The moon hung over the willow branches, above the Huang family estate.
Two Qi Condensation stage guards stood bored at the main gate, chatting, completely unaware of the shadowy gust of wind that had just flashed by.
To be frank, the Huang family also understood that the guards at the main gate were fine for keeping out ordinary people, but if faced with a Foundation Establishment expert, they were practically useless decorations. Therefore, the Huang family’s real defense had never been these guards, but the defensive grand array that enveloped the entire Huang estate.
From a shadowy corner, Lin Huanhuan whispered, “The Huang family’s defensive array is called the Minor Heavenly Dipper Array. It’s both offensive and defensive, and can sense unfamiliar auras. It’s an auxiliary type, capable of withstanding an expert at the late Foundation Establishment stage for the time it takes half an incense stick to burn. Even a peak Foundation Establishment expert trying to infiltrate would be discovered.”
“Before, I was puzzled why the Huang family would deploy such a support-oriented array in their own headquarters. But thinking they are demonic path spies, it immediately made sense. They’re probably worried about someone infiltrating and discovering their core secrets.”
“However, no matter how much they guard against it, they certainly never imagined a traitor would appear in their own ranks.”
A token appeared in Lin Huanhuan’s hand. She chuckled and said, “This Huang family disciple identity token was provided by their own people. It can greatly reduce the array’s wariness towards us. Combined with your aura-concealing technique, as long as we don’t make a big commotion, we basically won’t be discovered.”
Bai Lingfeng smiled and nodded, praising, “Indeed. Luckily you chose to bring me along, otherwise it probably wouldn’t have gone so smoothly.”
Now that they had successfully infiltrated the Huang estate, they needed to think about where to investigate first. Large amounts of flesh and blood could sometimes emit a strong smell of blood. Even if it could be concealed with arrays or other methods, it would have to be indoors and as airtight as possible.
According to the intelligence provided by Huang Huasheng, there were two such areas within the Huang estate: the warehouse and the basement.
Although the basement was more likely, considering the warehouse had stricter security, it wasn’t impossible for the Huang family to use a ‘steal a bell by covering one’s ears’ tactic. So, they decided to investigate the warehouse first. If they found nothing, they would then infiltrate the basement.
Arriving at the Huang family warehouse, the security here was indeed strict. Just the main entrance had seven or eight guards on duty, each one alert and sharp-eyed, clearly elites.
However, it wasn’t completely without flaws. After waiting for about half an hour, Lin Huanhuan and Bai Lingfeng keenly seized the gap during a shift change, transforming into a sword light and a gentle breeze to slip inside the warehouse.
Lin Huanhuan smiled confidently. “It wasn’t that hard to infiltrate after all. A mere Huang family, practically effortless!”
The warehouse was piled with ordinary items. No smell of blood was detected. It seemed they had come to the wrong place; the target wasn’t here.
Bai Lingfeng scanned the somewhat empty warehouse, scratching his head in confusion. “Is this just a surface-level warehouse? Why is there so little inside? It looks like there aren’t even a thousand spirit stones. Is this really the Huang family’s warehouse?”
Lin Huanhuan smiled, roughly understanding the reason, and explained, “Do you remember during the day, the Huang family compensated us a full seven thousand spirit stones? They probably took it from this warehouse, nearly emptying it out. That’s why it seems so vacant.”
“That makes sense,” Bai Lingfeng nodded.
Since what they were looking for wasn’t here, naturally they had no reason to linger. As for the things in the warehouse, they didn’t touch them. Firstly, there wasn’t much inside, and secondly, they were worried about alerting the enemy.
But just as they stepped into the courtyard, the voice of the Huang family head came from not far away. Lin Huanhuan and Bai Lingfeng exchanged a glance and hid in the shadows behind a flower bed.
“That brother of yours is going to be the death of me!”
The Huang family head and the Huang family young master walked slowly over. The family head angrily scolded, “Didn’t I usually just pay a little less attention to him? How could he be so stupid?”
“He actually wanted me to kill Lin Huanhuan on the street! Is he crazy, or am I crazy? Asking me to kill the daughter of the Lin family head—that’s the direct descendant of a Golden Core expert!”
“What kind of existence is the Lin family? Usually, they’re just called an affiliated family of the Lingyun Sect, but who doesn’t know the real situation? Using the analogy of a secular dynasty, at the very least, the Lin family is a regional governor. At most, they’re practically a feudal lord!”
“Unlike our Foundation Establishment families, the Lin family’s territory is on the edge of the Lingyun Sect’s jurisdiction, guarding the border for the sect. This means the Lin family can switch sides at any time. If something happened to Lin Huanhuan here, the Lingyun Sect would turn Weiyang City upside down in less than half an hour!”
“This isn’t a secret; it’s common knowledge! How could he be so stupid? How did I end up with such a foolish son!” The Huang family head spoke with a tone of bitter disappointment.
Naturally, Bai Lingfeng heard all of this. He glanced at the girl beside him with some surprise. He hadn’t specifically investigated Lin Huanhuan, so he naturally didn’t know her background was this formidable.
Earlier during the confrontation on the street, hearing the onlookers quietly gossip about him being a kept man, he had felt somewhat indignant, thinking he would prove himself sooner or later. Now he understood what was going on.
Lin Huanhuan gave a silly smile. After all, she was the original story’s villainous rival. If her background wasn’t strong enough, how would she be qualified to compete with Bai Lingfeng for women? Though that wasn’t needed now.
Not far away, the conversation between the Huang father and son continued.
“Father, please calm your anger. Though he was useless, he was still a member of our Huang family. Since he’s already been dealt with, it’s best not to get angry over him, lest you harm your health.”
“That’s true. Ah, right, I almost forgot to ask. How was the handling?”
“Rest assured, Father. On the way to the Lingyun Sect, he was attacked and silenced by demonic path fiends. He’s been completely eliminated.”
“That’s good.”
“By the way, has that thing been fed today?”
“It has been fed. Since Father entrusted such an important matter to me, how could I dare delay? Naturally, I keep it in mind day and night, never daring to be negligent.”
“That thing is almost ready for harvest. We absolutely must not reduce the supply, or all our previous efforts will be wasted.”
“Sigh, you truly do put me at ease. It’s a pity that after those demonic path people arrived, I’ve been busy helping them all day. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have to put so many burdens on your shoulders. You’ve suffered.”
Their figures gradually faded into the distance. Only then did Lin Huanhuan and Bai Lingfeng emerge from the shadows.
A thoughtful look appeared in Lin Huanhuan’s eyes. “Feeding something… Generally, things that need to eat human flesh are powerful demonic beasts. Could it be a powerful demonic beast cub?”