Chapter 2: The Black Wind Stronghold Comes Knocking! Chen Feng, Who Grasps the Truth

Generally speaking, large factions that occupy entire mountains provide protection to the smaller factions that pay them tribute.

After all, only when these small sects develop and become profitable can they afford to pay their dues.

Suddenly acting this greedy must mean there is a problem.

"Sect Master, rumors have been spreading among the surrounding sects that you have obtained a method from an immortal for forging weapons, which is why the Black Wind Stronghold sent people over."

The lead martial artist whispered in Chen Feng's ear.

This was a seventh-stage Postnatal martial artist named Wang Hu, whom Chen Feng had recruited.

Wang Hu was among the most loyal of the martial artists he had recruited.

It was Chen Feng’s financial support that had allowed Wang Hu’s critically ill mother to survive.

Wang Hu had always been grateful to Chen Feng for this.

It was precisely because of this that Chen Feng had Wang Hu lead men to guard the entrance of the abandoned mine.

Upon hearing this, Chen Feng’s expression remained unchanged, but a sense of crisis rose in his heart.

He knew that it was only a matter of time before he was targeted.

After all, he had installed a modern conveyor belt at the entrance of the mine; in this world, such a thing would surely be regarded as an immortal’s trick.

But he had no choice; he couldn't possibly carry every piece of ore onto the conveyor belt himself.

In the modern world, it would be fine, as there are machines to handle it.

But here, he still had to hire people from this world to do the work.

And with that, there was a risk of information leaking out.

Chen Feng ordered, "Pass the word down: stop mining operations for now and let everyone rest for a few days."

Wang Hu nodded immediately and went to make the arrangements.

After Wang Hu left, the surrounding martial artists looked at Chen Feng with strange expressions.

Chen Feng knew very well what those looks meant.

When he first arrived in this world, he had been looked at with such eyes when he went to town to sell items from modern society.

But Chen Feng had his own methods for surviving safely in this world until now.

He touched his pocket, and the contact with the cold metal put him at ease.

The martial artists of this world were indeed powerful, but they were useless in the face of "truth."

For the past six months, Chen Feng had survived many dangers by relying on modern weapons.

He had specifically bought this item from abroad; although it was only a handgun, it was enough for him to protect himself.

After Wang Hu finished the arrangements, he returned to report to Chen Feng.

Accompanying him was a small, elderly man.

This was Steward Sun, the manager of the Xingfeng Sect, also hired by Chen Feng.

He was specifically responsible for managing the mortal miners in the mining area.

"Sect Master, why stop the mining of Sun-Yang stones so suddenly?" Steward Sun asked, his face full of confusion.

"The output has been too high lately. Let's clear out the existing stock before continuing to mine," Chen Feng explained with a smile.

"Sect Master, would you like me to expand our sales channels? I, Old Sun, have walked the pugilistic world for many years and have some connections," Steward Sun said, appearing eager to help.

Chen Feng waved his hand. "No need for now. If there is a need, I will trouble Steward Sun."

Chen Feng had never considered these people in his sect as his own.

Steward Sun appeared to be acting for the sake of the Xingfeng Sect, wanting to improve its business.

In reality, he just wanted to embezzle more of the mortal miners' wages.

Chen Feng paid those mortal miners three copper coins a day.

Steward Sun would secretly deduct one copper coin from that.

Chen Feng had known this for a long time, but he didn't target Steward Sun because of it.

Because in this vicinity, only someone like Steward Sun had the ability to gather so many mortal miners.

As long as it brought profit, greed was not a problem in his eyes.

Just then.

A martial artist from the Xingfeng Sect headquarters ran over in a hurry.

"Sect Master, the Second Master of the Black Wind Stronghold is here!"

The Xingfeng Sect’s headquarters was built between several mines and consisted of three buildings, all constructed from stacked Sun-Yang stones.

Chen Feng used the headquarters as a front to deceive others.

The core area remained the abandoned mine and the secret chamber, where he spent most of his time.

He only had a few martial artists stationed here to keep up appearances.

Inside the sect’s main hall, a group of Xingfeng Sect martial artists had gathered.

