Martial Arts Overlord-Chapter 760 - 758: Can You Afford to Pay?

"Not returning to the Linglong Hall?"

Luo Feng glanced at Ling Qingwu and the others, noticing that their expressions were slightly odd. He frowned slightly and asked, "During your stay in the Imperial City, was there something else happening besides my deathmatch with Yi Tian?"

He then remembered that throughout this period, Ling Qingwu and the others had been mysteriously busy. He’d originally thought they were just sightseeing around Azure Sky City and hadn’t paid much attention, but now it seemed that wasn’t the case.

Nanxuan, with her big eyes, blinked and said, "Senior Sister Ling Qingwu was worried that it would distract you during the duel, so she didn’t tell you. Besides cheering you on in Azure Sky City, we also came to investigate the assault on the Second Hall Master in the Red Flame Desert."

"Shui Linglong?"

Luo Feng looked at their expressions and said thoughtfully, "Is there something unusual about this incident?"

"Yes."

Ling Qingwu nodded, glanced around, and began, "A month ago, the Second Hall Master took twenty outstanding inner sect disciples from the Linglong Hall and left to cheer you on at the Imperial City. However, en route they received some news and decided to make a detour to the Red Flame Desert. Just as they stepped into the desert, they were ambushed by a group of experts from the Demon Sect. They only managed to survive because a passerby from the sacred grounds helped them."

Luo Feng frowned and asked coldly, "Do you suspect an informant tipped off the Demon Sect about their visit?"

A sharp light flashed in Ling Qingwu’s eyes. "The Second Hall Master made the decision to travel to the Red Flame Desert on the spur of the moment; it’s unlikely the ambush happened without some preparation."

Luo Feng nodded in agreement with Ling Qingwu and asked, "What kind of message was so important that Shui Linglong would risk entering the hazardous Red Flame Desert?"

Ling Qingwu looked at Luo Feng, shook her head, and said, "I don’t know. We’ve been trying to find out who leaked the information."

Lin Yue’er clenched her fists tightly, grinding her teeth. "I must avenge Senior Sister Xiao and Senior Sister Gu!"

The other Linglong Hall disciples were also pale with anger. Even though they were saved by someone from the sacred grounds, of the twenty Linglong Hall inner sect disciples who followed Shui Linglong to the Red Flame Desert, three were forever left there, while the rest suffered injuries.

"Do you have any clues now?" Luo Feng directed his gaze towards Ling Qingwu.

"Yes. We heard in the Warriors’ Hall that some disciples of the Blood Demon Sect have been seen around Yellow Rock City these past few days. We are planning to rush there. If we manage to apprehend them, we should be able to gain some insights."

Yellow Rock City...

Luo Feng thought of Linxi Town, where he and Bing Ruolan had stayed yesterday. It was near Yellow Rock City. He offered, "I’ll accompany you all there."

Upon hearing this, Ling Qingwu shook her head. "Yellow Rock City is quite extensive; it will take some time to investigate. Moreover, these Blood Demon Sect disciples may not even be there. It’s been three months since the Golden Palace assessment. You should report back to the Golden Palace first. Leave this matter to us."

"But, the disciples of the Blood Demon Sect are notoriously brutal..."

Just as Luo Feng started to speak, Nanxuan said cheerfully, "Senior Brother Luo Feng, don’t worry with Senior Sister Ling here. She’s ranked thirtieth in the New Dragon List; even if she encounters a Demon General level expert, she can hold her own."

Ling Qingwu blushed slightly and said to Luo Feng, "Don’t worry. We’re just investigating who leaked the information to the Blood Demon Sect; we won’t take unnecessary risks. If things get dangerous, I will lead my younger sisters to safety." 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

"Alright then. Take care and don’t push yourselves too hard."

Luo Feng nodded. Nanxuan’s reminder made him recall that Ling Qingwu was last year’s Martial Champion and currently ranked thirtieth on the New Dragon List of the Six Southern Domains, far stronger than Yi Tian.

"Alright, we should be going." Ling Qingwu promptly excused themselves.

Nanxuan walked a few steps ahead, stood on her toes, and waved at Luo Feng, giggling, "Senior Brother Luo Feng, we’ll come to play once we’re back at the Linglong Hall."

Lin Yue’er reached out her delicate hand and tapped Nanxuan’s forehead, scolding, "Senior Brother Luo Feng is not as playful as you. Look at you, only at the second level of the Spiritual Rotation Realm after a year in the sect. Aren’t you ashamed?"

"Yue’er Senior Sister, you’re so mean! I won’t play with you."

Nanxuan puffed her cheeks and ran towards Ling Qingwu.

Lin Yue’er shook her head helplessly and smiled at Luo Feng. "Senior Brother Luo Feng, the journey back to the Linglong Hall is long and fraught with danger. Take care."

"Mmm. You take care too." Luo Feng nodded.

SIGH...

Watching Lin Yue’er and the others leave, Luo Feng let out a soft sigh and thought to himself, I hope nothing goes wrong.

He looked around, determined his direction, and headed towards the southern part of the city.

Luo Feng still had a few more days left to his ten-day challenge with Yan Hu, but he had no more time to waste in Azure Sky City.

「Azure Sky City, South Mountain Restaurant.」

South Mountain Restaurant, the only restaurant in Azure Sky City run by the Wild Tribe, was famous for its exotic tribal cuisine.

"Is this the place Yan Hu mentioned?"

