Chapter 113: Kill, and Seize Their Martial Fortune

"Whatever the Governor prefers."

Zhong Ziling breathed a sigh of relief.

"This matter must remain secret. Aside from you and me, it cannot be revealed to a third party," Governor Yan whispered.

"What about Miss Fati?"

"Rest assured, I have my own ways of controlling her. She is already devoted to me," Governor Yan said, a smile appearing on his face.

The only thorn in his side was the fact that his "cheap" disciple had taken full advantage of her. However, without that disciple, Fati would never have been captured and brought to Feiyuan Island, nor would she have awakened the bloodline of her ancestors—the oracular witches.

She had yet to fully master this awakened power, and Fati herself was completely clueless about how to develop it. It worked sporadically, which frustrated Governor Yan immensely.

"Congratulations, Governor. With Fati's help, the Southern Naval Fleet will possess an insurmountable advantage in future naval battles, seizing the initiative against the Fara Empire." Zhong Ziling was already considering the future operations of the fleet.

"Indeed. Without Fati's assistance, I might not have dared to send the four major fleets out to sea," Yan Fei revealed, hinting at certain classified matters.

*It seems the Governor has mastered everything,* Zhong Ziling thought to herself.

"Ziling, I have an urgent task for you," Governor Yan said suddenly.

"Please, speak plainly, Governor."

"Find a way to acquire the inheritance of the diviners from the Fara Empire."

"Those charlatans?"

"Yes. Fati needs it."

"Understood, Governor. I will dispatch people to the Fara Empire to seize the inheritance."

"Remember, keep it secret."

Zhong Ziling left in a hurry. Watching her tall, graceful silhouette, Yan Fei suppressed his inner desires. Zhong Ziling was his confidante, and her loyalty was beyond question. Moreover, her abilities and talent were hard to match among her peers—with the exception of that monster, Baili Feihong.

Yan Fei had once considered taking her as a concubine, but she had politely declined, so he had let the matter drop. He had wanted to marry her to bind her completely to himself, but it seemed unnecessary now. The appearance of Fati had provided him with an invincible key to victory.

Know your enemy and know yourself, and you will win every battle. In war, intelligence is paramount, and naval intelligence is especially critical. On the vast, trackless sea, securing the first move turns a naval engagement into a one-sided slaughter. Yan Fei understood well that by mastering Fati, a witch with oracular bloodline talents, he would surely ascend to the pinnacle of power within the Great Yuan imperial court.

What was Feiyuan Island in the grand scheme of things? If the Warden wanted it, he could have it. However, he would first have to deal with the sects. These sect members held deep grudges against the Demon Suppression Division. As the Governor, controlling the Southern Naval Fleet, he wasn't afraid of them attacking him directly. If they struck at the Southern Naval Fleet, they would be acting against the imperial court. If they only targeted the Warden, it could be dismissed as a personal matter, covered up by sect leaders reconciling with the court. But attacking the military meant shaking the foundations of the Great Yuan Empire, and any sect would have to weigh the consequences of the Empire's retaliation.

Governor Yan had been hiding in the Governor's Mansion these past few days, fearing assassination. Within the mansion, his safety could be guaranteed.

...

Hu Zuowei was invited into the new headquarters of the Feiyuan Chamber of Commerce. The new chairman, Wang Chongqing, rushed over and warmly welcomed him into his office.

"Lord Hu, does the Demon Suppression Division have any plans for developing the North Island?" Wang Chongqing also held shares in the Feiyuan Chamber of Commerce. The development of the North Island required astronomical wealth, and one could not bypass the Chamber of Commerce to do it. Although the Chamber and the Demon Suppression Division had been on bad terms, that was under the Han family's leadership. What did that have to do with him?

"The Warden has not spoken of it. However, once the ban on the North Island is lifted, the development plan will likely be put on the agenda by the newly appointed governor. That is a matter for the local provincial government; the Demon Suppression Division will not interfere," Hu Zuowei said, maintaining a smile. He felt quite comfortable now. Before the new Warden had taken office, anyone could bully him. Now, as he walked through the city, everyone gave him a modicum of respect.

"The Feiyuan Chamber of Commerce is willing to cover all costs for the Warden's residence and coordinate the labor to transport the necessary materials to the former site of the North Island prison," Wang Chongqing immediately offered, aiming to ease the Warden's worries.

Hu Zuowei frowned. "Building the Warden's residence is the business of the Demon Suppression Division. Chairman Wang, if word of this gets out, it will surely invite public criticism. How would the common people view our Division, and how would they view the Warden?"

Wang Chongqing smiled. "Han Feiyuan was once the young master of our Chamber. He forcibly used the Warden's residence for his own purposes, leaving it in ruins. Moreover, so many people died there that it has become a haunted, ill-omened house. Our Chamber has an obligation to compensate the Division. I heard the Warden has been staying in the Demon Suppression Building and hasn't found a proper place to settle since he arrived. This is entirely the fault of the Feiyuan Chamber of Commerce. Building a new residence for the Warden is our inescapable duty."

