Great Goodness Seems Heartless

"He showed up, fine, but what are you doing here?" Dug turned to Feng Zhong and asked, "I set up such an elaborate scheme, aren't you worried about letting all those people get away and messing up my big plan?"

"Brother Qi single-handedly slayed the Taotie, his reputation precedes him. They wouldn't dare run," Feng Zhong said with a fawning smile.

"Is that really what you think?" Dug looked at him, smiling as he asked.

"Alright, I'm a coward. I was afraid they'd take advantage of the chaos and hack me to death," Feng Zhong scratched his head, looking a little embarrassed.

"Useless," Wang San shot him a disdainful look.

"What do you know? If those guys ran, I could just write a few letters and trick them back. If I die, that's the biggest loss to our team, isn't it?" Feng Zhong glared back. "Again and again, if Brother Qi scares them a few more times, I guarantee they'll be completely devoted from now on."

Dug glanced at him, then said nothing more.

What Feng Zhong said was true.

Currently, the three of them were working together quite well. This time, Feng Jiu transformed into the Taotie. There were still hundreds of players in the Simulation Arena, and who knew what other abnormal advanced skills they possessed.

Moreover, the further they went, the harder it would be to find trusted companions. If any one of the three-person team died, it would be detrimental to their future development…

Under everyone's watchful eyes, the Taotie transformed into a person. The street quickly erupted into chaos. People pointed and gestured at Feng Jiu on the ground from a distance, chatting animatedly, their words filled with worry about the future.

A living monster appearing from Luyang City was unprecedented. Coupled with Feng Qi's earlier mention of the Heavenly Demon, they couldn't help but be afraid.

The appearance of the Taotie even offset their lingering good feelings towards Feng Qi.

After all, Feng Qi was also a Heavenly Demon.

If they are not of my kind, their hearts must be different.

Hearing the commotion of the crowd and seeing Feng Jiu, who had died with his eyes open, Dug sighed inwardly. He's still an old friend of mine; I can't let him die for nothing.

So.

Dug leapt up onto a nearby platform, cleared his throat, and declared, "Folks, many of you saw me yesterday, but many still don't know who I am. Today, I am here to formally reintroduce myself. My name is Feng Qi, leader of the Peacekeeping Gang. My lifelong belief is to uphold justice and peace in this world."

He paused, looking at the still chaotic street, and continued, "I know that some heartbreaking things happened last night, shaking everyone's faith in the Peacekeeping Gang. I don't blame you; it's because I didn't do my job properly. For that, I apologize to everyone.

I came to Luyang City today precisely to deal with yesterday's events and give you an explanation. The person who just transformed into the Taotie is named Feng Jiu, a Heavenly Demon. It was under his instigation that the Divine Fist Gate attacked you last night, intending to frame the Peacekeeping Gang."

Buzz! The murmuring resumed.

Dug raised a hand to quiet them, sighing, "I know that hearing such news so suddenly is bound to shock everyone. After all, the Divine Fist Gate is one of the martial arts leaders. But in a big forest, there are all sorts of birds. He Yuan'an, the head of the Divine Fist Gate's Luyang City branch, has privately committed many evil deeds.

When the rabbit dies, the fox mourns.

The Iron Palm Gang's fate left him restless, fearing that one day the Peacekeeping Gang would come knocking to settle accounts. So, when the Heavenly Demon incited him, he sent people to impersonate the Peacekeeping Gang and raid the populace at night, intending to fundamentally destroy everyone's trust in the Peacekeeping Gang.

If the Peacekeeping Gang were to disband, he could rest easy and continue to oppress the good.

The Taotie is indeed terrifying, but monsters can be killed. They have weaknesses. Find their weakness, and you can easily put them to death.

But what about evildoers? They look exactly like you, live among you, and will try every means to oppress you, eat your flesh, drink your blood, sleep with your wives. One day, two days, one year, two years—your children, your grandchildren, generations upon generations will be oppressed by them…"

Dug's words were quite infectious. People's attention gradually shifted from the Taotie, falling into contemplation.

Everyone's gaze unconsciously converged on Feng Qi, forgetting his Heavenly Demon origin.

"Evildoers are more formidable than monsters. And you, facing them, are helpless." Dug's expression turned sorrowful and indignant, his voice gradually rising. He clenched his fist and swung it forcefully. "Compared to those evildoers, you have no martial power; you are weak and easily bullied. But it's different now. The Peacekeeping Gang has arrived! I can stand up for you!

I am different from them. I am a Heavenly Demon, and I must grow by protecting you. The more stable your lives are, the stronger I become. Fundamentally, I cannot harm you. We are mutually beneficial. You never have to worry that I will abandon you.

Indeed, compared to the Divine Fist Gate, the current Peacekeeping Gang is also weak. But a single spark can start a prairie fire. I will not abandon the faith and ideals I uphold just because the enemy is strong.

Since ancient times, evil has never triumphed over good. I firmly believe that as long as one possesses a heart that upholds justice, it will move more righteous people.

