Chapter 24: Schemes Born of Hatred

“Still looking to stir up trouble?”

Now that Du Gu Bieli had completed the Four Springs, he no longer needed to muster his strength beforehand or make an effort to sustain it in every part of his body during combat. Instead, with each movement, energy would surge through the corresponding acupoints—if he moved his feet, the Yongquan point responded; if his hands, the Laogong point. His speed in battle had at least doubled, and so had his destructive power. As a result, he paid these defeated challengers no mind at all.

Even the Wolf and Little Blossom seemed eager for action. During the previous arena qualification battle, it had been Du Gu Bieli alone who carried them through, while they themselves suffered grievously, their hearts filled with a smoldering rage that begged for release.

“Hmph!”

The Lord of Tianguang City, unwilling to let things escalate and disrupt the proceedings to come, was forced to step forward and declare with cold authority, “These five have successfully passed the assessment, which means that from this moment, they are students of Butterfly Academy. Their safety is now under the Academy’s protection. Anyone harboring hostility or other malicious intent, take heed and restrain yourselves. Otherwise, you will incur the wrath of the Academy. Even if you have backing, you’d best respect the rules, for if the Queen herself must intervene, the consequences will be dire. From now on, all unrelated persons must leave immediately.”

With these words, the twenty or so dissatisfied individuals, their faces twisted with hatred, had no choice but to grit their teeth and turn away. Their assembled helpers followed suit, and the rest of the onlookers gradually dispersed.

“The dust has settled. Congratulations to you all,” the Lord of Tianguang City said with a smile, his gaze sweeping over the group and pausing briefly when it landed on Little Sister and the Child. “So, the five who passed the assessment are you five?”

“Yes, my lord, it’s just us,” Little Blossom replied respectfully. The Wolf merely rolled his eyes, puffed out his chest with pride, and looked past the guard squad toward the imposing buildings in the distance.

Little Sister stepped forward with the Child, performed a deep bow, and spoke softly, “My lord, my name is Du Gu Xiaomei. I come from Du Gu Village, and you have shown us much kindness in the past. Thank you.”

“Ah…” The Lord of Tianguang City was momentarily taken aback, his expression growing complicated. He sighed, “How is everyone? In recent times, I haven’t been able to offer much help and hope you don’t hold it against me. Though I am the lord of this city, my power is limited. There is much I simply cannot do…”

“We understand, my lord, please don’t blame yourself,” Little Sister replied, her eyes brimming with tears and respect. “Without your help, our village would have been destroyed years ago. All the elders in the village are always concerned about your well-being. They often say, if ever there’s a chance, we must repay your kindness.”

“What are you saying, child?” the city lord replied, guilt written on his face. “Had your kin not saved my life back then, I’d have been dead long ago, never mind being city lord now. In truth, I know things have gotten harder for you all. I've just been so preoccupied these past months with the Academy’s selection, I haven’t been able to help…”

“It doesn’t matter. The old and young in the village are, for the most part, safe now. We just live in the abandoned mines outside the city. We only hope you’ll keep an eye on us when you can,” Du Gu Bieli spoke up, voicing the concerns of Little Sister and the Child.

“And you are?” The city lord was puzzled. Though this youth was a bit short, his eyes shone with a piercing light, his aura was pure and sharp, and he exuded a palpable sense of danger. He was certain there hadn’t been such a character in Du Gu Village. “What is your relationship to Du Gu Village?”

“Big Brother is our village’s protector. He’s amazing!” the Child piped up, his neck stretched out like a proud peacock, his bright eyes alight with happiness and satisfaction, full of boastful delight. “Big Brother killed off many bandits, saved me, my sister, and the whole village. He even formed a battalion and led us all to safety. We never have to worry about water again…”

“Oh?” The city lord glanced at Du Gu Bieli, admiration in his voice. “Truly, heroes are forged young.” Yet inwardly, he marveled, “The village lost thirty protectors in a row, shrouded in misfortune, said to be cursed by the undying will of gods and demons. I had thought to keep my distance. But it seems I was misinformed… This young protector not only guarded the village but led them to survival and passed the Academy test, becoming a Butterfly Academy student. His future will not be ordinary…”

At this, he quickly added with a smile, “So you’re worried about everyone’s safety. That’s no problem. Once you’re at the Academy, I’ll make sure to speak up for you. There shouldn’t be any trouble; you’ll all be safe and sound.”

“Thank you. I will remember today’s kindness, and in the future, I will surely repay it,” Du Gu Bieli said on behalf of Little Sister and the Child. In this world, those who risk their lives for the sake of gratitude are exceedingly rare. Empty promises are easily forgotten, and as he had nothing tangible to offer, he could only rely on his new status as a Butterfly Academy student to make a pledge. Given his potential, he trusted the city lord would look after them, thus easing the sisters’ concerns.

As expected, upon hearing this promise, the city lord’s smile grew warmer. Yet in his heart, he mused, “If you were ungrateful and offered me nothing, I wouldn’t bother. That life-saving debt from years ago I’ve repaid over a dozen times, saving thousands of lives in return. That should square us.”

