After emerging from Xianyun Group, Bai Feng glanced at the few people lingering not far away and walked straight toward them.
"Take me to the Zhang Family." Bai Feng looked at the young man inside a car.
"Get in."
The driver was clearly stunned, casting a surprised look at Bai Feng.
Once Bai Feng got in, the man started the engine, nodded slightly to the occupants of another vehicle, and drove off toward the north of the city.
"Not bad at all. This kid's style is as overbearing as ever."
Standing before the floor-to-ceiling windows, Li Qingmo smiled brightly. When she pulled her gaze back, the corners of her lips curled upward again.
Looking quite pleased with herself, she murmured softly, "The quick-footed get the moon first; I'm definitely going to be the one who snares that brat. The rest of you vixens can just seethe with envy and jealousy."
In high spirits, Li Qingmo walked toward her office with a seductive sway in her hips, harboring not a single worry that any harm would befall her junior brother.
Meanwhile!
Word spread instantly that Bai Feng had boarded a car sent by the Zhang Family's surveillance detail to head toward the east of the city—a development that caught everyone completely off guard.
"Second Brother, are you sure this news is true?"
Over at the Xu Family estate in the west of the city, Matriarch Xu, who had just finished paying her respects at the late family head's altar, stared at Second Son Xu Yuxian in disbelief upon hearing his report.
The other members of the Xu Family present wore equally shocked expressions, all turning to look at Xu Yuxian.
"The news is 100 percent confirmed. Furthermore, the man I sent managed to snap photographs."
Equally astonished, Xu Yuxian handed over his phone.
"Shuyin, can Bai Feng really resolve this?"
Gazing at the photos on the screen, Matriarch Xu looked somewhat dazed, her eyes involuntarily shifting to Xu Shuyin standing beside her.
Then she gave a slight, self-deprecating shake of her head and murmured, "Impossible. Behind the Zhang Family stands a martial arts clan boasting two Heaven-tier Martial Artists."
"Second Son, keep me updated the moment you hear anything. I'm going to go get ready; you'll accompany me over later."
Resignation laden in her tone, Matriarch Xu turned and walked slowly away. Her intent was painfully clear: she was prepared to swallow her pride and beg the Zhang Family for mercy in person.
Witnessing the old lady's reaction, the rest of the Xu Family members cast complex looks at Xu Shuyin.
In their eyes, Xu Shuyin had already committed numerous reckless acts.
Now that she held the position of project coordinator for the partnership between Xu Group and Xianyun Group, even the matriarch had reined in her usual attitude toward her—let alone the rest of them.
At the same time, deep down, they believed that even if Bai Feng were an Earth Realm Martial Artist, walking out of the Zhang Family compound intact was a complete impossibility.
In fact, all the major forces and prominent families paying attention to the situation in Fengcheng shared this exact view.
Not only had Bai Feng crippled Zhang Shihao of the Zhang Family and Zhao Heilong, the Earth Realm underworld king of Fengcheng, but he had also publicly slapped Zhang Family Head Zhang Wei in the face at Fengyan Restaurant.
Such treatment constituted an unpayable blood debt and utter humiliation for any family, let alone the Zhang Family, the foremost first-tier powerhouse in Fengcheng.
Therefore, nobody believed the Zhang Family would let Bai Feng off. Although they had already learned that Bai Feng might have ties with Li Qingmo, the president of Xianyun Group, that changed nothing.
After all, the Tuoba Family of Ning Province behind the Zhang Family was an existence far more terrifying than Li Qingmo's family in West City.
One could even say that Bai Feng had indirectly slapped the Tuoba Family, the premier family of Ning Province. Thus, this was a dead-end mission with no chance of survival.
Elsewhere.
In the council hall of the Zhang Family in the east of the city, the atmosphere was grim and oppressive. Zhang Family Patriarch Zhang Nanbo sat in the main seat with an ashen face and a gloomy gaze.
At that moment, a man strode into the hall and looked toward Zhang Nanbo.
Speaking with utmost respect, he said, "Dad, Second Brother has already picked up Young Master Tuoba Wenhao; they will be here in half an hour. That little bastard Bai Feng is also heading east; he got into the car of our surveillance team and is expected to arrive in forty minutes. Also, he might have some connection with Li Qingmo, the president of Xianyun Group."
After finishing his report, current Zhang Family Head Zhang Wei stood cautiously to the side. Though consumed by immense fury, he still feared the old master venting his anger on him publicly.
After all, at Fengyan Restaurant, he—the head of a premier Fengcheng aristocratic family—had been ruthlessly slapped across the face by an arrogant young punk, causing the Zhang Family to lose a tremendous amount of face.
"Hmph, that little bastard is truly arrogant and reckless. The face we lost this time must be reclaimed."
Hearing that the man who had beaten his grandson had actually boarded the family's surveillance car, Zhang Nanbo's expression grew even darker.
"Dad, Young Master Tuoba Wenhao happens to be arriving right now. To ensure no one else dares to jump out in the future, should we summon representatives from all the major families in Fengcheng to use this opportunity to make an example of someone?"
The thought suddenly flashed through Zhang Wei's mind, and after pondering it for a moment, he voiced the suggestion.
"Do it." Zhang Nanbo ruminated for a brief moment before nodding slightly.
Seeing the old master's approval, Zhang Wei quickly pulled out his phone and walked out of the council hall.
Following Zhang Wei's invitations, massive waves rippled through the entirety of Fengcheng. Representatives and executives from major commercial groups and prominent families rushed toward the Zhang Family estate in the east of the city.
Though everyone heading there knew full well that the Zhang Family's invitation was meant to make an example of someone to terrify the others, none of them dared refuse.
