Translator: CinderTL
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"Everyone, take a seat."
Inside the courtyard house, Chen Feng didn't stand on ceremony and directly sat on the pearwood chair in the central position.
Behind him hung a plaque inscribed with the words "Heavenly Flame Tiger Sect." The six true disciples and Xu Tingxiao stood on either side, only sitting down after hearing his words.
"Master and Third Uncle haven't woken up yet, and the sect is in a special situation recently. For the time being, I'll be acting as the sect leader."
"Does anyone object?"
His tone was calm as Chen Feng glanced around the room.
As the eldest true disciple, he was the rightful heir to the sect, a rule universally acknowledged in the martial arts world. Coupled with his sufficient strength, everyone nodded in agreement, with no one voicing any opposition.
However...
"Junior Brother Chen, could you please manifest your visualization and let us see your true intent?"
The second true disciple, Zhang Guiyuan, asked seriously. Although the other true disciples didn't speak, their eyes also showed curiosity and uncertainty.
After all, breaking through to the true intent at such a young age was astonishing, and they were worried that Lin Xiaoyun might have been too nervous and misjudged the situation.
Chen Feng didn't mind, understanding their concerns.
The sect needed a true intent to serve as a foundation, providing them with some final confidence.
Immediately, he focused his mind.
The internal energy within him swirled out, quickly manifesting a visualization behind him, forming a massive, illusory Crimson Tiger.
Its vertical pupils swept over everyone with a commanding and aggressive gaze, with sparks of fire bursting and extinguishing around it.
"Crimson Tiger True Intent!"
A complex emotion flashed in Zhang Guiyuan's eyes—envy, admiration, and regret.
The other true disciples' expressions mirrored his, becoming more respectful and free of doubt.
"I only have a general understanding of the sect's situation."
"But for the specifics, let's hear from everyone."
Not wasting time, Chen Feng retracted the Crimson Tiger's energy, signaling them to keep it brief.
Each of the true disciples was responsible for certain industries and affairs, and soon they began reporting in low voices.
"Recently, two local corporations from Nanjiang have contacted me, wanting to acquire our pharmaceutical factory and sports goods company."
"They also want to get involved in some of our patents for trauma medicine..."
Zhang Guiyuan spoke truthfully, his expression calm but his eyes slightly shadowed.
In the past, the Flame Tiger Sect's dominance in Nanjiang had made these local corporations wary, not daring to offend easily.
But now, they were clearly trying to take advantage of the situation.
"There have also been some issues with the martial arts schools."
Cao Tong and Wu Shuang hesitated for a moment before speaking truthfully: "In the eight branch schools in the city, many students have been asking for refunds and leaving these past few days."
"Moreover, I've heard that two or three other sects from different cities are planning to open new martial arts schools in Nanjiang soon..."
Wu Shuang's expression was cold, and Cao Tong, leaning on his cane, also looked grim.
This was already crossing the line.
"Some of the sect's disciples... are also becoming restless."
Under Chen Feng's gaze, the third true disciple, Wei Ping, spoke with difficulty: "A few formal disciples have already lost contact. I sent people to investigate, and they've left Nanjiang."
As the words fell, Xu Tingxiao clenched his fists, while Chen Feng remained silent for a few moments.
Although he had anticipated that the situation would be bad, hearing it now still left him somewhat disappointed.
"What are your thoughts?"
"We'll follow Junior Brother Chen's lead," Zhang Guiyuan said.
"Good."
Chen Feng nodded, not wasting any words.
"In terms of industries, sell everything except the martial arts schools and the trauma medicine patents."
"The martial arts schools will operate as usual. Just protect the brand; don't worry about others' provocations."
"As for the disciples, those below the core level who want to leave can go. Those who stay will be treated well."
His tone was calm as he laid out his plans.
The Flame Tiger Sect needed to retract and defend, waiting to overcome this crisis.
Ordinary disciples practiced common techniques, mostly only knowing the first layer of the essential methods, which wasn't crucial.
Moreover, with their restlessness, he couldn't keep an eye on everyone all the time.
So, it was better to filter out the truly loyal disciples at once and focus on cultivating them later.
As for the industries...
Although the local corporations in Nanjiang weren't a significant threat, he didn't want to be distracted by them for now.
As long as they could protect the core martial arts schools and secret medicines, they could temporarily retract their forces and accumulate strength.
Once they overcame this crisis and dealt with the threat from the Flying Dragon Sect, he could reclaim these non-core industries, even making them more prosperous than before.
As soon as he finished speaking, Wei Ping and Wu Shuang exchanged complex glances, seemingly somewhat disappointed.
