With a loud "boom," an invisible pressure spread out from Ning Yu, like a hurricane sweeping across the ground, making it almost impossible for everyone to open their eyes. Mu Xue, who was directly hit, groaned and involuntarily took a few steps back.

"Ning Yu, you..." She looked at the man in front of her with suspicion and uncertainty. The familiar feeling was replaced by a strong sense of oppression, which made her feel uneasy.

The others were even more horrified. They didn't understand what was happening, and a nameless fear welled up inside them. Those who had questioned Ning Yu's decision turned pale, their legs trembling uncontrollably. They were afraid, afraid that Ning Yu would use this opportunity to retaliate against them.

"What's going on?" Ning Yu looked around and keenly sensed the change in atmosphere. He suppressed his aura, and the originally violent energy fluctuations quickly dissipated like the receding tide.

He walked up to the crowd, looking at the familiar faces filled with fear and unease, and couldn't help but sigh. He knew that his current power made them feel alienated, even afraid. But he didn't blame them, because he understood that in the apocalypse, power was both the guarantee of survival and the root of suspicion and fear.

"I'm back." Ning Yu's voice was deep and powerful, as if it possessed some kind of magic, gradually calming the restless crowd.

He looked at his companions and said sincerely, "I know that my experience has frightened you, but I can assure you that everything I did was to protect our forces and our common home."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone before finally settling on Mu Xue, his eyes filled with determination and tenderness. "I will not hurt you, and I will never betray you."

Just then, a series of hurried footsteps broke the brief silence. A man covered in blood stumbled over, shouting urgently, "Boss... something bad has happened..."

The man's halting words made Ning Yu frown slightly, a bad premonition rising in his heart. Before he could ask, the blood-covered man said urgently, "Boss, those guys... they're back again! This time they..." The man pointed into the distance, his tone filled with fear and anger, "They actually..."

"Calm down, speak slowly." Mu Xue stepped forward, supporting the man's shoulder and gently comforting him. The man took a deep breath, trying to calm himself, then pointed into the distance and said, "They...they captured our people, near the border, saying...they want you to go there personally, boss, or else..."

"Otherwise what!" Ning Yu asked sharply, an invisible pressure emanating from him that made those around him breathless.

"Otherwise... kill them!" the man said with difficulty, his eyes filled with despair.

A cold glint flashed in Ning Yu's eyes. Sure enough, while he was away, those smaller forces that had been eyeing them covetously had begun to stir again. It seemed he needed to teach them a lesson; otherwise, they wouldn't know what true respect was!

"Let's go!" Ning Yu waved his hand and took the lead, heading towards the border. Mu Xue and the others followed closely behind, their faces filled with anger and worry.

Near the border, a group of ragged, emaciated people were surrounding a makeshift wooden cage, punching and kicking the people inside. Inside the cage were several tattered men, all members of Ning Yu's faction, now huddled together, covered in wounds and barely alive.

"Boss, it's them!" The man who had brought the news earlier pointed at the group of people and said through gritted teeth.

Ning Yu remained silent, merely staring coldly at the group before him. Most of them were a motley crew, armed with crude weapons, their eyes filled with greed and savagery.

The leader was a short, stout man with a large belly and a face full of fat, looking menacing. Seeing Ning Yu and the others approach, he showed no fear whatsoever, instead laughing arrogantly, "Oh, isn't this Boss Ning? What, you've finally decided to come back?"

"I heard you've recently acquired some kind of treasure. Want to broaden our horizons?" The short, fat man glanced at Ning Yu, his eyes filled with greed and provocation.

Ning Yu ignored his provocation and simply said, "Release them."

"Release them? Hahaha, you think I'd just release them because you tell me to? Wouldn't that make me lose face?" The short, fat man laughed so hard he was doubled over, as if he had heard a funny joke.

"Looks like you're going to refuse a polite toast only to suffer a forfeit?" A cold glint flashed in Ning Yu's eyes.

"A toast? You think you're worthy? I'm telling you right now, if you know what's good for you, hand over the stuff, and then..."

Before the short, stout man could finish speaking, he saw Ning Yu move. He only felt a blur before his eyes, and Ning Yu was already in front of him.

"And then what?" Ning Yu's voice rang in his ears, its icy tone making him feel as if he had fallen into an ice cave.

Before the short, stout man could react, Ning Yu had already made a lightning-fast move. He grabbed the man's wrist and applied slight pressure.

"Snap!"

The sound of bones shattering was clearly audible, and the short, fat man let out a pig-like scream as his weapon fell to the ground. Seeing this, the surrounding henchmen rushed forward, brandishing their weapons.

"Overestimating yourself!"

A hint of disdain flashed in Ning Yu's eyes. He moved like a ghost, and the henchmen couldn't even touch him. He was like a tiger among sheep, and wherever he went, there were cries of agony.

In less than a minute, Ning Yu had knocked all the henchmen to the ground, groaning in pain. Ning Yu ignored them, walked to the wooden cage, smashed the lock with a single palm strike, and released the people inside.

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