Chapter 4: Killing Once Again

Within the bounds of the Thousand Peaks Territory, atop a modest hill, stood a cluster of over a dozen thatched huts nestled amid the forest. This was the main stronghold of Wang Yuanwu. Wang Yuanwu served as a squad leader within the Thousand Peaks bandit gang, commanding more than ten men. At that moment, three of his subordinates were with him, while Guo Nan had been sent out on an errand and the rest were already at rest.

The second-in-command spoke up, “Boss, Guo Nan’s been out for almost three hours now. Why isn’t he back yet? Could something have happened to him?”

The third chimed in, “Boss, he has a point. Should I go check?”

Wang Yuanwu, toying impatiently with two iron balls in his hand, snapped, “Forget it. I’ll go myself.”

His impatience had reached its limit, his desires festering. If the third went, even if nothing happened, the round trip would take three or four hours at least—far too long to endure. It was better to go himself and seize the first woman he found.

Thus, Wang Yuanwu set out with the second, third, and eighth men toward Sen Village.

The eighth, noticing Wang Yuanwu’s agitation, suggested, “Boss, I know a shortcut. It’s the fastest route to the village, though the path is rough.”

Wang Yuanwu responded irritably, “Then what are you waiting for? Lead the way!”

…

Never did Guo Nan imagine he would die in such a humiliating fashion—at the hands of a notorious coward.

Ding! Crack! Squelch!

Three distinct sounds echoed in succession. The refined steel short sword sheared cleanly through half a broadsword and split open Guo Nan’s skull with ease. His head burst apart, brains and blood splattering the ground—a grisly, shocking sight.

Gu Feng gazed at the carnage, his stomach churning with nausea, and finally could not help but retch violently.

“Brother!”

Gu Yan was gradually regaining consciousness. Seeing Gu Feng’s back, she recognized him immediately and was deeply moved, realizing her brother had come to her rescue.

Gu Feng started, aware that he must not let his sister witness such horror. He rushed to her side, scooped her into his arms, and said, “Sister, let me take you home.”

He did not realize that as he lifted Gu Yan, her head lolled backward, giving her a clear view of the gruesome scene.

She promptly vomited.

Gu Yan’s stomach turned, and she retched uncontrollably. Alarmed, Gu Feng guessed what had happened and asked anxiously, “Are you all right?”

“Brother, was that… was that Guo Nan?” Her voice trembled. The sight of Guo Nan’s brutal death frightened her—if her brother had done this, what did it mean?

“Don’t think about it. Let’s go home,” Gu Feng replied, worried by the unease in her voice and fearful his sister would begin to fear him.

…

In the dilapidated courtyard of the Gu family, though it was already past one in the morning, Gu Yan had recovered from her bout of nausea and was happily preparing a meal for her brother.

The two siblings were orphans, taken in by Old Gu. The old man had passed away five years earlier, leaving the pair to depend on each other. With Gu Feng timid and fearful, all responsibility for their meager existence had fallen on Gu Yan’s shoulders—life was harsh.

“Brother, come eat.”

Hearing her call, Gu Feng composed himself, donned his cherished gear, picked up his steel short sword, and stepped outside.

In the moonlight, on the battered table in the courtyard, sat a single large bowl of steaming rice porridge with two small bowls beside it. Gu Yan was serving the meal.

Gu Feng approached and looked into the bowl—the broth was so clear that one could count the grains of rice within. Yet his sister, sparing what little there was, made sure to serve the majority of the rice to him.

“Brother, why are you standing there? Eat!”

A pang of bitterness struck Gu Feng. Suddenly, he remembered the ten silver coins in his system, and how it contained anything he might need. He slapped his forehead—why worry about food?

Without hesitation, he exchanged some of the silver for steamed buns. To Gu Yan’s astonishment, he produced the buns as if by magic and handed them to her. “Eat this. From now on, you’ll never go hungry again.”

“Brother, how did you do that?” Gu Yan stared at the steaming buns, bewildered.

“That’s my secret,” Gu Feng replied, his heart heavy. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to explain—he simply didn’t know how.

Gu Yan gazed at her brother, nodded solemnly, then took the bun and devoured it hungrily.

Watching his sister eat so ravenously, Gu Feng’s heart ached all the more. He silently vowed never to let her go hungry again—she would have good food at every meal.

Their house was situated behind Sen Village, near the forest. By chance, the shortcut the eighth man led Wang Yuanwu and the others down brought them directly to the first courtyard that belonged to the Gu family.

As the four emerged from the woods, they saw the oil lamp burning in the Gu home. “Hey, there’s someone in that courtyard. Let’s check it out.”

Hearing voices, Gu Feng and Gu Yan were instantly alarmed. Who could be visiting so late at night?

Four burly men entered the courtyard. In the moonlight, their eyes lit up at the sight of the delicate Gu Yan. One of them couldn’t help but exclaim, “What a pure and beautiful girl—we’re in luck tonight.”

“Brother!”

The predatory gazes of Wang Yuanwu and his men left no doubt as to their intentions. Gu Yan, terrified, recognized the same looks she had seen on the thugs before. She hid behind her brother, fearful he would not be able to protect her.

Her clothes, torn earlier during her struggle with those ruffians, had not been changed—not for lack of desire, but because this was her only set. Though it was patched in a hundred places with fabrics of every color, she had continued to mend it as best she could. This time, there had simply been no chance to repair it.

As a result, much of her skin was exposed, further inflaming the desires of Wang Yuanwu and his men.

Already maddened with lust, Wang Yuanwu’s gaze was fixed solely on Gu Yan. He barely restrained himself from attacking, only halting when he noticed Gu Feng’s fine equipment. Suppressing his urge, he ordered, “Second, kill that boy.”

At the command, the second man’s eyes turned cold and cruel. He drew his saber and advanced toward Gu Feng.

Ding-ding!

“System task: Eliminate these bandits for a level-up reward.”

Hearing the system prompt, Gu Feng felt not fear but exhilaration. He stared at the bandits as if they were treasures, even licking his lips with anticipation.

The second man closed in, puzzled by Gu Feng’s composure, but he did not give it much thought. Raising his saber with a savage grin, he swung at Gu Feng.

“Brother!” Gu Yan screamed, utterly terrified for him.

She was only a fourteen-year-old girl; how could she not be afraid?

As the bandit attacked, Gu Feng showed no fear. Instead, he erupted with speed, shouting, “Die!” and circled to the side to slash at the bandit’s neck.

The second man was horrified. How could this frail-looking youth move so fast, or fight with such skill?

But he would never know. With a soft, wet sound, his head flew from his shoulders, a geyser of blood arching skyward before raining down upon Gu Feng and Gu Yan.

A second later, the severed head thudded to the ground, eyes frozen in terror, mouth bubbling with blood, as if trying to speak. But no words came. His eyes rolled back; he died without peace.