Chapter 46: Killing the Chicken to Scare the Monkey

"How could Elder Zeng be so heavily injured?"

Chen Fei did not lead with his demands, but instead asked about Zeng Defang first.

"A group of people stormed into Elder Zeng's residence. Although there were guards, they could ultimately only ensure that Elder Zeng survived!"

Zhao Xia gritted his teeth, still not knowing who was responsible. The Zhao family was currently intensifying their investigation; if any clues were found, they would undoubtedly launch a furious retaliation.

Chen Fei remained silent, but the thought of Zhang Sinan and her associates flashed through his mind.

Since Shan Xiang had come to find Chen Fei, it was only natural that the veterans of the medical clinics, like Zeng Defang, would not be spared. Chen Fei just hadn't expected those people to beat Zeng Defang into such a severe condition.

According to Zhao Xia, those people had even intended to kill Zeng Defang directly.

Was it to kill a chicken to warn the monkeys? Or had they simply lost all bottom lines? Or perhaps they wanted to ensure the Zhao family lacked sufficient medicinal pills to fulfill their duties, thereby inviting reprimand from the rebel forces?

"I heard there is a remnant recipe for the Changfu Pill within the manor. I wonder if I might observe it?"

Since the Zhao family had increased their workload, they had said he could make requests. In Chen Fei's view, such a request was merely a formality. If he were to ask for something significant, the Zhao family might not necessarily agree.

Internal strength cultivation techniques were out of the question. Even the recipe for the Qingling Pill would likely be withheld, for fear he would waste their current medicinal ingredients.

Only a remnant recipe, which was somewhat useless—not quite providing much insight but not entirely without value—would be appropriate.

Zhao Xia was somewhat surprised by Chen Fei's request, but he nodded and said, "I will report this back. Alchemist Chen, please be careful lately; these two will stay behind to protect you. In a couple of days, once we have rented a courtyard, we will arrange for all the alchemists."

Most of the alchemists capable of refining Qingling Pills had been assigned to the Zhao manor. Because they brought their families along, the Zhao manor had been filled to capacity.

As for those unwilling to be restricted, the Zhao family arranged personnel to protect them. There had been such arrangements previously, such as with Zeng Defang, but the attackers had been quite skilled and had failed to hold them off.

"I appreciate it!"

Chen Fei cupped his hands, and Zhao Xia departed. Two Zhao family guards followed Chen Fei back to the courtyard. Chen Fei arranged a room for them, and they would typically remain within the courtyard to keep watch.

Having guards outside slightly hindered Chen Fei's movements, and this influence would be even greater once he moved into the Zhao manor.

Fortunately, Chen Fei was due to leave Pingyin County soon, so this inconvenience would only last a few days.

Chen Fei glanced at the mark on his wrist; the activity of the "Bone-Attaching Parasite" had been steadily increasing. Chen Fei decided to find an opportunity in the coming days to ask Chi Defeng again exactly when that convoy was set to depart.

This subtle, surrounding sense of urgency was becoming too taxing.

The fragrance of medicine began to waver from the alchemy room. Just as Chen Fei had finished refining a few batches of pills, Zhao Xia returned, handing a recipe to Chen Fei along with today's increased supply of medicinal ingredients.

Chen Fei looked at the remnant recipe in his hand with a hint of pleasant surprise. The Zhao family was indeed easy to deal with; when they promised a remnant recipe, they delivered it directly.

He wondered what kind of gains would appear once it was simplified later.

After refining pills all morning, Chen Fei stopped; all the medicinal ingredients had been processed.

Chen Fei placed the pills intended for submission into a separate drawer of a wooden cabinet, put the other pills into another drawer, and then stored the cabinet into his spatial slot.

Thinking of the items packed densely within the cabinet, a smile involuntarily spread across Chen Fei's face once more. Previously, he had worried that he wouldn't be able to carry much of his belongings when leaving Pingyin County.

Now, thanks to the spatial slot, he could carry various pills and medicinal ingredients. Even if he encountered unexpected situations in the wild, he would have the means to resolve them.

Invisibly, it ensured his safety in the wilderness.

Cultivating internal strength and practicing techniques, the night fell unnoticed.

While Chen Fei was in the alchemy room pondering the techniques of archery, a series of faint, rustling sounds suddenly came from outside the door.

