Chapter 39: A Threat Unveiled
After several uneventful hours of travel, the tension in the air finally subsided as Xiao Feng and Qing Yu approached the gates of the Qing family estate. The journey had been smooth, without any more attempts on Qing Yu's life, and the estate, with its grand architecture and vast courtyards, welcomed them with an aura of prestige.
Just as they were about to enter, a figure stepped forward, blocking Xiao Feng's path. It was Qiao Tian, the young master of the Qiao family. His face twisted into a sneer as he eyed Xiao Feng with contempt. His posture radiated arrogance, as if his very presence demanded submission.
"You," Qiao Tian's voice was filled with venom. "You better stay away from Qing Yu. Only I deserve to stand by her side. She's meant for me, not some nobody like you."
Xiao Feng remained composed, his eyes steady as they met Qiao Tian's. His expression was unreadable, and despite the aggression in Qiao Tian's voice, Xiao Feng barely reacted. He had faced greater threats in his previous life as the Supreme, and a petty family like the Qiao family did little to faze him.
"And if I don't?" Xiao Feng's voice was calm, but there was a sharpness to it. His words were laced with an unspoken power, one that Qiao Tian couldn't quite grasp but instinctively recoiled from.
Qiao Tian's sneer faltered momentarily, but his arrogance quickly returned. "You don't know who you're dealing with. The Qiao family might not be as powerful as the Qing family, but we have the backing of the Third Supreme. If you keep meddling with Qing Yu, I'll crush you. The Third Supreme will make sure of it."
Xiao Feng's eyes flickered with faint amusement, but he said nothing. He didn't need to; the very air around him seemed to pulse with an invisible strength that made Qiao Tian feel small, despite his threats.
Just then, Qing Yu arrived, having witnessed part of the confrontation from a distance. Her face was tight with concern as she approached the two men. Qiao Tian noticed her arrival and, with a final glare at Xiao Feng, scoffed before turning away.
As Qiao Tian retreated, Qing Yu hurried to Xiao Feng's side, her expression filled with worry. "You need to be careful around him," she said softly. "Qiao Tian might be arrogant, but the Qiao family is protected by the Third Supreme, and he's already at Spirit Sovereign Realm Level 7, maybe even Level 8."
Xiao Feng nodded, though his calm demeanor remained unchanged. "I'm not afraid of him, or the Qiao family," he said, his voice steady. "But why does the Third Supreme back them?"
Qing Yu sighed. "The Qiao family has been working under the Third Supreme's influence for years. He wants more power, more influence in the Imperial City. By marrying me into the Qiao family, they hope to bring the Qing family under their control as well. The Third Supreme supports this marriage because it gives him even more leverage."
Her voice trembled slightly as she continued, "My father... he's only at Spirit Sovereign Realm Level 4. We can't stand up to the Qiao family directly, not with the Third Supreme backing them. And Qiao Tian... he's relentless. He's determined to marry me, and my family has no choice but to bow to the pressure."
Xiao Feng's gaze softened as he looked at her. "If you don't want to marry him, I can help you."
Qing Yu looked at him, surprised by his confidence, but shook her head sadly. "I appreciate your help, but even if you're powerful, how can you face the Third Supreme? He's one of the strongest cultivators in the region."
A small smile played on Xiao Feng's lips. "You'd be surprised at what I'm capable of. I've dealt with people stronger than him before."
Qing Yu still seemed unsure, but Xiao Feng's words held a strange reassurance. There was something about him—something powerful, something...familiar—that she couldn't quite place.
For now, the pressure of the Qiao family loomed over them, but Xiao Feng knew that this was just the beginning. The influence of the Third Supreme was vast, but Xiao Feng had faced greater forces in his previous life. He wasn't about to let the Qiao family—or anyone else—dictate his path.