(Scroll World, Hengduan Mountains)
Wang Hu was in a dense forest, surrounded by a group of martial artists from the Xingfeng Sect.
These martial artists were about a dozen survivors from the Xingfeng Sect. They had fled when Chen Feng fought He Sandao and Jiang Xiao.
However, after learning that Chen Feng had killed the leader of Black Wind Stronghold, they returned.
Wang Hu did not refuse their rejoining; previously, he would have disdained associating with these people. But now, he needed manpower, so he had no choice but to keep them for the time being.
However, Wang Hu had already decided that these people would never become the core of the Xingfeng Sect; they would only be peripheral figures.
"How's the situation?" Wang Hu asked. He was currently sitting cross-legged, healing his injuries.
After more than a day, his injuries had almost fully recovered. This was also thanks to the innate pill.
A martial artist from Xingfeng Sect respectfully reported: "The bandits of Black Wind Stronghold have mostly fled, leaving only a few hundred people in the stronghold. Some smaller sects in Hengduan Mountain seem to have received the news and have sent several groups to inquire about their sect leader."
Hearing this, Wang Hu sneered.
He naturally knew what these smaller sects were thinking. Now that the Black Wind Stronghold's leader was dead at their sect leader's hands, Hengduan Mountain was nominally under Xingfeng Sect's control.
These people naturally wanted to know what Xingfeng Sect's next move would be.
Wang Hu stood up: "Leave a few people here to wait. The sect leader will return tomorrow or today. The rest of you, come with me to Black Wind Stronghold!"
Wang Hu was going to Black Wind Stronghold to take over the area. He certainly couldn't wait for Chen Feng to arrive; he had to get things done first.
The martial artists from Xingfeng Sect were immediately excited upon hearing this. If Xingfeng Sect occupied Hengduan Mountain, their status would rise accordingly.
Moreover, it seemed that Wang Hu didn't intend to pursue their previous defection.
Soon, Wang Hu led his men to Black Wind Stronghold's headquarters. Although there were only a dozen or so people, none of them showed any fear.
They had their sect leader backing them up; even if Black Wind Stronghold had ten times the courage, they wouldn't dare to attack them now.
Upon seeing Wang Hu and his group, the Black Wind Stronghold bandits immediately came out to greet them, a large group of several hundred.
Among the bandits stepped forward; this man, carrying a folding fan, appeared to be around forty years old and had a scholarly air about him.
"I am Liu Qian, the strategist of Black Wind Stronghold. Is Sect Leader Chen here?" Liu Qian was very respectful.
He had only returned to Black Wind Stronghold yesterday, having been away on business recently.
He hadn't expected to hear upon his return that his leader and second-in-command were dead, killed by a small sect within their territory. Faced with this turn of events, Liu Qian didn't choose to flee like the others, but instead stayed behind with a group of men.
He planned to lead the remaining men to join the Xingfeng Sect; for him, it didn't matter who he followed.
He was just a mortal; without power to rely on, he couldn't survive in this world.
"Our sect leader is away. We've come to take over Black Wind Stronghold. Are you preparing to rebel?"
Wang Hu's eyes were icy, showing no fear in the face of hundreds of people. He hadn't been afraid even in front of a master of the Innate Realm, so how could these people frighten him?
Liu Qian quickly waved his hand: "Brother, you misunderstand. He Sandao has killed countless innocent people. Sect Leader Chen's execution of him was an act of benevolence. We only have respect for Sect Leader Chen and Xingfeng Sect, how could we dare to betray them?"
"We are just waiting for Sect Leader Chen to come, preparing to follow him and join Xingfeng Sect."
Liu Qian's words not only denounced his former employer but also praised Xingfeng Sect.
Wang Hu looked at Liu Qian, feeling that this man was too slippery and not a good person.
But he couldn't make a decision on Liu Qian's request on his own; everything could only be decided after Chen Feng returned.
"Take me in first. Whether you can join Xingfeng Sect will depend on our sect leader's return." Wang Hu said.
Liu Qian immediately smiled and said, "Of course, you must be Wang Hu, brother."
After learning of He Sandao's death, Liu Qian immediately investigated the Xingfeng Sect's records.
Besides the sect leader Chen Feng, the most crucial figure in the entire Xingfeng Sect was this Wang Hu, who was also Chen Feng's most trusted confidant.
"Hmm." Wang Hu nodded, saying nothing more.
He didn't like communicating with people like Liu Qian.
"Your loyalty that day is truly admirable."
Liu Qian flattered him. Wang Hu had been captured by He Sandao and almost tortured to death.
But even at that critical moment, Wang Hu still didn't reveal Chen Feng's whereabouts. Such loyalty was rare.
"How much wealth does Black Wind Stronghold have now?"
Wang Hu asked with a straight face, unmoved by Liu Qian's flattery.
Liu Qian immediately replied, "Approximately 50,000 taels of silver, 3,000 taels of gold, and the quantities of various cultivation techniques and pills are all recorded."
Liu Qian took out a small booklet. Wang Hu took a look, a look of shock flashing across his face.
The wealth of Black Wind Stronghold far exceeded his imagination. He had never seen so much money in his entire life.
Seeing Wang Hu's shocked expression, Liu Qian smiled slightly: "Brother Wang Hu, the entire Hengduan Mountain is in turmoil right now. I suggest we send people to appease the people of these small sects first, let them develop on their own, and then when Sect Leader Chen returns, we can summon the sect leaders of these small sects to discuss and re-establish the rules of Hengduan Mountain. What do you think?"
Wang Hu thought for a moment and nodded: "Yes, let's do as you say."
In the secret room, Chen Feng's figure emerged from a ripple. Chen Feng slept for a full ten hours before waking up.
After waking up, he gave Li Xiaorou some instructions and immediately chose to return to the world of the painting.
His injuries had almost healed. He was quite surprised by the efficacy of the pills from the Innate Master. If these pills were taken to the modern world, one might sell for ten million.
But he wouldn't actually sell it; selling it would surely cause trouble. Its effects were too miraculous, simply inexplicable.
Ordinary pills were fine, as long as they weren't too far removed from modern technology, he could manage.
Stepping out of the secret chamber, Chen Feng immediately saw dozens of people guarding the entrance.
He hadn't seen these people before, and he immediately became wary.
The dozens of people also noticed Chen Feng; they were startled at first, then all knelt on one knee.
"We greet the Sect Master!"
These dozens of people were extremely respectful, not even daring to look up at Chen Feng.
Chen Feng asked the leader, "Who are you?"
He didn't lower his guard.The leading warrior immediately replied, "We were sent by Lord Wang Hu to guard the entrance of the secret chamber. Lord Wang Hu has already taken over Black Wind Stronghold and is currently inside!"
After taking over Black Wind Stronghold, Wang Hu immediately sent people to guard the entrance of the secret chamber.
Although Wang Hu didn't know what was inside the secret chamber.
But this was undoubtedly the place Chen Feng valued most, as he had previously been responsible for guarding the entrance to the secret chamber.
Therefore, upon taking over Black Wind Stronghold, he immediately sent men to guard it.
The leading martial artist then explained the current situation in Hengduan Mountains to Chen Feng.
(End of Chapter)