Chapter 100: Slander
The air was thick with the mingled scent of blood and slaughter, incredibly sharp. Everyone's gaze was fixed silently on the scene, with only the riderless horses galloping wildly in chaos.
The bandit leader stared at the bodies falling from horseback, his entire body turning cold. That domineering sword strike was too powerful; even if he had faced it, he would have died.
"Spirit Martial Realm." Wan Qingshan and the other young guards were completely shaken by Lin Feng's sword strike. This man was too strong, far beyond what they could afford to provoke. No wonder Jingyun treated him differently.
Cold sweat broke out on Wan Qingshan's back. Not long ago, he had insulted Lin Feng wantonly. If Lin Feng dealt with him the same way he dealt with these bandits, wouldn't he end up...
Old Wang, sitting in front of the carriage, had a flickering gaze, staring intently at Lin Feng's back.
"Friend, aren't you being a bit too ruthless?"
The bandit leader's gaze locked onto Lin Feng, his eyes showing not only a trace of fear but also some hatred and anger.
"When you kill people, you probably don't think you're being too ruthless, do you?" Lin Feng's tone was cold. These people were like this—when they killed, they were insane, cutting off heads with excitement as if murder was a pleasure. Only when it was their turn to die did they think he was too ruthless.
Taking a step forward, a sword intent enveloped the bandit leader, making his whole body stiffen.
"Friend, leave some leeway. Going too far will bring disaster upon you." The bandit leader's expression was fierce; he was still threatening Lin Feng.
"Leave some leeway? But you've already crossed my bottom line."
Lin Feng took another step, and sword qi burst forth.
The bandit leader's gaze hardened. Gritting his teeth, he swung his long blade, releasing a rampaging blade aura that was wild and domineering.
"Another Spirit Martial Realm." Wan Qingshan and the others froze. A bandit leader was actually a Spirit Martial Realm expert. If not for Lin Feng, they really wouldn't have been able to handle him.
Lin Feng snorted coldly. With a point of his sword tip, the fierce blade aura seemed to hit a vital point and instantly dissipated. Lin Feng's sword continued forward—a simple, unadorned strike without dazzling cold light. But the bandit leader felt that the sword qi, sword intent, and sword momentum were all fused into this plain strike, condensed without release.
"Chi..."
A soft sound. The sword pierced the bandit leader's throat without any resistance. The seemingly slow and simple strike was actually as fast as lightning, the sword like a startled swan.
This was a realm, a sword realm. Lin Feng's sword of subtlety was becoming more and more mature.
"A Spirit Martial Realm expert still can't block a single strike from him. So formidable."
The people behind were shocked in their hearts, awed by Lin Feng's strength. Too powerful. The Spirit Martial Realm experts they had longed for were killed so easily by Lin Feng.
Without looking at the corpse, Lin Feng turned back and walked toward the crowd.
"Brother Lin Feng, your strength is amazing." Duan Feng smiled at Lin Feng, a hint of respect in his eyes.
"Brother Lin truly lives up to being a disciple of a great sect. We can't compare." Wan Qingshan stepped forward with a flattering remark, a kind of gesture on his part.
When someone was only slightly stronger than him, he might feel jealous. But when they were far stronger, he could only feel fear or awe.
"How formidable can a disciple from a destroyed sect be?" Lin Feng said indifferently, a hint of sarcasm in his voice.
Lin Feng never considered himself a good person. When he hadn't shown his strength, Wan Qingshan had insulted him in every way, even dragging his sect and his character through the mud. Lin Feng hadn't touched him—first, because he disdained it, and second, because of Jingyun and Duan Feng, since he was a guest for now.
Now that he had revealed his strength, did Wan Qingshan think a flattering word would make Lin Feng befriend him? Lin Feng scorned it.
Hearing Lin Feng's words, Wan Qingshan's face stiffened. But at this moment, he didn't dare show anger. He didn't even have the right to be angry. In front of Lin Feng, even a Spirit Martial Realm expert was instantly killed. What was he? If Lin Feng drew his sword in anger, wouldn't he be courting death?
Wan Qingshan retreated awkwardly, not daring to show any dissatisfaction.
"Brother Lin Feng, let's go up." Duan Feng pulled Lin Feng, preparing to board the carriage.
"Young Master." At that moment, Old Wang's body blocked the carriage, making Duan Feng pause in confusion. "Old Wang, what's wrong?"
"Young Master, it's not suitable for us to have Young Hero Lin here. It's better to give him a carriage for him and his companion." Old Wang suddenly spoke, surprising everyone.
He was driving Lin Feng away. What did he mean? Wouldn't having a Spirit Martial Realm expert nearby better ensure their safety?
Lin Feng himself frowned, not understanding the other's intention.
