Apocalypse: I Have One More Keyword Than Others

Chapter 49: 049 Great kindness seems merciless_1

Chapter 49: 049 Great kindness seems merciless_1

“Why did you even come after me?” Duge looked at Feng Zhong and asked, “I’ve set such a big trap, aren’t you worried that you might let all those people escape and spoil my plans?”

“Brother Qi tackled Gluttony alone, with his formidable reputation, it’s unlikely they would dare to flee,” Feng Zhong responded, with a smile plastered on his face.

“Do you really think that?” Duge looked at him and asked with a smile.

“Alright then, I admit I’m a coward, I’m afraid they’ll take advantage of the chaos to hack me to death,” Feng Zhong said, scratching his head and looking somewhat embarrassed.

“Useless,” Wang San gave him a disdainful glance.

“You don’t know a thing, if those people escape, I can just write a few letters and lure them back. If I die, that’s actually the greatest loss for our team, you know?” Feng Zhong retorted, glaring back at him, “Time after time, after Brother Qi scares them a few more times, I guarantee they’ll become totally devoted to us.”

Duge gave him a glance and said no more.

What Feng Zhong said was the truth.

So far, the trio’s partnership could be considered quite intuitive, this time with Feng Jiu transforming into Gluttony. There were still several hundred contestants within the simulated battlefield, and who knew what sort of perverted advanced skills they possessed.

Furthermore, as time progressed, it became increasingly difficult to find reliable partners. In a team of three, the loss of any member would be detrimental to their future prospects…

…

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Gluttony transformed back into a person, causing immediate unrest in the streets. People pointed and talked about Feng Jiu from a distance, their conversations laden with concerns about the future.

A monster had emerged alive in Luyang City, an unprecedented event, and given Feng Qi’s previous mention of the Heavenly Demon, they couldn’t help but feel afraid.

The appearance of Gluttony had even eroded the remnants of their good impression of Feng Qi.

After all, Feng Qi was also a Heavenly Demon.

“Birds of a feather flock together.”

…

Duge silently sighed upon hearing the murmurs of the crowd and upon glancing at Feng Jiu, who had died with his eyes still open. He couldn’t let his old friend die in vain, no matter what.

And so.

Duge leaped up and landed on a nearby platform, cleared his throat, and said, “Fellow villagers, many of you saw me yesterday, yet there are also many who still don’t know who I am. Today, I stand here to properly introduce myself once again. My name is Feng Qi, the Sect Leader of the Peacekeeping Gang, and my lifelong belief is to uphold the righteousness and peace of this world.”

He paused for a moment, looking over the still unsettled street, and continued, “I know, last night some heartbreaking incidents occurred that caused everyone’s confidence in the Peacekeeping Gang to waver. This fault is not on you; it is because I didn’t do my job well. For that, I owe everyone an apology.

Updat𝓮d from frёewebnoѵēl.com.

Today, I have come to Luyang City to deal with the events of yesterday and to give you all a proper explanation. The individual who transformed into Gluttony is named Feng Jiu, a Heavenly Demon. Divine Fist Gate was seduced by his manipulation into attacking you all last night, intending to frame the Peacekeeping Gang.”

A buzz rose from the crowd.

Duge motioned for quiet with his hand and sighed, “I know, such sudden news must be shocking to all of you. After all, Divine Fist Gate is one of the leaders of the Martial Worlds. But as the saying goes, ‘a large forest harbors all kinds of birds.’ He Yuan’an, the Divine Fist Gate leader in Luyang, has been secretly committing many evils.

One man’s misfortune is another’s unease.

The troubles which befell the Iron Palm Gang left him sleepless, fearing that one day he would be held accountable by the Peacekeeping Gang. Thus, when the Heavenly Demon beguiled him, he sent men to masquerade as members of the Peacekeeping Gang and attack the people by night, attempting to destroy the trust you all have in the Peacekeeping Gang from the roots.

Should the Peacekeeping Gang disband, he would then be free from worry and continue to oppress the good.

Gluttony indeed may be frightening, but monsters can be killed, they have weaknesses. Find the weaknesses, and you can easily put them to death.

But what about the evildoers?

“They look just like you, live among you, and will think of every possible way to oppress you, eat your flesh, drink your blood, sleep with your wives—for days, for years, and your children, and grandchildren, will suffer at their hands generation after generation…”

Duge’s words were powerful and resonant, leading people’s focus to shift gradually from Gluttony and sink into contemplation.

Slowly, everyone’s eyes were drawn to Feng Qi, forgetting his origins as a Heavenly Demon.

“Criminals are more ferocious than monsters. Moreover, you are all powerless against them,” Duge spoke, his face showing a righteous anger, his voice becoming increasingly impassioned. He clenched his fists tightly and swung them determinedly, “Compared with those evildoers, you have no martial strength, and are vulnerable. But now, things are different—Peacekeeping Gang is here, and I can stand up for you!

I am not like them, I am a Heavenly Demon, and I must grow stronger by protecting you. The more stable your lives become, the more powerful I grow; fundamentally, I cannot harm you—it’s a mutually beneficial relationship, and you never have to worry about me abandoning you.

Indeed, compared to Divine Fist Gate, the Peacekeeping Gang is also weak, but a single spark can start a prairie fire. I will not abandon my beliefs and ideals of protection just because the enemy is formidable.”

