Chapter 62: The Clown Melts Down

The treatment enjoyed by the Brocade Guards was far superior to that of the vast majority of the imperial court's military generals.

Aside from the standardized uniforms, anyone holding the rank of Centurion and above was equipped with armor. Furthermore, Crimson Lotus possessed certain privileges that enabled her to secure a set of form-fitting soft armor for Xu Feng.

Wearing it in combat did not hinder his movements in the slightest, and it provided a manifold increase in his sense of security.

In addition to these provisions, Xu Feng had also prepared a signal flare, resembling a firework. Once launched into the sky, the Brocade Guards would receive the news at the very first moment and spring into action.

"Are you certain you want to handle this alone? If worst comes to worst, I can accompany you."

"The Brocade Guards share a common destiny of glory and disgrace; don't treat us like outsiders."

Upon learning of Xu Feng's intention to act entirely by himself, Crimson Lotus hurriedly tried to dissuade him. She was well aware of Xu Feng's strength, yet she remained apprehensive that he might fall into Zuo Jincheng's schemes.

"Rest assured, I have arranged for other helpers; absolutely no unexpected mishaps will occur. All you need to do is arrange for your people to wait for my signal, and at that time, strike directly at Song Heng, the master of the Sword Wind Mountain's External Affairs Hall."

Xu Feng waved his hand to indicate that she need not worry.

Sword Wind Mountain could be considered a colossal entity within the pugilistic world, boasting numerous formidable experts within its sect. Even though Xu Feng had gathered intelligence beforehand, there was no guarantee whether Zuo Jincheng might have invited martial arts comrades to come and lend assistance.

According to Crimson Lotus's vision, they should directly lead a massive army of Brocade Guards to crush the enemy, leaving them with no way to fly and escape.

"Are you worried about your sister-in-law? How is it that you've only just parted ways with her elder sister, yet you are already plotting against her younger sibling?"

"What kind of joke is that? The little girl isn't even fully grown yet, how could I possibly harbor any ideas about her? She previously showed me a measure of grace, so it is only natural that I cannot return kindness with enmity and leave her safety and well-being unheeded."

No matter what Crimson Lotus said, Xu Feng remained resolute in his decision to go alone.

If he failed to follow Zuo Jincheng's instructions and instead brought a massive force of Brocade Guards along, it would inevitably drive the opponent into a desperate corner, and whether Feng Yumian could return alive by then would become a serious question.

The Brocade Guards still presented too large a target, and the slightest movement would alert the enemy.

Going there by himself was the safer option.

"Very well, then be careful. If you encounter danger, remember to send up the signal early. I will arrange two separate groups of people."

"I will personally lead the first group to capture Song Heng, while the second group will be left for you, to prepare for any contingencies. Upon seeing your signal, both groups will move out simultaneously."

Crimson Lotus's consideration was quite thorough, though in Xu Feng's view, there was no need to go through such troublesome preparations.

Possessing the Human Emperor Banner, he was certainly not fighting alone; a vast horde of ghostly minions served as his assistants. As long as Zuo Jincheng lacked the ability to ride the clouds and mount the mists, he would never be able to escape the palm of his hand.

Besides, the secrets of the Human Emperor Banner could not be exposed before the eyes of others.

This had nothing to do with trust; if Crimson Lotus were to accidentally let slip a word, the consequences for him would be fatal.

The discussion concluded, and Xu Feng departed by himself.

Before setting out, he even brought along the distinct ghost-face mask he had worn when previously masquerading as the Ghost-Faced Man abroad. He wanted to give Zuo Jincheng a minor shock, one way or another.

The courtyard in the outskirts was brightly lit.

Shadows flickered within the woods outside, and the positions of all the ambushers remained largely unchanged.

Everything was under control.

Without a single shred of hesitation, Xu Feng walked right in with a swaggering stride.

Before long, someone hurried off to report to Zuo Jincheng.

"Young Master, that fellow surnamed Xu has arrived."

"Are you certain he is alone? Have the Brocade Guards made any moves?"

Hearing this, a gleam of light flashed in Zuo Jincheng's eyes. He had finally waited for him.

