Then Shen Yue began slaughtering them indiscriminately — not even bothering to see who stood before him. He moved like a storm, cutting through men as if they were nothing more than vegetables beneath his blade. City soldiers, mercenaries, sect disciples — it didn't matter. His strikes came like invisible gusts of death, each swing tearing through flesh and armor alike. Even the elite soldiers of the empire, fifty strong, couldn't last a single breath before him. His blood art was too powerful, too merciless. In that moment, he proved the saying true — before one of the Heaven Realm, all other martial artists are nothing but children.
After slaughtering nearly everyone, Shen Yue turned his gaze toward Ye Chen and the City Lord. Then, without hesitation, he launched himself straight at Ye Chen, completely ignoring the City Lord's presence.
Ye Chen, already exhausted and drained of most of his qi, understood his fate — he wouldn't survive this fight. But even so, he gathered the last of his strength and began to burn his inner qi — the purest energy that flows within all living beings, the essence one is born with. Burning it grants a warrior power a hundred times greater for a brief moment… but the price is certain death.
His body trembled as his qi ignited, roaring like a furious flame. "If I'm going down," he whispered, "I'll take you with me."
Seeing this, Shen Yue's expression finally changed. Even a Heaven Realm expert knew the terror of self-detonated inner qi. He tried to retreat — but Ye Chen grabbed his leg, smiling through the pain. "Let's go to hell together."
Before Ye Chen could release the explosion, a sharp slash came from behind, severing his arm. He turned, dazed, to see a woman standing with several red-cloaked figures beside her.
And then — boom!
Ye Chen's body exploded, the shockwave ripping through the battlefield. The ground shattered, walls collapsed, and everyone — even Shen Yue — was thrown back by the force. If Shen Yue had been caught at the center of that blast, even he might not have survived.
Shen Yue smirked, brushing off the dust as he looked toward the scarred woman.
"So, you finally came," he said with a lazy grin.
The woman's cold eyes swept over the carnage. "You enjoyed yourself too much, Shen Yue."
He chuckled darkly. "Hahaha… save your lecture."
Then, both of them turned their gaze toward the City Lord — the only one still alive amid the ruins of his city. Trembling, covered in blood and dust, the City Lord rasped, "Why… why didn't you kill me? Why am I still alive?"
The woman stepped closer, her boots echoing softly against the broken stone. She leaned forward, meeting his gaze.
"We showed your citizens mercy," she said quietly, "but not for you."
"Mercy?" The City Lord shouted, his voice breaking. "If killing them is mercy… then what is cruelty?!"
Without a word, she raised her finger and pointed toward a distant direction.
The City Lord followed her gesture — and his blood ran cold. His body began to tremble as he saw what she was pointing at. There, among the rubble, were his son and daughter — unconscious, being carried away by her red-cloaked followers.
He collapsed to his knees, crawling toward her. "Please… please, whatever you do, let them go! They're just children! Please!"
The woman placed her boot on his head, pressing him into the dirt.
"Did you know," she whispered, "there was once someone who begged for you — just like you're begging me right now?"
The City Lord froze. His breath quickened as confusion filled his eyes.
She bent down until her face was inches from his.
"Does the name Yuehua bring back any memories?"
At that, the City Lord's eyes widened. He stared at her, disbelief twisting his face.
"No… no, it can't be… You— you're Yuehua?"
Ten years ago…
Yuehua was only fifteen. A bright, cheerful girl who carried herself with grace and kindness. Her family was small — her parents and her younger brother — and though they lived a modest life, they were happy.
At that time, Yuehua was known across the city for her beauty. Many said that even the moon would hide behind clouds out of envy when she smiled. She was like a flower just beginning to bloom — full of life, full of dreams.
But fate can be cruel.
The previous City Lord had just passed away, and his son — a young, arrogant man — took his father's place. He was a man who believed everything he saw belonged to him…
He had heard many rumors about Yuehua's beauty — whispers that spoke of a girl so radiant even the stars would dim beside her.
Curiosity turned into desire.
At the time, he was young — only twenty-seven — proud, arrogant, and hailed as a martial genius. People called him Jianhong, the prodigy City Lord who would one day bring glory to the region.
One day, while out for a simple stroll through the market, Jianhong saw her for the first time — Yuehua.
She was walking beside her younger brother, carrying a small basket of fruit, her smile as gentle as sunlight through morning mist.
Something in that moment snapped inside him.
Jianhong stepped forward and blocked her path.
"What are you doing here?" he asked, his voice half-curious, half-commanding.
Yuehua didn't respond — she simply turned her eyes away, thinking he was just another admirer.
That silent dismissal made Jianhong's pride twist with anger.
He grabbed her wrist.
"Did you not hear me?" he hissed. "Or are you ignoring me on purpose?"
Yuehua's younger brother, trembling but furious, bit Jianhong's hand.
"Let go of my sister!"
For a moment, the world froze. Then Jianhong's temper exploded.
"You little piece of filth!" he snarled, drawing his sword.
The sound of metal rang through the street, and the crowd gasped.
The City Lord, pointing a sword at a child — his own citizen.
Realizing the eyes on him, Jianhong sheathed his blade and turned away, but not before glaring back at them.
"I'll see you soon," he said darkly, before leaving.
That night, Yuehua and her brother returned home and told their parents everything.
Her father, a man of status himself, clenched his fists but could do nothing.
"We must leave this city," he said gravely. "I've heard the new City Lord is not a man to reason with."
Yuehua's mother only nodded, fear clouding her eyes.