Their insolent behavior ignited a blaze of fury within Gu Zhan. He had never sought conflict, but these men had crossed the line time and again—
and now, dragging Gu Qingli into the fray? That was utterly intolerable.
"Vice Commander Qi, do not think you can bully us with impunity!"
His expression turned to ice as he stepped forward, a surge of azure battle aura erupting from his body. As an Eight-Star Warrior, his strength was formidable enough to make the onlookers instinctively back away.
Qi, however, remained composed, his lips twisting into a sinister smile.
"Well, Young Master Gu certainly has a temper. No wonder you're the eldest son. But trying to flaunt your strength before me? That won't go so smoothly."
Matching Gu Zhan step for step, Qi released his own battle aura—likewise a radiant blue, but deeper, more intense, and far more oppressive.
The crowd immediately realized the difference—this Vice Commander Qi was the superior of the two.
A peak Nine-Star Warrior—no wonder he held such a high rank within the War Wolf Corps.
Gu Zhan's face showed no surprise. He had always known Qi's strength surpassed his own. Gu Qingli had given him a Warrior's Pill, but due to lingering injuries, he had not yet taken it.
Now, though the gap between them was but a single star, he still hesitated. Why? Because he lacked the power to protect what he held dear.
If only he were stronger—how could he allow anyone to speak so insultingly of his Qingli?
Knowing he was not Qi's match, Gu Zhan cast a meaningful glance at his daughter, hoping she would understand and slip away to seek reinforcements.
But how could Gu Qingli ever abandon her father?
"Oh? So the grand Vice Commander of the War Wolf Corps has nothing better to do than intimidate a twelve-year-old girl?"
Her radiant smile graced her flawless face like sunlight on snow, luminous and mesmerizing—yet the words that followed were sharper than blades.
This area was near the Mercenary Guild, and most passersby were grizzled warriors, men of blood and steel.
Seeing Qi ignore the Snow Tiger Corps only to target a young girl left many secretly scornful. Yet none dared speak out loud, wary of the War Wolf Corps' influence.
Still, silent contempt weighed heavy in their eyes.
Qi's face darkened to an ashen shade, his eyes gleaming with murderous intent.
"You little brat! So young, yet so mouthy. I've had enough of you today—someone has to teach you a lesson!"
His glare was venomous. To him, Gu Qingli had stripped him of all dignity, and for that, he would not let her go.
To his eyes, she was nothing more than an insolent child, still wet behind the ears.
"Don't think just because people call you a genius now, you can act so brazenly. Let me tell you—you're not even worth a cripple in my eyes!"
With a savage snarl, Qi launched a brutal punch directly at Gu Qingli, his face twisted with fury, his killing intent undisguised.
Gu Zhan's heart nearly stopped as he sprang forward, trying to shield his daughter.
The surrounding mercenaries gasped in shock, stumbling backward at the sudden violence.
But Gu Qingli raised a hand, stopping her father.
"Father! Leave this one to me. Those two behind him—I'll entrust them to you."
Even as she spoke, she vanished like a blur of wind, surging toward Qi like a phantom.
Gu Zhan could only sigh, turning helplessly toward the two men behind Qi.
He couldn't help but wonder—his daughter had never been this impulsive before. Why now? Why provoke Qi so deliberately?
Even as he engaged the two foes, his eyes never left Gu Qingli, ready to throw himself into the fray at the slightest sign of danger.