C3 The Most Vicious Heart of a Woman

Gu Feng's suspicions were confirmed. Within half a day of their departure from the Gu family, Gu Tian's mother had dispatched a devoted family elder to assassinate them. Despite the elder's loyalty to her, Gu Feng was still the son of the current patriarch. Reflecting on the family's rules, he felt a twinge of embarrassment. He was torn between refusal and acceptance, especially considering she was the mother of the future Patriarch.

"Madam, that young man is finished, and besides, he's worthless. He poses no threat to Gu Tian," the Fifth Elder remarked to the attractive and mature woman.

"It's easy to say that, but who knows if he'll be able to cultivate in the future? There's an old saying: to do a job well, you must eliminate the problem at its root to avoid future issues. He must not be allowed to survive," Gu Tian's mother said with a malicious look, determined to secure her son's status.

"But his identity..."

Before the elder, who was over sixty, could finish his thought, the seductive woman before him began to disrobe, revealing her alabaster skin that could make any man salivate. As she placed her delicate hands around his neck and whispered seductively in his ear, she said, "Enough with the act. Let's get on with it. This isn't our first time, after all. Don't you want to know who Gu Tian's real father is? Make me happy, and I'll reveal Gu Tian's true lineage."

The elder, known as Gu Mong's fifth uncle, or the fifth granduncle to Gu Feng's generation, and simply the Fifth Elder to others, gazed upon her flawless form and swallowed hard. Despite not being their first encounter, his pulse raced with excitement. "Darling, you're not about to tell me that Gu Tian is my son, are you?"

"Does Gu Tian resemble you more, or does he look like Gu Mong? Haven't you noticed?" The enchantress, as manipulative as she was ruthless, was now dredging up the past.

"I've always felt a strong connection with Gu Tian but lacked proof. Haha, I had no idea. Gu Mong got lucky, but no matter. Once I've dealt with Gu Feng and his son, and then Gu Mong, the Gu family will be ours. Sweetheart, come here and tell me everything. Ah, I recall that eighteen years ago, you mistook me for Gu Mong after you had too much to drink...

Following a brief and shameless interlude, which lasted no more than ten minutes, the clan elder, his face flushed with embarrassment, hurried out. As he walked, he couldn't stop fantasizing about his flirtatious encounter with her. He had plans to eliminate Gu Feng and eventually marry his niece. Unfortunately for him, by the time he caught up to the carriage, it was already empty.

"Hmph, consider yourself lucky today. But don't think for a second that you can slip through my fingers that easily!" The elder was livid upon discovering that Gu Feng and his mother had vanished from the carriage, and in his rage, he shattered the vehicle to pieces.

Determined to dominate the Gu family in the future, he didn't bother to report back to the family or the cunning little vixen. Instead, he relentlessly pursued his targets, knowing that if he could catch Gu Feng and his mother before they reached Osesey, he could ambush and eliminate them en route.

Meanwhile, Gu Feng and his mother were making their way over the mountains at a brisk pace. As cultivators, the rugged terrain posed little challenge to them. Xianyue, despite her delicate appearance, was actually a level above Gu Feng, at the second level of Body Tempering. Gu Feng himself was at the first level, while Gu Tian was something of a prodigy, having reached the third level.

The Body Tempering stage is the initial phase of a warrior's training, comprising three levels focused on strengthening muscles, meridians, and bones. This is followed by the Dawning realm, where a small dantian is formed within the body. The subsequent Qi Manipulation realm allows one to harm others with Qi or transform it into a sword, with each realm consisting of nine levels. However, only the Body Tempering stage is divided into three distinct levels.

The Gu family's heart sutra is a technique for attracting spiritual energy, complemented by the Meridian Pulse Technique, a martial skill. Both are classified as Profound Rank cultivation techniques and can be practiced up to the Divine Traversing Realm. Advancement beyond this point requires the discovery of more powerful heart sutras and martial techniques.

"Feng, hold up a moment. There's a fight up ahead!" After half a day's journey into the mountains, they stumbled upon the sounds of combat echoing through the wilderness.

"Fighting? Hmm, it does sound like there's a fight going on." Gu Feng halted in his tracks upon hearing his mother's words behind him, and he pricked up his ears to listen more intently. "It seems to be happening about two miles ahead. I'll sneak over for a closer look."

"Ah? Go over there? No, it's too dangerous. What if they discover us?" Xianyue's voice trembled with fear as she immediately protested Gu Feng's suggestion.

"What's there to fear? I'm just going to observe from a distance, not up close. They won't notice us," Gu Feng reassured her, a thrill of excitement rising within him. He secretly hoped for a fierce battle between masters, one that might leave behind a powerful divine magic for him to claim.

"But..."

Xianyue couldn't shake the feeling that her son had changed significantly since waking from his severe injuries. His courage seemed much greater than before. He used to cling to her, but now that sense of dependency had vanished, replaced by a newfound assertiveness.

Eventually, persuaded by Gu Feng, the two of them stealthily made their way through the underbrush, settling in to watch the skirmish from a safe distance. On the small mountain path about 800 meters away, roughly ten people were locked in combat. From their hidden vantage point, they could see the clash of weapons and the fallen warriors lying in pools of blood. Some fought with bare fists. The sight was an eye-opener for Gu Feng, who watched in awe as the combatants exchanged blows, blood spraying and cries of pain filling the air.

