NOVEL NEXT Chapter 7: 007 indecisive_1
Feng Shiren tapped his teacup lightly on the table twice to signal for everyone in the hall to quiet down before he looked at Duge and said, "Mr. Seven, for the moment, tell us, what should we do next?"
"Firstly, send people to various towns to investigate the old, weak, sick, and disabled for any who have suddenly improved or whose temperaments have greatly changed. If there are any, bring them back to the Feng Family. It's better to arrest the wrong person than to let a single one go. After bringing them back, judge through their words and behavior whether they are Heavenly Demons; secondly, use the pretext of the Martial Worlds Conference to visit major families and sects under the guise of sparring exchanges, and seek out any Heavenly Demons that have infiltrated these groups. If we can persuade them to join us, then do so; if not, eliminate them to ensure the Feng Family's unrivaled dominance." Duge offered his suggestions without a moment's hesitation.
As soon as he finished speaking,
before Feng Shiren could respond, Feng Yunjie stood up first. Looking troubled, he said to Duge, "Mr. Seven, I'm afraid that's not possible. The Feng Family's martial skills are not outstanding; if there's an incident before the Martial Worlds Conference, we might not even have the chance to participate. You do not know, but other sects would love to use the excuse of a sparring exchange to eliminate their competitors before the conference. After all, the Qiao Family's sacred site contains many treasures capable of changing the fate of a family..."
Duge interrupted him and asked, "Third Young Master, how many people from the Feng Family are participating in the Martial Worlds Conference?"
Feng Yunjie said, "There are five people who meet the criteria. I am a direct family member; the others are direct disciples of my father and second uncle. Mr. Seven, the Martial Worlds Conference is meant to select and promote emerging talents in the world of martial arts, limited to young people aged 20 to 25."
"Is the number five due to a limit?" Duge inquired.
"No," Feng Yunjie responded. "The Martial Worlds Conference only has age restrictions, not a limit on the number of participants."
"Can Feng Jiu and I participate then?" Duge asked further.
Feng Yunjie hesitated, then looked at both of them and said, "Your age is certainly not an issue, but I fear your martial skills won't even get you past the preliminary selection. The Qiao Family, to prevent ruffians from joining the conference and disrupting the view, will pre-screen the competitors. Counting it up, I am the only one from the Feng Family confident of getting through the initial screening."
Recalling Feng Si's remarks about the Martial Worlds Conference, Duge asked, "Third Young Master, has any of the Feng Family's disciples ever achieved a good ranking in the Martial Worlds Conference and entered the sacred site in the past?"
That question struck a sore spot for the people of the Feng Family, and for a moment, all of them were awkward and silent.
Blushing, Feng Yunjie confessed, "Mr. Seven, my aptitude for learning martial arts is relatively superior, and I am the most likely to achieve a ranking and enter the Qiao Family's sacred site among the Feng Family."
"So that means no!" Duge shook his head and said with a smile, "Third Young Master, perhaps before only you had a chance, but things are different now. Don't forget, Feng Jiu and I are also members of the Feng Family."
Several gazes converged on Duge and the others involuntarily.
"There's half a year until the Martial Worlds Conference begins. With the Heavenly Demon's descent, who can predict what will happen in six months?" Duge paced back and forth a few steps before stopping and fixing his gaze on Family Head Feng Shiren with a smile, "Family Head, the times have changed, we need to learn to see problems from a perspective of growth. The size of your heart determines the size of your stage. Perhaps, in half a year's time, the Qiao Family's Martial Worlds sacred site might even change its surname to Feng."
Feng Shiren had just picked up his teacup and taken a sip when Duge let out his words; the tea coldly choked his throat, and after coughing a few times, he recovered and helplessly said, "Mr. Seven, it's fine to discuss such things within the Feng Family, but after leaving here, do not spread such talk."
Duge nodded to Feng Shiren and replied, "Family Head, rest assured, I know my limits. The moment I stood up, I was already tied to the Feng Family's fate. We rise and fall together. I would not do anything that isn't to the Feng Family's advantage." He then turned back to Feng Yunjie, "Third Young Master, let's set aside the matter of seizing the Martial Worlds sacred site for the moment. Even if the martial community wasn't under the influence of the Heavenly Demon and continued to develop as before, we could still eliminate other families' top candidates before the conference. The more we eliminate, the greater the chance for the Feng Family to enter the Qiao Family's sacred site!"
"I would like to, but that requires the ability to do so," Feng Yunjie said sheepishly.
"Even if you had the capability, Third Young Master, you shouldn't be the one to do it. Otherwise, once exposed, it would surely bring disaster to the Feng Family," Duge pointed to Feng Jiu and himself with a smile, "To maintain the stability of the Feng Family, we will deal with the dirty work..."
Seeing Duge who was willing to sacrifice himself for the Feng Family, the members of the Feng Family looked at each other, and for a while, they didn't know what to say.
How should one put it?
The situation before them felt unreal...
Feng Shiren, not fond of Duge's grandiloquent attitude, frowned and said, "Mr. Seven, it's better to be cautious in our actions."
"Family Head, we don't have much time," Duge sighed. "You don't understand the Heavenly Demons; they will seize all nutrients to grow. Just like me, I would spare no effort to protect the interests of the Feng Family because it is only with the Feng Family's prosperity that my powers can increase.
I know what you are worried about, Family Head. We make the best plans but also prepare for the worst. Should the assassination of other contenders be revealed, you can easily use me as a shield and blame everything on the Heavenly Demons. By then, other Heavenly Demons in the world should already be showing signs, so no one will suspect. The Feng Family could even use this opportunity to launch a vigorous demon-eradicating campaign and gain fame in the process..."
Feng Jiu looked at Feng Qi with skepticism loosening slightly. Could his key motive really be to protect?
