Chapter 597: Silent Thunder in the Stillness (Part 2 Combined)

Chapter 597: Silent Thunder in the Stillness (Part 2 Combined)



Starlight Captain's heart stirred, and he smiled, saying, "That's wonderful, Yin Xiu is more than grateful. Thank you for your support at the opening. Please, let's finish this cup and toast to a pleasant cooperation."

Lu Si Hai was tall and robust, resembling a black bear even while seated. Though he had come to attend the banquet, he still carried his mighty broadsword on his back.

This was a rule set by his father: never part from your sword, sword and person inseparable; as long as the person lives, the sword remains; if the sword is destroyed, the person perishes!

Upon hearing the two men speaking, he couldn't help but ask, "May I know the esteemed name of this gentleman?"

He was addressing Feng Yun.

Lu Si Hai was the Deputy Chief Escort Master of the largest escort bureau in Donghu Continent and the eldest son of Lu Dadao. Though he looked only about forty, he was actually several hundred years old.

In terms of demeanor, temperament, and cultivation, he was impeccable. His outward appearance was simple and honest, yet he was a seasoned veteran with a keen mind.

This was the first time he had encountered someone like Feng Yun.

Elegant and handsome, with an air of high nobility, his every move exuded composure and grace. Even when seated, it was as if he were sitting on a cloud.

Even a seasoned veteran like himself felt constrained in the presence of this young man.

As for the others from the escort bureau, they didn't even know his name or his profession, yet they instinctively felt the urge to flatter him.

Lu Si Hai was genuinely puzzled: What kind of family background could produce such a young man with such demeanor? This was simply too impressive!

Unable to contain his curiosity, he asked, "May I ask your esteemed name, sir?"

Feng Yun smiled politely and replied, "No need for honorifics, my surname is Feng."

"Is it the 'Feng' from Wind Rain Snow?"

Lu Si Hai suddenly understood, clasping his fists, "My apologies, my apologies, no wonder, no wonder."

Realizing Lu Si Hai had misunderstood, Feng Yun smiled but didn't explain further, "I have long admired the Great Saber Escort Agency, and your esteemed father, Lu Dadao, is renowned for traversing the Southeastern Seventeen Provinces. The flag of the Great Saber Escort Agency is a symbol of safety, and its fame is widespread. I, Feng Yun, hold it in high regard."

Lu Si Hai laughed heartily, "If you need anything in the future, just let me know."

"Indeed, I will inevitably need your assistance," Feng Yun said with a faint smile.

The meal was conducted with great propriety.

With Feng Yun present, everyone subconsciously ate more elegantly.

While other tables were boisterous, this table remained refined and composed. Even those eating felt they had unknowingly elevated their demeanor.

After the meal, the escort bureau staff distributed souvenirs and bid farewell to the guests.

Meanwhile, Feng Yun, at the invitation of Starlight Captain, had already moved to the rear courtyard of the escort bureau.

They didn't go to the reception hall but instead to an open pavilion in the courtyard.

Seeing Starlight Captain lead him here, Feng Yun instantly understood something. He waved for Feng Yi and Feng Er to wait at a distance, and the two of them entered the pavilion alone.

"Your identity is important; there's no need for formalities if someone can see us."

This was the first thing Feng Yun said upon entering the pavilion.

Starlight Captain smiled and sat down with Feng Yun in the pavilion, transmitting his voice, "Pay Respects, Young Master Yun."

Feng Yun said coolly, "How did you recognize me? Have you met me before?"

"Your subordinate once saw a portrait of you. Moreover, I had the honor of interacting with Young Master Feng Xing."

Feng Yun said coolly, "Oh?"

But a myriad of emotions surged within him.

Feng Xing?

"Tell me about your identity," Feng Yun said calmly.

"Your subordinate is from the Oneheart Sect, named Starlight, and was ordered by the Sect Master to establish a branch in White Cloud Continent, working in long-term secrecy..."

Starlight Captain did not hide anything, revealing everything about the Heavently Escort Bureau.

