CHAPTER 432: CHAPTER 430: A KISS WORTH A THOUSAND GOLD

On the mountain path, Luo Feng and Yao Qing walked one ahead of the other.

The setting sun slowly sank in the west, and the once-bustling Black Wind Ridge gradually grew quiet, leaving only the sound of their footsteps.

Neither of them spoke, creating an indescribably strange atmosphere.

An escort mission...

Luo Feng wanted to find a topic to break the awkward silence. But seeing Yao Qing’s stiff expression beside him, he swallowed the words on the tip of his tongue.

Is she angry? Is it because of what happened at the hot springs?

Luo Feng mumbled to himself, feeling even more clueless about how to break the ice.

In silence, they soon reached the mountainside, from where the stronghold was no longer visible.

"AHEM..."

A cough sounded. Yao Qing, walking in front, suddenly stopped.

"The path down the mountain is just ahead..."

Yao Qing’s voice was uncharacteristically soft, like a continuous fine rain, carrying an indefinable emotion within it.

Luo Feng looked at the mountain path ahead and nodded. "Yes, Leader. You should head back."

Yao Qing turned, her beautiful eyes fixed on Luo Feng. She bit her lip and wrinkled her nose. "You just want to leave like this?"

"What?" Luo Feng was startled.

Yao Qing’s beautiful eyes glared. She huffed, "You haven’t forgotten so soon what happened at the hot springs, have you?" She then moved to within two steps of Luo Feng.

Luo Feng’s face stiffened; it truly felt like what he feared most was happening.

Taking a shallow breath, Luo Feng looked at Yao Qing and said earnestly, "Regarding what happened at the hot springs last time, I am very sorry."

"Is an apology enough?"

Yao Qing refused to let it go, her beautiful eyes wide as she pressed closer to Luo Feng.

"This..."

He had indeed been in the wrong for peeking at Yao Qing last time, and Luo Feng didn’t know how to explain.

Seeing Luo Feng’s awkward expression, an almost imperceptible smile flashed in Yao Qing’s eyes. She pursed her red lips, rose onto her tiptoes, and, without any warning, lightly pecked Luo Feng on the lips.

"..."

Luo Feng’s heart jolted, and he stared at Yao Qing in shock.

Yao Qing took a step back. At this moment, her entire face seemed to be painted with the red glow of the sunset, thoroughly flushed. Even her usually sharp and imposing eyes had softened, resembling a pool of autumn water.

Seeing Luo Feng’s shocked expression, Yao Qing’s cheeks grew even hotter. She herself hadn’t expected to do such a thing.

However, she did not regret her choice.

Taking a light breath, Yao Qing feigned a carefree smile. "Don’t overthink it. This is just the remuneration for this escort mission."

Luo Feng’s heart was a mix of emotions. To break the awkward atmosphere, he casually said, "My commission is one hundred thousand silver..."

"Are you implying my reward is too little?"

Yao Qing’s beautiful eyes glared. Seeing Luo Feng’s stiff and helpless expression, she giggled, stuck out her tongue, and said, "What’s wrong? Who was it that was bold enough to peek at me back then? Now, just a little kiss makes you this nervous?"

Luo Feng looked embarrassed, scratched his head, and chuckled. "Well... I was just..."

"Alright, I’m not blaming you."

Yao Qing shook her head, looking at Luo Feng with a gentle expression. "This escort mission is something I’ll never forget for my entire life. I’m truly grateful to you."

Luo Feng didn’t know how to respond and could only nod. "I was also very happy on this escort mission."

Yao Qing smiled faintly, as if she had let go of something. She said, "The Duanmu Family will definitely not let this matter rest. After you leave Black Wind Ridge, be careful in everything you do."

"I will. You take care too," Luo Feng nodded.

Yao Qing’s expression had returned to normal. With her hands behind her back, she stood on her tiptoes looking at Luo Feng and said with a smile, "If you have the chance in the future, you must come to the Shangfeng Escort Agency."

"Alright."

Luo Feng agreed, then clasped his fist in salute. "Farewell."

"Wait."

Luo Feng had already walked several tens of meters when Yao Qing suddenly hurried after him.

"You should hide your identity for a while. This is for you." Yao Qing handed a black mask to Luo Feng, smiling. "I think it suits you."

Luo Feng glanced at the mask in his hand. It was only the size of half a face, entirely jet-black, with a flying dragon carved on it, looking quite imposing.

They were already very close to Green Wood Peak; he indeed needed to conceal his identity. Luo Feng nodded, casually put the mask on his face, and said, "Many thanks."

Yao Qing looked up, and a peculiar light flashed in her beautiful eyes.

After putting on the mask, Luo Feng became mysterious, exuding an inscrutable aura.

"We’ll meet again."

Returning to her senses, Yao Qing pursed her lips and smiled slightly.

"We’ll meet again."

Luo Feng nodded, glanced at Yao Qing, then turned and executed Teng Dragon’s Step, sprinting at full speed. He was as swift as a fierce wind and a bolt of lightning. In a few blinks of an eye, he vanished without a trace.

Yao Qing stood in place, watching Luo Feng leave.

At this time, the sun was setting in the west. The brilliant, magnificent afterglow sprinkled over the mountain peaks, making the surrounding scenery appear dreamlike and splendid.

"Miss."

Footsteps sounded. Captain Fang walked out from behind. Seeing only Yao Qing, he asked, "He’s left?"

"Mm."

Yao Qing nodded, gazing in the direction where Luo Feng had disappeared.

"Who would have thought that the renowned First New Talent would join our escort team. If it weren’t for him this time, our Shangfeng Escort Agency would probably have vanished from this world forever," Captain Fang said, his voice tinged with emotion.

