From the perspective of this Han Empire as a whole, Chulong City was one of the brightest jewels of its civilization. Not only was its population almost as high as that of the imperial capital, but its living standards were also nothing to scoff at. With an Energy concentration that allowed for quite a few peak Initial Ascension Stage experts to call it their home–and even have hope of breaking through to greater heights–it was likewise one of the most robustly fortified.
The citizens there all led fulfilled lives, every single day filled with laughter, bliss and joy. Naturally, in the eyes of the empire, only those of the Imperial Han Family could be considered to be actual citizens. Due to the Liang branch expertly overseeing this entire state since its founding, there had never been a singular issue. Instead, many capable fighters were continuously born here, just like Han Liangyun, who had unfortunately perished in the Qinglong State.
Chulong City could be considered to be a 'city that never sleeps', because it had plenty of nightlife for the Hans to enjoy. There were also the perpetual pained screams and terrified shrieks, which formed a pleasant backdrop that brought a smile even to the faces of the young children as they slumbered peacefully.
As affluent as this place was, naturally, the citizens here enjoyed a far better quality and quantity of slaves of all kinds and sorts, to which they continually did whatever they wanted to. After all, what were these beings good for, other than to entertain them? It was not uncommon for even brats who could barely walk to be holding the leashes of multiple 'fortunate' souls, leading them around in public whilst humiliating them.
But to the people here, that was a normal, charming sight–if not occasionally a bit too innocent and kind for their liking. This bustling, fantastic atmosphere had allowed for many outstanding Imperial Han Family members to grow up properly, with some even gaining influence in their empire's court, making their home state proud!
It was a morning like any other. The sun gently caressed the little kids playing outside with their 'toys', whilst the adults occasionally intervened and taught them how to do so 'properly'. Young newly-weds and elderly couples alike could be seen strolling through the crowded streets, going shopping or merely on a relaxing outing to their hearts' content.
There had been the occasional rumour about some inferior creatures rebelling against the glorious Han Empire and causing a bit of damage, but primarily because they weren't close enough to be affected, nobody really cared or took it seriously. In this specific sense, the Hans were just like everyone else–unless a crisis broke out literally on their doorstep, they were either too self-centred or too brainless to care about how it would affect them further down the line.
However, all of this–their tranquil, idyllic lives... They were soon to change forever, for a darkness that the supreme brilliance of their magnificent bloodline couldn't contend with was encroaching upon them, to snuff it out completely.
On that day, Hankind received a grim reminder. There were those who they should live in fear of, but were incapable of dreading, their minds' absurd delusions of grandeur acting as their most self-destructive shackles. Naturally, despite having been taught this lesson countless times, they wouldn't learn from it on this occasion either.
A bright, white light bloomed in the centre of the Teleportation Array. Not caught entirely by surprise, yet still astonished at this development, the guards nearby sounded the city-wide alarm, casting a brooding shadow over the hearts of the populace. Nigh immediately, the most powerful experts of them all arrived one by one, awaiting those who were brazen enough to attempt to come here.
All of this occurred within the blink of an eye, and by the time that the white light at the Array's centre had faded, a group of five was revealed to their prying eyes. Due to the fact that three of them were absolutely drop-dead gorgeous women, and a man of arguably even greater looks accompanied them, everyone on the scene was instantly ready to charge at the intruders–but this time for entirely selfish reasons. As for the one relatively normal guy, they naturally overlooked him.
But to their intense dismay, the mere Energy that this group passively exuded was enough to cause them to buckle under the strain, as if carrying celestial body-sized mountains on their shoulders. Even the handful of Dawning Numen Stage elders in this group's ranks were not faring any better!
Usually being the ones to look down upon those around them, a wrathful fire ignited in the welcoming party's bellies as they noticed that none of these five glanced at them with even a tiny modicum of respect, worship, fear or hatred. But how could that be?! How could they dare to rise up against their superiors if they did not feel strongly about them!?
Puzzled, yet fated to never get an answer to this 'mystery', they were horrified to see the man protected in the middle pull out an Array Disk from his clothes, before connecting whatever Compound Array that had been inscribed within with the Teleportation Array underneath his feet. Effortlessly, the two combined into a greater whole, which from one moment to the next spread throughout the entire metropolis.
Following this, the three women–as well as the unremarkable man–darted off in different directions, guarding the newly created 'cage' from outside interference, whilst also aiming to prevent any kind of escapees from falling through the cracks. As a result of their departure, the previously restrained fighters finally regained their ability to move, their furious gazes now landing on the young man standing in their midst all on his own.
But before they could fully recover, a pulse ran through the whole city, causing various different kinds of potent Array effects to bear down on them, robbing them of far more than simply their mobility. All the people around were drawn into an illusion, their bodies shackled, and even the souls of those which the intruder targeted got directly damaged over time.
Only those at the Dawning Numen Stage could somewhat resist the effects of the Illusion Array part of this whole mess, but they were otherwise incapable of causing any sort of ruckus. Due to the fact that the Energy Veins underneath Chulong City were so abundant, the effects of the Compound Array were stronger than they would be in other places. This blessed land had become their worst enemy!
