Why did he insist on luring Jia Ren out?
Perhaps it was the sense of powerlessness when facing Jia Ren, a threat to his life, that had penetrated deep into his marrow.
Chu Feng's intuition told him Jia Ren was a wolf of extreme ferocity, maggots that gnawed deep into the heart.
As long as he lived, he would cling to Chu Feng, watching him from the shadows with a pair of sinister eyes.
Waiting for him to make a mistake, waiting for him to weaken.
The moment Chu Feng showed a flaw, he would strike like a venomous snake, viciously biting him, injecting deadly venom through the hollow fangs!
Every time he thought about this, Chu Feng was extremely angry; he could never be at ease until Jia Ren was dead!
'Perhaps a small part of it is my being overly nervous, developing a sort of persecution complex.
'But no matter, it'll soon be verified.
'To covet my "Secret Technique," this is your best and final chance.
'If Jia Ren really doesn't show up, it means I've been overthinking.'
Chu Feng looked up at the setting sun and the brilliant purple-red sunset on the horizon.
His fist clenched in his pocket, he took to the dark, deserted alleys.
But as the dark windows of his home came into view, Jia Ren still hadn't appeared.
"Ha, spineless rats..."
Whether in relief or disappointment, Chu Feng thudded up to the third floor and opened the old security door.
The instant he turned to close the door, his body froze.
A wave of killing intent washed over him, causing goosebumps to explode all over his skin.
Chu Feng narrowed his eyes: Two sources of murderous aura!
Jia Ren had appeared with backup!
Turning slowly, he asked calmly, "Who are you two, and what do you want by breaking into my home?"
Clapping sounds of 'pap pap pap' rang out, followed by Jia Ren's insincere voice, praising with a smack of the tongue:
"You're indeed the so-called genius, to detect murderous intent at the Martial Apprentice stage, impressive!
"It's not what I want to do, it's you who has been waiting for me, isn't it? Hiding wherever there's no one, right?
"Our little genius, Chu Feng!"
The last sentence was uttered through gritted teeth.
Chu Feng had to admit, meeting in his own home was somewhat beyond his expectations.
In this old neighborhood, there were quite a few retired soldiers, each a fierce character who had battled on the front lines.
If they were disturbed, Jia Ren was bound to meet with trouble.
A ruthless thief with audacity to challenge the heavens.
Chu Feng scoffed, "Jia Ren, I knew it, you're a hungry wolf that would never let me go.
"But I can tell you clearly, I don't have the 'Secret Technique' you keep talking about!
"Even if I did, is it worth abandoning everything, using unscrupulous means to steal or snatch it away?
"With your strength, even if the school dismissed you, finding another job would do, and you could still live comfortably and content.
"Why risk being wanted by the Academy Alliance and losing your life, casting aside all that you have gained, to pursue me relentlessly?"
Jia Ren's cold face emerged from the darkness, raising a long sword at Chu Feng, saying excitedly:
"The Secret Technique is very important to me! It would allow me to continue my cultivation, to become stronger!
"Power is everything!
"I too have killed enemies and made merits on the battlefield!
"Why should I be dismissed from the Demon Extermination Army after sustaining severe injuries and being unable to inch forward in my realm?
"Because I'm not strong enough! If I had powerful strength, who would dare treat me like that?!
"And what I hate most in this life are these damn self-righteous geniuses like you!
"Why do you get to attend the best academies, practice without a care in a comfortable environment, enjoy life and occasionally trial yourself in the Demon Realms?
"I had to attend a lousy middle school, join the army after graduation, slaughter countless lives, and struggle to carve out a future amidst mountains of bones and seas of blood!
"If you had just surrendered the Secret Technique, after Xu Ziliang and the others died, I would still be a teacher at the middle school!
"Enjoying the benefits of the Academy Alliance, respected by all.
"Now that I'm wanted by the Alliance, I must leave the Longhua District...
"But why should I flee with my tail between my legs while you have limitless prospects!
"With old grievances and new, Chu Feng, when I capture you, I'll be sure to serve you well!"
An impatient, rough voice suddenly came from the shadows:
"Why all this nonsense, don't you know villains die of talking too much?"
