While on Mount Hua, my mind is at peace!

Chapter 51 Can you protect it?

I'm protecting these two people.

Cao Yi's casual remark, however, contained immense confidence. He was the Hengyang Governor of the Eastern Depot, a peerless martial artist. Even if Yue Feng had encountered some extraordinary events and improved considerably, how could he possibly be a match for him?

Yue Feng smiled slightly: "Protect someone? Can you even protect them? You should worry about yourself first. Lord Cao, how are you grieving the loss of your son?"

Even Cao Yi, with his deep-seated cunning, couldn't help but change his expression: "Yue Feng! You killed my beloved son, and you still have the nerve to mention it in public! Do you really think I can't do anything to you?!"

Yue Feng said, "You tried to kill me, but you failed. Your son also tried to kill me, but he was no match for me and I killed him instead. What else is there to say?"

Enraged, Cao Yi suddenly pointed a finger at Yue Feng's chest. Yue Feng dodged and returned the blow with a finger of his own. The two exchanged blows, exchanging dozens of moves in an instant.

Cao Yi's finger strength was as fierce and domineering as ever. Although Yue Feng's Maha Vajra Finger was only at the beginner level, it was enough to withstand it under the blessing of the Giant Spirit Golden Body. It was just a pity for the onlookers. If they were not careful and were hit by the two's finger strength, they would suffer dismemberment, broken bodies, and profuse bleeding.

Yue Feng was well aware of the power of his finger techniques, so he always held back when he attacked, trying to avoid harming innocent bystanders. Cao Yi, however, had no such concerns. As a result, the two, who were originally evenly matched, gradually began to show a difference in skill.

Everyone in the crowd wanted to leave the hall, but the people at the back were so tightly packed that no one could get out. The heroes couldn't help but curse loudly, and many of the more impatient ones even drew their weapons and rushed towards Cao Yi. They clearly saw that only this man would show them no mercy, while Yue Feng had remained extremely restrained throughout.

The man in purple left two men to protect Ding Mian and Lu Bai, while the rest of the men rushed over and engaged in a fierce battle with the group of heroes.

Although the group of heroes far outnumbered the men in purple, they couldn't maneuver freely in the hall, and only a dozen or so could actually fight. The men in purple were Cao Yi's personal guards, the elite of the Eastern Depot, and in the blink of an eye, several of them lay dead on the ground.

The crowd, enraged, charged forward, stepping over the fallen corpses of those in front. Seeing the situation turning against them, Master Mo, Liu Zhengfeng, and Qu Yang bravely joined the fray. Deng Jun and Chen Ji remained in place, protecting the women while keeping watch on the entire scene.

Yue Feng glanced over and saw Liu Zhengfeng locked in a fierce battle with a man in purple. Knowing that today's matter could not be delayed, he let out a clear whistle and drew his longsword. Cao Yi had anticipated this and was about to point his finger when a flash of sword light nearly severed his finger.

Cao Yi was startled and quickly changed his move. Yue Feng wielded his longsword, his body following the sword's movement, and the profound sword intent of Chang Kong Dang Mo silently descended. Cao Yi's mind trembled, as if he saw a mountain pressing down on him. He cried out and tried his best to dodge, but suddenly felt a chill in his chest as Yue Feng's sword tip pierced through him.

[Accessibility +40]

Yue Feng stepped over Cao Yi's corpse, his sword flashing like the wind, killing more than ten men in purple robes. He then came to Ding Mian and Lu Bai, finishing them off one by one with his sword.

[Accessibility +130]

Before anyone could realize what had happened, the battle ended prematurely thanks to Yue Feng's intervention. Everyone remained silent and motionless, staring blankly at the figure standing with his sword. Then, a sigh was heard, and Wu Qingcang emerged from the back hall.

