Chapter 104: The White Emperor Glazed Tripod (Part Two)

Among the five remaining individuals, Zhang Tianhao was one. Another, to Jiang Feng's surprise, was Duan Xingyun—the very person he had thoroughly outclassed in the Star Soul Flowing Light Formation and indirectly defeated during the Nine-Rock Grand Tournament.

"Jiang Feng, I once thought you were a decent person," Duan Xingyun said, his eyes bloodshot with raw fury upon seeing him. "But why did you and your grandfather conspire to harm my master? The Langya Chamber of Commerce is now in total disarray, all because of you! The current head of the Nine-Rock Town branch is a heinous villain. I only wanted to kill him and take his place, but I was bound by my mission. Otherwise, I would have been cultivating in the Star Soul Flowing Light Formation until I could strike him down!"

"Brother Duan, do not be so pessimistic," Zhang Tianhao interjected, suppressing his shock. He had been unaware of the massive upheaval in Nine-Rock Town over the past few days, and he was stunned that this youth before him had actually colluded with his grandfather to kill Xuan Xingzi—a being of divine-like power. Swallowing hard, he forced a smile. "Our current goal is to seize the head of the Island Master of No-Life and that giant cauldron. If you intend to kill this boy to avenge Senior Xuan Xingzi, we will naturally stand by your side."

His words were impassioned but calculated. By prioritizing their objective, he hoped to manipulate Duan Xingyun into helping him subdue the youth and secure the head and the cauldron. Once those were in his possession, he would have secured his contribution points to the Langya Chamber of Commerce; whether he would actually help Duan Xingyun kill Jiang Feng afterward was another matter entirely.

Facing ten deep-level members of the Langya Chamber of Commerce from various cities, and a former friend turned foe due to Xuan Xingzi’s death, Jiang Feng realized this was a true meeting of enemies.

"Wait, Brother Duan Xingyun just called you Jiang Feng. Are you from the Jiang family?" Zhang Tianhao’s gaze turned cold as he scrutinized Jiang Feng. He knew the Jiang family’s standing in Nine-Rock Town. While the Fang family reigned supreme, the other three major clans held their own, all under the umbrella of the Langya Chamber of Commerce. He had heard rumors that a youth from the Jiang family had dominated the Nine-Rock Grand Tournament and wiped out the members of the Fang family. Though some of these tales were likely exaggerated, the boy could not be ignored. Could this really be him?

"Haha! So, you are all from the Langya Chamber of Commerce," Jiang Feng stood his ground, wrapping the house-sized White Emperor Glass Cauldron in his nether-energy. He looked at Duan Xingyun. "Brother Duan, Senior Xuan Xingzi attempted to rob me of my treasure. I find it hard to believe he would stoop to such banditry, but it was indeed him. I was forced to kill him in self-defense. I did not involve my grandfather, and I hope you can forgive me and spare him from your vengeance."

"The depth of my master’s cultivation is beyond your imagination," Duan Xingyun spat, his hatred for Jiang Feng so deep he longed to drink his blood. The closer the relationship, the deeper the wound.

"Are you the rising star of Nine-Rock Town, Jiang Feng?" another deep-level member of the Chamber asked.

This man was Cang Bo, a top-tier prodigy from Lingbo Town who had been in seclusion for two years. "I am here under my master’s orders to look after Zhang Tianhao and the others, and to gain experience," Cang Bo said with a cold, greedy smile as he eyed the cauldron. "Jiang Feng, you have obtained the White Emperor Glass Cauldron, but you bear too much infamy. If you leave now, we will not let you be. If Brother Duan here reports your actions, you will become the most wanted man in Nine-Rock Town. For the sake of your Jiang family, you should hand this treasure over to Brother Duan to take back to the Chamber. It would be mutually beneficial."

"Hand it over to the sect?" Jiang Feng licked his lips. "I don't recall that in the sect rules."

"It isn't, but our blockade of the Ghost Gorge contributed to the death of the Island Master. We deserve a share of the credit," Cang Bo retorted. "Moreover, your whereabouts are the most sought-after secret in Nine-Rock Town. The Fang family would love to see you dead. You should consider your position."

Jue, hidden within Jiang Feng’s consciousness, cautioned him: "Don't listen to this man's lies. He’s just as ruthless as the rest. If you comply, Duan Xingyun will only be more convinced that you are guilty, and you will never clear your name."

Jiang Feng realized the truth. He stood tall, his aura shifting. "You speak of my benefit, but you only care for yourselves. If I hand over the head and the cauldron, you will convince Duan Xingyun that I premeditated this murder, and I will be trapped in a web of lies. I won't fall for it!"

Turning to Duan Xingyun, he added, "Brother Duan, I speak the truth. Your master intended to rob and kill me. Despite his status as your mentor, I had no choice but to resist."

Duan Xingyun’s blood-red eyes flickered with a sudden, calm clarity. A glimmer of belief had taken root.

"These people have ulterior motives," Jiang Feng pressed. "Let us drive them away, and then settle our personal grievances."

Zhang Tianhao and his group grew anxious, realizing Jiang Feng was far more eloquent than they anticipated. Duan Xingyun remained silent for a moment, weighing his options. Finally, he spoke, "Very well! But after today, I will not return to the Langya Chamber of Commerce. I would rather settle things with you here. Once this is done, I will settle the debt for my master’s death with you personally!"

Jiang Feng was overjoyed. He surged his nether-energy and laughed, "Come then, you shameless lot! Let us see how we handle the lot of you!"

The battle was imminent, and Jiang Feng’s palms were slick with cold sweat.