"Is this the harsh reality of our world? A place where might is right and life is so cheap? Lives are deemed less valuable than grass." It was Gu Feng's first time witnessing such a gruesome spectacle, watching people being run through with longswords as if they were no more than pigs for slaughter.

After observing for some time, Gu Feng determined that the strongest among them was merely at the third level of Body Tempering. The evenly matched opponents were locked in a fierce struggle. But Gu Feng was patient, content to crouch in the bushes with his mother, taking in the brutal, real-life combat, complete with its visceral gore and chilling screams.

"Feng'er, now that you've seen this, should we find a way around and leave this place?" Xianyue whispered, tugging gently at the corner of Gu Feng's clothing, her fear palpable that they might be discovered and meet the same fate as those before them.

"There's no rush. Let's just watch for now. They seem to be fighting over something. We should wait a bit longer. We're quite far away and well-hidden. They're struggling to save their own lives at this point, so they're not going to notice us." Gu Feng considered their desperate battle and concluded that they wouldn't have the time to spot them.

Gu Feng's hunch was correct. They were indeed scrambling for something, but the opposition had sorely underestimated them. The opposition believed that with three out of their five being third-level Body Tempering experts, compared to the other side's two, they would easily overpower them. However, the battle took an unexpected turn when two third-level Body Tempering experts struck simultaneously, severely wounding one of their own. Suddenly, the combat strength was balanced. Now it was a matter of endurance. Three against two, all riddled with wounds, neither side willing to back down.

Watching their weaker companions fall dead to the ground only fueled their rage, their eyes turning red with the desire for vengeance. They looked ready to go down fighting, using their robust physiques to fend off the opponent's punches as they brawled.

"You cursed fiend, I'll kill you! I'll make you pay for my brothers!" The adversary landed punch after punch on him.

"Bring it on, let's see who dies first. Come at me!"

With that, he threw a punch that sent the opponent staggering back. But the adversary lunged at him again, intent on ripping the bandit to shreds. In the same vein, the opponent allowed no respite, leaping two meters into the air and bringing down a heavy fist towards his chest.

This adversary was no ordinary fighter. Driven by vengeance for his fallen comrades, he was determined to take down the detestable bandit at any cost. He braced for the incoming punch with his own body, then retaliated with a kick, trading blow for blow.

"Puff!"

"Puff!"

Both men spat blood, their chests likely harboring several broken bones. They coughed up dark red blood in gasps, swaying unsteadily, barely able to stand. Their eyes blazed with murderous intent, each determined to end the other's life. Despite their injuries, they continued to clash fiercely.

Gu Feng sensed that his opportunity had arrived. Despite his mother's attempts to dissuade him, he stealthily made his way over. Xianyue, concerned for Gu Feng's safety, followed suit.

"Feng'er, is this really okay?" Xianyue, trailing behind Gu Feng, tugged at his clothing and whispered, glancing at the two severely injured individuals.

"What's there to be okay about? We're deep in the mountains, hidden from prying eyes," Gu Feng replied, his gaze fixed on his targets, his expression fierce. He silently reassured himself, "Though I'm a scholar, my desire is to survive and grow stronger. To be the first rung on my ladder to power is an honor for you. When I ascend to godhood or emperorship, you will be the first I commemorate."

"What if they're actually good people?" Xianyue inquired, observing the pair who seemed too wounded to even breathe properly.

"There are no good people in this world, only the strong survive, particularly the wicked who plague the world for centuries. Good people don't last," Gu Feng retorted with a cold demeanor. Internally, he wrestled with his conscience, "I don't wish to be evil, but circumstances force my hand. My actions are merely to ensure a longer life."

Gu Feng had resolved that since he had come to this world, he must make the most of it. Living well was the only way to imbue his existence with meaning. Besides, he had yet to experience romance, and with the abundance of beauties in this ancient world, it would be a disservice to himself not to seek their company. Wouldn't you agree?

Though Gu Feng had never committed murder or arson, the memories of such deeds lingered. However, those were the actions of his former self, not the man he was now. Perhaps, the fact that the original Gu Feng had such a past made the current Gu Feng less fearful.

As the final confrontation loomed, Gu Feng drew a finely crafted steel dagger and lunged at his adversaries. Xianyue, too, unsheathed her longsword. Their advantage was not speed but their strategic positioning beside the combatants, who were too drained to notice their presence.

"You've arrived just in time. Quickly, take him down. He's the bandit terrorizing this mountain pass. Eliminate him, and I'll reward you both generously. The locals will thank you as well!" The bloodied man, upon seeing Gu Feng and Xianyue emerge with their weapons drawn, pointed at a man whose eyes gleamed with malice.

"Finish him, finish him! All the loot here will be yours. Hurry, help me kill him, or I swear I'll take you both down!" The malicious-eyed man threatened Gu Feng and Xianyue with a menacing tone.

They gazed at the strikingly handsome youth with sharply defined features and flashed a sinister smile, saying, "Rest assured, I'll take care of him. I'll rid the people of this menace and avenge your brother for you."

"You dare? Don't you believe I could take your life right this moment?"