Within the ruined remains of the ancient holy city Dao Xuan the supreme elder of the ancient clan stood with his face dark and his chest rising and falling with heavy breath. His fists struck against his chest as he let out a long sigh filled with regret.
"Clan leader you should never have allowed Hun Miesheng to escape."
His voice was hoarse yet filled with anger. The destruction of the holy city the death of countless clan members and the loss of the Golden Emperor Burning Sky Flame weighed heavily on his heart.
Gu Yuan stood silent for a moment his brows knitting together. He had intended to question further yet before he could speak a soft voice called out to him.
"Father Xun Er has missed you so much."
In that instant the stern leader of the ancient clan found his attention drawn away. Gu Xun Er had already thrown herself into his arms. For a heartbeat Gu Yuan's gaze froze. His hardened heart softened instantly.
He looked down at the girl in his embrace and sighed softly. "These days you were not harmed were you." His hand gently brushed her hair his eyes growing tender. Compared to his rage and humiliation the safety of his daughter was far more precious.
Gu Xun Er stepped back lightly her hands hidden behind her back. She spun in a playful circle and smiled sweetly. "Of course nothing happened. Father see your daughter is standing safe and sound before you."
Gu Yuan exhaled a long breath of relief. "So long as you are unharmed everything else matters little. Truly it does not matter."
Yet a thought still lingered in his mind. "But Xun Er did you not fall into the hands of the Void Swallowing Flame. How did you manage to return."
Gu Xun Er blinked her bright eyes quickly. "These matters are not important now. Your daughter is here unharmed. Father you must be weary after such a day. Let us return to the clan and rest. You can ask later." She tugged gently at Gu Yuan's sleeve.
Gu Yuan's eyes flickered toward the holy city which had been flattened to rubble. Hesitation flashed across his face. Yet seeing the joy in his daughter's expression he did not wish to spoil her happiness. He thought to himself that later he could inquire more deeply.
Dao Xuan ground his teeth. His steps carried him forward to block Gu Yuan's path.
"Humph. Gu Yuan your daughter may be safe but the affairs of the ancient clan have grown dire."
Gu Yuan's expression darkened. "Supreme elder what do you mean."
Gu Xun Er's brows furrowed lightly.
Dao Xuan's voice carried anger and sorrow. "The Golden Emperor Burning Sky Flame has been stolen by Hun Miesheng."
Gu Yuan's face changed. "What happened. Explain it to me clearly."
Dao Xuan waved his sleeve his voice sharp. "If you wish to know ask your precious daughter. Without her help Hun Miesheng would never have entered the restricted ground nor taken the heavenly flame nor escaped alive. She handed him the key with her own hands."
The elder's cold words cut like a blade.
Gu Yuan turned toward Gu Xun Er his voice low. "Xun Er is what he said true."
Gu Xun Er lowered her head trembling slightly. Her hands clutched at her father's sleeve. When she raised her eyes tears glimmered within them. "Father you must believe your daughter. That villain forced me. He threatened me. He said that if I refused he would…" Her delicate body shook as if in terror.
Gu Yuan's stern heart melted at once. The words he had prepared the thousand scoldings lodged within his throat and could not be spoken. He sighed and placed his palm upon her hair. "I believe you."
He turned a cold gaze upon Dao Xuan. "This matter needs no further pursuit. Hun Miesheng forced my daughter. How could she willingly cooperate with the notorious master of the Soul Hall. Such a thought is an insult."
Dao Xuan's lips twitched. Even the most ignorant could see through the act. Yet Gu Yuan's protective heart was unmoved.
Dao Xuan took a step forward intent to argue.
Yet Gu Xun Er quickly spoke again her voice trembling. "Father when you were gone the supreme elder struck me unconscious. I was terrified. I thought I would never see you again."
Dao Xuan's body stiffened.
Gu Yuan's expression turned cold as his aura surged outward pressing Dao Xuan several steps back.
"Humph. Supreme elder you acted without restraint. You used twelve eight star residual souls. You failed to stop Hun Miesheng. Our clan has suffered grievous loss. From this day you will withdraw from clan affairs. Focus only on secluded cultivation."