"Uncle Fang, you knew too?"

Yao Qing looked back at Captain Fang, her face showing little surprise. Having seen Luo Feng’s battle with Cangxuan, she had already guessed Luo Feng’s identity.

Captain Fang smiled. "Feng Luo, Luo Feng... At such a young age and with such great strength, in the entire Flowing Cloud Region, I’m afraid he’s the only one."

"That’s true."

Yao Qing recalled the youth’s handsome, upright figure and smiled faintly, looking up at the blood-red sunset hanging in the sky.

A moment later, a look of determination flashed in her eyes. She said, "Uncle Fang, I’ve decided to revive the Escort Agency. I want to make the Shangfeng Escort Agency the largest in the Canglang Dynasty... No, the largest in the entire True Martial Continent!"

"The largest escort agency in the entire True Martial Continent..."

Captain Fang’s figure trembled, awed by the imposing manner in Yao Qing’s words.

A smile appeared on Captain Fang’s face. He didn’t ask for her reasons and bowed, saying, "I am willing to do my utmost to assist you, Miss."

Yao Qing nodded, took one last look down the mountain, then turned and walked towards the stronghold.

"Let’s go. We should set off."

From this day forward, she would chase the footsteps of a certain person, no matter how much time it took...

The sun sank completely in the west. After one night, the news that Black Wind Camp had been destroyed and its three Camp Heads were dead spread like a clap of thunder, rapidly reaching the major cities near Black Wind Ridge.

Upon hearing this news, everyone’s first reaction was astonishment. When they learned that the person who had annihilated Black Wind Camp and killed its three Camp Heads was a boy of fifteen or sixteen, their shock immediately turned into terror.

A boy of fifteen or sixteen had actually destroyed Black Wind Camp, which had been entrenched in Black Wind Ridge for over a dozen years. This made many people find it hard to believe. They were all speculating who could be so bold and possess such strength to accomplish such a thing.

「Green Wood Peak.」

Rows of imposing buildings stood here, one after another, appearing magnificent and opulent.

This was the main clan of the Duanmu Family, one of the six great families of the Flowing Cloud Region.

On Green Wood Peak, within a spacious and luxurious grand hall.

Several middle-aged men stood respectfully inside, their gazes nervously fixed on a person at the head of the hall. These men all had very strong Yuan Qi fluctuations emanating from their bodies. As their eyes opened and closed, sharp glints of light would occasionally flash. Their strength was formidable, and they were all high-ranking members of the Duanmu Family.

At the very head of the hall sat a powerfully built middle-aged man.

This man bore a slight resemblance to Duanmu Ji. His face was as if knife-carved, with hard lines. His eyes were sharp, and his gaze was like a sword’s gleam, making people not dare to meet it directly.

This person was the current Family Head of the Duanmu Family, Duanmu Xiao!

Slowly opening his eyes, Duanmu Xiao’s gaze swept across the hall. "Is the news about Black Wind Camp true?"

His gaze, like a sword beam, caused the air in the hall to abruptly turn cold. All the high-ranking members of the Duanmu Family couldn’t help but tremble.

"Father, I already dispatched men to Black Wind Ridge overnight to investigate. Black Wind Camp has been put to the torch. Many traces of fighting remain there, along with many corpses. The rumors are not false. Moreover..."

A young man stepped forward. This person had only his left arm, and his narrow eyes glinted with a cold light, like a venomous snake. It was Duanmu Yu, whose right arm had been severed by Luo Feng’s single slash!

Duanmu Xiao’s gaze fell on Duanmu Yu, radiating a terrifying light. "Moreover, what...?"

Duanmu Yu’s face stiffened, and he broke out in a sweat. "Moreover, we also discovered Elder Cangxuan’s corpse!"

"What! You said Elder Cangxuan, he... is dead?"

An immense pressure descended upon the hall. Duanmu Xiao abruptly rose, his eyes bloodshot, his aura surging like a tide, each wave more violent than the last.

The other high-ranking members of the Duanmu Family in the hall also paled.

Elder Cangxuan was not only an elder of the Duanmu Family but also Duanmu Xiao’s teacher in his youth. His status in the family was extremely high. To think he would actually be killed by someone!

"Yes. Although the fire burned the corpse, we found Elder Cangxuan’s belongings there. It should be correct," Duanmu Yu said, trembling.

BANG!

The airflow in the entire hall surged violently. Duanmu Xiao slammed his palm down, leaving a deep palm print on the ground. A ferocious chill continuously flickered in his eyes as he asked in an icy tone, "Who did it?"

"According to rumors, it was a boy of fifteen or sixteen. Judging from the traces at the scene, he likely cultivates Saber Techniques."

"HISS! A fifteen or sixteen-year-old boy!"

"Elder Cangxuan was at the peak cultivation of the Ninth Level Heavenly Court Realm, and his Low-Grade Profound Level Martial Art, the Green Hawk Soaring Wind Skill, had also been cultivated to the Great Accomplishment Realm. How could he be defeated by a mere boy?"

"That’s right. And there’s Black Wind Wolf, Liu Zixuan, and the others; they are all Ninth Level Heavenly Court Realm masters. Adding Elder Cangxuan, even if the opponent was a peak Ninth Level Heavenly Court Realm Martial Artist, they could only flee at the sight of them. Unless that boy is a Spiritual Rotation Realm expert."

"A fifteen or sixteen-year-old Spiritual Rotation Realm expert? That’s not very likely, is it?"

A series of gasps echoed through the hall; everyone was startled by the news Duanmu Yu had brought back.