On the Path to Immortality, Mastering a Hundred Arts Chapter Twenty: Hidden Agendas

“Word has it that Master Shandan brought back a Liwood fruit for the Spirit Plant Hall a few days ago. Might you sell it to me? I’m willing to pay handsomely,” Murong Bubo stated his intention plainly.

“Brother Bubo, where did you hear such rumors?” Li Feng replied.

“Master Shandan, you have a keen sense of humor. Whether it’s true or not, could you part with it for a good price?” Murong Bubo pressed.

Li Feng underestimated this man’s tactics. There must be a spy from the other side inside the Spirit Plant Hall, possibly even aware of Hong Ling’s previous imperial identity. If that were true, it would be wise to escape early to avoid trouble.

“Brother Bubo, if you don’t believe me, feel free to search me. If you find a Liwood fruit, you may have it for free,” Li Feng stood up, feigning irritation.

“Master Shandan, don’t be angry. I was deceived by a scoundrel who misled me into thinking you had the Liwood fruit on you.” Murong Bubo pulled him back to his seat and apologized profusely.

“Bring that gossiping scoundrel here; I want to confront him face to face.”

“Master, calm down. Let’s not talk about the Liwood fruit.” Murong Bubo poured himself a drink and downed it in one gulp to show his apology.

“Actually, the Murong family has admired Master Shandan for a long time and wishes to invite you to join our clan, sincerely honoring you.”

“So it turns out you want me to switch allegiance to the Murong family?” Li Feng returned the Luo Shan herb and prepared to exchange pleasantries before agreeing. Why not benefit from both sides?

Murong Bubo hadn’t anticipated this and felt a tinge of regret. First-tier superior alchemists were highly sought after; recruiting one into the Murong family would significantly boost the clan’s growth.

After some thought, Li Feng said, “The Spirit Plant Hall has shown me great kindness. To bear the slander of betrayal would be too great a price.”

“In that case, I shall not insist,” Murong Bubo said with an understanding expression but was already plotting how to eliminate Li Feng. The Murong family’s plan to expand their pharmaceutical business in the workshop district couldn’t bypass the Spirit Plant Hall. If Li Feng refused, then death was the only option.

Unaware of Murong Bubo’s intentions, Li Feng was vexed. He had hinted so clearly about the cost, yet Murong Bubo showed no sign of understanding. He regretted not accepting the offer outright, especially since adding a bit more investment wasn’t difficult. Securing the herbal grass was paramount, as it concerned his lifespan.

Three days passed swiftly.

After sending Li Feng away, the owner of the Fu Man Pavilion returned upstairs.

“Young Master, Master Shandan hesitated earlier. I think we can try to sway him again.”

Murong Bubo’s face turned cold. He had never stooped so low before.

“Our family has a stable supply of medicines. Once this man is eliminated, the Spirit Plant Hall will no longer pose a threat.”

The owner hesitated. “Alchemists have extensive connections; I fear complications could bring trouble to the family. The decision should be left to the patriarch.”

“I said kill him outright! Do you take me, the Young Master, seriously?” Murong Bubo drew a small yellow flag and invoked its power. The owner writhed in pain like being cut by knives, rolling on the ground, then kowtowed in apology. “You’re right, Young Master. Cutting off the Spirit Plant Hall’s roots will stop their stirrings. I’ll send men immediately.”

Returning to the Spirit Plant Hall, Li Feng discreetly observed Uncle Fu for a while but found nothing unusual. Besides Hong Ling, only Uncle Fu knew about the Liwood fruit, making him the prime suspect.

Choosing a moment, Li Feng summoned Hong Ling to reveal the situation, emphasizing his suspicion of Uncle Fu.

Though surprised that news of the Liwood fruit had leaked, Hong Ling remained resolute. “Uncle Fu is a senior of the Tianqi clan. If he betrayed us, I wouldn’t be alive today. It must be a staff member inside the hall.”

“I will assign people to investigate. The Murong family’s influence in Qingling Workshop District is considerable. For now, we must stay vigilant,” Li Feng warned. “I’m worried your Tianqi royal identity might be exposed.”

“No, the Spirit Plant Hall hires all its staff externally. We have measures to prevent that,” Hong Ling assured.

Li Feng breathed a sigh of relief. He feared not the Murong family’s attacks but exposure of the Tianqi clan, which could draw the attention of the Guoyuan royal family or the Tianhe Sect.

“Thank you, Daoist Li,” Hong Ling said.

Had Li Feng joined the Murong family, the Tianqi clan would have faced annihilation. Thankfully, he did not.

Unconsciously, Hong Ling’s trust in him deepened.

“I understand the saying: when the lips are gone, the teeth feel the cold,” Li Feng uttered insincerely, still regretting not keeping the Luo Shan herb. If he could start over, he would have accepted Murong Bubo’s offer without hesitation. Securing the rare herb was above all else.

Three days later, Hong Ling reported that the Murong family’s spy had been found—a staff member inside the Spirit Plant Hall who had been bribed long ago.

The spy overheard conversations on the day Li Feng brought back the Liwood fruit, causing the leak.

Li Feng paid no mind to the open and covert struggles between the Spirit Plant Hall and the Murong family. He had prepared all the talismans, pills, and formations and was ready to depart immediately.

At that moment, inside a tavern, Murong Bubo received news that Li Feng had left Anhe City.

“Remember to wait until he’s far away before acting. Be swift and decisive. No one must suspect the Murong family,” he instructed.

The Fu Man Pavilion owner pounded his chest in assurance. “Young Master, rest assured. We’ve deployed ten Qi-refining stage eight cultivators, even able to hold their own against Foundation Establishment cultivators. We will eliminate him silently.”

After leaving the city, Li Feng traveled nonstop toward the Great Ten Thousand Mountains.

About a hundred miles in, he stopped by a dense forest.

“Come out now. You’ve been guarding me long enough; aren’t you tired?” Li Feng said, gazing into the woods.

The surroundings were silent except for the rustling leaves.

Confident in his senses, Li Feng drew a fire talisman and tossed it into the forest.

Instantly, flames soared.

The hidden assassins, trapped and exposed, had no choice but to reveal themselves.

“Kid, you’re unlucky to meet us. Hand over your valuables,” one sneered.

Li Feng smiled disdainfully. “The Murong family’s lackeys are so transparent, pretending to be rogue cultivators. At least try to be professional.”

The Fu Man Pavilion owner was stunned that Li Feng saw through their identities so easily.

“Enough talk! Attack!” Ten Qi-refining stage eight cultivators wielded weapons and surged forward with overwhelming force.

Li Feng swiftly produced a stack of one hundred first-tier superior lightning talismans.

When activated together, it was the equivalent of a hundred Qi-refining stage nine lightning cultivators striking with full power.

Crackling sounds filled the air.

Seconds later, scorched bodies littered the ground.

“Hmph. If I hadn’t run a simulation earlier, I might have fallen into your trap,” Li Feng said as he lifted one attacker’s mask, rubbing off the soot to reveal the Fu Man Pavilion owner’s face.