But since he had already made the decision, no one voiced any objections.
"I understand."
Zhang Guiyuan nodded lightly, his expression calm throughout, neither happy nor sad.
Taking the lead, he indicated that he would handle the transfer of some of the sect's industries and consolidate their influence.
The others followed suit, and soon they stood up and left one after another.
The spacious courtyard house was left with only a few figures. Xu Tingxiao roughly understood Chen Feng's thoughts and couldn't help but glance at the departing backs of the true disciples.
He could sense their disappointment, but some things...
"Senior Brother..."
He wanted to say something, but in the end, he didn't know how to express it.
"Master and Third Uncle are in your care."
Patting his shoulder, Chen Feng stood up from the wooden chair and walked back to his own courtyard house.
With the sect's affairs arranged, he had already instructed Lin Xiaoyun to gather information on the Flying Dragon Sect and the southern martial arts world.
As for the mysterious person who attacked the martial arts school...
Closing the door, he took out his phone.
Without hesitation, he quickly dialed Lin Hao's number.
Beep!
Buzz!
"Thanks."
As the call connected, Chen Feng expressed his belated gratitude.
On the way back from Yun Port, with no one in the Flame Tiger Sect able to help, the only person he could think of at the time was Lin Hao.
He hadn't held much hope, but in the end, the other party had actually appeared.
"Tch, I thought you were going to say something else."
On the other end of the line, Lin Hao sat in an office with floor-to-ceiling windows, leaning back in his leather chair.
He responded with a teasing tone, the sunlight streaming through the windows and warming the room.
"I really didn't want to get involved in this mess."
"But what can I do? We're friends, after all."
At his rhetorical question, Chen Feng fell silent for a moment.
"By the way, don't worry about your sister."
"I've already sent people to check. It seems she joined a sub-project at the Red Nation Research Institute, which is highly valued and involves some kind of secret. She left Yun Port a week ago..."
Chen Feng was momentarily stunned. This was indeed something he had worried about before, not wanting Chen Yun to be implicated.
But at the time, the situation was urgent, and he hadn't had the chance to contact her.
"I think your sister might have signed some kind of confidentiality agreement, which is why she didn't tell you the truth."
"Anyway, it's a good thing. At least you don't have any weaknesses now."
Lin Hao chuckled, and Chen Feng nodded lightly.
Then, recalling the death energy he had discovered on Third Uncle, he made a request.
"You want me to look for someone?"
Lin Hao raised an eyebrow but quickly relaxed.
Since he had already offended the Flying Dragon Group, finding two mysterious people didn't seem like a big deal.
The two chatted briefly, neither mentioning the club again.
Lin Hao didn't want to distract him, and Chen Feng didn't have the energy to waste.
They hung up the call with mutual understanding. The sunlight from the floor-to-ceiling windows fell on Lin Hao, who shook his head with a smile, sitting casually.
"Young Master, I have something to say, but I'm not sure if I should."
An elderly man named Liu Bo stood in front of the mahogany desk, dressed in a black suit and white gloves, resembling an old gentleman.
His left mechanical eye gleamed dark gold, as if precise mechanical gears were quietly turning.
"Liu Bo, you must be thinking that Feng is too much of a troublemaker, right?"
As if reading his thoughts, Lin Hao chuckled.
Not denying it, Liu Bo nodded lightly: "He's offended too many people."
"The Flying Dragon Group is no small force. Your career is just taking off, and if it's delayed because of this, it wouldn't be worth it."
Lin Hao wasn't angry but calmly offered a rational analysis.
"Liu Bo, he has many enemies, but he also has many friends, right?"
"A cyborg comparable to the Gold-grade, plus the backing of Chu Shihong's faction, and even a pragmatist like Zhou Zhixiong was willing to spend favors to help him leave the city."
At this point, Lin Hao paused, a smile appearing on his face.
"And that woman from the Black Crystal Group."
"You've met her. Even she chose to help, which can only mean she sees investment value in Feng."
After he finished, Liu Bo fell silent.
Looking at the young man before him, calmly analyzing and speaking eloquently.
He seemed to see the shadow of that person, the middle-aged face overlapping with the young one, identical.
"Young Master, I hope you're right."
Liu Bo spoke, and Lin Hao nodded with a smile.
Soon, after the other left.
The smile on his face gradually faded as he turned his chair to face the sunlight and the floor-to-ceiling windows of the corporate building.
Outside, the city's skyscrapers stood tall, with the city's United Coalition building under repair not far away.
