The mountain valley was silent as death.

Everyone was so shocked by this series of stormy accusations and the amazingly huge secrets contained within them that they nearly forgot to breathe.

Suddenly dense snow began falling from the sky.

This series of true qi-stirring shouts had actually torn apart the mist above, bringing the valley’s first snowfall.

Perhaps heroic spirit never dies, grief and anger never die – crying out to heaven brings natural response.

The cold snowflakes falling on everyone’s faces finally awakened their current shocked emotions.

Someone screamed wildly, their voice full of terror.

“Jade White Gold Pivot, Dragon City Young Marshal! You are Pei…”

“Kill!” He harshly cut off that shout.

He no longer wished to hear past titles, not even himself. Each time he heard them, old wounds tore open, new injuries were born, seeing past blood flooding over prosperity in this desperate place, looking back to find only empty vastness in the valley.

No, don’t listen.

The past could not return, there was nowhere for redemption. Let today’s blood wash away memories that shouldn’t exist.

“Kill!” The shadows roared in unison, their figures flashing continuously. The titled captains despairingly discovered their movement techniques were twice as fast as before, with hidden formations in their actions.

And they were at their wit’s end, poison about to take effect.

“Consolidate, retreat!” The tall man still gave orders, though his voice carried the tragic desperation of a final gamble.

The person before them wasn’t a ghost, wasn’t a phantom, yet was more terrifying than ghosts or phantoms. Famous from youth, renowned throughout the world, equally famous as the Yuzhao Commander, winning battle after battle – a new generation war god whom even the State Preceptor had praised: “In military strategy, Pei Shu has heaven-sent talent and can be called first.” When that meteor fell years ago, how many Huangjin tribe maidens wept at their gates.

Titled captains never surrender, yet in their hearts they already knew the outcome. Someone like Pei Shu could be reborn no matter what circumstances he fell into. Indeed, no one was worthy of being his opponent.

Killing intent surged.

Blood would dye the earth red.

Suddenly someone above said lazily: “Gather the light blue moss beside you and stuff it in that guy who keeps laughing maniacally!”

Pei Shu looked up sharply.

No human figure above the thick mist.

But the titled captains acted as if receiving imperial decree, all turning to grab handfuls of that light blue moss. Of course they didn’t dare stuff it in Pei Shu’s mouth, all gathering strength to scatter it at their enemies’ faces.

Sure enough, these people avoided it even more than the previous demon-face grass, as if afraid of breathing even a trace, all retreating. Someone angrily said: “You’re seeking death!”

“Who’s above!” Pei Shu suddenly sneered coldly, waving for the shadows to temporarily retreat, his body flipping to sweep into the mountain wall within the thick mist.

His form was like lightning – one could only see thick mist being drawn straight upward, the gray figure like a thorn stabbing toward the blue sky.

A figure flashed, but Jing Hengbo came down from the blue sky.

In just this moment, the titled captains had all collapsed. All hands holding light blue moss had turned a terrifying indigo blue!

Sure enough, this light blue moss was the supreme source of all poisons in Tianhui Valley!

“You…” That leading tall man looked up at her with difficulty, saying gratefully yet bitterly: “Thank you for going to such trouble to save us… But we’re also about to die from poison. Your great kindness can only be repaid in the next life…”

Jing Hengbo smiled.

“Eat these.” She tossed over some grass tips she’d collected from her chest.

The titled captains ate them without hesitation. After a moment, the black qi on their faces indeed receded considerably.

This mid-mountain area had the thinnest poisonous mist. Many people found their symptoms relieved here and sat down to regulate their breathing.

Jing Hengbo was very satisfied with their performance. After all, they were titled captains. Though initially passive and beaten due to unfamiliar terrain and misjudged situations, their emotions and reactions after the incident were quite steady. They were men who had truly seen blood – their panic and anger were mostly due to feeling betrayed.

Especially that tall man could be called elite among them.

Jing Hengbo felt that for them, she just needed to add one more spark.

“Set off fireworks showing you’ve found the gold mine, then rest on this mid-mountain. Don’t speak for now – there’s a good show for you to watch.”

