"The Peak of the Three Realms is in ruins. Had it not been for the selfless sacrifice of the Jun and Leng family heads and the elders, I fear even I would have fallen in that confined space. The sins that child has committed are far too great. Now, not only for the sake of the common people but for the heroes who sacrificed their lives—to ensure their blood was not shed in vain—I must make a choice." The Human Emperor spoke with gut-wrenching grief, his eyes turning bloodshot until, with a blink, tears spilled over.
This only fueled the martial artists' hatred for Yeyun, especially when they caught sight of the old man beside the Human Emperor, now missing both his arms. Their rage intensified.
"No, this is not Your Majesty's fault! It is the ambition of that demon Yeyun, who cares nothing for the lives of the innocent. We have trained all our lives for this very moment: to act on behalf of the heavens and purge the world of evil!"
Yes, act for the heavens! For the sake of the world, slay the demon Yeyun!
Bring back a clear, bright sky to the world!
"For the sake of the world, slay the demon!"
"For the sake of the world, slay the demon!"
Li Qing was so enraged his eyes turned red. "Hypocrites! Every one of you has been deceived by this wolf-hearted demon in human skin! Junior Sister Yeyun is not the murderer—the murderer is Taishu Xu... Ah!"
Blow after blow landed on Li Qing's body. He was already wounded and growing weaker by the second, yet the Human Emperor kept him alive, dangling on the brink of death specifically to lure Yeyun and her companions into a trap.
Li Qing had tried to end his own life more than once, but he was unable to do so.
"A-Qing, stay calm," Li Mo called out, his voice thick with concern.
"Senior Brother, how can I be calm? That hypocrite is clearly using us to harm Junior Sister Yeyun! It’s bad enough I can’t help them, but now I’ve become a liability dragging them down. I’m nothing but a burden!"
Watching Li Qing’s agony, Li Mo felt the exact same way.
They had left the Qianji Academy long ago, yet they had been captured simply because they were Yeyun's seniors and had once been close to her.
Of course, their captors had tried to persuade them to join the army and crusade against Yeyun to atone for their sins. But as men who despised betrayal above all else, how could they ever agree?
Every martial artist bound to the stone pillars, whether injured or not, felt their strength rapidly draining away, even at the level of their souls. Had a Soul-Absorbing Master been present, they would have clearly seen a blood-colored light curtain enveloping the execution ground. At the center of this curtain hung a crimson orb; as the seconds ticked by, its color grew deeper and more ominous.
Countless threads of blood connected this orb to everyone in the arena—even Ren Woxiao.
As their souls and vitality were drained, even those with their cultivation sealed could sense that something was horribly wrong.
...
"Your Majesty, before we slay the demon, we suggest executing these accomplices here on the grounds first, so as not to leave any hidden threats behind when our main army marches."
"This Venerable is correct. Before the crusade begins, let us use the blood of these sinners to pay homage to the fallen. We ask that Your Majesty issue the order."
"..."
The Human Emperor looked up at the orb inside the light curtain, then spoke with a stern expression: "Since this is the will of the masses, then I grant it!"
The crowd went wild with joy at his words, and countless people surged toward the execution ground.
An overwhelming killing intent erupted into the air, causing the already injured prisoners to turn pale.
Ren Woxiao let out a bitter, dry laugh. "It seems my path ends here. It’s just a pity I never found myself a wife!"
"Kill!"
*Squelch!*
The sound of blades piercing flesh filled the air. One after another, they fell like lambs led to the slaughter, waiting for the butcher's hand.
As the massacre turned into a one-sided slaughter, the blood-red curtain grew increasingly vivid, and the blood on the ground seeped into the soil, only to be drawn up and absorbed by the orb.
Just as a Half-Step Divine Emperor lunged toward Ren Woxiao, a flash of sword light descended from the heavens, cleaving the space directly in front of Ren Woxiao. The Half-Step Divine Emperor was instantly obliterated.
"Stop."
The crowd halted their slaughter, looking toward the source of the voice. A handsome, dark-robed man with white hair stood in mid-air, holding a long sword. Once the sword light dissipated, he flew directly toward Ren Woxiao.
Without a second of hesitation, he slashed his sword down, shattering the stone pillar that held Ren Woxiao captive.
At the same time, the long sword shimmered, its energy manifesting into thousands of shadows that rained down upon all the other pillars.
*Boom!*
All the pillars collapsed. Li Qing and the others were freed, snatched back from the jaws of death. Though their chances of escape remained slim, at least they were no longer bound there like pigs waiting to be slaughtered, completely unable to resist.
"What? You’re usually so sharp-tongued—how did you end up without even the strength to fight back? Resigning yourself to fate like this... it doesn't sound like you." The cool, detached voice carried a hint of familiar mockery, leaving Ren Woxiao stunned.
"You..."
"Is the esteemed Lord Xiao scared witless?"
"Huai... Huaixi?"
Looking at the young man before him, Ren Woxiao could hardly believe this was the rival he had bickered with for so long. "How did you end up looking like this?"
"I’m not allowed to restore my original appearance, but you’re allowed to stay in that child-like state forever?"
Ren Woxiao curled his lip. "It’s not that. It’s just that with those wrinkles gone from your face, I’m not quite used to it. You know I’m always lenient toward those who are good-looking. With you looking like this, I won’t have the heart to scold you anymore."
Huaixi: "..." *Forget it.* He was still the same venom-mouthed Ren Woxiao.
It was a good thing he had come out of seclusion just in time to save him.
Ren Woxiao had wanted to retort further, but having had his vitality and cultivation drained, and with his soul damaged, he was already at his limit.
He tried to speak, but he couldn't help coughing up blood, his body slumping backward.
Huaixi hurriedly grabbed him, catching him in time. He checked his pulse, his expression changing sharply. "Aren't you supposed to be so powerful? How did you let yourself get into this state in such a short time? You're usually so thick-skinned—why are you acting like some righteous gentleman now?"
*A real man knows when to bend and when to stand. If you had just been a little more shameless, Taishu Xu wouldn't have dared to strike so hard.*
*You’re usually so clever. Why throw your life away at a critical moment? You essentially handed them a valid reason to kill you.*
Ren Woxiao weakly raised a hand to wipe the blood from the corner of his mouth, looking aggrieved. "I’m in this state, and you’re still scolding me. Huaixi, you really don't know how to treat a person."
"Says the one who 'knows how to treat a person'."
Huaixi glared at Ren Woxiao, then scooped him up into his arms, bridal-style.
Ren Woxiao was so startled he suddenly gained a burst of energy. "You... what are you doing?"
"What do you think?"
"I am a man, a lord! How can I be carried like a bride? Do I have no dignity?"
Huaixi scoffed mercilessly. "You look like a six-year-old child; what kind of 'man' are you? Just a little brat—what dignity do you need?"
Besides, was dignity more important than his life?
Huaixi ignored Ren Woxiao’s useless struggle and began to walk out of the execution ground, but the crowd quickly surrounded them.
"It seems Lord Huaixi has made significant progress in his cultivation while in seclusion. This old man offers his congratulations."
"Move!"