Fear of the Delicate

"He ran over here, fine, but what are you doing following him?" Du Ge looked at Feng Zhong and asked, "I went to all that trouble to set up this elaborate scheme. Weren't you worried you'd let everyone escape and ruin my plans?"

"Seventh Brother killed Taotie single-handedly. Your reputation is unmatched. They wouldn't dare run," Feng Zhong replied with a fawning smile.

"Is that really what you think?" Du Ge looked at him and smiled.

"All right, 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.

"You're useless." Wang San rolled his eyes at him.

"What the hell do you know? If they ran, I could just write a few letters and trick them into coming back. But if I died, that'd be the biggest loss our team could suffer, wouldn't it?" Feng Zhong glared back. "Scare them a few more times, Seventh Brother, and I guarantee they'll be loyal to you for life."

Du Ge glanced at him and said nothing more.

Feng Zhong was right.

The three of them had worked together fairly well so far. This time, Feng Jiu had turned into Taotie. There were still several hundred contestants in the Simulation Field, and who knew what other abnormal Advanced Skills they had?

Besides, the farther they went, the harder it would be to find partners they could trust. Losing any one of the three would hurt their prospects...

With all eyes on them, Taotie turned back into a human. The street quickly erupted into commotion as people pointed at Feng Jiu's body from a distance and whispered among themselves. Their talk was filled with worries about the future.

A living monster had appeared in Luyang City. It was unprecedented. And with what Feng Qi had said about the Heavenly Demons still fresh in their minds, they couldn't help but be afraid.

Taotie's appearance even wiped away what little goodwill they had left toward Feng Qi.

After all, Feng Qi was a Heavenly Demon too.

Those who were not of our kind could never truly share our hearts.

Hearing the crowd's chatter, Du Ge glanced at Feng Jiu's unseeing eyes and sighed inwardly. No matter what, Feng Jiu had been an old friend. He couldn't let him die without any meaning.

So—

Du Ge leaped onto a nearby platform and cleared his throat. "Folks, many of you saw me yesterday, but plenty of you still don't know who I am. Today, I'd like to formally introduce myself again. My name is Feng Qi, and I'm the leader of the Peacekeeping Gang. My lifelong belief is in upholding justice and peace throughout this land."

He paused and looked at the still-turbulent street before continuing. "I know some heartbreaking things happened last night, and they shook your faith in the Peacekeeping Gang. You can't be blamed for that. I failed to do my job properly, and I'm sorry.

"I came to Luyang City today to deal with what happened yesterday and give you an explanation. The man who just turned into Taotie was Feng Jiu, a Heavenly Demon. It was under his Beguile that the Divine Fist School attacked you last night, intending to frame the Peacekeeping Gang."

The crowd broke into a fresh wave of whispers.

Du Ge pressed a hand down and sighed. "I know this news must come as a shock. After all, the Divine Fist School is one of the leading sects in the martial world. But even the biggest forest has all kinds of birds. He Yuanan, the Divine Fist School's representative in Luyang City, had committed many evil deeds in secret.

"When one rabbit dies, another grieves.

"The Iron Palm Sect's fate had left him unable to eat or sleep. He was terrified that the Peacekeeping Gang would come after him one day to settle accounts. So, when a Heavenly Demon beguiled him, he sent people to disguise themselves as members of the Peacekeeping Gang and attack civilians in the night, hoping to destroy your trust in us at its root.

"With the Peacekeeping Gang gone, he could keep oppressing the innocent without a care.

"Taotie was certainly terrifying, but monsters could be killed. They had weaknesses, and once you found them, you could easily put them to death.

"But what about wicked people?

"They look just like you and live among you. They'll do everything they can to oppress you, eat your flesh, drink your blood, and sleep with your wives. A day, two days, a year, two years—your children, your grandchildren, generation after generation, would have to live under their thumb..."

Du Ge's words were stirring. Gradually, people shifted their attention away from Taotie and fell into thought.

Before they knew it, everyone's eyes had settled on Feng Qi, and they had forgotten that he was a Heavenly Demon.

"Evil men are more dangerous than monsters. And when you face them, you have no way to fight back." Du Ge's face filled with grief, and his voice rose. He clenched his fist and swept it through the air. "Compared with those evil men, you have no martial strength. You're weak and easily bullied. But things are different now. The Peacekeeping Gang is here, and I can stand up for you!

"I'm different from them. I'm a Heavenly Demon, and I can only grow stronger by protecting you. The more peaceful and secure your lives are, the stronger I become. It's simply impossible for me to harm you at the root. We benefit one another, so you never have to worry that I'll abandon you.

"It's true that the Peacekeeping Gang is still weak compared with the Divine Fist School. But a single spark can start a prairie fire. I won't abandon my belief in protecting people just because my enemies are powerful.

