78: The Feast at Hongmen, Casual Talk at Lingtian

Inside the Barbarian King Tribe's massive Central Royal Tent.

Huge tallow torches crackled, illuminating the tent brightly.

Long, low tables were laden with roasted whole lambs and large jars of strong liquor. A dozen tribal chiefs and warrior commanders, tricked into coming by Savage in King Man Hu's name, sat together. The atmosphere, however, was somewhat heavy and confused; most of them were staunch supporters of King Man Hu.

Savage sat in the main seat, which originally belonged to his elder brother, a warm smile on his face, frequently raising his cup to urge them to drink:

"Come, come! Brothers! Drink more! This is my treasured fine wine! Big Brother… *cough*, has some important matters to attend to, and will be here shortly! Everyone, please eat and drink first!"

After three rounds of drinks and much meat consumed, King Man Hu still hadn't appeared, making some of the straightforward old generals in the tent restless.

A burly warrior commander with a full beard named Batu suddenly put down his wine bowl and asked gruffly:

"Deputy Chief Savage! We've had our wine, and we've eaten our meat! What urgent military matter does the Chief have? Why hasn't he shown himself yet? We answered the summons, not just to drink!"

Another chief echoed:

"That's right, Deputy Chief, why did the Chief summon us? Isn't the matter of the little prince... still far off?"

Facing the questions, Savage's smile remained unchanged, but his eyes gradually turned cold. He slowly poured himself another bowl of wine, not answering directly. Instead, he scanned everyone present and said unhurriedly:

"What's the rush? Big Brother... isn't he here now?"

Before his words finished, the tent flap was lifted.

Savage's confidant, Man Gou, walked in with heavy steps, carrying a tray covered with a black cloth, his head bowed. A strong smell of blood instantly filled the entire tent!

Everyone's gaze was drawn to it, and an ominous premonition enveloped their hearts.

Man Gou placed the tray on the low table in front of Savage.

The smile completely vanished from Savage's face, replaced by a cruel coldness. He reached out and, under the astonished gazes of the crowd, suddenly ripped off the black cloth on the tray!

A head, with hair bristling, eyes wide open, solidified with endless rage and unwillingness, appeared before everyone!

It was none other than the Barbarian King—King Man Hu!

"Ah—!"

"Chief!"

"Savage! You!!!"

The tent instantly erupted! Exclamations, roars, and the sound of tables being slammed intertwined! Batu and several other loyal old generals were overcome with grief and fury, almost pouncing forward!

"Swish! Swish! Swish!"

At this very moment, the thick felt walls of the great tent were suddenly slashed open from the outside!

Countless Savage Warriors, clad in black leather armor, their pulse gates glowing with varying numbers, wielding scimitars and powerful crossbows, surged in, surrounding the entire tent so tightly that not even a drop of water could leak through!

Cold blades and glinting arrowheads were pointed at everyone in the tent attempting to resist! Killing Intent permeated the air, suffocating them!

Savage slowly stood up, picked up the bowl of wine from earlier, and without even glancing at his elder brother's unseeing head on the tray, he looked down at the people in the tent from above, his voice bone-chillingly cold:

"Everyone! No more talk!"

"Those who obey me shall prosper,"

"Those who defy me shall perish!"

"Are you willing to drink this cup with me, Savage, and share in prosperity?"

"Or... do you wish to go down and accompany my elder brother?"

...Ever since the incident with Man En, Li Qinghe's life had returned to peace.

He would cast rain on the spirit fields when needed and supervise the five little radish heads as they meditated and cultivated Qi.

The children's Qi cultivation skills were slowly improving under his watchful eye.

This afternoon, the sun was just right.

Li Qinghe lay comfortably on an old rattan rocking chair, a teapot and teacups on a small stone table beside him, the tea still steaming. He half-closed his eyes, enjoying his daily leisure.

"Fourth Brother! Fourth Brother!"

A flurry of shouts came from far away and grew closer. In a blink, Li Qingfeng arrived beside Li Qinghe.

Li Qinghe didn't even lift an eyelid:

"I hear you, why are you yelling?"

Li Qingfeng plopped down onto a flat stone nearby and got straight to the point:

"I want to discuss something with you! I'm thinking of taking a team of Qingxuan Guards into the outer perimeter of Black Mountain in a few days! Firstly, to let them hunt some wild beasts with real blades and practice, and secondly, to let them see what real Yao Beasts look like and how fierce they are!"

"Just practicing fake moves in town won't do; they need to see some blood! And those little brats," he pointed to Lin Luo and the others who were meditating cross-legged on the field ridge nearby, "it's time to take them out to broaden their horizons, see the world, and smell some blood!"

He leaned closer, with a somewhat fawning smile:

"Fourth Brother, you're the living map of our Black Mountain's outer perimeter, the most experienced! This time going into the mountains, could I trouble you to be our guide? To show us the way?"

Li Qinghe picked up his teacup, slowly took a sip, and didn't immediately agree.

