Chapter 57: The Fury of Black Wind Mountain

The Zheng Family’s old ancestor has been defeated!

Will the Qinghe Marketplace still belong to the Zheng Family from now on?

This question arose in the minds of many.

However, the situation developed in a way that defied most people’s expectations.

HUMMM—

The entire Marketplace suddenly trembled.

Then, immense torrents of Spiritual Power surged from all corners of the Marketplace, linking together like an inverted, translucent, giant bowl that instantly enveloped the entire area.

"What’s happening?"

This sudden, shocking change made the color drain from many faces.

The Tribulation Cultivators who had been on a looting spree felt a particular sense of unease growing in their hearts.

The entire Marketplace seemed to have been sealed by a terrifying Array!

Zheng Yuandao entered the Array, his aged eyes fixed on Cao Zhengxiong.

"Cao Zhengxiong, do you dare enter this Array and fight?"

’Enter the Array?’

Cao Zhengxiong halted his advance.

He gazed at the massive Array, a flicker of apprehension in his eyes.

"A Tier Two Middle Grade Array, the Water Flower Sky Curtain Formation!"

There was a well-known saying in the Cultivation Immortality Realm.

Never enter an Array you come across!

No matter how simple it seemed, one should never enter an Array carelessly.

Cao Zhengxiong did not enter. Instead, he shouted, "Zheng the Ghost, back then you trapped me outside the Cao Clan Territory, forcing me to stay within my array. Now, it’s my turn to block you!"

Inside the Array.

Zheng Yuandao’s expression was grim.

This moment was just like that one from the past.

The only difference was that their roles were now reversed.

"Words are useless. Do you dare enter this Array and fight?"

Zheng Yuandao bellowed again from within the Array.

Cao Zhengxiong remained motionless, merely sneering.

"Zheng the Ghost, your lifespan is nearly at its end. How much longer can you last? Once you’re dead, this Array will have no one to control it. I have plenty of ways to break it then!"

"Hmph!"

Zheng Yuandao snorted coldly and waved his hand.

In an instant, a terrifying concentration of Spiritual Power took form.

Like a sharp sword, it tore through the night sky, streaking straight for Cao Zhengxiong.

’So there really is another array hidden within this Water Flower Sky Curtain Formation! An array within an array!’

Cao Zhengxiong’s figure flickered, and he dodged the attack.

He stared at the Array, even greater apprehension showing in his eyes.

There was no point in fighting any further.

Cao Zhengxiong chose to leave.

He was younger, after all. There was no need to take risks.

As he left, he laughed loudly. "Zheng the Ghost, I hear you have a descendant named Zheng Qingqing. Have her marry my clan’s Qilin Child as a concubine. If our two clans are joined by marriage, I can help you manage the Marketplace after you die."

Hearing this, the faces of many Zheng Family disciples filled with rage.

How could the Zheng Family’s Young Miss become someone’s concubine?

Cao Zhengxiong’s words were a pure and simple humiliation for the Zheng Family.

...

Below.

In the courtyard.

Luo Kun was explaining the years of grievances between the Cao and Zheng Families to Li Chang’an.

"The Cao Family’s current Young Clan Leader is named Cao Shaolin. The family calls him their ’Qilin Child.’ He’s exceptionally talented and is the family’s Foundation Establishment Seed. Despite his youth, he’s already a powerhouse at the Late Stage of Qi Refining."

In terms of status, he and Zheng Qingqing were equals.

"If the two families were to truly form a marriage alliance, there’s no way the Young Miss would be a concubine. She would have to be the principal wife. But the chances of an alliance are minuscule."

Luo Kun explained slowly, analyzing the situation carefully.

Li Chang’an, however, looked up at the Array enveloping the entire Marketplace.

’What a powerful Tier Two Grand Array.’

’If I had a Tier Two Array, my cultivation would be much safer.’

Just as he was thinking this, the Array changed again.

Spiritual Qi surged, and countless sharp blades materialized within the Marketplace, suddenly striking at the Tribulation Cultivators who had been on a rampage earlier.

"AARGH— AARGH—"

Bloodcurdling screams echoed from every corner of the Marketplace.

Some begged for mercy in terror while others fought back desperately, but it was all in vain.

In the blink of an eye, the entire Marketplace fell silent.

All the Tribulation Cultivators had been ruthlessly slain, and the thick stench of blood hung in the air, refusing to dissipate.

The slaughter of the night had finally come to a close.

"It looks like there won’t be any more surprises."

