The Shadow Executioner's Return

The Aftermath of Battle

The dense jungle stretched endlessly, shrouded in mist. The air was damp, carrying the scent of moss and ancient trees that had stood for centuries. Birds cawed in the distance, their cries blending with the soft rustling of leaves as a gentle breeze passed through. Deep within, hidden beneath the roots of an ancient oak, Su Dao sat cross-legged on a stone, his breath slow and steady despite the blood still seeping from his wounds. His once-pristine black robe was torn, revealing deep gashes across his arms and chest.

He had won against Liang Zhenhai, but the price was steep. His body was at its limit, and he needed time to recover. But he knew time was a luxury he didn't have.

Nearby, a jade pendant lay on the ground, faintly glowing under the moonlight. It carried a simple message—"In one week, I will return to Liang City."

Panic in the Liang Family

When Liang family members arrived at the battlefield, all they found were the shattered remains of their high elder. Blood soaked the rocks, and the lingering energy of the battle was still thick in the air. A group of cultivators stood in stunned silence, their faces pale.

"A single man… killed High Elder Zhenhai?" one of them muttered.

"Not just that," another whispered, picking up the jade pendant. "He left a message. He's coming back."

Fear spread through the Liang family like wildfire. Their strongest cultivator was dead, and now the one who had slaughtered them all was returning. The family head, Liang Xuan, clenched his fists. He had no choice—he needed help.

Messengers were sent to every major family in Tianhe City, begging for assistance. Even the prestigious Begha Sect was approached. Though reluctant, Begha Sect finally agreed, sending two elders and five disciples to reinforce the Liang family.

Among them was Mei Ling.

Mei Ling's Dilemma

Mei Ling sat in her chamber, staring at the flickering candlelight. She had once believed Su Dao could be saved, that his actions were simply out of youthful recklessness. She thought a firm hand could correct his ways, that with the right discipline, he could return to the righteous path.

But now, hearing about the massacre, she was shaken.

"I only wanted to punish him… not to see him hunted like a beast," she whispered.

When she tried to warn him, to find him, the elders of Begha Sect locked her away. They feared she would betray their mission. Furious and heartbroken, she had escaped in the dead of night, but by the time she reached the jungle, Su Dao was already gone.

Su Dai's Grief

Meanwhile, at Begha Sect, Su Dai stood before the vast horizon, looking toward Liang City. His heart was heavy, his expression unreadable.

"Why, Su Dao?" he muttered, his hands clenched. "You were intelligent, cunning… You could have ruled the world with your mind alone. Why walk this bloody path?"

A single tear rolled down his cheek, but he quickly wiped it away.

"I have to stop you before you become a true demon."

Liang City

The streets of Liang City buzzed with tension. Warriors patrolled the walls, their hands gripping their weapons tightly. Two Begha Sect Elders stood at the front gates, their faces solemn. Five disciples accompanied them, including Mei Ling, who remained silent.

Among them was Zhou Feng, a young cultivator with a handsome face and an arrogant smirk. He constantly pestered Mei Ling, trying to gain her favor.

"Mei Ling, why are you so cold?" Zhou Feng chuckled, stepping closer to her. "Don't tell me you still think about that murderer? A man like Su Dao—"

She ignored him entirely, her gaze distant.

Zhou Feng gritted his teeth in annoyance but backed away.

That night, Mei Ling walked alone to the cliffs outside Liang City.

The Cliffside of Regret

A stunning waterfall cascaded down jagged rocks, its silver flow shimmering under the moonlight. The water below formed a tranquil pond, its surface reflecting the stars. Fireflies danced along the edges, their golden glow like tiny lanterns in the night. The gentle rustling of leaves and the distant calls of night birds filled the air.

Standing at the edge, Mei Ling wept.

Her tears fell into the pond below, merging with the endless ripples. She closed her eyes and whispered softly:

"Oh, my dear Su Dao…

I thought you could be tamed,

That I could shape your destiny,

But the heavens carved your fate in blood."

"Once, I thought my hands could guide you,

Now, they reach for a ghost."

"I was foolish to believe in light,

When you were born from shadows."

"Yet even now, in the stillness of night,

I wonder—

Was there ever a moment, a single breath,

When I could have held you back?"

The wind carried her voice into the vast night. But there was no answer. Only the endless whisper of the waterfall, flowing like time itself, beyond anyone's control.

The Gathering Storm

The sky was painted in hues of crimson as the sun dipped beyond the horizon. A chilling wind whispered through the towering buildings of the market, rustling the traders' goods as they prepared to close for the day. The scent of roasted meat and medicinal herbs filled the air, blending with the murmurs of merchants bargaining with customers.

