134: Chapter 134 Take Care of Yourself

Gao Feng's cold and supremely majestic voice echoed slowly through the solemn council hall, dispersing the gloom in everyone's hearts like a clap of thunder.

The anxiety and anger in the eyes of Du Wei, Wulu, and the other military officers were instantly replaced by a fervor called "trust."

They might not understand the Young Master's deeper intentions, but they knew that as long as the Young Master said "close the net," it meant that those self-righteous enemies were not far from their death!

Liu Chengfeng and Xu Changqing exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of relief in each other's eyes.

They knew the Young Master was finally about to reveal his ultimate trump card, one capable of overturning the entire chessboard.

Late that night, the lights in the Political Affairs Hall did not go out.

Facing the aggressive and all-encompassing strangulation by the Yunzhou aristocratic families, Liu Chengfeng and Xu Changqing, the two "greatest brains" of Panshi Land, stayed up all night drafting a series of countermeasures.

"Brother Chengfeng, the enemy's blockade seems seamless, but it is not without flaws."

Xu Changqing held a feather fan and pointed to the detailed report on the internal resources of Panshi Land on the table, his eyes flashing with wisdom.

"Look, in terms of food, the farming at our Nanfeng Plain has already shown initial results, and with our previous reserves, it is enough to last for half a year."

"As for steel, we have our own iron mines and the Hundred Crafts Institute; although production is limited, it is more than enough to prioritize military supplies."

"The only troublesome things are salt, cloth, and some medicinal herbs that we cannot produce ourselves."

Liu Chengfeng nodded upon hearing this. He pointed to a marked spot deep within the Panshi Mountains on the map and said in a deep voice, "I already have a plan for the salt problem."

"I remember Wulu and his Nanhuang barbarians mentioned that there is a natural salt mine deep in the mountains. Although mining is difficult, as long as we organize manpower to clear the path, we can solve this urgent need."

"As for cloth and medicinal herbs..."

Liu Chengfeng's brows furrowed slightly. "We can only start the 'internal circulation' plan first."

"Order Uncle Sun to centrally allocate the herbs we grow ourselves, and at the same time, implement a wartime material rationing system throughout the territory, prioritizing military needs and basic livelihood to stabilize public sentiment for the time being."

"That is all we can do."

Xu Changqing sighed, his expression becoming unprecedentedly solemn.

"Brother Chengfeng, you and I both know that these are just stopgap measures."

"Behind this blockade is a joint strangulation by all the old forces of Yunzhou; they want to completely wipe us from this land!"

"A real war is inevitable."

Liu Chengfeng fell silent. He looked at the heavy night outside the window, and after a long time, slowly uttered a sentence: "I hope the Young Master's 'net' can be one step faster than us."

...

Yunzhou, the Wang Family residence. As the head of the four great families of Yunzhou, the current expression of Wang Family head Wang Daolin was not good.

He looked at the secret reports sent back from various places in his hand, his brows tightly locked into a "Chuan" shape.

"A month... a whole month!"

He threw the secret report in his hand hard onto the ground, his well-maintained face filled with undisguisable irritability and anger.

"We have used almost all our resources to carry out an airtight, comprehensive blockade of that Panshi Land!"

"But what is the result?! Not only have they not collapsed due to lack of supplies as we expected, but they have also come up with some 'internal circulation' and 'rationing system,' and have actually managed to hold on!"

"A bunch of unkillable cockroaches!"

The butler kneeling below was already trembling with fear, not daring to even breathe loudly.

Wang Daolin paced back and forth in the room, the sinister look in his eyes growing thicker.

He knew that conventional means could no longer deal with Gao Feng, who was like an iron bucket.

Since the civil approach wouldn't work, he would have to resort to force!

He could not and dared not mobilize the Family's private soldiers to confront that Grade 5 monster who could break a city alone.

However, he could hire more professional people to do more professional things!

"Someone come here!"

Wang Daolin stopped walking and shouted in a low voice towards the door.

