Chapter 86: Gu Dongliu's Lament

Feng Wan’er gazed at Gu Feng’s retreating figure. He was thin, sharp-tongued, and ostentatious, but perhaps he truly could help her avenge herself.

After seven hours, Gu Feng and his five companions finally arrived at Bailing City. It was a quarter past nine in the evening, the liveliest time in the city. The streets blazed with lights, bustling with crowds. The air was filled with shouts, haggling, and the general clamor of the night market. In such throngs, conflicts were inevitable; arguments flared, and sometimes even fights broke out.

Gu Dongliu had arrived in Bailing City just a little ahead of Gu Feng’s group. As soon as he entered, dressed in the style of a wealthy scion, he was targeted. In the past, Gu Dongliu held a modest position in his family, but after obtaining a spiritual weapon from Gu Feng and donating it to his clan, his status rose sharply, bringing him more resources and prestige. He came to Bailing City upon hearing that Gu Feng and the others had come here, hastening to catch up.

Unaware that Gu Feng’s group had been training in the wild for a week, Gu Dongliu began asking around for them as soon as he arrived, spending money carelessly. It wasn’t long before he attracted the wrong kind of attention.

“Hey, kid! Dressed all fancy, but you’re a thief, aren’t you? Bet those clothes were bought with stolen money. If you know what’s good for you, hand over the ten thousand gold coins you stole from me. Otherwise, don’t blame us for what happens next.”

Gu Dongliu was only a first-level spiritualist, and even the weakest among these men matched his strength. Onlookers whispered, pointing at him. These were local thugs, old hands at preying on wealthy outsiders. It seemed misfortune was about to befall him.

“I bet he won’t even have his underwear left.”

“Wouldn’t be the first time. Last time, some young master ended up naked in a garbage pit. If this guy doesn’t cooperate, he’ll end up the same.”

“You bunch of bandits! I didn’t steal anything from you!”

“Oh, got a sharp tongue, do you? Brothers, he stole from me—what do you say we do about that?”

The thugs cracked their knuckles, ready to rough him up.

Gu Dongliu’s bravado was only an act. Seeing they were about to attack, he had no options left. He shouted in desperation, “Boss, where are you? Your little brother’s being bullied!”

His plea drew laughter from the thugs.

“Is your boss just going to stand there and watch?”

Gu Feng’s group had entered the city already, but intentionally stayed out of sight.

“Let’s wait and see. I’m curious how these guys will deal with Gu Dongliu.”

“Really? He even calls you boss, and you’d just leave him like that?”

“You’re right. Wen’er, why don’t you help him out?”

“Gladly!” Xue Wen had grown much stronger, but with Gu Feng and the others shielding her, she’d had no chance to show her skills. This was the perfect opportunity.

Xue Wen pushed through the crowd and, facing the thugs about to strike, shouted, “Stop! You beasts who bully the weak!”

“Well now, what a pretty girl.”

“Alright, since you asked so nicely, we’ll stop bothering him. But since he owes us money, you’ll stay as collateral.”

True to their word, they let Gu Dongliu go and instead rolled up their sleeves, leering as they advanced on Xue Wen.

“Get lost!”

“My, feisty, aren’t you? Just my type.”

“You must have a death wish,” Xue Wen said. She drew her weapon—a regular one, more than enough for some third-rate hoodlums.

“Gonna kill us, are you? Come on then, let’s see you try.”

The ringleader swaggered toward her, sticking out his neck as if daring her to strike.

He was betting on the wrong person.

Anyone who spent time with Gu Feng grew used to bloodshed; killing no longer fazed her.

The sword flashed.

To the untrained eye, only a glimmer of steel could be seen.

A soft sound.

The sword returned to its sheath.

No one even heard the faint crack as the thug’s head toppled from his neck, rolling to the ground. Blood spurted out, arcing two or three meters—a testament to the man’s robust constitution, if not his character.

The other thugs panicked.

“Kill them!”

A single death or many made no difference to Xue Wen. She might as well rid the city of these bullies for good.

Screams erupted as the thugs tried to flee, but with her speed at the peak of a spiritualist, they had no chance. Sword light flickered, and bodies fell one by one.

Gu Dongliu swallowed hard, staring at Xue Wen, his heart pounding. Was he getting more attractive? Or was this his lucky day—saved by a beautiful woman?

“No, I must repay her with my devotion.”

Xue Wen approached him and asked gently, “Are you all right?”

Her sweet voice and tender tone left Gu Dongliu dazed. Could she be interested in him, too?

“I—I’m fine, thank you for saving me.”

“No need to thank me.”

“By the way, may I know your name?”

Xue Wen covered her mouth, laughing softly.

Gu Dongliu was transfixed.

“You should call me sister-in-law, not ‘beautiful lady.’ As for my name—it’s Xue Wen.”

“What? Sister-in-law?”

“Yes, your big brother is over there.”

“My big brother?”

Gu Feng strolled over with a grin. “Not bad, kid, trying to steal your boss’s girl.”

Gu Dongliu wilted, grumbling, “So you’re my sister-in-law after all. I thought a beautiful woman had fallen for me—a beauty rescuing a handsome man.”

“With your looks, even ugly girls wouldn’t fancy you, let alone beauties.”

“Boss, that’s harsh! I’m at least a little better-looking than you.”

“Oh, really? How many girls like you?”

“Come on, you just got there first. If you hadn’t, she’d be mine.”

Gu Yan approached. “What are you two arguing about?”

Gu Feng deliberately had Gu Yan remove her veil. When she did, everyone was stunned by her beauty.

“A fairy!”

“She must be a fairy—I’ve never seen such a beautiful woman.”

“If I could marry her, I’d die happy.”

“Then go ahead and die.”

“But I have no chance to marry her, so why bother?”

“Boss, who is she?”

“Brother!” Gu Yan cried, clutching Gu Feng’s arm.

“Wait, boss, she’s your sister?”

“Boss, let’s talk—surely it’s best to keep talent in the family. Look at me—”

“Forget it! You couldn’t even handle a few thugs and call yourself talented? Listen, among us, Xue Wen is the weakest, and she’s already at the peak of a spiritualist. You? At your age, still only first-level? Shameful. Don’t call me your boss again.”

“Who dares kill a member of the Heavenly Dragon Gang?”

A large group pushed through the crowd, swaggering with menace.