Chapter 33: Where is Chu Tianfeng?

Almost overnight, news of the Chidori Lake treasure’s appearance spread like wildfire throughout the martial world of China.

Some claimed the treasure was discovered by a mere extra, who, in his excitement, paraded through town in broad daylight clutching a pill furnace, only to be intercepted by Lu Cunyi, head of the Hangzhou branch of the Tomb-Raiding Sect. Yet, just as Lu Cunyi seized the pill furnace, it was snatched away by Duan Rui of the Huangshan Sect and Ge Huawen of the Hengshan Sect, who arrived in the nick of time.

Others argued that Elder Duan of the Huangshan Sect and Elder Ge of the Hengshan Sect had, in fact, obtained a fake. The two factions nearly came to blows, for Lu Cunyi had swapped the real item, which remained in the possession of the Tomb-Raiding Sect.

Still, there were those who doubted even that. They insisted that Lu Cunyi, no matter how reckless, would not dare play tricks before two innate-level masters. The real treasure, they said, must still be with the extra.

This version seemed most plausible and quickly won the support of many so-called “truth-seekers.” Soon, more details emerged.

It was revealed that the extra’s name was Chu Tianfeng, and he was, in fact, a stunt double with the “Battle of Red Cliffs” film crew, where he had been lurking for ages in search of the Chidori Lake treasure.

Further reports claimed that Chu Tianfeng was first discovered by Hu Changde of the Salt Society and his men. While robbing Chu Tianfeng, they were interrupted by Tan Jiyuan and Lu Sheng of the Tomb-Raiding Sect. Shamed by the intervention, Hu Changde ended up joining forces with Chu Tianfeng, and together they eliminated Tan Jiyuan and Lu Sheng.

Later, when the spoils were being divided on a small island in the lake, they were caught by Shao Fei of the Hengshan Sect and Guo Xiancheng of the Huangshan Sect. Once again, Hu Changde allied with Chu Tianfeng to take down Shao Fei and company. In the aftermath, Hu Changde secured a treasure for himself, but in the interest of peace, the Salt Society’s president, Sima Lin, handed the treasure over to the Hengshan and Huangshan Sects, along with Hu Changde and his men, and paid each sect one hundred million in compensation.

Some said that after receiving the compensation and crippling Hu Changde and his men, the Hengshan and Huangshan Sects claimed to let the matter rest. Yet, within a week, each sect wiped out several branches of the Salt Society in their respective provinces. Sima Lin, unable to retaliate, withdrew from Hunan and Anhui without protest.

Naturally, the martial world’s curiosity about Chu Tianfeng’s abilities grew ever keener.

Some said Chu Tianfeng was at the late stage of Dark Energy, on par with Shao Fei of Hengshan and Guo Xiancheng of Huangshan. Yet others, citing Lu Cunyi, claimed Chu Tianfeng was at the initial stage of Transforming Energy—an extraordinary talent among martial artists.

A few days later, an even more sensational rumor spread: Chu Tianfeng’s movements were eerily elusive, his hidden weapons deadly beyond compare. Even Lu Cunyi, at mid-stage Transforming Energy, had been wounded by him.

The martial artists were astonished and grew ever more curious about his origins, speculating endlessly about his master and sect.

Of course, what they most wanted to know was how much of the treasure Chu Tianfeng had actually claimed.

So, once again, warriors flocked to Chidori Lake, launching a grand campaign to encounter Chu Tianfeng and arrange a meeting with the “extra.”

Everywhere Chu Tianfeng had lived or worked became a pilgrimage site, rivaling the lake’s own tourist draw.

The set of “Battle of Red Cliffs” was practically overrun by martial artists. Some sought out Zhang Qiang, demanding to join the crew and determined to play a walk-on—preferably one who would die on screen.

Others flexed their brawny arms before Zhang Qiang, insisting he show them the crew’s canteen, workers’ quarters, makeup rooms, and especially the table and iron-framed bed where Chu Tianfeng had sat for so long. Visitors poured in ceaselessly.