A guard dressed in black, with an Aura as cold as a venomous snake, appeared silently before him: "Family Head, what are your orders?"

"You go to the 'Black Market' immediately,"

Wang Daolin took a golden token from his bosom and threw it to the guard. "Use this to contact the people of the 'Shadow Tower.'"

"Shadow Tower?!"

The black-clad guard's pupils shrank violently upon hearing this, and a trace of heartfelt fear flashed in his eyes!

The most mysterious and terrifying number one assassin organization in the Great Qian Dynasty!

It is rumored that as long as you can afford the price, they even dare to assassinate the current prince!

"Tell them,"

Wang Daolin's voice became like icicles in the depths of winter, full of bone-chilling cold.

"I, Wang Daolin, am willing to spend ten thousand gold to buy the head of Gao Feng, the commander of Tianmen Pass!"

"Remember, I want the top assassin in their hands!"

"Yes, Family Head!"

The black-clad guard did not dare to have the slightest delay. He took the token, his figure flashed, and he disappeared into the vast night.

Wang Daolin looked at the crescent moon obscured by dark clouds outside the window, a ferocious and cruel sneer appearing on his face.

"Gao Feng... so what if you are a Grade 5 Grandmaster?"

"Facing the endless assassinations of the 'Shadow Tower' that are like ghosts, let's see if you can still sleep!"

...

A deadly trap against Gao Feng had already been set silently, while Gao Feng, who was at the center of the vortex, seemed to know nothing about it.

He continued to handle the military and political affairs of Tianmen Pass every day, urging the training of the three battalions, as if the intensifying blockade and strangulation from the outside world had nothing to do with him.

However, just when everyone thought that life would continue so peacefully, a sudden "strange disease," like a drop of cold water dripping into boiling oil, instantly broke the oppressive calm in Linhuang City.

The first to show symptoms was an ordinary Family in the south of the city. A Family of five all suffered from vomiting and diarrhea overnight, their bodies weak and powerless, with high fevers that would not subside.

Immediately after, more and more similar cases began to break out in the city. Within just two days, dozens of people had fallen one after another, and even some physically strong city guards were not spared.

For a time, the entire Linhuang City was in panic, filled with great fear of the unknown plague.

Uncle Sun, who was in charge of medical affairs in the city, was busy and flustered. However, he exhausted his life's learning but could never find the cause of the disease. He could only watch helplessly as the condition of those patients worsened day by day, unable to do anything.

This matter soon alarmed Gao Feng, who was handling military affairs at Tianmen Pass.

When he learned the news and rushed back to Linhuang City, what he saw was an oppressive city shrouded in the shadow of death. There were few pedestrians on the streets, every household's doors and windows were tightly closed, and the air was filled with a pungent smell of herbs and a faint, lingering scent of decay.

"Young Master! You have finally returned!"

Uncle Sun saw Gao Feng as if he had seen a savior. That old, wrinkled face was full of fatigue and self-reproach.

"This old man is incompetent! I have checked all the medical books and tried hundreds of prescriptions, but I still cannot find a way to treat this 'strange disease'! I can only watch them..."

"Uncle Sun, no need to blame yourself."

Gao Feng patted his shoulder, signaling him to calm down.

He walked into a courtyard that had been temporarily converted into an isolation ward, where patients were groaning in pain.

Gao Feng did not speak, but crouched down to carefully examine the body of the soldier who was most seriously ill. He opened the soldier's eyelids to look at the pupils, and then put his hand on his pulse to carefully feel the chaotic flow of Qi and blood in his body.

After a moment, a murderous intent that was cold to the extreme flashed in Gao Feng's eyes!

This was not a plague, but poisoning! A rare and strange poison he had never seen in this world before!

This poison was colorless and odorless and would not kill immediately, but it could silently invade the human Meridians like a maggot attached to bone, specifically destroying the circulation of Qi and blood in the human body!

Over time, the poisoned person would slowly die in endless pain due to the decline of Qi and blood and the exhaustion of the five internal organs!

