Apocalypse: Master of Soul Beasts

"SLAP!"

Zhang Lifei's response was a slap from Bai Feifei!

The sound was crisp, but given Bai Feifei's strength from her recent class advancement, this slap inflicted almost no damage on Zhang Lifei.

Zhang Lifei stared in bewilderment at Bai Feifei, whose face was contorted with hatred and anger. After a moment, he gently shook his head.

"I know I was wrong..."

"SLAP!"

Another slap!

"TSK TSK."

Zhang Lifei, a bitter smile on his face, nodded slightly.

"I know you're angry right now..."

"SLAP!!!"

"Xiao'an... he was my only family left..."

"SLAP!"

"I lost my parents when I was little. I raised Xiao'an. He wasn't just my younger brother; he was like a son to me!"

Bai Feifei's tone was exceptionally calm, almost flat. Yet, the calmer and flatter her tone, the more it underscored her profound fury.

"SLAP!"

"I first followed Li Quan'an, then Sun Aotian, and then you. Why do you think I did it? Wasn't it all just to keep Xiao'an alive?"

Bai Feifei's voice grew louder and louder, until finally, she was roaring at Zhang Lifei.

"SLAP!"

"SLAP!"

"SLAP..."

The sharp sound of slapping echoed repeatedly.

Although, given her strength, Bai Feifei couldn't possibly inflict any real injury on Zhang Lifei, her aim wasn't to hurt him physically. She simply needed to vent.

The onlookers just watched quietly, no one stepping forward, until Zhang Lifei's eyes gradually turned colder.

"SLAP!!!"

This time, the slap resounded much louder than before!

Because this one came from Zhang Lifei, aimed at Bai Feifei!

The tremendous force of the blow struck Bai Feifei's face, leaving five clear, bloody welts!

Given Zhang Lifei's strength, if he hadn't deliberately controlled his power, that slap could have killed Bai Feifei!

Bai Feifei stumbled back several steps, unable to regain her balance, and collapsed onto the ground.

She looked up, staring in shock at Zhang Lifei's cold expression, oblivious to the stinging wound on her own cheek.

Zhang Lifei took a towel from a nearby professionist, gently wiped the blood from his hand, and spoke slowly, "I know I was wrong in this matter, and I've apologized. I know you're upset, and I let you hit me a few times. But why must you be so shameless when I'm trying to give you face?

"My own parents rarely laid a hand on me growing up. You slapped me once; I endured it. Twice, three times, I could still endure it, even in front of all these people. But why are you so relentless?

"Now, I'll say it one last time! I! AM! SORRY!

"Let's consider this matter closed. I will arrange for Xiao'an's burial."

Bai Feifei, still on the ground, covered her face. She stared at Zhang Lifei, who showed no hint of apology in his demeanor, and said in despair, "Sorry? He's gone! What's the use of saying sorry? What's the use?!"

Hearing Bai Feifei's anguished, desperate roar, Zhang Lifei spoke coldly, "An apology is useful, very useful. At least to me, it expresses my stance. And my stance determines the outcome of this matter! As for whether it's useful to you…

"Sorry, but you clearly don't understand your place. I thought you were smart, someone who understood how to assess a situation, but it turns out you're incredibly foolish.

"You're just a whore. I only slept with you because you had a pretty face. Did you really fancy yourself my wife? The mistress of this camp?

"A woman like you, trading on your meager looks, actually thought you had me eating out of your hand? Who do you think I, Zhang Lifei, am?

"When I apologize, you should say, 'It's alright, Brother Fei,' not SLAP! MY! FACE!"

Zhang Lifei's voice escalated with each word, until he was bellowing at Bai Feifei.

Bai Feifei couldn't even withstand the force of his shout. The sheer volume of his roar stunned her; her vision swam, and trickles of blood seeped from her ears.

"Stupid whore!"

Seeing Bai Feifei's state, Zhang Lifei touched his own slightly reddened cheek. Coupled with the lingering fear from his own near-death experience, a vicious impulse surged through him. He took two steps forward, his right hand raised high.

Judging by the force gathering in his raised hand and the ferocity on his face, Zhang Lifei was about to strike Bai Feifei dead!

"Enough!"

Zhang Lifei's raised right hand was intercepted. He struggled for a moment, but the hand gripping his wrist was like an iron vise, completely immovable!

It was Sun Ruixing!

"You've taught her a lesson. Stop now!" Sun Ruixing looked at Zhang Lifei, his grave expression conveying to Zhang Lifei his determination to intervene.

Zhang Lifei paused, his ferocious expression vanishing instantly. He forced a smile at Sun Ruixing. "Since Uncle Sun has spoken, I understand."

Shaking his head lightly, Zhang Lifei withdrew his hand. He turned to Li Shanlin, who was standing nearby, and said, "Uncle Shanlin, later, assign this woman to latrine duty."

"Understood, Xiao Fei." Li Shanlin nodded and cast a sympathetic glance at Bai Feifei, who was clearly suffering both physically and spiritually, but he said nothing more.

