Chapter 40: The Hateful Aspect

Watching the furious Dujuan, Gu Yan felt a surge of fear and hid behind Gu Feng, peeking timidly at her. Remembering that Xue Wen was still on the other side, she looked toward her as well.

Xue Wen gazed back at Gu Yan, inexplicably feeling a sense of familiarity and warmth toward this young girl.

Gathering her courage, Gu Yan called out, "Sister, come over here! That ugly woman is so mean. Come, and Brother will protect us."

Xue Wen glanced at Gu Feng, whose arm was wrapped by Gu Yan. His face was still youthful, and he was even younger than herself.

Gu Feng, shielded by the system, appeared as an ordinary person to everyone, as did Gu Yan. Yet, anyone bold enough to challenge a seventh-level peak warrior would never be mistaken for an ordinary person.

Dujuan, hearing this, was beside herself with rage. Already envious of Gu Yan's beauty, she could not bear to be called an ugly woman again and again—it was her greatest sore spot.

"You little wretch! You shameless brat! Die!"

Mad with anger, Dujuan wished death upon anyone who dared call her ugly.

She wielded a slender, ornate sword glowing with a fiery red aura, aiming it straight at Gu Yan's heart.

It was a blow meant to kill.

Dujuan had lost all reason; her mind consumed by a single thought, as if possessed: the unyielding conviction to kill Gu Yan.

Such intense murderous intent sealed her own fate.

Gu Yan was Gu Feng's most precious person; any threat to his sister's safety, no matter what, had only one outcome—death.

Only by eliminating the danger could the problem be truly solved, and only through bloody means could those with malicious intent be subdued.

Gu Feng stepped forward, placing himself in front of his sister.

Those who knew Gu Feng's strength watched the scene with calm indifference.

The others, unaware of his capabilities, could only watch with anxious worry.

Xue Wen observed Gu Feng—a slender youth, yet resolutely shielding his sister. Her heart was moved.

Xue Wen hastened toward Gu Feng; if he could not withstand the attack, she would risk injury to save them.

Dujuan, seeing Gu Feng blocking her way, screamed maniacally, "Die!"

Her slender sword thrust fiercely at Gu Feng's chest.

For her, anyone who stood in her way must die.

The sword was nearly upon him.

Gu Feng remained motionless.

"Has he been scared senseless?"

At that moment, Gu Feng swiftly extended his right hand. To those with keen eyes, he deftly pinched Dujuan’s sword between his fingers.

There was no sound—the sword was simply caught between his two fingers.

When everyone saw the scene, as if time had paused, they drew a sharp breath.

"The sword—caught just like that?"

Doubting their senses, they pinched themselves, bit their tongues, only to realize it was all real. Shock flooded the crowd.

This young, inexperienced boy—so youthful—how could he manage this?

Dujuan, a peak seventh-level warrior, her sword held in place by two fingers of a mere youth. What level of power did this boy possess?

Indeed, apart from those who had witnessed Gu Feng’s strength, everyone else wondered the same.

A seventh-level warrior was nothing to Gu Feng; relying solely on his physical prowess, he suppressed her effortlessly, never revealing his true abilities.

Dujuan was stunned for a moment, staring blankly at Gu Feng.

Regaining her composure, she shrieked, "Ah! I’ll kill you!"

Dujuan tried desperately to wrench her sword free, intending to slay Gu Feng.

She was nearly mad—beauty was one thing, but now a younger boy, stronger than herself, was utterly intolerable.

Gu Feng squeezed his two fingers.

Crack!

Without the protection of spiritual energy, even a blade forged from fine iron was fragile before such overwhelming force. Dujuan's weapon, being slender, snapped instantly.

With her weapon broken, Gu Feng stepped forward with his left foot, then his right, drawing close to Dujuan, and drove the broken sword tip hard toward her throat.

Gu Feng’s movements were not fast; everyone saw clearly what transpired.

Dujuan was dumbfounded, never even thinking to evade.

"Is a genius about to fall?"

Behind every genius, there was surely a powerful force. If this young man killed the ugly woman, Senyuan Town would be turned upside down.

"Stop!"

With a furious shout, Gu Feng halted his action, looking toward the voice.

Dujuan finally came to her senses, terror-stricken, and rushed toward the source of the voice, wailing all the way, "Second Uncle, you must stand up for me! He wants to kill me, he wants to kill me, sob sob sob!"

The newcomer stared at Gu Feng, his expression dark. "Give me an explanation."

Gu Feng gazed at him, not daring to be careless. The system identified him as a second-level spiritual master. Otherwise, Gu Feng would never have stopped.

Of course, Gu Feng was not afraid, nor did he care to explain; he merely looked on calmly.

Being stared at like that, the newcomer frowned deeply. Not seeing any panic on Gu Feng's face—such composure could only mean he was confident. This left him unsure how to proceed.

Dujuan, seeing her second uncle hesitate to avenge her, complained, "Second Uncle, what are you waiting for? He tried to kill me, hurry up and kill him!"

He pushed Dujuan aside and addressed Gu Feng, "Young friend, may I ask where you are from?"

Dujuan, furious at being ignored, shouted, "Du Changkui, are you going to avenge me or not? If you don’t, I’ll tell Grandpa..."

Slap!

Before Dujuan finished, Du Changkui delivered a hard slap, leaving her face swollen and red.

Everyone watching cheered—it was satisfying to see such an ugly and troublesome woman finally punished.

Afterward, Du Changkui scolded, "It’s all because the old man spoiled you. If you dare to be disrespectful again, see how I deal with you."

Dujuan was stunned by the blow.

Once she recovered...

Ah!

Dujuan let out a piercing scream, grabbed Du Changkui's arm, and bit down hard. Filled with malice, she tried to tear a chunk of flesh.

Despite his second-level spiritual master’s constitution, Du Changkui felt intense pain.

Dujuan’s utter disregard for decorum disgraced the Du family.

The more he thought, the angrier Du Changkui became; his spiritual energy surged.

Ah!

Dujuan was blasted away, her teeth scattering across the ground.

She crashed heavily, forgetting her pain, blood foaming at her mouth as she glared at Du Changkui with venomous eyes, as if she wished to eat his flesh and drink his blood.

At this moment, Dujuan was actually quite pitiful.

But the pitiful are often reprehensible; to harbor such malice even against her own uncle, no one would sympathize.

Gu Yan looked at the wretched Dujuan. Kindness is always most naïve, regardless of who it’s directed at.

"Brother, she is really pitiful."

Hearing Gu Yan’s words, Dujuan turned her venomous gaze upon her, snarling, "Little wretch, stop pretending to be kind! Just wait! I’ll make you all pay!"

"Ding! Mission: Slay a creature with a wicked demon’s heart. Reward: Demon Heart Resistance +1."