Chapter 19: Storming the Thousand Peaks Domain

Gu Feng's expression was cold and indifferent as he raised his sword.

“Brother.” Tears streamed down Gu Yan's face as she called out to him.

Gu Yan was deeply moved—her brother had done all this, killed so many people, many of them innocent, all for her sake. Their deaths, in a way, were all because of her. And yet, she truly hated them.

So, along the way, even as rivers of blood flowed, Gu Yan never stopped her brother; she only gazed on with detached indifference as everything unfolded. Because her heart had long since died.

It wasn’t until Aunt Zhou pleaded for mercy, speaking of the two children—how pitiful they would be if they lost their father—that Gu Yan’s heart softened. She, too, was an orphan, and the heart she thought long dead flickered back to life.

When Gu Feng heard his sister call him “brother,” his expression remained aloof, but inwardly he breathed a sigh of relief. All this killing, all these innocent villagers slain—wasn’t it just to awaken his sister’s heart, numbed by despair?

“Yan’er, they deserve to die.”

His tone was flat, as if he still intended to continue the slaughter.

Zhou Tong, who had just glimpsed hope, fell back into the abyss of despair.

“Brother, let it be. I’m all right,” Gu Yan said, though tears fell from her eyes like rain.

Sensing her tears, Gu Feng felt even more at ease.

“Then, Yan’er, how do you wish to punish them?”

“Let it go, brother. I just want to go home.”

“Very well, I’ll take you home.”

With that, Gu Feng carried Gu Yan away, leaving Zhou Tong with a look of relief.

Walking along the village path, heading home, Gu Feng and Gu Yan witnessed countless women, elders, and children wailing and raging over the headless corpses of their loved ones.

By the roadside, a grieving woman, seeing Gu Feng approach with his sword, went mad. She rushed at him, screaming, “I’ll kill you, demon! I’ll avenge my husband!”

Gu Feng looked at this pitiful woman and did not dodge or defend himself; he allowed her to throw herself at him and sink her teeth into his arm.

Seeing this, Gu Yan cried out in alarm, “Brother!”

“It’s nothing,” Gu Feng replied coolly, his gaze drifting into the distance—towards the place known as Thousand Peaks Territory.

His indifferent tone made Gu Yan uneasy, and she wept, “Brother, do you despise me now?”

“Nonsense, Yan’er. Would you accompany me if I took you to kill?”

“Ah! Brother, the villagers are innocent. I no longer blame them—let them go!”

“Silly girl, I’m taking you to kill the bandits. The root of all evil lies with the bandits of Thousand Peaks Territory. I’ll take you to wipe them out. Are you afraid?”

At his words, the woman who had bitten him silently let go.

“I’m not afraid!”

“Good. Then let’s rid the people of these beasts together, you and I.”

With Gu Yan on his back, Gu Feng sped towards Thousand Peaks Territory. As they passed, the villagers looked on in terror, as if seeing the plague itself.

They quickly left the village and entered the wild, mountainous paths. After much hesitation, Gu Yan finally spoke, “Brother, will you teach me how to cultivate?”

She had been humiliated again and again, and she understood it was because she was too weak. If only she were strong—who would dare bully her?

Gu Feng was momentarily taken aback, then smiled. “Of course I will! Once we’ve dealt with the Thousand Peaks bandits, I’ll personally instruct you. I’ll make you the strongest master in the world.”

“Great! Brother, you said it yourself—Yan’er will become the most powerful woman in the world. I’ll defeat all the evildoers, and I’ll protect you, too.”

“Mm! Our Yan’er is the best.”

“Brother! The villagers always say the bandits of Thousand Peaks are savage and formidable. Can you really defeat them?”

“Don’t worry! I know what I’m doing. They’re nothing but a ragtag band of thieves. I don’t even take them seriously.”

In his heart, Gu Feng muttered, “They’re just stepping stones for my rise.”

Hearing her brother’s confident tone, Gu Yan finally relaxed. She remembered how he’d left for so long before, and, dissatisfied, asked, “Brother, have you been hiding something from me? Tell me, what were you doing while you were away?”

Gu Feng smiled wryly and, after a moment’s thought, decided to tell her. He said seriously, “Yan’er, I’ll tell you a secret, but you must promise to keep it for me.”

Seeing his earnest expression, Gu Yan guessed at the seriousness of the matter and smiled gently. “Brother, you don’t have to tell me. I’m sure I’ll find out one day.”

Gu Feng was stunned—he hadn’t expected her to be so sensible. Not wanting to reveal the existence of the system, he made up a story. “Yan’er, actually, the brother you see now is just an incarnation...”

“Ah! Brother, you’re an incarnation? Where’s your true self?”

“Listen, my true self is cultivating in a mysterious place. In times of danger, as long as my true body lives, I can create countless incarnations. Once I grow strong enough, my true self will appear.”

“Brother, is your incarnation really you?”

“Of course it’s me—no different at all.”

“But I still want to be with the real you.”

“Don’t worry. When you become a super master, my true body will come find you.”

“Really? Then I must work hard at cultivation.”

At last, he had gotten past Yan’er’s questioning. In the future, even if he had to kill himself, he wouldn’t have to worry about her misunderstanding.

Three hours later, Gu Feng, still carrying Yan’er, finally arrived at the borders of Thousand Peaks Territory.

Thousand Peaks was surrounded by mountains, some of them steep and easily defended. Its special location—wedged between several major cities—had made it a sanctuary for countless bandits.

Bandits like Wang Yuanwu, who controlled an ordinary hill, were as common as grass in Thousand Peaks. Only those who occupied the steepest mountains were true elites, all at least skilled warriors.

At the desolate mountain gate, four bandit guards stood watch. The so-called gate was just a wooden sign bearing the three words “Thousand Peaks Territory.”

The four guards, sturdy but ordinary men, lounged lazily on stone slabs beneath the sign. When they saw someone approaching, they reluctantly got up and shouted, “Stop! Who are you?”

Gu Feng, carrying Gu Yan, did not answer but strode forward. To him, the four bandits were nothing but points of experience.

After killing dozens of villagers, Gu Feng had nearly enough experience to level up.

The four guards, seeing the youthfully innocent face of Gu Feng, were momentarily confused. “Whose kid is this, wandering into Thousand Peaks?”

But when their eyes landed on Gu Yan upon his back, their gazes lit up. One of them couldn’t help but exclaim, “What a beautiful girl!”