Xu Jin sprinted through the dark village streets, cursing under his breath. He'd tried to join the fight against the woman, only for Xie Lang to bark at him, "Piss off! She's mine! I'm the one that's gonna break her skull!"
Xu Jin had slapped his forehead in frustration. "This idiot's gonna get us killed with his stupidity… We could kill her faster together and go help the twins!" He glanced toward the leader's house, mind racing. "Wait… where's Lin Shu? Shit — don't tell me he ran into other demonic cultivators."
Making a split-second decision, Xu Jin veered off, heading toward the last place he'd seen Lin Shu. The twins could handle themselves, and Xie Lang was practically beating that woman to death. Survival came first, and if Lin Shu was in trouble, having more people would be better. Not that Xu Jin planned on risking his life for anyone — he'd only help if the odds looked good.
Lin Shu, hidden in the shadows, watched the fight at the village leader's house unfold. Yan Bai and Yan Hei moved like twin shadows, their blades a whirlwind of steel. Their opponents were already struggling. The twins weren't just holding their own — they were overwhelming the two cultivators.
"Twin Serpent Art — Second Coil!"
The shift in their movements was subtle but deadly. The twin blades spiraled tighter, closing in like a constricting serpent. Every attack left less room to dodge, each movement pushing their enemies closer to death. The second stage of the Twin Serpent Art was a mid-tier Rank 1 battle skill, and its suffocating rhythm made escape nearly impossible.
One of the demonic cultivators lashed out wildly, trying to break the rhythm, but Yan Bai slipped past his guard. "Mid-tier Rank 1 Battle Skill — Viper's Step!" Yan Bai's movements turned sharper, his footwork unpredictable. In a blur, he shifted behind his opponent, sweeping his leg out. The man stumbled — his balance lost for just a heartbeat. That was all Yan Bai needed.
Twin blades flashed. The demonic cultivator barely had time to scream as his arms were severed, blood spraying into the night. The final stroke came in an instant, his head flying from his shoulders and landing with a dull thud.
Yan Bai didn't stop to watch the body fall. He turned, sprinting to help his brother — but Yan Hei didn't need it. When Yan Bai reached him, he found Yan Hei standing with one foot pressed against the other demonic cultivator's head. The man's body was still twitching, his chest carved open.
Yan bai laughed, low and satisfied. "Hahaha… That's my brother!"
His gaze flicked to the leader's daughter, who had collapsed on the floor, shaking. "Tch." Yan bai spat to the side. "You — go hide in the basement. If I see your face again, I'll throw you to the beasts myself."
The girl scrambled to her feet, nodding frantically. She didn't need to be told twice. She'd already seen death brushing against her throat once tonight — she wouldn't risk it again.
As she disappeared into the house, Yan Hei sneered. "I hate these useless idiots."
Yan Bai grunted in agreement. They both despised the spoiled brats of powerful families. No skill, no backbone — just empty arrogance and soft hands.
The brothers moved through the house, making sure no one else was hiding. As they searched, Yan Hei's eyes gleamed with greed. "Hey, Yan Bai… What do you say we take a peek inside the main room, huh? A high-tier cultivator must have something we'd want."
Yan Bai shot him a sharp look. "No. The main room could be full of traps. Let's stay away from it. Besides, why would we need shit from a lowlife like him? We've already gotten what we came for. No need to risk anything because of greed."
Yan Hei raised his hands, grinning innocently. "Alright, alright. If you say so…"
Yan Bai narrowed his eyes. "Don't tell me you already took something."
Yan Hei shrugged. "I don't know what you're talking about."
Yan Bai cursed under his breath. "Shit. Alright — if anyone asks, we'll say there was a third demonic cultivator. He slipped away using some shadow technique or whatever. Got it?"
Yan Hei grinned wider. "Got it."
They moved deeper into the house, blades still slick with blood. The night wasn't over yet.
Xie Lang stood over the woman's corpse, his fist dripping with blood. Her skull had caved in like rotten fruit. He spat on the ground, sneering. "Guess your words were nothing but empty threats, huh?" He let out a harsh laugh, stretching his shoulders. "I should check the other places, in case there's more of you bastards."
Suddenly, a blur shot through the air, slamming into him and sending him crashing into the dirt. "What the—?!" He groaned, pushing the weight off him. "Get off me, you fat bastard!"