What a vicious method!

"Uncle Sun, pass on my order immediately!"

Gao Feng stood up, his voice as cold as iron.

"Block all water sources in the city! No one is allowed to drink unboiled water! In addition, centrally burn all vomit and excrement from the patients and bury them in deep pits! The source of the poison must not be allowed to spread further!"

After giving the order, Gao Feng did not pause at all. He personally led a team of guards to start checking every well in the city one by one.

Finally, in an abandoned well in a remote location in the south of the city, he found the source of the poison that had been thrown in!

It was a nearly transparent gelatinous substance that dissolved upon meeting water, was colorless and odorless, and even showed no reaction when tested with a silver needle.

If it weren't for Gao Feng having chemical knowledge beyond this era and a keen perception of poisons far exceeding that of ordinary people, I am afraid that even if he turned the entire Linhuang City upside down, he would never have found the true cause of this disease!

"Shadow Tower... Phantom..."

Gao Feng looked at the gelatinous poison in his hand that exuded a faint, fishy-sweet scent, and softly spat out four cold words.

He knew that the enemy's first wave of attacks had already arrived, and it was even more sinister and vicious than he had imagined!

They were using the lives of the people of a whole city as the price to test the waters!

"Want to play with poison? Then I will play with you properly!"

Murderous intent was rampant in Gao Feng's eyes!

He did not hesitate at all, directly taking out the Spirit Spring stock solution, then diluting it according to a specific ratio, and then adding several herbs with neutralizing and detoxifying effects.

He personally prepared several large barrels of potent antidote overnight that were enough to save the whole city!

When those dying patients drank the antidote personally brewed by Gao Feng, a miracle happened.

In just the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, their originally decayed Qi and blood began to circulate again, and their bodies, which had high fevers that would not subside, gradually returned to normal.

A terrifying plague that was enough to turn Linhuang City into a dead city was thus barely contained by Gao Feng in a way that was almost a miracle.

The entire Linhuang City was boiling! All the people spontaneously poured onto the streets, kneeling and kowtowing in the direction of Gao Feng's residence, shouting "Miracle!"

However, Gao Feng, who was at the center of this carnival, had no joy on his face; his heart was filled only with a murderous intent that was cold to the extreme!

He knew that this poisoning incident was just the beginning.

The top assassin codenamed "Phantom" must still be hiding in the shadows, waiting for the next opportunity to strike.

And next time, his target will no longer be these innocent commoners, but the head of Gao Feng himself!

"Want to kill me?" Gao Feng stood by the window, watching the night outside gradually quiet down, a cruel, cold, and bloodthirsty smile curling the corners of his mouth.

"I'd like to see whether you, this skulking 'Phantom', find me first, or if I drag you, this rat hiding in the gutter, out first!"

He knew very well that a top-tier assassin organization like the "Shadow Tower" would never stop until one side was dead once they accepted a mission.

The failure of the first poisoning attempt would only lead them to launch a more violent and lethal second attack.

And all Gao Feng had to do was wait quietly, waiting for that rat who fancied itself a hunter to voluntarily walk into the inescapable net he had already cast!

...

Three days later, an urgent military intelligence report, just as expected, was delivered to Gao Feng's desk.

"Report! My Lord!" A scout knelt on one knee, his voice filled with anxiety. "An urgent report from the Nanfeng Plain! The newly reclaimed Village No. 3 was fiercely attacked by an unidentified group of remnant barbarian forces an hour ago! The village is in grave danger!"

"What?!" Upon hearing this, Gao Feng stood up abruptly from his seat, a terrifying Aura exploding forth!

Nanfeng Plain Village No. 3, wasn't that... His mind instantly conjured the smiling face of his Second Son — Second Son!

A few days ago, in order to train little Second Son's courage and ability to understand the plight of the people, Luo Qi had specifically asked for his permission to take him to the Nanfeng Plain to experience life, and the location they were stationed at today happened to be Village No. 3!

