As I return to the busy streets, I begin to look for my next target.
With the patrol routes memorized, I trail the nearby guards until they separate.
Three men. Two break away.
One walks alone.
The perfect target.
My dantian stirs as black mist covers my whole body, a pitch-black robe slowly forming all over me. The air around me grows colder as I purposefully let a small amount of Qi leak out of it, giving my cloak the appearance of something... alive.
Shadowless step.
In an instant, I appear behind the lone guard, placing my hand on his shoulder.
He freezes, doesn't move, doesn't even breathe.
It's as if his body has already accepted death.
[You've gained 1 point of Fear.]
''You will attack Yuexin, the girl from the carriage, once the situation escalates.''
I speak with a voice that's not mine.
''If you do it, it will be like we've never met.''
I press down on his armor-covered shoulder, digging my hands into it, deforming it.
''But if you don't do it, your family will experience terror you can't even possibly imagine.''
''If you understand, return to your route as if nothing happened.''
The man trembles, eyes wide, but the mist around him keeps him silent.
[You've gained 3 points of Fear.]
I withdraw my Qi, my gaze focused on his trembling body as he slowly starts to walk away from me.
[You've gained 1 point of Fear.]
Sigh, it's difficult to estimate how much fear to induce.
One wrong move and he won't be scared... or he'll die from shock.
Regardless, seems like it went well.
My robe slowly dissipates into nothingness, my appearance returning to my normal self as I shadowstep into the crowd, making my way towards the carriage.
.
By the time I return to the carriage, Yuexin is still seated, arms crossed, eyes filled with annoyance.
''Took your time.''
She says, refusing to give me a single glance.
''I had som-''
Not giving me any time to finish my sentence, someone knocks on the carriage doors violently.
''Lady Yuexin, we hadn't heard you were visiting. How… fortunate we crossed paths.''
An Elder of the Xu family steps into the road, backed by over two dozen guards.
The carriage doors swing open as the Xu family's guard 'escorts' us outside.
''Step aside. I have no business with you.''
Yuexin's lips tighten, her voice filled with annoyance and reluctance.
''No business with us?''
The Elder laughs, and the guards follow suit.
''Publicly humiliating Young Master and insulting our family was not enough?''
The laughter digs under her skin, I can see it.
I lean forward, just a little closer to her. My next words are meant for her alone.
''They're mocking you… in front of everyone. What do we do now?''
Her glare flashes to me for half a second before locking back on the Elder.
Perfect.
Almost there...
''Watch your words, Elder of Xu family.''
Gasps echo through the crowd.
She walks out of the carriage, facing the Elder and all the guards directly, with pride.
''Your status might be higher than mine, but this city belo-''
The Elder's smile disappears as his eyes shift to the side, his voice loud and rushed.
''S-stop! What are you doing?!''
Too late~
The lone guard, who I 'convinced' earlier, pushes forward through the others, his sword unsheathed, eyes bloodshot.
''No one can disrespect Xu family!!''
He shouts as his sword pierces through Yuexin's shoulder.
Blood splashes across the street.
Yuexin gasps, staggering back, her hand clutching her shoulder as crimson blood runs down her arm.
.
.
.
[STATUS]
[Name: Han Ye]
[Age: 18]
[Cultivation: Terror Manifestation Realm - Early Stage ▸ Foundation establishment - Early Stage▸ +]
[Fear Points: 15]
[Fear Points needed for the next stage: 1500]
[Techniques: Shadowless Step, Thousand Faces Arts (incomplete), Silent Pulse Breathing]
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!
Powerstones: If we can reach 70 power stones in a week, I will make one more chapter a day for 1 week. Let's do it!