Chapter 17: The Annihilation of the Zheng Family

The system explained, “With 10,000 reputation points, you can activate it. In its initial state, it can only hold 500 people, and only cloned soldiers produced by the system base are allowed inside. Outsiders are not permitted, including the host yourself. Additionally, the space consumes 1,000 reputation points per day.”

“How many reputation points do I have left right now?” Du Chengfeng pressed.

“50,000 reputation points,” the system replied.

“Hurry up and activate it for me,” Du Chengfeng said impatiently. It was only 10,000 points, and he felt no reluctance at all.

“Very well. Deducting 10,000 reputation points to activate the system space. Please check carefully,” the system kindly reminded.

In an instant, Du Chengfeng sensed a misty, boundless space appear in his mind. With a single thought, 200 cloned soldiers were brought into the space, regardless of distance. Even though he was still several hundred meters away from the system base behind the mountain, the cloned soldiers were quietly stored away.

“Incredible!” Du Chengfeng could barely contain his joy and muttered to himself.

“Don’t get ahead of yourself, host. The range is limited to within one kilometer,” the system poured cold water on his excitement at just the right moment.

“That’s good enough,” Du Chengfeng replied, satisfied with the range and not greedy for more.

Set out for Chang’an! After straightening his clothes, Du Chengfeng began walking toward the city.

Upon arrival, he casually asked around and soon learned of Zheng Xing’s residence. By coincidence, it was near the courtyard Du Chengfeng had just purchased, only separated by two streets.

Gazing at the large characters “Zheng Residence” above the main gate, Du Chengfeng felt a surge of anger for no apparent reason. He lashed out with his foot, sending the vermillion-painted gate flying open in a domineering fashion.

The guards who rushed over had no time to react before Du Chengfeng knocked them out and tossed them aside.

He immediately released ten cloned soldiers and ordered, “Guard the entrance. Don’t let a single person escape. Understood?”

“Understood!” The ten cloned soldiers quickly lined up like iron towers on either side of the gate, which was then shut again.

Du Chengfeng continued deeper into the residence. Knowing that the Zheng family was one of the prominent households in Chang’an, there were bound to be many servants inside.

To avoid unnecessary complications, Du Chengfeng released another hundred cloned soldiers, instructing them to stealthily infiltrate every corner of the Zheng residence and knock out anyone they found, gathering everyone in the central courtyard.

He himself grabbed a maid and threatened her into leading him to Zheng Xing’s quarters.

The maid, trembling in terror at the sight of the furious and menacing Du Chengfeng, dared not resist and led him to Zheng Xing’s study.

Zheng Xing, unaware of the impending disaster, was in the study laughing and frolicking with two maids. On the desk sat several jars of the legendary Immortal Wine he had snatched from Wangjiang Tower.

Only after tasting the wine did he understand why it was so popular throughout Chang’an.

This only strengthened his determination to acquire the secret recipe for Immortal Wine. What he did not know was that his grand dreams were about to crumble before they began.

With a furious kick, Du Chengfeng shattered the study’s door. The maid quailed in terror, her face drained of color. With a swift karate chop, Du Chengfeng knocked her out and tossed her aside. Then he released the rest of his cloned soldiers, positioning them around Zheng Xing’s study and sealing every possible escape.

Faced with the sudden appearance of Du Chengfeng and dozens of intimidating cloned soldiers, Zheng Xing collapsed to the floor, his legs trembling uncontrollably. In terror, he shouted, “Who are you? What do you want?”

“Hmph!” Du Chengfeng snorted heavily. “My name is Du Chengfeng. Why do you think I’m here? You dared to lay hands on my people—now you’ll regret ever being born!” In a flash, he was standing before Zheng Xing, a cold smile on his lips.

“Ah! You’re Du Chengfeng!” Zheng Xing screamed. “How could you… How is this possible… Who are these men…” He grew more and more frightened.

Each of these soldiers was tall, powerful, and radiated a fierce aura. He had seen the most elite Xuanjia Army of the Tang, but even they paled in comparison to these men.

And Du Chengfeng had the audacity to storm the residence of the Prefect of Chang’an with such a force in broad daylight—was he insane? Did he not realize the consequences of attacking an imperial official?

“Stay back! Don’t come any closer! This is the residence of a court official. Are you planning a rebellion? Guards! There’s a traitor!” Zheng Xing, trying to muster his courage, shouted desperately.

“Heh! Even now you’re trying to pin charges on me? Rebellion? You wish,” Du Chengfeng sneered. “Give up the dream. All your people have been knocked out. No one from the Zheng family will survive today. I’ll raze this place to the ground. Go to hell and confess your sins!”

With that, Du Chengfeng drew his tungsten steel dagger and moved to slit Zheng Xing’s throat.

“Wait… Wait… Don’t! Please,” Zheng Xing pleaded, terrified at the gleam of the dagger in Du Chengfeng’s hand. He waved his hands frantically and begged, “Du… Du Chengfeng, I’ll give you money, lots of money! I know my father’s vault is filled with gold and treasures. It’s all yours—just spare me this once! I swear I’ll never cross you again!”

“Oh? You’re already thinking about next time?” Du Chengfeng asked with a mocking smile, waving the dagger menacingly. Zheng Xing’s words confirmed his suspicions: the Prefect of Chang’an was indeed a corrupt official.

“No! There won’t be a next time! Du Chengfeng, I swear to heaven—never again!” Zheng Xing suddenly fell to his knees, kowtowing and sobbing.

“Unfortunately, only the dead can be truly trusted,” Du Chengfeng murmured. With a swift motion, his dagger flashed. A cold gleam. Zheng Xing’s throat was slit, and he died instantly.

To his last breath, Zheng Xing could not understand how bullying a mere country villager had cost him his life. But in this world, there is no remedy for regret.

The two maids were also killed by Du Chengfeng, not out of cruelty but simply because they had chosen the wrong side.

As for the others, only the attendants and steward who were present that day were silenced; the rest were merely knocked out and quietly dumped outside the walls.

Even the Prefect of Chang’an himself met the same fate—his throat cut by Du Chengfeng. The unfortunate official had only just returned home when he was killed for no apparent reason.

As the saying goes, “When the top beam is crooked, the bottom beams are askew.” With such a dissipated son, the Prefect could hardly have been much better. The piles of gold and treasure were proof enough.

Afterward, Du Chengfeng ordered his soldiers to gather all of the Zheng family’s wealth into one place, then stored it all in the system warehouse.

By heaven, the wealth was piled like mountains, dazzling Du Chengfeng’s eyes. Truly, this family was a cancer upon the empire. At the thought, Du Chengfeng felt no guilt at all.