Infinite Professions from a Pearl Collector
Chapter 27 - 25: The Villain is Finally Executed

Chapter 27: Chapter 25: The Villain is Finally Executed

Duke An’s Mansion was enormous.

Although flames raged outside, by the time the sound reached the depths of the estate, it had been reduced to a faint clamor.

Still, just in case, numerous servants carried buckets of water, dousing all the important pavilions and verandas while clearing away dead branches and fallen leaves to prevent the fire from spreading inside.

Faced with such a scene, it would be a lie to say Li Chunfeng wasn’t nervous.

The Stepping Moon Thief had caused such a massive commotion—this clearly wasn’t just a scare tactic. He was genuinely out to kill him. A chill crept up his spine.

Fortunately, the small courtyard he was in was located in the heart of the Duke’s Mansion. Behind it lay the rear garden’s massive pond, its moist air providing a temporary sense of security.

Furthermore, the courtyard was surrounded by several layers of the mansion’s top experts and constables from the Six Gates, allowing his frantic heart to settle somewhat.

Just then, a figure hurried over. Seeing that Li Chunfeng was safe, he let out a slight sigh of relief.

It was Cheng Ming.

He had just been patrolling outside the estate, trying to catch the Stepping Moon Thief before he could make his move. When the fire suddenly erupted at the Duke’s Mansion, he was horrified and immediately rushed back.

Experience counts for something, after all. Cheng Ming didn’t even bother trying to guess where the Flying Thief might sneak in; he headed straight for Li Chunfeng.

He knew that the root of all the trouble tonight was this wicked young master. As long as he was safe, everything would be fine.

Cheng Ming had just arrived when Cheng Zhiwei hurried over as well.

She had clearly figured out the crucial point and rushed here at once.

Seeing more and more guards gather around him, with a veteran of the Martial World from the Six Gates like Cheng Ming by his side, Li Chunfeng’s fear completely vanished.

He glanced at the sky. It wasn’t long before dawn, and the three-day deadline was about to pass.

At this thought, he grew even more smug. "What damned Stepping Moon Thief? In my opinion, he’s nothing but a common burglar. Miss Cheng, wouldn’t you agree?"

With the danger seemingly gone, the young master once again had time for leisure, his gaze roaming shamelessly over Cheng Zhiwei’s body.

Cheng Zhiwei couldn’t be bothered with him and simply gave a slight nod.

Seeing her cold demeanor, Li Chunfeng felt a surge of anger. If Cheng Ming wasn’t standing right there, he would have dragged the little bitch into a room and shown her what he was made of.

But he knew how to weigh his priorities. He still needed this grandfather-granddaughter duo, so he suppressed his wicked thoughts and, with a face full of smiles, ordered a maid to bring over fruits and pastries.

"You’ve all worked hard. Come, have something to eat. Fill your stomachs."

It was late autumn, a time when fresh fruit was long gone from ordinary households. But Duke An’s Mansion was no ordinary household; the fruit served was still plump and juicy.

Cheng Zhiwei, however, had no appetite at all.

She gazed at the distant fires, a sense of unease churning within her. It felt as if she had overlooked something of critical importance, but no matter how hard she thought, she could never quite grasp that wisp of Spiritual Light.

"Zhiwei, don’t overthink it." Cheng Ming walked to his granddaughter’s side. Seeing her frowning, he assumed she was frustrated about not catching the thief and comforted her gently.

"Who could have guessed this Flying Thief would be so cunning as to use such a method to break the stalemate? But don’t you worry. With your grandfather here, I’ll never let him succeed."

Cheng Zhiwei gave a wry smile. She didn’t voice the strange worry in her heart, merely nodding gently.

But the very instant she nodded, a muffled explosion suddenly boomed in the distance!

Everyone in the courtyard froze, their heads whipping in the direction of the sound. In the distance, a pavilion was billowing with thick smoke.

"That... That’s the Duke’s study!" an old man who looked like a steward cried out, his voice filled with terror.

"What?!"

His words stunned everyone present.

Cheng Zhiwei felt as if she’d been struck by lightning.

She finally remembered what she had forgotten!

The note left by Stepping Moon said he would take Li Chunfeng’s head in three days, but it never said he would *only* take one!

’What if... what if he had more than one target from the very beginning? What about Duke Anguo, Li Jun?’

The thought struck her like a thunderbolt, and an icy chill washed over her, her limbs growing numb.

She wasn’t the only one; everyone present realized the same thing.

The color drained from everyone’s faces.

Li Chunfeng was the young master of the Duke’s Mansion, sure, but his death would just be another shocking murder case in the Capital City, something people would gossip about for a few days.

But if Duke Anguo, Li Jun, were to die, it would be a monumental event that would shake the entire imperial court. Everyone present would be held responsible!

"Quick! Protect the Duke!"

Someone shouted, and most of the experts in the courtyard no longer paid any mind to Li Chunfeng, instead charging madly toward the explosion.

Li Chunfeng was completely dumbfounded.

He might not care if anyone else lived or died, but he had to care about his own father.

All these years, he had been able to act so tyrannically entirely because of the protection of Li Jun’s power. If his father died, even if he survived tonight, his life would be over!

Besides, while Li Jun spoiled him rotten, the bond between father and son was still there.

"Father!"

Li Chunfeng let out a roar. Forgetting all about the danger, he broke into a run, desperate to see how his father was doing.

"Young Master, you mustn’t!" Cheng Ming exclaimed, grabbing him. "The Duke is surrounded by experts. He will be perfectly safe. You’ll only get in the way if you go now."

But Li Chunfeng was in no state to listen. He shook off Cheng Ming’s hand and instinctively ran toward the man-made stream outside the courtyard that connected to the rear garden’s water system, as if trying to find a way around.

The very instant his foot landed on the stone slab by the stream’s edge!

"SPLASH—"

A black figure shot out from the seemingly calm water without any warning. Water sprayed everywhere as a cold glint of light in his hand struck out like a viper’s tongue, aiming straight for Li Chunfeng’s throat.

The figure’s movements were impossibly fast. Li Chunfeng, his courage already shattered by the chain of events, could only stand there with a blank mind, completely unable to react.

"You dare, villain!"

In the nick of time, Cheng Ming roared and lunged at the black figure.

He had spent most of his life in the Six Gates and his skills were exceptionally solid. But it all happened too suddenly; he didn’t even have time to draw the saber at his waist. He could only rely on his old fists to try and buy Li Chunfeng a chance to live.

However, in the instant he crossed paths with the dark figure, Cheng Zhiwei saw a flash of cold light, so fast it was just a blur.

Then, she heard her grandfather let out a pained grunt. His entire body staggered backward as he clutched his neck, blood gushing madly from between his fingers.

"Grandfather!"

Cheng Zhiwei let out a heart-wrenching scream, feeling as if her entire world was collapsing in that moment.

Li Chunfeng finally snapped out of it. He let out a demonic shriek and turned to run.

But he had barely turned when the ghostly figure closed the distance, raising a short blade high without the slightest hesitation.

"Stop!"

Cheng Zhiwei’s eyes were practically splitting with rage. Ignoring her grandfather’s wound, she instinctively raised the repeating crossbow she carried and aimed it at the dark figure.

However, the figure seemed not to have heard her furious shout at all. The blade in his hand slashed down without pausing!