"Th... Third Brother!"

Yue Chengjie was terrified out of his wits. The thick spray of blood splattered across his face and nearly caused him to collapse onto the ground.

Even in death, Yue Tianqun probably never imagined that Yan Jinghong would kill him without hesitation. After all, he had been trying to persuade Yue Yunlan to marry Yan Jinghong!

Yue Yunlan clenched her delicate fists as her pupils shrank sharply. Although this Third Brother had always been disappointing, he was still her half brother.

(Author's note: The Yue family had four children. Yue Chengjie and Yue Tianqun shared the same mother, while Yue Yunlan and her Second Brother Yue Tengfeng were both born to the current sect leader's wife Hong Lian.)

"Miss Yue, you should think this matter over carefully. However, every ten breaths I will kill one person. You should make your decision soon."

Yan Jinghong swept his gaze across the hall as a savage grin spread across his face.

"Now then, who should be next? Hahaha..."

"You! Yan Jinghong, you monster!"

Yue Yunlan trembled with rage as she stared at him. Her cultivation had been sealed. Even if it had not been sealed, her strength would have meant nothing against Yan Jinghong.

"You talk too much. I don't have much patience!"

Yan Jinghong's smile carried cruel amusement. He held no genuine feelings toward Yue Yunlan. The only reason he wanted her was because he knew about her close relationship with Ling Feng.

That was precisely why he wanted to possess her. His true goal was to use Yue Yunlan to humiliate Ling Feng.

"Ten!"

"Nine!"

"..."

The countdown began.

Everyone in the hall felt their hearts tighten. Yan Jinghong had become a ruthless demon who killed without blinking. When he chose to kill someone, he needed no reason.

"Three!"

"Two!"

Yan Jinghong slowly raised his hand as a strand of black qi swirled in his palm.

"It seems Miss Yue still has not made up her mind. Should I kill your Big Brother next? Or perhaps one of these old men? Or maybe that pretty maid who is like a sister to you? Perhaps I should kill the mother who gave birth to you?"

His gaze slithered across the crowd like a venomous snake. Wherever his eyes passed, people felt their hearts tremble with terror.

"Little sister, agree to him. Please agree! I don't want to die. I don't want to die!"

Yue Chengjie trembled violently. Yue Tianqun's corpse still lay before him. His face was smeared with blood. The overwhelming sense of death pressing down upon him had already pushed him to the brink of madness.

"One!"

Yan Jinghong spoke the final number and prepared to strike.

"I agree!"

Yue Yunlan's voice suddenly rang out.

Tears slid down her cheeks as she clenched her fists tightly.

She felt helpless, powerless, and completely cornered.

She could not bear to lose another loved one.

"Young miss!"

Qiao Qiao grabbed Yue Yunlan's shoulders and shook her head desperately.

"So what if we die? Young miss, Qiao Qiao is not afraid of death!"

"Oh? What did I just hear? Miss Yue, say that again."

Yan Jinghong stared at her with a gentle smile that resembled a devil who had seen through the depths of human nature.

After cultivating the Devil's Love Forgetting Art, Yan Jinghong had long since mastered control over the seven emotions and six desires. Manipulating human nature had become one of his favorite forms of entertainment.

"I agree. I agree..."

Yue Yunlan bit her lip until it nearly bled.

"Just stop killing people! Don't kill anyone else!"

"Hahaha! That's how it should have been from the beginning, otherwise your Third Brother would not have died in vain!"

Yan Jinghong burst into loud laughter.

"Very well. I will have all of you escorted back to the imperial city. When the day is chosen, we will hold the wedding. On that day I will personally release my father in law so he can attend the ceremony. I am certain the old man will be very pleased! Hahaha!"

Still laughing wildly, Yan Jinghong turned and strode out of the hall.

The people left behind showed different reactions. Some let out quiet sighs of relief. Some remained silent. Others lowered their heads in despair. Every expression carried deep heaviness.

"Lan'er!"

Hong Lian pulled Yue Yunlan into her arms as tears streamed down her face.

"You should not have agreed to him!"

"What choice do I have?"

Moisture filled Yue Yunlan's eyes.

Did they truly expect her to watch her loved ones die one after another before her eyes?

Yan Jinghong had trapped her completely. She knew she was nothing more than a tool. He intended to use her as a weapon to humiliate Ling Feng.

Yet once she realized that truth, a strange thought began to form in her heart.

Would Ling Feng feel anger because of this?

Every woman held some form of heroic fantasy in her heart.

Yue Yunlan also carried a faint hope deep within.

When the day of the wedding arrived, would he appear like a miracle, riding upon a five colored cloud and rescue her from this demonic grasp?

Perhaps he would.

Or perhaps she was only fooling herself.

Yue Yunlan shook her head and forced those thoughts away.

"Mother, no matter what happens, I cannot watch you die. As long as we remain alive, perhaps there will still be a chance!"

Deep within her heart, Yue Yunlan had already made a silent decision.

If nothing could be changed, then the wedding day would also be the day she ended her own life.

If the price of her life could save everyone from the Cangqiong Sect, then it would be worth it!

...

Meanwhile, Ling Feng had already left the Lin family. He changed his appearance once again. His body became noticeably plump as he disguised himself before heading openly toward the Tianmeng Chamber of Commerce.

The Tianmeng Chamber of Commerce had always maintained neutrality and never involved itself in the struggles between factions. For that reason, although most businesses in the imperial capital had suffered heavy losses during the chaos, the Tianmeng Chamber of Commerce remained the last safe haven within the city.

After arriving at the chamber, Ling Feng immediately took out the token belonging to Supreme Elder Feng Wuhen and requested entry to Feng Wuhen's private residence.

His relationship with Supreme Elder Feng had begun through conflict.

Later, Ling Feng had given Feng Wuhen a medicinal pill that allowed him to breakthrough and become a Human Emperor.

It was also through Feng Wuhen's introduction that Ling Feng had met two extraordinary seniors within Flame Valley, Pill Devil and Sword Maniac. That encounter had brought him tremendous fortune.

Now he needed information about events within the imperial city. Gathering such intelligence through ordinary methods would be difficult, but it would be far easier with Feng Wuhen's help.

Not long afterward, Ling Feng arrived outside a tranquil valley.

Feng Wuhen clearly knew how to enjoy life. A small bridge crossed a gentle stream. Bamboo groves surrounded a rustic gate. The entire place resembled a paradise hidden from the world.

"Is Supreme Elder Feng present? This Junior Ling Feng has come to request an audience!"

Within the Tianmeng Chamber of Commerce existed a separate independent space that resembled a secret realm. Ling Feng felt no concern about exposing his identity here.

"Ling Feng?"

A surprised voice echoed from the bamboo house.

In the next instant a white figure shot out from the building. It was Feng Wuhen.

Another figure followed close behind him. She was a graceful and stunning beauty who looked like a young maiden.

This woman was none other than Feng Wuhen's Dao partner, Supreme Elder Yuanzhi.

After Ling Feng had gifted He Yuanzhi a Youth Preserving Pill, she had undergone a remarkable transformation. She had once appeared as a middle aged woman, but now she had regained the appearance of youthful beauty.

Naturally, she felt immense gratitude toward Ling Feng.