The forest was thick with mist. Leaves crunched underfoot as Qing Yan moved swiftly beneath the looming shadows of towering trees.
Qing Yan (thinking):
He should be around here...
He closed his eyes briefly. Qi sense...
A vile energy flickered nearby.
Qing Yan:
"As I thought... close enough. Let's get moving."
He rushed forward, weaving between trees, the target growing nearer with every step—until suddenly—
Li Heiye:
"Don't move... or you'll die."
A cold blade pressed against Qing Yan's neck.
Qing Yan:
"You're Li Heiye, right?"
Li Heiye (smirking):
"What's the point of telling a dead ma—"
He never finished the sentence.
Qing Yan vanished like a phantom.
Li Heiye (startled):
"Wha—?!"
He spun around, knife raised. But the forest offered no answer.
Li Heiye (growling):
"Stop playing petty tricks and come out! If you surrender now, I'll give you a quick dea—AAARGH!"
His left leg snapped with a sickening crunch. He collapsed to the ground, screaming.
Li Heiye:
"B-Bastard! Forget mercy—I'll rip your skin off! You'll suffer to your last breath!"
CRACK.
His other leg shattered instantly.
Li Heiye (screaming):
"AAGHHHH! WHO?! WHO THE HELL ARE YOU?!"
A shadow emerged from the mist. Qing Yan stood in front of the kneeling man, expression calm — cold.
Qing Yan:
"What's the point of telling a dead man?"
Li Heiye (begging):
"S-Stop... Spare me, please!"
CRACK.
One arm broke at the elbow.
Li Heiye (screams):
"AARRGGHHHHH!"
Qing Yan (coldly):
"Answer my questions honestly and I'll consider sparing your miserable life. You already know you're nothing compared to me — my realm is far above yours. So how? How did a worm like you even sense my presence? Who tipped you off?"
Li Heiye (snarling):
"Ha! Do you think I'll tell you anything after this?! Do your worst—I won't say a damn thing!"
Qing Yan (grinning):
"Oh? Even a petty criminal still has a little pride. Impressive."
His gaze sharpened. Killing intent poured from his body like a storm, freezing the air.
Li Heiye (trembling, trying to sound defiant):
"D-Don't think I'm scared of your killing intent! HAHAHA—"
POP.
One of his eyes burst from a precise jab of Qi.
Li Heiye (howling):
"BASTAAAAARD!!!"
POP.
The other eye followed.
Li Heiye (sobbing):
"I WON'T—"
PLUCK.
A tooth.
PLUCK.
Another.
Li Heiye (screaming):
"AAAAHHHHHH! I'LL TALK! I'LL TELL YOU EVERYTHING!"
Qing Yan:
"That was easier than I thought."
Li Heiye (panting):
"I... I'm a member of the Black Lot—"
Suddenly, his body jerked unnaturally. Muscles bulged, organs twitched violently.
Qing Yan (alarmed):
"What the—? Hey—!"
Li Heiye:
"S-Save me...!!!"
His body convulsed—and exploded into a spray of flesh and black blood.
BOOM.
Qing Yan threw up a Qi barrier just in time to block the blast. Smoke and gore splattered the trees around him.
Qing Yan (wiping blood off his face):
"...Ah, fuck this shit."
He stepped forward, examining the remains. What little was left of Li Heiye's chest revealed strange, pulsating black markings burned into the flesh.
Qing Yan (frowning):
"Wait... what are these tattoos…?"
He knelt, eyes narrowing.
Qing Yan:
"...Don't tell me…?!?!"
His eyes widened.
[TO BE CONTINUED]