Martial Arts Overlord-Chapter 431 - 429: The Wedding Toast

Chapter 431: Chapter 429: The Wedding Toast
"Huh, these are actually second-tier Yuan Stones."
A look of surprise flashed in Yao Qing’s beautiful eyes as she saw the jade box in Luo Feng’s hand; she seemed somewhat taken aback.
The middle-aged martial artist, whose position in the Black Wind Camp was second only to the three leaders, knew many secrets. Seeing Luo Feng’s cold jade box, he explained, "These few second-tier Yuan Stones were obtained by Black Wind Wolf after he killed a dying Spiritual Rotation Realm expert. He planned to use them for his own breakthrough to the Spiritual Rotation Realm."
At this point, the middle-aged martial artist seemed to recall something dreadful, a trace of fear crossing his face as he continued, "Speaking of which, that Spiritual Rotation Realm expert was truly terrifying. Even at his last gasp, he still managed to kill dozens of us before dying!"
Luo Feng smiled faintly.
The Spiritual Rotation Realm is a critical leap for a martial artist, like a carp leaping over the dragon gate. How could the power of such an expert be underestimated?
Yao Qing looked up at Luo Feng and said with a smile, "You’ve reached the late stage of the Ninth Heaven of the Heavenly Court Realm. These second-tier Yuan Stones are perfect for your cultivation."
"I do indeed need these second-tier Yuan Stones, so I won’t stand on ceremony."
Luo Feng put away the cold jade box. He was confident he could attempt to break through to the Spiritual Rotation Realm within half a year. With these second-tier Yuan Stones, the process would be much smoother.
Hearing this, Yao Qing pursed her rosy lips and said, "All the treasures in this secret chamber belong to you. You don’t need to thank me."
"Huh?"
Luo Feng was taken aback and asked, "You’re giving all these treasures to me?"
"Yes." Yao Qing nodded earnestly.
The three leaders of the Black Wind Camp were all killed by Luo Feng. She knew very well that if it weren’t for him, not only herself but no one from the Shangfeng Security Escort would have survived today. Naturally, she wouldn’t claim these treasures.
Luo Feng looked at Yao Qing, understanding her intentions. He turned, waved his hand, and stored the several boxes of Yuan Stones into his storage ring, then said slowly, "I only need these Yuan Stones."
Yao Qing looked at Luo Feng, her brows slightly furrowed as she shook her head. "I don’t need them. I already owe you a lot..."
Luo Feng raised a hand, interrupting her. "Many people died or were injured during this escort. You need to take care of their families, and that’s a hefty expense. The Shangfeng Escort Agency probably can’t produce that much silver at the moment, right?"
Yao Qing’s face paled slightly. As Luo Feng said, far too many people had died or been injured on this escort mission. Caring for their families would require a substantial sum.
Moreover, after her father’s escorted goods were robbed last time, the Escort Agency had to pay a large sum in compensation. For the Shangfeng Escort Agency, it was a devastating blow. These treasures could indeed help them overcome this crisis.
"But..." Biting her lower lip, Yao Qing stared blankly at Luo Feng, her eyes filled with complex emotions.
"No buts." Luo Feng shook his head.
For him, the value of the second-tier Yuan Stones far surpassed all the other treasures in this secret chamber.
Glancing at the treasures in the chamber, Luo Feng turned back to Yao Qing and smiled. "Even if I agreed, I wouldn’t be able to carry all these things."
A blush spread across Yao Qing’s pretty face. She suddenly huffed, a hint of a pout in her voice, "You’re the one who doesn’t want them. I’m not going to thank you."
Luo Feng touched his nose and smiled faintly, not minding her words.
Although they hadn’t known each other long, he had a good impression of everyone in the Shangfeng Escort Agency. Uncle Lu, Captain Fang, and the members of the advance party had all taken good care of him along the way.
This was his small way of repaying their kindness.
"Let’s go. We’ll call the others down to move these treasures up," Luo Feng said, taking the lead out of the secret chamber.
Watching Luo Feng’s retreating figure, Yao Qing was momentarily lost in thought. After a moment, she pressed her lips together and followed him.
All the dangers in the tunnel had been destroyed by Luo Feng. Their return journey was considerably faster, and they soon reached the entrance.
As Luo Feng emerged from the tunnel, he turned back to see Yao Qing looking at him and said, "Chief Escort."
"Ah!" Startled, Yao Qing’s face flushed slightly. She forced herself to calm down and asked Luo Feng, "What is it?"
Luo Feng didn’t notice anything unusual about Yao Qing’s expression and said, "I’m afraid I can’t accompany you to Green Wood City."
Upon hearing this, Yao Qing’s expression changed subtly. She asked nonchalantly, "Why? Can’t stand me, the Chief Escort?"
Her gaze seemed calm, but her hands, hidden behind her back, were clenched tightly as she awaited Luo Feng’s answer.
"No." Luo Feng shook his head, about to explain, when suddenly, angry roars erupted from the direction of the plaza.
"Stop! Who are you!"
The voice was loud, and everyone heard it clearly.
"Something’s happened! Let’s go!" Luo Feng frowned. As he spoke, his figure flickered and he dashed towards the square.
Yao Qing and the other three martial artists followed closely behind.
「A moment later」
They arrived at the plaza.
The atmosphere in the plaza was tense. Two groups of people faced each other, weapons drawn.
"Sir! These people suddenly charged into the stronghold and injured several of our brothers!" a Black Wind Camp martial artist exclaimed, pointing at the opposing group with a murderous look in his eyes.
"Feng Luo! Miss! Are you alright?"
A familiar voice sounded, and a figure clad in armor walked out from the opposing group. It was Captain Fang.