The tall man complied, sending deep red fireworks piercing through the smoky screen to explode in the sky.

Before long, footsteps and voices came. Looking down from mid-mountain, one could vaguely see Kang Long Army in the lead, their gray-blue arm bands faintly visible.

Seeing that only Kang Long Army came made Jing Hengbo both happy and surprised. Happy because only Kang Long Army coming would make her plan more convenient to implement without being obstructed by too many people. Surprised because with such good fortune as finding gold mines, how could Xuanyuan Yu bear not to quickly send his own people to seize them?

Regardless, situations favorable to herself were good things.

They entered very quickly. Because titled captains had scouted ahead, dangerous areas were all marked. Along the way these people busied themselves collecting rare flowers and herbs, exclamations of delight continuous.

Compared to the joy below, the mid-mountain atmosphere was cold and solemn, quiet as death.

Through floating mist, Jing Hengbo again saw gray shadows flashing continuously.

Pei Shu had given up on her, this hard bone to chew, and led his exiled subordinates to launch another attack on the second batch of Kang Long Army.

For him, Kang Long was a years-old blood feud – better to kill wrongly than let any escape.

The second batch of Kang Long Army were elite soldiers from Cheng Gumo’s direct Seven-Color Battalion, inferior to titled captains by more than a level. Naturally they were even less match for Pei Shu and his men. In an instant, blood light appeared and disappeared in the thick mist, red lines flashed, blood qi dispersed gray mist, continuously splashing on gray rocks.

Pei Shu was again cruel as a cat, fully toying with these Kang Long Army who’d walked into his trap, venting his heart’s resentment. After brutally killing three people and wounding everyone else, he satisfiedly gave a whistle and led his subordinates to disappear like ghosts again.

Leaving behind the crying, groaning, terror-stricken support team.

Moments later, angry curses echoed through the mountain valley.

“What’s going on!”

“Where did these ghosts come from!”

“Didn’t they say it was impossible for living people to exist in the mountain valley?”

“Where are the titled captains! Where did they go? Why didn’t they warn us!”

“Could they have… also been killed?”

“Nonsense! If they were killed, who set off the fireworks? Those fireworks aren’t ours – no one else would know how to set them off!”

“Then they’ve betrayed us! There are people in this mountain valley. They’re colluding with people in the valley, setting off fireworks to lure us in batch by batch to be killed, then monopolizing all the good things in the valley!”

“Ptui! I knew those people were ungrateful! The Grand Governor pulled them out to scout for us. Originally thinking no matter how dangerous the valley was, with such a batch of masters there, we later arrivals would have it easy. Perfect opportunity to pull out all these thorns in our sides. Didn’t expect them to be so cunning…”

Broken words drifted up the mountain. The mountain was silent, everyone standing rigid.

Without seeing their expressions, Jing Hengbo knew all faces were iron-blue at this moment.

Speculation was speculation – deep inside one always didn’t want it to be true, because hope still remained. So when cruel reality truly struck, it felt especially like falling into an abyss.

She understood this feeling too well.

She smiled, raised her hand, and that document she’d kept hidden in her chest finally floated before them.

The titled captains rigidly turned to stare at that contract for a long while, their iron-blue faces gradually paling.

They saw the contract’s description of Tianhui Valley’s extreme danger.

Saw the contract’s originally planned various expert personnel.

Saw the contract arranging titled captains as the most dangerous scouts.

Saw finally, the extremely familiar signature of Cheng Gumo.

Black words on white paper, impossible to fake.

A bright smile curved Jing Hengbo’s lips.

She had already tampered with the contract, revealing previously hidden writing. Now anyone who looked would think that with Tianhui Valley so dangerous, Cheng Gumo still signed it – clearly intending to send subordinates to their deaths.

Actually Cheng Gumo should also be half a deceived party. The Huangjin tribe and Xuanyuan family both intentionally concealed information, not clearly explaining Tianhui Valley’s terror. As a military commander stationed year-round in Di Ge who couldn’t easily leave the capital or communicate with foreign officials, he also couldn’t understand the taboos of every mysterious place in every country and tribe. Otherwise he might not have signed this agreement – at minimum he’d be reluctant to sacrifice Seven-Color Battalion elite troops.

