Feng Hao felt the wind howling past his ears as the scenery flew backward. He was being carried like a sack of goods.
By this point, Feng Hao had mostly guessed the middle-aged man's origins and purpose. He was likely an expert from a major power, lured here after the Beixing Clan exposed the existence of the Experience Pill.
He just hadn't expected them to target the Miao Medicine Tower. Instead, they came straight for him!
Fortunately, their goal was the Experience Pill, so he was safe for the time being. "Sir, you captured me for the Experience Pill, right?"
"Heh, you're a sharp kid," the middle-aged man said with an amused smile.
"I've thought it over, and I can't recall offending any major figures. I figured this had to be the reason," Feng Hao said with a wry smile.
The middle-aged man continued sprinting and sneered, "Speaking of which, that master of yours certainly has some skill. This was the only way I could force him to hand over the formula for the Experience Pill."
Feng Hao mulled it over for a moment before asking, a hint of doubt in his voice, "By the way, Sir, you've never met me before, have you?"
"It's true, I've never met you. But the Beixing Family has detailed files on you," the middle-aged man said with a smirk.
"Us?" Feng Hao's expression darkened. "Miao Feng was captured too?"
"If I'm going to pressure your master, I naturally have to capture both of his disciples."
"Well, your plan is perfect," Feng Hao said with a helpless, wry smile.
"Haha…" The middle-aged man, clearly pleased by the flattery, said smugly, "Don't you worry, kid. We at the War and Magic Alliance do things honorably. As long as your master hands over the pill formula, we won't make things difficult for you."
Feng Hao was filled with contempt. 'Honorable, my ass! You call kidnapping and making threats honorable?'
'Once I get powerful,' he thought, 'I'm definitely going to cause trouble for the War and Magic Alliance. And I'll have to play dirty to show them what being *truly* honorable is all about!'
Before he knew it, Feng Hao had been brought to the Beixing Clan's estate, where he saw Miao Feng looking utterly frustrated.
"S-Senior Brother, you got captured too?" Miao Feng rushed forward with a pained smile.
"It couldn't be helped." Feng Hao shook his head, a wry smile on his face.
In the main hall, Beixing Kuang and a group of the clan's experts were all present, standing deferentially behind the middle-aged man.
After bringing Feng Hao in, the middle-aged man looked directly at Beixing Kuang. "Patriarch Beixing, have you sent someone to notify the Miao Medicine Tower?"
"Rest assured, my lord. We have already sent someone. I expect the grandmaster is on his way now," Beixing Kuang replied with the utmost respect, though he was lamenting inwardly.
'Who would have known that releasing the news would so quickly attract such a powerful expert—and a member of the War and Magic Alliance, no less. In the face of a top-tier power like that, the Beixing Clan was less than nothing.'
'The one silver lining,' he thought, 'is that the mysterious Alchemist from the Miao Medicine Tower has finally revealed himself, and his power is terrifying. Thank goodness we didn't try to use force earlier, or the clan would have been wiped out ten thousand times over!'
The middle-aged man nodded in satisfaction, then sat down and closed his eyes to rest.
Miao Feng, still only half-understanding the situation, couldn't help but whisper to Feng Hao, "Senior Brother, what are we going to do? The Miao Medicine Tower only has Wang Gui and the others. Where are we going to find someone to pose as the mysterious Alchemist?"
"Don't worry. Someone will step into that role."
Feng Hao couldn't help but chuckle. He figured they must have mistaken his sworn brother, Lin Luo, for the mysterious Alchemist. That was fine by him, though. It would save a lot of trouble.
Miao Feng scratched the back of his head, confused. "What's going on?"
"He's a sworn brother of mine named Lin Luo, and he's very powerful," Feng Hao said with a mysterious smile, lowering his voice. "When he gets here, just call him Master. Whatever you do, don't reveal who I really am, or things will get very messy."
"Oh." Miao Feng nodded, only half-understanding.
Just then, Beixing Kuang sidled over with a warm, benevolent expression. "My dear nephew, Miao Feng, Xiaoran is young and foolish. Please don't take what happened before to heart."
Beixing Kuang was regretting it to death, especially after learning of the mysterious Alchemist's power. He wanted nothing more than to drag Beixing Ran back and give her a savage beating. 'Good heavens, a Seventh Rank Mage, and with such superb Alchemy Techniques! The thought of winning him over to the clan's side was exhilarating.'