Xiang Yanping, too, was often visited by well-meaning strangers, which left him so rattled that he eventually resigned and sought work at Tianhai Film City.

As for the lakeside spot where Chu Tianfeng had long toiled, it was now packed to the brim! Rain or shine, blazing sun or storm, a crowd of men and women of all ages could always be found—some standing, some cross-legged, some lying prone, each assuming their own pose.

Faithfully, they kept their vigil, eyes full of hope as they watched the trees and the water, longing for a chance encounter with that elusive figure.

Meanwhile, another contingent of warriors dressed as fishermen, taking to boats of every kind, casting nets and lines across the lake in a frenzy of activity.

Chu Tianfeng, of course, knew nothing of this.

That day, he’d spent only a single night on the island. Once his wounds had stabilized, he retreated to an underwater cave.

There, he cultivated for seven or eight days. Not only did his body fully recover, but his cultivation also leaped forward, advancing to the fourth stage of Qi Refining—mid-Qi Refining.

With this, his spiritual sense expanded to about eight meters, and the true essence in his dantian doubled, roughly equivalent to what he’d achieved at the ninth stage in his previous life.

In terms of strength, he could match a late-stage Transforming Energy master. But since no cultivators on Earth possessed actual magical power, Chu Tianfeng was confident he need not fear even the peak of Transforming Energy.

Yet this breakthrough did not come without a price. He had consumed two more Essence Cultivating Pills, leaving him with only eight. He had also absorbed nearly half the spiritual energy from the demon core.

The air in the underwater cave had grown thin and stale, making it uncomfortable to stay. With little choice, Chu Tianfeng took out his Water-Repelling Pearl and Luminous Pearl and left the cave behind.

When he emerged on the lakeshore, it was dusk. The sun had just set, leaving a streak of sooty crimson in the west—like a dye factory discharging polluted water under cover of night.

He chose a secluded spot to come ashore and, after a brief rest, planned to infiltrate the film crew once more to check on the shooting.

He had just entered a grove when a shout rang out from above: “Chu Tianfeng!”

He looked up to see a face alight with delight perched in the branches.

It was a young man, a little awkward in appearance, with narrow eyes, a high-bridged nose, and lips overworked in the womb—thicker than most, with the upper lip curling upward to reveal two prominent front teeth.

Chu Tianfeng searched every memory from past and present but found no trace of this individual. Yet the joy and amazement on the man’s face was genuine, leaving Chu Tianfeng puzzled.

Moments later, the underbrush erupted with rustling sounds as more people came charging in.

Without exception, they all shouted:

“Chu Tianfeng!”

“Where’s Chu Tianfeng?”

The cries shook the heavens, echoing through the clouds. Each new arrival moved with a gale-force wind, swift as galloping horses.

Warriors!

While Chu Tianfeng pondered his options, more shouts arose in the distance.

“Chu Tianfeng’s here!”

“Everyone, over here!”

At last, Chu Tianfeng realized the allure of the treasure. He had been under the impression that his fall into the water after being shot was common knowledge, and everyone must think him dead.

Gazing at the mass of dark figures surrounding him, he could only smile wryly. He cast a resentful glance at the high-nosed youth, grabbed his bundle, and made for the lakeshore.

His hands formed a series of rapid seals as he employed the Wind-Riding Technique, quickly leaving the crowd behind and reaching the shore in moments.

Splash!

Chu Tianfeng’s dive was elegant and natural, save for the fact that the resulting splash was far too large—less a graceful leap than an accidental fall.

The pursuing warriors reached the shore just in time to see him plunge into the water. Without hesitation, they staged a collective diving display.

For a while, the lake resounded with splash after splash, each one sending up a great arc of spray.

Soon, the surface was dotted with black heads, an impressive sight.

“Where’s Chu Tianfeng?”

