Apocalypse: I Have One More Keyword Than Others

I don't know what kind of psychological support Feng Shiyi had given Feng Yunjie, but when the latter saw Wang San again, he was able to maintain his composure instead of shaking uncontrollably. However, the hand that constantly clutched his sword while walking alongside Wang San still proved that he continued to live in fear.

Poor child!

After being warned by Duge, Wang San toned down a lot and no longer blatantly expressed his love for Feng Yunjie.

He switched to another method.

Sneakily collecting personal items Feng Yunjie had used, like fallen hair, and occasionally hiding in corners, he would obsessively gaze at Feng Yunjie's belongings and let out a creepy 'gie gie' laugh;

He would warn all the handymen and others who had contact with Feng Yunjie to stay away from his little brother; he would also spread out fine paper and draw portraits of himself and Feng Yunjie together.

However, Wang San's drawing skills were poor, only the outlines could be vaguely seen. So, he had to label the portraits with their names and write some strange phrases like, "For Brother Yun, I can sacrifice everything," "Anyone who hurts Brother Yun must die," "Look at me, look at me, you're not allowed to look at others," and so on.

Feng Yunjie inadvertently saw the content of Wang San's portraits and nearly had a breakdown. He went to see Duge right away, his eyes red with veins: "Mr. Seven, I can't take it anymore. Why not let him go back to the Feng Family? If this continues, I'm afraid I won't be able to resist killing him..."

"Third Young Master, please bear with it a little longer. Wang San is still of great use. Hasn't your second uncle gone to find a suitable woman for him?" Duge said, "Once a suitable woman is found, you'll be free."

Feng Shiyi sent Zhang Han back to the Feng Family to find a woman for Wang San.

The destructive power of Wang San was enormous; even Feng Yunjie was terrified by him. Finding just any woman would probably lead to her collapse in a day or two, and keeping her in the team might become a burden. They needed someone who could control Wang San, remain loyal to the Feng Family, and be of certain assistance to the team. Thus, a female disciple from the Feng family's direct lineage became the best choice.

"Third Young Master, are you really not considering taking on Wang San as your guardian?" Duge asked.

Feng Yunjie shook his head desperately: "Mr. Seven, having you is enough for me."

"Ah!" Duge sighed regretfully, "Third Young Master, you have no idea what you've lost."

"Consider it a blessing I'm unworthy of!" Feng Yunjie said, "Mr. Seven, can you tell Wang San to stop doing those things? Even if he needs to grow, it won't make a difference in just a day or two, right?"

"For the Heavenly Demon, growth must be seized day and night. We have to be prepared for crises that can happen at any time. For the overall interest of our team, I can't agree to your request." Duge shook his head, "Third Young Master, he hasn't really harmed you. You can pretend you didn't see it."

"He's like a damn ghost, popping up from nowhere; how can I pretend I didn't see?" Feng Yunjie bellowed hysterically, and then, his voice softened, "Mr. Seven, please, just give me a break for one day. Tomorrow, my father will send my junior sister to him..."

You are a human being.

Is your junior sister not a human being?

Your Feng Family is really something!

I won't feel wronged at all when I backstab you in the future!

But they still have their uses for now. Suddenly, Duge's ears twitched, and he glanced discreetly toward the door, shaking his head again: "Third Young Master, Wang San must grow quickly. Have you ever thought about the day when his sickly cute behavior targets an enemy, and they feel the same fear as you? Having practiced martial arts for many years, you should know what kind of consequences it brings when one side suddenly feels fear during a match, right?"

Feng Yunjie imagined himself in such a duel, and the sudden emergence of Wang San shook him to a cold sweat.

"Now do you understand the importance of Wang San?" Duge smiled, "Third Young Master, whether our Peacekeeping Vanguard Group goes to eradicate evil forces or the Qiao Family's tournament in half a year, having Wang San on scene could make a world of difference. Now, do you still think Wang San should not train his ability? Or that he should be sent back to the Feng Family?"

Feng Yunjie shook his head.

The desire for the Qiao Family's sacred land temporarily outweighed his fear of Wang San. He hesitated for a moment and asked, "Mr. Seven, my fear of Wang San won't last forever, will it?"

"Of course," Duge nodded, not specifying whether it would certainly continue or certainly end.

"That's a relief." Feng Yunjie sighed in relief, remarking, "Indeed, there's no Heavenly Demon without a purpose. I better keep away from him for the next couple of days."

"Third Young Master, you don't necessarily have to avoid him," Duge said. "Retaining a spirit of boldly pressing forward is an essential quality for a martial artist to reach the peak. Why not try to face your fear and overcome it? Once you have defeated the fear in your heart, your future achievements will be boundless."

Feng Yunjie was momentarily stunned as if he had been given an enlightening sermon. He stood up and paid deep respects to Duge, "Thank you, Mr. Seven, for your guidance. Yunjie has learned a great deal."

Outside the door.

Feng Shiyi, who had been eavesdropping for a long time, pondered thoughtfully and then, without disturbing Duge in the room, quietly turned and left.

He sought Duge also in regard to the matter with Wang San. Feng Shiyi felt that the neurotic Wang San exerted too much influence on Feng Yunjie, and continuing thus might likely cast a shadow in his heart, which would be extremely detrimental to a martial artist's growth.

But now, having secretly listened to the conversation between Duge and Feng Yunjie, he changed his mind. Feng Yunjie was too compliant; perhaps having Wang San around was indeed a trial for him.

Moreover,

Feng Shiyi had also confirmed one thing: Duge really was constantly safeguarding the interests of the Feng Family and hadn't changed despite Wang San's joining. That was enough for him.

...

Feng Yunjie left.

Duge continued his training, waiting to see if people dispatched by the Feng Family could still find any other contestants who had entered the simulation field in Luyang City.

Wang San's emergence had shown him a new way of combat. If he could find new contestants and persuade them to join his team, his subsequent plans would proceed much more smoothly.

As for visiting the Iron Palm Gang and such, Duge wasn't in a rush; it was all to hoodwink the Feng Family and lower their guard.

Of course, if he only had one keyword 'maintain', then all his plans would be real, and he would wholeheartedly protect the Feng Family, growing step by step.

Because to 'maintain' means betrayal if he were to switch allegiance, resulting in a significant reduction in his personal attributes—just like Wang San, who, despite being threatened, was unwilling to change his speech and conduct.

Duge couldn't afford such consequences either, but he had another card up his sleeve, 'Backstab'. Hence, maintaining the interests of a third-rate noble family wasn't the optimal solution for him.

After all, betraying them wouldn't only be lossless, but would also bring immense benefits.

Maintain—Jump Ship—Maintain Again—Jump Ship Again—

Continuing this cycle was the optimal solution for his growth.

Even if he were to really establish the Peacekeeping Vanguard Group, it shouldn't be with a no-name like the Feng Family but one of the top forces of the three sects and five factions. Only a fool would walk step by step, in proper order, if he could find larger investors!

The Iron Palm Gang, a notch above the Feng Family, was actually the second lord that Duge had chosen.

However,

With Iron Palm Gang Leader Qiu Yuanlang being a first-rate master, and countless disciples under his command, Duge wouldn't take the risk without the assurance of escaping unscathed.

He needed to assemble his own team first, showing Qiu Yuanlang the power of the Heavenly Demon before jumping ship, so he would have credibility.

At present,

Duge's greatest enemy was the other contestants in the simulation field.

Upon leaving the Feng Family, he thought the mountain was high and the road long, with time to spare for growth, but Wang San's 'Fear of the Delicate' had once again sparked a sense of crisis within him…