Chapter 40: The “Meticulous” Ye Feng

 

No explanation of anything?

 

Ye Feng’s heart sank, suddenly unable to fathom His Majesty’s intentions.

 

Was he afraid of Ye Feng wielding too much military power? 

 

That’s completely absurd!

 

If that was really the concern, a single edict could have recalled him to Tianwu City long ago. He would have hurried back without hesitation. There’d be no need to send these two to Sebei City.

 

Hmm? Were they here to kill him?

 

Surely not! Damn!

 

Using a butcher’s knife to kill a chicken would be overkill.

 

He was now considered part of the imperial family, wasn’t he?

 

Ye Feng reflected on how he had diligently guarded Sebei City for years. Even if he hadn’t achieved great merit, he had at least put in hard work, right?

 

Could it be that the old man had caused trouble in Tianwu City again?

 

What kind of major trouble could implicate the whole family? Could it be that Liyan’s marriage is also ruined?

 

Damn! This is truly terrifying!

 

Xuanwu and Zhuque watched as Ye Feng’s expression grew increasingly grave, question marks appearing above their heads.

 

They could never have imagined how rich Ye Feng’s inner monologue was.

 

“General Ye, you look unwell. Are you feeling ill?” Zhuque asked abruptly.

 

“Huh? Ah! I’m fine, I just got up a bit early today so I was feeling a little bit drowsy,” Ye Feng said with a forced laugh.

 

“We’re truly sorry, General Ye, for disturbing you so early,” Xuanwu said.

 

“Not at all, Master Xuanwu. I usually rise early. I’ll be fine in a moment,” Ye Feng replied.

 

“Have the two of you had breakfast yet? Why don’t we eat together?” Ye Feng stood up and invited them.

 

Having gotten up early without eating anything, and after chatting for so long, Ye Feng was genuinely hungry.

 

Man is iron, rice is steel; skip a meal and hunger you’ll feel.

 

Even if he was to be executed, he’d rather die with a full stomach.

 

At the Northern Commercial Association’s Sebei City branch.

 

“Mr. Song, those three important people Master Chou Niu mentioned last night have arrived. They all possess the Black Dragon Token!” the clerk reported urgently.

 

Thump!

 

Song Jinhuan, still biting into a meat pie, stood up abruptly. He spat out the remnants, rinsed his mouth with tea, and hurriedly said, “Quick, let’s go greet them.”

 

In the association’s courtyard, three figures wearing wide-brimmed hats stood tall and imposing.

 

Song Jinhuan hurriedly approached, adjusting his clothes. Before he even got close, he felt an overwhelmingly powerful pressure striking deep into his soul. A bead of cold sweat slid down his forehead, and he realized his back was already completely soaked.

 

It’s worth noting that he was still twenty to thirty paces away from the three, yet his feet were already trembling, unable to lift. It felt as if a bottomless abyss lay before him.

 

All three had their faces concealed by black cloth hanging from their hats. One stood at the forefront, his robe embroidered with golden cloud patterns exuding nobility. His long sleeves hung slightly, and most notably, he carried a black wooden box on his back.

 

To the left, a man wrapped in a jet-black fleece coat that barely contained his mountainous physique. His arms were crossed, the muscles straining against the fabric.

 

On the right, the last man wore a light blue scholar’s robe, giving off a more refined air compared to the other two, yet somehow inducing an inexplicable chill.

 

“Song Jinhuan, head of the Sebei City branch, pays respects to the three masters!” 

 

Song Jinhuan knelt on one knee, his tone extremely humble.

 

Since joining the Northern Commercial Association, he had come to understand what a truly powerful organization was!

 

Previously, he was just an ordinary merchant. Once, while dining at a tavern, he accidentally witnessed two groups of martial artists fighting. He had cowered in a corner, crying for his parents. After the fight, the tavern was left in ruins, and he had thought the victorious group was incredibly skilled.