"Sect Master Chen, I’ve come today to collect money. We notified your Xingfeng Sect yesterday; have you prepared it?"

Sitting across from Chen Feng was a bald, burly man.

He was about 1.9 meters tall, with a scar over ten centimeters long on his right arm.

Wu Xiong, the Second Master of the Black Wind Stronghold, a ninth-stage Postnatal expert.

Among the Black Wind Stronghold, Wu Xiong was the most troublesome; his hallmark was being overbearing and tyrannical.

Chen Feng was not a martial artist, but he could still feel the aura emanating from Wu Xiong.

This was a manifestation of vigorous blood and energy.

Although he had been in this world of paintings for a long time, Chen Feng did not practice martial arts.

The main reason was that martial artists in this world relied on tempering their bodies to cultivate.

They had to start tempering their muscles and bones from a young age, which was exceptionally painful.

Chen Feng did not want to suffer that kind of torment just to become a brute with nothing but raw strength.

He simply spent money to buy pills that increased blood and energy to improve his physique.

"Our Xingfeng Sect has been established for less than three months, and mining has only just begun. We haven't even made a profit yet. Isn't Master Wu making things difficult for me?"

"Besides, the rules of the Black Wind Stronghold have always been to pay one hundred taels of silver per month, and we have already paid for this month."

Chen Feng took a slow, unhurried sip of tea served by a beautiful maid.

Wang Hu stood behind Chen Feng.

His eyes were fixed on Wu Xiong; if Wu Xiong made a move against Chen Feng, he would strike immediately.

*Slap!*

Wu Xiong slammed the table and stood up.

The table in front of him shattered instantly, showing his astonishing palm strength.

"Sect Master Chen, you’ve got quite the attitude. You’ve only been in the Hengduan Mountains for a few months, and you’re already treating the words of our Black Wind Stronghold as a breeze in your ears!"

The bandits behind Wu Xiong all drew the long blades at their waists.

Seeing this, the maid serving the tea trembled with fear.

Wang Hu was also filled with tension.

"No money means no money. Even if you kill me, I can't give you a single cent!"

As Chen Feng spoke, he put his hand into his pocket.

Wu Xiong said coldly

"If you don't have money, you can use something else to compensate. I heard that Sect Master Chen has obtained an immortal’s method of forging weapons. My Big Brother is very interested in this; let’s use that to pay the tribute."

Wu Xiong had come under the orders of his Big Brother.

Wu Xiong had already been to the mining area earlier, and that automated conveyor belt had shocked him.

An object that could move on its own—wasn't that the work of an immortal?

If their Black Wind Stronghold could obtain this forging method, their sphere of influence would definitely expand significantly.

As for all this nonsense, it was just a formality.

There were many small sects under the Black Wind Stronghold’s territory.

If they just robbed them directly, it would surely cause panic among the small sects.

As long as they had an excuse, he wasn't afraid that Chen Feng wouldn't hand it over.

He had already investigated Chen Feng: he was just a mortal who did some business, had a little money, and then started a so-called sect.

The martial artists in the sect were all recruited, and the highest level among them was only a seventh-stage Postnatal.

With his strength, slaughtering the entire Xingfeng Sect would be simple.

Just as Wu Xiong was waiting for Chen Feng to obediently hand over the forging method, he suddenly saw Chen Feng’s right hand move.

Wu Xiong’s vigilance spiked instantly; a martial artist’s instinct made him smell the scent of danger.

And almost the moment this thought arose.

*Bang!*

Wu Xiong only felt a heat in his forehead, and then his consciousness began to blur.

The others in the room turned pale with shock.

Because a hole had appeared in Wu Xiong’s forehead, and blood was now flowing from it.

Wu Xiong felt his life force rapidly fading. He stared at Chen Feng with wide, incredulous eyes

"External projection of Qi... an Innate expert... how is this possible..."

Before Wu Xiong could finish his sentence, he fell straight over and stopped moving.

Everyone present was stunned; no one had expected Chen Feng to strike so suddenly.

Especially the Black Wind Stronghold bandits who had come with Wu Xiong.

Their Second Master was a ninth-stage Postnatal expert!

He could be considered a top-tier existence in the pugilistic world.

And now, he had been killed in an instant.