Wafting through the air, the smell of death was one with the hydra-attired devil. The nauseating odor trampled the spirits of numerous beautiful women who had emerged shortly after the chaos.
Leading the harem, a breathtaking aqua-robed maiden watched sullenly. Spectating the black-robed man's surreal power, Rong Jiayi's lips trembled as she spoke through clenched teeth, "Who is this master?"
In fact, Rong Jiayi, a former high-ranking member of the Secret Legion, had her suspicions, but she did not dare to believe. Furthermore, the appearance of the black-robed man had changed countless folds.
The immense chaos had disrupted the entire nation, spiraling millions of citizens into disarray. Interesting a group of robust men, five strong-looking cultivators had emerged from the dark. The group was Chan Aiguo's subordinates; the traitorous five were formerly a part of the Secret Legion.
At this point, the majority of citizens had accepted Long Fengge's death, a legendary emperor who had lifted their lives to happiness. Spearing the combined stares of hundreds, the handsome black-robed man loosened his collar area; his every move was carefully observed.
As a Transcendent, Chan Aiguo clearly felt the familiar, overwhelming soul of Long Fengge; however, average citizens would think of the black-robed man as a mundane mortal.
With each step, no noise was generated; the manor was drowned in an eerie silence. Seeing the familiar faces, Feng Hui felt a breeze of nostalgia. After all, he had lived another life with these people.
Guan Liqin, in the center of the group of five, sneered. Despite the man's signature black robes, he wasn't anxious; he felt no danger from this black-robed man. Grinning, he looked forward, "What gall to enter the emperor's private manor!"
Within the manor, Chan Aiguo had banned the use of black robes. One time, the new emperor had even killed a black-robed maid in front of thousands, forcing everyone to witness the punishment.
Having chosen this route, the traitorous Secret Legion members had no room for retreat; their lives were tied to the same ship as Chan Aiguo. Joining his side, the other four men roared, "Cease him!"
Regardless of the fact that Chan Aiguo was a devil, the traitors needed the protection of their new master; otherwise, the remnants of the Secret Legion could slaughter them in an instant.
All of a sudden, the manor started trembling. Several domains came crashing down. The five men had trained to combine the strength of their domains into one single behemoth.
Somehow, the black-robed man's unperturbed look remained. Invulnerable to the world's laws, the man seemed like he was a separate being that belonged to a different world.
Distinguishing the shocked gazes, Feng Hui shifted his attention to the group of five. Looking at the man with beautiful golden streaks throughout his long hair, he thought back to the time of their first meeting.
Shaking, the single look of the black-robed man caused a mouthful of saliva to build up. Swallowing the nervous liquids, Guan Liqin tried to meet those deep black eyes.
Remembering his adolescent years, Feng Hui saw a helpless child lying within Liqin's shadow: that same salivating child who had once clung to him for survival.
Today, Liqin was pointing his sword at him. It was odd how fate worked.
Even with the pressure of their domains, there was no sign of resistance within the air. Out of the blue, Guan Liqin dropped to the floor with a lifeless look.
The sequence was far too abrupt. Sprawled on his knees, Guan Liqin mumbled, "It can't be true."
"It is," responded Feng Hui. "And it did not have to end like this."
Their reunion could have been one full of smiles. At times, a single decision was all it took. Pushing through life, Feng Hui knew that he was also to blame for this fate.
"Regardless," Feng Hui stated. "Since you've chosen this path, I must also meet out the punishments."
Witnessing the kneeling man, the remaining traitors shook. From the black-robed man's simple gaze to the approach he took, their buried memories began sprouting back up.
Watching the black-robed man, Zhi Ruo's ice goddess appearance had long ago melted. Right now, she was the same beautiful little girl who had adored that bullied prince since childhood.
Feeling Zhi Ruo's passionate gaze, Feng Hui's mouth dried up, but he needed to clear out the roots. In the long life of cultivators, a single miraculous encounter could allow someone to rise up from the ashes.
Later on, if the traitors were to seek out revenge, Feng Hui's loved ones would also be dragged into the mess. Along with this thought, Guan Liqin's figure grew ethereal; there was no pain.
"I'm sorry."
These two words alone caused Liqin's tears to leak uncontrollably. Biting his lips, the same cute salivating child remerged, "Master, it's not your fault."
Sometimes, a single word could save a connection, while a single look could create a new bond. Over a decade of utter indifference had resulted in these traitors. Looking upward, Liqin's dimples puffed out, "Farewell, master. I won't ever forget the adventures we shared together."
For half a year, the two of them had survived in the mysterious Magical Beast forest alongside Zhi Ruo.
For weeks on end, surviving with nothing but their smiles amidst the cool air. The barbequed beast meat shared between them at the fireside was an unforgettable memory.
The two words were meant for the entire Secret Legion. A show of blame for his ten years of neglect. Sighing, Feng Hui's brows lowered, "Yeah. Take care, Little Brother Liqin."
"I could have been a better friend."
Truth be told, Feng Hui did not think of himself as the master. Instead, the Secret Legion was built as a group of friends to rely on one another for survival.
Nothing more, nothing less.
Over time, he had forgotten his meaning for life, which resulted in him fading into a life of solitude. In the end, his lenience was a result of his guilt.
However, Chan Aiguo was different. From the start, Feng Hui had his suspicions regarding the hydra-attired man, but he had respected the Secret Legion's personal space. It was not within his ideals to probe through what his friends did in their own time.
In the end, Guan Liqin was no more. In the blink of an eye, all that was left was a storm of emotions.