Aiven's body trembled with rage. Ever since regaining his normal emotions, he had always wondered why his parents had abandoned him. If they didn't want him in the first place, why did they bring him into the world? He even fantasized about finding his parents one day, hoping to hear the answer directly from their lips!

But now he understood. His mother had fought desperately to the end to give birth to him, and it was that vile woman from the Nilas Family who had murdered his mother!

Watching Aiven's trembling form, Ling Feng silently lifted his foot off him.

Caesar Nilas's face bore a hint of smugness. He knew full well that his status as the Young Chief of the Nilas Family was his greatest shield! As long as Ling Feng had a modicum of sense, he certainly wouldn't dare to kill him!

Suddenly, Caesar became infuriated with his earlier display of weakness. To think that he, the dignified Young Chief of the Nilas Family, would cower in fear before a mere assassin—what a disgrace to the family name!

Just as Caesar was basking in his own delusions of superiority, Ling Feng's voice rang out, "Aiven, I'll leave this man to you to deal with! Whether you let him live or kill him is entirely up to you! I have only one request: my brother is no coward!"

With that, Ling Feng grabbed the old man who had been crumpled on the ground nearby and strode out of the room.

The smug smile on Caesar's face froze. He never expected Ling Feng would hand him over to Aiven! Could it be that Ling Feng wasn't afraid of Aiven killing him in a fit of rage? Could Ling Feng truly not fear the vengeance of the Nilas Family?

How could someone act so recklessly? Shouldn't one think things through a little before making decisions?

Caesar's mind raced as if a herd of alpacas were stampeding through it. As he watched Aiven's silent but determined approach, the arrogance in his heart instantly evaporated.

"Uh… my dear younger brother," Caesar muttered with a strained smile, only to grimace as he tugged on the wounds on his face, looking like a comically tragic actor. "I was just too angry earlier, so I might have said some things I didn't mean!"

"You are, after all, part of the Nilas Family. The blood flowing through your veins is the same as mine!" Caesar desperately tried to persuade Aiven.

But Aiven said nothing. He simply stepped forward and kicked Caesar square in the chest.

Cough, cough! Blood sprayed from Caesar's mouth as he coughed. Aiven hadn't used his full strength in the kick, but it was enough to rupture Caesar's organs and fracture his ribs!

"Slap! Slap! Slap!" Aiven followed up with a series of vicious slaps across Caesar's face before he could even react.

"You dare strike me?" Caesar, disheveled, stared up at Aiven in disbelief, his eyes wide with shock.

Aiven's voice turned ice-cold as he spat, "These slaps are your punishment for insulting my mother."

For a brief moment, fury flashed through Caesar's eyes, but it quickly disappeared. He wanted to hurl insults at this bastard but held back, fearing Aiven's wrath might actually push him to end Caesar's life.

"Hmph, when I'm free of this, I'll make you pay for every bit of this humiliation!" Caesar vowed silently to himself.

After venting his anger with several slaps, Aiven's rage subsided slightly. He stared coldly at Caesar. "Don't worry; I won't kill you today. But that doesn't mean Divine Gate fears the Nilas Family! I simply want you to live long enough to watch as I repay every pain your family inflicted on my mother. I will make you witness the downfall and obliteration of the Nilas Family. I will make you taste the feeling of utter powerlessness!"

Listening to Aiven's words, Caesar sneered inwardly. The Nilas Family had stood strong for a thousand years, weathering countless storms. How could it possibly crumble at the hands of a lowly assassin?

Of course, having his life in Aiven's hands, Caesar had no intention of provoking him now.

"I know you don't believe me right now," Aiven said indifferently. "And that's exactly why I won't kill you yet. I'll leave you alive to see it all unfold before your eyes!"

With that, Aiven suddenly stamped down on Caesar's legs with a sickening crunch, shattering them completely. Then, he twisted Caesar's arms until they snapped. "Though I won't kill you, I'll still collect some interest!"

A blood-curdling scream tore through the room before Caesar fainted from the pain.

Moments later, Aiven exited the room to find Ling Feng standing atop the roof of the inn. A suffocating scent of blood lingered in the air—every person Caesar had brought with him had been slaughtered by Ling Feng.

When Aiven leapt up onto the rooftop, Ling Feng asked calmly, "Is it settled?"

"Yeah," Aiven replied hesitantly, "I didn't kill Caesar."

Ling Feng nodded and didn't press further.

Seeing Ling Feng's silence, Aiven lowered his head guiltily. "Big brother… I'm sorry."

"You do owe me an apology," Ling Feng said flatly. "But do you know what you did wrong?"

Aiven took a deep breath. "I know… I shouldn't have fallen for Big Sister. I shouldn't have harbored those thoughts, I—"

"Bullshit!" Ling Feng's low roar startled Aiven, leaving him momentarily dumbfounded.

Ling Feng turned his sharp gaze toward Aiven. "Aiven, your biggest mistake isn't liking Catherine. And to be honest, I'd wager plenty within Divine Gate admire or even love her!"

Aiven froze, unsure of what Ling Feng was getting at.

"During the half-year I was away, Catherine managed everything in Divine Gate. Without her, the entire organization would've fallen apart!" Ling Feng took a deep breath and continued, "We're not made of stone, Aiven. How could anyone not be moved by her? If none of you admired her, it would mean my judgment was terrible!"

Aiven opened his mouth to argue. "But... she's my Big Sister!"

Ling Feng shook his head. "You're missing the point. You have every right to like Catherine. As your brother, I won't hold this against you. Besides, I trust that your respect for her far outweighs whatever admiration you might feel!"

Ling Feng smirked confidently. "But let me make one thing clear: I'll never let Catherine go, and no one—absolutely no one—can take her from me!"

A small smile crept onto Aiven's face. This was the big brother he always revered: domineering and resolute yet not without tenderness.

"But do you know your gravest mistake?" A trace of disappointment crossed Ling Feng's face. "You knew the Nilas Family harbored ill intent toward you, yet you came here alone without telling anyone. Do you even see us as your brothers?"

Aiven hung his head, wordless under Ling Feng's reproach.

"I understand your wariness of the Nilas Family's power, and I know your intentions were for the good of Divine Gate. But Aiven, never forget this: the reason everyone remains in Divine Gate is because it belongs to all of us—our collective brotherhood! Brothers share in blessings and face hardships together. Every enemy and obstacle is something we tackle as one! But you…?"

Aiven inhaled deeply and said earnestly, "Big Brother, I understand now. I was wrong—truly wrong!"

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