Blossom In Adversity - Vol. 2

C311. Revenge.

Chapter 311 Revenge

Gu Yanxi's cold-blooded audacity lit a fire under the black-clad thugs, who instantly dropped their other marks and swarmed him like moths to a flame, closing in fast.

The guards arrived just in time, but one sharp look from Gu Yanxi froze them in their tracks. Without a word, they exchanged a knowing glance—one slipping to the front, the other flanking the rear, bows drawn, arrows locked, ready to pin down anyone stupid enough to make a break for it.

Everyone knew this much: their leader wasn’t just angry this time—he was downright seething.

With a sharp flick of his whip, Gu Yanxi sidestepped the black-clad men with effortless precision, but the real shock came when they realized the whip wasn't meant for them. No, it swung back, dragging with it a dagger—the very blade Hua Zhi had wielded earlier.

Discarding the whip like it was yesterday's trash, Gu Yanxi gripped the dagger with lethal intent. His stance shifted—left leg sliding back, body leaning forward, dagger poised horizontally at chest level—a move straight out of Ah Zhi’s playbook. Then, like a predator let loose, he blurred into motion, his speed splitting reality into flickering mirages of Gu Yanxi everywhere at once.

The black-clad men, no strangers to combat, rallied in sync, but their reaction came a heartbeat too late. Gu Yanxi had already ghosted behind one, his dagger whispering a clean, deadly arc across the man’s neck. A muffled thud followed, the man dropping to his knees before even realizing he'd been undone. And as if choreographed, another fell just as swiftly, his life cut short in the same ruthless manner.

It was a brutal, one-sided bloodbath—a ruthless exhibition of dominance that left the guards stunned. They had no idea their leader could unleash such raw, unrelenting power.

With a cold efficiency, he tore through lives, sending fear rippling through the black-clad men. Panic set in, and the last seven scattered like cornered rats. Two guards raised their bows, but before they could fire, their leader's whip lashed out, cutting the cowards down mid-flight. They crumpled to the ground, unable to take another step.

Gu Yanxi stood over the fallen with contempt etched on his face. He closed his eyes, letting his killing intent dissipate, then turned sharply and strode over to Ah Zhi. Lifting her with deliberate care, he carried her inside, leaving the cleanup to the guards without a word. They knew their roles; no orders were needed.

Inside the house, the shrewd servants had set up the finest room, sharp and precise in their execution. Gu Yanxi placed Ah Zhi on the bed, her fragile frame limp against the sheets. He wiped the blood from her pale face and trembling hands with a handkerchief, his voice cutting through the tense air: "Someone fetch our luggage from the inn—mine and Ah Zhi's. There are medicines in there we’ll need right now."

"I’ll do it." Hua Pingyang snapped, scrubbing his face roughly before barging past the others and bolting out the door.

Meanwhile, Hua Pingyu, barely holding himself together, was helped inside. His face twisted in agony, his lips drained of color from the pain, yet his gaze locked onto his daughter’s fragile form. His voice cracked as he croaked, "How is Zhi’er?"

"Her life isn’t in danger," Gu Yanxi replied coldly, his tone steady despite the weight of the situation. He’d exhausted every medicine he had in succession.

Ah Zhi wouldn’t die—not from this—but the excruciating pain she endured couldn’t be dulled. A bitter wave of regret washed over him; he should have insisted Shao Yao accompany them. Fewer stolen moments with Ah Zhi would’ve been a small price for her safety.

Hua Yizheng eased himself into the chair, gripping the armrest as he cast a sharp glance back. “Too many people in here. Clear out.”

The room bristled with hesitation, but they knew better than to argue. Lingering wouldn’t help and would only disrupt the young lady’s fragile peace. With begrudging compliance, everyone—save for a few senior members and the core family—filed out. They didn’t stray far, though, loitering just beyond the door, eyes sharp, ears keen.