Chapter 164 - 155: Li Yan in His Arms, Capturing Zheng Fan
Chapter 164: Chapter 155: Li Yan in His Arms, Capturing Zheng Fan
He walked to a Communication Array inside the cave abode and infused it with Magical Power. Mimicking Zheng Hu’s tone, he called out sternly, "Zheng Qi, come see me at once!"
Before long, a sharp-featured, middle-aged man in gray clothes strode into the cave abode and bowed respectfully to Lu Zhao. "Fourth Master, you were looking for me?" This man was Zheng Hu’s trusted confidant, Zheng Qi, a Cultivator at the Qi Cultivation Sixth Layer. He was known for his efficiency and had earned Zheng Hu’s deep trust.
Lu Zhao was expressionless. He took a Blank Jade Scroll he had prepared earlier from his Storage Bag. Magical Power surged from his fingertip, and he quickly imprinted a message within it before tossing it to Zheng Qi. "Deliver this Jade Scroll to Zheng Fan personally. Remember, it must be *personally*! Do not let it pass through anyone else’s hands! Tell him I’ll be waiting for him in the northwest corner. This is a matter of great importance, so he must come quickly!"
Zheng Qi accepted the Jade Scroll, which felt warm and smooth in his hand. He didn’t know its contents, but seeing "Fourth Master’s" grave expression and hearing his unquestionable tone, he immediately replied with solemn respect. "Yes! Rest assured, Fourth Master. I will see to it at once!" He bowed again, then turned and left the cave abode as swiftly as a gust of wind.
Watching Zheng Qi’s disappearing back, a cold glint flashed in Lu Zhao’s eyes. The message in the Jade Scroll was simple, yet impossible for Zheng Fan to refuse: "Jade Cold Iron in the northwest corner. Come and get it." Zheng Fan was obsessed with the Sword Dao and had an almost paranoid craving for Top-Grade Sword Refining Materials. This was especially true for a Tier Two Middle-Grade Spirit Material like Jade Cold Iron, which could greatly enhance a Flying Sword’s Sharpness and spirituality. ’And to top it off, the material’s attributes are a perfect match for him!’
This was the weakness Lu Zhao had found in Zheng Hu’s memories. He was betting that Zheng Fan would be unable to resist the temptation and would lower his guard, thinking it was a private deal with his "Fourth Uncle."
「Half a day later.」 The sun was setting in the west, casting a dim light over the northwest corner of the Zheng Family estate.
The area was remote and desolate, far from the Core Area of the Tier Two Spirit Vein. The ruins of a few old, abandoned Array Cores lay scattered among the rubble and weeds. However, according to Zheng Hu’s memories, this very spot was a relatively weak node in the Zheng Family’s Tier Two Mountain Protection Array, a vulnerability left behind by a shift in the Earth Veins years ago. He knew from those same memories that the Spiritual Power here flowed poorly and its Defense Power was far inferior to other areas, making it the perfect escape route once his deed was done.
Meanwhile, Lu Zhao, still wearing Zheng Hu’s face, stood with his hands behind his back beside a broken stele that was half as tall as a man. His gaze seemed to calmly sweep over the surroundings, but in reality, his Divine Sense was already highly focused, spreading out like an invisible spider’s web to vigilantly sense any disturbance in the vicinity.
Before long, a sharp aura rapidly approached from a distance. The newcomer had an athletic build and looked to be about twenty-seven or twenty-eight. His face wasn’t exactly handsome, but his features were chiseled, exuding an air of unyielding resolve.
He wore a set of cyan martial attire, faded from countless washings. On his back, he carried a longsword of ancient design in a dark, dull scabbard. His gait was steady and powerful, each step as precise as if it had been measured.
Most striking of all were his eyes. They shone with a brilliant light, as sharp as a falcon’s, as if they could pierce a person’s very heart. They carried the unique sharpness and solitary pride of a Sword Cultivator. Shockingly, his Cultivation had already reached the Qi Cultivation Ninth Layer. His aura was condensed, his edge contained within, like a fine sword hidden in its box, ready to be drawn and taste blood at any moment. This man was none other than Zheng Fan!
Lu Zhao felt a chill. ’This young man’s Cultivation is pure, and his aura is razor-sharp. His strength is undoubtedly at the very peak of the Qi Cultivation Stage. He’s truly worthy of being the Zheng Family’s hope for Foundation Establishment—the future that old ghost was willing to risk everything to secure.’
Zheng Fan walked up to him, his gaze sweeping over "Zheng Hu." He gave a slight nod, his tone holding the respect of a junior for an elder but not lacking its own sharp edge. "Fourth Uncle, I’m here." He got straight to the point, staring intently at Lu Zhao. "The Jade Cold Iron you mentioned in the Jade Scroll... I wonder what you would like in exchange, Fourth Uncle? Spirit Stones? Or..."
He paused, as if he had thought of something, and his tone softened slightly. "I heard that Brother Tian had an accident. If there’s anything I can do to help, Fourth Uncle, please just say the word."
Lu Zhao’s expression remained impassive, still maintaining Zheng Hu’s gloomy demeanor. He shook his head, his voice low. "No rush. Let me show you the Jade Cold Iron." With that, he unhurriedly took an object from his Storage Bag.
The object was no bigger than a fist. It was a deep, dark blue all over, its surface covered in natural, arcane patterns that resembled cracks in ice.
The moment it appeared, a bone-chilling cold permeated the area. The ambient temperature plummeted, and a thin layer of white frost quickly formed on the ground. Even more strangely, it seemed as though countless tiny stars were slowly swirling inside the dark blue ore, emitting specks of cold starlight. This was the Tier Two Middle-Grade Spirit Material obtained from the Xu Family—the Jade Cold Iron!
Upon seeing the object, Zheng Fan’s gaze was instantly captivated! His pupils contracted sharply, and his breath caught for a moment. As a Cultivator obsessed with the Sword Dao, he knew all too well the value of this piece of Jade Cold Iron!
’If I could integrate this into my Lifebound Flying Sword after reaching Foundation Establishment... Not only would its Sharpness and tenacity increase dramatically, but my Flying Sword could also advance directly to Tier Two! Its power would more than double!’ He subconsciously took a step forward, his right hand lifting slightly, as if he wanted to snatch the treasure right then and there.
But with a flick of his wrist, Lu Zhao snatched the Jade Cold Iron back, right before Zheng Fan’s covetous eyes. A flash of displeasure crossed Zheng Fan’s face, and his brow furrowed. His tone grew a few degrees colder. "Fourth Uncle, didn’t you ask me here to trade for this item? Just say what you need! Why play these games?"
Lu Zhao rejoiced inwardly. ’The fish has taken the bait!’ He forced a stiff smile onto his face, his voice remaining low. "Don’t be impatient, Fan’Er. I have something else to show you. After you see it, you’ll understand what I want."