A big bearded man with a scarred face carrying a Golden Ring Great Chopping Knife emerged from the darkness, smirking as he licked his lips:
"I like these tender little lambs. Once we catch him, let me enjoy him first!"
Jia Ren glanced at him, his face showing a trace of disgust, "Suit yourself!"
After speaking, the two exchanged glances and suddenly moved to attack at the same time!
Two figures exploded off their feet, charging towards Chu Feng with a fierce gale!
'My floor! Damn, you're going to die!' Chu Feng roared inwardly but retreated explosively at the first chance!
"Bang!"
To Jia Ren and his companion's surprise, Chu Feng didn't hesitate to crash through the security door and flee his home.
They hurriedly gave chase, only to discover that Chu Feng had also smashed through the stairwell window and leaped out, speeding away.
"Fuck, this little bastard runs so fast!"
Scarface cursed as he followed closely behind the silent Jia Ren.
...
Chu Feng fled without a clear path, inadvertently running farther and farther off course, eventually heading towards the outskirts.
New demon realms could descend upon Blue Star at any moment, spawning demons that attack residents.
Thus, most residents had moved away from the distant outskirts of the city, clustering in the bustling urban areas.
The more people lived around, the more martial artists there were, and the safer one's life was.
Besides, living in the city meant that in the event of a demon realm outbreak, the government and various powers could provide quick refuge.
They could also seek external assistance through information terminals and carry out unified rescue operations for the residents.
But those living on the outskirts could be overlooked when disaster struck and martial artists were scarce.
Moreover, with illegal martial artists prowling and preying on isolated residents, those living alone became their favorite targets.
So, unless one was extremely brave and skilled, it was best to live honestly among other citizens.
Hence, the road to the outskirts was desolate, without a single soul in sight.
Jia Ren initially had his doubts, suspecting Chu Feng had set a trap for them.
But after seeing Chu Feng's several panicked attempts to turn back towards the city center, only to be awkwardly repelled by him and Big Beard, he began to ease up.
'It's just a kid after all, running without even knowing the right direction. If he were heading towards the city, I would have had to give up by now.'
Along the way, Jia Ren and Big Beard viciously sped up and launched sneak attacks.
If it weren't for Chu Feng's agility and quick reflexes, he would have been caught long ago.
Until they drove Chu Feng into a small forest behind a decrepit factory.
They noticed a flash of panic as he looked back, and only then did they breathe a sigh of relief.
Chu Feng was facing them, his head slightly lowered, his facial expression indiscernible.
He stood alone in the dim forest, with the high wall of the three-story factory behind him.
The moon overhead was enveloped in a thin mist, casting a cold, white moonlight.
This factory and forest were at the edge of human civilization, overgrown with weeds and deserted.
Chilling winds whistling through the tree trunks raised a mournful "whooshing" sound, making the leaves rustle.
In the shadowy forest, the swaying branches looked like a chaotic dance of demons.
Big Beard glared at Chu Feng and cursed, "Little beast, you sure run fast!
"You've made me so eager to have a taste of your thin frame, and see if you struggle as fiercely as you run!"
Jia Ren, watching Chu Feng's slightly trembling shoulders, chuckled and said:
"Go ahead, run, with two Foundation Establishment levels blocking you, where can you go?
"Surrender without a fight, and I promise you a quick end, how about that?"
But in his heart, something felt off, as if a faint scent of...
Death?
He cautiously signaled Big Beard with his eyes to step forward and test.
As Big Beard spat out trash talk, he slowly advanced towards Chu Feng:
"Kid, stunned, are you? Weren't you the great runner? Run again!
"You've trapped yourself in a dead end like this. You call yourself a genius of the Academy Alliance?
"It looks like Longhua is down to its last pill!"
In the midst of his verbal garbage, Chu Feng's shoulders gradually stopped shaking.
In a moment, his voice shifted from fearful to eerily soft:
"You're right, unless I put myself into a dead end...
"How else could I keep all of you here?"
Facing them, Chu Feng suddenly lifted his head, revealing a grim, sinister smile!
In concert with the bleak surroundings, his appearance startled the two men — suddenly, it was Chu Feng who resembled the arch-villain!
Chu Feng's lips moved slightly as he uttered coldly, "Now, it's my turn!"