"Since ancient times, evil has never triumphed over good. I've always believed that as long as we hold fast to justice, we'll inspire more upright people to join us.

"You may not know this, but last night I visited the Beggar's Sect, Taishan, Huashan, Emei, and the Tianshan School here in Luyang City, and sincerely invited them to uphold justice alongside the Peacekeeping Gang.

"Thankfully, the representatives of those sects understood the greater good and agreed on the spot to join our Peacekeeping Joint Defense. Together, we'll protect Luyang City.

"After the Divine Fist School committed its crimes, it was the Peacekeeping Alliance that immediately identified the culprit.

"Just now, He Yuanan, the Divine Fist School's representative, was executed, and the instigator, the Heavenly Demon Taotie, was slain right before your eyes.

"When I learned you'd suffered and were in trouble, I did everything I could to resolve the problem as quickly as possible. I've gone to all this trouble for you. Isn't that worth your trust?"

As he spoke, Du Ge held his sword high. After a moment, he moved it to one side, farther from the top of his head, and said loudly, "Today, before all the people of Luyang City, I, Feng, swear upon this sword that slew the beast: I will devote my life to the cause of peace and justice. This sword can slay Taotie today; tomorrow, it can cut down every evil person in the land and every Heavenly Demon who brings chaos to the world, carving out a bright world."

He paused and looked at the people, their emotions stirred, then smiled warmly. "Of course, actions speak louder than words. Pretty speeches mean nothing; just watch what I do. Please spread the word to one another and notify last night's victims, as well as those injured by Taotie in the street. Once I've dealt with the Divine Fist School's remaining men, I'll see that everyone receives fair compensation."

With that,

before the crowd could respond, Du Ge jumped off the platform and beckoned to his two protectors. Together, they made their way through the crowd and returned to the Divine Fist School's compound.

Just as Feng Zhong had expected, no one from either the Divine Fist School or the Iron Palm Sect had left.

Feng Jiu's sudden transformation into Taotie had changed their understanding of the world. They were all lost in confusion about the future, unsure what to do next.

Taotie was a monster, but was Feng Qi, who had killed Taotie, not a monster too?

Feng Qi was also a Heavenly Demon. Could ordinary people really win against Heavenly Demons?

What meaning was there in dying at a Heavenly Demon's hands?

If Feng Qi killed them, would the Divine Fist School really avenge them?

In the end, they were all just nobodies trying to make a living...

When they saw Du Ge return, everyone in the courtyard instinctively stepped back, afraid he might suddenly attack.

The sight of Feng Qi chasing Taotie still seemed to hang before their eyes. With his terrifying speed and Wang San holding them in place, no one could withstand even one of his blows.

"Don't be afraid." Du Ge looked around the courtyard and smiled. "I, Feng, have my principles. I only punish the ringleaders. Now that He Yuanan is dead and Taotie is dead, killing you would serve no purpose. It would only create more bloodshed. I'll ask you just one question: are you willing to join the Peacekeeping Gang and devote yourselves to peace and justice, so your lives can have greater meaning?"

"Leader Feng, would you really accept us?" someone from the Divine Fist School asked.

"Of course. The Peacekeeping Gang welcomes anyone who turns from evil and chooses good." Du Ge smiled, then looked toward Han Zuo and the others. "That goes for you too. I know you were responsible for what happened last night, but Feng Jiu beguiled you, so you can't be blamed.

"Besides, He Yuanan of the Divine Fist School has already taken the blame for you, and your old leader is waiting for you at the Peacekeeping Gang. We could live in peace and work toward a common goal. Why insist on opposing me? Do you really have to fight me to the death, only to have me nail you to the pillar of shame before you're satisfied?"

You stole our livelihood, beat up our father, and now you just flap your lips and tell us to live in peace with you?

Han Zuo and the others remained silent. Whenever they glanced at Wang San, they trembled with fear. Fear of the Delicate would continue to affect anyone Wang San had marked.

Everyone present knew that Feng Qi's noble-sounding speech was all lies. Framing, intimidation, threats, and every other despicable trick—that was who he really was.

But now, Feng Qi had laid out a way for them to back down and saved their pride. They might as well take it!

Better to live poorly than die well!

"We are willing to join the Peacekeeping Gang and serve at the leader's command," the people from the Divine Fist School said one after another.

"Not for me—for justice." Du Ge looked at them and corrected them. Then he turned to Han Zuo and the others again. "What about you? Are you still waiting for Qiu Muqian to bring reinforcements?"

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

"He's badly injured. The doctor said he might need two years to recover." Du Ge looked at him. "But if you keep making trouble, who knows what might happen? Fourth Young Master, the doctor said the patient can't take any more strain."

Qiu Feipeng's eyes flew wide open. "Don't hurt my father. We'll join the Peacekeeping Gang."