"Later, after the Vice Sect Master learned of this, the Heavently Escort Bureau was placed under the direct control of the headquarters..."

Feng Yun listened intently, carefully analyzing and pondering in his mind.

After a moment.

"Have you finished?"

"Temporarily, your subordinate has said all that can be said."

Starlight Captain replied with proper decorum.

Feng Yun smiled, "What can't be said, what level of permission is required? Up to what point?"

Starlight Captain answered cautiously, "That requires the permission of the Vice Sect Master. Please understand, Young Master."

Feng Yun hummed, "When Feng Xing came, did you tell him the same thing?"

"When Young Master Xing came, your subordinate had not yet been favored by the Vice Sect Master... I was just a small branch of the Oneheart Sect..."

Sweat broke out on Starlight Captain's face, "Please forgive me, Young Master Yun."

Feng Yun narrowed his eyes and said coolly, "Then... Feng Xing let you go?"

Feng Yun knew his younger brother's character all too well.

Given Feng Xing's temper, when he was just a small branch of the Oneheart Sect, how could Starlight have managed to get past him?

That would have been a miracle!

"Your subordinate dares not hide it from Young Master, Young Master Xing indeed did not let me go."

Starlight Captain admitted frankly.

Feng Yun said coolly, "In that case, Feng Xing must have valued you highly. So... he must have given you cultivation resources? Hm... recently, when Feng Shi Qi went missing for a while, he was looking for you?"

This statement demonstrated Feng Yun's formidable control over the family.

Starlight Captain remained silent.

Feng Yun said calmly, "So, what advice did you give Feng Xing that made him value you so much?"

Starlight Captain continued to remain silent.

Feng Yun smiled, "Feng Xing has never shown such regard for anyone."

At that moment, he came to a realization.

With great interest, he said, "Star Ray, among the brothers of the Feng family, you have your eyes on Feng Xing, don't you?"

Star Ray sighed and replied helplessly, "Young Master Yun, I believe you understand that people like us, when facing you, have no choice but to submit."

Feng Yun shook his head and sighed lightly.

Perhaps he would still have a choice when encountering himself and Yan Bei Han, but when it came to Feng Xing and the others, there was no room for resistance.

Disobedience meant death.

This was a straightforward fact.

So he sighed, knowing he had missed his chance.

"Let's not talk about that."

Feng Yun smiled and said, "I greatly admire your management of the Heavenly Escort Agency. In this regard, you've handled it with great discretion and skill."

He smiled and gracefully changed the topic, avoiding any awkwardness.

This truly stirred emotions within Star Ray's heart.

Feng Yun's demeanor and bearing were fully displayed in this brief interaction.

Every word he spoke was measured, revealing his complete control and understanding of the situation.

When the topic touched upon Feng Xing, Feng Yun already understood everything.

From then on, no further explanation was needed.

Feng Xing had known this all along, but why didn't he tell me? I asked Feng Xing, why is Star Ray silent?

Is there something that even I, Feng Xing's older brother, am unaware of? Why? What is Feng Xing plotting? What did he discuss with Star Ray? What did they plan?

But Feng Yun immediately dropped the topic.

Skipping over it.

Moreover, Star Ray could sense that Feng Yun wasn't avoiding the question; he was facing it head-on!

"Young Master Yun, your magnanimity and tolerance are rarely seen in my life." Star Ray praised sincerely.

Feng Yun smiled lightly, "Magnanimity and tolerance depend on one's position. Those with insufficient status cannot possess such qualities."

Looking at Star Ray, Feng Yun said calmly, "This status is one's own position, the height one is at, and the height one aspires to reach."

Star Ray pondered, "Young Master Yun speaks the truth."

"Those with insufficient status are called open-minded and carefree."

Feng Yun said leisurely, "Only those with sufficient status can be called magnanimous or broad-minded. The choice of words here also differs."

"Young Master Yun's words are thought-provoking."

Star Ray acknowledged.