He thought Tianhui Valley was ordinarily dangerous, perfect for using titled captains as cannon fodder while his Seven-Color Battalion collected the benefits.

If people had no selfish motives, how could others take advantage?

But these things needn’t be told to the titled captains.

After the contract circulated among everyone once, the mid-mountain atmosphere was already frozen.

“Ah!” Suddenly a shout broke the deathly silence as a scarred strongman suddenly drew his blade!

“Da Meng, don’t—” The tall man’s alarmed cry hadn’t left his mouth when the man had already swung his arm with force!

“Swish!” The wild blade struck!

Cleaving mist, sweeping snow, breaking the azure sky like flying lightning!

The people below heard that angry roar and looked up in puzzlement.

They saw a shooting star breaking through thick mist, rapidly enlarging—

“Slash.” The snow-bright cleaver cut into a throat like breaking wood. The struck soldier widened his eyes, swayed, and fell with a bang.

Dying without understanding why blades flew from heaven.

When he fell, half his skull was severed, showing how fierce the accumulated force of this mid-mountain strike was.

Or perhaps what was accumulated wasn’t force, but hatred, anger, a chest full of pent-up fury that could only be vented through killing.

Titled captains already had awkward positions and had risked death coming here seeking breakthrough opportunities, never imagining being sold out completely. With things as they were, what use was maintaining that loyalty?

One person acted, others followed – killing one was killing, killing a group was also killing!

“All go die!”

Suddenly from mid-mountain flew blades and fierce arrows, striking out in anger, like flying locusts in wild rain, directly attacking the unprepared Seven-Color Battalion soldiers below.

Blood also fell like wild rain, instantly dyeing the swamps red.

The Seven-Color Battalion soldiers never understood who the enemies above were, couldn’t understand how this place called a death valley could hide two groups of enemies, each more cruel and fierce than the last.

From high ground looking down, it was one-sided slaughter. Countless people ran screaming with blood all over their bodies. Those who escaped the killers above couldn’t escape the omnipresent swamps in the valley. Countless desperate forms struggled and waved in gray-black mud. The mud occasionally bubbled or formed gullies that made people sink faster. Who knew how many beasts below the swamps tonight would celebrate abundant feasts.

Jing Hengbo watched coldly.

Seven-Color Battalion.

This gift repaid the past death remonstrance at palace gates, Kang Long’s roaring camp.

How did it feel?

…

In moments, all were killed.

This was unfair slaughter – Seven-Color Battalion couldn’t compare with titled captains to begin with.

Jing Hengbo was very satisfied with their combat power and explosive force.

The only one who didn’t act was that tall man, who stood with eyes closed, hot tears faintly rolling down his face.

Jing Hengbo was equally satisfied. She wouldn’t be angry that this man wasn’t incited. She only felt this person was steady and substantial with extremely strong self-control, having the bearing of a great general.

“Judge people not only by how much benefit they show you, but by their character and perseverance. The strong are like swords, the flattering like grass. Grasping swords can defend all directions, playing with grass obstructs progress. Better proud heroes than fawning mediocrities.”

Some words seemed casual when heard, but floated out at appropriate moments, profound as if carved in the heart.

Below gradually returned to silence. Hell-like screams gradually disappeared. The swamps showed no traces, as if everything had been erased by thick mist.

The revenge-taking people on mid-mountain collapsed powerlessly to the ground, eyes open, gazing blankly at the gray sky, feeling the road ahead was also like this sky color – no dawn visible, never any light.

But that tall man had already moved.

He came before Jing Hengbo and knelt on one knee.

“Titled Captain of Valor Quan Ninghao requests our benefactor’s acceptance!”

Everyone raised their heads – some surprised, some understanding, some slowly getting up.

Jing Hengbo looked down with a smile: “Why?”