Unable to put up a resistance, these elders' blood ran cold once the devil responsible for it all drew a blade that–despite its diabolical aura–couldn't even begin to reflect his evil nature. A virtuous, almost sanctimonious smile graced his lips. Without a word or an ounce of a guilty conscience, he began to slay their companions of many years–their juniors, their lovers, their children, their descendants, none of them were spared! As long as he arrived in front of them, their lives would be snuffed out, not a single drop of blood staining the ruthless butcher's clothes as he teleported to his next victim.
Perhaps it was a good thing that they soon met the same fate as well, as the fiend's actions only got worse. Right after he was done with those that had jumped at the opportunity to protect their fellow kin, he moved on to the regular folks populating the streets or resting at their homes. Not even the children were spared!
What was once a prosperous metropolis brimming with the hustle and bustle of Imperial Han Family life soon turned into a ghastly sea of blood and bodies. Wherever the butcher went, no citizens were spared. Even some of the worthless undesirables who had chosen to suck up to their betters would never awaken again.
If anyone had been present to record this incident, or merely to recall it, then the entire Han Empire would be driven into a mad frenzy at this affront! In the coming hours, however, all those who could have possibly spread the word were sent to meet their maker.
Truly, today marked a devastating tragedy.
But not for Theodore, who enjoyed every moment of his smooth and steady cleansing. It had been half a year since he had come across any such large gatherings of Hans–well, excluding the one battle against the Anti-Winter Alliance, there had been no others that even came close.
The Heavenly Dao notifications popped up unceasingly, their continued appearance turning the monotonous actions which he was repeating ad nauseam into a delightful experience instead.
When he was finally almost finished, only two Dawning Numen Stage experts from other parts of the city–who had initially merely observed the situation from afar–were left, having already been pummelled into pulps by Satoru. Occasionally, he still kicked or punched them whenever they dared to twitch or whimper in pain.
"Not too shabby, you didn't even get hurt. It looks like all of your training is starting to pay off."
Complimenting him with an approving nod, Theodore grinned at his slightly crestfallen expression upon having been reminded of his unscathed state.
'... I'm such an idiot!'
Despite his Master having allowed these 'exercise partners' to make it all the way to him, he hadn't properly utilized this opportunity to get hurt and become stronger. Instead, he had put his improved fighting skills to the test, obliterating his opponents in every way imaginable.
It was not outright stated in his Martial God's Incarnation Talent, but he suspected that it had a hidden effect of increasing his aptitude for combat skills. After all, nothing else in his Status Panel hinted at him having any sort of special gift for it, yet he still proceeded to understand them as easily as eating and drinking. If anyone claimed that his main Talent wasn't the reason for this, then he would certainly call them a liar with full confidence.
"... don't beat yourself up over it. If you want someone at the Dawning Numen Stage to torment you so much, then I'm sure Vigi will always happily oblige when she has the time. Oh, speaking of her..."
Ignoring the rapidly paling Satoru, whose last training session with Vigdis had left him with a deep trauma, Theodore turned to face the three women, who had just now returned from cleaning up the 'battlefield' and picking up anything worthwhile. Once he had ensured that nobody could slip through his net, they had begun their usual work sometime after he had started his slaughter.
'No matter what, I don't ever want to ask Miss Rún for help again! Who knows where she learned all those torture techniques from?! The Hans can't even hold a candle to her! I thought I had toughened up a little, but in front of her means... just, no. Never again!'
Shrinking his neck, he didn't so much as dare to look at her, instead choosing to glance at the now-decapitated bodies next to him. But to be fair, it was quite hard to tell that they had been beheaded, considering in how bad of a state that they had already been prior to this. If it wasn't for their souls hovering above their remains, dissipating at a rapid pace, then he might not have even realized that they were dead without closely scrutinizing them.
"How did it go? Did you find anything especially noteworthy?"
In response to Theodore's question, the three girls looked at each other for a moment, before all shaking their heads. Naturally, they had picked up plenty of resources and materials which they could use, but none that particularly stuck out. Today had felt akin to as routine of an operation as usual, just on a bigger scale. Even their rewards were nothing extraordinary.
"Ah, I almost forgot! I picked up another two Storage Rings on my end."
Slapping her forehead in an exaggerated display, Navya suppressed the smug grin that threatened to overtake her lips and revealed a pair of sleek, beautiful rings that she had been holding in her right hand all this while. Using this opportunity when her 'competitors' didn't have anything to show for their efforts, it was her time to stand out and gain some well-earned, deeply desired approval!
"... fantastic! If we continue like this, then a huge portion of my Subordinates can soon have one. That will make logistical matters a lot easier to deal with. Good job finding these, Navya."
Choosing not to expose her, Theodore rolled his eyes, exchanging amused glances with both Vigdis and Cheong Suhyeon. Due to her obsessive nature when it came to him, he had not shown Navya as much polite kindness as the others, although he hadn't treated her badly. However, considering she was his most devoted fan, he supposed that throwing her a bone every now and then was fine.
'Now that I think about it, she sometimes–very occasionally–reminds me of a dog, mainly when she's clearly asking for praise. But I'd better not tell her that, else she'll dress up in dog ears soon, trying to be cute.'
For the time being, no adorable ghost doggo stalker would haunt these halls.