Chapter 35: Is she really a masochist?

Is it really justice for those who died because of this beast, to simply let it die painlessly?

Ling Huan didn’t know what others thought, but it would never let this beast off so easily.

Ling Huan was straddling Gu Chengxue.

[Congratulations, Host, for subduing——]

[Host——]

[Please——]

The system’s pop-up was instantly shattered by Ling Huan’s fist, smashing down again and again onto Gu Chengxue’s once-proud face.

Again and again.

Every time Gu Chengxue tried to make a sound, Ling Huan’s fist smashed it right back down.

The only sounds that came from Gu Chengxue were the thuds of flesh being pounded and fragments of perfect teeth scattering in all directions.

Ling Huan left neither the system nor Gu Chengxue the slightest chance to utter a sound.

Pain meant nothing to Gu Chengxue.

She could even enjoy it.

But this time, she couldn’t enjoy it at all—she was afraid, starting to panic.

She was afraid her words wouldn’t get out, afraid the fire she’d set would only spark briefly before extinguishing for good.

The long-lost sensation of fear began to invade her heart, wrapping around her wildly beating heart, suppressing every beat, an intense sense of oppression growing alongside the pain.

Tears streamed from her eyes, mixed with fresh blood, slowly flowing down.

Even the syllables in her throat were punched into nothing but a girl’s sobs by Ling Huan’s fists.

Ling Huan heard it—but so what?

Ling Huan’s fist came down again, but this time, the sound of his heartbeat magnified infinitely!

All around was silent, the blood flying through the air froze, suspended mid-air.

Time was once again stopped by the system.

His body was locked in place, his fist hanging midair, unable to fall.

No matter how much force Ling Huan used, the fist would not move an inch.

The agony spread with every heartbeat, each throb threatening to shatter his body from within.

[Warning. Continued disregard will result in severe punishment. This person can be used by the Host. If you refuse to subdue this person and insist on beating them to death, it will be considered rebellion against the system. The Host will be executed.]

Subdue?

Accept this beast?

Staring at the system’s prompt, for the first time, Ling Huan’s rage was truly ignited.

For the sake of this beast, I’m to abandon Jiu-ge and Yan Qing’s lives, give up avenging them, just because it’s “useful” to me?

So what about Yan Qing and Jiu-ge before my eyes?

Is a person’s worth decided by their “usefulness”?

If they have no value to me, they deserve to die?

So they deserve to die?

And then, just because you threaten me with death, I’m supposed to be scared?

Not take revenge?

And just keep this beast by my side, let it sicken me, let it constantly remind me—every time I see it—of how powerless I was, watching Jiu-ge and Yan Qing die in front of me?

[Host, please understand! No one’s life is more important than yours! Nothing is more important than your future! Please keep these things in mind!]

What do you take other people’s lives for?

What do you take me for?

But the system didn’t reply.

It simply restored time to normal.

As if it was certain Ling Huan wouldn’t dare.

“Fine. Fine. Fine.”

Three consecutive “fine”s, Ling Huan sneered coldly.

The sound of Ling Huan’s heartbeat faded away.

The suspended droplets of blood fell again, splattering across the ground, blooming into gorgeous “blood” flowers.

But the agony that could take his breath away did not fade.

Ling Huan’s fist was still clenched tight, his palm holding two precious memories.

Then all the spiritual energy in his body gathered in his right fist.

A torrent of spiritual energy surged—so much that the meridians in his right hand couldn’t bear it.

Flesh tore, blood gushed, his pale arm stained bright red.

Then, he smashed down—hard!

Bang!

Bang!

Two punches in a row!

The first punch utterly crushed Gu Chengxue’s prominent nose.

The second shattered all her teeth.

Each blow made the earth tremble, the river’s waters surge.

The ground caved in, Gu Chengxue’s head embedded deep in the soil.

But every punch from Ling Huan felt like it would rip his own body apart, crush his heart.