"What about Luo Qi and Second Son?! How are they?!" Gao Feng's voice turned somewhat hoarse due to extreme concern and anger.

"Reporting, My Lord!" The scout was almost unable to breathe under Gao Feng's Aura. "General Luo Qi is leading her personal guard unit to fight to the death at the village entrance! But the enemy is numerous and fearless of death! General Luo Qi... she requests that you send reinforcements immediately!"

"Bastard!" Gao Feng slammed his palm onto the desk made of refined iron, shattering it into countless pieces!

The anxiety of a loving father and the worry for Luo Qi's safety erupted in his heart like two volcanoes! He didn't even have time to think for another moment, turning to grab the three-pointed, double-edged blade hanging on the wall and striding outside!

"Pass my order! Assemble three hundred of my personal guards! Follow me to reinforce the Nanfeng Plain!"

However, just as he was about to step out of the council hall, a figure blocked his path like a ghost.

"My Lord, please stay!" Xu Changqing held a feather fan, his expression unprecedentedly grave.

"Xu Changqing! You dare to stop me?!" Gao Feng's eyes were bloodshot, and that terrifying pressure belonging to a Tier 5 expert surged toward Xu Changqing like a tangible tide!

However, facing this terrifying pressure capable of changing the color of mountains and rivers, although Xu Changqing's face instantly turned as pale as paper and his legs trembled uncontrollably, he still stood firmly at the doorway, not retreating half a step!

"My Lord!" He gritted his teeth, squeezing the words out from between them, "The enemy situation is unclear! There are many suspicious points! Leaving the city now, I fear... I fear it is a trap!"

"A trap?!" Gao Feng laughed in extreme anger. "Even if it is a dragon's pool or a tiger's den, a mountain of blades or a sea of fire! Today I will charge in regardless! Move aside!"

"My Lord!" Xu Changqing fell to his knees with a thud, clutching Gao Feng's leg tightly, his voice even carrying a hint of sobbing! "My Lord! You are the sky of Panshi Land! You must absolutely not risk yourself! Young Master Second Son is exceptionally intelligent, and General Luo Qi is wise and brave! They will surely be able to hold out until reinforcements arrive! What you should do most right now is to stay in command of the main army and direct the troops!"

Watching Xu Changqing kneeling on the ground, tears and snot streaming down his face, refusing to let go even in death, Gao Feng's mind, which had been clouded by rage and anxiety, finally regained a sliver of clarity.

That's right... Xu Changqing was right, this matter was suspicious in every way. How could those remnant barbarian forces, who had long been beaten and terrified, dare to take the initiative to attack a village guarded by Luo Qi? And the timing was so coincidental? This was clearly a scheme to lure the tiger away from the mountain, targeting him!

Realizing this, Gao Feng's back was instantly drenched in cold sweat. He slowly closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and forcibly suppressed the churning blood and monstrous killing intent.

When he opened his eyes again, his gaze was cold and calm.

"Pass the order to Du Wei!" His voice returned to its usual steady and resolute tone. "Order him to immediately lead one thousand Tiger Guard Battalion troops and rush to reinforce Village No. 3 in the Nanfeng Plain at full speed! Ensure the absolute safety of General Luo Qi and Young Master Second Son!"

"In addition," he paused, a cruel cold light flashing in his eyes, "tell Du Wei, except for Luo Qi, Second Son, and the people of my Panshi Land, leave no other living thing alive!"

"Understood!"

After receiving the order, Du Wei, this iron-blooded fierce general, did not hesitate at all. He immediately assembled one thousand of the most elite Tiger Guard Battalion soldiers, who rushed out of Tianmen Pass like a black torrent of steel, rolling toward the direction of the Nanfeng Plain.

The departure of Du Wei's army inevitably caused a brief moment of emptiness in the defenses of the entire Linhuang City, and this was exactly the ultimate goal that the "Phantom" hidden in the dark truly wanted!

That night, a wild wind blew, and a torrential rain poured down. Bean-sized raindrops whipped the earth like countless lashes, and deafening thunder rolled and roared in the dark clouds, as if wanting to tear the entire sky into pieces.