He glanced at Cao Yi's corpse, then clasped his hands in greeting to the assembled heroes: "Greetings, everyone. I am Wu Qingcang, the unworthy chief constable of the Six Doors in Hengyang. The Eastern Depot has deceived the Emperor, intending to annex the martial arts world, and Hengyang has unfortunately become their first target."

"As you all have seen, the Eastern Depot's Hengyang Governor and his entourage died at the residence of Liu Sanye of the Hengshan Sect. You may not have participated, but you cannot escape responsibility. After today, the imperial court will surely issue an order to thoroughly investigate this case. I hope you will all be careful and leave Hengyang as soon as possible."

Everyone remained silent, understanding that Wu Qingcang's words were not untrue. After today, the imperial court would surely launch a thorough purge of the martial arts world in Hengyang, and whoever remained here would be doomed.

Thinking this through, everyone felt the hall was becoming increasingly cramped and they could no longer stay there, so they all took their leave. Among the heroes, few bid farewell to renowned martial arts masters like Master Mo, but many more bid farewell to the rising star, Yue Feng.

Mr. Mo and the others had long known of Yue Feng's abilities, and today they were only spared capture because he had killed Cao Yi.

After seeing off the guests, Liu Zhengfeng ordered the servants to clean the main hall and bury the corpses in the back garden. He then invited Yue Feng and the others to the inner courtyard for a discussion.

After everyone was seated, Wu Qingcang said half-jokingly, "From today onwards, everyone here is a wanted criminal of the imperial court. What are your thoughts?"

Yue Feng laughed and said, "Lord Wu, do you and Miss Wu really think you can remain unscathed?"

Wu Qingcang said, "Although I am old and frail, I still have some connections in the court, so I believe I can get through this ordeal. It's more troublesome for you all, especially for you, Brother Yue, you are the number one wanted criminal."

Yue Feng nodded; he had expected this long ago.

"Once the imperial decree is issued, the Eastern Depot and the Six Doors will do everything in their power to arrest you. Therefore, you must keep a low profile on your way to Mount Hua; and once you return to Mount Hua, you must not linger. You must prevent them from catching you red-handed, understand?"

"I understand."

After instructing Yue Feng, Wu Qingcang turned to Liu Zhengfeng and Qu Yang: "According to the previous arrangements, Shuangxue and I will stay in Hengyang to handle the aftermath; Master Mo will take his disciples and Brother Yue Feng and the others to Mount Hua. I wonder what Third Master Liu and Mr. Qu's plans are?"

Liu Zhengfeng said, "Brother Qu and I have already retired from the martial world. But how can the grudges in the martial world be settled so easily? We have discussed it and decided to go to Mount Hua with my senior brother, and live in seclusion there from now on, and will not come to Hengyang again so easily."

Everyone was quite surprised to hear Liu Zhengfeng's words, which seemed to indicate he intended to join the Huashan Sect. Master Mo said, "Now that heroes from all walks of life are gathered at Huashan, what kind of seclusion are you claiming? If you regret retiring from the martial arts world, just say so now, or we'll laugh at you!"

Liu Zhengfeng shook his head and smiled bitterly, but remained silent.

Wu Qingcang hurriedly said, "In any case, it's always a good thing that Third Master Liu can travel with everyone. As for what happens in the future, we'll talk about that later."

After discussing the matter, everyone went back to prepare their belongings. Yue Feng rested for a while before expelling the Golden Wind and Jade Dew Finger Force from Liu Qin's body. Liu Zhengfeng's family was extremely grateful to him, and apart from Liu Jing, no one knew that he was the one behind it all.

That very night, Master Mo, Liu Zhengfeng, Qu Yang, along with the disciples of the Hengshan Sect and Liu's family, left Hengyang City. Yue Feng asked Deng Jun and Chen Ji to accompany and protect him, but he himself stayed in Hengyang for another three days under the pretext of recuperation.

For the next three days, Yue Feng helped Wu Shuangxue with chores during the day and at night, until the imperial decree arrived, at which point the two reluctantly parted ways.