Volume Two: Travels in the State of Qi Chapter 74: Zhang Heng Reveals Himself

At that moment, Yun Feng, who had been standing attentively at Li Hongyi's side, spoke up, “Patriarch Li, now that the Yun family has no power to resist, why not act swiftly? Delays may bring unforeseen changes.”

“You’re getting impatient, aren’t you?” Li Hongyi glanced at Yun Yanrou, who stood beside Yun Xiaotian, a knowing smile playing on his lips.

Yun Feng smiled as well. “Thank you, Patriarch Li, for granting my wish.”

“Yun Feng, you unfilial son!” Yun Xiaotian roared in fury, and the rest of the Yun family showed expressions of bitter resentment. They knew their clan might face annihilation today, yet none betrayed their family. Even in death, they would die with dignity.

“Godfather, I told you that you couldn’t win against them. Just hand over the Yun family to me and end your life with some dignity,” Yun Feng smirked, reveling in his own triumph.

“I, Yun Xiaotian, have lived an upright life and never committed any wrongdoing. My only regret is saving you, the most ungrateful of men.”

Zhang Heng, watching from the sidelines, chuckled inwardly. Yun Feng’s purpose seemed to be to buy Yun Xiaotian more time.

“Yun Xiaotian, stop trying to delay. Today, you will die, and Yun Yanrou will be mine. The entire Yun clan will fall into my hands—there will be no miracles. Will you end your life yourself, or must my master intervene?” Yun Feng spoke coldly; though he didn’t mind the delay, even he could barely restrain his impatience.

“Yun Xiaotian, you’re quite a character. Settle things yourself. I’ll manage your Yun family well,” Li Hongyi urged.

Li Hongyi, Viper, and the practitioner of the Returned Void realm all refused to wait any longer. As the cemetery appeared, the news spread far and wide. Even the royal family of Qi had arrived. If they delayed further, greater upheavals might ensue.

The experts from the Whale Sand Gang and the Li family released their spiritual energy, their overwhelming presence unsettling the Yun clan.

“Fine, fine. Heaven wishes to destroy the Yun family,” Yun Xiaotian laughed bitterly, then fixed Li Hongyi with a piercing gaze. He spoke venomously, “Li Hongyi, once I die, the Yun family will no longer threaten you. I hope you won’t drive us to extinction. Remember, fate always comes full circle.”

“Hahahaha, Yun Xiaotian, dragging things out—are you afraid of death? Want me to help you?” Li Hongyi mocked.

Yun Xiaotian didn’t respond. Sweeping his spiritual energy, he snatched a weapon from one of his clansmen and prepared to end his life.

“Patriarch, no!” the Yun family cried out. “Let’s fight, even if it means death!” Their voices were heroic and tragic.

“Father, don’t!” Yun Yanrou shouted desperately, moving forward, but Yun Xiaotian waved his powerful hand, forcing her back.

Yun Xiaotian spoke mournfully, “Yan’er, today Heaven decrees the destruction of our clan. As patriarch, I must die, but you must live. Only by living will you have hope.”

“No, Father. If you die, I will not live alone,” Yun Yanrou sobbed, so pitiful that even the hardest of hearts would be moved.

“How tragic! I’m almost touched!” Li Hongyi laughed boisterously.

After centuries of rivalry between the Yun and Li families, the Yun clan had fallen. Now, Sandrock City would belong solely to the Li family. With the cemetery’s map in hand, if they could uncover treasures within, the Li family might prosper for generations.

“Hurry up! What are you waiting for?” Li Hongyi shouted.

“All Yun family men, if you still acknowledge me as your patriarch, live well. A true man can endure humiliation; temporary disgrace means nothing,” he cried, then raised the blade to his chest.

Yun Yanrou screamed in despair, but was restrained by spiritual energy, unable to move.

“Patriarch!” All the Yun family members knelt in mourning.

It was over. Li Hongyi, Viper, and the rest believed so.

To everyone, Yun Xiaotian was already a dead man. This farce was ending.

And as always, at the crucial moment, the protagonist would appear.

Zhang Heng, who had been quietly observing, finally moved. If he didn’t act now, things would spiral out of control.

With the Light Mirage footwork, Zhang Heng instantly appeared at Yun Xiaotian’s side. Just as the blade was about to pierce Yun Xiaotian’s body, Zhang Heng’s left hand transformed into a claw and seized the weapon, halting it completely.

Time seemed to freeze. No one expected such an interruption at this moment. All eyes turned to the newcomer who had disrupted the scene.

Under their intense scrutiny, Zhang Heng seemed oblivious, smiling at Yun Xiaotian, “Uncle, don’t be hasty. The real show is just beginning.”

Huge waves crashed inside Yun Xiaotian’s heart. To break through his protective spiritual energy, he had exerted seventy percent of his strength, yet Zhang Heng had effortlessly seized his weapon.

With such power, Zhang Heng was surely above the Yuan Pill realm. Though a twenty-year-old at that level astonished him, even a Yuan Pill cultivator couldn’t defy the heavens.

“Who are you, boy? State your name and I’ll let you die with your body intact,” Li Hongyi growled, furious that his spectacle had been ruined by this upstart.

The practitioner of the Returned Void realm said nothing, but released his spiritual energy in a show of displeasure.

Yun Yanrou, watching Zhang Heng save her father, was filled with gratitude, yet also worried for him.

In the midst of the tense atmosphere, Zhang Heng spoke.

“Marvelous! Truly marvelous! I’ve wandered far and wide, yet here, in this godforsaken place, I’ve witnessed such a splendid performance!” Zhang Heng clapped and laughed.

“Since you’re so eager to die, let me grant your wish!” Li Hongyi snarled, preparing to kill Zhang Heng himself.

“Patriarch Li, don’t rush. I have more to say,” Zhang Heng replied with a smile.

“What do you have to say? You can say it in hell!” Li Hongyi snapped, gathering his spiritual energy. Though injured, he thought killing a boy with no spiritual fluctuations would require only a finger.

Yet as he charged forward, he stopped abruptly.

He saw Zhang Heng advancing toward him, calm and unafraid. Unusual circumstances always hid dangers. Though Li Hongyi appeared rough and bold, he was in truth extremely cautious, which was why he had spent so much time preparing to deal with the Yun family.

Seeing Zhang Heng’s strange response, he decided to wait and see what the young man was up to.

Zhang Heng faced the crowd, his playful expression suddenly turning grim.

“Today, I don’t care why you’re here. All of you, get out of my sight! Otherwise, don’t blame me for what happens next!” Zhang Heng shouted.

His words sent the Whale Sand Gang and Li family into uproarious laughter. A powerless nobody threatening cultivators of the Qi Sea and even Yuan Pill realms?

The Yun family was grateful to Zhang Heng for saving Yun Xiaotian, but doubted he could change the situation.

Yun Yanrou’s face grew anxious. With such words, there was no turning back; unless a miracle occurred, Zhang Heng would surely die today.

Before Zhang Heng could react, Yun Xiaotian stepped in front of him.

“You have come for my Yun family. He is not one of us. Let him leave, and I’ll give you the map immediately.”

“Yun Xiaotian, you truly are naïve. Today you will die, and this reckless boy who dared challenge us will die as well. As for the map, after I’ve killed you all, I’ll find it myself,” Li Hongyi shouted furiously.