Setting Aside the Facts, Nightmare

Tang San furrowed his brow and stepped forward to examine Oscar's injuries without saying a word.

The Ghost Lotus Phantom Beast didn't pursue them. Its petals folded back together, returning it to the harmless, beautiful flower it had been, as if its fury just moments ago had never happened.

The forest fell quiet, leaving only Oscar's ragged breathing.

Once Oscar had caught his breath, he braced a hand against the ground and slowly stood. Clutching his chest, he looked up at Ning Rongrong, who was still some distance away.

The way he looked at her had changed.

The girl he'd once thought was merely a little spoiled.

Now she stood only a few steps away, her face showing panic and lingering fear—but not the slightest trace of guilt toward him.

It was as if his injury meant no more to her than stepping on an ant.

"Ning Rongrong." Oscar addressed her by her full name. His voice was hoarse, but perfectly clear. "You went too far."

Ning Rongrong froze, as if she hadn't heard him.

"Do you know the Ghost Lotus Phantom Beast is a six-thousand-year Soul Beast?"

Oscar's voice wasn't loud, but there was a painful earnestness beneath its calm.

"You didn't know, because you thought it was just a flower. Fine, you didn't know—that's not the problem. But I told you it was a Soul Beast, and you still insisted I pick it. Now it's badly injured me, and you're standing over there without even coming to check on me."

He paused, looking Ning Rongrong straight in the eyes.

"You are the Young Miss of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, sure, but this is the Star Dou Great Forest, not your sect."

"Soul Beasts won't treat you with courtesy because of who you are. And people won't indulge you forever just because you're pretty."

"When you do something wrong, you should admit it. When you hurt someone, you should apologize. It's time you reined in that Young Miss attitude of yours."

His words weren't harsh, yet every one of them seared Ning Rongrong like a branding iron, draining the color from her face bit by bit.

When had anyone ever criticized her to her face, from childhood until now?

And the one doing it was Oscar, who had always done whatever she asked.

Ning Rongrong's eyes reddened, her lips trembling slightly.

Her indignation surged over her like a landslide, drowning out any chance of self-reflection.

What gave Oscar the right to talk to her like that?

What gave him the right to lecture her in that tone, as though she were completely worthless?

She had told him to pick the flower, but didn't he know how to refuse?

If he really thought it was dangerous, he could've just stood his ground and said no! He was the one who got hurt, but did that mean she had no responsibility at all?

Why was everything her fault?

Ning Rongrong jerked her head up, tears brimming in her eyes as she stubbornly held them back.

Her voice trembled with indignation and anger, but she forced out every word with fierce emphasis.

"Oscar, I'm telling you!"

Everyone turned to look at her.

Ning Rongrong bit her lower lip, and at last, her tears spilled over.

With a defiance so unreasonable it was almost brazen, she shouted at Oscar the words that left everyone present speechless for a moment.

"Setting aside the facts, don't you have even a little bit of blame?!"

Dugu Yan lifted her chin, disdain filling her eyes.

"You dare touch me?"

Her voice was cold and haughty.

"The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan won't let you get away with this."

Ji Feng merely watched her in silence.

"My grandfather is Poison Douluo Dugu Bo."

She continued, her tone growing ever more aggressive.

"Let me go now, and I can pretend none of this ever happened."

Ji Feng's lips curved slightly upward.

Even in this situation, this woman was still putting on airs.

Where did her sense of superiority even come from?

"What are you smiling at?"

Dugu Yan frowned, a flicker of unease rising in her heart.

Wasn't this guy supposed to be afraid?

The name of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan was enough to make anyone tremble.

And then there was her grandfather, Dugu Bo, whose reputation alone inspired fear.

With two Titled Douluo behind her, who would dare provoke them?

"I'm laughing at how naive you are."

Ji Feng finally spoke, his voice frighteningly calm.

Dugu Yan's heart clenched.

His tone reminded her of what Ji Feng had said earlier.

"I told you, I'd make you wish you were dead."

Ji Feng slowly walked toward her.

"Did you think I was joking?"

Dugu Yan's pupils suddenly contracted.

She instinctively tried to retreat, but her restraints kept her from moving.

"Y-you... what are you going to do?"

Her voice finally began to tremble.

Ji Feng didn't answer. He simply reached out.

With a soft riiip, the fabric at Dugu Yan's shoulder tore.

Pale skin was exposed to the air.

"Ah!"

Dugu Yan let out a startled cry.

Her eyes were wide, filled with terror.

At that moment, she finally realized Ji Feng was serious.

He wasn't trying to scare her. He really dared to do this.

"N-no... don't come any closer!"

Dugu Yan's voice began to tremble.

She tried to cover her exposed skin with her hands, but she couldn't move at all.

That helplessness brought her fear to its peak.

Ji Feng's expression didn't change.

He looked down at Dugu Yan.

The woman who had once held her head high was finally showing her panic.

"Don't you always think you're so noble?"

Ji Feng's voice was soft, but his words stabbed into Dugu Yan's heart like a knife.

Dugu Yan's lips trembled slightly.

Her eyes began to redden, tears welling within them.

When had she ever suffered such humiliation, from childhood until now?

Her grandfather had held her in the palm of his hand, and the clan had treasured her as if she were priceless.

Everyone treated her with reverence and obeyed her every command.

But this man before her wouldn't fall for any of that.

"Please... don't..."

Dugu Yan's voice broke with sobs.

She was truly afraid now.

At last, she understood what it meant to suffer something worse than death.

This man wouldn't kill her, but he would make her wish she were dead.

Outside the room.

Ye Lingling waited by the door, looking a little tense.

She had heard the sounds coming from inside.

They were Dugu Yan's cries, unmistakably filled with fear.

"What are they doing in there?"

Ye Lingling's thoughts began to run wild.

When Ji Feng had dragged Dugu Yan into the room, his expression had been frighteningly grim.

And now she was hearing cries like these.

Could Ji Feng really be about to...

Ye Lingling unconsciously clenched the hem of her clothes.

She wanted to push the door open and see what was happening.

But she'd barely taken one step before she stopped herself.

"No matter what you hear, stay outside."

Ji Feng's words from before he entered the room echoed in her ears.

The look in that man's eyes had told her he wasn't joking.

Ye Lingling bit her lower lip, caught in a dilemma.

If Ji Feng really did something to Dugu Yan, should she stop him?

But Ji Feng had saved her life. What right did she have to question him?

At that thought, Ye Lingling lowered her hand.

She chose to trust Ji Feng.

Though the man could be ruthless, he never acted without reason.

Dugu Yan had brought this upon herself.

Just as Ye Lingling's thoughts were in turmoil.

Inside the room.