Chapter 17: Resurrection

Gu Feng watched everything unfold from within the resurrection space, his heart filled with worry for his sister’s safety. Yet, with ten minutes left before he could revive, all he could do was fret in anxious silence, hoping the timid and fearful villagers might delay the bandits just a little longer.

Inside the house, Gu Yan and her companions were equally desperate, praying for Gu Feng’s appearance.

Zhou Yuan, being the village chief, possessed not only courage but also strength uncommon among ordinary people. Though not a warrior, his strength reached eight points, making him every bit as formidable as the fourth bandit. The villagers’ fear was not of these few bandits, but rather of the Thousand Peaks Territory that backed them.

As Zhou Yuan strode calmly towards the house, passing right by the bandits, all but the fourth bandit readied themselves, weapons in hand, prepared to strike him down should he try anything reckless.

Tension etched the faces of the villagers as Zhou Yuan brushed past the bandits and headed for the door. His steps were light, and those inside the house heard nothing of his approach.

Upon entering, Zhou Yuan pushed against the tightly shut door. Seven or eight bandits watched, gripping their weapons.

He pushed with force, but the door did not budge. The sound of someone trying the door sent shivers through Gu Yan and the others hiding in the inner room; all four trembled in fear.

Zhou Yuan swung his fist and smashed it into the old door.

With a thunderous crash, the door shattered.

Amid the bandits’ tense gazes, Zhou Yuan entered and made straight for the inner room. Seeing the four huddled in the corner, he barked, “Get out now!”

Zhou Dalong and his companions shook their heads, unwilling and afraid to leave. If they fell into the bandits’ hands, the women might be spared for their value, but Zhou Dalong was certain he would meet a terrible end.

Gu Yan stared vacantly at Zhou Yuan, sorrow flooding her heart. “Brother, why haven’t you appeared yet? You lied to me… you’re lying to me…”

“Do you need me to throw you out myself?” Zhou Yuan pressed, leaving them no choice. Zhou Dalong, trembling, helped his wife and Widow Li out.

Gu Yan remained, her gaze empty, fixed on Zhou Yuan.

Zhou Yuan looked at Gu Yan, unable to deny her beauty—even he was tempted. His tone softened slightly: “Go on, leave.”

Gu Yan did not move, lost in her trance.

Zhou Yuan walked over, seized Gu Yan, and, taking advantage of the moment, reached for her chest, reasoning that she was soon to fall into the bandits’ hands anyway.

“Ah!” Gu Yan came to her senses and struggled fiercely, biting Zhou Yuan’s arm with all her strength.

“Ah!” Zhou Yuan, after all, was just a man; the pain from her bite was intense, and he flung her away.

Gu Yan landed hard on the broken bed, but ignoring the pain, she stared at Zhou Yuan in terror, shrinking toward the foot of the bed.

Zhou Yuan looked at his bleeding arm and glared at Gu Yan in anger. “You wretch, you really bite hard! Fine, I’ll have my fun with you first.”

He knew the bandits feared traps inside the house and would not barge in, so he needed only to act quickly.

Outside, the bandits heard the cries from within, confused by the commotion.

In the outer room, Zhou Dalong and the others heard Gu Yan’s cries and Zhou Yuan’s voice clearly. Zhou Dalong, thinking of Gu Feng and unable to let Gu Yan be violated, decided to treat a dead horse as if it were alive—his only hope against Zhou Yuan was the bandits outside. He strode to the door and called out to the seven or eight bandits, “Brothers, there’s a beauty inside, and she’s still a virgin. That bastard Zhou Yuan wants to take her for himself before handing her over to you.”

The bandits exchanged glances, wary of deception, and were about to interrogate Zhou Dalong.

“Help! Save me!” Gu Yan’s desperate cries rang out from inside.

Her beauty was evident even in her voice, and the seasoned bandits could tell she was indeed a true beauty.

“Eighth Brother, go check it out,” ordered the fourth bandit.

The eighth bandit, nervous, looked to the twelfth.

Twelfth shrank back, considering how to refuse.

Fourth bandit barked, “Eighth, what, you dare disobey my orders now?”

Eighth sensed the change in his tone; though unhappy, he had no choice but to grit his teeth and go. He entered cautiously, with Zhou Dalong leading the way toward the inner room.

Inside, Eighth saw Zhou Yuan shirtless, fumbling with his trousers, while Gu Yan sat dazed, her tattered dress barely covered by a red undergarment that did little to conceal her figure.

Zhou Dalong wisely withdrew.

Eighth was stunned, muttering to himself, “My god, she’s too beautiful,” his gaze drawn irresistibly to Gu Yan’s chest.

Zhou Yuan, completely absorbed in his actions, failed to notice someone entering, hastily pulling off his trousers.

Eighth came to his senses and roared, “Zhou Yuan, you bastard! Daring to defile my woman—die!”

He raised his broadsword and swung it with full force at Zhou Yuan.

Zhou Yuan, terrified, forgot his trousers and rolled away in panic.

Outside, seven bandits heard Eighth’s furious shout and immediately understood Zhou Dalong hadn’t lied. They rushed into the house.

In the cramped inner room, the bandits pressed together, their gazes fixed on Gu Yan, whose beauty and scant red undergarment left them breathless with desire.

A chorus of swallowing echoed through the room.

None paid Zhou Yuan any mind.

Zhou Yuan, seeing the bandits like wolves, felt a chill run through him. He glanced at Gu Yan, regret flooding him—why had he never thought to take her for himself before?

Eighth looked at his ravenous brothers and spoke, “Fourth Brother, let’s deal with Zhou Yuan first. The bastard tried to taint our woman.”

All eyes turned menacingly to Zhou Yuan.

Zhou Yuan, panic-stricken, sensed his end was near. He shouted, “Villagers, help! The bandits are killing!”

The villagers outside guessed at what was happening within. None would help him, nor did they have the courage to face the bandits.

Inside the resurrection space, Gu Feng watched everything, witnessing his sister’s plight. He roared in madness, begging the system for early revival, but the system ignored him entirely.

As the revival countdown ticked down, each second felt like a year to Gu Feng.

“Ding! Host revival imminent. Please confirm location. If not confirmed, revival will occur at the place of death. Revival countdown: 5, 4…”

Gu Feng’s consciousness cried out, “Revive me at my house!” He visualized his home in his mind.

“Ding! Revival location confirmed. Reviving now.”

Just as the bandits turned on Zhou Yuan, and he believed himself doomed, a dazzling light suddenly burst forth in the crowded room, drawing all eyes to its brilliance.