Amidst the bustling crowd, Su Dao moved like a shadow, his black robes billowing slightly with each step. His sharp gaze flickered beneath his hood as he listened to the conversations around him.

"Have you heard? The Liang family has called for aid from the Begha Sect," a man said in a hushed yet excited tone.

"Yes! I heard they sent two elders and five disciples," another chimed in. "Some of those disciples are at the tenth level of Soul Understanding, and the elders are early Core Formation cultivators."

"If that's true, then whoever is targeting the Liang family is doomed," a third voice added, laughing. "But what does it matter to us? It's not our problem."

Su Dao's eyes narrowed beneath his hood. So, the Liang family isn't just waiting for their doom. They've called for reinforcements. He had expected resistance, but a direct intervention from the Begha Sect complicated things.

Without hesitation, he turned and entered a small shop, selecting a black mask from a dusty wooden shelf. He tossed a few silver coins onto the counter, not waiting for change as he secured the mask over his face. If the world feared the Shadow Executioner, then I shall be its nightmare.

With that, he left the market and soared into the sky, heading straight for the Liang family's estate.

---

The Siege Begins

Twenty minutes later, Su Dao arrived at the Liang family's grand estate, its walls towering over the city like a fortress. A translucent barrier pulsed around it—a protective shield reinforced with second-tier spirit stones.

Su Dao's lips curled. "A mere formation dares to stand in my way?"

Summoning his Qi, his right palm radiated a golden glow as he executed Dharma Palm. A vast energy wave surged forward, colliding with the protective shield. The impact sent shockwaves rippling through the air, shaking the earth as if a great beast had awakened. The barrier shattered with a deafening crack, unleashing an earthquake-like tremor.

Panic spread within the estate as Liang family cultivators rushed out, weapons drawn, their expressions a mixture of shock and fear.

"An intruder!" one of them screamed.

Su Dao moved like a phantom, his sword slicing through the air. With a single swing, a dozen cultivators fell lifeless to the ground. Their blood stained the courtyard, pooling beneath the moonlight.

The head of the Liang family staggered forward, his face pale. "S-Senior! Why are you attacking us? We have no enmity with you!"

Su Dao stepped forward, his voice cold as winter. "You don't remember me? I am the one you tried to erase. I am Shadow Executioner!"

The family head's eyes widened in horror. "No… It can't be…" He stumbled backward, screaming, "Elders! Help me!"

From the main hall, two figures in flowing robes emerged—Elder Bai Jian and Elder Yun Cheng of the Begha Sect. Behind them stood five disciples, their expressions calm yet alert. Among them, Mei Ling's gaze wavered as she saw the masked figure before her.

"Begha Sect has no reason to interfere in my vengeance," Su Dao stated, his voice emotionless.

Elder Bai Jian scoffed. "Arrogant fool! Do you think you can slaughter an entire family and leave unscathed?" He turned to the disciples. "Form the Five Elements Binding Formation!"

The disciples moved in unison, their Qi intertwining as glowing sigils formed beneath their feet. A golden cage of energy materialized around Su Dao, its walls tightening as if the heavens themselves sought to bind him.

Su Dao smirked. "A mere formation?"

Before they could react, he lunged. In a blur, his hand closed around one disciple's throat, and with a sickening crunch, he snapped his neck.

"Break formation!" one disciple shouted in terror.

Too late. Su Dao's sword flashed, and another disciple fell, his chest split open.

A surge of energy erupted behind him—Mei Ling, wielding a jade sword, slashed toward him.

He sidestepped effortlessly, catching her wrist.

She gasped. "You—"

At that moment, Elder Yun Cheng charged, his fist glowing with condensed Qi. As their attacks collided, Su Dao's mask cracked and shattered, revealing his face.

The world seemed to stop.

Mei Ling froze, her breath hitching. "S-Su Dao…?"

Her sword trembled in her grip, and tears welled in her eyes. "Why? Why have you become this…?"

Su Dao's gaze was unreadable. "I expected betrayal. I expected deceit. But I never expected it from you."

Mei Ling stepped forward, desperation in her voice. "I never wanted this—I never wanted you to suffer like this! If I had known—"

Su Dao chuckled, his laughter devoid of warmth. "Do you remember the words of a man wiser than both of us?" He took a step forward, his voice steady.

"You say you love a flower, but you pluck it. You say you love the rain, but you shield yourself from it. You say you love me…"

His gaze hardened.

"Yet you let them break me."

Mei Ling's vision blurred with tears. "Su Dao, please—"

Su Dao's fingers tightened around his sword. "It's too late for regrets."

As the battle raged on, the sky above Liang family turned crimson, as if the heavens themselves wept for what was to come.