"Are you ready to die?" Nian Xifeng turned back to the seven men who had followed them. His first words were chillingly domineering.

Anyone who dared target Nian Yuchi would never be spared. She was his reverse scale—touch it, and die.

In Nian Xifeng’s eyes, these men were already corpses.

"Hmph! Small guy, big mouth!" The leader sneered disdainfully.

From his tone, Nian Xifeng guessed this fool didn’t know his reputation. Probably not sent by those two families. Just lusting after Yuchi’s beauty.

Even so, he couldn’t let them go. They’d crossed his line.

"All of you, attack together. I don’t have time to waste." Nian Xifeng clenched his fist, sneering at the seven mismatched thugs. They disgusted him.

"Hey, brothers! Hear that? He wants us all at once. What do you think?" The leader scoffed, turning to his lackeys.

"Hahaha, boss! This guy’s all talk. Let me handle him—I’ll take him alone!" The skinny man stepped forward.

"Yuchi, step back and wait just a moment. I’ll be quick." Nian Xifeng turned, speaking softly to Nian Yuchi.

"Mm! Be careful, brother!" Nian Yuchi replied obediently.

"Mm! Don’t worry. It’ll be fast." Nian Xifeng smiled slightly, patting her head.

Nian Yuchi closed her eyes, savoring the touch, and hummed softly.

"Go on." He released her head, still smiling.

"Mm!" Nian Yuchi slowly stepped back, creating distance.

Nian Xifeng turned to the seven men and sneered.

"Hah!" The skinny man roared, charging with a fist aimed at Nian Xifeng’s face.

Ferocity twisted his features as he swung.

Nian Xifeng didn’t dodge. He met the punch head-on.

Bone shattered with a crisp crack in the narrow alley.

A pig-like squeal followed, echoing endlessly.

"Aaaahhh~~~"

"Huh?" The other six gaped in disbelief. That scream came from their own side.

"Don’t chicken out! All together!" The leader realized they’d met their match. He barked the order.

His men charged without hesitation. They couldn’t lose to one guy.

Besides, they had powerful backing. He wouldn’t dare hurt them.

"Should’ve done this sooner. Why complicate things?" A cold smile curled Nian Xifeng’s lips. He didn’t fear them—even united.

The leader lunged, fist glowing with invisible protective energy. It let him strike at full power, unharmed.

Nian Xifeng snorted. His punch held no energy—just raw force.

Impact hit. Regret flooded the man’s face. Nian Xifeng’s fist wasn’t ordinary. Skills meant nothing here.

Bones in his arm shattered inch by inch. It was ruined.

The other five attacked from different angles, skills flaring.

But the alley forced them forward. Nian Xifeng dropped them all with one move.

He stared expressionlessly at the writhing men. Raising a hand, he summoned Dark Mist, swallowing them whole.

They watched in terror as the mist consumed them. Screams echoed, unheard by the outside world.

"No! Don’t! I don’t want to die~~~"

"Please! Spare me! Aaah~~~"

"No! You can’t kill me! My big brother will avenge me!" Even the leader screamed desperately. True death reduced him to a trembling life.

"I don’t care who your brother is. Stay in line, don’t cross my boundary, and we coexist. Cross it like you did? He’ll share your fate. However strong he is—I’ll kill him." Nian Xifeng’s gaze stayed icy. Unmoved by threats.

"Understand?" He flashed a cruel smile—visible only to the man. Nian Yuchi behind him saw nothing.

Terror widened the man’s eyes. His pupils dilated wildly.

"Demon! You’re a demon! A devil!" he shrieked. But it changed nothing.

"Yes. I am a demon. You crossed my line. Whoever does, I become hell’s messenger—claiming lives of fools who don’t know their place. Die quietly. No one will trace this to me." Nian Xifeng sneered. He clenched his fist. Dark Mist engulfed the man. No scream came. He vanished without a trace.

"Alright, Yuchi. Let’s go. We can’t keep them waiting." Nian Xifeng turned, smiling warmly at her. His demeanor shifted completely—now an angel.

Behind him, the seven men had evaporated.

"Mm!" Nian Yuchi felt no sympathy for villains. Especially those her brother killed. She never cared about their fates.

"Let’s go." Nian Xifeng held out his hand.

"Mm!" Nian Yuchi placed hers in his.

The moment their hands touched, he gently clasped hers. Leading her out of the alley, they headed for the Adventurers' Guild.

When they arrived, the rest of the team waited.

"You’re so slow!" Han Yuying pouted, complaining freely. She was closest to the siblings—only she’d dare. But no real blame colored her tone.

"Haha! Sorry. Some trouble delayed us." Nian Xifeng laughed it off. Without those seven thugs, they’d be early.

"What trouble?" Han Yuying asked impulsively.

"Nothing. Just guys causing issues. We drove them off." He kept it casual, omitting the killings.

"Alright. Everyone’s here—let’s check today’s missions." Lin Cheng interjected with a smile. Time was short. Afternoons saw few takers. Most grabbed morning tasks, finishing by dusk. Time-consuming ones risked nightfall. Fierce Beasts multiplied after dark—their active hours. To avoid danger, missions must end before sunset.

"Mm. We can’t waste time here." Xianxian added her voice.

"Then let’s go!" Han Yuying agreed instantly. She hadn’t wanted to press further anyway.

At the mission board, Lin Cheng handled the selection. After scanning options, he chose a Yellow-rank hunt. Escort or collection tasks took too long. Only hunting was fast.

"How about this?" He showed the slip. Better to consult the team first.

"Hunting a Chi Bear. Challenging but manageable. Best part—the reward’s generous." Lin Cheng summarized.

"Mm. We trust you." Everyone nodded in agreement.

"Settled. I’ll accept it." Lin Cheng chuckled.

Minutes later, he returned, smiling.

"Let’s go!"