"Naturally, a slow death by a thousand cuts, that is what I desire."
Tian Yangsheng would never forget that night seven years ago. Shen Lang and Wolong, one wielding a Han sword, the other a Tang saber, descended like demons, their blades flashing. Amidst the glint and gleam, screams echoed as members of the remnants army were cut down.
Their coordination was as if honed through countless battles, seamless and without flaw. Thirteen hundred remnants soldiers were utterly defenseless before them.
The moon that night was exceptionally bright, the screams exceptionally terrifying. Everything from that night was deeply etched into Tian Yangsheng's mind. Seven years have passed, and the mere thought of it still fills him with mortal dread.
It was after that night that Tian Yangsheng, once a minor overlord in Heizhou, became an internationally wanted fugitive, fleeing in disarray, his days filled with fear. Fortunately, as seven years have passed and many have forgotten him, he dared to reappear before the public.
Seven years have not diminished Tian Yangsheng's hatred; instead, it has only intensified. Whether it be Shen Lang, Wolong, or everyone around them, all are ultimately targets of Tian Yangsheng's vengeance.
Only by ensuring Shen Lang, Wolong, and everyone connected to them perish can Tian Yangsheng find peace.
"Pass down the order. Tonight at ten, gather at the Emperor Villa Garden. Before killing Shen Lang, I want to kill Wolong and all of Shen Lang's women."
"Understood—"
Upon hearing Tian Yangsheng's command, the man in black responded with icy coldness, then turned and left with his large black bow slung across his back. Within two minutes, the man in black had vanished.
"Qingcheng Yue, have you conveyed the message I asked you to?"
At the same moment, within the Shanyuan Villa, Qi Tuojiang and Kong Wudao sat opposite each other. Between them lay a chessboard, the game reaching a critical juncture.
However, Kong Wudao, instead of looking at the board, glanced at a white-clothed maiden beside him.
"Yes, Young Master Kong. I have already relayed the situation at the Emperor Villa Garden to Hei Ying, a member of the Sha Dao Hui in Nanling. Hei Ying has connections with Tian Yangsheng's subordinates and has already informed them. I believe Tian Yangsheng knows everything now."
The white-clothed maiden looked at Kong Wudao and spoke respectfully.
"Oh, does Hei Ying know you are from the Kong family?"
Kong Wudao, upon hearing this, toyed with a black piece in his hand and said.
"To answer, Young Master Kong, I am an undercover operative. I infiltrated Hei Ying's circle, so they are unaware of my connection to you, let alone my being from the Kong family."
Saying this, the white-clothed maiden looked at Kong Wudao and said, "I have been out for quite some time. I should return now, or Hei Ying will become suspicious."
"Hei Ying is extremely suspicious. Once he suspects someone, no matter how they try to prove themselves, he will kill them."
Hearing the white-clothed maiden's words, Kong Wudao smiled gently and nodded, saying, "Alright, you go back first. I will contact you if anything arises."
"Young Master Kong, farewell."
The white-clothed maiden nodded upon hearing Kong Wudao's words, then turned to leave.
However, the instant she turned, Kong Wudao's pupils contracted violently, his gaze suddenly becoming cold and terrifying. The black piece in his hand shot out like a bullet, its target the white-clothed maiden.
"Ah—"
The white-clothed maiden clearly never expected Kong Wudao to attack her, so she was completely unprepared. The chess piece struck her back, pierced through her chest, and sent her flying out, rolling heavily onto the ground.
"Young Master Kong, what are you doing?"
The white-clothed maiden turned back, looking at Kong Wudao's grim face in shock.
"Qingcheng Yue, you were adopted by the Kong family, weren't you?"
Kong Wudao looked at the white-clothed maiden and said calmly.
"Yes, I was adopted by the Kong family. The Kong family has shown me immense kindness."
The white-clothed maiden, spitting blood, looked at Kong Wudao and said, "It is precisely because the Kong family has shown me such great kindness that I have strived to repay them with all my might. I have never been disloyal to the Kong family. Why did you attack me, Young Master Kong?"
"Qingcheng Yue, I know your loyalty to the Kong family. However, now I require your final act of loyalty."
Kong Wudao looked at the white-clothed maiden before him and smiled, saying, "Are you willing to die for this young master?"
"Why? I don't understand."
The white-clothed maiden looked at Kong Wudao and asked, "I have done nothing wrong, why must you kill me?"
"You have indeed done nothing wrong. You are loyal, and I am moved by it. However, you must die."
Kong Wudao slowly stood up, then walked step by step towards the white-clothed maiden, smiling as he said, "If you do not die, and Shen Lang follows your trail back to Young Master Qi and me, it would be a disaster for us."
"So that's how it is..."
Upon hearing Kong Wudao's words, a hint of mockery appeared on the white-clothed maiden's face. "I thought Young Master Kong was a peerless hero, but I never expected you to be afraid of a mere Shen Lang. To avoid even a speck of dirt splashing onto yourselves, you would kill your own people."
"Say what you will, but we currently have no confidence in killing Shen Lang in one blow. Therefore, you are destined to die."
With that, Kong Wudao flicked his wrist, and a dagger slid from his sleeve, which he then gripped. With a reverse sweep, he thrust it towards the white-clothed maiden's heart.
However, just as Kong Wudao was about to strike, the white-clothed maiden rolled away swiftly. As she rolled, she waved her right hand, and a white powder appeared before Kong Wudao.
The white powder was intensely irritating, causing Kong Wudao's eyes to lose all vision instantly, forcing him to tightly shut them.
The white-clothed maiden then leaped up and dashed towards the door.
"Trying to escape?"
Just as the white-clothed maiden reached the door, Qi Tuojiang, who had been watching the entire time, appeared before her without anyone knowing when. He looked at the maiden, who was on the verge of escape, and smiled faintly.
"Those who block me die!"
When her life was threatened, the white-clothed maiden became as ferocious as a wild beast. With a fierce cry, she drew a soft sword from her waist and lunged at Qi Tuojiang.
This thrust was both swift and vicious, clearly indicating that many had perished by this blade.
"A good thrust, but unfortunately, you are not capable of killing this young master."
Qi Tuojiang's face remained calm and composed. He quickly shifted his body, instantly evading the fierce thrust aimed at his throat.
As he spoke, Qi Tuojiang swiftly tapped out with two fingers, precisely hitting the white-clothed maiden's right shoulder.
"Bang—"
The next second, the white-clothed maiden was like she had been hit by a sniper rifle. Blood splattered, and she was sent flying back over ten meters, crashing heavily onto the ground.