For some reason, a question arose in his mind.
The situation back then was so serious.
So why didn't Feng ask Blue Demon for help?
---
Beep!
The call ended.
Chen Feng glanced at the messages in WeChat.
Zhuang Xiaoqing and Luo Yue from the club were asking if he was still going to teach boxing.
There were also several unread messages from Chen Yun's chat box.
[Chen Yun: I'm going out to study, Xiao Feng.]
[I'll be away from Yun Port for a while, following the institute's mentor and project team. Don't worry.]
The message was sent three days ago, when he was busy with the martial arts tournament and hadn't opened it to read in detail.
In their chat interface, there was also an expired 1,000 yuan transfer that had already been returned to Chen Yun.
"An important research project, huh."
Thinking of the news Lin Hao had mentioned earlier, Chen Feng briefly replied to Chen Yun without pressing for details.
Then, he was about to lock his phone and put it down.
But the next second.
Buzz!
A sudden news notification appeared on his phone screen.
[Red Nation General Assembly: In light of the recent surge in terrorist activities, our country will initiate...]
Limited by the small notification bar, the message was hard to read in full. Chen Feng instinctively opened the full content.
[The military department announced at 10 a.m. today that a military exercise will commence in the western section of the Great Ocean in three days. The duration is to be determined. All fleets and vessels are advised to avoid the area and stay clear of the coordinates.]
[The foreign affairs department has announced future visitation plans, with a visit to the new leader of Suro Nation scheduled for tomorrow...]
After reading the content, Chen Feng's gaze sharpened.
The western section of the Great Ocean was south of Feng Province, near the central-western part of the Eastern Continent.
That was the coastline of several war-torn countries, especially Suro Nation.
And coincidentally, Luohe City, next to Nanjiang, bordered Suro Nation.
[It's about to start!]
[Tsk, interesting. Finally, it's time for reckoning!]
[As one of the two poles, it's about time they showed their might!]
[I heard that Utopia's main base in the Eastern Continent is in Suro Nation. I wonder if it's true...]
Comments began appearing under the news notification. Chen Feng put down his phone, finally understanding why the Flying Dragon Sect had participated in the martial arts tournament with such a firm stance, aiming to form the Southern Martial Alliance.
War was coming.
The southern part of Red Nation might experience much turmoil and opportunity.
And all of this.
Required a sufficiently powerful force.
---
"Tsk tsk tsk, that kid made quite a stir when he came back."
At the foot of a mountain, a black crow flew back from the sky and landed on the shoulder of a black-robed man.
The twilight stretched their shadows long and dark.
A red-clad woman who had also led a team stood nearby, not responding but quietly reading all the battle reports sent to her phone.
[Killed three true intent-level fighters and four mechanical martial artists of the same level, and also likely counter-killed a Flying Dragon security team in the Nanjiang suburbs.]
[Possesses the potential of a grandmaster and may have already returned to the Flame Tiger Sect's Mountain gate.]
[Has a significant relationship with a Gold-grade cyborg. It's uncertain whether the latter will intervene again...]
One message after another from the alliance demanded their vigilance.
The red-clad woman's expression was grave, while the black-robed man chuckled.
"What's there to fear? We're not like those ordinary true intents."
"As for that cyborg, heh... isn't the master also coming to Nanjiang soon?"
Despite his words, the red-clad woman still hesitated.
As if sensing her desire to change plans, the black-robed man's eyes flashed, and he spoke again.
"Don't forget."
"We were the ones who injured that old man Yan Chong together, and we almost crippled a few true disciples."
"That kid holds grudges. There's no way he'll make peace with us."
At his words, the red-clad woman frowned for a few moments.
"What a pity..."
She sighed, admitting that she had indeed felt the urge to invite him to join the Divine Martial Alliance.
With the potential of a grandmaster, if he could also obtain a divine power crystal, his future would be unimaginable.
But unfortunately, due to Feng Li's influence, their plans hadn't considered this, nor had they anticipated his brilliance.
TL/N: Feng Li is Blood Poison Hand.
Some things had been done too harshly, and there was no way to change them now.
"Let's stick to the plan."
Her gaze firm, the red-clad woman looked up at the small mountain before her, suppressing all hesitation and distractions.
"The Flying Dragon Sect has already started gaining momentum. We need to speed up our progress."
Nodding lightly, the black-robed man said no more.
Stepping forward, the black crow left his shoulder and flew into the sky.
Behind him, shadows followed in unison. Within a dozen minutes.
Angry shouts echoed from the mountainside, and lives were harvested and buried.
(End of the Chapter)
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