Ever since ancient times, evil has never prevailed over righteousness. I have always firmly believed that having a heart dedicated to upholding justice will move more upright people.

You may not know, but last night, I visited the Beggar’s Gang, Mount Tai Sect, Hua Mountain Sect, Emei Sect, and Mount Tian Sect within Luyang City, and sincerely invited them to join the Peacekeeping Gang in maintaining justice.

Fortunately, the leaders of these sects possess profound understanding of our greater purpose and agreed on the spot to join our Peacekeeping Joint Defense, to protect Luyang City together.

After Divine Fist Gate committed atrocities, it was the Peacekeeping Alliance that promptly identified the culprit.

Just now, Divine Fist Gate’s leader He Yuan’an has already been put to death, and the instigator, the Heavenly Demon Gluttony, was slain by me right before your eyes.

When I learned of your suffering and difficulties, I solved your problems with the utmost haste. Have I not earned your trust through my earnest efforts?”

As he spoke, Duge raised the longsword in his hand high. After a moment’s thought, he lifted the sword slightly to the side above his head, a bit further from his crown, and proclaimed loudly, “Today, before all the citizens of Luyang City, I, Feng Jiu, swear by this sword that slaughtered the beast to dedicate my life to the pursuit of peace and justice. This sword that cut down Gluttony today, will tomorrow eradicate all the world’s evil, slay every chaos-bringing Heavenly Demon, and carve out a bright and upright world.”

He paused, observing the crowd whose emotions he had stirred, and cracked a warm, congenial smile, “Of course, actions speak louder than words. No matter how pretty my speech, it’s useless without evidence. Just watch my deeds. Later, please spread the word and inform those who were victimized last night, as well as those who were injured by Gluttony in the streets. Once I have taken care of the remnants of Divine Fist Gate, I will provide everyone with fair compensation.”

Having said that.

Without waiting for a response from the crowd, Duge leapt down from the high platform, summoned his two protectors, and made his way back through the throng to the Divine Fist Gate’s stronghold.

…

As Feng Zhong had predicted, neither the members of Divine Fist Gate nor those of the Iron Palm Gang had left.

The sudden transformation of Feng Jiu into Gluttony had altered their perception of the world. Everyone was at a loss about the future and unsure where to turn.

Gluttony is a monster, isn’t Feng Qi who can slay Gluttony also a monster?

Feng Qi himself is a Heavenly Demon, can mere mortals win against a Heavenly Demon?

What meaning is there in dying at the hands of a Heavenly Demon?

If beaten to death by Feng Qi, would Divine Fist Gate truly avenge them?

In the end, they are nothing more than the lowest of the low, merely struggling to get by in this world…

…

Seeing Duge return, everyone in the courtyard instinctively stepped back, fearing that he might suddenly unleash his fury.

The scene of Feng Qi hunting down Gluttony seemed to still linger in their eyes—the terrifying speed, enhanced by Wang San’s interference, made him an unstoppable force.

“Do not be afraid.” Duge scanned the crowd in the courtyard and smiled, “I, Feng Jiu, have principles in handling matters, dealing only with the chief culprits. Now that He Yuan’an is dead and Gluttony as well, killing you serves no purpose but to add to the senseless slaughter. I only have one question for you, are you willing to join the Peacekeeping Gang and strive for peace and justice, to give your lives a greater purpose?”

“Sect Leader Feng, can we join?” someone from the Divine Fist Gate asked.

“Of course, the Peacekeeping Gang welcomes all who forsake evil for good,” Duge replied with a smile, turning his gaze to Han Zuo and others, “The same goes for you. I know what happened yesterday was your doing. However, you were misled by Feng Jiu, and that is understandable.

Besides, the blame has already been shouldered by He Yuan’an of Divine Fist Gate, and the old gang leader is waiting for you in the Peacekeeping Gang. We can all live in harmony, working towards a common goal. Why insist on opposing me? Do you really need to be defeated in a life or death struggle and be shamed before becoming content?”

You stole our assets and beat up our father, and now with a single word, you expect us to coexist peacefully with you?

Han Zuo and the others remained silent, trembling occasionally when they glanced at Wang San, haunted by the ‘Fear of the Delicate’ that affected those targeted by him.

Everyone present knew that Feng Qi’s lofty words were false, that his true nature was to frame, intimidate, and threaten, adept at using all manner of despicable means.

But at this moment, Feng Qi had given them a way out, saving their face. It was time to step down.

Better to live in disgrace than to die a noble death.

“We are willing to join the Peacekeeping Gang, to be at the disposal of the Sect Leader,” the people of the Divine Fist Gate said, one after another.

“Not for me, but for justice,” Duge corrected, looking at them. He turned again to Han Zuo and others, “What about you? Would you rather wait for the reinforcements that Qiu Muqian is bringing over?”

“Feng Qi, how is my father?” asked Qiu Feipeng with a trembling voice.

“He’s seriously injured. The doctor says he may need two years to recover,” Duge glanced at him and continued, “But if you keep causing trouble, who knows what might happen. Young Master, the doctor says the patient can’t endure such turmoil.”

Qiu Feipeng’s eyes widened in alarm, “Don’t harm my father, we’ll join the Peacekeeping Gang.”