“We… can’t go back…” Quan Ninghao said painfully. “Killing military comrades is a capital crime. Once discovered, we’ll all die, and even our family members will be executed… The moment we drew that first blade, we were destined to be traitors to Kang Long…”

Everyone shuddered, silently hanging their heads. In their rage they hadn’t thought so much when killing, but after venting, facing reality, they discovered their path forward was cut off.

No matter how Kang Long’s Cheng Gumo had wronged them, military law was like mountains – killing comrades could never be redeemed.

“You could be free men. With your martial skills, you could go anywhere.” Jing Hengbo seemed unmoved.

“You went to such trouble following us all this way – I’m afraid it wasn’t to set us free?” Quan Ninghao said. “Regardless, you’ve saved us several times. Kang Long men are clear about gratitude and grudges. Serving you with our lives is only proper.”

Jing Hengbo thought this Quan Ninghao truly lived up to his name – both heroic (hao) and steady (ning), with quite careful thinking. He saw through her intentions but didn’t expose them.

The others silently walked over, their eyes showing no resistance, only resentment and confusion.

“Can he really…” someone questioned.

Quan Ninghao answered firmly: “He can.”

No one spoke further.

Quan Ninghao turned to take his blade, pulled out a water bottle from his pack and bent it into bowl shape. Everyone immediately came forward, cutting their wrists with blades to pour blood into the bowl, then passing it around for each to drink.

“Quan Ninghao!”

“Rui Da!”

“Luo Shan!”

“Cai Jingyong!”

…

“…We sons pledge ourselves to our lord today. These remaining bodies shall serve at your command for life. Under vast heaven, loyalty shall not fall. Should we betray this oath, may heaven and earth abandon us!”

The deep, resonant voices echoed through the mid-mountain. Bright red, viscous blood reflected solemn faces. The mist on the mid-mountain seemed to thicken slightly, with wind and clouds stirring above, obscuring sun and sky in gloom.

If any royal nobles of Dahuang were present at this moment, they would probably be so excited they’d immediately give themselves a cut – twenty-eight titled captains! What precious treasure this was! Each could stand alone, each was an enemy of ten thousand on the battlefield. Each had potential to become a future famous general. This was Kang Long Army’s true elite essence cultivated with years of effort, so elite that even Cheng Gumo felt if they couldn’t serve him, they should be eliminated to prevent future threats to his position. It could be said that whoever had such a team of future famous generals in hand possessed the most important framework of an army. Good soldiers were always easy to find, good generals hard to obtain. Only with good generals could an army have true foundation for strength. Not only had these good generals come, they came in a large group, almost guaranteeing all mid-level leadership for a future army. Such important resources – how could one not faint from joy?

But Jing Hengbo was nervous – hey hey, they wouldn’t want her to also take a cut, right? What about scars?

Fortunately Quan Ninghao had no such intention. After everyone drank, he drained the last drop and threw the bowl to shatter against rocks.

“My Lord!” When they bowed again, everyone had changed their address.

Jing Hengbo laughed heartily – today, she finally had her own direct subordinates!

Looking up, she saw faint heavenly light emerging overhead. A line of gold broke through thick mist like a sword piercing the firmament, reaching the mountain peak, then hanging down from the peak, becoming a golden road extending infinitely.

That was the Way of Heaven – seemingly distant, yet right beneath her feet.

“We have no other wishes.” Quan Ninghao said earnestly behind her. “This subordinate sees ambition and unwillingness in your eyes. You are the same type of person as us, so we follow you. From now on, through black mountains and white waters, we shall clear thorns and cut paths for you. We only hope that when your wishes are fulfilled in future, you might give us opportunity to return to Di Ge for revenge and personally kill Cheng Gumo.”

Jing Hengbo laughed heartily, turning to pat his shoulder.

“What a coincidence – I think the same as you.” She pointed toward Di Ge: “I’m also thinking of returning to Di Ge for revenge, killing Cheng Gumo. And many others who harmed me. See, we think alike – why shouldn’t we work together?”