"This... Chairman Wang makes a valid point. I find it hard to argue..."

"Then it is settled." Wang Chongqing didn't give Hu Zuowei a chance to object.

"Very well. I will report this to the Warden and ensure he knows that Chairman Wang is a man of great principle."

"I heard that your youngest son has not yet married?" Wang Chongqing asked suddenly.

"My youngest is still studying at the Feiyuan Academy. He is diligent, but my household is poor. I exhausted everything I had to provide dowries for my first three sons. But now that the Warden has arrived and salaries are being paid in full, I have no more worries," Hu Zuowei sighed.

Wang Chongqing said, "Who doesn't know that Lord Hu is a man of integrity, living a simple life? Supporting an entire family on such a meager salary is no easy feat. I'm sure your son is as upright as you. Coincidentally, I have a niece who is also studying at the academy, just a year older than your son. I wonder if that might be a suitable match?"

"Suitable, naturally suitable." The Wang family was a prominent clan in Southern Town. Now that Wang Chongqing was the chairman of the Feiyuan Chamber of Commerce, his status was among the highest on the island.

"I am only worried that the Warden might misunderstand," Wang Chongqing said with concern.

Hu Zuowei reassured him, "Chairman Wang, do not worry. The Warden once mentioned to me that you are a talent of the age, and that for Feiyuan Island to develop, it cannot do without your support."

Wang Chongqing was overjoyed. "Then I must ask Lord Hu to put in a good word for me before the Warden." He prayed the Warden wouldn't slash the Chamber's building in half again. Fortunately, he practiced martial arts, which had saved him from that disaster. He knew that Hu Zuowei couldn't help him climb the ranks or influence the Demon Suppression Division, but he had noticed one thing: when Baili Feihong first arrived, Hu Zuowei was the only one who went to welcome him. And now, the Warden's treasury was still under Hu Zuowei's control. It was clear Baili Feihong held him in high regard.

Perhaps in three or five years, when the Warden left Feiyuan Island to return to the Great Yuan for a higher position, Hu Zuowei would no longer be of use in the Division, or perhaps he would retire. Wang Chongqing needed those three to five years. Many in the Chamber were promoted by the former Chairman Han, and another faction belonged to the Southern Naval Fleet. He was only the third. Although the Fleet held the majority of the shares, the Governor's family held a significant portion as well. They had propped him up as chairman because they needed someone to streamline the Chamber and restore its functions. Once his usefulness ended, the Governor's mansion would kick him out.

Hu Zuowei was the Warden's right-hand man and a trusted confidant within the Division. A marriage alliance between the Wang and Hu families would allow Wang Chongqing to use the Warden's authority to reclaim the Han family's influence and secure enough initiative within the Chamber. As for kicking out the Southern Naval Fleet or Yan Fei, he hadn't even considered it; the Chamber's existence was built on the Fleet's deterrence of foreign nations.

...

When Hu Zuowei returned to the Demon Suppression Building, he reported directly to Baili Feihong.

"Chairman Wang has good methods. The Feiyuan Chamber of Commerce should indeed have a share for the Demon Suppression Division. The North Island development plan is our leverage. How many shares we can secure depends on your methods, Old Hu." Baili Feihong's words left Hu Zuowei speechless.

"Shares?"

"Don't be absurd. The Southern Naval Fleet can take them, Yan Fei can take them, and the clans in the city can take them. Why can't I, Baili Feihong, and the Demon Suppression Division take them?" Baili Feihong glared at him. "If the Division wants a long-term presence on Feiyuan Island, it cannot rely solely on the reputation I have carved out with my blade. Taking shares means the Division is formally integrated into the island."

"Will they agree?"

"They can accept my goodwill or accept my sword. Between the two, no one will refuse my goodwill," Baili Feihong said dismissively. "Clearing the North Island of unstable elements is our contribution. If they want to develop it, they have to ask if I agree. They cannot do the dirty work while I enjoy the benefits, lying back and sharing the wealth of the North Island."

"You are wise, my Lord." Hu Zuowei could only offer flattery, not knowing what else to say.

"Enough, go. See to the matter of the residence."

As Hu Zuowei withdrew, a spirit eagle descended from the sky, flew in through the window, and landed on Baili Feihong's desk.

"Hongluan, you've worked hard." Baili Feihong stroked the eagle's head. The bird looked comfortable, clearly enjoying the five-element vital energy flowing into its body. He removed the letter tube and pulled out the message.

[Congratulations on ranking tenth on the Hidden Dragon List.]

