128: Chapter 128 Adding fuel to the fire!

Inside the discussion hall of Duobao Peak.

Chu Feng sat behind a red sandalwood desk.

He held a volume of Formation ancient texts, engrossed in his reading.

Wisps of blue smoke rose from the incense burner on the desk; it was the scent of "Tranquility Incense," which could calm the mind and clear one's thoughts.

"Brother Feng, have you heard?"

Tang An rushed in, his face flushed with excitement as if he had drunk strong liquor. "Senior Brother Ling Wuxiao and Zhenbao Peak's reputations are now in the gutter! The whole Sect is buzzing with rumors of their collusion!"

"Some even say they saw Senior Brother Ling Wuxiao go to Zhenbao Peak with their own eyes, cursing Wu Chen as a waste at the peak gates and saying everyone from Zhenbao Peak is trash, unworthy of joining forces with him!"

"Others heard Senior Brother Ling Wuxiao boasting while drinking at Wangyue Tower, saying those from Zhenbao Peak aren't even fit to carry his shoes!"

"Oh??"

Chu Feng smiled slightly and set down the ancient text in his hand. "It seems Senior Brother Ling Wuxiao's temper is truly foul."

"He's like a powder keg. No wonder he's being used as a tool. No matter how strong such a person is, they'll never achieve anything great."

He picked up his teacup, took a sip, and continued, "But this is normal. Someone like Senior Brother Ling Wuxiao values his reputation more than his life."

"What he can't stand most is people saying he's incompetent. The rumors we spread hit him right where it hurts."

"Brother Feng, your move was brilliant!"

Tang An gave a thumbs up. "Just by spreading a few rumors, you've caused infighting between Senior Brother Ling Wuxiao and Zhenbao Peak!"

"Now they won't have the mind to deal with us!"

Tang An was very excited. A few days ago, when the Fengyun Association was being suppressed, he had been anxious beyond measure.

He hadn't expected that Chu Feng would just have someone spread a rumor, and the opposition would lose their footing and start arguing among themselves.

This method of defeating the enemy without a fight was simply divine!

Tang An now admired Chu Feng to the point of total devotion, feeling that the wisest decision of his life was to follow Chu Feng.

"This is just the beginning."

Chu Feng shook his head and said calmly, "Although Senior Brother Ling Wuxiao is arrogant, he isn't stupid. However..."

He paused, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes. "However, the plan has already taken effect. Rumors are like seeds; once planted, they will take root and sprout."

"Now the entire Sect is discussing this. Even if Senior Brother Ling Wuxiao and Zhenbao Peak try to clarify, some people won't believe them. That's enough."

Chu Feng remained as calm as a light breeze and passing clouds. All of this was within his expectations and not even worth mentioning.

In his view, these were child's play—the most basic sow-discord tactic in the game of power and strategy.

If it weren't for the rule that fellow Disciples couldn't use force, he would have led his people to their doors long ago to sweep away all these wastes. Why would he need to bother with such schemes?

But since he had to play within the rules, he would play beautifully, leaving others with nothing to say.

"I'm truly convinced by you!"

Tang An nodded, his eyes filled with heartfelt admiration. "How is your brain wired? Why can't I think of these things?"

"It seems I'm really not leader material. I can only assist you and run errands. But that's fine too; following you saves me a lot of worry!"

Chu Feng smiled and didn't respond to that. Instead, he asked, "Then what do you think should be done next?"

Tang An was stunned. "What do you mean 'what should be done'? Hasn't it already worked? We just need to wait and watch the show!"

"The effect isn't enough yet."

Chu Feng stood up and walked to the window, looking at the distant, rolling mountains. The peaks were flickering in and out of sight in the twilight like lurking behemoths.

"We need to add more fuel to the fire to further intensify the conflict between them. Ideally, we want them to start fighting and violate the Sect rules. That way, the Law Enforcement Hall can intervene legitimately."

He turned to look at Tang An. "Senior Brother Ling Wuxiao is a madman, arrogant and conceited. He can't stand it when others say he's incompetent."

"The more we spread rumors to provoke him, the more he will treat the people of Zhenbao Peak poorly."

"Have people continue spreading news, saying Senior Brother Ling Wuxiao admitted to joining forces with Zhenbao Peak but found them too useless and a drag on him, so he decided to go solo."

"This... wouldn't it be too risky?"

Tang An hesitated. He was afraid of provoking Senior Brother Ling Wuxiao into actually attacking them. "That madman Senior Brother Ling Wuxiao—what if he really loses it and comes directly to find us trouble?"

"He dares come to Duobao Peak to find me??" Chu Feng really didn't believe it.

Chu Feng's cultivation level and status were right there.

Unless Senior Brother Ling Wuxiao was truly brain-dead, he wouldn't come looking for him directly.

A Golden Core Perfection seeking a fight with a Foundation Establishment level eight? Did he have no shame left?

Besides, Chu Feng was the 'Grand Manager' of Duobao Peak.

Daring to attack Chu Feng within the Sect—that would truly be seeking death.

"True. Then I'll have people go and spread the word immediately!"

"I'll make sure the whole Sect knows that Senior Brother Ling Wuxiao is finished and has to be a dog for Zhenbao Peak just to get by!"

"And that the people of Zhenbao Peak are all trash, so much so that even Senior Brother Ling Wuxiao thinks they're worse than dogs!"

Chu Feng smiled slightly. "What we want now is to provoke them into violating the Sect rules."

"As long as they make a move, the Law Enforcement Hall will have something to use against them."

"When that time comes, they will be molded into the shape we want."