Quan Ninghao gazed at her, his eyes shaken. After a long while he drew a breath and slowly said: “Forgive this subordinate’s boldness, but I haven’t asked our lord’s great name…”

“Call me Jing Hengbo.”

A moment of silence.

Exclamations arose.

“Your Majesty the Queen!”

…

“Second Young Master, it’s cold – come warm yourself by the fire.” Yélu Qi built up a fire and called to Xuanyuan Yu.

Xuanyuan Yu graciously came over. Earlier he had inadvertently mentioned that Kang Long Army were exploited scouts, which Kang Long Army overheard. Fortunately Yélu Qi smoothed things over with a few words, avoiding bloodshed. Though Xuanyuan Yu acted dismissive, inwardly he naturally felt closer to Yélu Qi.

Xuanyuan Yu had people bring cooked food and wine. The two roasted meat, drank, and chatted by the fire. Xuanyuan Yu was Di Ge’s famous libertine, most skilled at music, dance, and entertainment. Yélu Qi also came from a great family and had been State Preceptor for years – a poetic, wine-loving figure who frequented pleasure quarters. There was no topic in the world he couldn’t handle. The two became more and more compatible, and soon Xuanyuan Yu nearly considered Yélu Qi his newest close friend.

Before long Xuanyuan Yu was slightly drunk. Through bleary eyes he suddenly saw fireworks rising from the valley – the signal for finding gold mines. He immediately perked up, standing and shouting: “Quick! Quick! Everyone hurry into the valley to assist!”

“Second Young Master.” Yélu Qi drunkenly pulled at his sleeve, whispering: “I think you should send Kang Long Army in first…”

“Why… uh, if we’re late… our people… uh… will lose the advantage…”

“The titled captains and beast master spent nearly an hour finding the gold mine, showing it’s deep in the valley. But judging by the valley’s depth, even if it’s at the far end, with the titled captains’ abilities, it couldn’t possibly take an hour to walk there. There must have been many complications along the way that weren’t completely cleared… Since they’re scouting, why not let Kang Long Army scout to the end? After they’re exhausted on this route, we’ll be the real beneficiaries. Then wherever the gold mine is, how big it is, how much it produces – won’t Governor Cheng have to take our word for it…”

“Ah! Brother Eight! You’re truly talented! When this matter is finished, I’ll definitely ascend to family head position. Then I’ll invite you as my chief advisor, how about it?”

“I’m deeply honored!”

The two laughed heartily as Kang Long Army was sent as the second batch for support. Watching those Seven-Color Battalion soldiers march fully armed into the valley, Yélu Qi raised his wine pot in slight salute.

Saluting you on your journey to the Yellow Springs.

Saluting Hengbo for winning over heroes in one stroke.

“Who are you saluting…” Xuanyuan Yu draped his arm over his shoulder. “Uh, tell me, once I become family head, how should I deal with my unruly brothers?”

“Second Young Master, they’re all brothers who’ll be your subordinates later. Why exterminate them completely? Fewer brothers means fewer helpers.”

“What do you know! Uh, brothers – what kind of brothers are they? Always scheming against each other, spying and calculating, glaring at others like fighting cocks, afraid someone might get one more hair from father… Uh, believe it or not, with my eldest brother dead, all my brothers should already be near this area, waiting to grab benefits or curry favor with father. Believe it or not, in this Xuanyuan family elite guard unit I brought, at least half are spies for my various brothers… Hmph, if I knew who they all were, I’d hang them one by one at the valley entrance!”

“Ah! So many!”

“Of course!”

“This won’t do.” Yélu Qi showed worry, leaning close to whisper: “With so many spies from different factions, Second Young Master, have you considered – if you return loaded with treasure from Tianhui Valley, will they let you succeed? Will they peacefully watch you ascend to family head? Will they let you safely report your achievements to father? If on the road…” He lightly pinched his fingers as if brushing away dust, smiling softly.

Xuanyuan Yu was so startled by this sinister gesture and expression that he sobered halfway.

“I didn’t realize until you mentioned it – after so many years I got used to it… But thinking about it now, this situation is different. I can’t be careless anymore…” His expression grew more serious as he spoke, as if seeing countless spy shadows surrounding him. He shivered.

