Chapter 43: Fear

In a county town, within a certain luxurious mansion.

Sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating the spacious living room where a man and a woman stood in silence. Xu Wanqing's face was pale. She had just overheard the conversation; the person on the other end of the communicator was screaming hysterically, relaying astonishing news.

All the awakened ones were dead, completely annihilated. What kind of outcome was this? It was truly terrifying! Eighteen awakened individuals, working together, were utterly wiped out, all killed by a single person. What a terrifying achievement! News of this would undoubtedly cause a sensation. Such a brilliant feat heralded the rise of a master expert!

What made it even more horrifying was that all eighteen awakened individuals had consumed the new serum, which significantly boosted their combat power, yet they were still defeated and killed under those circumstances. Xu Wanqing stared blankly. Not long ago, she had been playing a light and cheerful melody, feeling completely at ease. Now, all she felt was worry and dread. If this person came to seek revenge from her, could she defend herself?

Eighteen awakened individuals, so many heavy weapons, and even armed helicopters bombing—he hadn't died, and he had killed everyone. "Monster!" Her face pale, she uttered these two words. He truly was a monster, powerful and terrifying, leaving her unsettled and her heart pounding. Especially, recalling how the call had abruptly cut off just now, she felt a chill run down her spine. The person on the other end of the communicator had screamed in terror, and then the sound had abruptly ceased, like the final gasp of death.

Mu remained silent, unmoving. He walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, gazing at the horizon, motionless for a long time. This outcome was too sudden. "Why did this happen?"

He whirled around, his face cold, a chilling glint flashing deep in his eyes. The entire spacious living room seemed to grow frigid. This outcome was truly terrible for him, plunging his mood to rock bottom. Those were eighteen awakened ones, a vital force in his control, and they were all dead just like that? "What exactly happened? Can anyone tell me?!" Mu demanded, his voice strained.

The smile had vanished from his handsome face, and he could no longer maintain his composure. At this moment, his face was ashen, emanating a chilling aura that belied his usual refined demeanor. Xu Wanqing also murmured, "How could something like this happen? Who is he, and how could he kill over a dozen awakened ones who had taken the new serum?!" *Smash!* Mu slammed his wine glass onto the floor, sending crystal shards scattering everywhere. He couldn't help but let out a low growl. "Damn it!" he roared.

Earlier, he had been calm and collected, a gentle smile on his face, not caring about the matter at all, convinced that the person was doomed and the outcome already sealed. But now, his fists were clenched, his face ashen, unable to hide the fury in his heart. For him, this was an unforgivable defeat, a significant loss. "Mu, don't be angry. Quickly, think of a solution for this," Xu Wanqing said. She forced herself to remain calm, but deep down, she was terrified because this incident had escalated because of her. If that person sought revenge, he would undoubtedly come for her first.

Another person had entered the living room—an elderly man, around fifty years old, with a gaunt but clear complexion. He stood there and said, "Mu, this isn't your fault. No one could have predicted this outcome." He had a point. Eighteen awakened individuals launching a joint attack, combined with the new serum, could certainly sweep through any area. Killing one person would have been too simple. Not every awakened individual in this world could rival Vajra! With such a powerful lineup ambushing a lone awakened one, there would have been no suspense; it should have been a definite kill.

"Where exactly did things go wrong, Uncle Wen? Have someone investigate. I need to know the detailed results. I won't accept this!" Mu said, his face dark, his knuckles turning white from clenching his fists. "Could it really be Vajra who intervened? Aren't some of Bodhi Gene's people operating in that area?" Xu Wanqing suggested. Uncle Wen paused, but offered no opinion. As per Mu's request, he immediately dispatched people to the scene for a detailed investigation into the deaths of the eighteen awakened ones.

Mu frowned, also suspecting it might be Vajra. Had he already arrived? However, according to their information, the awakened one with the indestructible body was still en route and wouldn't arrive until tonight at the earliest. "Go and investigate if Vajra has arrived covertly," Mu said coldly. Uncle Wen nodded. He began arranging personnel and mobilizing his network to get detailed information on the movements of key figures from Bodhi Gene.

A small helicopter took off, flying swiftly towards the mountain forest eighty *li* away, to investigate the cause of death of the eighteen awakened ones and gather various clues from the scene. Though these individuals weren't master experts, they were highly experienced. Upon entering the forest, they were horrified. All eighteen awakened ones had their throats slit, and thirteen of them had their heads completely severed and lying on the ground.

It was clear they had indeed died at the hands of a single person, and had been powerfully slain. Judging by the traces at the scene, only a few had put up a fierce fight. The remaining awakened ones were simply no match for that individual; all had been decapitated in the shortest possible time. This outcome sent shivers down their spines. "Could it really be Vajra who came?" someone stammered.

Besides Vajra and three other individuals, were there any other awakened ones whose solo combat power could reach this level? They thoroughly searched the mountain forest, but found no significant clues left by that person. It seemed he had erased many traces after the fact. Back in the county town, inside the mansion. Mu received the report, his face grim.

"Eighteen awakened individuals were decapitated by a sharp weapon. The fatal wounds on all of them were consistent. That person was powerful and fierce, holding an absolute advantage," Uncle Wen said, looking at the report. "I've heard Vajra has two weapons. One is a demon-subduing pestle, but he usually doesn't use it. He also has a blade he's used a few times; it's incomparably sharp," Xu Wanqing said.

