Chapter 135: Chapter 135: Conspiracy Shattered

Inside the mourning hall, splinters from the shattered coffin danced through the air. An elderly figure stood atop the memorial altar, coldly gazing down at the crowd. His aura radiated effortlessly, projecting an intimidating presence without a hint of anger.

Upon seeing this figure, everyone in the mourning hall cried out in shock, their faces etched with utter disbelief!

"Old... Old Village Chief!"

Chao Fei, however, looked as if he had just seen a ghost. His body, which had been charging toward Shen Haoran, froze abruptly. Staring at Yang Zhentian, his face twisted in terror as he stammered, "N-No... impossible! How is this possible!" ’He had personally checked Yang Zhentian for any signs of life. Yang Zhentian was definitely dead! Why was he now standing right in front of him, alive and well?’

"Surprised, are you?" Yang Zhentian said coldly. "This is all thanks to Nephew Shen. Otherwise, this old life of mine really would have ended at your hands!"

「Five days ago, inside Yang Zhentian’s Palace.」

Shen Haoran and Yang Zhentian sat cross-legged in a room swirling with poisonous mist, discussing their plan.

"Since Chao Fei wants you dead, we’ll simply turn his own plan against him and give him the death he so desires!" Shen Haoran said.

"Die? You want me to fake my death?" Yang Zhentian’s brow furrowed. "But Chao Fei is an incredibly shrewd man. It will be very difficult to fool him by playing dead." He had known Chao Fei for many years and understood his temperament well.

In response, Shen Haoran simply gave a mysterious smile. He then retrieved an Elixir from his Storage Ring and explained, "This is a Turtle Breath Pill. It can put you into a temporary state of suspended animation. I’ve added something to it to greatly enhance its effects. After taking it, you’ll be able to fool even your own body, let alone Chao Fei!

"Chao Fei is naturally cautious, which is both his strength and his weakness. He trusts only himself. As long as we can fool his own eyes, he will be convinced that you are dead. Only then will he act against Black Wind Stronghold without restraint, and that’s when he’ll finally expose himself. The moment he shows his true colors will be the moment we strike back!"

"If Chao Fei is daring to make a move, he must have made thorough preparations. I fear that most of the people in the stronghold have already been turned by him," Yang Zhentian said, still worried.

At this, Shen Haoran shook his head. "Old Sir, do you know the hardest thing to predict in this world? It isn’t fate, but human sentiment. For all these years, you have treated the people of this stronghold well. Even if Chao Fei has turned them, it could only be through threats and bribes. One man wins hearts through loyalty and affection, the other buys them with profit. The outcome is clear! You still hold a significant place in their hearts."

Shen Haoran paused, then gave Yang Zhentian a knowing look. "Besides, Old Sir, I refuse to believe you haven’t been cultivating your own power over these past three years. You would never just stand by and watch Black Wind Stronghold fall into the hands of someone with ulterior motives, would you?"

Upon hearing this, Yang Zhentian glanced at Shen Haoran in surprise before bursting into laughter. "Haha, Nephew Shen, you truly are exceptionally intelligent and perceptive! I am thoroughly impressed!" The admiration in his voice was unmistakable.

"Alright then, we’ll proceed according to the plan. It’s just that these next few days will be hard on Yu’Er," Yang Zhentian said, sounding a little guilty.

"Greatness requires enduring hardship, does it not?" Shen Haoran stated calmly.

"Haha!" The old man and the young man looked at each other and laughed, sharing the sentiment of two kindred spirits who regretted not having met sooner.

And so, the plan unfolded. Chao Fei took the bait, and at last, revealed his true colors.

Hearing Yang Zhentian’s words, Chao Fei threw his head back and roared with laughter. "Haha, Yang Zhentian, you are a cunning one! To think that my three years of planning were laid bare before you all along!

"But so what if you know? Right now, everyone in Black Wind Stronghold, from top to bottom, is one of my people! Your reign is over! What do you possibly have to fight me with? That broken-down body of yours?"

At these words, Yang Zhentian’s brow furrowed. He scanned the room as the oppressive might of a Spirit Emperor Powerhouse radiated from him. Anyone his gaze fell upon felt a crushing weight on their chest, as if a great mountain was pressing down on them, making it difficult to even breathe.

"Have you all made your choice?" Yang Zhentian asked, his voice icy and devoid of all emotion.

As Yang Zhentian posed the question, the pressure bearing down on everyone in the mourning hall intensified. They felt as if they were sitting on pins and needles, and cold sweat instantly soaked through their clothes.

"I know many of you were deceived by Chao Fei, and that you believed you were acting in the stronghold’s best interests," Yang Zhentian said coldly. "If you come to your senses now, I can let bygones be bygones. But if you insist on this folly, don’t blame me for disregarding the bonds we have shared for so many years!"

"Old Village Chief, we..." Hearing this, many people lowered their heads in shame, not daring to meet Yang Zhentian’s eyes.

Seeing some people falter, Chao Fei roared, "A bunch of spineless cowards! What are you afraid of? He’s all alone now, no longer the Yang Zhentian of old! What will you get by following him? Nothing! You’d be better off following me. Whatever cultivation resources Yang Zhentian gave you, I’ll double them!"

However, few were swayed by Chao Fei’s words. Seeing this, he grew furious. "You..."

"Enough! Chao Fei, do you really think I’ve done nothing for the past three years? Then allow me to show you just how laughable your actions today have been!"

"Yang Family Army, where are you?!" Yang Zhentian’s voice boomed. He threw his head back and let out a long roar, and the rolling sound waves, infused with Spiritual Power, instantly washed over the entire Black Wind Stronghold.

A moment later, figures soared into the air from every corner of Black Wind Stronghold. In mid-air, countless sets of white mourning clothes were cast aside, revealing Martial Artists in black combat attire. They sped toward the mourning hall, and in the blink of an eye, had it completely surrounded.

"The Yang Family Army is here! Reporting to the Village Chief!" A unified shout thundered, its power Heaven-Shaking!

Shen Haoran stared at the Yang Family Army, amazed. ’As far as the eye can see, every single one of them is a Spirit General! Their combined aura is so perfectly unified it’s as if it radiates from a single entity. This is a true army, one that belongs to Yang Zhentian alone! I knew he’d have a card up his sleeve, but I never imagined it would be this powerful!’

The crowd inside the mourning hall was struck with a new level of shock at the sight of the Yang Family Army. All this time, they had thought Yang Zhentian was merely in seclusion, healing his wounds for the past three years. They never imagined he was secretly building his own army!

Chao Fei’s face turned ashen. ’I thought everything was under my control... that my three years of preparation were flawless. But Yang Zhentian saw through my intentions from the very beginning! To think that after all this... I’d still fall into his hands!’

’Why? How did it come to this?’ Bitterness and indignation swelled in Chao Fei’s heart. ’Today was supposed to be the day I took control of Black Wind Stronghold!’

Suddenly, Chao Fei’s gaze landed on Shen Haoran. ’Yes, it’s him! If it weren’t for him, Yang Zhentian would have died in the Palace! If he hadn’t devised this plan for Yang Zhentian, I would have taken over Black Wind Stronghold by now! My three years of hard work, all washed away... He’s the one responsible for all of this!’ Chao Fei’s gaze turned venomous as he stared at Shen Haoran like a coiled viper.

"Chao Fei, surrender now!" Yang Zhentian commanded coldly.

"Hah! Surrender? Impossible!" Chao Fei sneered and then, without any warning, lunged toward Shen Haoran...