"Let's go, I'll see you back!" Sun Ruixing said, looking at Bai Feifei, who was still crumpled on the ground. An uncontrollable tremor ran through his heart. Thinking of what his own daughter might be enduring, Sun Ruixing's gaze towards Bai Feifei held an added depth of emotion.

However, his outstretched hand was slapped away by Bai Feifei.

"Sigh." Sun Ruixing sighed, hesitated for a moment, then turned and left.

He wanted to intervene further in this matter, but sadly, managing to save Bai Feifei's life was the absolute most he could do. Zhang Lifei claimed he was sparing her out of deference to Sun Ruixing, but wasn't it truly out of consideration for Wen Yu? Sun Ruixing really couldn't ask for more.

Wen Yu, who had observed the gist of the events from the sidelines, shook his head and turned towards his room.

Sun Ruixing and Sun Aotian quickly followed him.

"Brother Wen Yu..." Sun Aotian began hesitantly, but the words wouldn't come.

"What is it? Still have feelings for Bai Feifei?" Wen Yu turned, a faint smile playing on his lips as he looked at Sun Aotian.

Sun Aotian shook his head. "That's not it. It's just, seeing Bai Feifei like this, I can't help but feel sorry for her."

"I sympathize with her too. I think you should do something!" Sun Ruixing interjected, his expression serious.

Wen Yu met Sun Ruixing's earnest gaze and said gravely, "Yes. I sympathize too. After all, Bai Feifei's only remaining family member was just killed, and by the very person she depended on." He nodded in agreement. "But sympathy is merely a psychological effect. Besides, as the saying goes, 'A pitiable person must have a detestable side!'

"Everything Bai Feifei did to survive was not wrong; in fact, it's quite admirable. That it came to this is worthy of sympathy. However, her mistake was failing to grasp the situation. Who can be blamed for Bai Xiao'an's death? You must understand, weakness itself is the greatest original sin!"

Wen Yu turned his head back to Sun Ruixing. "Do you know how many people are killed in this world every day?

"Far too many. So many that no one can manage them all. And didn't they have families?

"It doesn't matter. Once someone is dead, they're dead. The dead always evoke sympathy, but if you get down to the truth of it, I'd say most of those who die, deserved it!

"Weak, unlucky—who can they blame for their deaths?

"In this world, ultimately, everyone must rely on themselves!"

Seeing Sun Ruixing's slightly disappointed expression, Wen Yu turned to Sun Aotian. "Brother, before I leave, let me teach you one last thing. There are far too many pitiable things in this world; no one can manage them all. It's good to feel compassion; it proves you're still human. But don't let your compassion dictate your actions.

"Moreover, in this specific matter, Bai Feifei deserves no sympathy!

"She treats everyone as a stepping stone, a temporary shield. The moment a stronger backer appears, she abandons the previous one without hesitation.

"Anyone with clear eyes can see through her.

"So, no one would ever truly consider such a person one of their own.

"And the most crucial point is her weakness! She's truly, utterly weak!"

Wen Yu sighed and shook his head; a wave of understanding washed over him.

Because this kind of thing had happened once before, between himself and the Fourth Prince.

Were words like 'sorry' and 'thank you' useful?

Yes, an apology from the strong could resolve any problem!

Because the weak had no choice but to accept an apology from the strong!

Just like when the Fourth Prince had said 'thank you'—what good would it have done for Wen Yu to refuse it?

Such an apology was, in truth, more like alms given in charity!

And an apology from the weak? That was just a joke!

The strong could dispose of the weak in any manner they wished, regardless of whether an apology was genuine or feigned.

This situation had already been apparent even before the apocalypse.

The difference was that before the apocalypse, most humans possessed comparable strength, and the law served as a bulwark. A simple 'sorry' could resolve some issues.

But when law and order collapsed, everything was predicated on absolute power!

Without power, you had no voice, no ability to control your own life—you deserved to die!

Without power, no one would even listen to your apology!!!

Without power, you couldn't resist even the lowest forms of oppression!!!

These were lessons Wen Yu had learned profoundly during his past life as cannon fodder.

The so-called apocalypse hadn't just brought about changes like the Exchange Stone Pillar, the Exchange System, and points.

Closer to everyone, more immediate, was the transformation in people's mindsets and values.

And Bai Feifei, evidently, had been too slow to adapt...

The crowd that had surrounded Bai Feifei slowly dispersed.

Perhaps some among them felt a flicker of sympathy for her. But such compassion was something they could only contemplate. If they actually acted on it, they would only offend Zhang Lifei.

When it came to choosing between currying favor with Bai Feifei and offending Zhang Lifei, it wasn't just these people; even Wen Yu, currently the most powerful expert in the camp, knew the right choice. The choice was between a woman incapable of reading the situation and the camp's future leader. Was there really a choice to be made?

It wasn't about morality, only about benefits.

When the crowd finally dispersed, Bai Feifei remained alone, slumped on the ground, staring blankly at the earth as tears streamed down her face.

Until a voice finally sounded, "Do you want revenge?"