Just then, someone delivered a confidential report. Uncle Wen's expression subtly changed upon reading it. "What? Vajra really arrived covertly, this very morning?" Xu Wanqing took the report, glanced at it, and was instantly shocked. "Vajra… he's here?!" Mu was furious, his face distorted. He slammed his palm onto the table, causing it to explode with a bang.

He could no longer maintain his refined composure. Now, he couldn't help but erupt in anger. What did it mean that Vajra had truly arrived? Perhaps only his intervention could explain all of this. Otherwise, who else possessed such power? A single Buddhist blade could sweep the world, absolutely capable of slaying eighteen awakened individuals, even if they had consumed the new serum. The loss was immense!

"According to reliable sources, after Vajra arrived, he did indeed go out, entering the mountain forest, and hasn't returned yet. We just don't know if it was in that specific direction," Uncle Wen said. "Vajra, I'm not done with you!" Mu roared, his eyes and brows radiating a murderous aura. All traces of his gentle demeanor vanished as a fire raged in his chest.

"What about that person? Did he not make it there at all?" Xu Wanqing wondered. Had the person behind Chu Feng not appeared? She then felt a slight sense of relief. With Vajra involved, this now concerned a conflict between Bodhi Gene and Heavenly God Biological. Chu Feng dying in that area would simply be a meaningless death! When two behemoths clashed and masters made their move, who could blame a mere mortal passing through for being caught in the crossfire and meeting an unfortunate end? He could only be considered unlucky. Xu Wanqing breathed a sigh of relief, feeling that everything was fine now. Even the master behind Chu Feng wouldn't know the truth and would probably just have to accept it helplessly.

In the mountains, Chu Feng hastened along, seeing the county town in the distance, and gradually slowed his pace. "That woman is too vicious. Killing her directly would be letting her off too easily," he murmured to himself. Chu Feng thought of the young woman who had driven to pick him up—so youthful, with a few freckles that made her look simple and endearing, and always quick to smile. When he had refused to get in her car, she had seemed a little lost. In the end, she had died so tragically, her car blasted into pieces along with her.

"Monstrous!" A murderous glint appeared in Chu Feng's eyes. Though ruthless and decisive when dealing with enemies, he also had a soft spot in his heart and couldn't stand seeing the weak and kind being bullied. "Giving you a quick end would be too easy. Before that, you'll spend some time living in fear." Chu Feng's loathing for that vicious woman reached its peak.

He took out his communicator and contacted Lin Yaoyi. It connected quickly. Chu Feng was simple and direct, asking Lin Yaoyi who had been holding her communicator a few days ago. Lin Yaoyi asked what was wrong, but Chu Feng said nothing and simply hung up.

Shortly after, Xu Wanqing left the mansion and hurried to Lin Yaoyi's location. "Wanqing, did Chu Feng speak with you?" Lin Yaoyi, possessing striking beauty with fair skin and a slender figure, stood by the window, gazing into the distance. "Oh, yes, he did. When he realized I wasn't you, he just talked briefly and then hung up," Xu Wanqing said casually, feeling relaxed.

"Is that so? Are you hiding something from me?!" Lin Yaoyi turned around, her long hair flowing down both sides of her swan-like white neck. Her delicate face, slightly cool in expression, and a pair of beautiful, deep eyes put considerable pressure on Xu Wanqing. "No, not at all," Xu Wanqing feigned surprise. "Based on my understanding of Chu Feng, something must have happened," Lin Yaoyi stated.

"Has he arrived yet? What did he say to you? He wouldn't be so petty as to blame me for my previous indifference, would he?" Xu Wanqing asked nonchalantly, convinced that the man would never appear. "He hasn't arrived yet, but during our call just now, I sensed his feelings toward you were more than just prejudice," Lin Yaoyi said, staring at her. "Just now?!" Xu Wanqing's fingers trembled with fright, nearly dropping her teacup, but she quickly masked it.

A faint, almost indifferent smile played on Lin Yaoyi's beautiful face as she said, "Tell me." "There's really nothing," Xu Wanqing forced herself to remain calm, but deep down, she was utterly terrified. That person hadn't died? What had truly happened? She felt a profound sense of dread and unease. Was Chu Feng really coming? At this moment, her heart trembled, and various thoughts raced through her mind. Was he truly alive? This... this was too terrifying!

Xu Wanqing's mind raced, and by the end, she felt a chill creep up her spine. Her entire body turned cold, and her limbs felt numb. She was afraid, she was panicking. What should she do? She wanted to leave, but Lin Yaoyi was watching her. "Chu Feng will be here soon," Lin Yaoyi said. In truth, Chu Feng hadn't said when he would arrive, or even if he would definitely come. However, she could sense a hidden anger in Chu Feng. In an instant, a cold sweat broke out on Xu Wanqing's back. Chu Feng was coming? And she was stuck here, unable to escape. For her, this was a painful and terrifying ordeal. The fear was overwhelming. She felt that nothing could be hidden anymore. Even with her sister's protection, she would likely have to pay an enormous price.