Chapter 5: A Devilish Smile

On a summer night in the Sen Village, the usual cacophony of insects and creatures should have filled the air, but tonight, an unsettling quiet prevailed. The Gu family’s small courtyard stood alone on the edge of the rear mountain. In the dilapidated, dimly lit yard, a chilling atmosphere now dominated.

Wang Yuanwu and his two companions stared at Gu Feng as if they had seen a ghost. None of them could believe that this seemingly underage youth had so effortlessly slain their second brother. It was simply beyond belief.

Ding ding!

“Killed an ordinary bandit. Gained 15 experience points.”

The system’s voice echoed in Gu Feng’s mind. Seeing his experience increase, he was overjoyed, his eyes shining as he looked at Wang Yuanwu and the others, a broad, excited smile spreading across his face. Inwardly, he exclaimed, “They’re all just experience points to me!”

But that smile, when seen by Wang Yuanwu and his men, seemed strangely sinister. Even so, as a warrior, Wang Yuanwu didn’t fear Gu Feng just because he had killed their companion. He had originally been eyeing Gu Yan, but now his gaze burned with desire for Gu Feng instead.

Noticing Gu Feng’s refined equipment, Wang Yuanwu guessed the cause of his strength, thinking, “It must be this fine gear that allowed this weakling to kill my brother in a single blow.” The thought stirred greedy desire in his heart—he wanted it for himself.

“Brother!” cried Gu Yan, her voice thick with worry.

She looked at the headless corpse of the slain bandit and remembered Guo Nan, who had died so miserably before. Staring at her brother’s back, fear gripped her; she was terrified that he had changed, that he might become unrecognizable. If so, she’d almost rather he remained a coward.

Sensing his sister’s concern, Gu Feng turned and gave her a gentle smile, comforting her, “Don’t be afraid, little sister. Go inside. I’ll deal with these beasts.”

Hearing Gu Feng’s confident words, Wang Yuanwu sneered, “Well, well. You killed one of my brothers and still dare act so arrogant. Third, Ninth, get him. Slaughter that brat and avenge Second Brother. And whoever takes him down first, gets first pick of the girl.”

At Wang Yuanwu’s command, Third and Ninth looked stricken. If even Second Brother, who was stronger than both of them, had been killed so easily, wouldn’t they be marching to their deaths? But Wang Yuanwu’s promise lured them, driving away the fear of death.

They had no choice; none dared defy Wang Yuanwu’s orders. Besides, they reasoned, Gu Feng must have caught Second Brother off guard. There was no way this frail youth could stand against the two of them together.

Time pressed. Third shouted, “Kill him! Whoever takes down the brat gets first dibs on the beauty!”

Ninth, his mind clouded by lust, could think of nothing but ravishing Gu Yan. He roared excitedly, “Kill!” and charged at Gu Feng.

Seeing Ninth take the lead, Third rushed forward as well, though not without a touch of cunning.

“Brother! Be careful!” Gu Yan cried from the shabby hut where she hid, unable to suppress her worry. No matter how ruthless Gu Feng might appear, she couldn’t bear to see harm come to him.

Wang Yuanwu glanced at Gu Yan, licking his lips, thinking, “Once I’ve dealt with this brat and seized his gear, I’ll show you some proper affection.”

“Kill!” Gu Feng bellowed. With the system on his side, equipped as he was, and his strength greatly increased, he saw only experience points before him; how could he fear them? He charged the two bandits with a roar.

He closed in on Ninth, leapt, and struck downward.

Ninth, prepared, dodged easily. “What a greenhorn—doesn’t know the first thing about fighting. Second Brother was truly unlucky to die to this novice. How pathetic!” he scoffed inwardly.

Third, seeing Gu Feng’s momentum spent and his defenses down, seized the opportunity to slash at Gu Feng’s head.

“Brother, watch out!” Gu Yan called, her concern deepening. She knew exactly how weak her brother was. She didn’t know where he had found his weapons and armor, or why he now dared to kill, but she couldn’t help but worry.

Yet the system had already relayed the bandits’ stats to Gu Feng: the deceased Second Brother’s strength was eight, Third’s was seven, and Ninth’s was six. They had no special abilities, only slightly more strength than ordinary men. Gu Feng’s own strength was eight. Having taken down Second Brother by surprise, how could he fear Third and Ninth?

As Third attacked, Gu Feng’s confidence did not waver. He calculated precisely and swung his sword horizontally—if Third insisted on attacking, he would be cut at the waist.

The only thing that concerned Gu Feng was Wang Yuanwu, who stood by, watching for his chance. Wang Yuanwu was a true warrior, albeit only Level One, but his burly physique meant his strength reached eleven—surpassing human limits—and he even had the Cross Slash skill.

Gu Feng knew he had to finish off Third and Ninth as quickly as possible to stand a chance against the bandit chief.

Reluctant to risk mutual destruction, Third retreated, but in that instant, Gu Feng, aided by the system’s cheat, seized on a flaw and stabbed forward with his sword.

Sensing mortal danger, Third cried out, “No!”

Ninth, having dodged an earlier blow, was shocked and yelled, “Brat, you’re seeking death!” He swung his heavy blade at Gu Feng, trying to distract him and save Third.

But Gu Feng, undaunted, killing intent blazing, ignored Ninth’s attack and drove his blade unerringly toward Third.

Third howled in despair, “No!” At last he saw it—Gu Feng was a madman, willing to risk his life just to kill him.

Squelch!

Third stared in disbelief at the sword piercing his heart, blood bubbling at his lips. He looked up at Gu Feng, wanting to speak, but strength failed him. His head lolled to the side, death claiming him without understanding how this frail youth possessed such overwhelming strength.

Ninth’s attack came too late. Seeing Third fall, he howled in rage, “Die!”

At such close range, he refused to believe he couldn’t kill Gu Feng.

Wang Yuanwu, watching, thought it was over. He felt no sorrow for his fallen men—he believed they had overestimated themselves and underestimated Gu Feng.

In that critical moment, however, the system analyzed and revealed more than ten weaknesses in Ninth, letting Gu Feng choose his attack.

With no time to think, Gu Feng picked one at random, threw himself to the ground, and stabbed his sword toward Ninth’s crotch.

Ninth, nearly triumphant, saw Gu Feng tumble as if he’d slipped. If not for the sword thrust at his groin, sending a shudder of dread through his body, he would have thought it was an accident.

Gu Feng’s desperate move not only narrowly avoided Ninth’s attack but also put his enemy into a deadlock.

Wang Yuanwu, who had been watching intently, was finally stunned. He couldn’t understand how Gu Feng’s reactions could be so quick, evading a killing blow in such a shameless way. He almost believed Gu Feng had simply slipped by sheer dumb luck.

“No...” Ninth wanted to cry out in protest, but the chance was lost.

Squelch!

The short sword stabbed viciously into Ninth’s groin.

A spray of blood, tinged with a foul odor, splattered over Gu Feng. He paid it no mind; hearing the system report more experience gained, he wore a foolish grin.

To Wang Yuanwu, that smile was the mark of a devil—a fiend in human shape. In the hut, Gu Yan stared at her brother, stunned speechless by the scene.