Chapter 433: Chapter 432: Cause of Death
The people of the Duanmu Family left without a trace.
They didn’t play it smart by leaving behind spies to watch Yang Fei and Xu Jian’s movements, avoiding any clumsy actions that might provoke their anger.
With a casual push, Xu Jian brought Duanmu Cheng back into Ten Miles Pavilion.
The tea that was brewing was still bubbling away, but it was a pity that Duanmu Cheng was too arrogant, having only one teacup.
The three of them sat in the pavilion, and Yang Fei looked at Duanmu Cheng and said, "My name is Yang Fei."
Duanmu Cheng was startled, then his pupils suddenly shrank, "Yang Fei? Are you from the secular world?"
Yang Fei snorted, "You keep referring to the outside world as the secular world, does that mean you consider yourselves superior? May I ask if this is a place where immortals reside?"
Duanmu Cheng felt somewhat embarrassed by the comment, but the arrogance in his bones didn’t disappear as he said, "The Hidden Sect World is indeed higher than the outside world, where outstanding people and spiritual lands are found, and cultivation resources are abundant, nothing like what the outside world can compare to."
Xu Jian nodded and said, "You’re right about that. Ever since I entered this place, even this withered body of mine seems to have more vitality. Besides, my Divine Soul intentions seem to be sharper here, making it easier to manipulate the Heaven and Earth Power in this space."
Yang Fei had felt the same way and nodded. He looked at Duanmu Cheng and said, "I can’t deny that this place is indeed more suitable for those who practice cultivation to reside in, but if you feel superior just because of this, you are gravely mistaken. Just like you said, here you are Mr. Four of the Duanmu Family, a person of high status and power, but if you were outside, there are countless ways to kill you."
Duanmu Cheng wasn’t completely ignorant about the outside world and nodded, "I understand, but weapons are strictly controlled in the outside world, and not just anyone has the power to kill a strong martial artist."
Yang Fei waved his hand, "I didn’t come here to discuss this with you."
Duanmu Cheng took a deep breath and looked at Yang Fei, "Are you really Yang Fei?"
Yang Fei nodded, "Genuine and guaranteed."
Duanmu Cheng looked at Yang Fei with a complex expression and after a long pause, he eked out, "Actually, we are relatives."
Yang Fei flashed a grin, "It seems my name is very familiar to you all, and you’ve gotten a clear picture of my background, haven’t you?"
Duanmu Cheng nodded, "Yes, ever since you foiled Zhang Wenfeng, your name has spread throughout the Hidden Sect. Especially after the recent leak of your identity as a disciple of Fatty Taoist, all eight great forces of the Hidden Sect World came to know of your existence."
Yang Fei’s expression remained unchanged, having anticipated this, he looked at Duanmu Cheng, "So to acquire the so-called Taoist inheritance, the Duanmu Family sent people to capture me?"
Duanmu Cheng said, "Are you referring to Duanmu Hai and Duanmu Yun? Have you already met them?"
By the end of his question, Duanmu Cheng seemed to have realized something and asked with a serious expression, "How are they now?"
"Since I appear here, of course, they are dead," said Yang Fei indifferently.
Duanmu Cheng’s pupils shrank, and he furiously said, "You... how could you kill them, do you know what you are doing?"
Witnessing Duanmu Cheng’s agitated state, Yang Fei couldn’t help but sneer, "They killed my uncle and wanted to kill me, why couldn’t I kill them?"
Looking disappointedly at Yang Fei, Duanmu Cheng said, "You’re wrong! You’ve been too rash. If you hadn’t killed them, there might have been a chance for you to receive the Duanmu Family’s protection, to even recognize your ancestors and become a member of the Duanmu Family. But now that you’ve killed Duanmu Hai and Duanmu Yun, you’ve lost any opportunity. Do you know, they were among the elite youths of the Duanmu Family, the beloved great-grandchildren of the old ancestor?"
Yang Fei’s heart was utterly calm as he replied indifferently, "Oh."
Duanmu Cheng was taken aback, seemingly unable to comprehend Yang Fei’s tranquility, and he asked, "Don’t you have any regrets? Becoming a member of the Duanmu Family, receiving its protection, do you know how important that could have been for you?"
