A red-robed man rode his horse at full speed, glancing back periodically as he urged the horse onward. He had been pursued for six hours straight and, though he knew the identities of those chasing him, he was certain they belonged to two rival sects and another opposing clan. He had no enmity with anyone else.
The red-robed man, showing signs of graying hair, appeared to be in his early forties. His face bore the wisdom that comes from a life of hardship. The three figures behind him were completely shrouded in black, obscuring their faces and bodies.
Before long, the three figures closed in on the red-robed man, with the distance between them diminishing with each passing hour. The horses they rode were far from ordinary; they were renowned throughout the world as exceptional steeds. Capable of galloping non-stop for two days, these horses were seldom ridden for such prolonged periods due to their exorbitant price.
Realizing that further escape was futile, the red-robed man halted his aged horse and turned to face the three figures, who now stood a mere ten meters away.
"I am Reng, the 7th Elder of the Blaze Clan. How may I assist my comrades?" declared the red-robed man.
Reng was the most powerful individual among the members of the Blaze Clan. It was rare for someone as young as him to possess such formidable strength. After all, who could become an Earth ruler before the age of fifty?
Reng firmly believed that before turning sixty, he would ascend to the level of a Sky Conqueror, a feat achieved by only a few. By doing so, he would become one of the most powerful individuals within the clan, even though he still trailed behind the Clan Leader and the Elderly Ones, who held the highest authority.
"We are here to take your life. If you accept your fate and die without resistance, we can leave your body intact," calmly stated the figure in the center, as if the man standing before them were already dead.
The other two figures remained silent and motionless.
In response, Reng raised both of his hands in the air. Suddenly, metallic fragments formed around his hands, swiftly taking the shape of a sword. Before long, a sword measuring exactly 110 cm emerged—a blade that exuded a menacing aura. It seemed as though the sword had been bathed in the blood of countless individuals, eager to claim three new victims.
Without delay, the trio of black-clad figures initiated their attack. One wielded a whip, while the other two brandished swords. The whip-wielder incessantly harassed Reng from a distance, while the swordsmen made it increasingly difficult for Reng to engage in close combat.
Reng's weapon was not merely a sword; it could take on various forms. In truth, it had nine different forms—a sword, a hammer, a whip, an axe, a pair of daggers, a shield, a spear, gauntlets, and even a sickle. This unique fighting style had earned Reng the reputation of being the 'Master of the Nine' in the eastern continent. In countless battles, his opponents struggled to counter his versatility as he seamlessly transitioned between different weapons. One moment, he would deliver a heavy blow with an axe, and the next, he would execute a sweeping motion with a spear. Over time, he had become invincible in battle—though only against opponents of similar caliber. The whip-wielder eagerly awaited the moment when Reng's defenses would falter, presenting an opportunity to inflict a decisive wound. Before long, that opportunity arrived.
Blaze was no fool. Rather than fighting a battle he couldn't win, he tactfully retreated. He knew he couldn't defeat the three individuals, but he was confident that he wouldn't meet his end there. After all, in the battlefield, it was not the one who killed the most, but the one who survived that emerged victorious. Reng had learned this lesson through countless battles.
As he evaded and fought, Reng noticed a figure in black fur in the distance. Although the figure was still far away, it possessed the size and build of a bear. Soon, a woman entered his field of view, accompanied by the figure. Reng couldn't help but feel a sense of fear when he noticed a bundle in the woman's arms—an infant. Contrary to his expectations, the woman showed no fear of the bear-like creature; instead, she playfully interacted with it, laughing. Intrigued, Reng approached, followed closely by the three figures.
As Reng drew nearer, he understood why the woman wasn't afraid. It wasn't a bear but a burly man covered in black fur, gazing affectionately at the woman and the child in her arms. Reng's attention shifted to the woman's face and he was taken aback. "Oh, my God" was the best reaction he could muster. The woman's face and complexion were as white as marble. Although Reng had encountered countless women in his life, he had never seen such a beautiful figure before. For a brief moment, a wave of envy surged through his heart, but it quickly dissipated. After all, an honorable man couldn't entertain lustful thoughts for a married woman with a child.
Before Reng could delve further into his thoughts, the three individuals were already aware of the presence of the family. The figure in front, still fixed on Reng, spoke without diverting his gaze.
"Third brother, kill the man and the baby, and capture the woman. Once we're done, we can have some fun."
Without uttering a word, the figure on the far right began advancing directly towards the family. Reng immediately changed his course, rushing towards the family as well.