The sky in July darkened late; it was already six in the afternoon, yet the sun was still hanging high. Cicadas were chirping incessantly in the shade, seemingly protesting the stifling heat.
Zhenfei walked on the path back to the village, feeling more depressed than the weather.
He had been working at a company in Binyang City, but because he couldn't stand watching the department supervisor harass the female employees, he stepped in to teach the supervisor a lesson. As a result, he was promptly fired by his boss.
Zhenfei's family was poor; his parents had died early, and his only brother had passed away from illness a few years ago. For the past several years, his sister-in-law, Zhou Yun, had been tirelessly working at home, using the money earned from growing vegetables to support Zhenfei through college.
Seeing that he had finally found a job but then lost it, Zhenfei felt he could not face his sister-in-law.
However, despite this, he hadn't been home for two months. He had to return to explain everything to her, no matter what.
Approaching home, Zhenfei walked into the courtyard but did not see his sister-in-law. Instead, he saw Ma Ergou, the village thug, standing sneakily at the door, peeking inside with a lecherous expression.
This is bad!
Ma Ergou was notorious in Qinghe Village for being a scoundrel, indulging in all sorts of vices like drinking, gambling, and womanizing.
The fact that this guy was at his house alerted Zhenfei immediately. He hurried over.
"Damn, you little backstabber! You're back!"
Ma Ergou was standing watch outside the house when he suddenly saw Zhenfei rushing over angrily. He shouted in shock and grabbed a large iron rake from the corner, swinging it at Zhenfei's head.
The Ling Family had always been an Ancient Martial Family. Zhenfei had practiced martial arts with his father and brother since childhood and had formidable skills.
And knowing how strong Zhenfei was, Ma Ergou aimed directly at Zhenfei's vital spots without a second thought.
However, Ma Ergou, weakened by his indulgences, was no match for Zhenfei.
Seeing his move, Zhenfei quickly dodged while kicking out, hitting Ma Ergou's abdomen squarely.
Thud!
The iron rake flew from Ma Ergou's hands, and his body, like a sandbag struck by force, landed heavily on the ground, unable to get up for a long time.
Boom!
Ignoring him, Zhenfei kicked open the closed door and charged inside.
Seeing the scene inside, Zhenfei's eyes widened in fury; he was about to explode with anger!
His sister-in-law, Zhou Yun, was tied to the bed, struggling desperately but unable to move as her hands and feet were bound and her mouth was gagged, rendering her unable to make a sound.
Beside the bed stood Wang Quan, the village head's son, and two other village thugs.
As a widow, Zhou Yun's beauty naturally attracted many unwanted advances, and Wang Quan was the most arrogant among them.
When Zhenfei rushed in, the situation was already dire.
"Stop!"
Zhou Yun was Zhenfei's only family in the world. Seeing her being humiliated like this, his anger surged from his chest, and he rushed over with a roar.
"How did this kid get back? Quick! Quickly, you two, stop him!"
Wang Quan, seeing his plan about to succeed, panicked when he saw Zhenfei rushing in like a beast and shouted at the two village thugs beside him.
The two thugs lunged at Zhenfei, but in just one move, they were both knocked to the ground by Zhenfei.
Zhenfei let out a cold laugh, his eyes flashing with killing intent as he stared at Wang Quan.
Wang Quan knew Zhenfei was skilled in martial arts but had not expected him to be this formidable. Terrified, he retreated.
This guy was a typical playboy, usually relying on his father being the village head to rule the village. Now, facing Zhenfei's deadly gaze, he felt his soul almost leave his body.
"Sister-in-law, don't be afraid, I'm here!"
How could he swallow this humiliation?
"Wang Quan, you're dead today!" Zhenfei, unable to quell his anger, wanted nothing more than to kill this bastard immediately!
How dare he violate his closest family member? If he didn't kill him, what right did he have to exist in this world?
"Don't come any closer! Don't come any closer!" Seeing the intensifying killing intent in Zhenfei's eyes, Wang Quan shivered violently.
"I'll kill you!"
Just as Zhenfei closed in on Wang Quan, he saw a malicious glint in Wang Quan's eyes. Wang Quan suddenly pulled out a dagger and thrust it towards Zhenfei's chest.
Zhenfei hadn't expected Wang Quan to use a knife. Although he dodged in time, the sharp blade still left a cut on the jade pendant that hung on his chest.
This jade pendant was a keepsake from his father, given on his deathbed, and Zhenfei cherished it like his own life. He never imagined it would be damaged by Wang Quan today.
In an instant, Zhenfei's anger reached its peak. He roared and snatched the dagger from Wang Quan's hand.
"Die!"
With the dagger in his hand, Zhenfei drew a brilliant arc, aiming it at Wang Quan's throat.
"Don't... don't kill me..." Wang Quan, now entirely within the range of Zhenfei's Saber Qi, was scared witless and couldn't even speak.
He never dreamed that Zhenfei would actually dare to kill him!
This time, his attempt to take advantage had not only failed but had also put his life in jeopardy. It was so unfair!
"Zhenfei, don't!"
As Zhenfei's blade approached Wang Quan, not only did it scare Wang Quan to the point of urinating, but it also terrified Zhou Yun. Barely covered, she rushed over to stop Zhenfei.
In his rage, Zhenfei had nearly killed Wang Quan.
But this was a lawful society; if he actually killed someone in a fit of anger, he would have to pay with his own life!
If something happened to him, what would happen to his sister-in-law?
Zhenfei didn't want to drag his family into ruin over a moment's anger.
But he couldn't let Wang Quan off easily for targeting his sister-in-law.
As Zhou Yun's cry echoed, Zhenfei's mind cleared up.
However, instead of retracting the knife, he swiftly turned and threw it, aiming it at Wang Quan's crotch.
Awoo...
Zhenfei's throw was precise—the sharp tip of the knife pierced through Wang Quan's pants. The icy sensation near his private parts frightened Wang Quan so much that he fainted.
"I'll spare your lives for now, but if you dare to do this again, it won't end like this!"
Standing proudly, Zhenfei ordered the recovered village thugs to carry the limp Wang Quan out like a dead dog.
Though Zhou Yun had been widowed for years, she had always kept to herself and remained pure.
She couldn't imagine what she would do if Wang Quan had succeeded today. How could she face the world?
Fortunately, her brother-in-law had arrived in time to prevent the tragedy.
Seeing Zhenfei's murderous intent towards Wang Quan had shocked Zhou Yun, and her heart was still pounding with her chest heaving.