Demonic Cult Disciples (1)

Colourful auspicious clouds filled the sky, casting a dazzling glow over the Baihu Kingdom. The people below gasped in astonishment as two figures, shrouded in radiant light, slowly descended into the royal square. Their mere presence exuded an overwhelming pressure, making it clear that they were no ordinary visitors.

"Senior Brother, are you certain that Lady Wi was seen here?" the younger disciple asked in a hushed voice.

The elder disciple nodded calmly. "Yes. One of our spies confirmed it. There's no mistake."

"But… would Lady Wi really be in such a place?"

The senior disciple gave him a sharp look. "Do you think it's possible for anyone to mistake Lady Wi's face for someone else?"

At that, the junior disciple fell silent. There was no room for doubt. Wi Soyeon beauty was otherworldly. It was impossible for someone to mistake her for someone else.

They were disciples of the Demonic Cult, sent to investigate the Baihu Kingdom. Their orders were simple. If Wi Soyeon was here, they would capture her. If not, they would demand compensation for aiding her escape.

Either way, the Baihu Kingdom would suffer.

They didn't need to ask questions. They didn't need to seek the truth.

After all, the weak had no right to speak.

"Welcome, esteemed immortals!"

The grand doors of the palace swung open, and the Baihu Emperor, draped in his dragon robe, stepped out in haste. Behind him, ministers and officials followed, their faces filled with fear. Without hesitation, they fell to their knees, bowing deeply before the two cultivators.

To them, these were not mere mortals. They were immortals—beings who could shatter mountains with a wave of their hand, whose very existence defied the laws of the mortal world.

The taller of the two cultivators stepped forward, his expression cold and arrogant.

"I am Luo Fan, direct disciple of the Blood Demonic Master," he declared, his voice ringing with power. "This is my junior brother, Luo Shen. You have thirty seconds to bring the criminal Wi Soyeon before us. Fail to comply, and you will face the consequences."

The moment he spoke, an invisible force spread through the air. A suffocating pressure crashed down upon the palace grounds.

Ministers gasped, their bodies trembling violently before they collapsed, unable to withstand the overwhelming force. Even the Baihu Emperor, was forced to kneel before them.

This was the power of a cultivator.

Their words were not mere sound but a force that resonated with the world itself. Their presence alone could bend the spiritual energy around them. Their mere breath could snuff out a mortal's life in an instant.

And in front of such beings, mortals could do nothing but submit.

Be it a lowly farmer or a mighty emperor, before the power of cultivators, all were equal—equally powerless.

The Baihu Emperor, his forehead damp with cold sweat, struggled to lift his head under the crushing pressure. With great difficulty, he forced his lips to move.

"Great Immortal," he said hoarsely, "I believe there has been a misunderstanding. Lady Wi is not within our kingdom."

A minister beside him, trembling yet determined, quickly added, "Indeed, Great Immortal, our Baihu Kingdom has never dared to do something to offend the Demonic Cult."

Luo Fan's expression darkened. His piercing gaze swept over the kneeling mortals, his eyes brimming with disdain.

"Hmph!" He let out a cold snort, his voice sharp like a blade. "Are you calling us liars? We have received undeniable information that the criminal Wi Soyeon was here."

The oppressive aura in the air thickened, making it even harder for the mortals to breathe.

"Great Immortal, we wouldn't dare deceive you," the Baihu Emperor quickly responded, his tone desperate. "Someone must be framing us!"

His voice echoed in the silent square, but whether these so-called immortals would believe him was another matter entirely.

For a moment, Luo Fan remained silent, his gaze was cold and unreadable. Then, with a smirk, he spoke.

"It seems you have truly chosen to oppose us. Very well. Be ready to face the consequences."

Without hesitation, he raised his hand, summoning a gleaming crimson sword that radiated an eerie aura. With a flick of his wrist, the sword pointed straight at the Baihu Emperor.

"Die for your disobedience," Luo Fan declared.

The Baihu Emperor's eyes widened in horror as he looked at the sword floating in the air pointing at him. He was no fool—he knew exactly what was coming. Against a cultivator, he was nothing more than an ant waiting to be crushed.

There was no escaping this fate.

Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath, accepting his inevitable end.

But just as Luo Fan was about to kill the Baihu Emperor—

A delicate, young voice pierced through the heavy air.

"Father..."

The Baihu Emperor's heart pounded in his chest as he turned sharply toward the voice.

