In the palm of the young man's hand, he gripped the falling executioner's knife, and slowly stood up amidst the shocked gazes of the executioner and the surrounding crowd.
Tick-tock! Tick-tock...
Blood flowed from his palm, but a force protected it, preventing the knife from severing his hand.
The boy raised his head, and a cold, bloodthirsty light shone from his dark gold eyes hidden by his messy hair.
"How, how is this possible?"
The executioner looked at the boy in disbelief. He was also a powerhouse in the realm of ninefold physical refinement. The force behind this strike was enough to cut through steel, yet the boy had stopped it with his bare hand.
"Kid, let go!"
The executioner roared, trying to pull out his knife, but it was firmly held in place as if by a pair of iron claws.
"You will be the first person I kill in my rebirth!"
Xiang Chen revealed a cold smile, as his other hand formed a fist and brutally struck out.
"Roar!"
The fist wind made an animalistic roar, and the golden light emanated from his fist, containing a terrifying force that struck the shocked executioner's body.
Bang!
"Pfft..."
The executioner screamed, his eyes bulging and his body seemingly hit by a heavy hammer, before being thrown back more than ten meters and spouting blood.
A powerful and unprecedented terror-filled the boy's body.
Silence fell over the entire scene; everyone looked at the boy with incredulity in their eyes.
Countless people stared in disbelief at the lifeless body of the executioner before a scream shattered the silence.
"Murder!"
The crowd screamed and scattered.
Xiang Quan also widened his eyes and looked at the dead executioner, then angrily shouted, "What are you standing there for?!"
Xiang Quan's shrill voice rang out as he slowly retreated, and when he looked at the boy's figure again, he felt a sudden change in the boy's weak momentum. It had become fierce and domineering, like an ancient beast emitting a terrible danger.
"Yes!"
The dozen or so armed guards around also snapped back to their senses, drawing their long knives and surrounding Xiang Chen.
Xiang Chen lowered his body, roaring lowly, and his canine teeth were exposed.
"You little beasts, die!"
A guard growled and charged toward Xiang Chen, and the others followed suit, attacking him with their knives.
Swish!
The knife came with a cold light, surrounded by red true qi with scorching heat. The blade cut through the air with a howl, targeting Xiang Chen's head.
All these people were servants under the king's concubine, and even the weakest among them had reached the peak of physical refinement, capable of handling thirty or forty ordinary men. To ordinary people, they were all elites.
Bang!
Xiang Chen's step exploded with force, and his body shot forward like a bullet. He rushed to the guard and landed a heavy blow to his chest.
"Crack!"
The guard's sternum shattered, and he spat blood as he was sent flying more than ten meters away, lifeless.
"Swish!"
Several true qi blades slashed toward Xiang Chen, tearing the ground with their fierce wind, as three guards attacked in unison.
Bang!
Xiang Chen's body leaped ten meters high, evading the blade attacks. As he descended, his hands grew pale golden claws and tore through one of the guards.
Pfft!
The sharp claws ripped through the air, leaving five golden claw marks.
Xiang Chen was not proficient in martial arts; he relied on his powerful explosive force and instinct.
"Roar...!"
After landing, Xiang Chen roared lowly and lunged like a tiger, instantly reaching another guard and knocking him down with a punch.
"Roar...!"
Xiang Chen was like an untamed wild horse, relentless and ruthless, utilizing simple techniques containing formidable dominance and speed that no one could resist.
"Impossible! How could this little beast, who has no spiritual power, become so powerful?"
Xiang Quan was horrified, as these guards were not ordinary people; they were all martial artists with true qi.
Bang!
In just moments, he single-handedly killed them all.
"Oh, this...!"
Xiang Quan was terrified and sat down, his face pale.
Tick-tock, tick-tock...
Xiang Chen, covered in the blood of his enemies, walked slowly toward Xiang Quan, who crawled away in terror.
"Do not come any closer, do not come any closer!"
Xiang Quan screamed in fear, rising to his feet and running away.
Hoo...!
Xiang Chen leaped forward, covering a distance to block Xiang Quan's path.
"Ah!"
Xiang Quan once again sat down in terror, as his abilities were similar to those of the guards.
"Do not kill me, do not kill me!"
Xiang Quan begged for mercy, trembling in fear as he looked at the bloodied boy, then knelt on the ground and begged for mercy, "Young master, spare me, spare me. It wasn't me who wanted to kill you, it was the king's concubine."
Xiang Quan kowtowed and begged for mercy, tears and snot streaming down his face.
"You have always called me a little beast, and now, with strength, I can be a young master? It turns out that strength is needed to uphold the principles of this world."
Xiang Chen laughed at himself, then walked up to Xiang Quan, and in a cold voice, he said, "Four years ago, your eldest son was severely ill and your family couldn't afford his treatment. Your wife begged for help... And even though your fellow was saved by my mother, you chose to betray us. I promise you, I will make sure your son's future will be torn apart, just like my gratitude turned to hatred. As for you, I will make sure the King's concubine pays for your sins. Prepare yourself, for I will rip her apart and make you serve her for the rest of your life."
"No!"
Xiang Quan felt an overwhelming sense of death.
Bang!
Xiang Chen kicked his chin, instantly killing him. Then he left the execution ground for his journey, vowing to live and carry on the legacy of those he had lost, even if he was abandoned by heaven, the gods, and all living beings.
He walked to the two heads of his loved ones, holding them in his arms, and screamed silently. But this time, he shed no tears. His tears had dried, and his heart was numb to the pain.
"Yang Shi, Hong Xiu, I, Xiang Chen, swear that I will live and carry on your legacy, even if the world abandons me."
Xiang Chen knelt three times before the headless bodies and made his vow. He then put the heads in a bag and carried it with him on his back.
"Sister!"
But Xiang Chen did not stay; he ran towards the Yang family, his eyes filled with worry. Today was the day his sister, Ye Rou, was to be forced to marry the dissolute young master of the Wang family. He couldn't let his sister's future be ruined by that man. He would kill anyone who tried to harm his sister, even at the cost of his own life.