“Did anyone see Chu Tianfeng?”

“Chu Tianfeng!”

“Chu Tianfeng, where are you?”

“Hey, extra guy!”

The water was filled with all kinds of impassioned calls.

Of course, there were other noises as well.

“Hey! Watch where you’re touching!”

“Damn it, why are you blocking my way?”

“I’m with the Tomb-Raiding Sect—say that again if you dare!”

“Yeah, Tomb-Raiding Sect or not, why are you grabbing my ass?”

Chu Tianfeng had already swum several hundred meters away, coldly watching the raucous crowd behind him.

Though he hadn’t anticipated this outcome, he felt no fear. The waters of Chidori Lake were vast—no matter how many warriors came, they would not easily catch him.

But Chu Tianfeng was not one to take a loss lying down. After being chased to exhaustion time and again, he was already simmering with anger.

He swam to a nearby islet, biting his lip as he gazed at the mass of heads on the water, determined to teach them a lesson.

At midnight, Chu Tianfeng quietly returned to the shore, sneaking to the film crew’s camp and slipping into the makeup room.

Ten minutes later, his face powdered white and dressed in all white, he drifted out and crept toward the lake.

That night, a waning half-moon hung in the sky. In the woods by the lake, many warriors kept vigil, refusing to sleep, faithfully awaiting Chu Tianfeng’s return. Some hung from tree branches, sleeping alone; others sat in small groups, chatting on rocks.

Hidden in the undergrowth, Chu Tianfeng patiently searched for a suitable target.

Soon, a group of five caught his attention: two middle-aged men and three young men.

One of the older men was gaunt, with triangular eyes and a hooked nose. He smoked a cigarette, occasionally raising it to his lips.

The other had a square face and thick brows. Perhaps he didn’t smoke, for he alone of the group held nothing in his hands.

The three young men were all in their twenties—one with a thin mustache, another with dyed yellow hair, and the last, small and slight, sat at the edge so quietly he could be mistaken for a tree stump.

The sharp-eyed man spoke: “The Salt Society has investigated Chu Tianfeng thoroughly. The boy is the illegitimate son of the Liu family in Tianhai, but the family never acknowledged him. His parents are both dead. In other words, Chu Tianfeng is an orphan.”

“Never thought he’d be so much like me—quite pitiful, really,” the skinny youth sighed.

“So, the Salt Society went after the Liu family as well?” asked the square-faced man.

“Of course. I heard Sima Lin was tormented by the Huangshan and Hengshan Sects, losing over a billion. He went to the Liu family to make up the loss,” the sharp-eyed man replied, exhaling a stream of smoke.

Chu Tianfeng listened quietly from his hiding place. He had little fondness for the Liu family and felt no particular guilt that they had been dragged into this because of him.

“But Chu Tianfeng isn’t really one of them. Why should the Liu family pay?” asked the mustached youth.

“Elder Zhu from the Salt Society’s Enforcement Hall led the team himself—could the Liu family dare refuse?” The sharp-eyed man’s lips curled.

“Talk about bad luck. The Liu family loses over a billion for no reason—ha!” laughed the blond-haired youth.

“That’s not the half of it. I hear Elder Zhu took a liking to Chu Tianfeng’s sister, Liu Qianqian, and wants the Liu family to marry her to his youngest son, Zhu Shangwu. Supposedly, Liu Qianqian is the legitimate daughter of Chu Tianfeng’s father, Liu Zixiong, and is very beautiful,” the sharp-eyed man added with a smile.

At this, Chu Tianfeng frowned deeply.

He felt the Salt Society had gone too far—it was time they were taught a lesson.

After all, Liu Qianqian was his sister in this life. He couldn’t bear to see her bullied.

“Did the Liu family agree?” the blond-haired youth asked.

“Do they even have a choice?” the sharp-eyed man countered.

“What a pity. Another fine girl will be wasted on a pig,” the blond-haired youth lamented.

The group laughed uproariously.