Duan Shiyi must have done some kind of psychological conditioning for Feng Yunjie. By the time he saw Wang San again, he could remain calm instead of trembling with fear. But whenever he walked alongside Wang San, the hand that constantly gripped his sword still proved that he continued to live in fear.
Poor kid!
After Du Ge warned him, Wang San restrained himself quite a bit and stopped openly showing his affection for Feng Yunjie.
Instead, he switched to another approach.
He secretly collected Feng Yunjie's personal belongings, fallen strands of hair, and the like. Sometimes, he would hide in a corner, stare obsessively at Feng Yunjie's possessions, and let out a strange "gie-gie" laugh.
He would warn every worker, servant, and other person who had come into contact with Feng Yunjie to stay away from his little elder brother. He would also spread out sheets of rice paper and draw pictures of himself together with Feng Yunjie.
However, Wang San's painting skills were terrible. Only vague outlines could be made out, so he had to label the two figures with their names. He also wrote strange things on the pictures, such as, "For Brother Yun, I can give up everything," "Everyone who hurts Brother Yun must die," and "Look at me, look at me. You're not allowed to look at anyone else."
Feng Yunjie accidentally saw the contents of Wang San's drawings and nearly broke down. He immediately went to find Du Ge, his eyes bloodshot. "Seventh Master, I can't take it anymore. Why don't we send him back to the Feng Family? If this goes on, I'm afraid I won't be able to stop myself from killing him..."
"Third Young Master, endure it for now. Wang San is still very useful. Didn't your second uncle go find him a suitable woman?" Du Ge said. "Once we find a suitable woman, you'll be free."
Feng Shiyi had sent Zhang Han back to the Feng Family to help Wang San find a woman.
Wang San was far too dangerous. He had even frightened Feng Yunjie into that state. If they found him just any woman, she would probably break down within a day or two. Keeping him in the team would only become a burden. They had to find someone who could control Wang San, was utterly loyal to the Feng Family, and could still provide some help to the team. With that in mind, a female disciple from the Feng Family's direct line was the best choice.
"Third Young Master, are you really not considering becoming Wang San's guardian?" Du Ge asked.
Feng Yunjie shook his head desperately. "Seventh Master, having you is enough for me."
"Alas!" Du Ge sighed regretfully. "Third Young Master, you have no idea what you've lost."
"Let's just say I'm not blessed enough to enjoy it!" Feng Yunjie said. "Seventh Master, could you tell Wang San to stop doing those things? Even if he needs to grow, missing a day or two won't matter, will it?"
"For a Heaven's Demon, growth must be fought for every moment. We have to prepare for crises that may arise at any time. For the sake of our team's overall interests, I can't agree to your request." Du Ge shook his head. "Third Young Master, he hasn't actually hurt you. You can just pretend you didn't see anything."
"He's practically a ghost! Who knows where he'll suddenly appear from! How can I pretend I didn't see him?" Feng Yunjie roared hysterically. Then his voice softened again. "Seventh Master, please, I beg you. Make him stop for a while. Just one day—tomorrow, my father will send Junior Sister to him..."
You're human.
Does that mean your Junior Sister isn't?
Your Feng Family really is vile!
You won't be wronged in the slightest when we backstab you in the future!
But for now, they still had value. Suddenly, Du Ge's ears twitched. Without changing expression, he glanced toward the door and shook his head again. "Third Young Master, Wang San must grow as quickly as possible. Have you ever considered that when his yandere behavior targets enemies, they'll also feel the same fear you do? You've practiced martial arts for years. You should know what consequences arise when one side suddenly becomes afraid during a martial contest, right?"
Feng Yunjie imagined himself as one of the two combatants. Then he pictured Wang San suddenly appearing beside him, and instantly broke out in a cold sweat.
"Do you understand Wang San's importance now?" Du Ge smiled. "Third Young Master, whether our Peacekeeping Vanguard clears out the criminal elements or the Qiao Family holds its martial competition six months from now, the outcome could be worlds apart depending on whether Wang San is present. Do you still think Wang San doesn't need to train his ability? Do you still want to send him back to the Feng Family?"
Feng Yunjie shook his head.
His longing for the Qiao Family Holy 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." Du Ge nodded, without clarifying whether he meant it would or would not last forever.
"That's good." Feng Yunjie breathed a sigh of relief and exclaimed, "As expected, no Heaven's Demon is useless. I'd better avoid him for the next couple of days."
"Third Young Master, you don't necessarily have to avoid him," Du Ge said. "Maintaining a spirit of pressing forward bravely is an essential quality for a martial artist who wishes to reach the peak. Why not try facing your fear directly and then overcoming it? Once you conquer the fear in your heart, your future achievements will be limitless."
Feng Yunjie froze for a moment. As if enlightened, he stood up and bowed deeply to Du Ge. "Thank you, Seventh Master, for showing me the way. Yun Jie has learned much."
Outside the room.
Feng Shiyi had been listening for a long while. Lost in thought, he quietly turned and left without disturbing Du Ge inside.
He had also come to find Du Ge because of Wang San. Feng Shiyi felt that Wang San's deranged behavior was affecting Feng Yunjie too deeply. If it continued, it might leave a shadow in Feng Yunjie's heart, which would be extremely detrimental to a martial artist's growth.
But after eavesdropping on Du Ge and Feng Yunjie's conversation, he changed his mind. Feng Yunjie's path had been too smooth. Perhaps keeping Wang San around really would serve as a form of tempering for him.
Moreover.
Feng Shiyi had confirmed one more thing: Du Ge truly was constantly safeguarding the Feng Family's interests. Wang San's arrival had not changed that, and that was enough.
Feng Yunjie left.
Du Ge continued practicing. He was waiting to see whether the people sent by the Feng Family could find any other contestants who had entered the Simulation Field in Luyang City.
Wang San's appearance had shown him a new way to fight. If he could find more contestants and persuade them to join his team, his plans would proceed much more smoothly.
As for visiting the Iron Palm Sect and the like, Du Ge was in no hurry. That was merely a ruse to lower the Feng Family's guard.
Of course, if maintaining the Feng Family was his only keyword, then all those plans would be genuine. He would wholeheartedly safeguard the Feng Family and grow step by step.
After all, when it came to maintenance, changing employers was equivalent to betrayal and would cause his personal attributes to plummet—just like Wang San, who refused to change his words or actions even when threatened.
Du Ge also couldn't bear such consequences. But he had another keyword, backstab. Therefore, safeguarding the interests of a third-rate family was no longer the optimal solution.
After all, betraying them would bring no losses, only tremendous gains.
Safeguard—change employers—safeguard again—change employers again—
Continuing this cycle was the optimal path for his growth.
Even if he truly established the Peacekeeping Vanguard, it shouldn't be with the energyless Feng Family. It had to be one of the Three Sects and Five Schools. Only an idiot would find a bigger investor yet still take things step by step, following a rigid, orderly path!
The Iron Palm Sect, which stood a tier above the Feng Family, was actually the second employer Du Ge had already chosen.
However.
Iron Palm Sect Master Qiu Yuanlang could be considered a first-rate expert, and he had countless disciples and followers under him. Without confidence that he could escape unscathed, Du Ge wouldn't take that risk.
He needed to at least build up his own team and let Qiu Yuanlang see the power of a Heaven's Demon. Only then would he have enough credibility when he switched employers.
At present.
Du Ge's greatest enemies were the other contestants in the Simulation Field.
When he left the Feng Family, he had still thought the road ahead was long and difficult, with enough time to grow. But Wang San's Fear of the Delicate had made him feel a sense of crisis once again...
Before you continue