"Old Wang, what are you saying? I get along well with Brother Lin Feng. It's my fortune to travel with him." Duan Feng was also puzzled.
"Young Master, people's hearts are treacherous. You're still young and don't understand." Old Wang shook his head and sighed.
"Young Hero Lin, how about this: you can pick either of these two carriages, or take both, as our thanks to you. What do you think?" Old Wang turned to Lin Feng.
Lin Feng frowned and said to Old Wang, "What did you mean by that just now?"
Treacherous hearts? What had he done?
"Young Hero, why ask more? You understand in your heart." Old Wang shook his head.
"I don't understand. Please enlighten me."
"Young Hero, since you insist I speak, I will. Don't take offense." Old Wang paused, staring at Lin Feng. "Young Hero, these bandits are all quite strong. If they wanted to rob or kill us, it would be easy. Why didn't they act directly when they appeared? They ignored us when we tried to talk, only killing, until you went over."
"You can ask those bandits." Lin Feng was baffled.
"That's what I wanted to say. Unfortunately, Young Hero Lin killed all the bandits, leaving not a single survivor." Old Wang emphasized his tone.
Not a single survivor?
Lin Feng finally understood Old Wang's meaning. He coldly stared at Old Wang and said, "You mean I'm in league with those bandits? That I killed them to silence them?"
"That bandit leader whispered a few words to you that none of us heard." Old Wang didn't directly answer Lin Feng's question but spoke instead, making Lin Feng's gaze sharpen. He too was puzzled by that whisper.
"Then what do you think I'm after from you?" Lin Feng asked with a cold laugh.
"Exactly. Old Wang, you've gone too far. Not to mention that Brother Lin Feng isn't that kind of person, even if he were, with his strength, what do we have worth his scheming?" Duan Feng couldn't bear it anymore and spoke up.
"Young Master, you're still young. You can't see the danger in this." Old Wang shook his head and sighed.
"Young Master, let me put it this way. You should know who the person who sent you to the Imperial City is—your clansman, right?"
"Of course I know." Duan Feng nodded.
"Then, Young Master, do you know the complicated relationship between that clansman of yours and the Celestial Wolf King?"
Duan Feng was momentarily stunned. Why was Old Wang bringing up the Celestial Wolf King?
"I know. I have several clansmen, and they don't get along." Duan Feng replied.
"Young Master, since you know that, think about it. Cloud Sea Sect was destroyed by the Celestial Wolf King. Yet Young Hero Lin Feng survived that sect's destruction, and by a strange coincidence, appeared in Cloud Sun Town and met us. Don't you think it's too much of a coincidence?"
Old Wang's words left Lin Feng speechless. According to him, Lin Feng had betrayed his sect, worked for the Celestial Wolf King, and the Celestial Wolf King had spared him, deliberately sending him to Cloud Sun Town to get close to Duan Feng?
"Old Wang, you're overthinking. Brother Lin Feng could easily kill us all."
"Indeed, but Young Master, don't forget why your clansman wanted you to go to the Imperial City. Young Hero Lin Feng appears by coincidence, kills the bandits, and saves us. Haven't we received a favor from Young Hero Lin Feng..."
"Enough." Lin Feng's indifferent voice cut off Old Wang's words. Old Wang's meaning was clear—he wanted him to leave. All this nonsense had one purpose, so why waste words?
Pulling aside the carriage curtain, Lin Feng said to Meng Qing inside, "Meng Qing, come down. We're leaving."
"Mm." Meng Qing nodded slightly and stepped down from the carriage.
"Lin Feng, let me talk to Old Wang again." Jingyun said urgently.
"Brother Lin Feng, you and Sister Meng Qing stay on the carriage. I trust you." Duan Feng tried to keep them.
"No need. I, Lin Feng, am not that shameless." Lin Feng glanced at Old Wang, then said to Duan Feng and Jingyun, "We'll meet again in the Imperial City."
With that, Lin Feng took Meng Qing's hand and walked away.
"Young Hero Lin, this old man may have misunderstood. My earlier offer still stands. You can pick either of these two carriages." Old Wang said.
"No need. Thank you."
Lin Feng didn't respond, not looking back. His face wasn't thick enough. After being insulted like that, how could he still use their carriage?
He had just killed a few bandits, and there were still some horses there he could use.
"Can you ride a horse?" Lin Feng asked Meng Qing.
"No." Meng Qing shook her head.
"How about you teach me?" After a moment's thought, Meng Qing looked at Lin Feng.
"Teach you?" Lin Feng was taken aback, looking at her strangely. "On one horse?"
Meng Qing's eyes locked onto Lin Feng, making him give an awkward smile.
She pondered for a moment, then nodded thoughtfully and said, "Alright."
Her words made Lin Feng's eyes freeze again!