Chapter 041: The Gathering Storm

Chapter 041: The Gathering Storm

The sky was shrouded in gray, as if concealing some unknown secret, yet hinting at the imminent arrival of another tempest. Huang Tianba, once the master of Yu County who commanded wind and rain, still inspired awe even in death. As the coffin moved slowly forward, the crowd felt a chill sweep past, an ominous breeze.

"Woo... Father, don't leave me! Please, don't!" Watching her father's coffin advance, Huang Wei could no longer restrain herself. In that moment, her entire inner world collapsed, and all her sorrow poured forth.

"Big Brother, don't go like this! Big Brother, wake up—Shan'er is no longer angry with you, Shan'er will listen to you. Big Brother, please!" Huang Shan flung herself onto the coffin, overwhelmed by memories of her brother's kindness. She had never imagined such a fate would befall him, always believing he would be safe. Now, all hope was gone.

"Big Brother, Father!" The two women clung to each other in tears, their cries merging into one. Those around them looked on, unable to hold back their own tears. Huang Tianba, once a figure of prominence, had bid farewell to the world. Seeing his daughter and sister weeping so bitterly, everyone felt a deep sorrow.

"Miss, please restrain your grief," said Chen Hao, stepping forward swiftly to support Huang Wei, who looked ready to faint from her sorrow. Ye Feng also steadied Huang Shan's delicate form, her body so soft that it seemed she might collapse at any moment. The sensation gave Ye Feng a strange feeling.

"You…!" Huang Shan suddenly felt a tingling sensation on her chest. Looking down, her cheeks flushed red with embarrassment: Ye Feng, caught up in the urgency, had inadvertently placed his hands on her ample curves. Her twisting movements only heightened the experience for him.

"Are you alright?" Ye Feng looked down, aghast at the situation. He prided himself on being a pure and honorable man—how could this happen? His hands were now pressed against her softness, and as Huang Shan moved, he could not help but feel the fullness in his grasp.

"I'm fine, but… could you let go of your hand?" she whispered, mortified. Even at such a time, this rascal would not release her. Did he intend something more, right in front of so many people? Huang Shan's face was now as red as a cloth.

After much persuasion, the two gradually regained their composure. Meanwhile, the members of Justice Gate lined up in rows before Huang Tianba's coffin, bowing three times. Amid sighs and sorrow, the lid was gently closed, and a group quickly carried off the body for cremation and burial.

Huang Wei and Huang Shan, exhausted from their grief, were sent to rest in the villa. Affairs outside were handled by Hua Qiang and Chen Hao, while Ye Feng remained by Huang Wei's side. Only by protecting her could he ensure all possibilities for himself; otherwise, everything would be lost. Outside, Ma Long and others were busy, searching for evidence and making preparations.

"Thank you all for coming," Hua Qiang said, smiling as he addressed the guests. "On behalf of Justice Gate, I express our gratitude. As Miss Huang is too overcome with grief to appear, Chen Hao, Master of the Vermilion Hall, and I will attend to everyone."

"You are too kind, Master Hua," replied a middle-aged man politely. "We were all friends of Master Huang, and we are here today to honor him as friends."

"Indeed, Master Hua, there is no need for formalities. You are young and capable; you should bear the banner now," another man said, glancing at Hua Qiang with meaning. Though Huang Tianba had a daughter, she had never involved herself in the affairs of the sect. With his passing, few would still honor his name.

Hua Qiang chuckled. "You jest, my friend. Please, enjoy yourselves." With that, he and his trusted aides slipped away. His purpose was simply to make an appearance; there was no need to stand out, lest the other three hall masters become antagonistic.

"Has Miss Huang been returned to her room?" Hua Qiang asked as he left, clearly concerned about Huang Wei's state.

"Miss Huang is resting in her room, accompanied by Miss Huang Shan and Ye Feng. No need to worry, Master. We will take good care of her, and the other three hall masters have also sent people to attend to her," the aide replied.

Hua Qiang nodded. It was only right—though his elder brother was gone, as a senior, he ought to care for Huang Wei. The thought of her losing her father filled him with sorrow.

"Ye Feng, why haven't they made a move?" Huang Wei asked in her room. Was there no hidden plot? The earlier moment had been a perfect opportunity, yet no one had acted against her. She felt relieved.

"They are likely employing a feint. We need not concern ourselves—just strengthen our defenses. Shan, when will you return to the provincial capital?" Ye Feng worried that Huang Shan's presence increased the danger; yet if she left now, he feared an ambush on the road.

"I'm not in a hurry; I'll stay with Wei for now." Huang Shan had important business to attend to, but with her brother's death, she couldn't leave early. Since Ye Feng and Huang Wei had left the capital, she felt a strange emptiness. Not seeing Ye Feng made her feel somewhat lost. Ah, what was happening to her?

"That's wise. Although things seem calm now, I fear it is merely the calm before the storm. We must prepare ourselves," Ye Feng mused. Those people would not give up so easily.

"Thank you, Ye Feng. When this is all over, I will thank you properly—half the family estate will be yours!" Huang Wei had finally come to a resolution. To avenge her father, she would sacrifice whatever was necessary, especially for the man she loved.

"No need for that. Once this is over, I'll return to Venus Hotel and resume my security work. If you truly wish to thank me, just return the hotel to Aunt Wen," Ye Feng said with a smile. In business matters, Huang Wei was inexperienced.

"That is no problem at all. For now, we must take things one step at a time. Who knows how deep the trouble runs within the sect? I only hope we can preserve Father's legacy—he worked so hard for it," Huang Wei said, feeling somewhat embarrassed at her past immaturity.