Volume One, Chapter 136: Just Beat Her Up

"Brother Mo?" A soft call pulled Mo De's thoughts back to reality. Beside him, Ning Chengfeng watched Mo De, who had been momentarily dazed, with a look of concern, unsure of what was troubling him.

"Oh, I see. I was just thinking about something. Please, continue." Mo De regained his focus and returned to their conversation.

"Then I will be direct about my second request, Brother Mo." Seeing that Mo De was fine, Ning Chengfeng continued. "My elder sister, even if she can restrain herself for a moment now, will inevitably issue you another challenge in the end. When that time comes, I ask that you do not refuse."

"Just accept the challenge and beat her," Ning Chengfeng said, his eyes clear and devoid of any hint of jest.

"This..." Mo De found it strange. He was not surprised that Ning Chengfeng wanted him to accept the challenge; after all, if this pent-up frustration had nowhere to go, it might drive the volatile Ning Muyu to do something reckless. But why did this young man want him to give his own sister a beating?

"And I must ask you to put in some effort, Brother Mo. Don't go easy on her as you did during our spar; try to ensure she loses as thoroughly as possible." Ning Chengfeng’s tone was sincere, his gaze earnest—it was clear he truly wanted Mo De to give Ning Muyu a sound thrashing.

"This... doesn't seem quite right," Mo De said, scratching his cheek. Being asked by a brother to beat up his sister felt rather odd.

"There is nothing wrong with it. The more devastating her loss, the harder the blow, and the more severe her collapse—which, for her, is actually a good thing." Seeing Mo De's confusion, Ning Chengfeng explained.

"My sister has been at the late stage of the Embodiment Realm for some time now. Once she breaks through to the perfection stage, she will face the life-and-death barrier of the Second Awakening. In her current emotional state, that so-called life-and-death barrier will be nothing more than a gateway to the grave for her." Ning Chengfeng sighed softly.

If something goes wrong during the First Awakening, it can cause problems that plague an Awakened for life. But if a mishap occurs during the Second Awakening, the Awakened has no life left to speak of. Those who fail to pass the barrier almost all perish; there is not one in ten thousand who survives.

"If she is still obsessed with competitiveness and dominance when she faces the life-and-death barrier, then my sister will be beyond saving. That is why I want to use your hand, Brother Mo, to completely dismantle the violent emotions at the core of her heart. Once she has completely collapsed, I can then try to guide her extreme emotions back toward a healthy obsession with cultivation." Ning Chengfeng stood up, bowed deeply to Mo De, and cupped his hands.

"I trouble you, Brother Mo, to save my sister’s life by giving her a sound beating."

Mo De quickly stood up as well, helping Ning Chengfeng back up. "For me, it is certainly not a difficult task, but I fear that if the stimulus is too intense, and she falls into a state of total despair..."

"It is fine. Just strike, Brother Mo, and I will handle the aftermath." Once forced back to his feet by Mo De, Ning Chengfeng stopped bowing. "I will be the one to guide and comfort my sister once she collapses. I will do everything in my power to adjust her to the state most suitable for facing the Second Awakening."

"If Ning Muyu truly falls into despair, that might not be a bad thing, either." Ning Chengfeng paused, finally sharing his innermost thoughts with Mo De. "If she remains in that state, she will not have to face the life-and-death barrier; she will not have to go to her death."

"But a life of despair for Ms. Ning..." Mo De touched his nose and said softly.

"I will be by her side the entire time." A smile tugged at the corners of Ning Chengfeng’s round face. "I would rather she remain stuck in the Embodiment Realm for the rest of her life than see her lose her life at the life-and-death barrier. This is my own selfishness."

Patting Ning Chengfeng on the shoulder, Mo De did not try to dissuade him further. He knew that before deciding to ask for this, the man before him had already considered every possibility.

"I agree," Mo De said, looking at Ning Chengfeng, who had lowered his eyes. "I will do my best to completely shatter Ning Muyu's arrogant fury and unyielding stubbornness, so that she may never again point at my nose and righteously call me a 'cheater'."

"However, this will be hard work for you."

"It is not hard. I am used to it," Ning Chengfeng replied with a wide grin, showing his white teeth. I am her brother, and I want her to live. For that, no amount of running around and toil is considered hardship.

"It is about time." Mo De set aside his admiration for Ning Chengfeng and checked the time on his phone. The rental time for this combat room had expired, and the lecture he wanted to attend was about to begin.

"Oh, by the way, Brother Mo, one more thing..." Ning Chengfeng suddenly called out to Mo De, who had already turned to leave.

"Yes?" Mo De stopped and looked back.

"My sister’s ability attribute is the same as yours—Metal-type. So, if you attend the lecture, to avoid being pestered by her, it would be best if you..." Ning Chengfeng felt a bit embarrassed for having troubled Mo De so many times.

"OK, OK. I have spare clothes." Mo De waved his hand, signaling Ning Chengfeng to set his heart at ease. The outfit Mu Qing had prepared earlier would come in handy; he would just head back to the guest apartment and change.

"Sorry for the trouble, Brother Mo!" Watching Mo De jog away, Ning Chengfeng waved at his back.

The heavy stone that had been hanging in his heart finally felt a little lighter. Though it hadn't fully landed, he was able to breathe a sigh of relief.

Ever since entering his third year of high school, whenever Ning Muyu would rush over to show off her increasingly refined cultivation, Ning Chengfeng felt as if a mountain were crushing his chest. With the growth of her cultivation came the crisis known as "death."

For Ning Chengfeng, the most torturous thing in this world was not knowing one's own death date in advance, but watching his beloved sister walk step by step toward that gateway of death.

To build, one must first break. Facing the life-and-death barrier, he had to take this gamble: plunge Ning Muyu into a total collapse, and then try to lead her back out. That way, whether she succeeded or failed, at least she would still be alive.

"Truly, she is someone one cannot stop worrying about." Ning Chengfeng pressed his lips together, his expression shifting. He rubbed his face vigorously with his warm palms, then kneaded that gentle smile back onto his cheeks.

"Ring-ring..." His phone suddenly rang. Ning Chengfeng cleared his throat and answered.

"Hello? Sister, you're awake? I'm coming over now..."

Walking with long strides away from the combat hall, Ning Chengfeng went to greet Ning Muyu, who had just woken from her afternoon nap. Under the scorching afternoon sun, his round figure gave a sense of sturdy, reliable comfort.