"Rest assured, Young Master, I watched with my own eyes as that brat left the city. From beginning to end, he has been completely by himself with no outsiders whatsoever. Furthermore, our own brothers are keeping watch over the garrison post; if the Brocade Guards made any moves, they would certainly report it first."

The disciple responsible for the surveillance spoke with absolute confidence.

"Good. Brothers, success or failure hinges upon this single endeavor. Today, he must not be allowed to return alive."

"My Sword Wind Mountain is not so easily trifled with, not even if he puts on the imperial court's dog skin."

Zuo Jincheng was eager to rush out immediately and dispose of Xu Feng, but a shred of reason remained within him. He knew his identity could not be exposed—at least, not until Xu Feng was dealt with, he must not let him realize the truth.

Feng Yumian was bound tightly inside the room. Listening to the commotion outside, anxiety surged within her heart.

The young girl was not old, yet she was exceptionally clever.

Though she had recognized Zuo Jincheng, she had not exposed his identity during all these days of being tied up here.

For she knew that once Zuo Jincheng realized she had recognized him, her life would undoubtedly be in grave peril. What Feng Yumian had not expected, however, was that Zuo Jincheng's kidnapping of her was not only aimed at seizing the Feng family's estate, but also intended to use this opportunity to eliminate Xu Feng.

Listening to the conversation outside, Feng Yumian tried desperately to break free from the ropes binding her, only to find that no matter how hard she exerted her strength, the ropes remained completely motionless.

Driven to desperation, she could only endure the searing pain as she pressed the ropes binding her hands against a burning fire, attempting to free herself as quickly as possible so she could go and help Xu Feng.

No matter how much she usually despised Zuo Jincheng's petty and despicable facade, she was well aware of his background. As a core disciple of Sword Wind Mountain, his strength was definitely not to be underestimated.

Coupled with the fact that an ambush had long been set here, Xu Feng's trip was fraught with extraordinary danger.

"I have arrived. You can release the prisoner now."

Arriving outside the courtyard gates, Xu Feng strode boldly inside without the slightest reservation. The moment his feet touched the ground, more than a dozen skilled martial artists surrounded him.

"Oh? You've barely been an official for a few days and you're already putting on official airs? Anyone who didn't know better would think you were some high-ranking minister of the court, when in truth you're nothing more than a kept son-in-law living off another family. Now that you've flown up to the branches like a phoenix, you're actually trying to look the part."

Zuo Jincheng had always felt that Xu Feng had stolen his credit, and now that he had seized the opportunity, he naturally intended to mock and ridicule Xu Feng thoroughly.

He even deliberately altered his voice when speaking, precisely to prevent Xu Feng from recognizing him.

What made it even harder for Xu Feng to maintain his composure was that this fellow was actually wearing a mask identical to the Ghost-Faced Man's, presumably hoping to frighten him, completely unaware that the genuine article was standing right before his eyes.

"Naturally, I can't compare to you, Eunuch Zuo. Refusing to sleep in the middle of the night and playing 'cosplay' as the Ghost-Faced Man out here. I already knew you were despicable and shameless, but I never expected you to be so utterly base. Care to guess what would happen if the Feng family found out that Feng Yumian was kidnapped by you? Would they still treat you the way they used to?"

Xu Feng directly exposed his identity.

Things having reached this point, he couldn't be bothered to continue acting with the other party. The two sides were bound to fight to a decisive outcome, and neither would let the other go.

"You... What are you talking about? I don't understand."

A vague premonition of disaster stirred in Zuo Jincheng's heart. He could not fathom how his disguise, which he thought was flawless, had leaked a flaw somewhere.

"Stop pretending. Even if you changed your voice, I can still recognize it."

Seeing that concealment was no longer possible, Zuo Jincheng dropped all pretenses and completely tore away his mask of civility.

"So what if you've recognized me? Today, you are bound to die without a doubt."

"I'll grant you the clarity of a knowing ghost as a sign of my mercy."

With such glaring flaws appearing in the plan he took so much pride in, Zuo Jincheng broke down on the spot like a thwarted clown. He made a hand gesture toward the ambushers stationed all around, signaling them to prepare for action.