Dawn broke. After seven long years, Jian Zhi prepared to descend the mountain. He packed food and water, fastened the dragon-scale alloy shield beneath his black panther cloak, and donned his crimson armor. In the cave behind him, an innocent soul still slept peacefully on a bed of straw, wrapped in the hide of a bear.

  Lin Wei woke to the rich scent of roasting deer and duck meat. "Uhm... is that you cooking? Is it for me?" she asked, her voice a mix of excitement and hunger.

  Jian Zhi turned, a faint warm smile on his lips. "Mm. Would you like some?"

  She nodded eagerly. "Mmmm..." she slurped, gulping down a bite. "Woah, this tastes so good! You're a great cook!"

  Jian Zhi watched her. "Don't you eat meat in your village? You look like you're tasting it for the first time."

  Her mouth still full, she mumbled, "In my village, meat is a luxury. Only nobles can afford it. I never got to eat any—not even on New Year's."

  "Is it that expensive?" She nodded vigorously, too busy chewing to speak.

  After they ate and talked a while, they began the journey down to her village. Along the way, she asked, "What should I call you? You never told me your name."

  "You may call me whatever you wish. But my name is Jian Zhi."

  "Jian Zhi... 'Unyielding Will'?" She paused, eyes widening. "No wonder you look like a general!" She giggled. "From now on, I’ll call you the Crimson General."

  Jian Zhi simply nodded. "Okay."

  After walking nearly four kilometers, they finally reached her village.

  "Crimson General, look—that's the way to my house," Lin Wei said, pointing.

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  "Let's go... and discipline your father and that nobleman," Jian Zhi replied, his voice cool and steady.

  As he walked, the Punisher gleamed at his hip. His demonic aura radiated like a winter storm—some villagers looked on with respect, others with pure fear. All eyes were fixed on him: a walking symbol of judgment.

  "Is he a new general?" "Who is that young man?" Whispers followed him. Young women stared, drawn to his imposing presence, wishing to be protected by him.

  They stopped at Lin Wei’s house. "Lin, wait here," Jian Zhi said softly. "I will go inside and... talk... to your father." She nodded, unaware of what was to come.

  The Crimson General stepped inside. Her father was drunk, slumped over a table. "I don't have any money! I already sold that little bitch to you—don’t come back!" he slurred, mistaking Jian Zhi for a debt collector.

  He didn’t realize this was his judge.

  Jian Zhi kicked him—using only one percent of his strength—and the man crashed over the table. "HEY! WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE, YOU BASTARD?!" the drunkard screamed.

  Jian Zhi’s eyes pierced through his soul. "Have a good time in Hell."

  In one motion, the Punisher flashed—slicing the man clean in two. The blade vaporized the sinner's blood before it could even stain the floor.

  Jian Zhi stepped back outside and knelt before Lin Wei, meeting her eyes. "Your father has been sent to a place more... suitable for him." He smiled gently. "Would you like to stay with me, little sister?"

  She paused only a moment—then nodded without hesitation.

  "Then let us find that nobleman," Jian Zhi said, rising. "And send him where your father went."

  As they walked away, a neighbor peered into the house—and stumbled back out, screaming.

  They soon reached the brothel owned by the nobleman. "Little sister, wait for me at that stall, okay?" Jian Zhi said. Lin Wei obeyed, trusting her Crimson General completely.

  Inside, women flocked toward him like moths to a flame. He ignored them, his voice cold as mountain ice. "Where is the owner?"

  One woman shakily guided him to a private office.

  There, Jian Zhi saw a horrific scene: an old, perverted man forcing a young girl to undress.

  In an instant, the Punisher swept down, shearing off the hand gripping the child’s clothes. "Close your eyes," Jian Zhi commanded the girl, his voice demonically calm.

  As the nobleman screamed and begged for mercy, the Crimson General passed his final judgment. The Punisher split that old pervert into two in the blink of an eye, NO STRUGGLE NO NOISE, just the perfect clean swipe of The Punisher.