followed you for a time and received many rewards. You even saved their lives. Since returning home, they have never forgotten your grace. They constantly reminded me to remember your favor. My successful Core Formation is also thanks to your blessing."

Fearing that Qin Sang might misunderstand, Fei You spoke rapidly, sweat still glistening on his forehead as he explained his identity. Qin Sang made a soft sound of realization and recalled the past.

When he first arrived at the Demonic Sea, he had hired several Foundation Building cultivators familiar with the region to help him find a Jiao spirit for refining the Nine-Dragon Heavenly Chariot Talisman. Among them were the Wang Sisters, an elderly couple, and a cultivator surnamed Peng.

Later, the Wang Sisters followed him again on the Five-Elemental Islands, but the old couple failed their Core Formation attempt and returned to the Inner Sea, saying they would focus on training their only son.

Fei You turned out to be that son, which explained why his features looked vaguely familiar.

"You came specifically to find me?" Qin Sang glanced at Manager Liu’s unconscious form and instantly understood.

Fei You nodded quickly, his tone urgent. "The merchant guild intends to harm you, Senior. I couldn’t contact you or the seniors surnamed Wang and was extremely anxious. I happened to be stationed on Yinghuan Island when I received a message from Manager Liu, so I came immediately to warn you. I didn’t expect you had already seen through his plot."

"The seniors surnamed Wang you mentioned, are they Wang Shi and Wang Xiang?" Qin Sang asked at once. "The merchant guild hasn’t caused them trouble, has it?"

He was closest to the Wang Sisters within the Qiongyu Merchant Guild. They had followed him for many years. If the guild was targeting him, the sisters might be implicated.

"The merchant guild has been searching for them!" Fei You said, still shaken. "After parting ways with you, the two seniors withdrew from the guild and returned to the Inner Sea, cultivating on Lingchun Island. Fortunately, they were cautious, and the guild never learned their true background. Please don't worry, Senior. I have secretly sent a message to them. They will be safe. I joined the guild only after forming my core and never mentioned you to anyone, so they don’t know I have any connection with you. Otherwise, I would probably already be..."

Qin Sang’s face darkened. Anger flared in his heart. The Qiongyu Merchant Guild’s bounty on him was bad enough, yet now they wanted to wipe out everyone close to him. Fortunately, the Wang Sisters were alert. He only hoped Ran Luo had not been dragged into this as well.

"You should have frequent contact with Vice Commissioner Zuo on Yinghuan Island. Have you ever heard him mention why the guild wants to deal with me?" Qin Sang asked.

Fei You shook his head. He knew Qin Sang must have already questioned Manager Liu, so he got straight to the point. "Vice Commissioner Zuo is extremely tight-lipped. I tried several times to probe him but couldn’t get a word out. I feared drawing suspicion, so I stopped asking. The order to hunt you was issued very suddenly some time ago. Other than Vice Commissioner Zuo, no one knows what happened inside the guild. When the order came, he happened to be off the island, which gave me a chance to reach you. But he hasn’t gone far and should be arriving soon. Senior, you must leave immediately—"

Before he could finish, Bai’s voice suddenly echoed from outside. "Too late. They’re already here."

Qin Sang and Fei You’s expressions changed. They rushed out of the shop one after another.

It was early morning. On the deserted street outside, Bai stood side by side with the restrained Manager Liu, confronting another group of cultivators.

A cool autumn wind blew, scattering yellow leaves across the cobblestones. The river beside the street rippled softly.

Shops along the bank had all shut their doors, some even activating protective arrays. A few nervous faces peeked through the windows. The few pedestrians who had been around earlier had long fled, afraid to be caught in whatever was unfolding.

The opposing group numbered five, forming a neat wing-shaped formation that blocked Bai’s path. All were Core Formation Realm experts.

At their center stood an elderly man in ornate robes. His hair and beard were white, his expression stern, his presence imposing.

Standing with his hands clasped behind his back, he seemed like an immovable mountain. His gaze locked on Bai, filled with deep wariness.

Qin Sang and Fei You appeared. All eyes turned toward them.

"Fei, you ungrateful traitor! How dare you collude with a guild criminal and leak information!" shouted a young man in tight battle garb, pointing angrily at Fei You.

"Senior, that old man is Vice Commissioner Zuo," Fei You whispered, his face pale. He had not expected Zuo to arrive so quickly. What worried him more was the strength of the enemy. There were five experts in total. Besides Vice Commissioner Zuo, the others were also elites of the merchant guild. Their chances of victory were slim. But there was no turning back now.

"Foolish wretch," Vice Commissioner Zuo said coldly, casting Fei You a disdainful glance. He snorted and then turned his gaze toward Qin Sang. "You must be Daoist Master Qingfeng."

Qin Sang’s eyes narrowed slightly as he swept his gaze over the five. Vice Commissioner Zuo’s strength was likely no weaker than Elder Zhou’s. Aside from him, there was another late-stage Core Formation cultivator. The young man in tight garb had cultivation similar to Fei You’s, while the remaining two were middle-stage Core Formation cultivators.

By appearance, I am only at the middle stage, yet Vice Commissioner Zuo has brought so many subordinates. It's clear that he has come prepared.

Qin Sang sneered inwardly and quietly transmitted his thoughts to Bai and Fei You. He had already decided to fight.

This number of opponents was far from enough to make him retreat. Qin Sang did not answer, and Vice Commissioner Zuo showed no anger. He said calmly, "So you command a refined corpse with such great power. Fortunately, I did not underestimate you."

Bai bristled in annoyance. He wanted to shout back, asking whether Vice Commissioner Zuo had ever seen a refined corpse with intelligence this high.

Vice Commissioner Zuo declared loudly, "Qiongyu Merchant Guild is cleansing its ranks. I ask all Daoists to grant me passage. Any losses will be fully compensated by the guild! In the name of the Qiongyu Merchant Guild’s vice commissioner, I call upon the allied cultivators to lend their aid, and they shall be richly rewarded in days to come!"

As he spoke, Vice Commissioner Zuo raised a command token high. His voice boomed like thunder, echoing through the entire street.