Killing the owner of the Exchange right in public caused an immediate stir. People clearly hadn't anticipated why this youth would be so arrogant, dispatching a man with a mere disagreement.
The massive crowd that had gathered to watch the spectacle scattered like frightened birds the moment the killing occurred.
In a short while, only Chen Feng, Long Qi, the Guild Master, and Philomina remained in the entire Exchange. Even the subordinates Elder Aihua had newly hired had vanished without a trace. If Elder Aihua’s spirit could see the quality of the men he’d employed, he’d likely be so enraged he’d rise from the grave.
“Young brother, you possess remarkable skill,” the Guild Master sighed, his eyes fixed on Chen Feng.
Chen Feng glanced at him without a word, then turned to Long Qi and commanded, “Let’s go!”
Long Qi stood stock-still, seemingly unable to process reality. Hearing Chen Feng call him, he mumbled an “Oh,” snapped back to awareness, and started walking toward the interior of the Exchange.
“You’re going the wrong way; we need to get out!” Chen Feng called out when he saw Long Qi heading deeper inside.
“Ah…” Long Qi finally jolted back to his senses. The impact Chen Feng had just delivered was too overwhelming. He secretly congratulated himself for not having provoked Chen Feng too severely in the past—he’d only been thrown down once. As he thought this, a sudden realization struck him, and cold sweat streamed down his neck…
His own younger sister, Philia, was the primary accomplice in driving him to this hell.
He had thought of this the moment he saw Chen Feng, but believed that facing him head-on, his own abilities were sufficient to stop him, so he hadn't dwelled on it. Now, realizing the sheer gap in power between them, fear began to creep in.
A wave of panic welled up from his core. Staring at Chen Feng, his voice trembling slightly, he asked, “I know Philia did wrong and caused you trouble. How… how do you plan to deal with Philia’s matter?”
Chen Feng looked at him and stated flatly, “I will kill her.”
“No!” Long Qi shouted desperately. “Actually, Philia did it all for me. That night, I was ambushed by four or five men; they ended up capturing me and cutting off one of my arms as leverage. They threatened to kill me if Philia didn’t say those things, so she was forced! I beg you, spare her. If you spare her, you can kill me instead!”
Chen Feng stared at Long Qi with a cold smile, as if listening to a vastly amusing joke. “Not a single one who wished for my death has ever survived.”
The statement was arrogant yet carried a trace of undeniable dominance. Yet, for some unknown reason, neither the Guild Master nor Philomina doubted the words in the slightest.
Clang! Long Qi knew this youth’s decisions were absolute and impossible to reverse. Using the strength of his one arm, he wrenched his greatsword free. “If you dare harm my sister, I will take you down with me!”
Chen Feng looked at Long Qi’s fierce expression, finding it somewhat comical, and spoke a few clipped words: “Perish together with me? Are you worthy…?”
“Worthy or not, I don’t care!” Long Qi knew he was no match. Veins bulged on his forehead from the tension. “If you dare harm my sister, I will fight you to the death!”
Chen Feng scoffed. “You merely tripped me once before; I have already thrown you down. We have no lingering enmity. However, the feud between me and Philia must be paid for in blood!”
Saying this, he clenched his fist, and killing intent flashed in his eyes.
The first person he had seen upon crossing over was Philia. The feud with Gubo was also instigated by this woman. No matter how one looked at it, he owed her a debt, yet she had pushed her benefactor into the abyss. No amount of justification could cover that deed.
Chen Feng had always focused only on the outcome, never caring about the reasons behind an opponent’s actions. If it hadn't been for this woman, he wouldn't have been publicly humiliated, wouldn't have had two teeth knocked out by a slap, and wouldn't have had his arm broken and been driven from his family…
To put it plainly, one-third of the hatred for his broken arm and lost teeth was owed to this woman; the rest went to Harilev and Chigukai Ent. If he let even her go, how could he speak of revenge?
Seeing Chen Feng’s demeanor, Long Qi knew his decision was final. Casting aside whether he was an equal match, he roared and brought his greatsword down in a cleave aimed directly at Chen Feng’s head!
In his mind, there was only one thought: anyone who tried to harm his sister, he would fight to the death.
Long Qi, standing over two meters tall, his body a knot of muscle, possessed formidable energy even with only one arm. The aura of an eighth-tier Battle Master, combined with the power of his limb, was not to be underestimated. The sword whistled through the air, carving a path of cold light, striking down like a powerful torrent.
“Ah…” Seeing the sheer force of the sword, Philomina couldn't help but cry out in alarm.
In her eyes, she couldn't discern who possessed higher cultivation between Chen Feng and Long Qi. Long Qi was tall, and this strike was dazzling, giving him the initial advantage in momentum. Chen Feng was slight of build, giving the innate impression of weakness, which prompted her cry.
Buzz…
Long Qi’s greatsword stopped abruptly just two fingers' breadth from Chen Feng’s face. Chen Feng had extended two fingers and effortlessly halted the formidable attack.
“I told you,” Chen Feng said calmly, “not a single one who wished for my death has ever survived!” At that moment, a thread of purple flame erupted from his fingertip. The flame grew rapidly, instantly blossoming into a raging inferno.
