8

Shadows of Revenge

The head guard's anxiety mounted as he rushed Zheng Shuang, gravely wounded, to the infirmary. Panic gripped the air, and he hurried to the main hall to announce the crisis that had befallen the Fire Sect.

Meanwhile, Zheng Shuang lay unconscious, her world fading to black. The physician, upon witnessing her awakening, felt a fleeting moment of hope before collapsing, succumbing to the aftermath of the chaos that surrounded him.

Unbeknownst to all, it was Xiao Lin who had crafted the illusion of Zheng Shuang. As he reveled in the ease of his deception, a sinister smile crossed his lips. It's easier than I thought. Now, let the slaughter begin from within. With a whisper, he activated his illusion skill, plunging the area into darkness.

Panic erupted within the Fire Sect, but moments later, an eerie calm returned. The elders, alerted by the tumult, rushed towards the infirmary, their expressions a mix of fear and urgency. The sect leader, upon entering, was met with a horrifying sight: his beloved daughter lay bloodied and unconscious. Overwhelmed by grief, he knelt by her bedside, tears streaming down his face, only to feel a sharp pain in his back as a sword pierced his heart.

As he struggled against the anguish, the illusion shattered, revealing the grim reality. Where his daughter once lay was now only darkness, the only company being the lifeless bodies of physicians strewn about. Confusion clouded his mind as he turned to face Xiao Lin.

"You needn't search for her," Xiao Lin taunted, his voice cold and steady. "She perished in the forest. Now, it's your turn."

With a swift motion, Xiao Lin severed the sect leader's head from his shoulders, an act of retribution that echoed through the halls. "Now only the disciples remain," he declared, as shadows danced around him.

Utilizing his illusions, Xiao Lin set about eliminating the remaining disciples one by one, their desperate attempts to flee thwarted by the disorienting darkness. It would take time for others who had left the Fire Sect to return and discover the aftermath of his wrath.

Meanwhile, a group of disciples, unaware of the horrors that had unfolded, approached the sect gate, their hearts heavy with guilt over Zheng Shuang's fate.

"We should have stayed by her side; this tragedy wouldn't have happened," one lamented.

"We followed orders; we did nothing wrong," another countered defensively.

"Who told her to provoke someone she couldn't handle?" a third chimed in.

An uneasy silence enveloped them as they reached the gate, only to find it eerily unguarded.

"Where are the guards?" one asked, scanning the surroundings. "Did they abandon their posts?"

"There they are," another pointed, but confusion washed over them as they noted the guards standing lifeless, as if caught in a moment frozen in time.

A sense of dread gripped one disciple. "Something is wrong here. The atmosphere feels...off."

But before he could voice his concern, his words were cut short as his body was brutally cleaved in two, thrust into the harsh reality of blood and carnage.

Xiao Lin, observing the chaos unfold, mused, "Should I wait for those who went investigating? They'll return soon after hearing of Zheng Shuang's death."

With a flick of his wrist, he invoked the system within him. "Sign in."

System: Evil Dragon Fire Control Technique has been obtained. Do you wish to accept?

"Accept," Xiao Lin replied, feeling a surge of power coursing through his veins, his blood igniting with the ancient knowledge of the technique.

As the acceptance concluded, he glanced around, contemplating his next move. The stench of death was overwhelming. He ignited the remains of the bodies, incinerating them to erase any trace of his presence. For two weeks, he ensured that every disciple met a similar fate, leaving nothing but ash and whispers of vengeance.

Before departing, he left behind a chilling reminder: "Revenge is eternal."

Turning his attention to the branch families of the Fire Sect, Xiao Lin wielded his sword with a brutal efficiency, savoring each moment as he let them experience the agony his wife had endured. Another two weeks passed in relentless pursuit, during which he encountered investigators from rival sects who dared to intervene. Xiao Lin silenced them without a second thought, his heart a cold void.

After an exhaustive series of confrontations, he took a brief respite to tend to his injuries, reflecting on the toll of his vengeance. His next target loomed in the distance: the Evil Sect, notorious for their heinous practices of blood magic.