Ling Huan could feel something inside him being forcibly stripped away.

That pain defied all description—just pain, all-consuming pain.

No words in his mind could describe it.

Still, Ling Huan gritted his teeth.

His fist slowed with the pain, but never stopped because of hesitation.

Even if he knew he’d die, knew the system wasn’t joking—so what?

System, didn’t you want a villain?

Didn’t you want me to be a bad person?

You value me?

Then I’ll trample on that value.

You want to leave?

Do as you please!

You want me dead?

I don’t care.

But this thing will die!

Subdue it?

In your dreams!

Ling Huan’s pupils scattered, but his fist didn’t stop.

[If the Host does not stop! The Host will become a rootless man!]

When death no longer threatened Ling Huan, the system shifted to threaten what he valued most—his dignity.

If your manhood means more than life itself, then I’ll take it!

But—

Ling Huan sneered, answering the system in his heart: “So what? If I can’t even avenge my two friends, what kind of man am I? What’s the point of being a man at all? It would just mean I’m a coward!”

Just as Ling Huan steeled his resolve—

As his fist was about to come down—

“Boss! What are you doing?!”

A familiar yet childish voice suddenly rang out from the nearby thicket.

A small, skinny figure, stark naked, tumbled out, clutching his most precious protective amulet, staring dumbfounded at Ling Huan straddling a person whose face was unrecognizable, fist raised high.

“Is it a bad guy?!”

The innocence in Yan Qing’s eyes vanished in an instant, replaced by fierce determination.

He picked up a stone, shouting, “Bad guy, your life is mine!”

He rushed up and smashed the stone onto Gu Chengxue, then lifted his foot and kicked her hard.

He believed, Ling Huan would never use violence on anyone without reason.

For someone as gentle as the boss to be this angry, the target must be no good!

“Yan…Yan Qing?! You…you’re alive?”

Ling Huan stared in disbelief, his eyes suddenly blurring with a warm, wet heat.

He sprang up and hugged Yan Qing tight!

“Of course I’m alive!”

Yan Qing didn’t get it, “Aren’t I standing right here? Why are you talking like I’m dead?!”

“It’s fine, it’s fine!” Ling Huan wept tears of joy, yet couldn’t help feeling a hint of sorrow deep inside.

But just then!

Jiu-ge actually “came back to life” as well!

He staggered, clutching his belly, groaning, vomiting up a bitter mouthful.

As his mind cleared, he jolted awake!

He jumped up, shouting, “Young master, run!”

But the moment he saw Ling Huan standing there unharmed—and the very person who’d knocked him out was now being beaten to a pulp—he was completely dumbfounded.

Wha…what’s going on?

Of course, Ling Huan was equally baffled.

Everyone’s…fine?!

What’s…going on here?!

Did this woman deliberately provoke me just to get beaten up by me?

A masochist?

After a while, Ling Huan regained his composure and asked Yan Qing what had happened.

When Yan Qing came back, the woman disguised as Lin Chuan was already there.

She told Yan Qing that she’d accidentally dropped his amulet into the river and claimed she was too frail and sickly to go after it.

Yan Qing, big-hearted as he was, immediately stripped down and jumped into the river, following the current downstream to search for it.

The rest was just as Ling Huan had seen upon his arrival.

As for Jiu-ge, he didn’t even feel any wound on his body—he’d just been knocked out by a single punch.

As for the bloody hole in his back—he chuckled sheepishly.

“That, that was just for faking my death to fool the enemy! I keep a fake blood bag on my back all the time… The moment it’s hit, it explodes… Heh heh.”

For the first time, Ling Huan wanted to kick someone to death.

This damned bastard, you son of a—

Stay calm…stay calm…

Ling Huan turned his gaze to Gu Chengxue.

Faced with this baffling person…Ling Huan fell into deep thought.

So, there really are fools out there unafraid of the Nascent Soul master behind me?

Or is it that this one…just wanted to be beaten up?