Chen Fei's expression shifted slightly. He gripped his longsword and walked out of the alchemy room, only to see a dark shadow standing in the courtyard. The two Zhao family guards had already collapsed to the side, blood continuously gushing from their necks; they were clearly dead.

"So, you are Chen Fei?" Zhang Xianping looked down at Chen Fei from a position of superiority.

"Who are you? Sent by Zhang Sinan?" Chen Fei's brow furrowed deeply.

"You're quite clever. A pity you didn't cherish the opportunity given to you!"

Zhang Xianping brandished the dagger in his hand, which still bore a trace of blood, and stepped toward Chen Fei.

Seeing Zhang Xianping admit his identity, Chen Fei couldn't help but sigh in his heart. Simply because he refused to help, Zhang Sinan had begun killing—starting with the people from the medical clinic.

The Zhao family members hadn't died yet, but the people from the clinic had fallen first. If he didn't help, he would die? But if he truly helped and was discovered by the Zhao family, he would also die.

In this world, wanting to live was truly too difficult.

"Feeling fear now? Don't worry, you are the fourth. There will be others to join you soon."

Zhang Xianping laughed, his voice filled with arrogance. In the next instant, Zhang Xianping blurred forward, slashing his blade toward Chen Fei's neck.

*Clang!*

A dull sound of clashing metal rang out as Chen Fei's longsword blocked Zhang Xianping's dagger.

Zhang Xianping's eyebrows shot up in surprise. He had thought this was just an ordinary Skin-Refining realm martial artist; he hadn't expected him to be able to block his attack.

Just as Zhang Xianping was about to change his technique, an alarm suddenly blared in his mind as a flash of white light appeared before his eyes.

*Ding!*

The tip of Chen Fei's longsword pressed against the dagger, and a trace of terror appeared in Zhang Xianping's eyes. Had it not been for his extraordinary lineage and mastery of movement techniques, he would have been completely unable to dodge that strike.

Zhang Xianping looked at Chen Fei with lingering fear. Such a sword technique was not something a rogue cultivator should possess. Even within Pingyin County, such a sword technique inheritance shouldn't exist.

Realizing the man before him was not to be trifled with, Zhang Xianping stepped firmly on the ground, his body drifting backward like a willow seed.

Chen Fei's sword technique changed abruptly, blooming like a flame, the sword style instantly enveloping Zhang Xianping completely.

With his movement blocked, Zhang Xianping was forced to defend against the incoming assault. After a moment, Zhang Xianping breathed a slight sigh of relief. Although the sword technique was extraordinary, it was still within a manageable range.

As long as he guarded against another "heavenly sword" like the previous one, nothing else would happen.

The two exchanged dozens of moves in the blink of an eye, and Chen Fei gained a more comprehensive understanding of his current strength.

The "Immortal Pointing the Way" was undoubtedly a powerful killing move, but against a true Bone-Forging realm expert, if the sneak attack failed, it would be easy to defend against.

After all, it was just one move; without a follow-up, it would be easy for someone to be like Zhang Xianping—block the strike and be fine.

As for the "Fire Pattern Sword," while also impressive, it was limited by Chen Fei's own cultivation realm and would be difficult to use to kill someone.

Seeing that Zhang Xianping was gradually breaking free, Chen Fei stopped pursuing him.

*Heart-Clearing Formula! Three Immortals Sword!*

Zhang Xianping, who felt he was handling the direct confrontation with ease, suddenly found the surrounding sword qi had vanished, only to see a flash of white light flying toward him.

"I've been waiting for this move!"

Thinking Chen Fei had exhausted his tricks, Zhang Xianping let out a loud shout and held his dagger in front of him.

As long as he blocked this one strike, Zhang Xianping could use the force of the collision to make his escape.

Having witnessed Chen Fei's "three tricks," Zhang Xianping even felt that if they continued to wear each other down, he would likely be the winner.

In the next moment, the white light vanished, and Chen Fei stood in place, having retracted his move.

Zhang Xianping held his dagger, staring blankly at Chen Fei, his body suddenly stumbling backward. Unbeknownst to him, a massive hole had appeared in the position of his heart.

His dagger had failed to block Chen Fei's strike.

"Fine swordsmanship..."

Zhang Xianping murmured lowly while looking at Chen Fei, and in the next moment, he collapsed to the ground. The soil beneath him was quickly soaked in blood.