Chapter 167: Heartless

After treating his wounds, Qin Feng declined Yang Tianchen’s kind offer to give him a ride back.

"I still have some matters to attend to. You head back first, and contact me if there is any news."

Knowing that Qin Feng always handled matters with good judgment, Yang Tianchen did not press further, but gave him a meaningful pat on the shoulder before leaving.

"Let me know if you need any help."

Qin Feng watched Yang Tianchen depart, then turned his gaze toward Avril, who had been silent all this while.

"I'll take you back."

Avril shook her head, took a deep breath, and mustered the courage to say, "Qin Feng, I want to follow you."

Qin Feng paused for a moment, looking at her with a hint of perplexity.

"Why?"

Avril bit her lower lip, a flash of panic and helplessness crossing her eyes.

"The people from the Black Snake Organization will not let me go."

Before she could finish, Qin Feng understood what she meant.

Avril’s family was currently engaged in a fierce battle over the inheritance, and her two elder brothers desperately wanted her dead.

If she went back now, she probably wouldn't even need the Black Snake Organization to kidnap and extort her; her own brothers would likely find a way to ensure she died on the way home.

Qin Feng looked at the blonde-haired, blue-eyed beauty before him and let out an internal sigh.

He roughly understood Avril’s situation—in short, it was a modern-day version of the battle for the throne among princes, except the prize this time was family fortune rather than an empire.

To monopolize the estate, her two brothers would resort to any means necessary. In their eyes, Avril was merely an eyesore in their way.

"Alright, you can stay with me for the time being."

Qin Feng ultimately agreed.

Hearing this, Avril instantly let out a sigh of relief, a smile of release appearing on her face.

Strange to say, though she had only known Qin Feng for a short while, she found this man immensely reliable.

...

Qin Feng brought Avril back to the hotel where he was staying.

"Stay here for now. I'll go get you something to eat."

Having settled Avril in, Qin Feng turned to leave.

"Wait!"

Avril called out to him. Hesitating for a moment, she asked, "Don't you have anything to ask me?"

Qin Feng stopped in his tracks, turned around, and looked at her with a half-smile. "Is there anything else?"

Avril bit her lower lip, took a deep breath, as if making a firm resolution.

"Qin Feng, I know this is forward of me, but I'm truly at the end of my rope. Can you help me? As long as you can help me reclaim my inheritance, I am willing to pay any price!"

Qin Feng looked at the blonde-haired, blue-eyed beauty before him and sighed inwardly.

He was no savior, nor did he wish to wade into the muddy waters of such wealthy family feuds.

"I'm sorry, Avril, but there is nothing I can do to help you with your situation."

Qin Feng calmly rejected her request.

"I have my own matters to handle. Get some rest here; once things quiet down, I will find a way to send you back."

With that, Qin Feng ignored Avril's expression and turned to leave the room.

Watching Qin Feng's retreating figure, Avril's eyes gradually turned red.

She knew Qin Feng was right. She could not pin her hopes on others. If she wanted to survive and take back her inheritance, she had to rely on herself!

Yet, how could a frail woman like her possibly fight against those ruthless brothers and the vast Black Snake Organization?

Did she really have to yield to that old monster's demand and marry his foolish son?

No!

She would never surrender!

Avril abruptly stood up, her gaze gradually turning resolute.

"Qin Feng, I will make you agree to help me!"

...

Inside the hotel room, a faint fragrance of medicine lingered.

Qin Feng sat cross-legged on the bed, the wounds on his body now scabbed over, leaving only shocking scars behind.

He circulated the Nine Revolutions Golden Body Art, and spiritual energy poured into his body like a gentle stream, nourishing his bones and muscles.

Ever since breaking through to the third realm, Qin Feng could feel the changes in his body; his strength, speed, and reflexes were no longer what they used to be.

He could shatter a slab of marble with a single punch and easily evade attacks from ordinary people.

Yet, this was still far from enough. He knew that in front of true martial artists, this level of strength was utterly negligible.

"Thud."

A knock on the door interrupted Qin Feng's cultivation. He opened his eyes, exhaled a breath of stale air, and got up to answer the door.

Standing outside was Avril, her long golden hair draped over her shoulders, her fair face bearing a trace of weariness that tugged at the heartstrings.

"May I come in?" Avril asked softly, a trace of plea in her tone.

Qin Feng did not refuse, stepping aside to let her in.

Avril walked into the room, closed the door behind her, and approached Qin Feng.

"Qin Feng, I know what I said earlier put you in a difficult position, but I truly have no other choice. My two brothers have already begun selling off company assets. If we don't find a way to stop them, I'll be left with nothing!"

She raised her head, tears shimmering in her azure eyes.

"Qin Feng, I know you're strong. You must have a way to help me, right?"

Qin Feng looked at the pitiful foreign beauty before him and sighed slightly.

To say he wasn't moved would be a lie, but he really didn't want to wade into the muddy waters of Avril's family.

"Avril, I've already said, I cannot help you with your affairs." Qin Feng's tone was calm, yet his stance was resolute.

"Why?!"

Avril's emotions suddenly flared up.

"Can you really bear to watch them bully me? Do you not have an ounce of compassion?!"

"Compassion?"

Qin Feng suddenly chuckled. He was no saint, and right now, he was waiting for news from Long Xiaotian.

How could he possibly join her in fighting for some so-called family inheritance?

"The world has never lacked compassion; what it lacks is strength! You want to reclaim your family fortune, but why should I help you? I saved you—does that mean I am obligated to manage your entire life?"

Avril froze. Qin Feng's words struck her heart like a heavy hammer.

"Do I really have to marry that old man's foolish son?"

Avril muttered to herself, her voice filled with despair.

Looking at her, a wave of annoyance rose within Qin Feng.

Just as he was about to tell her to leave, his phone suddenly rang.

He glanced at the caller ID; it was Yang Tianchen.

"Hello, Tianchen, how is it?"

Qin Feng answered the call, asking urgently.

"Ah-Feng, I've tracked down Long Xiaotian's whereabouts!" Yang Tianchen's voice came through the phone, carrying a hint of excitement.

"They are holding Long Xiaotian in an abandoned factory in the suburbs of the neighboring city. I've already sent people to keep an eye on it. When are you coming over?"

Hearing this, Qin Feng grew excited and hurriedly said, "I'm heading over right now! Wait for me!"

Hanging up the phone, Qin Feng looked impatiently at Avril.

"Alright, alright, stop crying. If you keep crying, your makeup will run, and anyone seeing this would think I bullied you."

Avril looked up at him with tear-filled eyes, a hint of disbelief in her voice: "You... you're just leaving like this? Can you really bear to watch me—"

Qin Feng impatiently interrupted her, "Can you stop talking in riddles? I have urgent matters to attend to and no time to waste with you here."

With that, he strode out of the room without looking back, leaving Avril standing alone in place, her eyes filled with disappointment and despair.

She never imagined that this man could be so heartless.