Chapter 170 - 144: Bestowed Poisoned Wine?

Theoretically, it’s incredibly difficult for an Inner Qi Realm practitioner to defeat a Gang Qi Realm master.

After all, one has already cultivated their Qi into Gang, while the other is still in the Inner Qi Realm. It’s like a fight between two ordinary people, where the bigger one is also wearing armor and wielding a cleaver...

And it’s the kind of armor and cleaver that he can bear perfectly, without expending much effort or hindering his agility.

Zou Feng was well aware of this disparity. In the past, whenever he encountered someone in the Gang Qi Realm, he never had the illusion that ’I can win’.

Even after he had killed Deng Guangxin, who was at the Half-Step Gang Qi Realm, he hadn’t gotten arrogant or thought he could take on a true Gang Qi Realm master.

But now...

’All this training recently wasn’t for nothing, anyway.’

’It’s time to spring the trap...’

「The next day」

Zou Feng led a large contingent of his men and marched toward the Government Office with great fanfare.

The deadline to form the Rebel Army was half a month, and only eleven days had passed.

But there was no need to drag it out until the very end. The necessary preparations were more or less complete.

Although he had no intention of actually fighting to the death on a battlefield, Zou Feng had indeed managed to form the Rebel Army over the past few days.

After all, being completely passive and slacking off would be foolish. Yuwen Shuo wasn’t stupid enough to not send people to keep an eye on him.

So, Zou Feng’s trip to the Government Office today was essentially to report on his duties to Yuwen Shuo.

’In short, whatever Yuwen Shuo ordered, he would do his best to accomplish. He’d even help avenge Yuwen Shuo after he croaked!’

Upon arriving at the Government Office, his men were naturally not allowed to follow him inside. Zou Feng was led in alone by one of the office staff.

Currently, the entire residential area at the rear of the Government Office had been cleared out for Yuwen Shuo’s use.

When Zou Feng saw Yuwen Shuo in the rear courtyard, the man was leisurely tending to his potted plants.

However, in a nearby clearing, a black-furred Demon Beast that looked like a large dog was gnawing on bloody bones and flesh, with scraps of untorn clothing still attached.

Noticing Zou Feng’s gaze shift to the bones the Demon Dog was chewing, Yuwen Shuo chuckled. "Just a death row inmate. Though he had practiced some rudimentary skills."

"This is a Black Death Dog. They say the more Martial Artists it eats, the stronger it becomes, especially those who practice Evil Skills..."

Seeing Zou Feng’s expression remain unchanged at this, he abruptly changed the subject. "Is the task complete?"

"I have not failed you!" Zou Feng said with a salute.

Yuwen Shuo nodded. "Very good. Find a time to bring the men and return with me to the Cheetah Camp."

"You’re competent, not like that old broad who feigns compliance while secretly disobeying. You shall be the leader of this Rebel Army!"

Zou Feng immediately put on an expression of overwhelming joy and bowed. "Thank you, Young Master Yuwen!"

However, while it seemed like a reward from Yuwen Shuo, in reality, Zou Feng was the only one who could possibly lead this Rebel Army.

No one else, not even Tian Yun, could command the respect of the Hongxing Gang members, who formed the majority of the army.

But to ensure Yuwen Shuo’s death would be a swift one, Zou Feng could only play along for now, catering to the man’s whims and putting on a good show.

"I hear a Celestial Eye Cloud Pattern Deer appeared on your Qifeng Mountain?" Yuwen Shuo asked.

The question caught Zou Feng off guard. The man’s train of thought was too erratic; one second he was talking about the Rebel Army, and the next he had jumped to Demon Beasts.

"Yes, but it was hunted by the Black Flood Dragon Gang back then and has since been completely divided up and eaten..."

Yuwen Shuo’s face instantly filled with regret. "Eaten? What a colossal waste!"

But he didn’t dwell on it for long. He must have already known that not even a scrap of that Celestial Eye Cloud Pattern Deer remained.

What he wanted was a *living* Celestial Eye Cloud Pattern Deer.

"First thing tomorrow morning, gather the troops and head into Qifeng Mountain. We’ll hunt some Demon Beasts as a training exercise."

"If our luck is good, we might even find some more remnants of the Ten Directions Sect..."

’Though he didn’t know what this guy wanted a Celestial Eye Cloud Pattern Deer for, if Yuwen Shuo himself was going on this hunt, it would be the perfect opportunity.’

’However, his last sentence clearly indicated he knew that remnants of the Ten Directions Sect were likely still hiding in Qifeng Mountain.’

’So, knowing he might be ambushed by masters from the Ten Directions Sect during the hunt, would Yuwen Shuo really participate personally?’

’Given how the bastard had been holed up in the Government Office recently, Zou Feng was highly skeptical.’

Yuwen Shuo’s actions were indeed utterly foolish, but when it came to his own life, the man wasn’t so careless.

After all, no matter how much trouble he caused, as long as he stayed alive, the Governor of Jiangnan would be there to clean up his mess.

Yuwen Shuo knew this well. Thus, despite constantly tempting fate, he would never place himself in a truly dangerous situation.

’Thinking of this, Zou Feng recalled that he had already prepared for such a scenario.’

"Young Master Yuwen, I have one more thing to report!"

"Speak!"

Zou Feng took two steps forward, but immediately felt a surge of killing intent rise from within the room.

’So dedicated to protecting a beast. This Gang Qi Realm master is just asking to be killed...’

’Then again, when the time came to kill Yuwen Shuo, Zou Feng hadn’t planned on letting this guard live anyway. He would have to be slaughtered as well.’

Seeing that he couldn’t get any closer, Zou Feng simply stopped. "Young Master Yuwen, actually..."

As Zou Feng spoke, Yuwen Shuo’s eyes lit up.

Just moments ago, he had looked completely uninterested and bored, but upon hearing Zou Feng’s words, his spirits were instantly lifted.

"Good, very good!"

Yuwen Shuo strode forward and clapped Zou Feng on the shoulder. "If this succeeds, you will receive the highest credit!"