Xu Jin staggered to his feet, rubbing his bruised side. "I'm not fat! My body refining technique makes me look like this, alright?" He glared at Xie Lang, then jerked his thumb behind him. "Also, we've got a problem. There's another one — and he's not like the others."
As if summoned by his words, a figure emerged from the darkness. The man wore a white mask, his aura cold and steady. His gaze swept over the scene, lingering on the bodies littering the ground.
"Useless idiots," the man muttered. "Of course they couldn't get it right. I always have to clean up after them…" He turned to the group, his voice calm, almost bored. "I don't have time to waste on you. I'll make it simple. Step aside — I just want something. I take it, we never meet again. You were hired to kill — you've already got five. Say those were the ones, and we'll leave it at that."
Xu Jin hesitated. This… actually didn't sound like a bad deal. He glanced at the bodies, then at the masked man. The bastard had sent him flying with one punch — and the only reason his bones weren't shattered was because of his body refining technique, hundred-Fold Flesh body refinement technique, a mid-tier Rank 1 technique that made his body tough and resistant to blows while giving him a fast healing factor. Sure, it made him look a bit chubby, but he could take a hit better than anyone.
He opened his mouth to agree, but of course, Xie Lang had to ruin everything. "And what if I say no?" he growled, cracking his knuckles.
Xu Jin swore. "You damned moron, let me do the talking!"
"Who the hell are you calling a moron?!" Xie Lang shot back.
Before the argument could go any further, the twins arrived. Yan Bai and Yan Hei slid to a stop, blades already drawn. They took one look at the masked man and tensed. "What's going on?" Yan Bai asked. His eyes narrowed. "Wait… that guy's at the high stage of Rank 1."
Xu Jin swallowed. This was getting worse by the second. "He says he just wants something and then he'll leave. Sounds like a decent deal to me."
Yan Hei scoffed. "Bullshit. What are you looking for? Anything valuable would be with the village leader — and I don't see his corpse here."
The masked man's gaze settled on him. "That doesn't concern you." He stepped forward, calm and unhurried. "Stay out of my way."
Xie Lang spat on the ground, eyes blazing. "You sent people to kill us, and now you're telling me it doesn't concern us? Fuck that!"
His fists tightened, skin darkening as iron-like hardness spread over his hands and forearms. Heat radiated from his flesh until his fists glowed red-hot, warping the air around them. He slammed his foot into the ground, launching forward with Iron Bull Rush, a mid-tier Rank 1 battle skill that increased his speed and strength with every step, the ground cracking beneath him as his momentum built.
The masked man sighed. "Annoying brat."
He raised his hand, white light blooming around his fingers. "Mid-tier Rank 1 Battle Skill — Phantom Fang." His arm blurred, striking out like a viper. The two clashed, shockwaves ripping through the air.
The twins and Xu Jin exchanged glances. Xie Lang wouldn't back down now — which meant the fight had begun whether they liked it or not. Without a word, they circled the masked man, blades gleaming in the moonlight.
Meanwhile, Lin Shu moved through the shadows inside the village leader's house. The sounds of battle faded behind him. His expression was cold beneath his mask, his steps silent as he searched the rooms. Each one was more disappointing than the last — bare furniture, empty shelves, not even a hidden compartment under the floorboards.
"Tch. Useless."
He checked the main room thoroughly, running his fingers along the walls for hidden grooves, but found nothing. "I should've known. Anyone with real valuables would keep them in a storage pouch or ring."
Just as he turned to leave, he noticed a staircase leading downward. His eyes narrowed. "A basement…"
Without hesitation, he descended, Ivory Monolith dulling his presence to a whisper. The basement was simple — a few crates, a broken chair, and a girl cowering behind a pile of sacks. Lin Shu stilled. She hadn't noticed him yet.
"I can't let her see my armor."
He struck, crossing the room in a blink. Lightning Steps. His fingers struck the back of her neck with precise force, knocking her unconscious without killing her. The girl crumpled to the floor.
He ignored her, eyes scanning the basement. His fingers ran along the walls and floor, searching for any sign of a hidden compartment. Just as he was about to give up, he noticed a faint gap in one of the walls.
"Found you."
Moving silently, he pressed against the wall, feeling for the mechanism. Whatever lay beyond… it had better be worth the trouble.