"Lord Feng, what wind brings you here today?" Elder Junshan of the Formation Peak hurriedly arrived, greeting him warmly. However, his gaze carried a hint of apprehension, for the man before him was none other than the lord of Maple Leaf City—Feng Mohan.
"Old Junshan, you've finally come," Feng Mohan replied, his tone dismissive and lacking any trace of courtesy.
Upon hearing this, Elder Junshan's smile froze for a moment before he forced another one. Though both men were at the Golden Core stage, Feng Mohan's cultivation was far superior, having reached the fourth level of Golden Core, while he himself had only attained the second.
"Lord Feng, why are you so angry?" Elder Junshan asked with a polite smile, attempting to defuse the tension.
"Why am I angry? Ask your disciples at the Formation Peak what they've done," Feng Mohan retorted, his voice filled with domineering authority.
The disciples of the Formation Peak exchanged confused glances, completely unaware of any wrongdoing.
"Can someone explain what our disciples have done to anger Lord Feng so?" Elder Junshan asked, equally baffled.
"Your disciples dared to lay hands on my daughter in our territory and even stole her spiritual weapon, the Fire Silk Whip," Feng Mohan declared with a cold sneer.
Upon hearing this, the disciples gasped in shock. Finally, they understood why Feng Mohan was so enraged. Elder Junshan's expression darkened immediately. Feng Mohan had indulged his only daughter, Feng Linwan, who was so cherished that no one in Maple Leaf City dared to provoke her.
But now, one of his Formation Peak disciples had not only struck his daughter but also stolen her treasured spiritual weapon. If Feng Mohan were to let this slide, he would not deserve to be the lord of Maple Leaf City.
"Go, check if any of our disciples have been to Maple Leaf City recently," Elder Junshan ordered a disciple. He then turned back to Feng Mohan and said, "Rest assured, if this matter truly concerns our Formation Peak disciples, I will give you a satisfactory explanation."
Before long, the disciple returned, hurriedly whispering something in Elder Junshan's ear. After hearing this, Elder Junshan's face fell, for one of their disciples was indeed on the list of those who had visited Maple Leaf City.
"Has Luo Qing returned?" Elder Junshan asked urgently. Though Luo Qing's cultivation was only at the eighth level of Qi Refining, he was capable of setting up formations at the Foundation Establishment level. More importantly, Luo Qing was the only Formation Peak disciple who had traveled to Maple Leaf City recently.
Elder Junshan immediately concluded that this matter must have been caused by Luo Qing.
"Is there something else you wish to say, Elder Junshan?" Feng Mohan sneered, his eyes gleaming with cold certainty as he guessed what was coming next.
"I will give Lord Feng a full explanation," Elder Junshan said, his voice tinged with helplessness. "However, the disciple who went out has not returned yet. Once he does, I will personally deliver him to your doorstep."
"No need," Feng Mohan interrupted, waving his hand dismissively. "I'll wait right here."
Elder Junshan could only watch helplessly as Feng Mohan settled down in a lotus position, awaiting the arrival of Luo Qing.
Time passed, and when Luo Qing returned triumphantly with the Blood Spirit Flower and his reward, his joyful demeanor froze upon seeing the scene before him.
"What is going on here?" Luo Qing asked, pulling one of the disciples aside urgently. Despite Feng Mohan sitting still, an overwhelming pressure emanated from him that Luo Qing couldn't ignore.
"Finally back, Luo Qing?" Elder Junshan rushed over to him.
At this moment, Feng Mohan slowly opened his eyes, turning his gaze toward Luo Qing.
"Are you Luo Qing?" Feng Mohan's voice was low and threatening.
Upon hearing this, Luo Qing cupped his hands and replied, "I am indeed Luo Qing."
"You took the task in Maple Leaf City?" Feng Mohan continued, his voice laced with suspicion.
"Yes," Luo Qing responded, his confusion growing.
Without further warning, Feng Mohan raised his hand and struck down. Elder Junshan immediately surged with spiritual energy, stepping forward to intercept the blow. Though Elder Junshan absorbed most of the strike's force, the remaining power was enough to send Luo Qing flying.
He crashed heavily to the ground, spitting out blood, confusion and disbelief evident in his eyes.
"You wretch, my daughter's humiliation today will be repaid to you a thousandfold!" Feng Mohan's face darkened further. He couldn't believe this young man dared to insult his daughter in such a manner. Even though Elder Junshan had blocked his blow, his fury was palpable.
"Senior, what has my daughter's humiliation got to do with me?" Luo Qing, a proud individual by nature, stood with great effort, wiping blood from his lips as he defiantly spoke, his voice unwavering despite the pain.
"Don't play dumb with me! You humiliated my daughter and stole her spiritual weapon at the Dragon City Chamber of Commerce. Do you really think I wouldn't know?" Feng Mohan's voice seethed with fury, his eyes glinting with murderous intent.
"After I took the task, I went straight to Maple Leaf Forest. Duan Qingqing from the Symbol Peak can vouch for me," Luo Qing hastily explained. He could sense Feng Mohan's killing intent—killing him would be as easy as crushing an ant. If he didn't clarify the situation now, he feared he would never escape with his life.
"Ha! Do you think I will believe the word of a disciple of the Xuanwu Sect?" Feng Mohan sneered coldly.
"Lord Feng, no matter what, this is still our Xuanwu Sect's territory. If you were to take action here, it would be against the rules," Elder Junshan interjected, his tone firm. "As for this matter, the Formation Peak will give Lord Feng a proper explanation."
"Very well. You have three days. If you do not return my daughter's Fire Silk Whip, then I'll expect this disciple's corpse in its place." With a final wave of his sleeve, Feng Mohan stood and departed.
Luo Qing, feeling as if he had narrowly escaped death, collapsed onto the ground, panting heavily.