He paused his thoughts, contemplating a few hours of rest before embarking on the new journey to the continent of the ocean.
However, upon entering his room, he discovered the absence of Zhen Xia, Xu, and Sese. Ronin sighed and exited the room, proceeding to inquire with the inn's receptionist about their whereabouts.
"Madam mentioned they've all gone to the market," the inn receptionist conveyed respectfully.
"Thank you," Ronin acknowledged before hastening towards the inn's entrance and stepping out. He soon reached the vicinity of the inn's entrance.
Then, he vanished, moving at an astonishing speed above the rooftops of the houses.
After a few minutes, he arrived at the market and ventured inside. He began scanning the surroundings, determined to locate Zhen Xia and the other two.
Walking for several minutes, he discerned a commotion and swiftly vanished from his spot, reappearing in the open space amidst the bustling crowd.
Zhen Xia bore severe injuries, Xu lay unconscious, and Sese valiantly defended them with every ounce of her strength. The energy barrier she had erected around them was on the brink of collapse, and an assailant unleashed a powerful energy attack.
"No!" Sese exclaimed, tears streaming down her face as she closed her eyes in despair.
Ronin materialized, reappearing in front of the energy barrier. The energy attack vanished as if it had never existed. Ronin's eyes were bloodshot, and veins bulged on his skin. The name "Asura" gleamed brightly on his forehead.
"Whoever has harmed my people, step forward. If you don't, I will decimate every last one of you," Ronin declared, pointing his finger at the guards dressed identically.
"Father!" Sese exclaimed, her eyes wide with shock, and then she lost consciousness, collapsing to the ground. Ronin swiftly moved beside her, bending to cradle Sese in his arms. He then proceeded toward Zhen Xia. As he approached Zhen Xia, he carefully placed Sese beside her and straightened up.
He surveyed all the guards, an aura of impending doom surrounding him. "I will count to three. If those responsible for harming my people don't step forward, I will eliminate every one of you and the families you serve."
"Presumptuous!" shouted the leader of the guards as he stepped forward from the group.
"One... Two..." Ronin began counting.
"Hmph, conceited and arrogant. I'll reduce you to ashes before you can make a move," the leader of the guards retorted and advanced towards Ronin.
" three…."
The leader of the guards was forcefully thrust backward, propelled through the air until he collided with the group of guards with a resounding impact. "Puff," he sputtered blood from his mouth, his gaze fixed on the scorched ground and the unfamiliar infernal surroundings.
In the Asura domain the land writhes with fiery rivers, jagged obsidian spires, and oppressive heat. Charred forests stand as skeletal sentinels, and bubbling pits of liquid fire torment lost souls. Mountains and canyons of seething lava dominate the landscape, casting a malevolent glow on a land where suffering never ceases.
"What's happening here?" the guard's leader exclaimed loudly, his face a mixture of shock and fear.
"It's the Asura Domain," a young girl's astonished voice emerged from the shadows.
"Die," Ronin declared, his gaze fixed on the guards and their leader.
"Ahhh…"
Painful screams erupted as life was drained from their bodies, and they fell lifeless to the ground. Ronin's Asura Domain dissipated, leaving him kneeling on the ground, visibly exhausted. He retrieved a healing pill, placed it in his mouth, and began the process of healing his battered meridians.
"This newfound energy within me is incredibly potent. I should rely on it sparingly; I can't afford to be drained after just one attack," Ronin pondered, his brows furrowed in thought.
After completing his self-healing, Ronin stood up, retrieved a healing pill, and tossed it to Zhen Xia, instructing her to heal. He then approached Sese, cradling her in his arms, and patiently awaited Zhen Xia's healing. Once Zhen Xia was healed, he signaled for her to take care of Xu. Zhen Xia nodded in understanding, reached out to hold Xu in her arms, and both Ronin and Zhen Xia made their way back to the inn.
Several minutes later, they finally returned to the inn and entered their room. Ronin and Zhen Xia proceeded to the bed, where Ronin gently laid Sese down, followed by Zhen Xia.
"What happened?" Ronin inquired, his gaze fixed on Zhen Xia.
After a brief moment of hesitation, Zhen Xia proceeded to recount everything that had transpired since their visit to the market…
"Sister Xia, I've heard that there are many fascinating things in the Lotus City market. Why don't we go shopping there?" Xu eagerly suggested, her face alight with excitement.
"But..." Zhen Xia's gaze shifted to Ronin, who was engrossed in reading a scroll in another room connected to their current location.
"Don't disturb Brother Ronin. If we ask him to go shopping, he'll never allow us to go out on our own. Let's quietly slip out of the room," Xu proposed, a mischievous smile playing on her lips as she extended her tongue playfully.
Ronin, fully absorbed in his scroll, didn't employ his senses to monitor his surroundings. This lapse in vigilance allowed them to slip out of the room unnoticed. Zhen Xia then informed the receptionist of their departure for the market.
Exiting the inn together, Zhen Xia arranged for a carriage to transport them to the market. After a few minutes, the carriage reached their destination, and they disembarked.
They entered the market and began to explore, their faces filled with curiosity.
"Oh, this doll is so beautiful! I want it," Sese exclaimed.
"It's not a doll; it's dragon candy," Xu corrected, licking her lips.
"Candy?" Sese raised a questioning eyebrow.
"Candy is sweet and delicious," Xu explained, eyeing the dragon candy in a shop.
"Oh, I want it... I want it!" Sese clapped her hands with excitement.
"Alright, alright. Come with me; I'll buy one for each of you," Zhen Xia offered with a kind smile on her face.
"Okay!" both girls exclaimed loudly and dashed toward the candy shop, their smiles beaming.
"Neigh... neigh..."