Chapter 22: The Duel

Du Feng looked at the reinforcements he had summoned, only to find that his own men were about to start fighting each other. He immediately squeezed past the bandit underling blocking his way and said, “Brothers, calm down first. Let me tell you, this kid is no ordinary person. Don’t be fooled by his appearance.”

Hearing Du Feng’s explanation, Jin Hua and Wang Tian turned their gaze to Gu Feng, whose calm demeanor made him look like any other ordinary person. Yet, the more they looked, the more shocked they became.

A youth with such a slender frame, carrying a woman on his back, holding a blood-drenched dagger, had already slain so many people. There was no way he could be merely ordinary.

Since he was not an average person, and they could not see through his cultivation, there were only two possibilities: either this youth’s strength far surpassed their senses, or he possessed some treasure that concealed his true power.

With this thought, Jin Hua and Wang Tian both believed the latter to be true. If they could acquire such a treasure to hide their cultivation, it would make it much easier to deal with all sorts of troublesome enemies.

Jin Hua shouted at Gu Feng, “Boy, hand over the treasure that conceals your cultivation, and offer the woman to me. I’ll spare your life.”

He had originally intended to subdue Gu Feng, but changed his mind. Anyone who possessed such a treasure could not have a simple background, and leaving him alive was too great a risk.

Wang Tian hadn’t expected Jin Hua to speak first, but this time he simply watched Gu Feng without interfering.

Wang Tian reasoned that anyone capable of possessing a treasure that hid his cultivation must also have other powerful artifacts for self-defense, even if his own cultivation was not high.

Since Jin Hua was willing to take the lead, why should he interrupt?

Gu Feng glanced at Jin Hua and Wang Tian. Both were fifth-rank warriors, and the strongest among this bandit gang.

Gu Feng raised his dagger, answering Jin Hua with action rather than words. He was curious to see how much experience a fifth-rank bandit could provide.

Seeing Gu Feng ready his weapon, Jin Hua’s confident smile faded into a frown. He would waste no more words—force was what ruled here. Since the boy before him didn’t know his place, he would make him regret it.

With a clang, Jin Hua drew a two-finger wide samurai blade from its sheath on his back.

Though the blade lacked the imposing air of a broadsword, its cold gleam left no doubt as to its sharpness.

“Boss Jin is actually drawing his blade! It seems he’s realized that this kid is no pushover, and is going all out.”

“It’s true—you wouldn’t use all your strength to hunt a rabbit, but this boy killed his way into Thousand Peaks Territory looking like an ordinary person. He must be extraordinary. Still, can Boss Jin really defeat him, if...”

The bandit chief didn’t dare finish his thought. If even Boss Jin wasn’t a match for this youth, then Wang Tian, who was of similar strength, surely wouldn’t be either. In that case, wouldn’t the rest of them be in grave danger?

With this realization, the bandit chief began quietly edging towards the exit. The other bandits, eyes fixed on Jin Hua and Gu Feng, failed to notice his movements.

“Die!” The cold word escaped Gu Feng’s lips as he burst forth at full speed, charging at Jin Hua with the clear intention of killing him in a single strike.

The instant Gu Feng exploded into action, his true strength was revealed. The surge of his aura shocked everyone.

Jin Hua, who was Gu Feng’s target, was especially aghast. Staring at the youth rushing toward him, he simply couldn’t fathom how a boy who looked no older than sixteen could possess such strength. That aura was at least that of a sixth-rank warrior.

A sixth-rank warrior! He, Jin Hua, in his fifties, was only at the peak of the fifth rank. Yet before him, this sixteen-year-old was already a sixth-rank warrior?

“Damn it!” Jin Hua cursed, but there was no time to retreat. He thrust his blade at Gu Feng with all his might.

A samurai blade was longer than a dagger. If Gu Feng truly intended to slash him, the longer weapon would surely strike Gu Feng first.

Even with the strength of a sixth-rank warrior, flesh was not made of iron. Being stabbed could hardly be taken lightly.

Wang Tian watched the imminent clash between Gu Feng and Jin Hua with shock and a sense of relief at his own correct judgment. Otherwise, he would have been the unlucky one.

Still, even after realizing Gu Feng’s strength, the bandits continued to watch as if at a spectacle, eager to see the outcome.

Only the bandit chief who had retreated earlier, now fully aware of Gu Feng’s overwhelming aura, felt both alarmed and relieved, and decisively slipped away.

Gu Feng hadn’t expected Jin Hua to react so swiftly. The disadvantage of his shorter weapon became apparent—his slashing attack was easily deflected. Changing tactics, Gu Feng twisted his blade, knocking aside Jin Hua’s sword.

With a metallic clang, the samurai blade was forced aside. Gu Feng pushed off with his left foot, launching himself upward, and delivered a fierce kick to Jin Hua’s abdomen.

Jin Hua was caught off guard. He hadn’t expected that, even while carrying someone on his back, Gu Feng’s combat experience and reactions would be so formidable.

Little did he know, every move he made was analyzed by the system in Gu Feng’s mind, his weaknesses and flaws laid bare.

Instinctively, Jin Hua tried to retreat. At that moment, Gu Feng landed his right foot and, switching his grip, brought his dagger slashing upward.

This strike was aimed directly at Jin Hua’s chin.

Staring at the dagger slicing upward toward his head, Jin Hua was terrified, as though he’d seen a ghost. He couldn’t understand how this youth, not much older than a boy, could possess such abundant combat experience, pressing him relentlessly and exploiting his every weakness.

The watching bandits were also dumbfounded. Every time they thought Jin Hua had escaped danger, Gu Feng’s attacks resumed, each one deadly.

Wang Tian looked on, feeling not just shocked but also fearful.

Jin Hua, unable to dodge in time, glanced desperately at Wang Tian, who was closest, and shouted, “Wang Tian, what are you standing there for? If I die, you won’t be his match either!”

Jin Hua’s outcry startled all the bandits. They finally understood: if Jin Hua died and Wang Tian was likewise no match for this youth, what hope did they have?

This realization planted the urge to flee in many hearts.

Who is not afraid of death?

Wang Tian knew he had two choices: first, to join forces with Jin Hua against this youth; second, to run away immediately.

Yet, as the leader of a bandit stronghold, fleeing in panic would destroy his authority—how could he command his men then? Thus, Wang Tian chose the former.

“Boy, hand over your life!”

Wang Tian struck, thrusting his spear at Gu Feng’s head.

Gu Feng’s dagger was about to slash into Jin Hua’s chin. If Gu Feng insisted on killing Jin Hua, there would be no way to evade Wang Tian’