Slaughter

In the middle of the road, a carriage was currently being surrounded by at least a hundred people.

"Boss, we've completely blocked them. Unless they can fly into the sky, they shouldn't be thinking of leaving."

"Good!" The boss nodded.

They were the Red Wolves Bandits, the most dangerous bandit organization in the Jin Long Continent. Feared for their savage and cruel methods, they not only robbed and killed people in broad daylight but also kidnapped girls for their own entertainment. Despite their reputation, they were cautious enough not to provoke those who could easily destroy them. They limited their strength and avoided expanding their territories beyond the current area. Their attacks were sporadic, occurring only when they stumbled upon a wealthy target.

This time, they had stumbled upon a particularly enticing target - a luxurious carriage accompanied by well-trained guards. The guards' cultivation levels reached the Peak Profound True Qi Realm, while their group's boss was an expert at the Profound Spirit Realm, supported by a few others at the Peak Profound True Qi Realm. With their combined strength, it would be effortless to loot the golden carriage.

The boss grinned and shouted at the people inside the carriage.

"We are the Red Wolves Bandits! If you've heard of us, I'm sure you know what's good for you! Hand over all your wealth and women, or be prepared to pay with your heads!"

But even after a whole minute, nobody came out. Even the guards stood there calmly, displaying no signs of panic.

"What a joke! You want to rob us when we have four seniors at the Spirit Realm?" they all thought.

The boss frowned and screamed, "Did you not hear me?! I will not repeat myself! Get the fuck out here and hand over all of your wealth and women!"

*Creek*

The carriage door slowly opened, revealing a middle-aged man stepping out. Observing his calm demeanor and cultivation level, the boss's frown deepened. This middle-aged man was also a Profound Spirit Realm expert, just like him. They could sense each other's strength due to their similar cultivation levels. However, if the enemy had an entire realm of advantage, it would be difficult to discern their cultivation.

The boss wore a frown as he stared at the middle-aged man with a calm face, seemingly unaware of being robbed.

"How may I help you?" the middle-aged man asked calmly.

The boss's eyes widened upon hearing that. Hadn't he screamed? Was the carriage soundproof?

"We're the Red Wolves Bandits. Hand over your wealth and women, and I'll give you a quick death!" he repeated.

"I heard you the first time. You even said you would not repeat it, so why are you saying it again?"

"You!"

Anger flushed the boss's face, realizing that the man had indeed heard him the first time. Not only did he ignore the demand, but he also slapped the boss in the face.

"So, how may I help you?" the middle-aged man repeated.

"You fucking idiot, are you blind?! We're here to rob you!"

"Do you even know the situation you're in right now? You dared to slap our boss's face!"

"You are courting death!"

The other bandits grew furious at seeing their boss being slapped.

"You fucking bastard! Even if you beg, I'll ensure you die a slow and agonizing death!" the boss screamed.

"Ah, can you people stop shouting? You'll annoy the seniors inside," the middle-aged man said calmly.

"Seniors?"

The bandits frowned, perplexed by this revelation.

The boss started to have a bad feeling. Was the man so calm because there were experts behind him?

"Bullshit! Senior my ass! You're just trying to scare us!" someone shouted.

"That's right! How do we know he's not lying?" the boss thought to himself.

"Listen here, I don't care if you have a senior or even God himself in that carriage. But since you've encountered us here, you're fated to die!"

"Comrades, get ready to raid these bitches!" he commanded.

"Yes, boss!" The hundred-plus bandits began to brandish their weapons and prepared to charge.

***

Inside the carriage, Tian Yi's attention was fixed on the 'Holy Book.'

"Page 4 - Now let me enlighten you about these vile creatures known as 'Bandits.' They not only plunder and murder innocent people in broad daylight, but they will also steal your wife and daughter and use them for their own pleasure! I once found myself on a road where ten bandits encircled me. If not for my fast legs, I would likely have perished on that day! These malevolent beings are the adversaries of mankind! Avoid the roads and remain within the safety of your abode!"

Upon reading this, Tian Yi furrowed his brow. "Bandits? Evil? Robbing and killing the innocent?"

