87: Turn swords into plowshares

The next day, at the first light of dawn.

Qin Feng had just finished his morning training when he received a formal invitation from the Green Robe Tower. It was signed by the Tower Master, Leng Yue, inviting him for a discussion at the "Crane-Releasing Pavilion" on Solitary Hill overlooking West Lake at noon.

"Leng Yue..." Qin Feng looked at the cold and aloof handwriting on the invitation, his heart stirring slightly. This mysterious master of the Green Robe Tower, who had chosen to retreat during yesterday's disturbance, was now actively inviting him. What was her purpose?

Noon, Crane-Releasing Pavilion on Solitary Hill.

The place was secluded, offering an excellent view overlooking most of West Lake. In the pavilion, a woman in a plain moon-white dress leaned against the railing. Her figure was graceful, and her aura was as cold and aloof as a frost lotus atop a snowy peak. She seemed to blend into the surrounding lake and mountain scenery, yet transcended it all. She wasn't deliberately releasing her aura, but the profound, unfathomable pressure she exuded was unmistakably that of a Peak Martial King! This was indeed Leng Yue, Master of the Green Robe Tower.

"Deacon Qin, arriving on time for the appointment. You have remarkable courage," Leng Yue's clear voice came with the wind, though she did not turn around.

"When Tower Master Leng Yue invites, how could Qin dare to be negligent?" Qin Feng entered the pavilion, cupping his hands in salute, neither subservient nor arrogant.

Leng Yue slowly turned around, revealing a face of breathtaking beauty yet cold as ice. Her gaze, sharp as winter stars, fell upon Qin Feng, carrying a hint of scrutiny and a barely perceptible appreciation.

"Turning the tide in Star South City, breaking the situation in West Lake City within a month. Deacon Qin's capabilities are truly admirable," she said in a flat tone, yet with a note of acknowledgment. "Although my Green Robe Tower operates for payment, we are not unreasonable. The Cao Gang's methods are overly domineering, and their integrity is questionable. Terminating cooperation is also a way to cut losses for me."

"The Tower Master is wise," Qin Feng nodded slightly.

"I invited you here today for two reasons. First, to express my Green Robe Tower's apology and stance. Previously, deceived by the Cao Gang, we caused much disturbance to your branch. Second..." She paused, her gaze turning towards a spot outside the pavilion. "...to introduce someone to you."

Before her words faded, a black shadow appeared silently like a ghost under a large tree not far from the pavilion. It was a woman dressed in tight-fitting black martial attire, tall and slender. The most striking feature was the two lively, bouncing ponytails tied at the back of her head, swaying gently with her movements. Her face was veiled with black gauze, revealing only a pair of clear, sharp, leopard-like eyes. Her aura was condensed and dangerous, unmistakably that of a Peak Great Martial Master! Just one step away from the Martial King Realm.

"This is 'Qing Xue,' a Gold Medal Assassin from the 'Blood-Filled Tower'," Leng Yue introduced.

Blood-Filled Tower! A killer organization as notorious as the Yin Demon Sect and the Purple Robe Bandits! Qin Feng's pupils contracted slightly, instantly alert, his Internal Energy circulating covertly.

The black-clad woman named Qing Xue fixed her sharp gaze on Qin Feng. Without any preamble, her figure suddenly blurred!

"Whoosh!"

In the next instant, a cold gleam shot out like a venomous snake striking, aiming straight for Qin Feng's throat! The speed was astonishing, the angle vicious and tricky!

Although startled, Qin Feng remained calm. The "Primordial Unity Qi Art" was instantly activated. His body drifted backward like willow catkins, while his right index and middle fingers came together, a faint golden Sword Qi instantly coalescing at his fingertips!

"Finger Sword Among Flowers — Intercept the Flow!"

"Clang!"

A crisp metallic clang rang out! The fingertip Sword Qi precisely struck the side of the cold gleam, deflecting its trajectory slightly. However, the force transmitted from the gleam was extremely condensed, making Qin Feng's fingertips tingle slightly.

Failing to hit with one strike, Qing Xue's figure followed like a shadow. The short blade in her hand transformed into a sky full of cold stars, enveloping all the vital points on Qin Feng's body! Her footwork was bizarre and unpredictable, like an elf in the dark night, each attack carrying a lethal threat.

Qin Feng pushed the "Butterfly Dance Steps" to its limit, dodging and weaving within a confined space. Simultaneously, the "Finger Sword Among Flowers" shot out repeatedly, either parrying or counterattacking. The finger winds were sharp and fierce, carrying pure Yang energy, constantly clashing with the opponent's Yin-cold, bizarre blade gleams, producing a series of rapid, dense clanging sounds.