There, breaking free from the grasp of her maid, was his daughter—his little Ling'er—rushing toward him with small steps.

His face paled.

"Ling'er! What are you doing here? Get out of this place at once!"

His voice which was filled with urgency and fear, echoed through the grand courtyard.

Ling'er came to a sudden halt, her tiny body trembling. Never before had her father—her kind and gentle father—raised his voice at her.

Tears welled up in her big, innocent eyes as she sniffled.

"Father… you promised you'd play with me. I waited and waited… but you never came, so I came to find you," she said, her voice quivering, tears threatening to spill.

The Baihu Emperor was at a loss, his mind racing with fear. He knew that if he perished, Luo Fan might turn his attention to Ling'er next. The mere thought sent a chill down his spine.

Just then, hurried footsteps echoed across the grand court. A young man dressed in luxurious robes rushed forward and immediately dropped to his knees before Luo Fan. His face was calm, but his clenched fists trembled slightly.

"Esteemed immortal," the young man spoke firmly, "I am the crown prince of the Baihu Kingdom. If blood must be shed today, let it be mine. Spare my father, spare my sister. If my life can appease the esteemed immortal's wrath, then I offer it willingly."

Gasps filled the hall.

"Crown Prince, you mustn't!" the ministers cried out in horror.

The Baihu Emperor's lips parted, but no words came. His heart clenched at the sight of his son kneeling before death itself. "Che'er..." he muttered under his breath, his voice heavy with guilt.

Luo Fan, standing tall and indifferent, stroked his chin as if pondering the offer. A long silence followed, thick with tension. Then, finally, he spoke.

"Very well then, I will spare you."

His words sent shockwaves through the hall. Everyone, from the kneeling emperor to the trembling ministers, was stunned. Even Luo Shen, his junior brother, widened his eyes in disbelief.

This was not like Luo Fan at all. He was a ruthless and cruel individual, his senior brother had never been one to show mercy.

Luo Fan's lips curled into a smirk. His gaze swept over the kneeling royals before he spoke again.

"However," he said slowly, his tone dripping with amusement, "I will be taking your daughter with me."

The Baihu Emperor's breath caught in his throat.

"If you want her to live," Luo Fan continued, "bring me the criminal Wi Soyeon within a week. Otherwise…" He paused, letting the weight of his words settle in. "I will kill your daughter."

With a casual flick of his wrist, an invisible force wrapped around the young princess.

"Ah!" Ling'er cried out as her small body lifted off the ground, drawn helplessly toward Luo Fan. She struggled, kicking her feet, but it was useless.

"Father!" she screamed, reaching out with tiny hands.

The Baihu Emperor lunged forward, but an overwhelming pressure pressed him down, making it impossible to move.

Luo Fan chuckled at the sight of the helpless monarch. Then, without another word, he withdrew his crimson sword, its sharp edge gleaming ominously under the sunlight.

"Let's go, Junior Brother," he said, his voice light, as if the entire ordeal was nothing more than a trivial task.

Luo Shen, who had remained silent, gave a nod. "Yes, Senior Brother."

And just like that, they soared into the sky, vanishing from sight, taking the princess of the Baihu Kingdom with them.

The Baihu Emperor watched, his eyes vacant, his mind numb. It all felt unreal—the sight of his daughter being taken away, her desperate cries echoing in the air.

Then, something inside him snapped.

"Ling'er!" he roared, his voice filled with sorrow and rage. His entire body trembled violently, his breath growing ragged. Anger, grief, guilt—all these emotions surged within him like a raging storm, overwhelming his senses.

His vision blurred, the world spinning before him. A sharp pain shot through his chest, and with a choked gasp, he coughed up a mouthful of blood. And just like that the Baihu Emperor lost his consciousness.

"No! Your Majesty!"

"Father!"

The crown prince and the ministers rushed forward in panic, catching the emperor's collapsing body before he hit the ground. Without wasting a moment, they carried him inside, their faces filled with worry and despair.

*******

Ma Jeong and Wi Soyeon soared through the sky, riding on a flying artifact. After a full day of travel, they finally neared their destination.

"We've arrived, my lord," Wi Soyeon said, her voice was so beautiful that it could enchant any man.

It had taken them longer than expected to reach the Baihu Kingdom's capital. Along the way, they had made several stops, delaying their journey, but now they were finally here.

"Finally," Ma Jeong muttered as his gaze fell upon the grand imperial palace below, its towering structure visible against the horizon.

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

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