Chapter 1693: Li Lin’s Return
Phoenix Cry Peak was the mountain where Zhang Feng’s headquarters was located. The mountain was very lively recently. This was because of Zhang Feng’s increasing popularity. A lot of Black Tiger Gang disciples were visiting it every day.
Zhang Feng a.s.signed two Outer Disciples to the mountain gate. As long as they didn’t come to cause trouble, they would be met with a polite welcome.
However, even if Zhang Feng made his orders to be polite, the two Outer Disciples still held arrogance in their heart. It must be said that at this moment, when people hear that you were from Phoenix Cry Peak, then they would immediately become respectful.
The two Outer Disciples who were in charge of welcoming the guests just sent away a group of Outer Disciples who wanted to pay their respects. These Outer Disciples came over to see if Zhang Feng was still recruiting people. Unfortunately, they came a little late. Zhang Feng’s mountain was no longer accepting people.
In the past, Zhang Feng held a ma.s.s recruitment in order to develop his faction. Now that he has enough people, the major clans wouldn’t be able to sit still if he continued his recruitment. Therefore, Zhang Feng no longer accepted people. However, he was still very polite to people who visited him. He even gave them spirit stones and even pills as gifts.
After the two welcoming disciples sent the outer disciples away, one of them turned to the other and said, “Senior Brother Liu, I think we’re doing this the wrong way. These people are now just coming over to get benefits. Even if we are rich, we don’t have enough to give to everyone. I think you should talk it over to First Senior Brother the next time you meet.”
There’s no need to know who First Senior Brother was. Senior Brother Liu forced a smile and said, “Junior Brother Yao, you think First Senior Brother doesn’t know about this? First Senior Brother knows more than anyone else about his resources. In the past, First Senior Brother’s progress was very slow and he couldn’t recruit a lot of people. But now that First Senior Brother has a large artifact, his status would certainly increase. When the time comes, he will be able to suppress the core disciples. He wouldn’t need to worry about resources by then.”
The disciple surnamed Yao nodded. Just as he was about to talk, they saw a cultivator flying over at a very fast speed. The two didn’t dare ignore the cultivator as they immediately wore a smile on their face.
Before long, the cultivator stopped in front of them. The two welcoming disciples stared. The cultivator looked ordinary. From his dark skin and large build, he seems to be a body cultivator. Moreover, this person’s strength was clearly above avarage. He had an imposing aura and an ice-cold complexion. He didn’t look friendly.
The two couldn’t help but feel nervous. They had received guests for so many days without any problems. Did this visitor come over to cause trouble? The two couldn’t help but let their guard up.
The dark-skinned cultivator stepped towards the two and said, “Is First Senior Brother Zhang in his mountain residence?”
Hearing what the dark-skinned cultivator said, the two welcoming disciples couldn’t help but stare. Although the cultivator had an ice-cold tone in his voice, he still respectfully addressed Zhang Feng as First Senior Brother. It seems like he didn’t come to cause trouble.
The disciple surnamed Liu quickly replied, “Senior Brother, First Senior Brother Zhang is indeed in the mountain. Do you have any business with First Senior Brother? If so, this junior disciple will notify him.”
The dark-skinned cultivator nodded and said, “Then I’ll have to ask Junior Brother. Tell First Senior Brother that Li Lin has returned.”
When the two disciples heard the dark-skinned cultivator, they let out a long breath. Then the disciple surnamed Liu nodded and said, “Alright. Then I’ll have to ask Senior Brother to wait in the side hall. This junior brother will send word as quickly as I can.” The dark-skinned cultivator nodded as he followed the two cultivators to a stone room beside the gate.
Naturally, the dark-skinned cultivator was Zhao Hai. After watching Li Lin’s battle records, he found that Li Lin was a cold-blooded and ruthless person. He had the temperament of a killer. Therefore, Zhao Hai put away his gentle appearance and replaced it with a murderous and ice-cold facade.
After the disciple surnamed Liu asked Zhao Hai to sit down, he immediately sent a jade sword message.
The person who received the jade sword message was Hao Xing. Following Zhang Feng for many years, Hao Xing knew a lot about Zhang Feng’s matters. After the fake Zhang Hao left, Zhang Feng called him to his office. Then he was given a strange task to watch out for Li Lin. If he received word of Li Lin’s arrival, then Zhang Feng needed to be informed.
When he heard the order, Hao Xing was shocked. This was because he knew who Li Lin was. Li Lin entered the Inner Sect later than Hao Xing. This person was cruel and ruthless. After entering the Inner Sect, he turned to Zhang Feng for help. But after joining Zhang Feng’s faction, he wanted to defect to the core disciples. However, he was discovered by Zhang Feng and was subsequently killed. Even his body was turned into ashes. So how could another Li Lin appear?
However, Hao Xing didn’t ask too much. As he was puzzled about the order, he suddenly received the jade sword message from disciple Liu.
Seeing the contents of the message, Hao Xing stared for a moment. Then he immediately went to Zhang Feng’s office to report. “First Senior Brother, there’s news regarding the task you gave me.”
