Chapter 258 Fu...isn't dead? (Seeking monthly votes)

Asutai had no sense of the bigger picture, nor any concern about "fighting against all odds."

He didn't even know if there was anyone else behind Zeng Zhifeng.

All he possessed was the ferocity of a barbarian and the hatred for the brutal deaths of his kinsmen before his eyes.

The target was only Zeng Zhifeng.

"Revenge! I'll take revenge!"

"He deserves to die!"

With a low growl, Asutai punched Zeng Zhifeng again.

His eyes were fixed on Chen Yi like those of a wild beast.

He was ruthless, bloodthirsty, and with a hint of pleading in his eyes; he was determined to kill Zeng Zhifeng.

Chen Yi raised his hand to signal him to be quiet and said with a smile, "I can help you, but you have to understand that this is a deal."

Asutai nodded vigorously: "I know, it's a deal."

"Just like us, burning that grain is also... a transaction."

Chen Yi raised an eyebrow and pointed to Lü Jiunan on the other side, asking, "Is he the one you made a deal with?"

Asutai looked in the direction he was pointing, a look of confusion on his face that was a mixture of childishness and maturity, and shook his head: "No, him."

Chen Yi thought for a moment and then described Ge Muxiao's physical characteristics.

Asutai shook his head again and said, "Yes, Fudo... friend."

"Fudo? A friend?"

"Yes, he was outside the cage and told me that if I burned the grain, I could escape."

"Do you remember what he looked like? His height and age?"

"So tall, so...slim, dressed in white, very gentle..."

As he gestured, he described the man's appearance haltingly.

Although not perfectly clear, Chen Yi could still vaguely recall a general outline in his mind.

The man in white was about the same height as him, thin, and older, probably a middle-aged man.

"A gentle middle-aged man? A familiar scent..."

Chen Yi suddenly thought of Guiyun Academy, and a look of realization flashed in his eyes.

"A scholar?"

"No wonder it felt so familiar."

Chen Yi's first suspect was Mr. Ling Chuan, who had previously appeared at Lin Huai'an's residence with Liu Taofang.

—Zhu Lingchuan.

"If it is Mr. Lingchuan, then it can explain why Liu Hong knows about Liu Taofang's affairs."

"Ling Chuan's shadow is probably behind Lin Huai'an's death as well."

Although Chen Yi couldn't be 100% certain, considering recent events, Mr. Ling Chuan was the most suspicious person.

"This is interesting."

"If Mr. Lingchuan is colluding with Liu Hong, does that mean that his deputy commander Zhu Hao is also involved with Liu Hong?"

"If that's the case, then it's no wonder Liu Hong looks down on the old grains that Liu Taofang has been messing with."

"How could someone who uses the power of the Jizhou Merchant Guild to secretly smuggle ironware possibly be interested in such a paltry sum?"

Chen Yi muttered to himself, but he couldn't help but admire Liu Hong's caution.

He clearly had connections with the Peacock King's Banner of Vaishsa Kingdom and King Lando, and even traded with King Lando through Zhu Lingchuan and the people of the Jizhou Merchant Guild, yet he remained hidden behind the scenes.

If he hadn't learned of his son's collaboration with Lin Huai'an, he probably wouldn't have killed Lin Huai'an and cut off the Jizhou Trading Company's business.

Thinking about this...

Chen Yi shook his head secretly again, perhaps Liu Hong had other deeper meanings in doing this.

He suppressed his thoughts and looked at Asutai, saying, "Let's put aside other matters for now and talk about this transaction."

"I can let you kill Zeng Zhifeng, and you can even kill the people behind him."

"But I need you to do something for me... Let me make it clear beforehand, it's very dangerous, and I can't guarantee your safety."

Asutai nodded emphatically, "Okay!"

Then he was about to punch Zeng Zhifeng on the head, shouting, "I'm going to kill him!"

Bang.

Before that heavy fist could land, Chen Yi flicked his wrist and knocked him over.

"Don't be impatient, I still have some things to ask him."

"Of course, I also have a few questions to ask you."

Having taken a blow, Asutai rolled over and got up. "Ask."

He was straightforward by nature, but he also knew that he was no match for Chen Yi, so he kept his eyes fixed on Zeng Zhifeng.

Upon seeing this, Chen Yi couldn't help but chuckle.

This barbarian tribe was indeed as rumored: fierce and uncivilized.

Fortunately, he didn't need Asutai to do anything complicated, otherwise it would have been a real headache.

Thinking it over, Chen Yi casually asked, "I heard you are the son of Muhag, the Left King of the Barbarians?"

Asutai nodded, staring at Zeng Zhifeng with an unchanged expression, as if he were not talking about him.

"Then why were you kidnapped by bandits from Vaishsa and made a barbarian slave?"

"I was a shepherd, and I was knocked unconscious."

Chen Yi responded with an "oh," and asked with slight surprise, "Does the Left King's son also have to herd livestock?"