With those words Gu Yuan turned his back. Holding his daughter close he walked toward the gate of the clan.
Behind his father's broad back Gu Xun Er stuck out her tongue and made a playful grimace toward Dao Xuan.
Dao Xuan's face flushed red with fury. His chest shook violently as if he would cough blood. He had lived countless years yet only now did he fully understand the phrase the wicked cry out before the innocent.
"Women ruin the clan. Women ruin the clan." He muttered bitterly.
Gu Yuan glanced down at his daughter once more. His eyes hardened. "Xun Er you must reflect upon yourself. As for Hun Miesheng he will not live long. That old emperor of the Soul Clan will settle matters. He will not see another sunrise."
The words struck Xun Er's heart like a hammer. Her hand trembled as she spoke quickly. "Father what did you say."
But Gu Yuan only shook his head and strode forward.
Far away Hun Miesheng hovered in the empty sky. His face was pale his breath unsteady. His palm pressed against his chest as he steadied his body. That single strike from Gu Yuan had nearly destroyed him. Only the heavy water had dispersed half the power and the protection of the chaotic purple qi around his meridians had prevented his body from being broken apart.
Even so pain throbbed within his limbs. He knew that if not for his unique treasures he would have been crippled.
He raised his head. Dark clouds spread across the heavens. A mournful wind whistled through the empty wilderness carrying with it the cries of unseen ghosts. Not even the sound of insects or birds remained.
Hun Miesheng folded his hands behind his back and whispered. "So the inevitable encounter has come." His eyes narrowed. "Since you are here there is no need to hide. Which of the four demon saints has come. Forgive me for not offering a grander welcome."
His soul perception swept outward yet he could not find the precise location. The weakness of his damaged soul was once again clear. Had his spirit been at its peak few in this world could hide from his gaze.
Suddenly a sound arose. The rattling of countless chains echoed through the sky.
Black chains filled the heavens draping downward and sealing the space. Their links rattled and wailed with ghostly cries.
A cold voice descended. "Hun Miesheng do you know your sin."
The clouds rolled. A vast face formed from black mist. Its mouth opened in a grotesque grin. Laughter rasped harshly like the whispers of demons from the abyss.
Hun Miesheng's expression remained lofty his hands clasped behind him. "My lord you speak too harshly. I Hun Miesheng as hall master of the Soul Hall have labored for the Soul Clan with devotion. I have served with diligence. What crime have I committed. My lord should not accuse a loyal servant unjustly."
His voice carried false puzzlement.
A deep laugh echoed. "Hun Miesheng you truly are an actor. You may deceive Gu Yuan and his ancient clan. But you cannot deceive us the four demon saints."
As the voice faded a tall figure stepped forth from the void. His body was like an iron tower his robe dark as ink. Around him black chains swirled like living serpents. His aura weighed heavy like mountains.
Hun Miesheng's eyes narrowed. He recognized the man. One of the four demon saints of the Soul Clan. Hun Tu.
Another voice followed. "Hun Tu why appear so quickly. I had wanted to play with him longer."
The giant black face twisted and collapsed into mist before reforming into the figure of a thin man. A deep scar marred his face. His presence was cold and eerie.
Hun Miesheng's eyes flickered. Another of the four demon saints. Hun Jing.
Hun Tu licked his lips. His eyes glowed with hunger. "Play. I have no time for games. Killing is my only joy." His gaze bore into Hun Miesheng. "All that you have done is known. You devoured the Void Swallowing Flame. You seized control of the Soul Hall. You plot after the ancient clan's Tou She Ancient Jade. Your courage is immense."
His chains clashed with metallic echoes. "Yet we will give you a chance. Return what you took. Hand the treasures back to the clan. Remain as master of the Soul Hall. Continue your work under us. What do you say."
The chains rattled wildly as ghostly cries filled the air.
Hun Miesheng's lips curved faintly. His tone was calm. "I say it means nothing."
(End of Chapter)
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