The trip back is quite peaceful and enjoyable. The weather is good, the sun shines brightly, and the forest echoes with various sounds of wildlife.
Leaning back against the carriage seat, my eyes closed and my mind full of plans for the future. Little by little, everything is falling into place.
Thanks to the absolute privacy offered by a high-class carriage, I managed to practice Thousand Faces Arts for quite a few hours, making significant progress.
After a brief rest, my icy-blue eyes snap open as the darkness slowly creeps into the carriage.
''Finally... Time to get moving.''
In my palm, a ball of pitch-black Qi begins to gather. With every breath, the ball of Fear Qi grows larger and larger, until it's slightly bigger than a bowling ball.
''Today's the last time...''
Shaking my head, thinking about yet another self-inflicted injury I'm about to suffer.
''My death, or at least, my kidnapping must be convincing...''
To finally move freely without the constraints of my identity—and to get away from a Mayor who shows unusual interest in me—dying is the best choice.
Not to mention, if I 'die,' the Han family benefits as well. After all, there's no need to punish them because a dead man missed an appointment.
''Not something I took into consideration, but it works well.''
Looking down at the ball of Fear Qi, I nod and cover my body with as much Qi as possible as I brace for impact.
''3...''
''2...''
''1...''
With my eyes closed, body twisted to better protect my vital organs, and Qi covering my entire body in a thick, dark layer of additional protection, I drop the unstable Qi blob right next to me.
BOOOOOM!
The instant the unstable 'Qi bomb' touched the ground, everything around it twisted and exploded in all directions. Including me.
My body flew out of the carriage with unbelievable speed, crashing me through multiple thick trees. The bits and pieces of the carriage hit most of the soldiers around, some of them dying on the spot.
The shock of the impact left my arms and legs momentarily numb, a sharp pain spreading through every joint.
Cough...
A dry cough forced a bit of blood from my lips, my chest protesting with each breath. I staggered as I tried to stand, vision slightly blurred for a heartbeat before steadying again.
Due to my sturdy body and the thick layer of Qi protecting me, the second I landed, I was able to move. The pain was there, especially near my still-injured chest, but it was just that. Some pain.
Quickly picking myself up, I wrap myself in a thick layer of Fear Qi, hiding my features from the onlookers. Just to make sure everything goes as planned, I begin transforming my body with my disguise art.
Shadowless Step.
The world blurs and twists around me as I reappear in front of the carriage. Thousand Faces Art working at full capacity, my voice turning into an old, grueling one.
''HAN YE!''
All the guards become startled as the dark, menacing figure appears, their weapons ready, posture firm—prepared to fight anything that demands it.
[You've gathered 28 points of Fear.]
''You dare kill someone from my bloodline?!''
A dark Qi starts to swirl around me, my eyes secretly scanning the positions of every single guard. Eventually, my gaze lands on a single guard lying on the ground, pinned under debris and supplies.
With a cold smirk, the dark Qi shoots in all directions, targeting all the guards except him.
Gahh!!
Thud!
''Anyone who dares defend this fiend will share his fate.''
I rush toward the forest, where 'Han Ye' crashed, and within just a few breaths, a chilling scream reverberates throughout the forest.
''GYAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!!!''
...
Silence. After a long, guttural scream, the forest returns to its initial calmness and tranquility.
The blood now covers the road, the carriage is no more, pieces of it etched into the trees around or scattered near the fallen guards.
But there is one survivor...injured and covered by debris. He shakes as he stares at the scene in horror, trying to comprehend what just happened.
[You've inflicted permanent Trauma on 1 person.]
.
.
.
[STATUS]
[Name: Han Ye]
[Age: 18]
[Cultivation: Terror Manifestation Realm - Late Stage ▸ Qi condensation - Early Stage]
[Fear Points: 3 131]
[Trauma: +521/day]
[Fear Points needed for the next stage: 6 000]
[Techniques: Shadowless Step, Thousand Faces Arts (incomplete), Silent Pulse Breathing, Crow Shroud Technique]
Authors note: If you're enjoying the novel so far, please add it to your collections! Every single one goes a long way. Honest review will be Great too!