Li Jie met the attack with his full strength. He knew that Cheng Xi’s energy was too powerful to face with anything less than his maximum effort.

Their swords clashed repeatedly, generating shockwaves that erupted like explosions. Thick smoke filled the battlefield as their relentless strikes collided again and again.

The spectators instinctively retreated further, unwilling to risk being caught in the devastating battle. All they could see now was a thick cloud of dust obscuring the two warriors.

As the fight dragged on, Cheng Xi began to falter. His internal energy was nearly depleted, weakening his defenses.

Suddenly, his body was sent flying out of the smoke. Li Jie had seized the perfect moment to strike, exploiting Cheng Xi’s waning strength. With a precise slash, he severed the old master's right arm.

After that, he delivered a powerful kick to Cheng Xi’s chest, sending the man flying several steps away.

Cheng Xi closed his eyes, enduring the pain that tormented him. Beyond the physical pain, he couldn’t suppress the shame of being defeated by a mere young man, someone as young as his own son.

Shock was also evident in the eyes of all the spectators. They could hardly believe that Cheng Xi had been defeated by a young man they had so often ridiculed.

Among the many onlookers, Mo Yan and Mei Lian were also present. The beautiful young woman, who had recently started to develop feelings for Li Jie, watched the fight with great anxiety. She couldn’t stop biting her lip out of sheer worry.

Unlike Mei Lian, Mo Yan remained completely calm. Arisuta’s words, claiming that Li Jie could defeat Cheng Xi, had convinced the village elder, leaving no trace of doubt in his mind.

Li Jie walked toward Cheng Xi, who was now kneeling on the ground. A satisfied smile appeared on his face, even though his vengeance was not yet fully realized. “I may not be a god, but I have the power to take your life,” he said quietly, a wide smirk spreading across his lips.

“You may kill me, but please, spare Jaya. He still has a long future ahead of him.”

“You speak of the future of that useless son of yours? Hahaha, how amusing…! Do you even know what your son used to do to me every time we met? More than once or twice, his fists and feet landed on my body. His filthy mouth was always full of insults and mockery directed at me. And now, you beg for my forgiveness? Don’t expect me to grant it!” Li Jie hissed, his anger barely contained.

“You can take all my wealth, but please, spare Jaya,” Cheng Xi pleaded weakly.

“Wealth… If I kill both you and your son, your wealth will still become mine. I have suffered enough all these years, all because of you and your beloved son!”

Li Jie took slow steps toward Jaya, who was still sprawled on the ground. The boy, Cheng Xi’s precious son, was overwhelmed with fear as the handsome young man approached.

“P-please, Li Jie. Don’t kill me,” Jaya whimpered, tears streaming down his cheeks.

“So, you’re nothing but a coward, Jaya. Where is that arrogance you always showed me? Let me tell you something—you and I are nothing alike, Jaya. Every time you beat me, not once did I cry out in pain, let alone shed a single tear. Now, stand up, you so-called village champion!”

“Please forgive me, Li Jie. I promise to change my ways.” His head bowed low, not daring to meet Li Jie’s eyes as he stood.

Li Jie did not answer Jaya’s plea. Instead, he roughly shoved him toward Cheng Xi.

“Lift your head and look at your son! Are you not ashamed to have such a cowardly child?”

Cheng Xi raised his head, his gaze clouded as he looked at his son’s face, filled with the fear of death.

“Please… spare Yung Fei. You may kill me to satisfy your vengeance,” Cheng Xi whispered weakly.

“Where has your arrogance gone now? And let me tell you this—even without your plea, I was always going to kill you! As for your son, I’ll let him live, but I’ll make sure his life will be filled with suffering as the villagers cast him out.”

With those words, Li Jie mercilessly swung his blade, severing Cheng Xi’s head from his body.

Yung Fei shut his eyes, unable to bear the sight of his father’s lifeless body. A deep anger burned inside him, but he could do nothing. Li jie was far too powerful. If he ever sought revenge, it would take him years of training in martial arts.

Everyone who witnessed Li Jie beheading Cheng Xi was in utter disbelief. None of them had expected that the young man they once mocked could be so ruthless, so merciless. Even more chilling was the sight of Li Jie still smiling after taking a life, as if murder was something he was accustomed to.

