Chapter 52: Forces of Evil

The last of the Zhen clan's warriors crumpled to the earth, their bodies strewn across the bloodied grass like fallen leaves in autumn. Li Wei stood amidst the carnage, his sword still humming with residual energy, its edge glistening crimson under the pale moonlight. Yet, there was no triumph in his eyes—only a cold, simmering unease.

"Too easy," he muttered, flicking a stray droplet of blood from his knuckle. "These weren't warriors. They were sacrifices."

Nearby, Leng Yue hummed a soft, lilting tune as she wiped her sword clean with a grey handkerchief. The contrast was striking—the delicate maiden, her robes unstained, her movements graceful, as if she hadn't just painted the field in scarlet. She tilted her head, sensing Li Wei's discomfort.

"You think this was a diversion?" she asked, her voice as light as the breeze. Leng Yue possessed wisdom well beyond her years; she was well aware that this feeble force could not possibly be the strongest members of the Zhou clan and were probably just low-ranked retainers.

Li Wei exhaled sharply. "A distraction. The real fight hasn't even begun." The qi around his body grew more forceful, not sated by the previous bouts, while Leng Yue also felt that the lackluster capabilities of their opponents were slightly lacking.

'What are you planning, geezer?' His gaze drifted toward the distant silhouette of the Zhou residence, where shadows seemed to writhe unnaturally against the lantern light. Something foul was brewing, and he intended to meet it head-on.

Deep within the Zhou clan's sanctuary, the air was thick with the scent of burning incense and something far more sinister—a metallic tang, like old blood and decay. Patriarch Zhou Mu stood before his remaining warriors, his expression serene, his eyes betraying nothing.

The men shifted uneasily. They had heard the whispers—the rumors of forbidden arts being researched beneath the clan, of the dark alchemy that twisted flesh and soul. Yet none dared voice their fears. Not when their patriarch's gaze held the weight of a coming storm.

"Three of you," Zhou Mu said at last, his voice smooth as poisoned honey, "step forward." He pointed at the three that stood at the front of the group, clearly unwilling to waste time on pleasantries.

The three warriors obeyed, their steps hesitant. In his palm, the patriarch revealed three black pills, their surfaces glistening with an unnatural sheen. A foul stench faintly radiated from his hand, clearly originating from the pills.

"Swallow them," he commanded.

One man, bolder than the rest, swallowed hard. "Elder Zhou, what—?" The man had been serving the Zhou clan since childhood but had never even spoken to the patriarch directly, let alone contradicted him. However, there was something about Zhou Mu's behavior that troubled him greatly. He felt that not speaking at this very moment would prove to be a grave mistake.

"Do you dare question me?" The patriarch's voice was a blade wrapped in silk. The subordinate was not in a position where his wishes mattered; evidently, the Zhou clan patriarch was not going to listen to the pleas of his subject.

The trio exchanged glances before reluctantly consuming the pills.

For a moment—silence.

Then—

A scream.

The first warrior convulsed, his veins bulging black beneath his skin. Yin energy erupted from his body like a living shadow, coiling around him like a second skin. His comrades recoiled, but it was too late.

The transformed warrior lashed out, his movements no longer human—blurring, twisting, his fingers elongating into clawed talons. The other two followed suit, their howls no longer mortal, but something… other.

Panic erupted. Men scrambled back, swords drawn, but the creatures moved faster—far faster. Blood sprayed. Bones snapped.

And through it all, Zhou Mu watched, his lips curling into a smile.

By the time the remaining warriors realized their patriarch had vanished, the heavy stone doors of the sanctuary slammed shut, sealing them inside with the abominations.

From the shadows beyond, Zhou Mu's laughter echoed—a sound devoid of humanity, his pupils now burning with a hellish crimson glow.

"Fools," he murmured, flexing his fingers as dark energy crackled around them. "The Zhen clan thought these pills were mere tools. They never considered the cost."

As the chaos within the Zhou clan's sanctuary intensified, Li Wei and Leng Yue stood outside, their senses heightened. The air seemed to thicken with an ominous energy, and the shadows around them appeared to twist and writhe like living things. Li Wei's grip on his sword tightened, his eyes fixed intently on the Zhou residence.

"We need to get inside," he said, his voice low and urgent. "Whatever is happening in there, it's not going to wait for us."

Leng Yue nodded, her eyes gleaming with a mixture of curiosity and caution. "Let's proceed with care. We don't know what we're facing."

Together, they moved stealthily toward the entrance of the sanctuary. The heavy Metal doors were sealed, but Li Wei could sense abnormal Qi fluctuation beyond them. He raised his hand, and with a swift motion, he struck the doors with his sword. The impact sent shockwaves through the metal, but the doors did not budge.

"It seems we need another way in," Leng Yue observed, her gaze scanning the perimeter of the building. "They haven't just barricaded themselves, they even placed talismans on the entrances."

Li Wei nodded, his mind churning. "There must be another entrance. Let's find it before it's too late." He hadn't been in this plane for a long period of time, but even he could sense the uneasy atmosphere.

As they circled around the sanctuary, the sounds of screams and clashing steel grew louder. The darkness seemed to press in around them, filled with unseen dangers. Suddenly, a figure emerged from the shadows—a young servant, his face pale and his eyes wide with fear.

"Please," he whispered, grabbing Li Wei's arm. "You have to stop them. Whatever they've become, they're not human anymore." the man was clearly out of breath, which left him gasping for air as he continued his explanation, "They came out of nowhere, but i saw a horde of them go through the hidden passageway."

Li Wei's expression hardened. "Where is this hidden entrance?" The cold stare of the young master caused the flustered servant to let go of his arm, while doing his best to explain the situation.

The servant pointed toward a nearby hallway. "Follow that path. It leads to a secret chamber. But be warned, whatever is inside... it's not of this world."

With those words, the servant turned and fled into the night, leaving Li Wei and Leng Yue to face the horrors that awaited them within the Zhou clan's sanctuary.

As they made their way through the hall, the air grew colder, and the shadows seemed to dim. They found the secret door, hidden behind a tapestry of portrait's depicting the previous clan head's. Li Wei pushed it open, revealing a narrow stairway that descended into darkness.

"Ready?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Leng Yue nodded, her sword at the ready. Together, they stepped into the unknown, the darkness swallowing them whole.

Down in the depths of the sanctuary, they found themselves in a labyrinth of twisted corridors and chambers. The walls were adorned with ancient symbols, pulsing with a malevolent energy. The air was heavy with the scent of incense and decay, and the sound of screams echoed through the halls.

Li Wei and Leng Yue moved swiftly, their senses on high alert. They encountered the transformed warriors, their bodies twisted by Yin properties . The creatures were fast and deadly, but Li Wei and Leng Yue fought with precision and power, their movements a testament to their highly advanced martial arts.

"This man was demented..." As they delved deeper into the sanctuary, Li Wei began to uncover the unthinkable horrors of the Zhou clan's forbidden arts. The discovered chambers filled with ancient texts and strange artifacts, all hinting at a dark and sinister purpose. 

"This must be the reason for the dense Yin energy." Leng Yue was also shaken by this pagan practices, which clearly glorified the barbaric and vile practice of draining the life force of other living beings to strengthen oneself. "Such heretics would have been strung up and burnt in our world..."

Finally, they reached the heart of the sanctuary—a grand chamber filled with dark energy and imposing jade pillars. In the center of the room stood Zhou Mu, his eyes blazing with an otherworldly power.

"So, you've made it," he said, his voice dripping with malice. "I've been expecting you. You see, I've transcended the limitations of mortal men. And soon, I will unleash my true power upon the world."