Luo Feng stopped and looked at the grand building on the left side of the street.

The building was entirely made of stone and had an exotic aesthetic. A flag at the entrance bore four hastily scrawled characters: South Mountain Restaurant. Rather than calling them characters, they were more like a child’s graffiti; if one didn’t look closely, it was impossible to recognize them.

A bitter smile crossed his face, and Luo Feng walked into the restaurant.

Hmm?

As soon as Luo Feng entered the restaurant, he felt an unusual atmosphere inside.

The restaurant hall was devoid of diners; the seats were filled with martial artists armed with sabers and swords. These individuals all had stern gazes, faintly exuding killing intent, and many bore injuries.

SWISH!

The moment Luo Feng appeared at the entrance of the restaurant, all eyes immediately turned towards him. After they saw clearly who he was and not the man they were waiting for, they shifted their attention elsewhere.

"What’s going on?" Luo Feng was puzzled. He had heard that the South Mountain Restaurant had a booming business and you had to line up for a meal, but the scene before him was entirely different.

"Where is Yan Hu?"

"Speak up, or we’re tearing down this South Mountain Restaurant!"

In the restaurant, a group of imposing figures from the jianghu gathered, creating an uproar.

In the crowd was a muscular man who had a wild look about him—shirtless, wearing beast skin, his hair standing on end, muscles dark and firm as steel.

"I don’t know where he is. He left early in the morning. If you want to find him, you should go to the Southern Forest Wilderness." The muscular man crossed his arms and spoke dispassionately.

"Quit playing stupid! That boy invited us to the South Mountain Restaurant to find him!"

"Exactly! He injured my younger brother in public and claimed that nobody in the Canglang Dynasty could defeat him. If we don’t teach him a lesson, how can I, known as ’Cracking Eagle Leg,’ ever show my face again!"

"Quick, call Yan Hu out! I want to avenge the punch he landed on me!"

"Dare to hurt someone from the Tie family? I’ll make him spend the rest of his life in bed regretting it!"

The jianghu figures present were furious and menacing.

Over the past few days, Yan Hu still traveled around challenging self-proclaimed talented youngsters. In just five days, nearly forty people were injured by him. Now, the people in the restaurant were the families and friends of these young talents, eager to avenge them.

The bright light flickered in the muscular man’s eyes, and he licked his lips. "Yan Hu fought them in fair fights. They were defeated because they were not strong enough, and they can’t blame others for it."

"I don’t care! If he hurts anyone from my family, he must suffer the consequences!"

"Exactly!"

The crowd seethed with killing intent, outright ignoring the muscular man’s words. Even though they were in the wrong, they had no intention of admitting their mistake. After all, Yan Hu is just a member of the Wild Tribe.

The muscular man licked his lips, a brutal light in his eyes. Just then, he caught sight of Luo Feng, who had just entered the restaurant. He raised his thick eyebrows, pushed through the crowd, and went over to greet him.

"You finally made it."

As they heard this, the crowd’s attention immediately shifted to Luo Feng.

Luo Feng stopped in his tracks, frowning. "Do you know me?"

The muscular man laughed heartily, patting Luo Feng’s shoulder. "Of course! These days Yan Hu has been talking about you every day. He said you’re the first friend he made in the Canglang Dynasty and also the only person whom he respects and admires."

Just as Luo Feng was about to speak, he sensed the unusual vibe around him. He frowned and looked around.

Unbeknownst to him, the warriors in the restaurant had risen from their seats. They all stared at Luo Feng, an intense murderous aura filling their eyes, the light within like steel needles.

"So you’re Yan Hu’s friend?" A warrior holding a spear walked up, his tigerish eyes staring at Luo Feng.

After a moment of thought, Luo Feng felt that he and Yan Hu had indeed become acquainted through their previous fight. He also appreciated Yan Hu’s straightforwardness and nodded. "Yes."

The spear-holding warrior licked his lips and sneered, "Great. Tell me, where is he now?"

Luo Feng shook his head simply. "I’m here to find him too."

BOOM!

The spear-holding warrior slammed the Refined Iron Long Spear onto the ground. The power was so immense that the whole restaurant shook. He stared at Luo Feng, emanating a powerful aura, and laughed coldly, "Kid, tell us Yan Hu’s whereabouts, and do it quickly, or you’ll regret it!"

As he spoke, the spear-holding warrior placed his right palm on Luo Feng’s shoulder, his fingers beginning to close, his face contorted.

Unbeknownst to anyone, the muscular man had moved out of the crowd and was watching the spear-holding warrior with some sympathy.

Luo Feng could feel the gradually increasing power on his right shoulder. His eyebrows furrowed slightly, his face turning a bit colder. "I already said that I don’t know. Also, please remove your hand."

"Nonsense! You’re his friend, how could you not know Yan Hu’s whereabouts!"

"Confess quickly, or you’ll suffer today."

"First, break this kid’s shoulder and see if he still dares to play tough!"

The warriors next to him had a cold look in their eyes and were watching Luo Feng, obviously not believing Luo Feng’s words.

"You’re only asking for it!" The spear-holding warrior gave a cold sneer and started to apply force.

CRACK!

The high-quality silver jade silk fabric was torn apart by the force.

Luo Feng remained calm, looking at the spear-holding warrior, and said indifferently, "This outfit is worth ten thousand second-grade Yuan Stones. I don’t know, can you afford it?"