Being in the Celestial Gods Realm, he had no knowledge of what a bandit truly was since they were virtually nonexistent. Although there were Cultivators who killed and stole from other Cultivators for their treasures, they were not regarded as bandits but rather a way of life.

In a world where the strong preyed upon the weak, if one lacked the strength to safeguard their treasures, they had no one to blame but themselves!

As for Cultivators killing innocent mortals, there were none. Cultivators and mortals inhabited separate worlds despite their close proximity. If Cultivators were to indiscriminately slay mortals, would the mortals be willing to continue living? Wouldn't they merely be like chickens in a slaughterhouse, awaiting their turn for the blade?

Because of this, the Celestial Emperor himself imposed a prohibition on Cultivators killing innocent mortals in the Celestial Gods Realm. This immutable and unspoken law was upheld across all realms. Those who violated it would be branded as Devil Cultivators and face retribution from the Heavens.

The last time a Cultivator had murdered and plundered a mortal family's treasure, the Celestial Emperor personally pursued and apprehended him! The thought of being relentlessly pursued by a deity throughout existence was undeniably terrifying.

Since that incident in the Celestial Gods Realm, no one dared to lay a finger on mortals. However, now that Tian Yi found himself in the Mortals Realm, beyond his father's watchful eye, he witnessed Cultivators who dared to take the lives of mortals, ignorant of the "unspoken law" they had never even heard of.

Regardless of their awareness, they should understand that they inhabited distinct worlds and should not disturb one another unless absolutely necessary. Yet, in the event of a guilty mortal, such as one who steals from Cultivators, the Cultivator possessed every right to administer punishment.

Tian Yi pondered to himself. If he were to witness a Cultivator unjustly slaying innocent mortals and the Cultivator himself was guilty, he would personally eradicate them without room for negotiation.

With a sudden determination, he rose to his feet and declared, "I shall go and speak with them."

Lao Bai trembled upon hearing these words.

"Young Master," Lao Bai said, his voice filled with determination, "please disregard them. I shall eliminate them without delay."

His offer, however, was met with rejection. "No," Tian Yi asserted firmly, "regardless of their innocence or guilt, it is I who shall pass judgment."

All eyes within the carriage followed him as he stepped outside, observing his actions in silence.

Meanwhile, Lao Bai trailed closely behind.

Outside the carriage, the bandits, prepared to charge in, abruptly halted their advance. They watched in astonishment as an unassuming young man emerged, accompanied by an amiable elderly gentleman.

"Who the fuck are they?" each bandit wondered, puzzled.

Xiao Fang approached, bowing respectfully. "Senior Bai, Young Master Yi," he addressed them.

"Hahaha! Are these the 'Seniors' you were talking about?" one bandit jeered. "Aren't they just a grandfather and grandson?"

The raucous laughter filled the air, only to cease abruptly when their gaze fell upon three additional individuals stepping out from behind the young man.

Two of them were breathtakingly beautiful, leaving the bandits captivated. One possessed a petite and adorable appearance, while the other exuded a more womanly allure. The bandits couldn't help but drool with desire, their laughter growing even louder.

"HAHAHA! Heaven truly favors us! It has sent two exquisite maidens our way!" a bandit exclaimed, his voice filled with glee. "Hey, pretty girls! Come here and entertain your father here! We won't kill you if you do!"

Even the boss couldn't help but laugh. "Such a good day! Aiya, were you hiding these beauties from us? It's a crime worthy of death!"

As the Xiao Family emerged, their expressions turned sour. What a bunch of horny bastards! Xiao Chen looked at them with disgust. "Are you idiots only capable of thinking with your bones? Can't you even use your heads?"

"What did you say? I'll cut yours off if you dare speak again," threatened the boss.

"Hmph, you're already teetering between life and death," Xiao Chen sneered. These idiots were already on the chopping board, and they didn't even realize it.

"Good! You can only blame yourself for being so arrogant!"

"Men! Kill these—"

"Wait," interrupted Tian Yi. The boss was taken aback, unsure why he should wait, but he complied. "What do you want, little boy?"

