Baihu Kingdom (2)

The villagers stood frozen, their eyes filled with disbelief and awe.

The once terrifying, undefeated bandit leader had been defeated in a single strike.

Whispers spread among them like wildfire.

"Who… who is this young master?"

"Did you see that? He took down that monster with just his palm!"

Even the remaining bandits were left in a daze, unable to process what had just happened. Their so-called invincible leader was now a crippled heap on the ground, writhing in pain.

Ma Jeong ignored their murmurs and took a step forward, his sharp gaze locked onto the fallen bandit leader.

"Now," his voice was calm but carried an undeniable authority, "tell me—where did you learn this so-called divine technique?"

His words, though casual, carried an undeniable weight, making the bandit leader shudder involuntarily.

Even though the technique the bandit leader had used was of the lowest tier, it was still a divine technique—something that shouldn't be in the hands of a mere bandit.

In the cultivation world, wealth might come and go, but divine techniques were eternal. Their worth was immeasurable.

The bandit leader's face twisted in bitter despair.

He knew—he had truly run out of luck.

To cross paths with such a powerful cultivator… there was no way out.

Forced into a corner, the bandit name had no choice but to spill everything. His name was Zhu Xiao.

His voice trembled as he began recounting his past, "I was just a normal man once… My parents were killed in a battle between cultivators. After their deaths, I—"

"I'm not interested in your life story."

Ma Jeong's cold, indifferent tone cut through the air like a blade.

"Just get to the point."

Zhu Xiao shuddered, his breath hitching. He immediately skipped ahead, not daring to test Ma Jeong's patience any further.

"A year ago… a pair of cultivators came to me."

He clenched his fists, recalling the encounter.

"At first, I was hostile towards them. But then they told me they could help me take revenge. They gave me pills and even helped me form my dantian. After that… they handed me a divine technique."

Zhu Xiao swallowed hard before continuing, "In return, they only had one request—to create chaos in this region."

His eyes darkened.

"So after I took revenge on those who wronged me… I became a bandit. I plundered, I destroyed, and I killed. That way, I could carry out their orders and fill my own pockets at the same time."

Ma Jeong narrowed his eyes.

"They selflessly teach others divine techniques… with only a simple demand: to create chaos."

"Looks like there's an organization behind this."

"Wi Soyeon, what do you think about this?"

Ma Jeong's gaze remained steady, locked onto the golden-haired figure gracefully descending from the sky.

His tone carried a hidden meaning as he spoke.

The crowd turned to look at Wi Soyeon, their eyes widening in astonishment.

For a brief moment, silence filled the air.

She was too beautiful.

A celestial radiance seemed to surround her, making it impossible to look away.

But the villagers quickly lowered their heads, their awe turning to fear.

They were mere mortals. Offending a cultivator, even by accident, could cost them their lives.

Wi Soyeon's expression remained calm, but her eyes flickered with thought.

"I have no idea, my lord."

Her voice was steady, but Ma Jeong sighed in disappointment.

Without another word, he raised his hand and placed it on Zhu Xiao's head.

A formless pressure spread through the air.

Ma Jeong's divine sense pierced into Zhu Xiao's soul.

And, he began searching through his memories.

Zhu Xiao's face twisted in agony, his body trembling as his eyes rolled back. It felt as though his brain was being drained of its very essence.

Ma Jeong's focus deepened, his divine sense reaching into the depths of Zhu Xiao's mind. For a brief moment, he caught a glimpse of two figures in red robes, standing before Zhu Xiao. One extended a hand to teach him techniques.

But before Ma Jeong could see more, the vision abruptly faded into darkness.

Suddenly, with a loud thud, Zhu Xiao collapsed to the ground, lifeless.

Ma Jeong stood up, his expression unwavering.

"Let's go," he said, his voice calm and firm.

With a simple snap of her fingers, Wi Soyeon unleashed her power.

Flames erupted, engulfing the remaining bandits. Their screams echoed through the village as the searing fire consumed them.

The bandits' eyes widened in terror as the flames consumed them. The heat scorched their skin, and within seconds, they were reduced to nothing but ashes.

The villagers watched in stunned silence, their mouths hanging open in awe. They had never witnessed such divine power before.