Xiao Lin journeyed for a week, driven by the thirst for revenge. Upon arriving at the Evil Sect, the scent of blood wafted through the air like a shroud. He witnessed a procession of chained prisoners, their faces twisted in fear as they were led to their doom.

With deft skill, he replaced himself with one of the captives, blending into their ranks unnoticed. The Evil Sect was preparing for a dark ceremony, eager to bathe their blood pool in the essence of the sacrificed. As he stood in line, the sect leader emerged, a sinister smile plastered on his face, reveling in the impending slaughter.

When his turn came, Xiao Lin strode forward, but instead of meeting his demise, he unsheathed his katana and drove it into the sect leader's heart, his shocked expression a final testament to his folly.

Chaos erupted as the cultists turned to face their fallen leader, fury and confusion mingling in their eyes. But Xiao Lin was already among them, a whirlwind of destruction, wielding his sword with deadly precision.

As the last of the Evil Sect fell before him, he raised his blade and declared, "Sign in."

System: Host has obtained Evil Blood Shield Technique.

Knowledge flooded his mind, augmenting his power as he prepared to leave a mark on the world. "Revenge will be paid with blood," he etched into the remnants of the sect.

As he turned to exit, a hand caught his leg, a desperate grasp from a dying disciple. "You will die here with me, ha ha ha ha," the man gasped, delirious.

Xiao Lin swiftly severed the hand, narrowly escaping as the blood pool exploded, sending shockwaves that obliterated everything within a five-kilometer radius. In the aftermath, a dark red egg emerged from the ruins, cracking open to reveal a battered but alive Xiao Lin.

"This was unexpected," he muttered, adrenaline surging through him. "I must leave quickly to avoid the inevitable arrival of other families."

Summoning every ounce of strength, he sprinted away, his heart pounding as the echoes of destruction faded behind him.

Minutes later, members of other sects arrived, only to find the once-mighty Evil Sect reduced to a barren wasteland. News of the obliteration spread across the nation, stirring unrest among the families of Meng.

Among those reveling in the chaos were members of the Demon Sect, long in hiding after their betrayal by the Evil Sect. For them, this was a long-awaited reckoning.

As Xiao Lin nursed his wounds, he contemplated his next moves. "I was careless; it nearly cost me everything. If not for the Evil Blood Shield, I would have faced capture by the other families. Luck may be on my side this time, but I can't afford to be complacent."

"My next target is the Soul Sect. Their puppets pose a significant challenge. I must locate the puppeteer and eliminate him before he can escape."

With a resolute spirit, Xiao Lin prepared for the battles ahead.

As twilight descended, he made his way to the nearest town, seeking refuge in an inn after days spent sleeping in the wild. The streets buzzed with life, vendors hawking their wares while laughter filled the air. But beneath the vibrant facade, shadows loomed.

Just as he settled into the rhythm of the crowd, a child attempted to snatch his money pouch. With reflexes honed by danger, Xiao Lin deflected the thief's hand and turned to confront the would-be robber—a scrawny boy with desperation etched on his face.

Intrigued by the child's plight, Xiao Lin followed him into a nearby alley. There, he discovered the boy, Tang San, living in dire circumstances. His mother lay bedridden from injuries inflicted by a noble family, and the family's meager savings had been depleted. In his struggle to support his family, Tang San had resorted to theft.

Realizing the depth of their suffering, Xiao Lin made a decision. He left behind a pouch filled with money, along with a note urging them to be cautious. Then, he arranged for the local inn to deliver food to the Tang family for the next two years, ensuring they would not go hungry.

The innkeeper, thrilled at the lucrative arrangement, asked how to explain the daily deliveries.

"Tell them this is a reward for their determination," Xiao Lin replied before retreating to another inn for a much-needed night's rest.

As he lay in bed, the weight of his choices settled on him, but for now, he allowed himself a moment of peace. The path of revenge was fraught with peril, yet amidst the darkness, he had glimpsed the light of compassion—an unexpected revelation that stirred something within him.

Tomorrow, the hunt would continue. But tonight, for the first time in a long while, he would sleep without the haunting memories of bloodshed.