“Well then, is there anything left you need to do? If so, you’d better hurry. If not, I’ll send you on your way,” the city lord asked.

Du Gu Bieli looked back. Little Sister and the Child exchanged glances, some hesitation in their eyes, but ultimately said nothing. The Wolf declared boldly, “I’ve decided to follow the Captain. I have no family or friends—ready to leave at any time.”

Little Blossom lowered her head, thought for a moment, then wiped the corner of her eye and said softly, “I have no one either. I can leave whenever.”

“Very well. I will send you directly to Butterfly Academy. May you all have bright and promising futures ahead.” With these words of blessing, he produced a mysterious object, crushed it in his hand, and a burst of radiant light blossomed, forming a shimmering portal. “There’s not much time. Go quickly. Beyond this gate lies the Academy.”

“Very well. Farewell for now; until we meet again.” Du Gu Bieli picked up the Child, took Little Sister’s hand, and led the Wolf and Little Blossom toward the portal. He knew that once they stepped through, another upheaval awaited—a new place, a new life, encounters with new cultivators…

……

“Find out everything about him for me.”

A group of twenty or so warriors who had barely known each other before now gathered together for a common cause, whispering among themselves. A tall warrior spat out, voice full of venom, “I won’t rest until this grudge is avenged and my anger satisfied.”

“I’ve already looked into it,” replied a wiry, dark-skinned warrior. “The man’s name is Du Gu Bieli, from Du Gu Village, and he’s their protector…”

“Du Gu Village?” someone exclaimed. “Isn’t that the infamous village—cursed by gods and demons, their bloodline tainted, thirty protectors dead in succession, shunned by every faction and called the Forsaken Village? I heard they’re nearly extinct.”

“But my sources say there are still over a thousand alive. They’ve even formed a battalion, now camped in the abandoned mines outside Tianguang City,” the wiry warrior answered with a cold chuckle. “Since their protector became their captain and is now at the Academy, perhaps we should ‘look after’ his people.”

“That’s unwise,” another warrior interjected. “I’ve heard the city lord himself has warned that the Du Gu Battalion are old friends of his. If anyone causes trouble, he’ll send out his ‘city enforcers’…”

“So what? He’s just a commander. What does that matter?” another scoffed. “It’s just a broken city. We could wipe them out and leave. Once we’re beyond the city’s reach, who cares about the city lord?”

“Maybe, maybe not. I also heard that the arena supervisors have spoken: the Du Gu Battalion is affiliated with the Arena Alliance and under their protection.”

“What? Are you sure?”

“Absolutely. I heard it myself.”

“…”

“This complicates things,” the wiry warrior said, eyes darting as he thought. “If we can’t touch the battalion, I can’t vent my anger. It seems we’ll have to focus on Du Gu Bieli himself—find some way to deal with him…”

“How? He’s now a student at Butterfly Academy, connected to the Butterfly Queen herself and under the Academy’s protection. Who among us dares make a move?”

“We can’t—but someone can.” A warrior who had remained silent until now, his appearance oily and sly, suddenly spoke. “Find someone inside the Academy.”

“Who? Easy for you to say,” the tall warrior retorted with a sneer. “Why don’t you go find someone?”

“I will,” the sly man replied at once, utterly unruffled, as if he had everything in hand.

A warrior asked in surprise, “How? Do you know anyone there?”

“No,” the man replied with a soft laugh, “but I do know the brother of one of them.”

“And what good is that?” another scoffed. “It’s a waste of time. Even if you find him, you’re barely acquaintances. Why would he help you?”

“Because I saved his life!” the man declared, pulling aside his rough tunic to reveal a deep scar on his neck. “If I hadn’t risked everything, that man’s brother would be dead.”

“Well, well, well!”

“Who is he? What’s his strength? Can he handle this Du Gu Bieli?”

“Of course he can!” the man said proudly, but was in no hurry to reveal more. Instead, he spoke slowly, “This man’s brother is named Kuang Qi. From a young age, he was wild and adventurous, and as he grew older, he formed his own battalion, running all over the Eastern Wastes. Once, his group was nearly wiped out by three bands of raiders. I carried him out on my back, nearly losing my life. He promised me then, no matter how big the favor, even if it meant shaking the heavens, as long as I asked, he’d help!”

“What a boast!” Some doubted, others scoffed.

The sly-looking warrior surveyed the group, sneered, then suddenly shouted, “Of course! For his family name is Kuang—Fury!”

“His brother is Kuang Qi, known in his clan as the Seventh Young Lord of Fury.”

“He has six older brothers; three are dead, and the other three should all be at Butterfly Academy.”

“His eldest brother is called Kuang Zhan—Warfury!”

Boom!

At the utterance of that name, shockwaves rippled through the group. The words “Warfury” conjured the image of an unrivaled figure—fierce, domineering, a god or demon who bathed in blood and fire.

“It’s him—the God of Slaughter!”

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