Ma Jeong gave a slight nod to Wi Soyeon, and without another word, the two of them ascended into the sky, leaving the villagers behind.

As they soared higher, the villagers below began to pray and give thanks for the mercy shown to them.

Though the encounter had delayed their journey, it wasn't without merit. They had gained valuable information.

******

Baihu Kingdom 

Imperial Court

In the grand court of the Baihu Kingdom, the emperor sat upon his dragon throne, his regal dragon robe flowing around him. His aged face, marked with deep lines of time, held an expression of great gravity. His tired eyes scanned through the petitions presented by his ministers, his brows furrowed deeply in thought.

The civil and military officials stood in silence, their heads lowered, as the oppressive atmosphere filled the room.

After what seemed like an eternity, the silence was broken by a heavy sigh.

The Baihu Emperor tossed the petition aside with a weary hand, rubbing his temples in frustration. His voice, tinged with bitterness, broke the quiet.

"Was it wrong for us to help, Lady Wi?" he muttered, his words laced with regret.

The death toll mentioned in the petition was staggering, casting a heavy shadow over the court. The Baihu Emperor's eyes lingered on the report, the numbers grim and alarming.

No one could say for certain when it had started, but many of them suspected that it all began after the Baihu Kingdom offered shelter to Wi Soyeon.

Although they had no concrete proof, the whispers around the palace suggested that the Demonic Cult had learned of Wi Soyeon's presence and was now punishing them for it.

The emperor had taken swift action, requesting that Lady Wi leave, and then ordered the destruction of all evidence linking her to the kingdom. To cover their tracks further, all the servants who knew of her stay were also silenced. Only the emperor's most trusted aides were in the know.

One of the ministers, sensing the emperor's despair, spoke up with fervour. "No, your Majesty, Lady Wi is the only one capable of leading the Demonic Cult. Though she has fallen, she will rise again. She is said to be a once-in-a-thousand-years genius. When she does, our kingdom will benefit."

His words were filled with logic and passion, but in truth, he was just one of many who admired Wi Soyeon from afar.

The Baihu Emperor let out a sigh, his expression filled with a bitter smile. "I hope you are correct," he murmured, disappointment evident in his eyes as he rubbed his temples.

It was around this time,

"Father! Father!"

A sweet, bell-like voice echoed through the grand hall.

Suddenly, the heavy atmosphere was interrupted as a little girl, no more than ten years old, ran into the court. Her delicate skin was as fair as jade, and her bright, lively eyes hinted at the breathtaking beauty she would one day grow into.

"Ling'er, what's wrong?" The Baihu Emperor's stern expression softened in confusion.

This was his most beloved daughter. If it had been anyone else barging into the court so recklessly, they would have lost their head on the spot.

"Nothing, Father. I just missed you," she said sweetly, snuggling into the fabric of his dragon robe.

"Hahaha, is that so? Come here, then," the Baihu Emperor chuckled, lifting her effortlessly into his arms. The tension in his voice melted away, replaced by warmth.

Even the oppressive air that had hung over the court seemed to lighten. The ministers, who had been weighed down by grave discussions, found themselves smiling unconsciously at the sight.

"Hehe!"

The little princess giggled, her smile as sweet as honey, her expression irresistibly cute.

Suddenly—

Bang!

A guard rushed into the court, his face pale with urgency. "Your Majesty! Two immortals have descended outside!"

A heavy silence fell over the hall.

"They must be from the Demonic Cult," one of the ministers muttered gravely, his voice laced with unease.

The Baihu Emperor's gaze sharpened, but he quickly turned to his daughter, his tone gentle. "Ling'er, go to your room. Father has important matters to attend to, but he will play with you later."

Ling'er pouted slightly, disappointment flashing in her bright eyes. "Okay, Father..."

With a reluctant nod, she turned and left, escorted by a maid.

The moment she disappeared, the Baihu Emperor's warm expression vanished, replaced by a stern, regal demeanour.

"Your Majesty!" A minister stepped forward, awaiting orders.

"All ministers, quickly, follow me to greet them," the Baihu Emperor commanded in a grave tone. At once the imperial court erupted into motion to greet the immortals from the Demonic Cult.

************

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