Chapter 335: Chapter 334 Zhang Wenfeng Ran Away
At the request of Qin Huai’an, Yang Fei, Qin Yanyang, along with Zhu Tianshou and the three Xu brothers, stayed in Imperial City for three days.
During those three days, Yang Fei and Qin Yanyang first recovered to their peak states as quickly as possible, in case Zhang Wenfeng returned for revenge or summoned other forces from the Martial Alliance.
However, ever since the day Zhang Wenfeng was thwarted, he had not shown his face again.
According to intelligence from the Qin Family, after returning to the Zhang Family, Zhang Wenfeng never appeared again.
Many forces affiliated with the Martial Alliance sent their representatives to the Zhang Family for discussions, but they were received by Zhang Xiaozheng. From beginning to end, Zhang Wenfeng did not show himself, nor did he offer any comforting words to them.
For a time, the hearts of the people in the Divine Continent Martial World were filled with trepidation.
The martial factions that had clearly aligned themselves with the Zhang Family were now secretly anxious and even cursed the Zhang Family for their incompetence. A Unique Tier martial artist of the Divine Travel Realm had actually been repelled by two youngsters, which was a great embarrassment.
Moreover, now that the Qin Family had suddenly introduced these two young geniuses, and with the addition of Zhu Tianshou at the Innate Realm, as well as the support of the Xu Family, the situation had suddenly reversed. The Qin Family seemed to have gained an edge over the Zhang Family in terms of momentum.
In the span of three days, many martial factions that had severed ties with the Qin Family ever since the rise of the Zhang Family had been calling the Qin Family.
Some called Zhu Tianshou, their words conveying their stance and hopes that Zhu Tianshou could put in a good word for them.
Fence-sitters are always the most numerous in any circle.
As the winds of the Martial Arts World changed, the implications were significant. Even martial artists with honor and backbone could not afford to gamble with the future of their entire clans or sects, and had to bow to the cruel reality.
In the Divine Continent Martial World, there were originally eight National Guardian Level powerhouses registered, of which two were neutral and had never taken a stance. Among the other six, the Zhang Family themselves held two seats, and Qin Huai’an held one.
Among the remaining three, Wang Chengcuo and Luo Yong had clearly expressed their support for the Zhang Family and had even recently done many things to target the Qin Family.
The other was none other than Zhang Huairen, the current sect leader of the Dragon and Tiger Mountain. He was a sworn friend of Qin Huai’an. Ever since the Zhang Family’s domineering rise to power, he had repeatedly expressed his dissatisfaction with the Zhang Family’s style and stood with Qin Huai’an.
It was because of the support of Zhang Huairen, a sect leader with extremely high prestige in the Martial Arts World, that the Zhang Family, despite their vigorous momentum over the years, did not dare to easily trigger an internal war within the martial world.
This time, when Yang Fei and Zhang Yunqing agreed to duel on the Life and Death Platform, the Immortal from Dragon and Tiger Mountain did not come to show support in person, but he followed the matter closely. As news spread of Zhang Wenfeng stepping into the Divine Travel Realm only to be repelled by Yang Fei and Qin Yanyang working together, Zhang Huairen also traveled a great distance to Imperial City to join with the Qin Family members.
Upon reaching the courtyard and seeing Qin Huai’an and the others, his first words were, "Huai’an, now that Zhang Wenfeng’s influence wanes and public opinion in the martial world leans towards us, why not take advantage of this momentum to eliminate Zhang Wenfeng and return a clear and bright world to the Divine Continent Martial World?"
Yang Fei, who liked the character of Immortal Zhang quite a bit, laughed heartily and said, "Senior speaks truly. I have thought the same, and as long as we join forces with Senior’s encouragement, plus my wife and I, if we all go to the Zhang Family together, Zhang Wenfeng should have no escape."
Qin Huai’an said in a deep voice, "I have also considered this matter, but Zhang Wenfeng has already stepped into the Divine Travel Realm and his perception is extremely strong. If we approach, he will surely sense us in advance. If he is determined to flee, we do not have absolute assurance that we can capture him. As long as he lives, he will remain a huge threat and even a disaster for us and the forces behind us."
Yang Fei looked at Qin Huai’an and said, "Grandfather, now that we have the advantage, if we continue to be overly cautious and fear the consequences, we will miss a good opportunity. If Zhang Wenfeng recovers or stabilizes in the Divine Travel Realm and grows even stronger, he can easily seek opportunities to defeat us one by one. Not to mention all of you, even Yanyang and I can’t be together all the time. If he finds a chance when Yanyang and I are apart, I won’t be his match."
Upon hearing this, Qin Huai’an’s gaze flashed with a hint of concern as he said in a deep voice, "What do you all think of this matter?"
