In the inner district of Slaughter City, there was no distinction between day and night. The ever-present purple moon hung solitary in the sky, casting its cold, eerie light over the chaotic streets below.
After watching the veiled woman leave, Liu Erlong, filled with urgency, quickly pulled Lin Yu out of the resting place they had chosen earlier and out into the streets of Slaughter City.
"Finally! She's gone. Now we can get moving and look for them!" Liu Erlong exhaled, placing a hand over her ample chest, clearly relieved.
"Sure thing," Lin Yu responded, nodding in agreement.
Accompanying Liu Erlong in the search for Yu Xiaogang and Tang San was part of his plan. While he already knew their exact location, thanks to the spiritual mark he'd planted on Tang San with his Dual-Pupils Martial Soul, it wasn't something he could easily reveal. Instead, he played along, pretending to be just as clueless as she was. Their first destination was the outer district, where, as the veiled woman had explained earlier, most of the weaker individuals resided.
In Slaughter City, only those with exceptional strength dared to make a life in the inner district. The weaker, more vulnerable souls lived in the outer district, where at least there were rules—specifically, no killing. The foolish few who ignored this boundary and ventured into the inner district rarely survived long, quickly adding to the growing piles of bones that littered the city.
In Liu Erlong's mind, both Yu Xiaogang and Tang San were far too intelligent to be caught up in such foolishness. She was confident they had remained in the outer district, where they could at least avoid unnecessary danger.
Driven by the need to protect them, Liu Erlong wasted no time after seeing the dangers of the inner district and insisted they move quickly.
As they made their way through the streets, there were no interruptions. The fallen soul masters, aware that the two were new arrivals under the protection of the city's rules, wisely kept their distance. No one dared to approach or provoke them, allowing Lin Yu and Liu Erlong to exit the inner district without issue and reach the outer district.
However, as they arrived in the dim, narrow alleys of the outer district, Liu Erlong was quickly confronted with the challenge of finding their targets. The poorly lit streets seemed endless, with little visibility beyond a few meters ahead. It was almost impossible to know which direction to take.
Seeing her uncertainty, Lin Yu stepped forward, pointing down a slightly wider path. "Let's go this way, Erlong. The narrower alleys might lead us to dead ends. On this road, we can keep an eye on the side alleys as well."
Relieved by his suggestion, Liu Erlong nodded. "Alright, thank you, Aotian. Let's follow this route."
They continued down the broader path, Liu Erlong activating her Fire Dragon Martial Soul to help light the way. In her palm, a large, crimson fireball burned brightly, casting light into every alley they passed. Occasionally, they spotted fallen soul masters huddled in the shadows, their skeletal frames barely holding on to life. Though a few appeared to be in better shape, likely having managed to exploit others to secure food, none dared to cross Liu Erlong's path. The oppressive pressure of her soul power and the blazing fireball in her hand were enough to keep them silent and submissive.
As time passed and each alley they searched yielded no results, Liu Erlong began to grow frustrated. The lack of success weighed heavily on her.
Sensing her distress, Lin Yu offered her some comfort. "Don't worry, Erlong. Slaughter City is vast, and we've barely explored even a fraction of the outer district. We'll find them. Just give it time."
His reassuring words struck a chord with Liu Erlong. She felt a warmth in her heart, touched by his genuine concern. In contrast to her years with Yu Xiaogang, who had always been more focused on his research than on her well-being, Lin Yu's kindness and attentiveness were like a breath of fresh air. Despite her strength and assertiveness, she was still a woman who longed for care and affection.
The combination of her past experiences and the unseen influence of the red string Lin Yu had used on her earlier deepened her feelings. Unconsciously, she found herself growing even closer to Lin Yu.
Encouraged by his words, Liu Erlong pushed forward with renewed determination. Finally, after what felt like hours, they found what they were looking for in a desolate, forgotten alley.
There, curled up against the cold stone walls, were Yu Xiaogang and Tang San. They were fast asleep, huddled together for warmth. Without even the most basic bedding, the two looked pitiful. Their storage soul tools had been stolen by a group of thugs, and their bodies were weakened from the monthly blood offerings demanded by Slaughter City. The two men were nothing more than skin and bones.
Seeing them in such a state, Liu Erlong's heart ached. She rushed over, barely noticing how awkwardly the two were embracing. Her focus was solely on Yu Xiaogang, who had grown gaunt and sickly. She reached out, shaking him awake.
"Xiaogang! Xiaogang, wake up! I've come to find you!" she cried, her voice thick with emotion.
Startled, both Yu Xiaogang and Tang San jolted awake. Disoriented and weak, Yu Xiaogang blinked several times, unable to believe what he was seeing. His old companion, Liu Erlong, stood before him, her body wreathed in the power of her Fire Dragon Martial Soul.
"Is this a dream? How could I possibly be seeing Erlong here… in Slaughter City?" Yu Xiaogang mumbled, rubbing his eyes in disbelief.
"No, Xiaogang! You're not dreaming—it's me! I've come here to find you!" Liu Erlong's voice cracked, tears welling up in her eyes. Seeing Yu Xiaogang in such a wretched state, so much thinner and paler than she remembered, broke her heart. The years of separation and the danger of this cruel place made her reunion with him all the more overwhelming.
If it weren't for the fact that Yu Xiaogang was still entangled with Tang San, she would have thrown herself into his arms and wept openly. But even if that chance had presented itself, the effects of Lin Yu's red string would have subtly shifted her actions.
Yu Xiaogang, still trying to process the situation, pinched his leg hard. The sharp pain told him this was no dream. Erlong had come for him. Yet, instead of relief, a bitter expression crossed his face.
"Erlong… why did you come here? It's not safe… We were never meant to be. Coming to Slaughter City… it's just a death sentence for all of us," Yu Xiaogang muttered, his voice heavy with despair.
After fleeing to Slaughter City to escape the Soul Hall's relentless pursuit, Yu Xiaogang had hoped that this place would offer them refuge, a chance to grow stronger and plan for the future. Instead, the city had proven to be a death trap. Life here was a constant struggle just to survive, let alone gather strength for revenge.
Liu Erlong, even as a Soul Sage, would be no exception in this lawless place. Without the use of soul skills, they were all on equal footing with the monsters that roamed Slaughter City. He felt no joy in her arrival—only the bitter realization that she had come to share in their doomed fate.
Meanwhile, Tang San, who had also just awoken, had a different reaction. Though their time in Slaughter City had been harsh, unlike his teacher, Tang San had not yet given up on his quest for vengeance. He still burned with the desire to destroy the Soul Hall and avenge his father, Tang Hao. Liu Erlong's arrival, with her immense strength, could be the turning point he needed.
Though they had been struggling in the outer district, Liu Erlong's power would allow them to rise above their current circumstances, giving them the chance to train and grow stronger again. For Tang San, her arrival marked the end of their suffering.
Perhaps… Tang San thought, looking at Liu Erlong, my good days are finally about to begin.
Note: If you are interested, read up to chapter 360 at patreon.com/MythMosaic.