“Why should Second Young Master worry so? This matter is easily handled!”

“Please teach me, sir!”

“Since Second Young Master favors me, I should repay with all my strength. Very well, today I’ll help Second Young Master find the spies – consider it a meeting gift.”

…

“Sir Eight, you want to tie me up, pretend to betray me, test my Xuanyuan team’s reaction to identify spies this way?”

“What does Second Young Master think of this plan?”

“It’s good. But… not very safe. If someone makes a mistake, I won’t even have time to escape. Also…”

“Hehe. How dare I put Second Young Master in danger? Besides, we’ve only known each other half a day – I have no right to ask Second Young Master to trust me regardless of personal safety. However, Second Young Master, try this rope first.”

“Ah… why does it break at a touch?”

“This is specially made leather rope using tendons from Soft-Hide Beasts of the Western Sea swamps. It looks identical to tough cowhide rope, but even women, children, and elderly can break it with a touch. This thing causes no harm to the bound person, but once snapped, it shoots out in all directions. When it meets cold objects it becomes hard as daggers, actually capable of wounding those who try to approach. This is my family heirloom. I now present it to Second Young Master – are you reassured now?”

“Excellent! With this, what’s to fear from assassination or harm? One light struggle and they’re all dead!”

“Right, what did you plan to do? Hold me hostage? With what? You can’t use blades or swords.”

“I planned to tie up Second Young Master, loot your possessions, then hide in the tree overhead. Then all their reactions will be in both our sight – safe and proper, how about it?”

“Hahaha excellent!”

“Second Young Master, don’t laugh. Stay quiet – the good show is about to begin.”

…

Two men drank and ate meat by the fire, with tents blocking wind and snow behind them. Fragrant aromas spread everywhere. The city lord’s guards and the chief’s Golden Scale Guards were under military orders forbidding alcohol and meat. Smelling it only made their stomachs rumble with hunger, so they all walked away resentfully.

Around the tents, only Xuanyuan family people remained on guard. These people all looked loyal, standing guard on both sides of the tent.

Laughter and conversation came from inside, vaguely discussing “Tianhui Valley… family… gold mine… great achievement… family head…” and Xuanyuan Yu’s extremely cheerful loud laughter.

The guards on both sides of the tent seemed not to hear, maintaining solemn expressions.

Suddenly there was a bang inside, as if something fell, followed by muffled sounds. Everyone heard something was wrong and called repeatedly: “Second Young Master! Second Young Master!” But heard no response from inside, only increasingly violent struggling sounds. After hesitating, they finally lifted the curtain and rushed in.

Upon entering they saw chaos throughout the tent – the fire basin overturned, Xuanyuan Yu bound and fallen on the ground, even his pack opened to reveal various contracts and documents inside, plus all kinds of rare treasures he’d collected.

The guards all rushed in. Many couldn’t help their eyes flashing when they saw the opened pack.

“Second Young Master! What happened to Second Young Master!”

“Where’s that kid from before!”

“Idiots!” Xuanyuan Yu cursed angrily. “Can’t you see I’ve been harmed? Hurry over and untie me!”

Many guards responded but didn’t move, their eyes flickering toward that pack.

Xuanyuan Yu glanced coldly, then looked up. The tent top was already torn with a hole, revealing a face wearing a gold-wire mesh – naturally Yélu Qi.

Seeing Eight above, he felt much more at ease, sneering inwardly.

“Second Young Master, I’ll help you!” A guard urgently stepped forward.

Just one step out.

“Chih.” A sound.

Xuanyuan Yu watched helplessly as a snow-bright sword tip emerged from his loyal guard’s chest, blood splashing his face.

This sword seemed to signal the beginning. After a moment of shocked silence, the guards suddenly went mad!

Part of them shouted: “Sha En! Why did you kill him! There’s a traitor! There’s a traitor!” rushing forward frantically.

