Autumn had arrived, and the harvest season was drawing nearer. However, the number of birds in the Dabashan Mountains was increasing daily. According to Professor Niu's estimations, as the mutated birds multiplied, they would leave the mountains to seek food in the outside world.
The resources within the mountains were limited, with only a small amount of food available. Once it was depleted, there would be nothing left. In such a situation, to survive, they could only leave the mountains and live in the outside world. This presented a potential crisis for Yuzhou.
Birds did not just eat insects; if there was grain, they would eat it too, whether it was rice or wheat. Decades ago, sparrows were considered one of the four pests in China. People at the time believed sparrows consumed a large amount of crops, leading to widespread culling.
Having sold five non-essential mutant-ability potions, Shen Feng had managed to resolve an urgent need, obtaining eight thousand tons of grain. The provisions for the expedition were secured, and with the grain in hand, Yuzhou would not face major chaos. However, deciding who would go to meet Luo Qing and Xu Xing was a rather tricky matter.
Shen Feng had initially planned to send mutant-ability users to escort Luo Qing. However, Lu Xian was currently under quarantine and investigation, Qi Lingshan was still managing intelligence work, and Lu Kaiyang had just gotten married, making it inconvenient for him to go. Upon consideration, it seemed only Guo Pinming and Yang Chang were available. But these two were under close scrutiny, and their disappearance from Yuzhou would inevitably arouse suspicion.
Just as Shen Feng was pondering this dilemma, news suddenly arrived from outside the city: Cao Fuli and Lin Yue had returned!
Upon hearing this news, Shen Feng had found his candidates. These two had just returned and had nothing pressing to do. Sending them on another trip would be suitable. Moreover, Cao Fuli was the president of the Mercenary Guild; if he led a few mercenary groups, it wouldn't attract particular attention.
"City Lord, we have returned. These are Mr. Yue's family. He had previously instructed us to bring his family to Yuzhou, and we could only comply," Lin Yue said, quickly introducing the people accompanying him upon seeing Shen Feng.
Shen Feng looked at the family. A middle-aged couple stood nervously, and behind them was a child around ten years old, who also appeared timid.
Shen Feng understood Yue Hengyi's intentions. He had been sentenced to death, and his family would undoubtedly be left without care, so they had to be entrusted to him.
Shen Feng shook his head helplessly and said to the middle-aged couple, "Uncle and Aunt, Xiao Yue and I are sworn brothers. You can live in Yuzhou without any trouble from now on. As for the future, if you wish to work, I will arrange easy positions for you. Is the young boy beside you Yue Hengyi's younger brother?"
Upon hearing Shen Feng's words, Yue Hengyi's parents were deeply moved and immediately said, "Lord Fengshen, thank you so much. It's truly wonderful that you would take us in at this time. This child is Yue Hengyi's cousin. His parents have both passed away, and we had to raise him. We never expected this accident to happen."
At this moment, the young boy also walked up and, with a "plop," knelt before Shen Feng, earnestly saying, "Lord Fengshen, please let me become a mutant-ability user. I will avenge my cousin in the future!"
Shen Feng was stunned by this scene. This child was kneeling before him as soon as they met, and he was Yue Hengyi's cousin. If he refused, wouldn't that be showing disrespect?
Lin Yue quickly explained, "This is Yue Hengyi's cousin, named Qu Zhaoqian. He has been bullied terribly during this time, so he wants to avenge Yue Hengyi. He also knows that Yue Hengyi was framed. So, City Lord, please be understanding."
Cao Fuli also explained, "City Lord, ever since Yue Hengyi was apprehended by those people from the Heavenly Dragon Bureau, the Heavenly Dragon Bureau began a widespread propaganda campaign, detailing Yue Hengyi's wrongdoings and smearing his name. Mr. Yue's family was affected. The uncle and aunt lost their jobs and were verbally abused. Even Qu Zhaoqian was beaten by many people at school, who called him a little bastard."
It turned out that after Yue Hengyi was captured, the Heavenly Dragon Bureau, in order to promote its own reputation, portrayed itself as a savior. How could it smoothly become a hero? Naturally, by exaggerating the cruelty of its opponents. Thus, Yue Hengyi was depicted as an utterly wicked scoundrel, successfully inciting public anger.
As Yue Hengyi's family, his parents and cousin were affected. It was fortunate that Lin Yue and Cao Fuli took the three of them away, otherwise, they would have continued to suffer discrimination.
Now, Qu Zhaoqian was willing to do anything to avenge his cousin.
Shen Feng helplessly crouched down and looked at the boy, who was around ten years old, and asked, "You say you want revenge, do you know how to achieve it?"
Qu Zhaoqian immediately replied without hesitation, "Kill all those who framed my cousin, leave none alive! And Qin Kewe, that bitch harmed my cousin, I will kill her too!"
Yue Hengyi was a great hero in Qu Zhaoqian's eyes. Qu Zhaoqian had always looked up to his cousin as a role model. He never expected his cousin to suddenly become the great devil spoken of by others, about to be executed for justice. This was unbearable for Qu Zhaoqian, and he was determined to avenge his cousin.
Upon hearing Qu Zhaoqian's words, Shen Feng felt that the boy's murderous intent was too strong. Killing everyone indiscriminately. If not corrected properly, he might become a murderer in the future. So, he quickly said, "There's no rush for this matter. You should study first and stay in Yuzhou to study. When you are older, I will give you mutant-ability potions, and then you can seek revenge, understand? You need to study now."
