The Killer, Betrayal

Jo Yuan stood in the bustling market, holding a bag of coins tightly. He had saved up for months just for this moment. His eyes scanned the various stalls until he found the one selling formation materials. His heart raced as he approached, knowing this was his only chance.

"These will do," Jo Yuan said, pointing at the glowing stones, rare powders, and jade symbols. The vendor eyed him carefully, noticing the desperation in his voice.

"That'll be 500 silver," the vendor said, holding out his hand. Jo Yuan hesitated. It was nearly everything he had. With a shaky breath, he handed over the money. He couldn't afford to fail this time. Not again.

With the materials in hand, Jo Yuan rushed to the mayor's manor. The sun was setting as he secretly laid the formation pieces in hidden corners of the manor grounds. Sweat dripped from his forehead as he carefully placed each item, making sure it was perfect.

...

Late into the night, Jo Yuan slipped into the manor. The halls were quiet, but his heart pounded loudly in his chest. He made his way to the library where the jade slip was kept, the one that held ancient knowledge about formations. The jade slip was guarded by a powerful formation. Jo Yuan's hands shook as he started breaking it down. He had studied formations for many lifetimes, but this one was different—complex, dangerous as always.

"Come on... come on," he whispered to himself, his fingers tracing the lines of power within the formation. After what felt like hours, the formation cracked. A wave of relief washed over him as he grabbed the jade slip and quickly memorized the secrets inside. He had done it again. This time, a lot fsster than last regression.

...

As Jo Yuan turned to leave, he froze. His breath caught in his throat. Standing in the doorway was Master Feng—the man who had taught him for years. But something was wrong. Jo Yuan's memories from his last regression hit him like a punch in the gut. It was Master Feng... he had killed him with a gun.

"Master Feng... why?" Jo Yuan's voice was weak, filled with hurt and confusion.

Master Feng's face twisted into a cold smile. "You're wondering why I'm here? To kill you..." he said slowly. "The mayor offered rewarded me of riches, power, all in exchange for telling them about your plan. But that's not all, My dear disciple. Your talent... it disgusts me. You're mediocre. I trained you for years, and yet you struggle like a child."

Jo Yuan's heart shattered. His master, the man he trusted most, had betrayed him not just for greed, but out of pure disdain. Rage burned inside him, hotter than any fire he had ever felt.

A maddened smile appeared on Jo Yuan's face. "Well, I don't have a plan to escape in the first place!"

Without thinking, Jo Yuan's anger took over. He activated the formation he had set up around the manor earlier. A low hum filled the air as the ground beneath them began to shake.

"Jo Yuan, what have you—" Master Feng started to say, but it was too late. The formation exploded with a deafening roar. Flames and rubble consumed everything. The walls of the manor crumbled, and the sky turned red from the force of the blast.

Jo Yuan didn't care anymore. If he was going to die, he was taking Master Feng and everyone in the manor with him. The last thing he saw was the look of shock on Master Feng's face before the world went dark.

...

Jo Yuan gasped, his eyes snapping open. He wasn't in the manor anymore. He was lying under the familiar shade of a large tree. The sky was clear, the air fresh. His hands were young again. He looked down and realized he was 18 once more.

"Fortunately, I've memorize the contents pf the jade slip this time," he whispered, his voice shaking. After all, he merely glance at it last time before he was shot.

Tears welled up in his eyes. He had returned to the starting point, the same spot where every regression began.