"There's no need for this, Uncle Kuang. For my father's sake, I'll still call you that. As for Xiaoran, let's not mention it again," Miao Feng said with a complex expression, sighing faintly.
"Miao Feng…" Beixing Kuang started to say more, but stopped himself. Sighing in sorrow, he stepped aside, his heart filled with shame as he recalled his old friendship with Miao Qing.
This short exchange seemed to give Miao Feng a great deal of closure, and his entire demeanor became more magnanimous.
MREOW—!
The sudden cry of a cat drew everyone's attention. Even the middle-aged man who had been resting with his eyes closed opened them, his expression grim as he looked outside the hall. The members of the Beixing Clan were utterly horrified.
Feng Hao and Miao Feng looked toward the sound and saw an agile figure land lightly in the courtyard. It was an enormous black cat with a well-proportioned body and glossy fur. Its aquamarine, slit-pupil eyes held a dangerous glint, giving it an air of noble, fierce beauty.
On the black cat's back sat a glamorous woman in a vibrant, luxurious gown that accentuated her graceful figure. To Feng Hao's surprise, that girl Xi Yueyao was on the cat's back as well.
Hopping off the black cat's back, Xi Yueyao immediately looked over at Feng Hao. "Hey, medicine boy, don't be scared! My aunt is back! She'll get you out of here right away."
"Your aunt?" Feng Hao asked, his expression strange.
"That's right! My aunt is incredible! And Miaomiao is really strong too!" Xi Yueyao said smugly, stroking the black cat's head.
The beautiful woman sized Feng Hao up with a glance and gave a captivating smile. "Yaoyao, is this the grandmaster's disciple?"
"He is, he is! Auntie, help me teach that mean old man a lesson! He scared me so much I cried earlier!" Xi Yueyao whined.
The beautiful woman suppressed a smile, her gaze meeting the middle-aged man's. She sneered, "Well, if it isn't Steward Zhang of the War and Magic Alliance. What wind blew you in?"
"West Moon Ridge, drop the sarcastic tone. Weren't you also sent by the Holy Hall?" Steward Zhang retorted coldly.
"Don't be ridiculous. Rongcheng is my hometown. Am I not allowed to come home to visit family?" West Moon Ridge retorted sarcastically.
Steward Zhang was unmoved. He snorted. "Stop making excuses. We at the War and Magic Alliance have already succeeded. It's hardly appropriate for you to interfere directly, is it?"
"And why would that be?" West Moon Ridge gave a bewitching smile. "This young man is a good friend of my niece. It's not unreasonable for me to lend a helping hand, is it?"
"Hmph! You know damn well what your real purpose is!" Steward Zhang said, his face dark.
Xi Yueyao, who had been standing to the side growing impatient, said viciously, "Auntie, beat him up!"
"You see? My niece really doesn't like you," West Moon Ridge said, covering her mouth to hide a smile.
Steward Zhang gritted his teeth and shot Xi Yueyao a glare. "West Moon Ridge," he said in a low voice, "do you really intend to fight me?"
"Auntie, he glared at me! Get him!" Xi Yueyao said, puffing out her cheeks in anger.
"Alright, alright." West Moon Ridge patted the girl's head dotingly before turning a cold gaze on Steward Zhang. "I have a perfectly valid reason. Why not?"
"You're courting death!" Steward Zhang could take no more. He shot to his feet and charged at West Moon Ridge.
Unafraid, West Moon Ridge casually pushed Xi Yueyao to the side, flicked her sleeve, and moved to engage him.
Everyone else present was already dumbstruck, especially the members of the Beixing Clan, whose faces were impossibly grim.
"This… How is this possible? Wasn't West Moon Ridge taken from the Ancient Cang Realm during the 'Root-Seeking Ceremony' all those years ago?" Beixing Kuang was utterly baffled.
The several Elders beside him were the same, looking at West Moon Ridge as if they had seen a ghost.
"The Xiyue Family certainly knows how to bide its time. It seems our Beixing Clan is truly headed for decline."
The Grand Elder sighed wryly. "Indeed! Who would have thought that prodigy from all those years ago would actually return!"
"If only our clan's own prodigies could also return."
"It'd be a miracle if those heartless bastards ever came back!" a few Elders said resentfully.
...
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