Chapter Fifteen: Gathering Information
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“Where is that brat?” Shi Mingfeng held his unconscious son in his arms, his eyes blazing with nameless fury.
Earlier, while they were still at the banquet, Huang Kui had spoken to them about Yu Qi, so Shi Mingfeng had also taken considerable interest in the youth Huang Kui mentioned.
Soon afterward, they sensed a fluctuation of sinister energy. Huang Kui and Zhou Changshan knew very well that this was Yu Qi’s unique aura. Since he had suddenly released such a powerful presence, someone must have clashed with him.
Their sons and daughters had been seated at the same table as Yu Qi. The only people who could have provoked him were their own children. If that were truly the case, their children would certainly be no match for Yu Qi, and so they had no choice but to worry about them and hurry over.
Of the four men, only Huang Kui had come with the intention of watching a show. His son was still under house arrest and could not possibly have encountered Yu Qi. Still, as the host, he could hardly stay away when something had happened.
Only after Zhou Changshan and the master of the Ten-Thousand-Mile Money House saw that their children were unharmed did they finally breathe a sigh of relief.
“Shi Mingfeng, your son always acts so high and mighty. He deserved a lesson.” Seeing that it was not his own daughter who had angered Yu Qi, the master of the Ten-Thousand-Mile Money House could not resist making a joke.
Shi Mingfeng was already seething. Hearing this, his fury grew even hotter. “Wu Kaihe, what kind of nonsense are you spouting? I’ll settle accounts with you after I find that brat.”
Wu Kaihe merely smiled. The Ten-Thousand-Mile Money House was much like the Boundless Pawnshop, with branches throughout the world. Though he was only the master of a small-town branch, he was not intimidated by Shi Mingfeng’s threat.
Shi Mingfeng said nothing more. He lifted Shi Wansan into his arms and walked outside.
Yu Qi had no idea that injuring Shi Wansan had enraged Shi Mingfeng. After leaving the Huang residence, he headed straight toward the edge of town.
At that moment, Shi Mingfeng happened to emerge while carrying Shi Wansan. When he saw the back of a figure in a black robe ahead, something struck him as unusual, and he quickly shouted, “You there, stop!”
Suddenly called out to, Yu Qi turned around in confusion.
The moment he saw Shi Wansan in the man’s arms, he already guessed who had come.
“Is something the matter?” Yu Qi asked.
Shi Mingfeng stared at the youth before him, but he had no way of knowing whether this was the culprit who had injured his son. After all, he did not even know what Yu Qi looked like.
“Did you just leave the Huang residence?” Shi Mingfeng asked cautiously. There were still plenty of pedestrians on the street, and who knew whether Yu Qi had already gone?
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“No. Why?” Yu Qi replied indifferently, though inwardly he was laughing himself breathless. This father and son were truly something else.
Hearing his answer, Shi Mingfeng paid him no further attention. He turned and walked toward his carriage. Treating his son was the priority. Once Shi Wansan woke up, he would naturally learn what Yu Qi looked like.
“That old man is exactly like his son. They were the ones who caused trouble, yet they still want revenge against me.” With that thought, Yu Qi continued toward the outskirts of town.
Before long, a carriage sped past him. Through the window beside the carriage, Yu Qi happened to see Shi Mingfeng, who noticed him as well. The two exchanged a glance, after which Shi Mingfeng continued on toward Ironstone Manor.
Shi Mingfeng could never have imagined that he had already come face-to-face with the man who had injured his son, only to let him go because he did not recognize him.
***
House after house stood scattered across the vast wilderness. Endless forests surrounded them, and through the center of those woods ran a yellow road, winding like a candle-dragon. It was the only passage into this place—the grounds of Ironstone Manor.
At that moment, a carriage raced along the road toward the cluster of buildings, its speed sending clouds of dust billowing behind it.
When it reached the main gate, a man of about fifty climbed down, still carrying an unconscious young man in his arms.
The two guards at the gate hurried forward and respectfully saluted him. “Master.”
Shi Mingfeng ignored them. Carrying Shi Wansan straight into the manor, he ordered, “Quickly, summon Lu Zhengcun.”
The two guards immediately ran into the manor.
Shi Mingfeng placed his son on a bed, his face filled with anxiety. Before long, an old man carrying a medicine chest entered through the door. Seeing Shi Mingfeng, he asked, “Master, what has happened?”
“Stop wasting time and examine my son’s injuries!” Shi Mingfeng shouted anxiously.
Seeing that Shi Mingfeng was in a furious mood, Lu Zhengcun dared not say another word. He hurried to the bedside and began examining Shi Wansan.
After a short while, Lu Zhengcun finally rose and stepped away from the bed.
“How is he?” Shi Mingfeng asked urgently.
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“The young master’s shoulder bones have been shattered, and several of his ribs are broken as well. Fortunately, the injuries were caused by a palm strike. Had the attacker used a fist instead, the young master’s life might have been in danger.”
“Can he be treated?” Shi Mingfeng asked. The old man’s answer only deepened the fury in his heart.
“He can be treated. However, I’m afraid the young master’s arm will never again be capable of strenuous movement.” After saying this, the old man let out a sigh.
When Shi Mingfeng heard this, his hands clenched tightly. He understood exactly what Lu Zhengcun meant. If his arm could no longer withstand strenuous movement, Shi Wansan would never again be able to use martial techniques. To a martial artist, that was even more agonizing than death.
“Yu Qi, I will cripple you. I’ll make you taste this agony yourself.” Shi Mingfeng’s hatred for Yu Qi had reached a level that could no longer be quelled. He waved for Lu Zhengcun to withdraw, then walked out.
He summoned the people of Ironstone Manor and declared, “Find me a young man named Yu Qi. If I have no answer after three days, bring your own heads to me.”
Seeing that their master had issued such a severe order, the guards hurried out of the manor at a gallop.
***
Yu Qi returned home. After seeing that Li Changchu and his family had all gone to sleep, he leapt onto the roof and resumed his cultivation.
At dawn, Yu Qi took Xiao Lian to train as usual, unaware that a group of people from Ironstone Manor had already entered the town. They moved from one tavern and teahouse to another, constantly inquiring about him.
Ironstone Manor found very little. Yu Qi rarely appeared in town, and few people even knew his name, let alone these men who had never seen his face. After an entire day of searching, they had learned nothing.
The following morning, two guards from Ironstone Manor sat down at a noodle stall. After ordering two bowls of noodles, one of them said, “Do you think the master will kill us if we truly fail to find Yu Qi?”
The other shrugged. “Who knows? Forget it. Let’s fill our stomachs first.”
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