Zhu Tianshou laughed and replied, "Years ago, I had the opportunity to step into the Innate Realm seventeen years earlier, but I was ambushed and attacked by that old man Zhang Wenfeng, which resulted in me being paralyzed for seventeen years. I, Zhu Tianshou, have an irreconcilable enmity with him. If I weren’t unable to defeat him in a one-on-one challenge, I would have gone to the Zhang Family long ago."
Xu Yunshan also said, "Though our family patriarch is not here, the three of us brothers, when joined together, also possess the strength to confront the Innate Realm. Now that the Zhang Family’s power is declining, it is a great opportunity for us to eradicate them in one fell swoop."
Qin Huai’an’s eyes flashed with determination as he slammed the table and announced, "Very well, since we are all in agreement, let us join forces and eliminate Zhang Wenfeng. As long as Zhang Wenfeng lives, the Divine Continent Martial World cannot be at peace."
Zhang Huairen stroked his beard and laughed heartily, "That’s right, this is the vigor you should have, Huai’an."
With the consensus reached, the group no longer hesitated and directly drove to the Zhang Family.
Half an hour later, outside the Zhang Family’s main gate, Zhang Xiaozheng, accompanied by several Zhang Family members, blocked everyone’s path.
Facing several Innate Realm experts, Zhang Xiaozheng and his companions felt immense pressure.
Yet he had to steel himself and say to Zhang Huairen and Qin Huai’an, "Immortal Zhang, Mr. Qin, my father anticipated three days ago that you would come for him. He ordered me to inform you all that as long as he lives, you shall not rest easy."
Qin Huai’an’s pupils constricted as he spoke in a deep voice, "Where is your father now? I would rather not act against someone of the younger generation like you; have your father come out instead."
Zhang Xiaozheng laughed loudly, his face painted with scorn, "If my father had predicted that you would take advantage of our misfortune to cause trouble, would he simply wait for death? After he returned three days ago and entrusted some matters to me, he has already left."
"What?" Qin Huai’an frowned, surprised, "To my knowledge, after he came back, he started healing in seclusion and has not left. Are you trying to deceive me?"
Zhang Xiaozheng spread his hands, "Although I am also a martial artist, how can I stop several powerful experts? If you don’t believe me, you’re welcome to go inside and search. Why would I lie to you about such a matter?"
Zhang Huairen spoke in a grave voice, "Huai’an, why engage in pointless talk with him? Let’s go inside and search. I don’t believe Zhang Wenfeng would abandon the vast Zhang Family estate."
Before the sound of his voice faded, Zhang Huairen strode towards the Zhang Family residence.
Qin Huai’an ceased to argue and quickly followed.
Yang Fei and Qin Yanyang, hand in hand, trailed behind, followed closely by Zhu Tianshou and the three Xu brothers.
Zhang Xiaozheng, with the Zhang Family members by his side, stepped aside, offering no resistance.
Yet the faces of those from the Zhang Family were etched with indignation and humiliation.
Just three days ago, the Zhang Family was at the height of its power, untouchable by others; but today, a group of people swaggered into their inner residence to search, a tremendous shame and insult to the Zhang Family.
Zhang Xiaozheng quelled the family members who wanted to intervene with a glance. As Qin Huai’an and the others entered the inner residence to search, he said with a dark expression, "Hold your tempers. As long as our father lives, these people will not be able to sustain their efforts for a few days, nor dare to trouble us; otherwise, upon our father’s return, they will be the ones unable to rest easy."
The Zhang Family members suppressed their inner rage and silently nodded in agreement.
As long as the old patriarch lived, he was a talisman protecting the Zhang Family, and no one would dare to harm the Zhang Family members rashly.
A quarter of an hour later...
Yang Fei and the others had searched every inch of the Zhang Family property, yet they found no sign of Zhang Wenfeng.
Zhang Huairen clenched his fist and sighed, "We arrived too late, I did not expect Zhang Wenfeng to be so cunning, so fearful of death that he fled in advance."
Qin Huai’an gave a wry smile, "The day we failed to detain him at my courtyard, we lost our chance."
Zhu Tianshou glanced at Yang Fei and Qin Yanyang, a hint of regret in his eyes.
Though the combined strength of these two was formidable, they were after all only at the Innate Realm; it was already extraordinary that they managed to scare away Zhang Wenfeng that day, but to actually kill him would have been too difficult.
Especially since on that day, Zhang Wenfeng had Wang Chengcuo, Luo Yong, and a dozen Unique Tier experts with him.
Qin Yanyang also felt regret, but she quickly regained her composure and said, "Grandfather, although Zhang Wenfeng has escaped, we should take this chance to clean up the Martial Alliance."
Everyone felt a chill in their hearts.
Qin Huai’an looked at his granddaughter and nodded, "Good, handle it as you see fit. The Divine Continent Martial Alliance indeed needs some restructuring. Many have forgotten the original purpose for which the Martial Alliance was established."