Chapter 45: The Imperial Rewards Arrive

This was his final contact with the Feng family. From this point forward, unless it was for the old matriarch's funeral, he would never set foot here again.

As for the parting gift from the old matriarch, after much deliberation, Xu Feng chose to accept it. It was primarily the old matriarch's gaze that had moved him; he knew that if he refused, she would likely spend her final days lying in bed with lingering regret.

"Everyone, farewell for now."

Watching Xu Feng's nonchalant departure, Feng Yuzhi felt an inexplicable sense of melancholy.

However, Master Feng's voice broke her thoughts almost immediately.

"Good riddance, and the timing couldn't be better. In a few days, when I pick an auspicious date, we'll finalize your marriage with Zuo Jincheng."

"Thank you, Father, for your blessing."

At the mere mention of Zuo Jincheng, Feng Yuzhi swept all other thoughts from her mind.

After all, Xu Feng could not hold a candle to him, nor did she and Xu Feng share any common ground.

"Only a favored son of heaven like Zuo Jincheng is worthy of you. What is Xu Feng supposed to be? If not for your grandmother clinging to old family ties, he wouldn't even be qualified to cross our threshold."

Master Feng had never looked upon Xu Feng with favor from the very beginning. His vision was utterly myopic, which explained why the old matriarch worried about him so deeply; if such a massive family estate were left entirely in his hands, it probably wouldn't last long.

Having finally resolved the heavy burden weighing on his heart, Xu Feng tucked the annulment papers inside his robe with a light step, feeling the path ahead suddenly open wide.

A practitioner of martial arts must always forge ahead with indomitable momentum. Previously, he had been too preoccupied with concealing his identity to pay attention to his state of mind.

Now freed from those shackles, his martial arts state of mind had improved immensely, as if a layer of haze had been swept away.

Just as Red Lotus had once said, how could a great man bear to languish beneath others for long?

"It seems that in the future, while enhancing my martial arts realm, I must also pay attention to elevating my state of mind."

If one's inner resolve is blocked, how can martial arts ever advance with unstoppable vigor?

Carrying the supreme treasure, the Human Emperor Banner, Xu Feng's growth was terrifyingly rapid; becoming a towering figure in the martial arts world was merely a matter of time.

Just as he stepped out of the Feng family estate's gates and before he had gone far, he noticed a familiar carriage parked outside.

Moments later, Zuo Jincheng stepped down from the vehicle.

"How does it feel to go from being the son-in-law of the Feng family to becoming a stray dog?"

Xu Feng originally had no intention of paying him any mind, but the other man took the initiative to mock him right to his face.

It seemed the lesson he had taught Zuo Jincheng last time was still not enough.

"A stray dog? Where do you get off saying that? At least I don't spin endless lies, only to be beaten to a pulp and lose my armor when facing the Masked Man."

Hearing this, Zuo Jincheng's expression turned somewhat unsightly. The incident with the Masked Man remained a thorn in his side.

"Hah, Feng Yumian must have been talking nonsense in your ear. Do you really think I couldn't handle the Masked Man? To me, he is nothing more than a plaything. Dealing with him would be the simplest thing imaginable—I am merely waiting for the perfect opportunity."

Xu Feng let out a light laugh, infuriating Zuo Jincheng to the point where he almost threw punches right there on the street. Fortunately, he managed to restrain his impulse in the end and kept his sword sheathed.

He knew that even if he struck, he would be no match for Xu Feng; the gap in their strengths was no longer on the same level.

Xu Feng could easily crush him now, and the disparity in their realms was completely insurmountable.

"Let's wait and see. Now that you've left the Feng family estate and lost their backing, you aren't even worth as much as a slightly larger bug in my eyes."

Without pushing the provocation further, Zuo Jincheng dropped a harsh threat and strutted smugly into the Feng family residence.

Xu Feng couldn't be bothered to care. There was simply no need to waste too many words on such a petty villain.

Should the man dare to come looking for trouble again, Xu Feng would no longer show the mercy he had previously. Now that he had severed ties with the Feng family, he was entirely free of constraints.

The reason Zuo Jincheng was in such high spirits was intimately tied to Master Feng's high opinion of him. Once Xu Feng left, he and Feng Yuzhi would likely expedite their wedding arrangements.

Yet none of this concerned Xu Feng anymore, nor would he interfere with Feng Yuzhi's freedom.

"Uncle, good news! I've already sorted things out with my sect, and my father has also agreed to my marrying Feng Yuzhi. Let's pick a time to gather together, and ideally set the auspicious date as soon as possible."

"What are you saying? It can't possibly be that fast."

Feng Yuzhi blushed slightly, while Master Feng and Zuo Jincheng chatted happily, already discussing dates to finalize the union.

The old matriarch opposed their marriage, but since Master Feng was calling the shots, he had no intention of informing her of the arrangement.

"Then this junior will address you as Father in advance."

"Hahahaha, it should have been this way long ago! If not for that delay caused by Xu Feng, the two of you would have been married ages ago, and I might even be holding a grandson by now. Fortunately, he has finally left."

In Master Feng's mouth, Xu Feng sounded like an annoying piece of sticky candy that could never be shaken off.

"Let's not mention such inauspicious things on this joyous day. Let me toast you a cup."

Zuo Jincheng felt triumphant and full of vigor, though in truth, his recent trip back to his sect had not been entirely smooth sailing. Sword Wind Mountain did not value the Feng family nearly as much as he pretended; they merely viewed the Feng family as something useful to exploit.

If not for the considerable wealth of the Feng family, Zuo Jincheng would never have scrambled to marry Feng Yuzhi. To put it bluntly, they had simply set their sights on the Feng family's fortune.

Regrettably, Master Feng was entirely blind to this reality. He still foolishly believed that the Feng family and Sword Wind Mountain were social equals, completely oblivious to his own family's actual standing. Sword Wind Mountain was teeming with martial arts experts, and if Zuo Jincheng could smoothly enter official service at court, his future would be dazzlingly bright.

"Elder sister, have you truly decided to marry this hypocritical villain?"

Watching the two men chat away so harmoniously, Feng Yumian looked toward her older sister with deep concern.

She had always despised Zuo Jincheng, finding him utterly deceitful. Everyone else assumed Feng Yumian was just being headstrong and willful due to prejudice, but the truth was she had once witnessed Zuo Jincheng's cruelty and bullying behind closed doors.

Yet on the surface, he never revealed a single flaw. It was precisely for this reason that Feng Yumian so strongly repelled his advances.

"Do not talk nonsense. He will be your brother-in-law soon enough. I know you've always had reservations about him, but you must realize that at least he is vastly superior to that good-for-nothing Xu Feng."

Feng Yumian opened her mouth as if wanting to argue further, but ultimately closed it without uttering a word.

At that very moment, a commotion erupted on the main street. The sound of horse hooves grew louder, drawing nearer by the second. Feng Yuzhi had not yet returned inside.

Looking up, a troop of cavalry came galloping furiously toward them. Judging by their trajectory, their destination appeared to be none other than the Feng residence, as there were no other notable households in this area.

"Could it be the imperial court's reward for me, arriving so quickly?"

Xu Feng felt a tinge of curiosity. Since he had nothing pressing to do upon returning, staying behind to watch the spectacle would do no harm.