If they failed to show up this time and incurred Zhang Wei's displeasure, being targeted afterward would prove exceedingly troublesome.
Because all the other families received invitations while the Fengcheng Xu Family was left out, it left Xu Yuxian in a state of panic, prompting him to report the situation to Matriarch Xu immediately.
"The Zhang Family is planning to kill a chicken to warn the monkeys!"
With an ugly expression on her face, Matriarch Xu looked utterly exhausted.
"Then what should we do?" Xu Yuxian was completely at a loss, having no idea how to proceed.
"We'll wait until things wrap up over there and then go. That's our only option," Matriarch Xu said in a heavy, muffled voice.
Time flew, and half an hour passed in the blink of an eye. Most of those invited by Zhang Wei had already arrived in the eastern district, gathering outside the Zhang Family's reception hall.
"Young Master Tuoba Wenhao of the Ning Province Tuoba Family has arrived!"
Accompanied by a resounding announcement, Zhang Nanbo strode out with vigorous steps, taking the initiative to reach the steps outside the reception hall, his previously gloomy face now blossoming with smiles.
Witnessing this, the representatives of the various Fengcheng families gathered outside the courtyard wore looks filled with envy, jealousy, and apprehension.
Connecting with the premier family of Ning Province was something many people dreamed of.
Many present were well aware of this Young Master Tuoba Wenhao.
Aside from hailing from Ning Province's top family, what drew the most attention was Tuoba Wenhao's peerless martial arts talent—at merely twenty-five years old, he had already become an Earth Realm Martial Artist.
He was also the designated successor to the head of the Tuoba Family, earning him the moniker of the First Young Master of Ning Province.
Once Tuoba Wenhao ascended to become a Heaven Realm Martial Artist as well, the Tuoba Family would truly boast three Heaven Realm practitioners—a martial arts foundation of such terrifying caliber that it remained formidable even across the entire Northwest.
"Old Master, you're still looking robust. Wenhao pays his respects to you."
Escorted by current Zhang Family Head Zhang Wei, a dashing young man with an arrogant demeanor strode forward, smiling and cupping his fists in greeting to Zhang Nanbo.
"My health is still holding up; it's just this heavy mood in my chest that's stifling," Zhang Nanbo replied with a hearty laugh.
"A stifling mood is easily remedied. Shortly, I'll make sure Old Master's spirits lift—it's quite simple."
As Tuoba Wenhao spoke, his gaze swept over the crowd assembled outside, a full smile on his face. Having been briefed on the situation during his journey here, he naturally grasped the Zhang Family's intent.
"Then I shall rely on you, Young Master. Please, step inside the hall first to drink some tea and rest."
The old patriarch proactively stepped aside to yield the way to Tuoba Wenhao, keeping his posture remarkably humble.
"Very well, Old Master, please lead the way."
With that, Tuoba Wenhao took the lead and walked toward the reception hall, effectively taking charge of the situation. His aura was visibly much stronger than that of Zhang Nanbo.
As for Zhang Wei, who usually held a lofty position as head of the family, he had now been reduced to a mere supporting backdrop—yet none of the onlookers felt anything was amiss.
"That Bai Feng is truly done for this time. He might not even manage to keep his little life."
"That fellow is utterly arrogant and reckless. The moment he walked out of Xianyun Group, he got right into the Zhang Family's surveillance car. Doing the math, he should be arriving soon."
"He's simply too young and ignorant, thinking that being an Earth Realm Martial Artist makes him invincible under heaven. Now, it'll be too late for him to regret."
After Tuoba Wenhao and several senior members of the Zhang Family entered the reception hall ahead, the crowd in the courtyard began whispering among themselves.
Moments later, when Zhang Wei stepped out of the reception hall with a gloomy expression, everyone turned their heads to look.
Framed in the courtyard entrance was Bai Feng, flanked and blocked by a throng of Zhang Family guards, maintaining an entirely calm expression.
"Let that little bastard in, and all of you step back."
With an icy tone and a sinister glare fixed on Bai Feng—as if looking at a corpse—Zhang Wei radiated a terrifying oppressive aura.
Watching Bai Feng stroll leisurely and unconcernedly into the courtyard, the expressions of the onlookers shifted constantly. They never expected Bai Feng would actually dare to show his face at the Zhang Family.
Consequently, deep in the eyes of a few flickered a trace of admiration, though the vast majority wore cold and mocking expressions, deeming Bai Feng utterly suicidal.
"Little bastard, kneel before me!"
Discovering that even inside the Zhang Family compound he still failed to suppress the other's arrogance, Zhang Wei flew into a towering rage.
A cold look crossed Bai Feng's face as he stepped forward without a word and lashed out with a vicious slap.
*Crack!*
A crisp sound echoed as Zhang Wei was sent staggering back several steps, completely dazed.
"Daring to bark and bite people in broad daylight—are you complaining that you were born with too good a dog's mouth?" Slowly retracting his hand, Bai Feng cast a cold gaze at Zhang Wei.
*Hiss!*
Seeing the head of the Zhang Family viciously struck across the face, everyone present sucked in a breath of cold air, their expressions shaken to the core.
"You—"
Clutching his cheek, Zhang Wei choked on his words, his eyes filled with disbelief and towering hatred.
Right in front of the representatives of all the Fengcheng families, he had been slapped across the face. It made him feel as though his dignity had been instantly dragged through the dirt, causing his state of mind to instantly shatter.
"Young Master Tuoba Wenhao is right inside! Today, you little mongrel must die!"
Recovering his wits, Zhang Wei gritted his teeth, his glare wishing he could carve Bai Feng alive.
"Kid, some people are better off not offended, you know?"
At that exact moment, an arrogant Tuoba Wenhao stepped out from the reception hall, casting a disdainful glance toward Bai Feng.