34

With every ounce of determination, Lu Zheng attempted to move once again, veins popping out on his forehead as he summoned the last remnants of his strength. The adrenaline coursed through him like wildfire, igniting his senses and awakening the energy that had been dormant within his body. He could feel the connection between his mind and limbs strengthening, each pulse of energy urging him onward.

*Come on!* he thought fiercely, willing his body to respond. The body heard the distress call of its owner, and finally, it did not hesitate to move. He managed to shift his weight, and although he was no longer fighting against complete paralysis, each inch felt like a monumental effort.

Lu Zheng was supposed to smile in delight at this small victory, but his face remained contorted in anger. The fire of vengeance consumed him, overshadowing any hint of joy. The image of the corpse loomed in his thoughts, a stark reminder of the betrayal that had ignited this path of darkness. He was furiously trying to crawl toward it, the desire for revenge swallowing every other thought.

*For myself,* he reminded himself, aware that this was a battle for his own identity, for reclaiming the power that had been stolen from him. *For my mother,* he thought, the memory of her sacrifice fueling his anger. *For my clan,* he vowed, recalling the legacy that he had to uphold.

As he crawled, the shadows around him seemed to pulse in response to his fury, amplifying the energy that surged through him. The darkness was both an ally and a reflection of his inner turmoil, driving him forward. He could feel the pull of the past weighing heavily on him, but he channeled it into his movements.

Finally, he reached the corpse, the lifeless body lying in stark contrast to the fervor that burned within him. The moment he touched it, a surge of power shot through him, invigorating his spirit. This was the connection he needed—the blood, the pain, the reminder of what he had lost.

But his thoughts quickly shifted to the true target of his vengeance: Billy Killer. The main villain who had orchestrated the suffering of so many, including Lu Zheng's own family. The image of the 55-year-old man in the blue rabbit mask flashed in his mind, his wicked grin haunting Lu Zheng's memories. The black jacket adorned with spikes and the menacing spiked club were symbols of the terror he had inflicted upon others.

*I will make him pay,* Lu Zheng thought, his resolve hardening. The thought of Billy's twisted laughter, the way he had toyed with lives, only fueled his fury. Lu Zheng could almost feel the weight of the spiked club in his hands, and he imagined the satisfaction of wielding it against the man who had brought so much pain.

With renewed energy, he pushed himself to a standing position, his body trembling but no longer weak. The shadows danced around him, echoing his determination. This was no longer just a quest for personal revenge; it was a mission to reclaim everything that had been taken from him and to bring justice to those who thought they could act without consequence.

As he took a deep breath, Lu Zheng looked down at the corpse one last time, then turned his gaze toward the exit. He was ready to confront Billy Killer, ready to face the darkness that awaited him. The path ahead would be fraught with danger, but for the first time in a long while, Lu Zheng felt a sense of purpose.

He would rise from the depths of despair and vengeance, fueled by the memories of his past and the power he had just embraced. Lu Zheng was no longer a victim; he was a warrior, and he would stop at nothing to bring down the man who had wronged him and so many others. It was time to reclaim his destiny and face the darkness head-on.

A49 They were just children, innocent and carefree, their laughter ringing through the air as they played. They would prove who was better by fists, their small bodies wrestling on the ground, only to be scolded by their instructor for their reckless antics. They made enemies with other groups of children, but it was all part of the game—part of growing up in the Azure Tide Clan.

Lu Zheng could remember his brothers, the bond they shared, but a heavy weight settled in his chest as he realized that they had long ceased to exist. The thought of their fates haunted him, and he felt a cold chill run down his spine. After all, a single sight of the Azure Tide Clan's disciples was enough to mark them for death, and he knew too well the temperament of his brothers. They were just like him—hot-blooded, fiercely loyal, and too attached to their clan to see the dangers looming ahead.

*If I am thinking and feeling the same thing as them,* he pondered bitterly, *they should have long attempted to fight back.* But that was the flaw in their passion; their loyalty blinded them to the sheer ruthlessness of their enemies, especially the one who had orchestrated their demise—Billy Killer.

The memories flooded back, vivid and painful. He recalled the day everything changed—the day he had watched in horror as Billy Killer, the man in the blue rabbit mask, unleashed chaos upon his clan. The sounds of battle, the cries of his brothers, the scent of blood and smoke had filled the air, forever etching that day into his mind.

It was on that day that he vowed to take revenge, to make Billy pay for the destruction he had wrought. But now, as he stood on the precipice of that final confrontation, doubt crept in. Would he be able to fulfill that promise?

The shadows whispered around him, echoing his thoughts. Lu Zheng felt a sudden surge of anger rise within him, dispelling the doubt. He had come too far, endured too much to falter now. He would not allow himself to be a victim again. The thought of facing Billy Killer filled him with a rage that ignited the fire within.

