Chapter 11: The Pack of Jackals and Wolves

In the forest village, even from afar, one could hear the fierce howls of the jackals and wolves. Listening to their overlapping cries, even the village’s mightiest warriors felt their scalps tingle with fear. Women in every household urged their men to check the doors and windows, lest the beasts break in—if that happened, disaster would surely follow.

One or two, no one would mind, but judging by the sound, their numbers were considerable.

A howl echoed through the night.

The jackal that had been chased off earlier by Gu Feng led the pack, its vicious gaze fixed on him as it howled. Upon hearing its cry, the other jackals seemed to receive a command, flanking Gu Feng and Gu Yan from both sides, encircling them.

Gu Yan, cradled in Gu Feng’s arms, looked around at the glowing green eyes of the jackals. It was her first time seeing them; she didn’t recognize them and, panic-stricken, asked, “Brother, what are these creatures? Their voices are terrifying. Are those glowing green things their eyes? It’s so frightening.”

Gu Feng held her tighter, scanning the area. Fifteen jackals crouched, forelegs poised to spring and hindquarters tensed, ready to attack. If given the chance, all fifteen would leap at Gu Feng and Gu Yan with savage intent.

Though Gu Feng frowned, he remained calm. Jackals and wolves were ferocious, but they were mere beasts; formidable against ordinary people, their only advantage against a warrior lay in numbers.

He explained to his sister, “These are the jackals Grandfather always spoke of.”

“Ah! Jackals—Grandfather said they’re vicious and vengeful. No wonder that one returned with so many others. Brother, we’re surrounded by jackals now. What should we do?” Gu Yan gazed at Gu Feng, noticing his composure; her fear began to wane. From the dirt mounds to Guo Nan, to Wang Yuanwu’s gang of bandits, her brother had always managed to rescue her unharmed. Though she didn’t understand how her timid brother had changed, she believed he was no longer the boy he once was. As long as he was by her side, there was nothing he couldn’t handle.

It was a kind of blind trust, perhaps because in this world he was her only kin, her sole reliance.

Gu Feng chuckled, “A bunch of wild beasts—just right for some practice.”

The jackal that had previously fled howled at its companions, prompting them all to advance, tightening the circle around Gu Feng and Gu Yan.

As creatures that lived in packs, their limited intelligence was compensated by generations of experience, teaching them the art of coordinated attacks. By closing the circle, no matter which direction Gu Feng tried to break through, they would face an onslaught from every side.

Such was the strength of the crowd.

Seeing that the pack was growing impatient, Gu Feng set his sister down, hoisted her onto his back, one hand supporting her rounded hip, the other gripping his fine iron short sword. “Hold on tight, sister.”

“Mm.” Gu Yan’s cheeks flushed crimson. She replied in a delicate voice. Though she was already a young lady, her brother’s hand on such a sensitive spot made her heart flutter. She knew it was unintentional, yet the sensation was strange—his hand was powerful, warm, and comforting, filling her with a sense of security.

Obediently, her arms clung tightly around his neck, her legs wrapped firmly around his slender waist. Though the feeling was odd, she liked it, her body warming as she wondered if she might be falling for her brother.

Though they were siblings in name, both knew they had been picked up by Old Gu, not blood-related. Moreover, Gu Feng had always been timid and fearful; they’d never been this close, not even held hands. When her brother accidentally brushed her hand, she used to cringe, but now—how had things changed so much?

Gu Yan, just fourteen, was full of girlish thoughts.

Gu Feng, for his part, felt the softness of her chest pressed against his back, but his mind was focused, without distraction or wild thoughts.

Prepared now, he faced the jackals and shouted, “You pack of beasts, come at me together!”

With his experience in killing, slaughtering a pack of jackals was nothing to him.

The jackals, though their circle tightened, were cautious by nature and hesitated to attack. Fifteen pairs of green eyes watched Gu Feng warily, waiting for an opening. The moment one found an opportunity, the rest would surge forward.

Gu Feng saw that dawn was near. Impatient, he gripped his sword tightly and said, “Hold on, sister. Kill!”

He charged straight at the jackal that had previously run away.

Gu Yan barely had time to react; she felt her brother lurch beneath her.

A howl split the air.

The pack hadn’t expected their prey, surrounded by their kin, to attack. Their instincts made them retreat as Gu Feng moved.

The targeted jackal was especially frantic, whirling and fleeing. Its reflexes were so quick its legs couldn’t keep up, and it tumbled clumsily to the ground.

Gu Feng paused for a moment, then rejoiced—this was the perfect chance.

He stomped the soft earth, sending mud flying and leaving a pit behind. With a leap, he soared through the air, wind whistling past, his sword raised high and brought crashing down.

Gu Yan’s eyes widened, watching the dim surroundings blur as she felt herself lifted into the air. She was astonished—her brother was so powerful.

A howl.

The jackal sensed the mortal danger. It was too late to dodge; it could only turn its head, staring up at Gu Feng with terror gleaming in its green eyes, letting out a resentful cry.

A sickening sound.

The fine iron sword struck first, cleaving the jackal’s hindquarters in two, blood spraying and filling the air with the stench of gore.

A heavy thud.

Gu Feng landed, his body dropping hard into the earth, leaving two more small pits as his feet sank into the mud.

The jackal’s life was tenacious; even with its hindquarters severed, it did not die immediately, emitting mournful cries as it stared at its own mutilated body. After a while, its green eyes flashed up at Gu Feng, the one who slew it, refusing to close even in death.

A chime sounded.

“Jackal slain. Experience +5.”

Hearing the system’s voice, Gu Feng knew the creature was dead.

As her brother moved violently, Gu Yan clung even tighter, the friction between their bodies intensifying her strange feelings. She even wished she could stay on his back forever.

The death of this jackal sent a wave through the remaining fourteen, who, smelling the blood of their kin, breathed heavier, their green eyes locked onto the corpse.

Their aura changed dramatically, as if provoked, and each jackal radiated a wild, frenzied energy.