Perhaps you don't know, but last night, I already visited the Beggar Gang, Taishan Sect, Huashan Sect, Emei Sect, and Tianshan Gate within Luyang City, and sincerely invited them to uphold justice with the Peacekeeping Gang.

Fortunately, the leaders of these sects understood the greater good and immediately agreed to join our Peacekeeping Joint Defense, working with us to protect Luyang City.

After the Divine Fist Gate committed its evil deeds, it was the Peacekeeping Alliance that immediately identified the culprits.

Just now, He Yuan'an, the head of the Divine Fist Gate, has been executed, and the instigating Heavenly Demon, the Taotie, was slain by me right before your eyes.

When I learned that you suffered hardships and difficulties, I solved the problem for you in the fastest possible time. Given my painstaking efforts, am I not worthy of your trust?"

As he spoke, Dug raised the longsword in his hand high. After a thought, he moved the longsword higher and to the side, a bit farther from his head, and declared loudly, "Today, I, Feng, in front of all the citizens of Luyang City, swear by this sword that slayed the fierce beast, that I will fight for peace and justice my entire life. This sword, which today can slay the Taotie, tomorrow can kill all evil people in the world, kill all Heavenly Demons causing chaos, and usher in an era of peace and clarity."

He paused, then, seeing the stirred emotions of the common people, he smiled faintly, revealing a gentle expression. "Of course, actions speak louder than words. No amount of pretty talk is useful. Just watch my actions. Later, please tell each other and inform the victims of last night, as well as those injured by the Taotie on the street. After I clear out the remnants of the Divine Fist Gate, I will give everyone a reasonable compensation."

Having said that.

Without waiting for a response, Dug leapt off the platform and motioned to his two protectors, moving through the crowd to return to the Divine Fist Gate's headquarters.

As Feng Zhong had guessed, neither the Divine Fist Gate nor the Iron Palm Gang members had left.

Feng Jiu's sudden transformation into the Taotie had changed their perception of the world. Everyone was plunged into confusion about the future, unsure where to go. The Taotie was a monster, but wasn't Feng Qi, who could slay the Taotie, also a monster?

Feng Qi was also a Heavenly Demon. Could a mortal body truly contend against a Heavenly Demon and win?

What was the point of dying at the hands of a Heavenly Demon? If they were killed by Feng Qi, would the Divine Fist Gate truly avenge them?

Ultimately, they were just common folk trying to make a living in the world...

Seeing Dug return, everyone in the courtyard instinctively took a step back, fearing he might suddenly lash out.

The scene of Feng Qi chasing down Taotie still seemed to linger in their minds; with that terrifying speed and Wang San's restraint, no one could stand a chance against him.

"Don't be afraid." Dug scanned the people in the courtyard and smiled. "Feng has principles. I only punish the primary offenders. Now He Yuan'an is dead, and Taotie is also dead. Killing you serves no purpose; it would only create more bloodshed. I just have one question for you: Are you willing to join the Peacekeeping Gang and, from now on, strive for peace and justice, making your lives more meaningful?"

"Gang Leader Feng, can we really?" someone from the Divine Fist Gate asked.

"Of course, the Peacekeeping Gang welcomes all who turn from evil to good." Dug smiled, then looked at Han Zuo and the others. "The same goes for you. I know you were involved in yesterday's incident, but you were misled by Feng Jiu, so it's understandable.

Besides, even the blame was taken by He Yuan'an of the Divine Fist Gate. The old gang leader is still waiting for you to reunite with him in the Peacekeeping Gang. We could clearly live in peace and work towards a common goal, so why must you insist on opposing me? Do you truly need to fight me to the death, only to end up nailed to a pillar of shame, before you can finally feel at ease?"

You stole our assets, beat our fathers, and now with a flick of your tongue, you want us to live in peace with you? Han Zuo and the others remained silent. Occasionally, they would shiver at a glance from Wang San; Yandere's Fear would continue to affect anyone marked by Wang San.

Everyone present knew that Feng Qi's high-sounding words were all false. Slandering, intimidating, threatening—using all sorts of underhanded tactics was his true nature.

But at this moment, Feng Qi had already laid out the steps for them, already given them enough face. It was time to descend!

Better to live a shameful life than to die a glorious one!

"We are willing to join the Peacekeeping Gang and be at the gang leader's command," people from the Divine Fist Gate began to say, one after another.

"Not for me, but for justice," Dug corrected, looking at the crowd. He then turned back to Han Zuo and the others. "What about you? Still waiting for Qiu Muqian's reinforcements?"

"Feng Qi, how is my father?" Qiu Feipeng asked, his voice trembling.

"He's severely injured. The doctor said he might need two years to recover," Dug said, glancing at him. "But if you keep stirring up trouble, it's hard to say. Fourth Young Master, the doctor said the patient can't handle any more stress."

Qiu Feipeng's eyes widened suddenly, and he urgently said, "Don't touch my father! We'll join the Peacekeeping Gang."