But as he prepared for the confrontation, a cold realization settled in. There were those who would betray him, those who would lead him straight into the jaws of his enemy. The Azure Tide Clan had its own darkness, its own secrets, and not all who wore the clan's colors were loyal.

He had to be careful. He had to trust no one.

The final chapter of his story was unfolding, and he could feel the weight of destiny pressing down on him. He would not go down without a fight. As he set out to confront Billy Killer, Lu Zheng steeled himself for the inevitable clash. The man who had tortured him, who had taken everything from him, would feel his wrath.

He was ready to face the monstrous figure who wielded a spiked club, ready to confront the very embodiment of his nightmares. The image of Billy's cruel grin, the sound of the thorny stick cracking against bone, sent shivers down his spine. But Lu Zheng was no longer the scared child he had once been; he was a warrior forged in the fires of vengeance.

With every step, he felt the weight of his brothers' memories guiding him, their spirits urging him onward. He would avenge them. He would make Billy Killer pay for every drop of blood shed, for every life destroyed.

As he approached the lair of his enemy, the shadows thickened around him, wrapping him in a cloak of darkness. The air was charged with anticipation, and Lu Zheng could feel the energy pulsating in the silence. This was the moment he had been waiting for.

He stepped into the light, ready to confront the man who had become a living nightmare. Lu Zheng was prepared to face whatever fate awaited him, knowing that he would not go quietly. He would fight to the end, for himself, for his mother, for his clan.

And as he stood there, heart racing, he knew one thing for certain: this was not just about revenge; it was about reclaiming his identity, his power, and his place in the world. It was time to rewrite the ending of his story, to ensure that Billy Killer would pay for his crimes.

The final showdown awaited, and Lu Zheng was ready to embrace it, ready to unleash the fury of the Azure Tide Clan one last time.

In the heart of the Vlp community, where shadows danced under the flickering torches and the air was thick with a palpable sense of dread, Lu Zheng found himself shackled and vulnerable. The betrayal cut deeper than any blade. Lunara Vex, the one he had thought would stand by him, had revealed her true allegiances, and now he was at the mercy of Billy Killer—her partner in darkness.

The crowd gathered, their faces obscured by the same rabbit masks that had haunted Lu Zheng's nightmares. They were a twisted congregation, a spectacle of cruelty, drawn to witness the downfall of a once-promising warrior. Lu Zheng's heart raced, a whirlwind of betrayal and despair crashing through him as Billy Killer stepped forward, clad in his black jacket adorned with spikes, the spiked club resting at his side like a harbinger of doom.

"You thought you could rise against me?" Billy sneered, his voice low and mocking. "You thought you could reclaim your destiny? Look where that has brought you—on your knees, before me."

Lu Zheng struggled against his restraints, anger and despair battling for dominance within him. Memories of his childhood, of laughter and camaraderie with his brothers, flooded his mind. The innocence of those days felt like a distant dream, overshadowed by the bitter reality he now faced. *This can't be how it ends,* he thought desperately.

But there was no escape. The weight of his situation bore down on him, and he felt the strength he had fought so hard to regain slipping away. Lunara stood at the edge of the crowd, her eyes cold and detached, a stark contrast to the warmth he had once believed they shared. The realization that she had played him like a pawn twisted like a knife in his gut.

Billy stepped closer, a predatory glint in his eye. "Look at you," he taunted, reveling in Lu Zheng's suffering. "A pathetic shell of your former self. You were a fool to think you could stand against me."

The crowd roared with laughter, a cacophony of mockery that echoed in Lu Zheng's ears. It stung, each derisive sound a reminder of his failure. He had come to reclaim his power, to seek vengeance, and now he lay broken before the very man who had taken everything from him.

With a swift motion, Billy raised his spiked club, the air thick with tension as time seemed to freeze. Lu Zheng's heart pounded in his chest, the final moments stretching out like an eternity. He could see the glee etched on Billy's face, the satisfaction of having trapped his prey, ready to deliver the final blow.

"Let this be a lesson to all who dare defy me," Billy proclaimed to the gathered crowd, the words dripping with malice. "This is what happens to those who cross the Rabbit."

In that moment, Lu Zheng felt a surge of defiance. He would not go quietly; he would not let his last moments be defined by the cruelty of his enemy. With every fiber of his being, he summoned the memories of his brothers, his mother, the love and loyalty that had once burned brightly within him. *I will not let you win,* he thought fiercely.

But it was too late. With a brutal swing, Billy brought the spiked club crashing down, and Lu Zheng felt the impact reverberate through his skull, a blinding pain exploding at the point of contact. The world around him faded into a haze, the faces of the crowd blurring as darkness encroached on his vision.

Billy showed no mercy, continuing the assault without hesitation, each strike a testament to his cruelty. Lu Zheng's body crumpled beneath the relentless assault, the crushing blows shattering his resolve and his very being. The sound of cracking bone filled the air, mingling with the jeers of the onlookers, who reveled in his suffering.