 

After joining the Northern Commercial Association and gradually climbing to a certain level, he realized that those martial artists fighting in the tavern that day were like children playing house.

 

The truly formidable experts were almost like immortals. Opening mountains and splitting stones with a punch, or diverting rivers with a palm strike were basic skills for them.

 

He envied these experts but also felt fortunate to work in such a powerful organization. At least his safety was guaranteed, and he didn’t have to live in constant fear.

 

“Prepare three guest rooms. Make sure we’re not disturbed,” Shen Jun said calmly.

 

After rushing through the night, the three of them were somewhat fatigued. They needed to recover to peak condition before His Highness arrived.

 

“Certainly! I’ll arrange it right away.”

 

“Have the three masters had breakfast yet? I can arrange that immediately.”

 

“I don’t need it,” Shen Jun said, glancing at the other two.

 

“I don’t need it either,” Bai Shi’s voice was soft.

 

“Since you’re not eating, I will. Prepare a hundred meat buns for me,” E Lai said with a hearty laugh, crossing his arms.

 

“Please wait a moment, my masters. I’ll arrange for it right away!” Song Jinhuan quickly responded.

 

“This way, please, my masters.”

 

After settling the three in their guest rooms, Song Jinhuan breathed a sigh of relief. He ran to call the association’s staff, instructing them to obtain a hundred meat buns by any means necessary today.

 

As noon approached, at the city wall.

 

Ye Feng stood with his hands on the wall, gazing into the distance.

 

Nothing had happened all morning, which made him feel uneasy.

 

Xuanwu and Zhuque had finished breakfast, chatted with him for a while, and then left for the Martial Guard Division.

 

Was this the calm before the storm?

 

Hmm?

 

Ye Feng’s eyes narrowed.

 

That must be over a kilometer away, right?

 

There’s no mistake, those are barbarian scouts.

 

The deputy beside him had also noticed and explained, “General, the barbarians send scouts daily to survey the situation. Unfortunately, they’re too far for our heavy crossbows to reach.”

 

“No need for crossbows. Bring me my bow,” Ye Feng ordered.

 

“General, your bow!”

 

A moment later, the deputy brought a heavy bow made of dark iron.

 

Ye Feng took the bow, weighing it in his hands. “It’s been a while since I’ve used this. It was a gift from the Sixth Prince. I almost hate to use it,” he said with a smile.

 

“General, we should call him King of Chu now,” the deputy reminded him with a grin.

 

“Indeed, I’d almost forgotten. Ha ha ha!” Ye Feng laughed.

 

But then he remembered – it was this rascal who had taken away his daughter. Ye Feng’s smile froze.

 

No good, the more he thought about it, the angrier he became.

 

Ye Feng drew a white-feathered arrow, his face filled with killing intent.

 

To be clear, he wasn’t targeting anyone in particular.

 

He drew the heavy bow to full draw, crimson qi gathering at the arrowhead.

 

Go!

 

A streak of crimson light shot out from the city wall.

 

A kilometer away, the barbarian scout holding a crude telescope didn’t even have time to react before he was shot off his horse, flying backward seven or eight meters before being firmly pinned to the ground.

 

“Excellent shot, General!”

 

The deputy and the soldiers all applauded.

 

“General, should we go retrieve the scout’s body? He might have intelligence about the barbarians on him.”

 

Ye Feng shook his head. “No need. He has companions. There’s no reason to risk our men.”

 

They watched as the horse left behind by the scout began to run back after hearing a distant whistle, and the body was dragged away by another barbarian.

 

“Increase the patrol teams for the near future, especially at night. Ask the Martial Guard Division to help out more. Don’t let any barbarian experts sneak in.”

 

“Yes, General. I’ll arrange it right away.”

 

Meanwhile, outside Sebei City.

 

Shen Yian rubbed his throbbing temples and sighed, “Finally, we’ve arrived.”