Luo Kun cupped his hands in farewell and went back to repair his courtyard.

Li Chang’an’s Puppet Body also returned indoors.

His real self remained outside the Marketplace.

He planned to hide for a few more days.

...

Time flew by.

Several days passed in a blur.

’The Marketplace has more or less recovered.’

Li Chang’an’s Puppet Body walked through the Marketplace, observing its surroundings.

All the corpses and bloodstains had been cleaned up. Even the damaged residences and shops had been repaired.

Everything seemed to have returned to how it was before.

However, some people would never be coming back.

On his way back to his residence, he unexpectedly ran into Zheng Qingqing.

"Greetings, Young Miss."

"Daoist Li."

Zheng Qingqing wore a smile, her tone as gentle as ever.

She seemed unaffected by the recent events.

The two chatted casually for a moment.

The conversation mostly revolved around the incident from a few days ago.

After a few exchanges, Zheng Qingqing suddenly asked, "Daoist Li, Zheng Jinbao hasn’t been seen for days. Have you seen him?"

Li Chang’an immediately shook his head, his tone unchanging.

"I have not."

Hearing this, Zheng Qingqing’s expression remained normal, and she didn’t press the matter.

Not long after.

The two ended their conversation.

「A few more days passed.」

Zheng Jinbao still had not returned to the Marketplace.

The Zheng Family announced to the public that he had perished at the hands of the Black Wind Mountain Tribulation Cultivators.

As soon as the news broke, many of the Loose Cultivators in the Marketplace were secretly delighted.

"Excellent! That bastard is finally dead!"

"Those Tribulation Cultivators from Black Wind Mountain actually did something good for once!"

「Meanwhile, in the Hundred Affairs Hall at the center of the Marketplace.」

Zheng Ming had temporarily taken over some of the Steward’s duties.

He found it strange and asked in a low voice, "Young Miss, was Uncle Jinbao really killed by the Black Wind Mountain Tribulation Cultivators?"

Zheng Qingqing’s bright eyes were as calm as still water. She glanced in the direction of Li Chang’an’s residence.

"Perhaps he was."

...

Soon, the news reached Li Chang’an’s ears.

He was taken aback.

’Black Wind Mountain?’

After all, Zheng Jinbao had always been in contact with Black Wind Mountain.

The two sides had collaborated for years.

And now, Zheng Jinbao was declared dead at the hands of the Black Wind Mountain Tribulation Cultivators.

It was truly ironic.

’This is good too. Someone else is taking the blame for me.’

Li Chang’an relaxed and continued his cultivation.

...

However, the Tribulation Cultivators of Black Wind Mountain were not willing to take the blame.

"That’s absolute bullshit!"

An angry roar suddenly erupted from the Tribulation Cultivators’ hideout.

"That bastard Zheng Jinbao was my source for inside information on the Zheng Family! I would’ve been protecting him, not killing him!"

Hearing this furious voice, the various Tribulation Cultivators exchanged glances and remained silent. No one dared to respond.

This was because the furious man was none other than the Big Master of Black Wind Mountain.

"Fourth, Fifth, have you found out yet? Who has Zheng Jinbao made enemies with recently?"

"Well..."

The Fourth and Fifth Masters of Black Wind Mountain looked at each other.

Finally, the Fifth Master steeled himself and stepped forward.

"Big Master, a few days ago, Zheng Jinbao hired us to kill someone."

"Kill who?"

"A Talisman Master named Li Chang’an."

The Fifth Master answered honestly.

"But we had accepted missions from the Cao and Wu Families at the time and simply couldn’t spare the manpower."

"Oh? Is that Li Chang’an still alive?"

The Big Master frowned.

The Fifth Master wasn’t sure. Too many people had died in the chaos at the Marketplace. He answered hesitantly.

"He should be."

"Go to the Marketplace and check. If he’s still alive, bring him to me!"

"Yes."

...

Not long after.

A hasty funeral was held for Zheng Jinbao.

Li Chang’an was somehow considered a close friend of the deceased and received a funeral invitation.

’I’m considered a friend?’

He didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

In the end, Li Chang’an didn’t attend. He just entrusted Luo Kun with delivering his condolences.

The atmosphere at the funeral was somber.

Many disciples of the Zheng Family were present.

Zheng Ling’Er came to Zheng Qingqing’s side and asked in a low voice, "Sister Qingqing, is that senior who saved me alright? Why haven’t I seen him at all?"

Her pretty face was full of worry, afraid that the senior had met with some misfortune during the chaos in the Marketplace.