Part rushed toward Xuanyuan Yu’s pack that never left his side, grabbing for treasures or contracts. During the running and scrambling, they constantly attacked each other with palm strikes, fist winds, sword qi, and killing intent in endless succession.

Part rushed outside the tent, setting off fireworks to notify their masters. Suddenly the sky above Tianhui Valley was brilliant with colorful fireworks.

The Golden Scale Guards and city lord’s guards were alarmed. Some wanted to come look, but those who knew the inside story casually blocked them, sneering coldly.

“Don’t bother with their family drama. Their family’s purpose is just a bunch of sons constantly fighting – the previous generation was like this, this generation too. Once they finish killing each other there’ll be nothing left to kill. Why should we interfere?”

…

The tent was in complete chaos with no one helping Xuanyuan Yu.

Xuanyuan Yu stared wide-eyed, his head and face covered in sweat and blood. He knew there were many spies around him, but hadn’t imagined almost all were spies. His so-called loyal guards – not one had come to help him even now.

In the dead of winter he broke out in cold sweat, chilled by such truth.

He also forgot he could break free from the rope – the shock was too great for him to accept immediately.

Until finally one guard remembered him, broke away from the fighting and rushed over. His heart leaped with joy, thinking he wouldn’t need to break free. But that guard took three steps with his hand hidden behind his back, then drew out a small axe and chopped down viciously at him!

“Ah!” Xuanyuan Yu was terrified out of his wits, struggling desperately.

Before struggling, he was possessed by some strange impulse to look up at the tent top.

There was a face on the tent top.

The gold-wire mask was gone. That person was looking down at him gently.

Eyes like a sheet of misty water, a wave of hazy water, emptiness and void. At the end of void was darkness, endless eternal darkness.

That patch of dark color seemed to suddenly smear his consciousness, making his awareness confused. Before sinking into that emptiness, only one vague thought flashed through his mind: “This face looks so familiar…”

His consciousness went blank, so naturally he didn’t complete the motion of breaking the rope.

The next instant he was awakened by sharp pain, screaming.

“Ah!”

Xuanyuan Yu opened his eyes to see a nightmare he never wanted to see again in this life.

He saw his own arm fly up, rotate once before him, then fall to the ground.

Blood like mad snow blocked his vision. He stared blankly down to see a small axe lying three feet away, and beside the axe head was his own arm.

Only after a long while did he realize – his arm had been chopped off!

Pain came crashing down like mountains and seas. He screamed long and wanted to break the rope again, but no longer had even that strength.

He collapsed with a thick pool of blood behind him. He clearly remembered his blood pool being in front, but turning his head, he discovered the tent had somehow become a sea of blood with scattered corpses lying in chaos.

Those guards had killed each other and mostly died or were wounded.

The surviving guards had gone completely mad, still fighting over his important pack. Whoever seized these things could gain more merit with their master.

Xuanyuan Yu watched despairingly, his heart ice-cold.

He suddenly remembered the Xuanyuan family tradition: wolves competing for food, survival of the fittest.

Reportedly his father had once killed three brothers to seize the family head position, but all these years, due to restraint from other brothers, had difficulty advancing in his career.

Now this generation’s descendants were again tasting bitter fruit.

Whether such a family was suitable for survival in Dahuang, he didn’t know the answer, but knew at least one thing could be confirmed.

Such a family would easily erase him from the family records. Once he left Di Ge and his father’s protection, he was the real cannon fodder.

The guards’ fighting had reached its end. A guard he usually trusted most, whom he thought might be anyone’s spy but not his, approached carrying the pack in one hand and a bloody blade in the other.

He closed his eyes in despair, never understanding whether he died at his brothers’ hands or at that Eight’s hands.

Suddenly wind blew overhead.

Then he saw that guard fall down.

A figure floated down like a falling leaf – still that mysteriously gentle-eyed Eight, smiling as he looked him over.

Those eyes seemed to hold no killing intent…

Hope had just kindled in his heart when he heard that person say gently and joyfully: “Can’t kill them all – need to leave some for little Bobo to vent on…”

The tone was doting.

But hearing it struck him like lightning. His eyes rolled back and he fainted.