Chapter 1121: The Feng Family in Turmoil

Heading north past the county city of Beiliang, another five hundred li brought one to the border of the Tiansheng Empire.

Ling Feng and Tuoba Yan traveled together for nearly ten days before they finally arrived at a border city of the empire known as Weiling City.

Because the city stood between two nations, martial practitioners of every kind gathered there in great numbers. Ling Feng and Tuoba Yan both wore cloaks, and so they passed through the streets without drawing much attention.

"First, we need to find the Feng family," Ling Feng said quietly. He turned to Tuoba Yan. "With Feng Yan's ability, he should be well known in the Tiansheng Empire. Asking about the Feng family's whereabouts should not be difficult."

Tuoba Yan nodded. She had seen Feng Yan's strength firsthand. With a single strike of the Sky-Imprisonment Finger, he had forced back the overbearing Yan Jinghong. Within the empire, there was no doubt that Feng Yan ranked among the finest of his generation.

"It has already been a year. I wonder if Feng Yan has used the Blood Jade Spring Flower."

Ling Feng rubbed the bridge of his nose. The Blood Jade Spring Flower was a life-saving herb. If Feng Yan had not faced mortal danger, he would not have consumed it. There was also the chance he might have sold it.

In any case, they had to find Feng Yan before deciding what to do next.

The two lodged at an inn in the city's western district. They agreed to separate and search for information, then meet again at dusk.

After lunch, Ling Feng made his way north while Tuoba Yan headed south. As long as they acted discreetly, there should be no trouble.

Before long, Ling Feng reached a bustling street filled with people. It was the best place to gather news.

He soon caught fragments of a lively conversation. Moving closer, he listened to a group of martial practitioners drinking and speaking loudly at a nearby table.

"

Heh,

Old Wu, I bet you already heard. The young sect leader of the Tiejian Sect sealed off Black Dragon Pool. They blocked it so tightly that not even water could seep through!"

"

Tch,

that's old news. The young sect leader brought more than a dozen experts of the Spiritual Element Realm, and even the grand elder of the sect went along. That Grand Elder Ying is a king-tier master!"

"There must be a treasure in Black Dragon Pool. Without it, those Iron Sword dogs would never set foot in that cursed place. Damn it, we used to hunt a few demonic beasts there to survive. Now we can only risk our lives in the even more dangerous Wangbei Forest."

"What else can you do? The Tiejian Sect rules this city. If they can seal off Black Dragon Pool with a single order, they could just as easily shut the city gates if they pleased."

...

Ling Feng shook his head. Power struggles and treasure hunts like this were common everywhere. But his purpose here was not treasure. Finding the Feng family came first.

After thinking for a moment, he stepped toward the rowdy group and offered them a fist-and-palm salute. With a faint smile he said, "Brothers, judging from your bold talk, you are clearly men of straightforward character. I have a few questions I'd like to ask. If you are willing to help, allow me to cover the wine on this table!"

"

Oh?

"

The group looked him over. Their leader chuckled. "Young friend, you are generous. Go on, ask. If I know the answer, I will tell you."

"My thanks, Big Brother!"

Ling Feng saluted again and smiled. "I have just arrived here. I wish to ask about the Feng family of this empire."

"The Feng family?"

The man's expression shifted slightly. "Which Feng family do you mean?"

"The one Feng Yan belongs to. The man who uses Sky-Imprisonment Finger. Surely there is no more famous Feng family in the empire than that one?"

"What?" The man's eyelids twitched and he quickly motioned for silence. "Boy, are you close with the Feng family?"

Ling Feng caught the reaction and replied at once, "Not really. I only heard of them and hoped to borrow something from them."

"Boy, anywhere else would be fine. But in Weiling City, do not mention the Feng family so lightly. If people misunderstand, you could find yourself arrested." The man's voice dropped low.

"How so? I heard the Feng family was quite renowned in the empire."

"They were indeed. But times have changed."

The leader shook his head. "A month ago, Feng Yan disappeared. Soon after, word spread that the Feng family was arranging a marriage alliance with the Tiejian Sect. Think about it. The Feng family is an enormous power, yet they agreed to tie themselves to a small local tyrant like the Tiejian Sect. There is clearly something wrong."

"Just a few days ago, the Feng family's second young lady was married off to the sect leader of the Tiejian Sect. Hah, a beauty like that is forced to marry an old man as his concubine. Do you think she would be willing? She is a woman of spirit. That very night she fled from the marriage. Since then, the Tiejian Sect has been searching the city for her. My advice is not to pry into the Feng family, or you will bring trouble upon yourself."

"I see."

Ling Feng nodded. Too many threads were tangled together, and the Tiejian Sect seemed to be at the heart of it all.

Feng Yan's disappearance was most likely connected to them.

Ling Feng sighed inwardly. He could only hope Feng Yan was still alive. Otherwise, where in this vast world could he find a second Blood Jade Spring Flower?

"By the way, Big Brothers, earlier you mentioned the young sect leader of the Tiejian Sect surrounding Black Dragon Pool. Could it be that the second young lady of the Feng family is hiding there?"

"It is not impossible, but I doubt it. Black Dragon Pool is no place to hide."

The leader laughed loudly as he replied.

"Thank you, Brothers."

Ling Feng set a pouch of crystal coins on the table, offered another fist-and-palm salute, and left.

When the men opened the pouch, their eyes went wide.

Inside were over a hundred high-grade elemental stones. To think this young man had spent so much for just a few questions. He was clearly no ordinary traveler!

...

Leaving the crowded market, Ling Feng stopped at a stall selling maps. He bought one of the Tiansheng Empire and another of Weiling City, and asked a few more questions about the Tiejian Sect.

As dusk fell, he returned to the inn.

Yet when he arrived, Tuoba Yan was nowhere to be found.

Ling Feng frowned as he recalled what those men had told him. A sense of dread washed over him.

This is bad.

Without a moment's delay, he rushed toward the southern district.