"I feel you're not just flattering me," Feng Yun smiled warmly.

"Of course not, of course not," Star Ray replied sincerely.

Feng Yun burst into laughter, a laughter that was carefree and refreshing.

Star Ray praised in his heart.

Feng Yun was indeed Feng Yun.

This was different from the Feng Yun he had encountered in the Yin-Yang Realm. There, Feng Yun was a representative of a faction, unyielding and unassuming, a deep strategist, meticulous in his plans, graceful in his actions, decisive in his moves, and resolute in his decisions.

Everyone knew that this was a person not to be trifled with, filled with caution and respect. Feng Yun and Yan Bei Han were alone and outnumbered, yet the various factions in the Yin-Yang Realm still dared not act recklessly.

In fact, in the Yin-Yang Realm, Feng Che had gained the most advantage, but the ones who controlled the overall situation and intimidated everyone were Feng Yun and Yan Bei Han.

Strictly speaking, it was Feng Yun.

But now, he was a young master of the upper echelons of the Heretical Sect, a youth leader of the Heretical Sect, and the one in charge of the southeast.

The magnanimity and tolerance he displayed, the appreciation of subordinates regardless of faction, were truly the qualities of a leader!

The two were completely different, yet in Feng Yun, they were perfectly unified.

Such a young man, Star Ray acknowledged that he had indeed rarely seen such a person in his life.

"Star Ray, what's your cultivation level now?"

Feng Yun asked.

"Just reached the Sovereign Level."

"Not bad at all."

Feng Yun smiled lightly, "With your strength alone, you established the Heavenly Escort Agency, and you've even gained the favor of Vice-Sect Master Yan. Star Ray, your abilities are truly remarkable."

"This subordinate is from the Oneheart Sect, all thanks to the Sect Master's strategic planning." Star Ray replied cautiously.

Feng Yun furrowed his brows, "Your current achievements are beyond what even the Divine Palace could have imagined. If they wanted it, they would have taken action themselves. So, don't belittle yourself."

"This subordinate was also lucky, with no other choice but to take a desperate gamble."

"A desperate situation, then."

Feng Yun smiled lightly and said softly, "Among ordinary people, there are also geniuses, but they don't show it. Only when fate pushes them to a desperate situation, over 90% of people die in that desperation. Only 10% choose to fight to the death, and among them, only a few succeed."

Star Ray's heart echoed, "But it's undeniable that... those who succeed in desperate situations must have accumulated something."

"But those who accumulate daily may not succeed in desperate situations." Star Ray sighed deeply.

"True. There's also luck involved." Feng Yun nodded.

Star Ray said, "What Young Master Yun said just now was about... ordinary people."

Feng Yun smiled. "High Clan Families never bury their geniuses. The obstacles set by these families for their geniuses are often self-imposed. The purpose is to cultivate the confidence and foundation of these geniuses after they overcome these difficulties. This method is very effective."

"Indeed." This was something that Starlight Captain had to admit.

It was a fact.

It all depended on the capabilities of the family and how they set the obstacles.

"Starlight, do you understand the High Clan Families?"

Feng Yun asked with a smile, implying something deeper.

"Please enlighten me, Young Master Yun." Starlight Captain knew that when someone like Feng Yun, a superior, began to ask questions, it often meant that a new test or an opportunity to showcase oneself had arrived.

"In my view, the competition among the descendants of High Clan Families can be divided into three stages."

Feng Yun gazed at the green leaves of a flowering tree beside the pavilion and spoke softly. "The first stage is when the family is just forming, has wealth, but lacks a solid foundation. At this time, the family members are busy competing for power and profit, fearing that you have more and I have less. They fear that after the older generation passes, they will be swept out of power... In this stage, the competition is mainly about interests. Rarely does it involve life and death, and if it does, it's an exception."

Starlight Captain carefully pondered this, reflecting on the small families he had encountered before.

Just like the Fang Family in Green Wave City, when Fang Zheng Hang first took power, and the internal struggles within the Su Yue Family...