“Do you still wish to live?” Li Jie asked, his blood-stained sword still in hand.

“Yes, Li Jie. Please… let me go,” Yung Fei begged in a trembling voice.

“Very well. I will let you live, but you are no longer allowed to stay in your house, nor may you take any of your father’s wealth. If you break this rule, I will make sure you meet the same fate as your father.”

“But how will I survive with nothing?”

“You’re a man, aren’t you? You have a strong body—work if you want to live. But after what your father has done, I doubt any villager here will be willing to give you a job,” Li Jie scoffed.

Yung Fei could only nod. Wealth could still be earned, but once his life was gone, there would be no second chances.

“Go! I don’t care where, as long as you leave this village!”

Yung Fei walked away with his head hung low, humiliated by the villagers’ judgmental stares. Deep within him, a seed of hatred toward Li Jie took root—hatred for the man who had taken everything from him.

After Yung had left, Mo Yan and Mei Lian approached Li Jie, who was still standing in place, lost in thought.

“Come, let’s go home,” Mo Yan said.

Li Jie glanced at Mo Yan and Mei Lian for a moment before nodding. A deep satisfaction filled his heart—he had finally avenged his parents.

Upon arriving at Mo Yan’s house, Mei Lian immediately went inside. Shortly after, the beautiful young woman returned, carrying a clean set of clothes, which she handed to Li Jie.

“Go take a bath and wash off all that blood, Li Jie,” Mei Lian said, a sweet smile playing on her lips.

Li Jie returned her smile, then stood and followed the lovely young woman toward the bathroom.

After washing himself and changing into clean clothes, Li Jie stepped out into the living room.

On the table, a warm meal was already served, steam still rising from the dishes. Mei Lian was the only one waiting for him.

"Where is Grandpa?" Li Jie asked as his gaze swept around the room, searching for Mo Yan.

Mei Lian stared at Li Jie without blinking. His handsome face had truly captivated her. The young man she used to see in the marketplace, dressed like a beggar, turned out to have such striking features.

For a while, she silently admired his face until his voice startled her. "Is something wrong with me? Does my face remind you of someone?"

"Uh… Ah, no. Let's eat while the food is still warm," Mei Lian quickly responded, diverting the conversation. She felt embarrassed for unconsciously gazing at him for so long.

After their meal, they engaged in a long conversation while waiting for Mo Yan to return.

By nightfall, the village elder finally came home. He explained that he had just finished settling village matters following Cheng Xi's death. Mo Yan also conveyed the villagers' apologies for having been misled by Cheng Xi, who had falsely accused Li Jie's parents and caused their deaths.

He also informed Li Jie that Cheng Xi’s house and wealth now rightfully belonged to him. However, Li Jie firmly refused. Instead, he asked Mo Yan to distribute Cheng Xi's wealth among the less fortunate villagers.

The next morning, Li Jie bid farewell to Mo Yan and Mei Lian to return to Song Rui’s hut.

"Grandpa, Mei Lian, I have to return to Grandpa Song Rui. He told me to come back as soon as I finished dealing with my matters."

"Aren’t you going to return here?" Mei Lian asked, her eyes starting to glisten with unshed tears at the thought of parting with the young man who had captured her heart.

"I will come back after meeting Grandpa Song Rui," Li Jie replied, his warm smile spreading across his lips, making it even harder for the beautiful young woman to part with him.

"Grandpa, Mei Lian, I’m leaving now!" Li Jie stepped out of Mo Yan's house. As he walked through the village, every villager he passed bowed their heads, their guilt evident in the way they avoided his gaze.

After some time, Li Jie finally arrived at Song Rui’s small hut. He immediately entered, searching for his teacher, but Song Rui was nowhere to be seen.

Li Jie assumed that the old man who had trained him in martial arts was out on some errand. So, he decided to wait for his return.

However, even by the next day, there was still no sign of Song Rui. Li Jie grew restless, pacing back and forth inside the small hut repeatedly.

By chance, his eyes landed on a rolled-up cloth placed on a table. Feeling curious, he picked it up and unfolded it.

His eyes widened in shock when he realized that the cloth contained a letter from Song Rui, addressed to him.