Ye Jun ran as fast as he could, his mind entering a calm state where he could think everything through rationally. He had acquired the ability to remain calm and rational even in the worst moments.
He knew way too well how emotions could disrupt his missions, and failure meant death.
Yet at this moment, he was in a conflicting state. His emotions were at an all-time high as he panicked, his heart pounding rapidly as he prayed to all the gods, if there were any.
But he was also calm enough to analyse everything as he soon reached the lower market and searched for Su Yunfei's stall. His calm side of mind made sure he was going to the right place.
Soon, he found the stall...but no one sat there.
'Damnit!'
Everything that Su Yunfei usually sold was still at the stall, which simply didn't make sense as he wasn't the type to forget things. Besides, the man was disabled, so why would he forget one of his crutches at the stall?
None of it made sense.
'They are in danger!'
Ye Jun knew it. He could feel it as a sick feeling gripped his heart tightly, squeezing it until he felt his blood running slower and slower, as if killing him from the inside.
He ignored it and dashed deeper into the lower sections. Just like him, Su Yunfei didn't particularly live a good life, so his home was close to the city walls where the danger from the Wildlands was the highest.
Ye Jun had visited their home a few times to help them, so he used those memories to hurriedly locate the house and run towards it at full speed.
He didn't care if someone saw him currently. He needed this strength right now.
'If I can't even use my strength for my people, then what's the point of having it?'
Pebbles. Dry grass. Roots. Boulders. Snakes.
He passed through them all, getting closer and closer to the tall city walls. Soon, he noticed black smoke filling the sky near the walls, making his heart almost leap out of his chest.
Cursing quietly, he kicked the ground beneath him and ran as fast as he could. His strengthened body helped him greatly, and he soon found himself standing before Su Yunfei's home.
Or what it had been once upon a time.
His steps came to a halt as his eyes widened in disbelief, his rational mind trying to take over his body but clearly the emotional side was winning.
His deep black eyes reflected a scene of carnage, as an old wooden cottage, engulfed in deep yellow-red flames, consumed everything inside and around it.
However, what truly rattled him were two bubbles near the burning cottage. He never thought he would actually hate seeing Attribute Orbs glowing before him.
Death*2
Ye Jun knew very well what they represented.
Grief began to overwhelm him as he almost dropped to his knees, eyes turning red as his hands shook in anger and helplessness.
'Why?'
That was when his emotional side got too overwhelmed and became unstable. Too scared to face the reality, it began to withdraw within itself.
His cold, rational mind saw the opportunity and took over immediately, making his blood run cold and his emotions numb. His breathing returned to normal as he raised his head, observing everything calmly.
'He is...'
Near the burning cottage, a young man was standing as he dusted off his hands, a wicked smile plastered on his face as if he had done some great work.
Ye Jun recognised him very clearly, and the implications of his involvement sent a wave of rage coursing through his veins.
The young man turned around to leave, only to stop as his gaze landed on Ye Jun. At first, surprise flickered in his eyes before he grinned.
"Why did you return?" he said as he stepped forward. "Actually, it doesn't matter. See this? This is what happens when you go against your fate. They died because of you."
He shook his head. "Whatever! Now that you are here, it's even better. I can just frame you and have you expelled."
An evil glint passed through his eyes as he clenched his fists and shot towards him at an inhumane speed. "I'll enjoy breaking your bones!"
Ye Jun just continued to stare at him silently, as pieces slowly came together and he understood the whole picture.
'I see. So it's the same even in this world. How cruel!'
The young man was upon him in seconds, showing his great prowess as a martial artist, but he made a great mistake by underestimating Ye Jun. He thought Ye Jun was a weakling, so he didn't need to attack at full power.
That was a fatal mistake.
A dagger whipped out into Ye Jun's hand as he moved faster than ever and stabbed it directly into the young man's chest, slightly below his heart where the Dantian was located.
His eyes widened as he tried to dodge, but Ye Jun was clearly faster. The cold metal blade sank deeper into his chest, drawing a fountain of blood as the Dantian inside cracked.
"You!!!"
However, Ye Jun didn't give him a chance to retaliate as he pulled his arm into a reverse grip and snapped the shoulder bones with his new strength.
"AGHH!! YOU BASTARD!"
The young man screamed in agony, but Ye Jun wasn't done. He had laid down plenty of powerful people with his small build using pure skill, let alone now that he had a bigger frame and more strength coursing through every one of his cells.
Pure brutality.
That's what Ye Jun showed to the young man as he snapped dozens of his bones, especially in the limbs, as he cried out every single time, tears and soot covering his face as all bravery left his being.
"Y-Young Master! P-P-Please spare me! I'm just doing what I'm told! Please, forgive me!"
Ye Jun pressed his foot down on the man's face and asked, his cold voice sending shivers down the man's spine.
"Should have spoken like that from the start. Would have saved me some effort. Speak. Who ordered you to do this, and why?"
The young man saw death in Ye Jun's eyes and didn't dare to mess around, especially with the pain reminding him of what Ye Jun could do.
"I-It was Young Master Ye Chen!"