On such a pitch-black night of wind and rain, a shadow, deeper than the night and more eerie than a ghost, appeared silently outside the high wall of the City Defense Office.

The person who came was none other than the top assassin of the Shadow Tower — Phantom!

He looked at the City Defense Office before him, which appeared somewhat desolate in the wind and rain, a cruel and confident sneer curling the corners of his mouth.

"Gao Feng... your death date has arrived."

He did not choose to climb over the wall, because he knew that in a place like the City Defense Office, the top of the wall must be filled with various mechanisms and hidden sentries he did not know about. He just waited quietly, waiting for a flash of lightning to cut through the night sky.

"Boom!"

The moment a huge bolt of lightning illuminated the world, his body suddenly became flat and twisted, like a piece of black paper without thickness, silently merging into the shadow at the corner of the wall that had been elongated by the lightning.

Shadow Escape Technique! This was the top-tier movement technique he relied on for his fame and invincibility! He could merge his body with his shadow for a short period, thereby avoiding all physical detection!

Like a ghost walking in the world of shadows, he silently passed through the thick wall and entered the courtyard of the City Defense Office.

Inside the courtyard, there was a post every three steps and a sentry every five steps. Squads of personal guards clad in heavy armor and holding sharp blades were patrolling back and forth in the torrential rain, meticulous in their duties. Their eyes were as sharp as eagles, their Auras as steady as mountains, and the slightest movement could not escape their eyes.

However, they were completely unable to discover the god of death slowly moving in the shadow right beneath their feet.

Phantom's face was full of disdain; in his view, these so-called elites were just a bunch of ordinary people who only knew how to rely on their eyes and ears, and they would never understand what the true Dao of assassination was.

He easily avoided all the visible sentries and the Heavenly Secret Tower spies hidden in the dark, and even those trigger-based mechanisms personally set up by Gongshu Ban were perfectly avoided by him using the characteristics of his shadow.

He was like an elegant dark artist, dancing on the tip of a blade. Soon, he arrived outside the window of Gao Feng's bedroom.

He did not break into the window, but simply turned his body into a black shadow thinner than a strand of hair, silently seeping through the gap in the window.

Inside the bedroom, it was dead silent, with only an oil lamp emitting a dim yellow halo gently flickering. On the bed, Gao Feng was sleeping in his clothes, his breathing even and long, as if he had already entered a deep sleep.

A flash of cruel pleasure crossed Phantom's eyes. He slowly condensed his form from the shadow, and in his hand, he had already produced a jet-black poisoned dagger that shimmered with an eerie blue light only at its tip.

He walked step by step silently toward the large bed that exuded an enticing Aura, and he could already imagine the beautiful scene of Gao Feng's fine head flying into the sky in the next second.

He raised the dagger in his hand, aimed at that defenseless throat in the sleep, and then stabbed down fiercely!

However, at the very moment his dagger was about to pierce Gao Feng's throat, an unexpected change occurred!

Gao Feng, who should have been in a deep sleep, suddenly opened his eyes! What kind of eyes were those!

There was not a hint of sleepiness or confusion, only absolute calmness like ten-thousand-year ice, and endless mockery as if toying with prey!

"You have finally come."

"Boom!!!"

Accompanying Gao Feng's cold voice, a dark golden Protective Aura like a volcanic eruption exploded from the center of his body!

"Not good!" Phantom's pupils shrank violently, and alarm bells rang in his heart! He had been tricked! This man hadn't been sleeping at all! He had been playing along, waiting for him to walk right into the trap!

Phantom was worthy of being a top-tier assassin; his reaction was extremely fast!

The moment the Protective Aura hit his body, he decisively gave up the assassination, flicked his wrist, and that poisoned dagger turned into a black lightning bolt, striking directly at Gao Feng's face!

And his body, borrowing the force of this rebound, floated backward like a boneless viper, attempting to merge back into the shadows.