[Jiang Yu'er of the Yin-Yang Heaven Sect has arrived on Feiyuan Island, intending to kill you and take your place to seize your martial fortune.]

[Jiang Dongliu suspects you possess the blood of the Kunpeng.]

The three short sentences revealed a massive amount of information. Baili Feihong had studied the sect files in the Division and immediately understood this was a warning from Gongyang Yan. He sat in his chair, lost in thought. He had enough skill points to step into the realm of supernatural powers, but he didn't use them immediately. His Yuan Fetus realm still needed tempering. More importantly, once he stepped into the supernatural, his situation would become even more difficult. Higher-level martial artists would be watching him, and he would find it hard to explain how he had cultivated so quickly. Moreover, as long as the skill points remained unspent, he could exchange them for cultivation at any time. There was no need to rush.

"The talents of the world will surely flock to Feiyuan," Baili Feihong sighed. Anyone under fifty who attained supernatural powers could enter the Hidden Dragon List. Some who were already on the list would target him just to improve their own ranking.

"Very well. Let you all come and temper my martial path."

Baili Feihong was severely lacking in combat experience. Killing people and fighting were two different things; his battle with Governor Yan had exposed that clearly. The martial will enhanced by skill points lacked perfect integration, leaving him feeling as if he were floating in the clouds, his feet never touching the ground.

"If soldiers come, I will block them; if water comes, I will use earth to cover it."

"If you truly think Baili Feihong is a soft persimmon, I will make sure none of you return."

...

"Commander of the Eastern Marquis Army, you are lucky," said Gong Yu, the Warden Commander of the Eastern Province, his expression cold. The Ghost Mansion's escape techniques were strange, but as the commander, he had had a foolproof plan. Unfortunately, the sudden appearance of profound ice attacks had forced him to abandon the pursuit of the heavily wounded commander.

The three commanders—left, middle, and right—silently vanished. Their assistance to the Warden Commander this time was entirely a favor to the Gongyang family. At their level, even though Gong Yu was the head of the provincial Demon Suppression Division, they didn't have to show him any respect. Everyone had their own backers.

Gong Yu did not linger in the Hengduan Mountains. This place was exceptionally dangerous; even as a commander, he could lose his life.

In a luxurious garden within the provincial capital of the Eastern Province, Gong Yu reappeared. "Master Yu, the ancient profound ice witch intervened and rescued the Eastern Marquis Army commander."

Gong Yu stood respectfully before the young, handsome Master Yu.

"The Eastern Marquis Army commander has mastered the Ghost Mansion's arts; killing him was always going to be difficult. My plan was foolproof, but to escape under such dangerous circumstances... one can only say it was not his time to die." Gongyang Yu didn't take it to heart; the commander's survival didn't affect him. His attention was on the letter in his hand.

"I heard you transferred my third sister's capable subordinate and sent him to Feiyuan Island," Gongyang Yu said calmly.

Gong Yu looked up, his expression firm. "I was worried that the Third Miss would develop feelings for this Baili Feihong, so I decided to act first and have him transferred. The Feiyuan Island Demon Suppression Division has been in decline, and the position of Warden had been vacant for ten years after the last one was killed. If this threat could be removed, Feiyuan Island was a suitable place."

Gongyang Yu's lips curled into a sneer. "Suitable, indeed. It's a pity that the trash from the Yan family may not be able to do anything to him."

"Yan Fei is obsessed with military affairs, which has delayed his cultivation. It is a pity he has not entered the supernatural realm," Gong Yu had met Yan Fei; the man had great ambition and good talent.

"Even if he weren't obsessed with the military, it would be good enough for someone of Yan Fei's talent to reach the supernatural realm in his lifetime." Gongyang Yu handed the letter to Gong Yu. "Read it. Feiyuan Island will not be the final resting place for Baili Feihong. He is like a dragon taking flight. If my sister is interested in him, things will be even more difficult."

Gong Yu took the letter, and as he read the intelligence, his expression turned to shock, disbelief, and then anger. "Master Yu, this is impossible. This intelligence must be wrong."

"The Heavenly Dragon Instrument has moved. His name is on the Hidden Dragon List. At his age, his future martial fortune is boundless. This man has the potential of a Martial Saint. If he ascends to the rank of Martial Saint, his future will not be inferior to our Gongyang family," Gongyang Yu said, a shadow of gloom flickering in his eyes.

"Master Yu, I will have him recalled at once," Gong Yu said, his voice laced with murderous intent. He would bring him back and kill him.

"It is too late. The Demon Suppression Division monitors the Heavenly Dragon Instrument very strictly. Any anomaly is reported to the Grand Commander immediately. The Grand Commander must already know. You have no authority to recall him, nor can you influence the General Division to have him replaced."

"Master, what should we do?"

Gongyang Yu's expression turned savage. "Kill him, and seize his martial fortune."