No one knew what kind of psychological preparation Feng Shiyi had given Feng Yunjie, but when he saw Wang San again, he could at least remain calm instead of trembling uncontrollably. Yet whenever he walked beside Wang San, his ever-present grip on his sword proved that he was still living in fear.
Poor child!
After Dug warned him, Wang San reined himself in considerably and stopped openly professing his love to Feng Yunjie.
He switched to another method.
He secretly collected Feng Yunjie's personal belongings, including fallen hairs and the like. Sometimes, he hid in a corner and stared obsessively at Feng Yunjie's possessions, letting out strange "gie-gie" laughter.
He warned every servant, handyman, and anyone else who came into contact with Feng Yunjie to stay away from his dear big brother. He also spread out sheets of rice paper and drew portraits of himself together with Feng Yunjie.
However, Wang San was a terrible artist, and only vague outlines could be seen in his drawings. He had no choice but to label the two figures with their names and write strange phrases on the paintings, such as, "For Brother Yun, I can give everything," "Everyone who hurts Brother Yun must die," and "Look at me, look at me. You are not allowed to look at anyone else."
When Feng Yunjie accidentally saw what was written on Wang San's drawings, he nearly broke down on the spot. He immediately went to Dug, his eyes bloodshot. "Seventh Master, I can't take it anymore. Why not send him back to the Feng Family? If this keeps up, I'm afraid I won't be able to stop myself from killing him..."
"Third Young Master, bear with it for now. Wang San is still very useful. Didn't your second uncle send someone to find a suitable woman for him?" Dug said. "Once they find a suitable woman, you'll be free."
Feng Shiyi had sent Zhang Han back to the Feng Family to find a woman for Wang San.
Wang San was far too destructive. Even Feng Yunjie had been frightened into that state. If they simply found some random woman, she would probably break down within a day or two. Keeping her in the team would only become a burden. They needed someone who could control Wang San, was utterly loyal to the Feng Family, and could offer some help to the team. That made the female direct disciples of the Feng Family the best choice.
"Third Young Master, are you really not considering Wang San's protection?" Dug asked.
Feng Yunjie shook his head frantically. "Seventh Master, having you is enough for me."
"Alas!" Dug sighed regretfully. "Third Young Master, you have no idea what you've lost."
"I'll just consider myself unworthy of it," Feng Yunjie said. "Seventh Master, could you talk to Wang San and make him stop doing those things? Even if he needs to grow, surely waiting a day or two won't hurt!"
"For a Heavenly Demon, growth cannot wait. We have to deal with crises that could arise at any time. For the overall benefit of our team, I cannot agree to your request." Dug shook his head. "Third Young Master, he hasn't actually harmed you. Just pretend you didn't see it."
"He's like a goddamn ghost, popping up out of nowhere! How am I supposed to pretend I didn't see him?" Feng Yunjie roared hysterically. Then his voice softened again. "Seventh Master, please, just make him settle down for a while. One day—just tomorrow. My father will send his junior sister over to him tomorrow..."
You're a person.
And your junior sister isn't?
Your Feng Family really is awful!
Backstabbing you in the future wouldn't be unjustified at all! But they still had value to exploit. Suddenly, Dug's ear twitched. Without revealing anything, he glanced toward the doorway and shook his head again. "Third Young Master, Wang San must grow as quickly as possible. Have you ever considered this? One day, when his Yandere targets an enemy, that enemy will feel the same fear you do. You have practiced martial arts for years. You should know what happens in a match when one side is suddenly gripped by fear, right?"
Feng Yunjie imagined himself in a duel, then pictured Wang San suddenly appearing beside him. Cold sweat immediately broke out over his entire body.
"Do you understand Wang San's importance now?" Dug smiled. "Third Young Master, whether the Peacekeeping Vanguard goes to eliminate criminal forces or attends the Qiao Family martial competition six months from now, having Wang San present or absent could make all the difference. Do you still think he doesn't need to train his abilities? Do you still want to send him back to the Feng Family?"
Feng Yunjie shook his head.
His desire for the Qiao Family Sacred Land temporarily overwhelmed his fear of Wang San. After hesitating for a moment, he asked, "Seventh Master, this fear I have of Wang San won't last forever, will it?"
"Of course." Dug nodded, without saying whether it of course would or of course would not.
"That's good." Feng Yunjie let out a breath of relief and sighed. "Sure enough, no Heavenly Demon is useless. I'll just avoid him for the next couple of days."
"Third Young Master, you don't necessarily have to avoid him." Dug said, "Maintaining a spirit of fearless advance is an essential quality for a martial artist seeking the peak. Why not try facing your fear and overcoming it? Once you defeat the fear in your heart, your future achievements will be limitless."
Feng Yunjie froze for a moment, as though enlightenment had struck him. He stood and gave Dug a deep bow. "Thank you, Seventh Master, for clearing away my confusion. Yunjie has learned much."
Outside the door.
Feng Shiyi, who had been eavesdropping for quite some time, fell into thought. Then, without alerting Dug inside, he quietly turned and left.
He had come to see Dug because of Wang San as well. Feng Shiyi felt that the neurotic Wang San was affecting Feng Yunjie too greatly. If this continued, Wang San would likely leave a shadow in Feng Yunjie's heart, which would be extremely detrimental to a martial artist's growth.
But after overhearing Dug's conversation with Feng Yunjie, he changed his mind. Feng Yunjie's path had been too smooth. Perhaps keeping Wang San around really would temper him.
Moreover.
Feng Shiyi had confirmed one more thing: Dug truly safeguarded the Feng Family's interests at every moment. Wang San's arrival had not changed that. That was enough.
Feng Yunjie left.
Dug continued practicing. He was waiting to see whether the people sent out by the Feng Family could find any other players who had entered the Simulation Arena in Luyang City.
Wang San's appearance had shown him a new style of combat. If he could find new players and persuade them to join his team, his next plans would proceed far more smoothly.
Dug was in no hurry to visit the Iron Palm Gang or anything of the sort. That was only meant to fool the Feng Family and lower their guard.
Of course, if he possessed only the Keyword Maintenance, then all of those plans would have been genuine. He would wholeheartedly protect the Feng Family and grow step by step.
Because for Maintenance, changing patrons was equivalent to betrayal, and would cause a massive decline in his personal attributes—just like Wang San, who would rather endure threats than change his words or actions.
Dug could not bear such consequences either. But he also had Backstab, which meant protecting the interests of a third-rate clan was no longer the optimal choice.
After all, betraying them would not only bring no losses, but also immense gains.
Maintenance—changing patrons—Maintenance again—changing patrons again—
Continuing that cycle was the optimal path for his growth.
Even if he truly intended to establish the Peacekeeping Vanguard, it should not be with the Feng Family, which possessed little influence. It should be with one of the Three Gates and Five Sects. If he could find a bigger investor, only a fool would plod forward step by step according to the rules. In fact, the Iron Palm Gang, a tier above the Feng Family, was the second patron Dug had already chosen.
However.
Qiu Yuanlang, the Iron Palm Gang's leader, was considered a first-rate expert, and he had numerous gang members and disciples under him. Without confidence that he could retreat unscathed, Dug would not take such a risk.
At the very least, he needed to build up his own team and let Qiu Yuanlang see the strength of the Heavenly Demons. Only then would he have sufficient leverage when changing patrons.
For now.
Dug's greatest enemies were the other players in the Simulation Arena.
When he had left the Feng Family, he had thought the road ahead was long and there would be time for him to grow. But Wang San's Yandere's Fear had once again given him a sense of crisis...
Before you continue