Yang Fei scoffed, "I truly don’t cherish that at all."
Once again, Duanmu Cheng was left stunned.
Yang Fei looked at him and said, "So my mother really is Duanmu Qing?"
Duanmu Cheng slowly came back to his senses, his face revealing a sense of shame as he said angrily, "That’s right. Back then she was blind, not favoring any of the many talents from the Hidden Sect, she had to fall for a mere peasant, and even bore him a son."
"Is she still alive?" Yang Fei stared into Duanmu Cheng’s eyes.
Duanmu Cheng snorted, "She died long ago. Even if the Duanmu Family wanted to protect her, other powers would not have allowed her to live. No one could have kept her safe under those circumstances; she had to die."
The expression on Duanmu Cheng’s face didn’t change much, his eyes clear, not seeming to be lying.
Though Yang Fei had been mentally prepared, hearing Duanmu Cheng’s answer still left him feeling somewhat lost.
Xu Jian gently patted Yang Fei’s shoulder.
Yang Fei glanced at him and shook his head with a smile, "I’m fine."
Xu Jian sighed but remained silent.
Before coming in, Yang Fei had already told Xu Jian and Wang Lei about his origins, with the intention of letting them know that his purpose in coming to the Hidden Sect World was not just to make a name for himself. Therefore, Xu Jian didn’t interrupt the conversation between Yang Fei and Duanmu Cheng.
Duanmu Cheng looked at Yang Fei and asked, "Yang Fei, are you really a Taoist Inheritor?"
Yang Fei nodded, "I suppose I am."
A gleam flashed in Duanmu Cheng’s eyes as he said, "Although you’ve killed Duanmu Hai and Duanmu Yun, after all, the blood of Duanmu Qing flows in your veins, and you can be considered a descendant of the Duanmu Family. If you just obey, I can plead with the elder patriarch on your behalf and have him spare your life."
Yang Fei shook his head in disbelief and looked at Duanmu Cheng as if he were an idiot, "Do you think I came here seeking the Duanmu Family’s protection?"
Duanmu Cheng said, "Young man, do you think with your current strength that you can truly do as you please? Let me tell you, forget about the Eight Great Forces. Even among the small sects of the Hidden Sect World, there might be individuals stronger than you. Now that your identity as a Taoist Inheritor has been exposed, you’ve become a target. Everyone wants what you have, and do you really think you can fend them all off by yourself?"
Yang Fei ignored his words and asked about something he was interested in, "How did my mom die?"
Duanmu Cheng, seeing him not addressing the question, couldn’t help but become a bit anxious, "I am looking out for your best interest. Do you know how much danger you are in? And yet you still dare to come to the Hidden Sect—it’s like you’re seeking your own death. Without the protection of the Duanmu Family, you will soon be captured by the other Seven Powers."
Yang Fei grew impatient, directly kicking and breaking Duanmu Cheng’s left leg, and said indifferently, "Answer my question. If you spout more useless nonsense, I’ll kill you. After all, I’m not the only person in the Duanmu Family who knows the answers to the questions I have."
Duanmu Cheng, with his leg bone broken, screamed in pain and said angrily, "I was being kind to you..."
Yang Fei frowned.
Duanmu Cheng quickly shut his mouth and swallowed the words that were at the tip of his tongue.
"I... I could be considered your uncle. You... you can’t do this to me," Duanmu Cheng said.
Yang Fei said indifferently, "I’m running out of patience. Just tell me, how did my mom die?"
"She was forced to her death by the other Seven Families," Duanmu Cheng replied immediately.
Yang Fei looked at him.
Duanmu Cheng hurriedly explained, "What I’m saying is the truth, absolutely verifiable. Your mother violated the promise she made to us. Instead of helping us against the Taoist enemies, she became friends with the Fatty Taoist. The Seven Great Forces were very angry. They opened up the Book Collection Pavilion to your mother, nurturing her into a super genius, but your mother betrayed her promise. Initially, the Duanmu Family wanted to save her life, but the Seven Great Forces joined forces to corner the Duanmu Family, demanding an explanation. Left with no other choice, our family’s elder patriarch had to handle your mother personally."
A cold light flashed in Yang Fei’s eyes as he asked, "So it was your family’s patriarch who personally killed her?"