Chapter Thirteen: Framing and False Accusations

That evening, Master Zhang brought him some news.

The city guards claimed that Feng Qichuan was the true culprit behind the massacre of the Hu Qing family two years prior—brutal, remorseless, and, just last night, had slaughtered indiscriminately in the city, perpetrating a heinous crime.

In a single night, five households met their demise, with not even women and children spared.

With the authorities fanning the flames, it took less than half a day for the story to sweep through all of Yingchuan.

Panic gripped the entire city; at the mere mention of “Feng Qichuan,” people seethed with hatred.

Every household kept its doors tightly shut. Even the streets were nearly deserted, as everyone feared becoming Feng Qichuan’s next victim.

He had become a rat scurrying across the street, reviled by all.

When Feng Qichuan heard the news, his face turned ashen.

“That scoundrel Ma Yu—he’s pushed me too far, so base and shameless,” he said through clenched teeth, his eyes flashing with menace.

Ma Yu clearly intended to drive him to desperation, simply waiting for him to break cover and walk straight into a trap.

“I crave vengeance—I think of it every waking moment, even in my dreams. Night after night, all I see are the helpless, terrified eyes of my wife and child as they watched me leave that day.”

“I’ve had enough of this life, but Wen’er—he’s still so young. What wrong has he done? Why must heaven be so cruel?”

“From the start, I placed all my hopes in Wen’er. I never wanted him to live the kind of life I have, dancing on a knife’s edge. So I was strict with him—he never had a childhood like other children.”

“I know he resents me for it, but I had no choice. One day, he’ll understand.”

“But everything was destroyed by Ma Yu’s hands. I cannot swallow this humiliation!”

As he spoke, Feng Qichuan’s voice caught in his throat.

A man rarely weeps—unless his heart is truly broken.

These days had been the darkest of his life.

No one could fathom the depths of his pain.

Living itself had become torment.

“You are a good father. In these times, power is everything,” Yi An sighed, offering no comfort, only a listening ear.

Feng Qichuan’s demons were his to confront. If he could not overcome them, he would simply be lost in darkness.

“Ma Yu has long since reached the late stage of the Acquired realm, and I know my own limits—at my current talent, I may never go any further in this life.”

“Ma Yu will only grow stronger, while I remain stagnant.”

“I cannot bear to live in another’s shadow—death would be preferable. Nor do I wish to continue hiding like a rat. If I can avenge my family, I would pay any price, even my life.”

“I know the Dragon Blood Divine Art holds secrets far beyond what I’ve seen. Young Master Yi, I beg you—help me. In the next life, I’ll repay you without regret.”

Feng Qichuan exhaled long and deep, relief softening his features.

...

The next day, Feng Qichuan appeared alone on the streets of Yingchuan.

He was spotted almost instantly.

Panic swept through the street; people fled in terror, fearing that the “devil” Feng Qichuan was about to embark on another killing spree.

Soon, the city guard arrived, led again by Sun Xin.

Sun Xin was haggard with exhaustion, having searched nearly every corner of Yingchuan—short of digging up the ground itself—yet he hadn’t glimpsed even a hair of Feng Qichuan. Meanwhile, the city lord’s mansion kept up relentless pressure.

Consequently, Sun Xin’s face was clouded with anger as he arrived.

Feng Qichuan had no regard for the law, treating lives like weeds—such a man deserved nothing less than a thousand deaths.

Sun Xin roared with fury, “Feng Qichuan, what are you trying to do? Have you become so arrogant you no longer regard the city guards at all?”

“Heh, Commander Sun, sometimes what the eyes see isn’t the truth. If I said I wasn’t responsible for those crimes, you wouldn’t believe me, I’m sure.”

“I respect you as a good official. If you take your men and leave now, I’ll pretend nothing happened. But if you insist on pressing forward, then don’t blame me for what follows.”

“After today, you’ll understand everything.”

Feng Qichuan gave a dry laugh. He knew full well the other would not leave, but still, he couldn’t help but warn him.

“Feng Qichuan, enough with your lies. If you’re truly innocent, surrender and return with me. The law will judge you fairly!” Sun Xin fixed him with a hard stare.

Meanwhile, more city guards gathered, afraid Feng Qichuan would escape as he had before.

A fierce light shone in Feng Qichuan’s eyes.

His opponents had made it clear they would see him dead, so he would not meekly submit to slaughter.

Like a wolf among sheep, Feng Qichuan tore through the city guard ranks, mowing them down with ruthless efficiency.

Had Feng Qichuan remained at his old level, the city guards might have stood a chance.

But in moments, corpses littered the street, the air thick with the stench of blood.

Despair seized the surviving guards. Seasoned as they were, never had they known carnage like this.

To their eyes, Feng Qichuan was a demon risen from hell, the murderous aura around him enough to make their hearts falter.

“Stand down. None of you are his match. Leave him to me.” Though Sun Xin knew he was outmatched, he stepped forward without hesitation.

He could not simply watch Feng Qichuan walk away.

He could sense plainly that Feng Qichuan had grown far stronger in just a few days.

So this was his real trump card.

Feng Qichuan wasted no words—he knew Sun Xin’s mind would not be changed.

In a flash, Feng Qichuan struck, his blade chopping across Sun Xin’s abdomen. Though he used the back of the blade, the force was tremendous.

Pain shot through Sun Xin’s belly, and he lost control of his body.

He bit back a cry, glaring hatefully at Feng Qichuan.

“I’m sparing your life so you’ll see who the real villain is. Laughable, isn’t it? You pride yourself on your wisdom, yet you’re a pawn in another’s game, still oblivious,” Feng Qichuan said.

Sun Xin was momentarily stunned, not quite grasping his meaning.

But he was no fool. He quickly sensed that there was more to this than met the eye.

Feng Qichuan hoisted Sun Xin effortlessly and strode straight for the city lord’s mansion.

“You’ve reached the Innate realm!” Sun Xin was aghast at the weightless sensation.

Walking on air—such was the mark of an Innate master.

As far as he knew, there were only a handful of such warriors in all of Yanbei.

To be beaten by an Innate master—there was no shame in that.