Qu Zhaoqian still refused to get up, remaining kneeling on the ground, and said earnestly, "What's the use of studying? It still won't let me get revenge!"
Qu Zhaoqian believed that scholars were useless, and the ancestors' words were truly classic and accurate. What was the use of studying? Could studying bring revenge?
Shen Feng smiled, unconcerned by Qu Zhaoqian's rebuttal. He smiled and said, "You'll know the use of studying when you study more. If I tell you the answer now, you won't believe it. Go and study first. The school is full of hidden talents. If you can't stand out in school, it will be even harder to get revenge."
Shen Feng made up his mind. First, he would send Yue Hengyi's cousin to school. This boy had too much murderous intent and disliked studying, which was not acceptable. He must first temper himself at school for two years, and then administer the mutant-ability potion when the time was right.
Shen Feng had already made his decision, and there was nothing Qu Zhaoqian could do to object. He had to reluctantly agree, but at this moment, he still said unhappily, "Then, Lord Fengshen, you promised. When I grow up, you must give me mutant-ability potions."
Shen Feng nodded in agreement, and only then did Qu Zhaoqian slowly get up from the ground. Although unwilling, he had no other choice at the moment. He thought of the treatment he had recently received and felt immense anger.
Qu Zhaoqian had already lost his parents. His only remaining relatives were his uncle and aunt's family. Naturally, he regarded Yue Hengyi as an elder brother, and Yue Hengyi was a hero praised by everyone. Because of this, Qu Zhaoqian was very proud. His elder brother was a hero, and as his younger brother, he had prestige when he went out, especially at school.
As long as Qu Zhaoqian mentioned his identity at school, others would naturally show him respect. Both classmates and teachers admired him greatly.
However, after Yue Hengyi committed murder, everything changed. The former great hero became a devil reviled by everyone. Yue Hengyi was scorned by countless people, which affected Qu Zhaoqian. Every time at school, he would hear others say, "Look, this is the bad guy's brother."
Teachers no longer looked favorably upon Qu Zhaoqian. The most direct manifestation was being moved from the front row to the last row.
When Qu Zhaoqian was beaten by older students, he went to report it to the teacher, but the teacher simply ignored him, perfunctorily said a few words, and let Qu Zhaoqian leave. At this point, the young Qu Zhaoqian finally understood the vicissitudes of life. When you were in glory, both classmates and teachers would fawn over you. When you fell into the dust, anyone could step on you.
Fortunately, Lin Yue and Cao Fuli appeared in time and took the family of three away. They were almost discovered during the process.
From then on, Qu Zhaoqian resented the bastards who harmed his cousin. Youth meant not considering things comprehensively. When he felt injustice, Qu Zhaoqian immediately wanted revenge.
However, for Yue Hengyi's parents, in this chaotic world, finding a place to live peacefully was already difficult. They were also very grateful to Shen Feng and quickly said, "Lord Fengshen is right. We will live in Yuzhou from now on."
"Please don't call me Lord Fengshen. I am the junior. You can just call me by my name," Shen Feng said quickly.
Although Shen Feng regarded Yue Hengyi as a subordinate, Yue Hengyi's parents were his elders. If he accepted the title "Lord Fengshen," it would be inappropriate. If others found out, they would probably say he lacked manners.
After all, the word "Lord" originally meant father. Addressing superiors as "Lord" was a bad habit that eventually became accepted. The modern internet term "Da Da" has the same meaning, also referring to a father. Perhaps others used it out of respect, but Shen Feng could not accept elders addressing him like this, as it was a complete inversion of order.
Shen Feng's statement immediately caused trouble for Yue Hengyi's parents. The other party had helped them in their time of need, and he was the City Lord of Yuzhou, a noble position. For him to suggest calling him by his name, it would be inappropriate if they actually did so.
Fortunately, Lin Yue stepped forward to help the elders out of their predicament: "How about this, let's just call him by his title. Calling him City Lord would be perfectly fine."
Afterward, Shen Feng chatted with Yue Hengyi's family for a while and arranged for the three of them to reside in the city.
After the three left, Lin Yue took out two mutant-ability potions and over ten grams of extraterrestrial elements from his person and said, "City Lord, these are the items Yue Hengyi left behind. Additionally, thirty grams of extraterrestrial elements have fallen into Gong Changfa's hands. I believe that since Yue Hengyi entrusted his family to Yuzhou, we shouldn't treat them poorly, right?"
Shen Feng nodded and said, "Originally, these mutant-ability potions and extraterrestrial elements were prepared by Xiao Yue to be brought back to the country and contributed to the Mutant-Ability Administration. He was loyal at the time, which is a pity, that he ended his life like this."
Regarding Yue Hengyi's current situation, Shen Feng could no longer save him. Yuzhou was thousands of miles away from Yanjing, and Yanjing was the capital with formidable security forces. Rescuing him was as difficult as ascending to heaven. Perhaps the next news Shen Feng would hear of Yue Hengyi would be his death.
Shen Feng thought for a moment and then said to Lin Yue and Cao Fuli, "You two returning is just in time. I had originally intended for you to rest for a while after your mission, but it seems you need to complete another task. You will secretly lead people to Wuling Mountain to rendezvous with Luo Qing and Xu Xing and bring the grain back to Yuzhou. As long as the grain arrives, we can clear out the mutated birds in Dabashan."