"You mountain bandits, release our young lady! Otherwise, we’ll show you the might of the Shangfeng Escort Agency!" Seeing Yao Qing standing with several Black Wind Camp bandits, Captain Fang’s expression turned cold, and a chilling aura erupted from him.
"Captain Fang, you’ve misunderstood." Luo Feng sighed in relief, then waved to the Black Wind Camp martial artists. "Lower your weapons. They’re friends."
Hearing this, all the Black Wind Camp martial artists obediently lowered their weapons.
"Friends?" Captain Fang looked bewildered.
"Uncle Fang, it’s like this." Yao Qing walked over and briefly recounted what had happened with her and Luo Feng at the Black Wind Camp.
Although he hadn’t witnessed it himself, Yao Qing’s account made Captain Fang’s heart pound. His gaze shifted repeatedly as he looked at Luo Feng, a new understanding dawning.
The other members of the Shangfeng Escort Agency also stared at Luo Feng in shock, their mouths agape.
After Yao Qing finished her explanation, the plaza remained eerily silent.
They had been worried that Luo Feng and Yao Qing would be outnumbered at the Black Wind Camp, so they had risked their lives to come. They never expected such an astonishing turn of events.
Black Wind Wolf, the leader, and an elder from the Duanmu Family had both been killed by Luo Feng!
This news was like a bolt from the blue, shaking Captain Fang and the others to their core.
After a long moment, Captain Fang finally let out a slow breath, patted Luo Feng on the shoulder, and said sincerely, "Thank you!"
The other members of the Shangfeng Escort Agency also looked at him with gratitude.
Luo Feng touched his nose and laughed. "I was hired by the Shangfeng Escort Agency, so protecting the escorted goods is my responsibility. You’re all making me feel quite embarrassed."
"HA HA HA..."
Laughter filled the plaza. These escorts were all rough, straightforward men and couldn’t stand such an overly sentimental scene.
Captain Fang waved his hand and laughed. "In that case, I won’t be a stranger! Once we reach Green Wood City, we’ll have a good drink!"
"Yeah, we won’t stop until we’re drunk!"
"Feng Luo, I might not be as strong as you, but when it comes to drinking capacity, you’ll probably have to concede defeat!"
"The Chief Escort and Feng Luo bravely entered the Black Wind Camp; that’s a shared life-and-death experience! We must have a celebratory drink for that."
"That’s a good suggestion..."
With the crisis averted, everyone was overjoyed, and their conversation grew relaxed. A few bawdy jokes made Yao Qing blush, but surprisingly, she didn’t rebuke them.
"Captain Fang, I’m afraid I can’t go to Green Wood City with you." Luo Feng’s words instantly silenced the crowd.
Yao Qing pressed her lips together tightly, the smile at the corners of her mouth freezing.
Captain Fang frowned slightly, looked at Luo Feng, and asked, "Why? Aren’t you heading towards Green Wood Peak? We’re going the same way."
"Uncle Fang, since he wants to leave, just let him. He’s so powerful, of course he wouldn’t want us to slow him down," Yao Qing interjected, her tone feigning annoyance but sounding more like a pout.
Luo Feng paid no mind to Yao Qing’s words. He glanced at Cangxuan’s corpse nearby and said, "Captain Fang, if the Duanmu Family were to find out what happened here and its connection to the Shangfeng Escort Agency, what do you think would happen?"
Captain Fang’s expression changed.
Based on what happened before, it was clear the Black Wind Camp had intricate ties with the Duanmu Family.
Especially Cangxuan; as an elder of the Duanmu Family, his status was significant. If the Duanmu Family discovered the Shangfeng Escort Agency’s involvement in this matter, their people would likely come knocking within a day!
Captain Fang pondered for a moment, then looked at Luo Feng and said gravely, "Are you planning to take full responsibility for everything?"
"Correct." Luo Feng nodded. In three days, it would be Duanmu Xiao’s fortieth birthday—the day he intended to have his showdown with the Duanmu Family.
This way, he could kill two birds with one stone: protect the escort team and also gauge the Duanmu Family’s reaction.
The plaza erupted in an uproar as soon as Luo Feng finished speaking.
No one had expected Luo Feng to shoulder all the blame himself.
Yao Qing stood to the side, her face slightly flushed, lost in thought.
She hadn’t expected this to be Luo Feng’s reason for leaving the escort team.
"Feng Luo, have you thought this through? If you do this, you’ll become an eternal enemy of the Duanmu Family. This is no small matter!" Captain Fang was stunned by Luo Feng’s decision.
To think there was such an audacious person in the world!
Luo Feng sneered inwardly. His feud with the Duanmu Family was already to the death; one more incident or one less was inconsequential.
"I’m naturally aware of the consequences, but this is the best option right now. Besides, Black Wind Wolf and Cangxuan were indeed killed by me. Rest assured, once I leave Black Wind Ridge, even if it’s the Six Great Families, killing me won’t be an easy task," Luo Feng said confidently.
Captain Fang knew Luo Feng spoke the truth. He reached out and clapped Luo Feng heavily on the shoulder. "You’re the most outstanding escort I’ve ever met! If you ever get the chance, come visit the Shangfeng Escort Agency, and I’ll treat you to a good drink!"
"Mm. Definitely!" Luo Feng clasped his fists and said, "Delays can bring unforeseen problems. You should all leave here as soon as possible. I’ll take my leave now."
Just as Luo Feng was about to depart, Captain Fang glanced meaningfully at the silent Yao Qing and suddenly said, "Miss, I still need to organize our men. Could you see Feng Luo off for me?"
Yao Qing glanced at Luo Feng, a strange glint in her beautiful eyes. She bit her lip and walked ahead, saying, "Let’s go."