He deeply felt the truth in these words and asked, "What about the next stage?"

After finishing, Feng Yun patiently waited for Starlight Captain to think it through and ask the question. Then he smiled slightly.

He knew that Starlight Captain had fully understood.

He continued, "The second stage is when the family is well-established, with a deep foundation, and a unified goal, such as the Martial Dao, Commerce Path, or Governance Path... Generations of effort have brought the family onto this path, with a unified goal... There's a saying: 'When brothers are of one heart, their combined strength can sever metal.'"

"At this time, the family is the most united and harmonious. Everyone works together, helping each other, and never dragging each other down. In such families, it is rare to have prodigal sons."

Feng Yun smiled. "This is what most people consider to be the true High Clan Families, with noble bloodlines. They are well-established, standing firm, with excellent descendants who are mostly united. Everyone envies them."

This was something Fang Che also understood.

Because the truly great families that people admire are just like this.

He then asked, "What about the third stage?"

"The third stage is the highest stage, the absolute top families on the continent."

Feng Yun sighed. "They have the qualifications to covet the pinnacle of power. And within the family, there is a diverse range of everything, making the family equivalent to a small society... At this point, competition arises among the direct descendants of the family."

"At this level, competition is no longer about winning or losing, but about life and death."

"There is no talk of kinship, no trust, and no sense of righteousness."

Feng Yun sighed softly.

"I'll give you an example to understand. For instance... the Imperial Clan. Over the years, no prince of imperial blood has ever been truly idle. Even if you don't compete, you are still competing. Everything is for that throne. So, the so-called virtuous princes and idle princes... only appear after a new emperor ascends the throne, and even then, it's only to protect themselves, nothing more."

Starlight Captain remained silent, not pressing for more.

This time, Feng Yun didn't wait for him to ask but continued on his own. "Currently, on the continent, there are no more than five families that have reached this level. Our Feng Family is one of them."

At this point, Feng Yun's meaning was clear.

He didn't continue.

He believed that Starlight Captain had understood.

Starlight Captain's silence was proof of this.

"Families like these only exist in the Only Righteous Sect. On the Guardian Continent, there are none."

Feng Yun's bitter smile carried a hint of admiration.

Starlight Captain visibly relaxed and asked, "Why is that?"

"Starlight, you are really smart."

Feng Yun smiled and turned to look at Starlight Captain.

Starlight Captain smiled bitterly. "I just dare not speak."

Feng Yun laughed heartily but then returned to the topic. "The Wind Rain Snow Family on the Guardian Continent has long reached this level, and their influence is even greater than our family, yet they are not like this. Do you know why?"

Starlight Captain was about to speak when he heard Feng Yun say, "I know you understand, so if you say you don't, I'll be very unhappy."

Starlight Captain smiled bitterly. "Young Master Yun, you're not giving me a choice."

Feng Yun said calmly, "I have given you the greatest freedom to choose."

"Understood."

Starlight Captain said, "Is it because of the Eastern Strategist of the Guardians?"

"Exactly!"

Feng Yun clapped. "The first reason is that the Eastern Strategist has directly steered the Wind Rain Snow Family onto the path of the Martial Dao. Within the family, no other path can compare to this one. He has bound the families with honor, glory, and the sacrifices of predecessors, forming a tradition that makes it impossible for these three families to deviate from the Martial Dao!"

"The second reason is that within the Guardians, there is no ultimate position to compete for."

"If the Eastern Strategist is still around, no one will be able to cross him! Because his accomplishments are simply too high. No one else would have the confidence to claim they can do better than him. In this statement, no one in the Guardian Continent would dare to say it!"

"If the Eastern Strategist were gone, no matter who takes his place, would fall apart. For there is a perfect person to compare against."

"That’s why the Eastern Strategist dares not to retreat. He understands the consequences himself."

"So, he has arranged all the qualified families in the Guardian Continent to become Martial Dao families. This way, the goal is singular, which can enhance combat strength while also avoiding power struggles in the future. This is a better structure than what we have in the Only Righteous Sect now."