As the final blow landed, Lu Zheng felt something give way within him, a profound silence enveloping his mind. In those fleeting moments, he experienced a strange clarity, as if time had paused to allow him a glimpse of the life he had lost. The laughter of his brothers, the warmth of his mother's embrace, the camaraderie of the clan—each memory flickered like a dying flame.

But then, everything shattered. The pain became unbearable, a crescendo of agony that washed over him, and as Billy continued to strike, Lu Zheng felt his consciousness slipping away. He could hear the cruel laughter of the crowd, the satisfaction in Billy's voice as he proclaimed victory over the broken warrior.

In a final act of defiance, Lu Zheng's thoughts turned inward. *I may fall here, but my spirit will not be extinguished. I will haunt you, Billy Killer. You will never know peace for the lives you've taken.*

And then, darkness enveloped him completely. The world faded away, and with it, the pain, the anger, and the betrayal. Lu Zheng's last breath escaped his lips, a silent farewell to the life he had once known.

In that moment, he became a ghost of his former self, forever etched in the annals of the Azure Tide Clan—a warrior who had fought valiantly against the tide of darkness, even in the face of insurmountable odds. Though he had fallen, his legacy would live on, a reminder of the cost of betrayal and the enduring spirit of those who dared to dream of vengeance.

Billy Killer stood victorious, a grim smile on his face, having extinguished the light of another warrior. But in his heart, he knew that darkness would never truly triumph; it would only breed more darkness, and one day, the shadows would rise again.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the forest floor, Lu Zheng felt a flicker of hope. He had narrowly escaped the clutches of the Vlp community, his heart racing with the prospect of confronting Billy Killer. He had trained for this moment, prepared to face the man who had brought devastation to his clan and pain to his life.

But as he crept deeper into the woods, the atmosphere grew tense. He could sense danger lurking in the shadows, a feeling that gnawed at him as he pressed on. He steeled himself, recalling the faces of his brothers and the memories of their shared laughter. *This is for them,* he thought, determination igniting within him.

Suddenly, a figure emerged from the shadows—Lunara Vex. Her presence sent a jolt of confusion through him. He had trusted her, believed she would stand by his side. But as he looked into her eyes, he saw a coldness that pierced through his heart.

"Lunara," he called out, disbelief coloring his voice. "What are you doing here?"

She smirked, a cruel twist on her lips that sent a chill down his spine. "Did you really think it would be that easy? You were always so naive, Lu Zheng. The Rabbit has plans, and you're not part of them."

Before he could react, she lunged at him, swift and precise. Lu Zheng barely had time to draw his weapon as they clashed in a flurry of movement. Each strike was met with fierce resistance, their past camaraderie now twisted into an intense battle. He fought with all his strength, desperation fueling his every movement.

*This can't be happening,* he thought, the betrayal cutting deeper than any physical wound. He had believed she would support him, yet here she was, fighting against him with the ferocity of an enemy. Their blades clashed, and the sound of metal ringing filled the air, a haunting reminder of what they once shared.

But as the fight intensified, Lu Zheng felt the tide of battle shifting. Lunara was relentless, her movements precise and calculated, and he could sense the darkness that had enveloped her. He struggled against her blows, trying to find an opening, but she was a formidable opponent.

Just as he thought he might gain the upper hand, he felt an overwhelming force behind him—a presence he recognized all too well. In that split second, he turned, but it was too late. Billy Killer emerged from the shadows, a sinister grin plastered across his face, brandishing his spiked club.

"No!" Lu Zheng shouted, panic surging through him as he realized the danger he was in. He had been so focused on fighting Lunara that he hadn't sensed the very real threat behind him.

With a swift and brutal motion, Billy swung his thorn stick, the spiked end crashing down with devastating force. The blow struck Lu Zheng squarely on the back of his head, pain exploding through his body like wildfire. Everything went dark as he crumpled to the ground, the world spinning away from him.

As consciousness slipped from his grasp, the last thing he heard was the taunting laughter of Billy Killer and the chilling silence from Lunara. The betrayal felt like a weight crushing his spirit, and in that moment of darkness, he felt utterly alone.

When he finally awoke, it was to the cold reality of captivity. The realization that he had been betrayed by someone he had once trusted cut deeper than any physical pain. Lu Zheng lay there, bound and defeated, the flicker of hope extinguished. The fight he had envisioned against Billy Killer had been stolen from him, replaced by the cruel reality of his circumstances.

But even in the depths of despair, a fire smoldered within him. He would not let this end his story. The faces of his brothers flickered in his mind, their laughter urging him onward. He would find a way to escape, to reclaim his destiny, and to bring justice to those who had wronged him—even if his path was shrouded in darkness.

As he lay in the shadows, he began to plot his next move, determined to rise again, to confront Billy Killer, and to seek vengeance for the betrayal that had led him here. The fight was far from over, and Lu Zheng would not go quietly into the night.