Zhang Feng nodded and said, “Go down and pick him up for me. Don’t ask him any unnecessary questions.” Hao Xing nodded and then immediately flew down the mountain.
Before long, Hao Xing arrived at the bottom of the mountain. He noticed a dark-skinned man sitting on the side hall of the gate. There’s also the two welcoming disciples respectfully standing on the side.
Seeing this, Hao Xing stared. He could remember Li Ling’s aura. This caused him to be confused.
Hao Xing entered the waiting hall. Seeing Zhao Hai much closer, he was even more surprised. Zhao Hai’s expression was too familiar. Whether it be his appearance or temperament, there were no flaws. If Hao Xing hadn’t seen Li Ling die with his own eyes, then he would have thought that it was Li Ling himself. But after seeing the fake Zhang Hao before, he can be sure that this person wasn’t Li Lin. It must be someone else pretending to be him.
Seeing Hao Xing, Zhao Hai stood up and then cupped his fist as he said, “I have seen Senior Brother Hao.”
Hao Xing nodded and said, “Let’s go. First Senior Brother is waiting for you.” Zhao Hai nodded and followed Hao Xing up the mountain. On the other hand, the two welcoming disciples were shocked. Naturally, they knew that Hao Xing was Zhang Feng’s top confidant. They didn’t expect this person to fetch the dark-skinned cultivator himself.
The two were scared. Fortunately, they weren’t rude to Li Lin, otherwise they would be in trouble. The two wiped their sweat. Junior disciple Yao turned to Senior Disciple Liu and said, “Brother Liu, who do you think is Senior Brother Li Lin? Why have we never heard of him before?”
Senior Disciple Liu shook his head and said, “I don’t know. However, it’s clear that Senior Brother Li isn’t a n.o.body to First Senior Brother. We’ll have to be careful when we meet him in the future.” Junior Disciple Yao nodded.
At this time, Hao Xing was looking at Zhao Hai. However, Zhao Hai had a cold expression and nothing else. This caused Hao Xing to be more suspicious. This was because Li Lin had a similar expression when he died. It was an uncanny resemblance.
Before long, the two arrived at the mansion and then outside Zhang Feng’s room. Without the two speaking, the door opened along with Zhang Hao’s words, “See me in the quiet room, the two of you.” The two nodded and then proceeded towards Zhang Feng’s quiet room.
After the two entered the quiet room, Zhang Feng was already inside curiously inspecting Zhao Hai’s disguise. After looking at Zhao Hai, Zhang Feng couldn’t help but exclaim in surprise, “I must say, Little Hai, your disguise is much better than that kid Han Buli. You’re able to copy Li Lin too well just from a recording. When you entered, I couldn’t help but be frightened. Right, go back to your normal form and greet Hao Xing.”
Zhao Hai nodded and changed back into his original face. Then he turned his head to Hao Xing and gave a salute, “I have seen Senior Brother Hao. This one is called Zhao Hai.”
Hao Xing was stunned for a moment, then he returned the salute and said, “I’ve heard of Junior Brother’s name before. I only know that you entered Senior Brother’s command. I didn’t expect you to be an expert. Good, good.”
Zhang Feng smiled faintly and said, “Little Xing, Little Hai’s ident.i.ty must never be known. From now on, he will be known as Li Lin. Keep this secret to yourself. Even on your deathbed, you should not reveal Little Hai. Understood?”
Hao Xing didn’t expect Zhang Feng to attach great importance to Zhao Hai. He didn’t know that Zhao Hai refined Zhang Feng’s large artifact. Although he was puzzled, he still listened to Zhang Feng’s words.
Zhang Feng looked at Hao Xing and said, “Little Xing, you might be wondering why I attach great importance to Little Hai. Until now, only me, Little Hai, and Little Hao knew about this. Little Hai has the ability to recycle and repurpose waste materials. He can create pills and artifacts using this ability. This is the reason why I sent him to the Ignored Valley. Didn’t you ask where my large artifact came from? The treasure s.h.i.+p was given to me by Little Hai.”
Hao Xing couldn’t help but exclaim, “What? Little Hai refined the treasure s.h.i.+p? How is that possible?”
“Hehe, how is that possible? Back in the lower realms, Little Hai made a lot of large artifacts. They’re made like the treasure s.h.i.+p, with parts made separately and then a.s.sembled. Naturally, he’s able to make one for me. Now you know why I treat Little Hai with importance? You best treat Little Hai well. If you need any pills in the future, you can approach him. He can also make you artifacts. If you don’t treat Little Hai well, then it would be your loss.”
Hao Xing looked blankly at the smiling face of Zhao Hai. Zhao Hai’s smile was temperate, giving one the feeling of fresh air. It was completely different to Li Lin’s cold temperament. Most importantly, he had a shocking ability. It was an enviable ability. No wonder Zhang Feng treated him seriously.
Hearing Zhang Feng’s explanation, Hao Xing quickly said, “I wouldn’t dare. Little Hai, from now on we’re close brothers. This Big Brother can even introduce several attractive females to you.”
When Zhang Feng and Zhao Hai heard this, they both laughed.