I’ll kill her

"Brother Feng, you dare find another woman behind my back? I'll kill her."

Bai Zhanfeng, who was perched in the tree, instantly straightened his spine, like a towering mountain being abruptly severed in the middle, and then, he froze. His hand paused slightly as if he had suddenly realized something. His gaze swept across, landing on Xianyue, who was still looking up at him. His brows furrowed tightly. Like a mighty eagle spreading its wings, he blended into the dark night, leaping down from the tree.

The crowd below swallowed nervously, afraid that this massive figure falling from the sky might land on them, and they hastily retreated. But instead of being met by Bai Zhanfeng's whirlwind-like form, they encountered something else entirely.

Half bright and half dim, the night sky burst into fireworks, like lightning slashing through, suddenly lighting up the whole world. Some curious onlookers stopped in their tracks, wide-eyed, trying to glimpse what divine creature was approaching. Agile like a snake, but glowing with fiery light.

"Ah!"

"Ouch!"

Cries of pain echoed around the Wishing Tree as those driven by curiosity fell to the ground, one after another, clutching their faces as if they'd been slapped hard. The pain cut deep into their hearts. They squinted, looking around, but there wasn't a single person near them.

"Which woman has a death wish, daring to steal my Brother Feng?"

Her voice reached them before she did. Xianyue, protected by Lei'an and Lei'yun, watched as a growing, fiery red light closed in. The serpent-like figure danced under the lamplight, radiating an enchanting glow. Xianyue glanced at the eagle soaring towards her, the corners of her mouth curling upward, her eyes gleaming brighter than the silver serpent in the sky.

As the voice faded, the floating serpent, hovering in mid-air, quickly spotted its prey. It shifted direction, heading straight for the beauty standing on the other side, who had opened her mouth slightly in fear and astonishment. The serpent's poisoned tongue extended, poised to strike her delicate face.

The fiery glow drew closer, and the once-blurry figure rapidly approached. Xianyue felt a gust of wind as her eyes narrowed. In the line of sight, black hair and a black robe flared, blocking out all the other light in the world.

"Nian Xiaoyu!

A furious roar shook the earth, the leaves rustling as though the ancient tree, which had been rooted for centuries, might split down the middle. The wounded onlookers, having never heard such a lion's roar before, paled as they stared at Bai Zhanfeng, who now stood in front of Lei'an and Lei'yun, protecting Xianyue.

Xianyue opened her eyes, rubbing her ears, which had nearly been deafened by the sound. She brushed aside the two brothers, Lei'an and Lei'yun, and patted Bai Zhanfeng on the shoulder.

Under the soft glow of the moon and the bright lights around them, Xianyue tiptoed, her gaze drifting over Bai Zhanfeng's shoulder to rest on the woman standing opposite them. Fire—a blazing flame—this was Xianyue's first impression of Nian Xiaoyu.

She looked about seventeen or eighteen, dressed in a short red outfit, with bold brows and big eyes. She was strikingly beautiful, exuding an aura of simplicity and competence. Her skin was not as fair as most women's but a glistening honey color, probably from following Bai Zhanfeng around for three years under the sun and rain. Her features were delicate and sharp—this was the kind of woman one would remember at first glance.

Such a beauty, and the daughter of the former Wulin Alliance Leader, she had everything: looks, status, and as for her figure… Xianyue quickly swept a glance—it was well-nourished, curvaceous, and graceful. Most importantly, she was deeply infatuated with Bai Zhanfeng. They were a perfect match in every way. What could Bai Zhanfeng possibly find fault with?

Holding a whip in her hand, Nian Xiaoyu raised her brows, pointing at Xianyue from behind Bai Zhanfeng, "Is it her?"

Her black eyes glared, filled with the desire to tear Xianyue apart.

Xianyue shrank back, standing on tiptoe as she smiled at the furious woman in red. She could clearly see the burning flames reflected in Nian Xiaoyu's eyes.

"I'll kill her."

Before the words even finished, the figure in red leaped forward, the whip in her hand slicing through the air straight for Xianyue's face. It was fast and fierce, like a flood breaking through a dam, unstoppable and sharp.

Xianyue opened her eyes, keenly feeling the wrath of the whip-wielder, but she stood still, not dodging or moving an inch. She even wore an expression that practically begged to be whipped.

Nian Xiaoyu flicked her wrist, but the whip, flexible yet sharp like a spear, full of strength, flew straight for Xianyue's forehead.

She came with ferocity, but Bai Zhanfeng was even quicker. With a wave of his arm, his black robe flared, like a bloodstained banner on a battlefield, rustling with an aura of death. He stared intently at the red whip as it was about to strike Xianyue. Suddenly, with one foot planted firmly on the ground, he leaped into the air, catching the whip.

Nian Xiaoyu looked as though she had been dealt a heavy blow, her eyes widening in disbelief. The fire that had been burning in her eyes seemed to dim with disappointment. As her feet hit the ground, she pulled on the other end of the whip with all her strength, trying to yank it back. But no matter how hard she pulled, the whip remained immobile in Bai Zhanfeng's hand.

"Brother Feng, you would really fight me for her?"

Nian Xiaoyu pointed at Xianyue, her face flushed red with anger. Her lips quivered as she blinked, on the verge of tears.

Xianyue guessed that Bai Zhanfeng's actions must have hurt Nian Xiaoyu. Men like him—young, successful, with a prominent family background and good looks—were undoubtedly pursued by many women. With Nian Xiaoyu's fiery temper, she probably punished any woman who tried to approach her Brother Feng. Bai Zhanfeng had tolerated it in the past. This might have been the first time he intervened.

In truth, Xianyue admired Nian Xiaoyu's boldness—daring to love and hate, unafraid of what others thought. "I love you, I'll pursue you, so what?" Compared to those overly demure and pretentious women, she was far more admirable.

After all, they were both the same—both persistent. Only, Xianyue was far luckier than Nian Xiaoyu.

"Don't hurt her."

Bai Zhanfeng applied a bit of pressure to the whip, and Nian Xiaoyu, who had been holding on tightly, slid forward uncontrollably.

Before she could protest, Bai Zhanfeng spoke again, "Or I'll destroy your whip."

His tone carried no hint of jest, and with the forceful way he threw the whip, the threat seemed even more real.

Xianyue shifted to the side, rolling her eyes at Bai Zhanfeng. She clicked her tongue, "Bai Zhanfeng, are you even a man? Picking on a girl like this? Look, look—"

She pointed at Nian Xiaoyu, who had a sour expression, "You're about to make her cry."

Bai Zhanfeng glanced at the troublemaking Xianyue, his gaze unusually heavy, even tender—a look Xianyue had never seen before. She laughed awkwardly, waved her hand, and stepped aside.

Only then did Bai Zhanfeng turn to face Nian Xiaoyu. "Who told you to come? Go back."

His voice was almost commanding, each word sharp and piercing like an ice pick. Even Xianyue felt the sting.

"No."

Nian Xiaoyu picked up the whip that Bai Zhanfeng had discarded, her expression unchanged, her gaze determined. She seemed long accustomed to his cold and cutting words.

"I already have someone I like. Chasing after me won't do any good."

Bai Zhanfeng suddenly turned, grabbing Xianyue, who had been quietly standing to the side, and pulled her into his embrace.