Seeing his demeanor, Li Qingfeng chuckled, rubbed his hands, and changed the subject:

"Oh, right, Fourth Brother! Hehe, that... tobacco? Do you have any left? Could you roll me two more?"

He looked eagerly at the small wooden box Li Qinghe had placed on the small table.

Only then did Li Qinghe slowly open his eyes, glanced at him, and said irritably:

"Hmm? Third Brother, didn't I just give you ten the other day? I even taught you how to make them, go roll them yourself!"

Li Qingfeng made a bitter face:

"I did! I really made them according to your method! But what I made is miles apart from yours! Forget about refreshing the mind, smoking it is like swallowing chili powder, it scratches my throat! It makes my lungs hurt from coughing! How can it compare to the smooth and strong tobacco you make, Fourth Brother!"

He was sharp-eyed and saw about five rolled cigarettes lying alone in the wooden box Li Qinghe had casually opened.

Li Qinghe shook his head helplessly, took out two from the box, put one in his own mouth, threw the other to Li Qingfeng, rubbed his fingers together, a small flame lit the cigarette in his mouth, and then helped Li Qingfeng light his.

As the two puffed on their cigarettes, their gaze fell upon the lush, thriving spirit fields before them. The heavy spirit rice ears were beginning to yellow, and a few spirit fruit trees were also bearing small, green fruits.

"Third Brother,"

Li Qinghe looked at the spirit fields, exhaling a smoke ring.

"These spirit seeds should be ready for harvest in a few months, right? And those tax collectors from your Sect, aren't they due to show up soon?"

Li Qingfeng flicked his ash, looking into the distance:

"Who can say for sure? How can I pinpoint when they'll come to collect their share? Wang Tiezhu went back to the Sect to Breakthrough, and it's been half a year without any news. I wonder how he's doing now."

Li Qinghe asked again: "What about Man En? It's been over a week, and still no movement?"

Li Qingfeng shook his head:

"No. My subordinates haven't reported anything back."

"None of these are the most important things,"

Li Qingfeng waved his hand, flicking the ash onto the ground.

"What's most important right now is next month! The Ancestral Hall! Our father gave his word that it must be completed before the eighteenth of the third month! That day is our Great-Grandfather's birthday! The hall must be opened then! We need to grandly invite our Great-Grandfather, Great-Grandfather, and Grandfather in! And we must set up a feast to entertain guests!"

Li Qinghe twitched the corner of his mouth:

"Isn't that a good thing? Just in time, those wealthy families can offer tribute to you, the Town Guardian."

His tone carried a hint of teasing.

"But Third Brother, I'm a little curious, those wealthy families... can they still be squeezed for money? Big Brother marrying Big Sister-in-law, Second Brother marrying Second Sister-in-law, my birthday, plus the filial piety during festivals... how many copper coins can they have left in their pockets?"

"Heh!"

When Li Qingfeng heard this, he seemed to find it amusing.

"Fourth Brother, you underestimate those old foxes too much! How could they not have money? In our New Town, from food to clothing, from necessities to transportation, which one isn't controlled by them, or through their connections? Land transport, water transport docks, street shops and businesses..."

"Which one didn't I give them a share of, letting them earn a fortune? Unwilling to offer tribute? Humph! In other towns and cities outside, wealthy families are lining up, eager to squeeze in and show their respect! They just fear not having the connections! Our New Town is a hot commodity now!"

The two smoked a few more puffs, watching the smoke slowly dissipate in the sunlight.

"When do you plan to take people into the mountains?"

Li Qinghe asked.

"Three days from now!"

Li Qingfeng extinguished his cigarette butt.

"We're picking people for the guard team now! We'll set off once they're chosen."

"Alright."

Li Qinghe stood up, stretching his limbs.

"It's also only a few days until the full moon, so I need to go into the mountains to gather Qi anyway. It's on the way."

"Oh?"

"Hey, Fourth Brother,"

Li Qingfeng also stood up, asking a rare serious question.

"How much longer do you need to gather Qi? Do you really not need Third Brother's help? I'm at least in the Qi Refinement Stage..."

Li Qinghe glanced at him:

"About another year or so. Third Brother, it's not that I don't want your help, but the Cultivation Technique is a complete set. Are you willing to cripple your cultivation and start over from scratch to cultivate my method?"

As soon as Li Qingfeng heard the words 'cripple your cultivation,' he shook his head like a rattle-drum:

"Then never mind, never mind! I didn't say anything! I'm off, I'm off! I'll come find you in three days!"

With that, he turned and left.

"Third Brother, take care, no need to see you out."

Li Qinghe watched his retreating figure, casually replying. He subconsciously reached for the small wooden box on the table, wanting to take out another cigarette.

His hand met empty air!

He looked down to see the table was empty! Not only were there no cigarettes, but even the small wooden box that held them was gone!

Li Qinghe instantly understood, and a surge of anger flared up! He directed a furious roar, gathering Qi in his Dantian, at Li Qingfeng's already distant figure.

"Li Qingfeng! You scoundrel!!!"