Feng Yunjie's gaze flickered as he looked at Duge, clearly tempted.
Feng Shiren frowned, thinking, I haven't said a word yet, and in your mouth, the matter seems already settled, even the way out is planned for me...
Duge bowed deeply with a fist to the ground, "Family Head, fortune favors the bold, and hesitation leads to defeat. After several Martial Worlds Conferences, the Feng Family hasn't even qualified to enter the sacred site; what more do we have to lose? Family Head, make a decision! For the Feng Family, I am willing to make any sacrifice, please do not doubt my sincerity."
Feng Shiren took a deep breath and said, "Mr. Seven, this matter is of great importance, allow us to deliberate. Yun Ming, Yun Lu, please escort the two gentlemen to the guest rooms to rest for a while."
Feng Yunming approached Duge and gestured with his hand, "Please, gentlemen."
With a helpless expression, Duge unwillingly looked toward Feng Shiren, raising his voice a notch, "Family Head, the future of the Feng Family hinges on your decision. We must act swiftly as time waits for no one!"
Whir!
Feng Shiren's head swelled as he instinctively clenched his fist.
Watching the eager members of the Feng Family, he actually felt a twinge of fear towards Duge, along with a touch of murderous intent. The Feng Family had many mediocre talents, and if this bewitching Heavenly Demon was not handled properly, there was an eight or nine out of ten chance that he would bring disaster upon the Feng Family!
…
"Eldest Young Master, guarding us is pointless. It would be better to persuade the Family Head that the descent of the Heavenly Demon is a fantastic opportunity that shouldn't be missed!"
"…Fourth Young Master, you're clever and quick-witted. One day, you'll also participate in the Martial Worlds Grand Meeting. Don't you wish to join right on your doorstep?"
"Eldest Young Master, in the future, you are to take charge of the Feng Family. Just as with practicing martial arts, it's like sailing against the current, if you don't advance, you will fall behind…"
…
On the way to the guest room, Duge prattled on and on around Feng Yunming and Feng Yunlu, brimming with concern for the future of the Feng Family, performing the image of a loyal servant dedicated to protecting the family to perfection.
Feng Jiu, clutching his stomach, watched with a shocked expression. It was the first time he felt that his loss was not unjust.
This seamless immersion into the role.
If he didn't know the truth about Feng Qi, he would have been truly fooled by this act.
Compared to him, he lacked so much. Was this the education from an elite academy?
It was their first time in the simulation field; how could he perform so admirably?
Every time he thought about how he used the elite academy's quota to entice Feng Qi, Feng Jiu felt waves of embarrassment, fearing that he had been seen through at that very moment.
…
Upon arriving at the guest room, Duge finally fell silent, sitting in a chair and pondering where he might have slipped up, considering how to fill in the gaps.
But in the eyes of brothers Feng Yunming and Feng Yunlu, it seemed as if Mr. Seven was concerned that his suggestions would not be accepted.
The two exchanged glances, and Feng Yunming took the initiative to break the silence, "Mr. Seven, you are too eager; don't overthink it. Our father is always cautious in his dealings; he will surely make the best choice."
Feng Yunlu said with a chuckle, "Exactly, Mr. Seven, you've already laid out the pros and cons; the rest is beyond our control. Let's just wait calmly. Mr. Seven, tell us about the Demon Realm! I'm quite curious about the Heavenly Demon."
Was I too forceful?
Duge's thoughts shifted slightly, and he sighed, "I have to be anxious! Only if the Feng Family is strong can I be powerful! Otherwise, when other Heavenly Demons arrive to kill, and I have not yet grown strong enough, I won't be able to protect the Feng Family. I'll lose my life, and there'll be no talking about living life to the fullest. Young Masters, the competition between Heavenly Demons is very brutal."
As he spoke, he seemed to recall something and looked at Feng Jiu, deftly changing the subject, "Eldest Young Master, I've been so focused on my own growth. Quickly find someone to prepare some food for Brother Jiu, his keyword is 'Gluttony,' he needs to eat to grow. His growth is also an asset to the Feng Family."
The stories of the Demon Realm were fabricated after all; the more he talked, the more mistakes he'd make. It was better to take this opportunity to establish good relations with several people and enhance his own power.
Just now, in his complete dedication to planning for the Feng Family, he didn't realize how much he had boosted his own attributes. Now, he felt full of energy, his senses sharp, as if there was an endless supply of strength in his body—a kind of enhancement that was utterly addictive.
Duge also realized that Feng Shiren was indecisive, lacking the capability to achieve anything significant.
His plotting might be beneficial to the Feng Family, but once it encountered setbacks, or once he slipped out of their control.
Their knives would probably be the first to be turned against him.
Enhancing his own power was the fundamental way to establish himself. Later on, when it was time to backstab the Feng Family, he would have confidence…
…
Feng Jiu looked at Duge in astonishment, seemingly surprised that he would consider finding him something to eat.
Duge laughed, "Brother Jiu, don't look at me like that. I said we were in this together, and I will stick to it. I won't harm you."
Feng Jiu glanced at Duge, then suddenly let out a sigh and said with a bitter smile, "It's no use, I can't eat anymore. Eldest Young Master, have a physician prescribe me some digestive aids. My stomach is a bit… overextended."
"Overextended?" Duge looked at Feng Jiu with burning eyes, as if seeing something extremely intriguing.
Feng Jiu's face turned red, and he avoided Duge's gaze, stuttering, "I ate too much just now. I really can't eat any more."
Duge stood up and walked circles around the flustered Feng Jiu. He suddenly stopped, shook his head as he looked at him, and said decisively, "Brother Jiu, you've chosen the wrong path."
Feng Yunming, who had been about to order the servants to call for a physician for Feng Jiu, paused upon hearing this.