Enlightenment: Beginning as a Disposable Warrior-Chapter 120 - 108: The Tables Turn, Thunder at a Snap!

Liu Qing responded and led Su Mu into the Tongfu Inn.

The first-floor hall, which should have been bustling with diners discussing various topics, was empty, with only a few Qingfeng Gang disciples guarding the staircase, exuding a sense of oppression and hostility.

"Hero Li, please."

Since Su Mu accepted the invitation tonight, he wouldn’t hesitate in the middle of the battle. The other side had set up a Banquet of Hongmen for him, and he aimed to seize the Muscle Strengthening Formula from the enormous Qingfeng Gang, like stealing food from a tiger’s mouth. How could he not take some risks?

The Qingfeng Gang disciples guarding the stairs stepped aside, and as they passed by, a mocking look flashed in their eyes.

Su Mu noticed everything but remained calm and composed as he ascended the stairs. The two of them reached the top floor of the restaurant, truly reaching the peak and taking in the small hills around them.

From the fifth floor of the restaurant, one could take in all of Qingyun City. At this moment, the city’s thousands of lights were twinkling, and the northern and southern thoroughfares like Cyan Cloud Street were as bustling as a parade, bright and lively. Many literati and poets, inspired by the view, left many poems in the restaurant.

Liu Qing walked ahead and led Su Mu into a hall. The hall was quaint and classical, with poetry and paintings hanging on all four walls. At the entrance, incense burners depicting auspicious beasts on golden nanmu desks emitted blue smoke, resembling a shrouded mist.

In the hazy mist, five people had been waiting for a long time.

"Hero Li, we finally got you here. Someone, take a seat!"

A warm voice filtered through the smoke, like an old friend reunited after a long absence.

Su Mu looked toward the voice and saw that the speaker was the leader among the five. This person had an elegant face like a jade crown, with features cut like a knife, wearing a white robe exuding vigor and extraordinary demeanor.

"This person is most likely Shangguan Feng."

Su Mu’s eyes narrowed slightly; in the features of this person, he saw a bit of Zhou Qing, both having fair faces.

Besides Shangguan Feng, in the hall, there were also three men and one woman, each with different appearances, physiques, and temperaments, but all shared a unique aura.

These four were all without exception Muscle-Enhancing Martial Artists. The core confidants of Shangguan Feng mentioned in Zhang Ping’s information were all present, exactly as Su Mu had expected. This banquet was indeed specially organized by Shangguan Feng for him.

No elders or other experts from the Qingfeng Gang appeared in the hall, only Shangguan Feng’s trusted subordinates came.

While Su Mu was observing the people in the hall, the others were also sizing up Su Mu, their gazes varying, some mocking, some calm, and some solemn.

"I apologize for keeping you waiting," I said.

Su Mu glanced at the sandalwood chair pulled out by a Qingfeng Gang disciple, nonchalantly passing through the lingering smoke, and sat directly opposite Shangguan Feng.

"I have long heard of the renowned Unparalleled Boxing and Stick Skills, and seeing it today, the fame is indeed well-deserved. Quickly, serve Hero Li some wine!"

Immediately, a Qingfeng Gang disciple stepped forward to pour wine for Su Mu. The amber-colored wine overflowed the cup and formed a thin stream on the Zitan Desk, dripping steadily onto Su Mu’s clothes.

"Such impudence! Withdraw at once!" A middle-aged man beside Gu Feng, about forty years old with high cheekbones and thin eyebrows, pretended to rebuke. His right hand remained hidden under the table, resting on the hilt of a knife.

The Qingfeng Gang disciple hurriedly withdrew, completely unaware that the dripping wine was deflected by a layer of Invisible Power before it could touch Su Mu’s clothes.

Both men complemented each other, seemingly scolding the Qingfeng Gang disciple on the surface, but actually giving Su Mu a show of force.

Fully aware, Su Mu got straight to the point, "Vice Gang Leader Shangguan, I believe you already know the reason for my visit. Has Lord Shangguan prepared the Muscle Strengthening Formula?"

"Liu Qing has already informed me. Our Qingfeng Gang does indeed possess the Muscle Strengthening Formula, but as you know, the formula is precious..." Shangguan Feng slowly sipped a cup of wine.

"Since Hero Li has sincerely inquired, I will be straightforward, but the price is a bit steep..."

Su Mu listened quietly, not touching the cup on the table, but instead placed a wine gourd he untied from his waist onto the table, waiting for Vice Gang Leader Shangguan to give his price.

Seeing no fear on Su Mu’s face, a cold glint flashed in Shangguan Feng’s eyes, "One hundred thousand gold taels. Today, if you bring one hundred thousand gold taels, the formula will be yours."

One hundred thousand gold taels!

That equates to one million silver taels. Shangguan Feng clearly intended to tear off all pretense, with intentions well-known to all.

"And the supposedly Unparalleled Boxing and Stick Skills Li Feiyu dares to come alone, the Demon Slayer Bureau’s Silver Order Blade Catcher is indeed foolish!"

"Indeed, we thought this fellow wouldn’t dare show up today. Though he’s a coward, at least he can save his own life..."

As Vice Gang Leader Shangguan mentioned one hundred thousand gold taels, the Qingfeng Gang experts and disciples throughout the hall sneered and mocked as if it were a joke.

Zhou Qing’s dying words in Shuangbai Town were not a lie. This Vice Gang Leader Shangguan Feng was indeed his elder brother, and Zhou Qing’s real name was actually Shangguan Qing.

When the news from Shuangbai Town spread, the Qingyun citizens applauded with joy. Not only did a knight get rid of the wicked Ghost-Hand Scholar, but County Captain Li also beheaded three hundred ranks of the Black Mountain Rebel Army, and Ghost-Hand Scholar was eventually identified as an accomplice of the Black Mountain Rebel Army.

However, upon hearing the news, one person burned with rage and swore to kill the knight who acted, and that person was Shangguan Feng. He didn’t care whether his brother Zhou Qing colluded with the rebel army or how many people his brother killed.

In Shangguan Feng’s eyes, the people his brother killed were nothing more than insignificant ants. So what if more ants died?