Volume 1, Chapter 28: The Death of Zhao Feng

The entire arena fell into a deathly silence. Everyone listened to Zhao Feng’s words in disbelief, convinced that their ears had deceived them.

"The Senior Brother is a spy sent by the Demon Sect? How is that possible?! How could the Senior Brother be such a person!"

"Exactly! The Senior Brother is usually such a kind person; he often helps us junior brothers. How could he be a disciple of the Demon Sect?"

"He has been in our sect for over a decade. How are we supposed to believe this?"

Even with Zhao Feng admitting his affiliation himself, the crowd could not bring themselves to believe it. Zhao Feng’s reputation within the Great Desolate Immortal Sect was absurdly high.

The one who found it most unimaginable was Wang Zide, who stood right before him. He had watched with his own eyes as the genius disciple he had poured his heart and soul into cultivating for over a decade declared himself a spy for the Demon Sect. At this moment, Wang Zide was dumbfounded; he had never imagined that the disciple he held in such high pride came from the very sect he despised the most.

Meanwhile, Lin Yang looked down at Wu Qingshan, whom he had pinned in his grasp, with a faint smile. "Peak Master Wu, so you were a member of the Demon Sect all along. No wonder you were so hostile toward Hongye."

Wu Qingshan regained his senses and tried to break free from Lin Yang’s palm, but found himself held fast, unable to move a muscle. Realizing escape was impossible, he gave up struggling. Consumed by resentment and rage, he lashed out at Zhao Feng:

"Zhao Feng! You piece of trash! You idiot! You ungrateful, heartless dog!"

"Back then... the sect should never have picked up a waste like you! If I had known you had no conscience, I should have let you rot in the pile of corpses."

Zhao Feng hung his head, silent, simply listening to Wu Qingshan’s vitriol. Only when Wu Qingshan finished did he finally look up.

"The Bloodthirsty Demon Sect gave me a second life and allowed me to exist in this world; I, Zhao Feng, have never dared to forget that."

"But after entering the Great Desolate Immortal Sect, I realized that I wasn't just existing—I was living as a human being, with dignity."

"I dare not forget the debt of saving my life, but I also dare not forget the debt of my upbringing. Taking the Yaksha Pill was my own choice, and what I do now is also my own choice."

Zhao Feng’s voice was steady and firm. Having made a decision, a flash of resolve crossed his eyes. With that, he suddenly snatched up his sword and drove it deep into his own heart.

*Thwack.*

The sharp Tianqi sword pierced through Zhao Feng’s heart. He spat out a mouthful of blood, his already despondent figure hunching over.

Blood splattered onto Wang Zide’s face. He stared at the scene with vacant eyes, his lips trembling. "Feng... Feng-er?"

Zhao Feng summoned his final breath, looking at Wang Zide with a complex expression. It contained a depth of emotion that Wang Zide would carry in his heart for years, though, even after a long time, he would never fully grasp its meaning. Zhao Feng seemed to want to say something, but only blood flowed from his lips. Finally, he bowed his head and lost all signs of life.

The Senior Brother of the Great Desolate Immortal Sect and a pawn of the Bloodthirsty Demon Sect—Zhao Feng’s identity was deeply intertwined. Yet, all the contradictions within him vanished the moment he died.

"Hahahaha... hahahahahahaha!!!" After Zhao Feng’s death, Wu Qingshan, knowing his own end was near, began to laugh wildly. His mocking laughter echoed through the sect as he shouted sharply:

"Zhao Feng died well! He deserved to die!"

"I never intended for him to live. I had planned to kill Lin Hongye and then, after defecting from the sect, kill that waste with my own hands."

"I didn't expect him to choose suicide... Since there is no way out for me, don't think any of you will survive either!"

With that, Wu Qingshan’s body began to swell rapidly, like a giant balloon, while terrifying black mist billowed from within him—clearly, he was about to self-destruct.

*Boom!*

Just as Wu Qingshan was about to detonate, a massive hand, blotting out the sky, descended upon him.

*Boom!*

The phantom of the giant hand struck, and Wu Qingshan was instantly crushed and obliterated, vanishing from the world. The one who had acted was none other than Zhang Xianfeng.

The suddenness of the event left everyone stunned. Zhang Xianfeng then stepped away from the sect master's seat and declared in a cold, stern voice:

"Zhao Feng, as the Senior Brother of the Great Desolate Immortal Sect, colluded with the Demon Sect and attempted to harm our sect."

"Fortunately, he repented in time and, by rooting out the other spies within the sect, has atoned for his crimes."

"Now that Zhao Feng has died to pay for his sins, let the past be buried. He remains the Senior Brother of the Great Desolate Immortal Sect."

Silence fell over the crowd. Everyone’s emotions were deeply complicated, and they all cast solemn, lingering gazes toward Zhao Feng’s corpse on the stage.

Wang Zide remained motionless, but his hair had rapidly turned white from the shock. Seeing this, Zhang Xianfeng sighed and waved his hand.

"This year’s sect tournament ends here. The winner is Lin Hongye."

"According to the agreement, Lin Hongye may choose to remain at Chiyang Peak, though she also has the right to choose any other main peak."

Lin Hongye regained her composure and bowed respectfully. "Many thanks, Sect Master."

Zhang Xianfeng nodded. "Very well. The tournament is over; everyone is dismissed."

With that, Zhang Xianfeng turned and left, and the others followed suit. Wang Zide stared at Zhao Feng’s body for a long moment, then pulled out the Tianqi sword, lifted the corpse, and returned to Sword Peak.

...

The three of them returned to Chiyang Peak in silence. No one spoke until they reached their destination.

Seeing Lin Hongye’s somber expression, Lin Yang spoke softly: "Do not blame yourself. Things reaching this point was Zhao Feng’s own choice."

"You did well enough; do not burden yourself with his death."

Lin Hongye shook her head. "That is not what I am thinking. I understand such a simple truth."

"I only feel pity for Zhao Feng. Only now do I understand why he said he had no choice."

Lu Chen sighed at these words. "Who would have thought that even the upper echelons of our Great Desolate Immortal Sect would harbor a mole."

"I knew that Wu Qingshan fellow was no good, but as for Zhao Feng..." Lu Chen paused, then continued, "Zhao Feng... he was at least a man. If I were in his position, it would have been just as difficult to choose."

Lin Yang stood up and looked into the distance, his eyes filled with gravity. For some reason, he felt as though a storm was brewing on the horizon.