Drip… The refined steel longsword instantly melted into liquid metal, all of which dripped onto the ground.
“Ah!” Long Qi roared, violently swinging his right leg upward. His thick limb contained immense power, driving a kick toward Chen Feng.
“I didn’t want to kill you, so why do you insist on killing me?” Chen Feng watched the ferocious attack, shook his head, and brought his right fist down toward the incoming foot.
Bang! Fist met foot. Long Qi stumbled back four or five steps, standing rooted to the spot like dead ash.
Chen Feng stopped looking at him and turned to walk out. If an astute observer had watched, they would have noticed that throughout the entire exchange with Long Qi, Chen Feng’s feet had not moved an inch…
Pfft… Long Qi suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood, swayed, and collapsed to the ground, tears streaming down his face. He yelled hoarsely, “Kill me then! Just don’t hurt Philia…”
For some unknown reason, Chen Feng hadn't delivered a killing blow in the end. Although Long Qi had repeatedly tried to kill him, Chen Feng had held back some force in his final punch.
“Did I go soft?” Chen Feng shook his head with self-mockery.
“Long Qi was not at fault; he naturally had to protect his sister when I intended to kill her. His attempt to kill me was merely to stop me from harming her.” After a moment of thought, he finally understood. “However, Philia…”
Recalling Philia, his eyes narrowed to slits, and his aura surged violently. “She must die!”
“Yagami Iori! You are Yagami Iori, aren't you?”
A voice called out from behind Chen Feng, but he only paused briefly before continuing to walk forward.
This girl must be that Philomina. Since she was the granddaughter of the Mid-Commerce Guild Master, her backing must be considerable. Since the other party hadn't confirmed whether he was Yagami Iori, there was no need for immediate liquidation.
He intended to proceed, but Philomina stood directly in his path, spreading her arms wide. “I know you are Yagami Iori. You aren't dead!”
She stood before Chen Feng with her arms spread, and beneath her pale blue collar, two pairs of snow-white peaks were faintly visible, strikingly conspicuous.
Chen Feng stated, “My name is Chen Feng Ent. You have the wrong person!”
“No, I’m absolutely sure! You are Yagami Iori. The flame on your hand just now betrayed you!” the girl declared resolutely.
A sharp glint flashed in Chen Feng’s eyes before he suppressed it, maintaining a calm demeanor. “Move aside. I need to leave.”
“I won’t move! Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone you are Yagami Iori. All I need is an autograph…” Philomina said urgently.
Seeing her unreasonable persistence, Chen Feng reluctantly extended his arm forward, releasing a gust of wind that swept her backward. He said while doing so, “Put away whatever you are holding, watch your precious granddaughter, and don’t let her bother me!”
With that, he walked out of the Exchange and melted into the crowd, disappearing from sight.
The Guild Master caught his granddaughter as Chen Feng tossed her back, letting out a breath of relief. He looked at her sternly, “You… you’re causing trouble! Don’t you know he’s a harbinger of death? He dares to kill anyone!”
“I know,” Philomina nodded. “That’s exactly why I went over. He is Yagami Iori—the champion of the Rookie Tournament who single-handedly defeated the Seventh Prince, Alex, and Joseph. He is the Yagami Iori who caused chaos in the Royal Palace, killed His Majesty Suomen, and escaped unharmed!”
As she spoke, her face took on an expression of sheer infatuation.
The Guild Master looked at his granddaughter’s expression, completely helpless. “You… what am I to do with you!” As he spoke, he put away the Rank Five Single-Target Magic Scroll he had been gripping.
That young man truly possesses exceptional cultivation. I didn't even realize he was aware of the scroll in my hand, even with my back turned, the Guild Master thought, wiping sweat from his brow.
“Oh no…” Philomina suddenly cried out, her delicate face instantly paling.
“What now?” The Guild Master, already on edge, was nearly startled into a split personality by her sharp cry.
“Grandfather, this is bad! He…” Philomina pointed in the direction Chen Feng had disappeared, speaking anxiously. “From what I heard just now, he has a feud with the Lev family. He’s definitely going there for revenge! Then… isn’t Rex in danger?”
The Guild Master’s heart sank at this, but remembering Chen Feng’s ruthlessness and capability just now, a fresh wave of cold sweat broke out. He said, “Whether he is in danger or not, we can’t interfere now. If this person truly is Yagami Iori, he is a death-bringer capable of killing even the Emperor of the Loki Empire. What can we possibly do against him?”
“But…” Philomina stomped her foot anxiously. “Rex saved me once! How can I just watch him get hurt? No, I have to go find him!” Saying this, she wrenched free from the Guild Master’s grasp and ran outward.
“Philomina, Philomina…” The Guild Master called out urgently as she fled, quickly following her out of the Item Exchange.
P.S.: Today’s update is complete, another 12,000-plus words, whew. If you guys have monthly tickets or recommendation tickets, please cast them! Tomorrow is Monday; the charts are changing! Help Old Ya charge up the category recommendation board! Thank you! (To be continued. For future events, please log on to www**m for more chapters, support the author, and support legitimate reading!)