Just then, the satellite phone in Han Feng's pocket vibrated. The three characters "Lin Zhengguo" on the screen were particularly eye-catching in the night.
"Old Lin." Han Feng pressed the answer button, his voice regaining some of its usual gentleness.
Lin Zhengguo's distinctive, steady voice came from the other end of the phone: "What is the casualty situation?" The old general's first question was not about the battle results, but about the safety of the personnel, which warmed the hearts of the Rebellious Scale team members who had been listening intently.
"Zero casualties." Han Feng unconsciously traced the lingering warmth of the Star Mirror's energy with his fingertips. "I killed Nangong Wentian, and I captured Shangguan Ce."
There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the phone, followed by the sound of a lighter lighting a cigarette. "The Nangong family has, after all, been passed down for hundreds of years..." Lin Zhengguo took a deep drag on his cigarette, his tone complex, "Was the handling a bit...decisive?"
Han Feng looked up towards the ancestral land of the Nangong family, where it was slowly collapsing amidst the aftershocks of the stellar power. His voice was eerily calm: "The moment they chose to collude with external forces, they severed themselves from the ranks of ancient Chinese martial arts."
A night wind suddenly rose, carrying the smell of scorched earth that swept past everyone's clothes. On the other end of the phone, the sound of a cigarette butt being stubbed out sharply came from Lin Zhengguo's ashtray.
"What about the Shangguan family?" Lin Zhengguo suddenly asked.
\"kill.\"
The moment the word was uttered, dark clouds churned in the sky, and a bolt of lightning cleaved the night, illuminating Han Feng's profile like that of a demon. The members of the Reverse Scale Squad straightened their backs in unison, their eyes burning with fervent fighting spirit—they finally understood what kind of being they were following.
Dongfang Lin snapped his folding fan shut, his expression solemn as if he were on a pilgrimage: "At three-quarters past Chen hour, one hundred elite guards of the Dongfang family will await orders here."
Zhang Jingcheng's aged voice carried a long-lost fierceness: "The seventy-two disciples of the Zhang family have received the imperial edict."
On the other end of the phone, Lin Zhengguo let out a long sigh: "The action plan is in the third drawer on the left of my desk." This was tacit approval, but also a trust. "Be careful."
Han Feng put away his phone and gently stroked the Star Mirror Mark with his fingertips. Three ancient runes lit up simultaneously, projecting a magnificent star map into the night sky—the route to the Shangguan family, and the prelude to the final battle.
The flames on the ruins of the Nangong family gradually died down. Han Feng stood in the center of the dilapidated courtyard, the power of the stars flowing steadily within his body, as if the crushing battle just now was merely a warm-up.
"Everyone, get some rest tonight." He looked around at everyone, his voice steady and powerful. "Tomorrow morning, we'll head straight for the Shangguan family."
Dongfang Lin dusted off non-existent dust from his body: "Don't worry, Star Lord, this old body of mine can still keep up the good work."
Zhang Jingcheng had already begun checking the equipment: "The people from Longyuan will arrive in half an hour and will take care of the 'traces' here." He glanced meaningfully at the spot where Nangong Wentian had disappeared, where only a small clump of blue crystal powder remained.
The group gradually left the ruins, searching for a suitable place to rest. Han Feng walked to a relatively intact corridor, took out his phone, and dialed that familiar number.
"Hello?" Liu Mengran's voice came through the microphone, with Su Wanwan's chattering questions in the background.
"I'm not going back tonight, things aren't finished yet." Han Feng unconsciously softened his tone.
"Are you alright?" Liu Mengran keenly sensed something. "You sound a little tired."
Su Wanwan snatched the phone: "Hey! Did you get into another fight? Are you hurt?"
Han Feng's lips curled into a slight smile as he leaned against a weathered pillar: "It's nothing, just some trivial matters. You should all get some rest; we might have to do more tomorrow..."
He suddenly stopped talking, not wanting them to worry about tomorrow's operation.
"What else do you want?" Su Wanwan persisted. "Han Feng, stop trying to fool us! The news just reported a minor earthquake in the southern suburbs. Was that your doing? Where's Sister Wantang?"
Han Feng sighed—this girl's intuition was always frighteningly accurate. Just as he was choosing his words, Liu Mengran answered the phone: "Be careful, we...we'll wait for you to come back."
Those few simple words warmed Han Feng's heart. Just as he was about to reply, a soft "pop" sound came from the receiver, as if someone had quickly kissed the microphone, and then the call was disconnected.
Han Feng stared blankly at his phone for a few seconds, his ears inexplicably burning. This wasn't like what Liu Mengran usually did. Could it be that girl Su Wanwan...?
"They must be very worried about you."
A soft female voice came from beside her; Dongfang Wantang was already standing by the pillar. Moonlight shone on her porcelain-white face, outlining her classical beauty even more exquisitely. A night breeze blew, lifting a few strands of her hair, and the white jade hairpin in her hair gleamed with a warm light.
Han Feng put away his phone and smiled: "Yeah, always worrying about nothing."
Dongfang Wantang watched him quietly, noticing that the stars in his eyes softened slightly when he mentioned the person on the other end of the phone. For some reason, a strange, bittersweet feeling welled up inside her.
"Why don't you go back and rest first?" Han Feng looked at her slightly pale face. "You probably weren't used to today's scene."
Dongfang Wantang gently shook her head, her jade-like fingers unconsciously tracing the edge of the astrolabe: "I said I would assist you, how could I back down at the last minute?" She paused, then suddenly blurted out, "Anyway, I'll stay by your side and not go anywhere else."
She froze as soon as she finished speaking. Her tone sounded like a coquettish plea, completely out of character for her usual dignified demeanor. A blush quickly spread from her neck to her earlobes, becoming unmistakable under Yue Hanfeng's gaze.
"I...I mean..." Dongfang Wantang turned around in a panic, "I'm going to check tomorrow's route!"
Han Feng stood there, stunned, watching the graceful figure hurry away, her wide sleeves fluttering like butterflies in the night wind. He scratched his head, momentarily unable to understand why this usually aloof astrologer had suddenly lost her composure.
Beneath an ancient tree in the distance, Dongfang Lin took in the entire scene. The old man stroked his beard, his wrinkled face beaming with a smile, looking just like a cunning old fox who had just stolen a chicken.
"Tsk tsk, old devil Dongfang." Zhang Jingcheng nudged his old friend with his elbow, having appeared out of nowhere. "What's with that lewd look on your face?"
"Go away!" Dongfang Lin feigned anger, flicking his sleeve, but couldn't hide the smugness in his eyes. "I'm just relieved! My Wan Tang has been pure and abstinent since childhood, and now she finally..."
Zhang Jingcheng followed his gaze and suddenly realized: "Oh—you've taken a fancy to the Star Lord?" He teased, "What are you up to, you old codger?"
Dongfang Lin snorted, his eyes flashing with a sharp light: "The Star Soul Lord is destined by Heaven; what's wrong with having a few more confidantes by his side? My Wan Tang is both beautiful and talented, and possesses rare astrological divination abilities. She and the Star Lord are a match made in heaven!"
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