238: Chapter 238 Sudden Wind

In the East District of the capital, at a secluded alley entrance.

Yan Feng stood in the shadows, his figure tall and straight like a spear, dressed in clean, dust-free martial attire, his aura deep and restrained like an abyss.

His face was cold and stern, with a hint of killing intent faintly visible between his brows. His eyes were as sharp as a hawk's, scanning the surroundings, not letting a single anomaly slip by.

"My Lord."

A scout dressed in black silently flashed out from the corner of the alley, knelt on one knee, and reported in a low voice:

"This subordinate has been watching for three days. That Chen Ran has remained hidden in the residence, not stepping out once."

"Even when he occasionally goes out, it is only to walk in the very center of the capital, with guards following closely at all times. More importantly, that guard is actually a Return to Truth Realm existence."

The scout paused, then added: "This subordinate has tried to probe several times, but failed to find a good opportunity to strike. However, it has basically been confirmed that the guard is likely that Grey Wolf from the Lin family..."

After listening to his subordinate's analysis of the guard's strength, Yan Feng narrowed his eyes slightly, a cold gleam flashing in his pupils.

"Return to Truth Realm Early Stage..."

He murmured in a low voice, his tone laced with a hint of amusement, yet also carrying a trace of coldness.

The Lin family truly values this Chen Ran, to have specifically sent a Return to Truth Realm expert to protect him personally.

However.

A mocking arc curled onto the corners of Yan Feng's mouth.

With his Peak Return to Truth Realm cultivation, slaying a Return to Truth Realm Early Stage guard would take but a fleeting moment.

As for that mere Seventh Grade Chen Ran, he would be like a toy in his palm; his life and death would be decided in a single thought.

"It is this subordinate's incompetence for not being able to take the target away," the scout said, head lowered, his tone respectful.

Yan Feng waved his hand and said indifferently: "You have done well. Withdraw."

"Yes." The scout respectfully retreated into the shadows, his figure disappearing without a trace.

Although this subordinate of his had average strength, he was far ahead of ordinary people in his ability to gather intelligence.

In just a few days, he had already investigated everything clearly.

Yan Feng stood with his hands behind his back, his expression fluctuating between light and shadow.

Over these past few days, under the pressure of the decree, the Qin Family had shown faint signs of wavering, and several Elders in the clan had already begun privately discussing compromise.

But the Lin family remained an impenetrable wall, their attitude resolute, showing not the slightest intention of relenting.

He was ordered to act on behalf of his superior, Cao Yong, responsible for using various means to force the Lin family to submit.

The Lu family had already defected, and the Qin Family was gradually showing signs of compromise.

Yet, that hard bone, the Lin family, remained difficult to chew.

Holding the card of Chen Ran in his hand, he had originally intended to use this as a Breakthrough point to force the Lin family to bow their heads.

But this Chen Ran was extremely cautious, actually hiding in his residence like a tortoise, never showing his face. Even when going out, he stayed in densely populated areas, with guards never leaving his side, making it impossible to find a good opportunity to strike.

Yan Feng's expression darkened slightly.

He had been in the capital for three days, but had yet to achieve any results.

If he delayed any longer, Cao Yong would...

Thinking of Cao Yong's status, Yan Feng couldn't help but shudder, his face suddenly turning a shade paler.

Cao Yong was a man who acted with ruthless decisiveness, leaving no room for error.

He was like this to his enemies, and the same to his own people.

If the mission failed, what awaited him would certainly not be some light reprimand, but a truly agonizing punishment that would make him wish for death.

Yan Feng took a deep breath, the cold gleam in his eyes intensifying.

Forget it.

Since that was the case, there would be no more delay.

A quick battle to force a quick decision.

Even if it meant exposing his own tracks, he had to abduct Chen Ran and apply sufficient pressure on the Lin family.

He turned around and whispered to the shadows behind him: "You few, seal off the perimeter. Do not allow anyone to approach."

"If there is any movement, kill without mercy."

Several low responses came from the shadows: "Yes."

Yan Feng did not hesitate any longer. His figure flashed like a phantom, dashing out of the alley and speeding towards the residence where Chen Ran was located.

His speed was extremely fast, his movement technique as elegant as a ghost. With every step he took, he covered several zhang, his feet making almost no sound at all.

In just a few breaths, he had crossed hundreds of meters and landed on the outer wall of the residence.

Yan Feng stood steadily on the wall, his gaze like lightning, scanning the courtyard.

He first activated his True Qi, spreading his aura to carefully perceive the fluctuations of Qi within the courtyard.

A moment later, he raised an eyebrow slightly.

As expected.

There was an aura of a Return to Truth Realm Early Stage in the courtyard, steadily entrenched in a recliner in the corner, his breath long and stable, as if he were meditating and regulating his breath.

"Return to Truth Realm Early Stage..."

A cold sneer curled onto the corners of Yan Feng's mouth.

Nothing more than that.

With his cultivation, killing this person would take but a snap of his fingers.

After slaying this guard, he would then capture Chen Ran alive. The whole process would take only a few breaths, completely unnoticed.

Yan Feng had made his calculations, and was about to leap over the wall and enter.

Suddenly.

A violent wind suddenly arose.

It was not a natural wind.

It was an invisible force of energy, suddenly surging out from within the courtyard, carrying a heart-palpitating pressure as it rushed straight towards the wall.

Bang!

The tightly closed gate in the courtyard, at this very moment, opened outwards on its own without anyone touching it.

The doors swung wide open, revealing the scene inside the courtyard.

Yan Feng's footsteps paused. After seeing the scene clearly, his pupils suddenly constricted.

Within his line of sight, a young man sat quietly on a stone chair in the courtyard.

The young man wore plain clothes with wide sleeves, his face handsome and cold, his temperament indifferent and distant, like snow accumulated on a cold mountain, clear and translucent.

He sat in a casual posture, one hand resting on the back of the chair, the other gently twirling a fallen leaf. His expression was calm, as if he were just sitting idly in the courtyard sipping tea, waiting for an old friend he had not seen in a long time.

Those pitch-black, abyssal eyes, however, were locked precisely onto the front at this moment.

The moment their gazes met, Yan Feng felt all the hairs on his body stand on end, and an indescribable sense of crisis suddenly surged into his heart.

The young man's lips curled slightly.

The smile was extremely faint, yet it inexplicably made Yan Feng's heart go cold.

Chen Ran lifted his eyelids, his voice as cold and clear as a spring, speaking unhurriedly:

"Since you are already here, why not take a seat?"

"Standing at the door would be rather lacking in grace."

Yan Feng took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the inexplicable unease in his heart.

"Bluffing."

He sneered, leaped, and landed steadily into the courtyard from the doorway.

The energy from his footsteps caused the stones to shatter and fly.

He stood with his hands behind his back, his eyes as cold as knives, scanning his surroundings.

On the recliner in the corner of the courtyard, that Return to Truth Realm Early Stage guard was indeed there, but for some reason, he was already unconscious.

Yan Feng frowned slightly.

Could it be that the other party had already sensed his arrival?

He cast his gaze back onto the young man and said in a low voice: "You are Chen Ran?"