Chapter 41: Tensions Rise, Are You Playing Me?

Squeak, squeak!

The Fire-Maned Demon Rat, having detonated itself, was not yet dead, but its whimpering cries revealed just how incredibly weak it had become. Fang Wensheng looked up to see the once-formidable beast lying on the ground like a charred piece of meat, its breathing barely perceptible. If he could finish it off now, he would finally be promoted to a Grade 5 Profound-level Demon Hunter!

Just then, a wave of heat surged behind him, followed by a low, rumbling voice.

"Burning Fist: Flame Bones!"

Geng Xiao, his body erupting with flames from the inside out, burst through the debris that had pinned him down. He charged like a human torch, his target fixed squarely on Fang Wensheng.

Fang Wensheng’s eyes narrowed as he quickly channeled lightning into his Thundering Hands. Before he could fully charge his attack, a heavy, powerful fist slammed toward his face. He barely managed to dodge the blow, but just as he thought he had escaped, his neck was clamped firmly by a flaming hand.

Bang!

Geng Xiao slammed Fang Wensheng’s head into the ground, venting the fury burning within him. "One isn't enough? Then take another!"

Dazed and reeling, with his head spinning, Fang Wensheng couldn't even manage a plea for mercy. Soon, his head was a bloody mess, battered like a crushed fruit.

"Geng Xiao, stop!" Su Chi shouted, lunging with a kick toward Geng Xiao.

Geng Xiao caught the strike with one arm, grabbed Su Chi’s ankle with his free hand, and flung him away. Just as he turned back to finish off Fang Wensheng, the latter, having regained a shred of consciousness, roared in fury: "Thunder Seal: Wild Strategy!"

Crackling arcs of electricity erupted from Fang Wensheng, forming a web that lashed out at Geng Xiao. The pain forced Geng Xiao to release the electrified hedgehog he was holding.

The two sides pulled back. Geng Xiao was in rough shape; the flames on his body flickered unsteadily, and his breathing was labored. Fang Wensheng looked miserable, but his condition was slightly better than Geng Xiao’s.

Since the pretense of civility was gone, Fang Wensheng stopped holding back. "Had enough? Now it’s my turn!" He curled his hands into claws, ready to deal a lethal blow.

Suddenly, Meng Huai’s voice rang out. "Fang Wensheng, move one more inch and I’ll kill them!"

Fang Wensheng froze. He looked toward Meng Huai, where his four teammates were being held captive by Meng Huai and Su Rui. Su Rui’s fist was pressed against one man’s head, and Meng Huai was holding his Wind-Flying Spear menacingly against the throats of two others. Thanks to Yu Le’s warning, Meng Huai and Su Rui had managed to secure the four members of the Thunder-Gallop Team amidst the chaos, rescuing them from the sea of flames.

Fang Wensheng’s brow furrowed, his expression dark and gloomy. He withdrew the lightning around him, not daring to gamble with his teammates' lives.

"Geng Xiao, take your people and get out of here," Fang Wensheng growled.

Geng Xiao revealed a grim smile. "Fang Wensheng, I didn't think you could sink this low."

"Enough talk. Release them, or don't blame me for what happens next." As he spoke, he stepped toward the dying Fire-Maned Demon Rat.

Geng Xiao shouted, "Xiao Ling, did you get all that?"

Ling Xiao emerged from his cover, having found a safe spot when the firestorm broke out. He tapped the miniature camera mounted on his Owl-Hawk Crossbow. "It’s all recorded. Quite the performance, Captain Fang—teaming up for a hunt only to stab your fellow hunters in the back. Once this video reaches the Demon Hunter Association, Captain, you’d better prepare for prison."

Fang Wensheng’s face went stiff. "You set me up?"

"Hmph, evil deeds lead to self-destruction. Did you really think we were oblivious to your plans?" Seeing Fang Wensheng twitch as if to charge, Ling Xiao aimed his crossbow at him. "Don't move, or I’ll treat you to a bullet."

Fang Wensheng hesitated, wary of the threat. "Fine. What do you want?"

Geng Xiao didn't answer. He walked slowly to the Fire-Maned Demon Rat and, ignoring its feeble resistance, ended its life with a single punch. Fang Wensheng flinched—that was his prize!

Geng Xiao didn't even look at him. He dragged the carcass toward the others, his face clouded with worry. "Yue Su!"

The explosion of the Fire-Maned Demon Rat had been devastating. Even Geng Xiao had suffered internal injuries, and after the brawl with Fang Wensheng, he was barely standing. But he was far more concerned for Han Yuesu and Yu Le. Especially Yu Le—he had taken a direct hit from a Five-Bone Demon Beast, followed by the shockwave of the fire. In Geng Xiao’s eyes, Yu Le’s chances were slim.

From behind a pile of debris, Han Yuesu’s voice called out, "We’re here."

Geng Xiao rushed over, followed by the rest of the team, leaving only Ling Xiao to keep watch over Fang Wensheng.

Han Yuesu was cradling Yu Le, her face pale with terror. "Yu Le, don't scare me! Wake up!"

Seeing Yu Le’s condition, the group’s faces drained of color. He had taken the direct impact of the rat to protect Han Yuesu, and then, as the flames engulfed them, he had used his own body to shield her from the worst of the heat. Half of Yu Le’s body was charred black, and he seemed to have stopped breathing.

Gu Xiaoyuan began treatment immediately without a word, while the others glared at Fang Wensheng and Su Chi with murderous intent.

The Demon Hunter Association strictly forbade hunters from killing one another. Once verified, the perpetrator would not only lose their status but face the Association’s judgment—often death. Fang Wensheng had ignored the wounded beast to strike at Geng Xiao, causing the rat to go berserk. With Ling Xiao’s recording, Fang Wensheng’s career was over, and he would face legal repercussions.

But for Geng Xiao and his team, if Yu Le died because of Fang Wensheng’s treachery, the Association’s justice would not be enough. It would be a blood feud—an eye for an eye.

Fang Wensheng, sensing the shift in the air, grew cautious. Just as the tension reached a breaking point, Gu Xiaoyuan delivered the good news: "Yu Le is still alive."

The atmosphere eased instantly, and Yu Le’s breathing began to stabilize.

Fang Wensheng was the most relieved. "Brother Geng, since the rookie is fine, can you release my men?"

Geng Xiao nodded. Meng Huai and Su Rui tossed the four heavily injured teammates aside like sacks of flour. With Su Chi now recording the scene as well, the Burning Heaven Team had no desire to invite further trouble.

Fang Wensheng looked up at Ling Xiao, then back at the rat carcass. "Brother Geng, name your price. How much for the recording and the beast’s remains?"

"In your dreams!" Ling Xiao scoffed.

The others turned to Geng Xiao. He said coldly, "One hundred million."

Fang Wensheng breathed a sigh of relief. "Deal."

Geng Xiao sneered. "The recording is not for sale. The carcass of the Fire-Maned Demon Rat is one hundred million."

Fang Wensheng’s smile froze. "Are you playing with me?"