“Father, I have six sons. My mother died, and I have no power, so I herd sheep…”

The two exchanged questions and answers, and time passed quickly.

Chen Yi gained some understanding of Asutai, Zuo Wang Muhag, and the situation of the barbarians.

Unlike the Wei Dynasty, the barbarian tribes were an alliance of multiple tribes.

The Sirius tribe, led by the barbarian chieftain Riglu, was the strongest.

Secondly, there were the Black Bear Tribe and the Green Wood Tribe, led by the Left King Muhag and the Right King Erlisen.

Then came the five kings in the southernmost part of the continent, each commanding hundreds of thousands of barbarian armies, making their tribes incredibly powerful.

The remaining dozens of tribes, large and small, each submitted to the Great Khan and the Seven Barbarian Kings.

In addition, the barbarians also had a shamanistic religion.

There are countless experts among them. They are both under the command of the Great King and separate from him, specializing in matters such as sacrifice, divination, and medicine.

Some masters possess astonishing power, capable of moving mountains and filling seas.

However, the barbarian king is currently old and dying, and several princes are fighting endlessly for the throne.

As a result, the other seven kings were also drawn into the conflict and had no time to spare.

This is also the reason why Asutai was kidnapped by bandits from Vashyapa.

After listening, Chen Yi understood and, after a moment's thought, asked:

"Have you ever heard of the name 'Liu Hong'? Or do you know if your father, Muhag, has any connection with anyone on the Wei Dynasty side?"

Asutai said, "I don't know."

"I only know how to herd livestock; I know nothing else."

Chen Yi nodded, not surprised at all.

Asutai was just one of Muhag's sons, and the least favored one at that, so his knowledge was likely limited.

Thinking of this, he silently noted these things down and asked with a smile, "You're quite good at Wei language; you must have been studying it for a long time, right?"

"Are there Wei people among the barbarians?"

Asutai's expression changed slightly, and he turned to look at him, saying, "In our tribe, there is a Mr. Wei."

"oh?"

“She was a trophy from five years ago, a general from your Wei state.”

Upon hearing this, Chen Yi's smile vanished, and he frowned, asking, "Do you know his name?"

Five years ago, the barbarian Left King Muhag led a large army to attack Mengshui Pass.

The Wei dynasty suffered heavy casualties, but few people were likely abducted.

He could ask who was so unlucky, or even a general.

Asutai hesitated slightly before saying, "Sir, I don't know her name, I only know her as Mr. Fu."

"Fu... Fu?"

Chen Yi was slightly taken aback. If he remembered correctly, his mother-in-law's surname was Fu.

She was not only Xiao Fengchun's wife and the daughter of the Fu family in Guangyuan County, but also a highly accomplished disciple of the Tianshan Sect.

Chen Yi asked instinctively, "A woman?"

Asutai nodded, then asked with a puzzled look, "You know him, sir?"

A hint of surprise flashed in Chen Yi's eyes, and he said thoughtfully, "I hope I don't know him."

This was truly an unexpected surprise.

If it really is Fu Wanqing, then this matter is quite serious.

Whether he tells the Xiao family or not, it will inevitably cause a stir within the Xiao family.

Especially Xiao Jinghong.

Based on Chen Yi's understanding of Xiao Jinghong, once she finds out that Fu Wanqing is not dead, she will definitely try to go to the barbarian tribe for rescue.

Even Old Master Xiao might give up his patience and do something unwise.

Thinking of this, Chen Yi stopped asking questions and instead instructed Zhang Dabao outside to bring him pen and ink.

He then went to the quiet room to paint.

Fortunately, he had seen several portraits of Fu Wanqing in recent days, and his rough sketch at this time already captured some of her spirit.

In no time, he finished the portrait, and before the ink had dried, he picked it up and placed it in front of Asutai.

"Is it her?"

Asutai stared wide-eyed, looked the portrait up and down, and pointed at it, saying:

Yes and no.

"Sir, you have white hair."

Chen Yi was speechless for a moment, “...That’s her.”

After all, five years have passed, and Fu Wanqing is in the heart of the barbarian territory, so it's normal for her to look a bit old.

This matter, however, is giving him a real headache.

As Chen Yi put away the portrait, he asked, "Besides this Mr. Fu, is there also a Mr. Xiao?"

Asutai shook his head. "No, I don't know."

Upon hearing this, Chen Yi sighed. It seemed that Xiao Fengchun was truly dead.

For a moment, he didn't know whether it was a good thing or a bad thing.

He pondered for a moment.

Chen Yi then asked about Fu Wanqing.

According to Asutai, Fu Wanqing was highly valued by the Left King Muhag among the barbarians.

Not only were female servants from Wei arranged for her, but she was also provided with her own tent.

During holidays and festivals, Fu Wanqing would also receive some rewards.

Asutai concluded, "But sir, she is in poor health, very thin, and a child."

Chen Yi said irritably, "...Compared to your barbarian tribe, she is indeed a child who hasn't grown up."