This was Chu Feng's true goal: killing with a borrowed knife.

Borrowing the knife of the Law Enforcement Hall to eliminate these enemies.

It followed the rules, required no personal action, and showcased his skill and wisdom to the Sect's high-level leaders—three birds with one stone.

This method was much more sophisticated and safer than direct killing.

"Brilliant! Truly brilliant!"

Tang An was utterly impressed. He now had a completely new understanding of Chu Feng's strategic ability. "Brother Feng, from now on, I'll go wherever you point, no questions asked!"

Just then, hurried footsteps came from outside.

Lin Bai rushed in. "Senior Brother Chu, something's wrong! Someone ambushed the Fengyun Association Disciples who were out on a mission. Seven are heavily injured."

"What?"

Tang An's expression changed, and he said angrily, his fists clenching instantly, "They actually dared to make a move? They're looking for death! Do they really think our Fengyun Association is a soft persimmon they can squeeze at will?"

"It seems the dog has leaped over the wall in desperation."

Chu Feng frowned, then let out a cold laugh filled with realization. "It seems the rumors worked. They couldn't keep their cool."

"Since they've taken the initiative to strike, we'll play along. However, not with fists, but with brains."

"Brother Feng, let me take some people to settle them!"

Tang An immediately stood up and said angrily, clenching his fists, "This time, we must let them know the Fengyun Association isn't to be trifled with!"

"Those who dare to touch our people must pay the price! I'll break their legs!"

"Wait."

Chu Feng waved his hand, signaling Tang An to calm down. "They're doing this merely to test my bottom line."

"They want to see if we can't help but retaliate."

"Think about it. Why did they choose to strike now? Precisely when the rumors are at their peak? Because they're desperate. They want to force my hand and make me commit an error."

"Those troublemakers are just cannon fodder, pawns that can be discarded at any time."

"Their attack was also measured. They wouldn't cause fatal injuries, at most some superficial ones that will heal after some rest."

"That way, even if they're caught by the Law Enforcement Hall, it'll just be a few days of confinement and some contribution points fined. There won't be any major loss."

Chu Feng paused and continued, "But if we can't help but fight them, and we happen to strike too hard, someone will jump out and accuse us of 'harming fellow Disciples' to the Sect, demanding severe punishment for the fighters."

"By then, even if we are in the right, we'll become the ones in the wrong."

"If the Law Enforcement Hall intervenes then, we'll have truly fallen into their trap."

"Damn! How insidious!"

After hearing Chu Feng's explanation, Tang An calmed down, a layer of cold sweat breaking out on his back.

He finally realized that he had almost fallen for the enemy's scheme just now.

When it came to playing mind games, he was indeed far behind. He was still too green.

"Heh, these are just low-level tricks."

Chu Feng shook his head slightly. "The more they act like this, the more it shows they're feeling guilty and have lost their footing, forced to use such underhanded methods."

He turned to Lin Bai and said in a steady tone, "Pass down the order: all Fengyun Association Disciples are to temporarily avoid their edge and not engage in direct conflict."

"For the injured brothers, provide full medical treatment. Use the best Medicinal Pills; do not be stingy."

"At the same time, form groups for missions to prevent them from ambushing again."

"Yes! Senior Brother Chu!" Lin Bai responded and hurried away.

Chu Feng looked at Tang An, a smile returning to his face, though it carried a cold edge. "However, we can't have no reaction after being hit."

"Old Tang, go to the Law Enforcement Hall now and report the ambush."

"Remember, they aren't 'heavily injured,' but 'hanging by a thread'."

"Good! I'll head to the Law Enforcement Hall right now!" Tang An's eyes lit up. He nodded and rushed out the door.

He now understood Chu Feng's strategy: defeat the opponent using the rules and punish the enemy with the Sect's power.

This move was indeed brilliant.

Watching Tang An's departing figure, Chu Feng sat back at his desk and sighed softly.

"Sigh, Sect infighting... being tied down like this is truly frustrating." He muttered to himself, his voice tinged with a hint of helplessness.

But there was no other way.

The Duobao Sect had its own rules, and harming fellow Disciples was a serious crime.

He had to play within the rules. Eliminating enemies while leaving everyone with nothing to say—that was true skill.

This Sect infighting was far from over.

Chu Feng faintly sensed that there was a deeper game being played behind this.

Presumably, the big shots above were also using this opportunity to observe his performance.

Then he would show those big shots that even without lifting a finger, he, Chu Feng, could still stabilize the situation and suppress all defiance!

Defeating enemies with wisdom, protecting oneself with rules, and obtaining the greatest victory with the smallest cost—this was the ability a true leader should have.

Only in this way would the Sect's high-level leaders recognize his wisdom and skill, and feel confident in entrusting the position of Saint to him.

After all, a brute who only knows how to fight and kill cannot be the Saint.

A true leader must understand power plays, balance, and how to achieve goals within the rules.

Before long, Tang An had arrived at the Law Enforcement Hall.

As soon as Tang An entered, he saw Deacon Tang Hao.

"Senior Brother Tang, I have an important matter to report." Tang An stepped forward quickly, cupped his hands in greeting, and spoke with a serious expression.

"So it's Junior Brother Tang An. Feel free to speak your mind." Seeing it was Tang An, Deacon Tang Hao set down his pen, a friendly smile appearing on his face.

The Law Enforcement Hall was under the jurisdiction of Duobao Peak, and Tang An was now the Vice President of the Fengyun Association and a confidant of Chu Feng, so their relationship was naturally extraordinary.