The two fought fast against fast, exchanging dozens of moves in the blink of an eye! Surging energy overflowed, causing the grass and trees outside the pavilion to bow low.

Although Qin Feng was only at the Mid-stage Grand Martial Master Realm, relying on the pure Internal Energy from his Earth Rank Cultivation Technique, the superhuman perception brought by his Sword Heart, and his mastery of the "Finger Sword Among Flowers," he actually fought evenly with Qing Xue, who was at the Peak Great Martial Master stage, not falling behind in the slightest!

A flicker of surprise passed through Qing Xue's eyes, and her offensive slowed slightly.

Qin Feng also seized the chance to take a step back, creating distance. The golden Sword Qi at his fingertips flickered uncertainly as he said in a deep voice, "Miss Qing Xue, you're not here specifically to kill me, are you?" He didn't sense any substantial killing intent from her; it felt more like a test.

Qing Xue sheathed her short blade. Beneath the black veil, the corner of her mouth seemed to curl up slightly in a hint of a smile. Her voice was clear, carrying a trace of coldness. "Of course not. If I really wanted to kill you, I wouldn't have asked Tower Master Leng Yue to arrange this meeting."

She walked closer, scrutinizing Qin Feng, her gaze filled with undisguised appreciation (or rather, an evaluation of prey). "Not bad for someone who managed to kill 'Shadow Scorpion' while still at the Martial Master Realm. At Mid-stage Grand Martial Master, you can withstand my assassination head-on. No wonder the Tower Master holds you in such high regard."

"Shadow Scorpion?" Qin Feng's heart stirred. That was the Silver Rank Assassin he had killed earlier in Star South City.

Qing Xue continued, "Although my Blood-Filled Tower is a killer organization, we still distinguish right from wrong. During the barbarian invasion, many of our brothers have slain numerous barbarian experts across various regions. The Tower Master heard of your heroic deeds in Star South City and was very impressed. He specifically ordered me to come here to revoke the 'Soul-Chasing Warrant' on you."

She tossed Qin Feng a blood-red token. The part on it that had originally depicted Qin Feng's blurred image and aura had now dimmed and disappeared. "From now on, the grudge between you and my Blood-Filled Tower is settled."

Qin Feng caught the token, a weight lifting from his heart. Being targeted by a top-tier killer organization was never a good thing.

"However," Qing Xue changed her tone, extending her hand, "you need to return Shadow Scorpion's Soul-Chasing Warrant to me. That's a token of our tower and needs to be recovered."

Qin Feng retrieved the Soul-Chasing Warrant that belonged to Shadow Scorpion from his System space (disguised as taking it from his chest) and handed it over. Keeping this thing was troublesome anyway.

Qing Xue put away the token, her tone becoming more serious. "Also, the Tower Master asked me to remind you. The Yin Demon Sect and the Purple Robe Bandits are merely clowns. But the 'Northern Demonic Sect' behind them is deeply entangled with the barbarians. Their power is extensive and deeply rooted, far beyond your imagination. You've repeatedly thwarted their schemes; they probably won't let you off easily. Be extra careful when traveling in the future."

"Northern Demonic Sect..." Qin Feng's eyes narrowed, firmly imprinting this name in his mind. This was clearly a far more terrifying and vast force than the Yin Demon Sect or the Purple Robe Bandits. "Thank you for the warning, Miss Qing Xue."

"Alright, the message has been delivered. My task is complete." Qing Xue was decisive and efficient. She nodded to Leng Yue, then her figure flickered and vanished as if merging into the shadows—arriving suddenly and leaving abruptly.

Only Qin Feng and Leng Yue remained in the pavilion.

Leng Yue looked at Qin Feng and said indifferently, "Although the Blood-Filled Tower acts erratically, their stance against the barbarians is clear. Resolving your grudge with them is beneficial for you. As for the Northern Demonic Sect... you must tread carefully."

"Today's meeting ends here. I hope that in the future, my Green Robe Tower and the Hundred Flowers Palace can stay out of each other's way, and perhaps... there might even be opportunities for cooperation." After speaking, Leng Yue's figure also gradually faded, eventually dissolving into specks of clear light, dispersing into the air as if she had never been there.

Qin Feng stood alone in the Crane-Releasing Pavilion, gazing at the vast, misty expanse of West Lake, his heart surging with waves of emotion.

Turning conflict into harmony with the Green Robe Tower, settling the grudge with the Blood-Filled Tower, and learning about the Northern Demonic Sect, this latent, immense threat... This trip brought both gains and pressure.

The road ahead seemed clearer, yet also more perilous. He clenched his fist, feeling the surging Internal Energy within his body and the faint Sword Gleam flickering at his fingertips.

No matter what storms lie ahead, only by continuously improving his strength can he walk further in this magnificent, turbulent world.