Chapter Eighty-Six: An Overlooked Detail

Zhao Xu’s face flushed with anger at these words. He pointed at Zhao Gaofeng, his teeth grinding audibly.

“Second Brother, how could you do something so foolish? The Zhao family may be ruined in your hands!” Zhao Tu was trembling with fury.

“You’re wrong, Eldest Brother. Not only will the Zhao family not be ruined by me, I will make it the only great clan in Nanzhou City,” Zhao Gaofeng replied, a hint of madness flickering in his eyes.

“I congratulate the Zhao family head in advance for finally realizing his lifelong ambition,” said Sun Xin, the Third Elder of the Hundred Venoms Sect, stepping forward with a smile.

Zhao Gaofeng frowned. “You’re mistaken, Brother Sun. Becoming the Zhao family head is only my first goal. My true wish is to make our clan the foremost power in Nanzhou City.”

“Yes, yes, I forgot Brother Zhao has lofty ambitions,” Sun Xin quickly replied.

“It’s my fault for being blind and raising such a traitor, joining forces with outsiders against your own family. Today I’ll cripple you to atone for my mistake!” Zhao Xu declared, leaping forward and striking at Zhao Gaofeng’s lower abdomen.

Yet Zhao Gaofeng, seeing the blow coming, stood his ground with disdain written plainly on his face. As Zhao Xu’s palm reached him, Zhao Gaofeng calmly extended his hand and caught it in mid-air.

No matter how hard Zhao Xu struggled, his hand was trapped, unable to move in Zhao Gaofeng’s grasp.

“How dare you, Second Brother! Release our father at once!” Zhao Tu shouted, lunging forward with both palms toward Zhao Gaofeng’s arms.

Zhao Gaofeng, seeing Zhao Tu’s attack, simply raised his other free hand and struck out.

With a thunderous bang, the single palm collided with Zhao Tu’s twin strikes. Zhao Tu was sent staggering back six or seven steps before losing his footing and crashing to the floor.

“I advise you all not to resist further. You’ve already been poisoned by the Hundred Venoms Sect’s deadly toxin. The poison is colorless and tasteless. If you refrain from using your internal energy, you’ll be fine, but the moment you circulate your power, the toxin will invade your meridians. In three days, all your cultivation will be destroyed,” Sun Xin warned, seeing that Zhao Heng and the others were still poised to fight.

At these words, everyone present turned deathly pale, sitting frozen in their places, not daring to make a move.

Even Liu Feng’s expression changed slightly. He tried circulating his internal energy and instantly felt a strange force wrap around his power, making the flow sluggish and stagnant.

What a bother, Liu Feng thought with a cold sneer. If they think something so trivial can stop me, they’re mistaken. Silently, he activated his Immaculate Golden Body. At once, a golden force surged through him, purging the strange energy wherever it passed.

Moments later, Liu Feng felt his internal power flowing freely again; the strange force had been completely obliterated.

So my Immaculate Golden Body has this effect too, he mused. That means I can also cure others of this poison. Quietly, Liu Feng moved to Zhao Linfei’s side.

Zhao Linfei, eyes blazing, glared at Zhao Gaofeng. He held himself in check, knowing that to act rashly would only accelerate the poison’s attack.

When he saw Liu Feng approach, he was momentarily stunned. “Xiaofeng, what are you doing? Don’t act without thinking,” he whispered.

Liu Feng smiled calmly. “Uncle, don’t worry. I’ve already purged the poison. I’m here to help you as well.”

Zhao Linfei blinked in surprise. “You’ve already cured yourself? How is that possible? The Hundred Venoms Sect’s toxin is specially refined—without their antidote, it can’t be neutralized.”

“Uncle, just stay quiet and you’ll see for yourself,” Liu Feng whispered. He placed his right palm on Zhao Linfei’s back, sending a flow of golden energy into him.

At once, Zhao Linfei felt a gentle, powerful energy enter his meridians, swallowing and dissolving the strange force that clung to his own energy.

In no time, Zhao Linfei trembled, feeling the poison within him completely neutralized. He stood, ready to attack Zhao Gaofeng, but Liu Feng stopped him.

“Xiaofeng, why are you stopping me? Let me teach this power-mad fool a lesson!” Zhao Linfei protested angrily.

“Not yet. Let’s see what they’re up to. Once I’ve cured my uncles, we’ll decide what to do,” Liu Feng explained.

After a moment’s thought, Zhao Linfei nodded and quietly sat down again.

Liu Feng then moved to Zhao Heng, curing him in the same way.

Meanwhile, Zhao Gaofeng surveyed the silenced crowd with satisfaction, his face brimming with pride.

“Now, I’ll give you all a choice. Stand with me and I’ll grant you the antidote and reward you richly. If you insist on following Zhao Tu, you’ll meet a dead end,” he announced coldly.

Many of the Zhao family’s distant relatives and managers of various businesses rose and sided with Zhao Gaofeng. At such a moment, self-preservation took precedence over loyalty; fidelity meant little when one’s life was at stake.

“Ha! Those who know how to adapt are the true heroes. You’ve made the right choice,” Zhao Gaofeng laughed heartily, turning to face Zhao Jun, Zhao Hong, Zhao Bochao, and the other promising youths of the family. “What about you? Think carefully before you answer—this is a matter of life and death.”

They snorted dismissively, ignoring him entirely.

Zhao Gaofeng’s face darkened. “You’re the geniuses of the Zhao family. I didn’t want to harm you, but if you refuse to appreciate my kindness, don’t blame me for being ruthless.” He raised his hand to strike.

Sun Xin stepped forward, stopping him. “Patriarch Zhao, wait. They still have their uses.”

He turned to Zhao Tu, his voice cold. “Hand over the Zhao family’s property ledger, or your son Zhao Bochao will lose his life.”

Zhao Bochao’s face twisted with rage. “Father, don’t worry about me! Don’t let them take what our family has built over decades!”

Zhao Tu looked at Sun Xin, his expression empty. “Why should I believe you?”

Sun Xin laughed harshly, his tone turning icy. “You have no choice.”

Zhao Xu looked on, seeming to age before their eyes. His voice was low. “Zhao Tu, give them the ledger. The children’s safety comes first.”

“Ah, the old master sees things clearly,” Sun Xin said, his face lighting up with joy.

Zhao Tu’s expression shifted again and again before he finally gritted his teeth. From a corner of the council hall, he produced a thick ledger and handed it toward Zhao Gaofeng.

Seeing the ledger, Zhao Gaofeng’s face filled with wild delight as he reached out with both hands.

Suddenly, Zhao Tu flung the ledger aside and, with both palms, struck at Zhao Gaofeng’s chest.

“How could you—?” Zhao Gaofeng exclaimed in shock as Zhao Tu’s twin strikes landed squarely on him.