Ordinary barbarian adults are ten feet tall, so a Wei woman would naturally be the size of a child in their eyes.

Even though Asutai, who was not yet an adult, was about the same height as Chen Yi, he was very strong and not inferior to Wang Lixing and others.

After asking about Fu Wanqing's situation, Chen Yi breathed a sigh of relief.

At least his mother-in-law is not in immediate danger, which gives him time to think about his next steps.

A moment of silence.

Chen Yi had made up his mind.

They said they were determined to tell the Xiao family.

But he still needs to carefully consider when to say it and to whom.

After thinking it over, Chen Yi no longer hesitated.

Immediately under Asutai's resentful gaze, he used the same trick again, waking Zeng Zhifeng up by pricking his acupoints with silver needles.

"Um, who am I...? Who are you?!"

When Zeng Zhifeng woke up, he felt the softness on his body. He looked at Asutai beside him and stared straight at Chen Yi.

"You dare to cripple my cultivation?!"

"Do you know whose man I am? Aren't you afraid of death?"

Chen Yi chuckled to himself and shook his head inwardly.

"People say that dragons beget dragons and phoenixes beget phoenixes, and that a rat's son will know how to dig a hole. But in your case, Liu Hong, who is not related to you by blood, is more like your biological father."

Zeng Zhifeng's fierce expression softened slightly, and he looked at him with utter astonishment:

"You...you know I'm one of Master Liu's men?"

"If I didn't know your identity, why would I waste my time kidnapping you?"

Seeing that Zeng Zhifeng was still relentless and had more to say, Chen Yi waved his hand and flicked out a spear-like energy that pierced through Zeng's thigh.

"Ah...you...you scoundrel, how dare you, how dare you..."

"How dare I say that?" Zeng Zhifeng couldn't continue.

He thought that invoking Liu Hong's name would save his life, but after realizing that the other party knew his identity, he could no longer continue with this explanation.

Chen Yi was too lazy to waste words with him and asked, "Answer me a few questions, and I'll let you die a quick death."

Zeng Zhifeng wasn't stupid either. Enduring the excruciating pain, he groaned, "Dream on!"

"Even if I die, I won't tell you anything!"

"No matter who you are, the master will never let you go!"

Chen Yi said dismissively, "Your master is practically a frightened bird these days. Even if he knew I existed, he would still have to come and beg me."

After a pause, Chen Yi continued with a half-smile, "Please ask me to hand over Lü Jiunan and Asutai to him."

"A-Su... Lü Jiunan?"

Zeng Zhifeng noticed the Vaishsa man lying on the other side, took a closer look, and immediately looked shocked.

"Lord Lu Jiunan?"

"You, you really aren't afraid of death? Do you even know who he is? How dare you kidnap him too?!"

Chen Yi scoffed, "Why do you keep talking about status? I dare to do these things, so what if others are who they are?"

"Just like you..."

Before he finished speaking, he fired another shot, piercing Zeng Zhifeng's other leg.

"Killing you would be as easy as turning my hand."

Zeng Zhifeng gritted his teeth and didn't shout this time, glaring at him with a ferocious expression:

"Forget about it, I won't tell you a single word!"

"Even if I die this time, you won't live more than a few days. I'll be waiting for you in the afterlife!"

Chen Yi shook his head and waved to Asutai beside him, saying, "He's yours now."

Asutai had been waiting for these words.

Enraged, Asutai punched Zeng Zhifeng in the face, then straddled him and punched him repeatedly.

I will kill you!

"revenge!"

"revenge!"

"..."

Zeng Zhifeng had lost all his cultivation and was powerless to fight back, so he simply stopped struggling and managed to say:

"You wait, you'll all, uh, you'll all die!"

"Master, Master will definitely..."

Before he could finish speaking, he was punched so hard by Asutai's furious fist that his face was covered in blood and his eyes burst open.

It's clear that there's little air intake and much air output.

About fifteen minutes later.

After Zeng Zhifeng had completely stopped breathing, Chen Yi patted Asutai, who was still waving his fist.

"Alright, you've gotten your revenge."

"Huff, huff..."

Asutai stopped and looked at the motionless Zeng Zhifeng before his rugged face returned to calm.

"Thank you very much."

"No need for thanks, I've already said that our relationship is a transaction."

"I'm asking you to kill him, and you'll have to do a few things for me."

"good!"

Seeing Asutai nod, Chen Yi said no more and smashed a bottle of Divine Intoxication, which spread throughout the quiet room.

"Remember your promise, I will come and wake you up again when I need you."

Asutai paused for a moment, and before he could say anything more, he fainted again.

Chen Yi used his Qi Observation Technique to look around and confirm that both he and Lü Jiunan were unconscious before tidying up and returning to the hall.

Pei Guanli, adjusting the mask on her face, asked:

"Brother-in-law, what were you saying to them just now? You..."

Before she could finish speaking, Chen Yi raised his hand to signal her to be quiet, turned his head to look outside the house, and frowned slightly.

"Someone's coming!"

(End of this chapter)