Feng Yun said this much, looking at the Starlight Captain, "That’s how it is."

The Starlight Captain pondered this, then said, "Indeed, that is so."

Feng Yun was quite satisfied with the Starlight Captain’s deep contemplation. He sighed and said, "What we, the Only Righteous Sect, lack is a person like the Eastern Strategist. Although the Supreme Sect Master indeed shakes the world with Martial Shock River Galaxy, subduing the heroes under heaven, you must understand that his achievements may not be reached by anyone in the future. But the way the Eastern Strategist suppresses all, no one can match him. Therefore, the Only Righteous Sect needs someone like the Eastern Strategist to emerge. If such a person can appear in the future..."

"

Feng Yun took a light breath and said, "If there’s a possibility, the Only Righteous Sect’s social structure and family management will also have to be like this."

The Starlight Captain didn’t respond, finding interest in the unspoken words.

He heard a lot from this sentence and the hints and the strong ambition in Feng Yun’s words.

But for now, he could only remain silent.

And Feng Yun clearly enjoyed his silence now.

"The restrictions of the Martial Dao give people a goal, an endless path ahead, which restrains the ambition for power. Very good!"

"Though, few people in the Martial Dao might develop ambitions for power, but the majority do not. Because once a Martial Dao practitioner experiences the rapid growth and sense of achievement, they would disdain other forms of power."

"Understand this, you understand."

Feng Yun smiled faintly.

The Starlight Captain said, "Yes, I have also thought about this, but not as thoroughly as you, Young Feng."

Feng Yun asked with interest, "How did you think about it?"

The Starlight Captain took a deep breath.

This was a test.

From the beginning, Feng Yun had displayed his breadth of vision and understanding, seemingly showing respect and consideration for the choice he had made, not wanting to force it.

However, all the conversations were actually a display of pressure, making him realize the differences between himself and Feng Yun.

In fact, it was a strategic move for the future.

Every question Feng Yun posed would influence the future arrangements and plans in his mind.

The weight of this could not be underestimated.

Now, he had successfully planted a seed in both Feng Yun and Feng Xing’s minds.

But if he had no talent, the seed would not sprout, and even if it did, it wouldn’t grow strong.

This conversation was almost the most exhausting one he had had in a long time.

The silence was like a thunder in the midst of the calm, the true feeling the Starlight Captain had about this conversation.

If he were to describe his conversation with Feng Yun, it would be: The wind starts at the tip of the reed, and the waves form between the ripples.

"I initially just felt the problems between the Literature and Martial paths."

The Starlight Captain said with great respect, "Learning literature can broaden one’s horizons, and it can also give one a heart full of mountains and valleys, guarding a region and bringing blessings to the people. This can be achieved... or to put it another way, how to compete, one must have a clear mind."

"As for the Martial Dao, it requires talent... those without Martial Dao talent can still learn literature... so the mixed quality is inevitable."

"Warriors are not without their cunning minds; in fact, those who can learn the Martial Dao can also excel in literature, but in the transcendent social group, they have made their own choices, and that’s all there is to it."

"I am not saying all Martial Dao practitioners are good, but based on observations, the scoundrels among literary people are indeed more numerous than among Martial practitioners."

The Starlight Captain avoided the core issue, speaking only from the periphery, but Feng Yun could sense that he understood everything, only the identity issue prevented him from reaching the same high-level perspective as Feng Yun.

This was a matter of degree.

Strategic analysis always needs to be left to the higher-ups and superiors."

Feng Yun smiled faintly and said to the Starlight Captain, "What you said is very good, this is precisely where the Eastern Strategist excels."

The Starlight Captain fell silent again.

Feng Yun said softly, "In your current actions, you are still too cautious, you can be more open."

"Could you clarify, Young Feng?" the Starlight Captain asked.

"Do you feel that the Heaven’s Escort Agency being here, the Guardian Continent’s upper ech, know or not?"

Feng Yun asked with deep meaning.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end