"Why are you doing this?" Tian Yi asked calmly, his face composed. "What do you gain from killing innocent people?"

The bandits looked at him and burst into laughter. "AHAHAHA. Why?! Because it's fun! To kill those who can do nothing but beg, it's too enjoyable! Ah, the feeling I get when I watch these weaklings cry as I kill their families is indescribable!"

The bandits laughed, relishing their past actions.

"Is that so…" Tian Yi closed his eyes and placed his right hand on the center of his chest, where his heart beat. He fell silent. Witnessing this peculiar gesture sent shivers down everyone's spines.

What is he doing? Praying before his demise?

Only Lao Bai displayed fear in his eyes. He whispered to the Xiao Family, "I suggest you all go back inside the carriage…"

"Eh? Why?" They were confused.

"Because," Tian Yi began to speak.

"My mother always told me, 'It's our responsibility to protect those who are innocent because that's our family's duty.'"

"I never truly understood it. Why should I protect them?"

"What's the purpose?"

"What do I gain from doing that?"

"What are my reasons for doing so? Is it because of my family?"

"I didn't know, but I still followed her teachings."

"The only reason Tian Yi felt compelled to kill Long Huo was because of his mother and his family," he confessed.

Only Lao Bai understood the true meaning behind his words.

"Did I kill him for the sake of my family? Because he was evil?" Tian Yi pondered, reflecting on his actions.

"Now that I think about it, there might be another motive," he realized.

"I killed him because I couldn't stand that dark feeling in my chest. It was bothersome. But when I ended his life, that annoying sensation disappeared," Tian Yi admitted.

"Why should protecting them be solely because of my family? I am my own person," he questioned, slowly opening his eyes.

"I am Tian Yi! From now on, I will act for my own benefit!" he declared.

"I felt a sense of sadness upon learning about these people's deaths," he confessed.

"I felt bad, but it's not my fault! It's yours!" Tian Yi blamed others.

"You're the reason my heart feels tormented!" he accused.

"And that will be my motivation for eliminating all of you! Not for my mother, not for my family, but for myself!" he proclaimed.

"Is it selfish of me to think that way? Yes! But I don't care!" Tian Yi embraced his self-interest.

His eyes ceased being black; now they radiated a golden hue.

His aura transformed from ambiguous to commanding, resembling that of a god.

His face no longer resembled that of an ordinary mortal but instead that of the most handsome man in the world.

Gone was the peaceful expression, replaced by a countenance filled with anger.

*DONG*

As if lightning had struck their minds, everyone dropped to their knees, choking on their saliva.

The driver and guards instantly lost consciousness.

Xiao Fang and Xiao Chen also knelt on the floor, accidentally wetting themselves.

Lao Bai quickly kowtowed, unable to even look up at Tian Yi.

It was the face of the emperor on his celestial throne during the Heavenly Illusion—it turned out to be his young master's true face!

Xiao Hai and Xiao Ying had their souls ripped away from them.

The bandits were unable to comprehend what was happening; some even fainted.

The boss trembled like never before, as if hearing the devil summon him. His jaw rattled incessantly from fear.

"I will kill you because of my selfishness!" Tian Yi declared.

"Wait—" the boss attempted to plead.

*Boom*

Before he could finish his plea, ripples appeared in the air with Tian Yi at the center.

They swept through everyone, and suddenly, silence engulfed the entire place.

Every single bandit perished!

A crimson fog enveloped the surroundings.

Tian Yi flicked his sleeves, dispersing the blood fog and staining the nearby trees a blood-red hue.

All of this happened in an instant, though it took some time to describe.

"…."

"I'm sorry, Mother, but please don't blame me for acting selfishly from this point onward," Tian Yi sighed.

Everyone remained kneeling on the ground, staring at him as if he were a monster.

Even Lao Bai was not exempt from this gaze.

He looked at them apologetically and said, "I'm sorry you all had to witness that scene."

"It seems I need to refine myself further," he concluded.

Tian Yi felt a sense of maturity emerging from that experience.

Even his previously ignorant aura began to transform into a more mature and captivating presence.