With the Blade

Except for that broken Yue Saber nailed to his chest, which really didn’t seem like any ordinary wound.

"As long as you kill him, you can get out."

After saying this, those several jailers fled in a panic, not daring even to glance back.

Simply because another prisoner was already flying over.

The prisoners wielding sharp blades still wanted to surge forward, but more prisoners crashed in, and soon those dozens of prisoners with blades all slammed against the wall.

Only the man with the Yue Saber nailed to his chest remained standing, shaking his head incessantly.

"Is this the extent of your strength? Can none of you bring me even a sliver of surprise?"

Insult, this was an insult to all of them; these prisoners, known for their violent tempers, wouldn’t tolerate such humiliation.

"Kill!!!"

These prisoners, red-eyed, struggled to stand once more, intent on slaying the audacious rogue who insulted them.

Yet, immersed in rage, they failed to notice a pair of massive scissors aiming at their necks.

With just a brief observation, the Slaughterer discerned that these worthless beings couldn’t defeat the monster with the Yue Saber nailed to his chest—hence, rather than wasting time on them, it would be better to turn them into Evil Qi, bolstering his own strength.

But just as the scissors were about to cut down, the Slaughterer’s hand froze.

Something had lodged in his blade.

A hand.

"These people are my property; how can you lay hands on my property?"

"You..."

Seeing the figure with the Yue Saber nailed to his chest almost within reach, the Slaughterer fiercely swung the massive scissors in his hand.

"Die!"

The scissors slashed mightily, like a tiger swaying in the wind, yet failed to touch the tattooed monster at all. At that moment, the Slaughterer felt not like he was fighting a human but a nimble, large beast.

During this moment of distraction, the massive scissors in the Slaughterer’s hand slowed by half a beat.

This directly resulted in his swing missing entirely, exposing a massive gap in his stance.

"Trash."

The monster with the Yue Saber nailed to his chest kicked toward the Slaughterer’s chest and abdomen.

But this was precisely what the Slaughterer wanted.

With a swipe over the massive scissors, a half-blade fell into his hand, and immediately, the small sharp edge viciously stabbed into the kicking foot, concealed in a blind spot.

This was the weapon he used when he killed his first person, always hidden within his weapon, waiting for the crucial moment to strike ruthlessly.

Just like now, the hidden blade finally drew blood from the monster for the first time.

Although it was just a drop.

"Boom—"

This time, even before he saw what happened, the Slaughterer was blasted away.

Only then did the Slaughterer realize what kind of monster they were fighting.

Impossible to defeat, utterly impossible to defeat. The only reason these prisoners could make a move was that the opponent allowed it—once the opponent no longer offered them chances, it was like now; their overwhelming, furious power prevented them from even lifting their heads.

When did such a terrifying figure appear in Songzhou City?

"Not bad, at least someone surprised me."

The monster reached out invitingly, and the blood that was about to hit the ground floated up, flying before him.

"Since someone managed to make me bleed, this ritual is complete... Alright, it’s none of your business now, go about your own affairs."

"You..."

The Slaughterer furiously lifted his head.

Yes, he personally experienced that formidable power, but it didn’t mean he could endure such humiliation. He remembered that once someone called him a dirty peddler, and he immediately lashed out and murdered in anger. How could he tolerate such insult now?

"Today, if you don’t kill me, when I get stronger, I’ll definitely come back to kill you!"

This isn’t just the Slaughterer’s thought; it’s the thought of all the prisoners. Faced with the one who insulted them, no matter how strong this person is, they will return to kill him one day.

They must kill this monster to save face. They must slaughter him to vent the bitterness burning inside.

After all, this monster isn’t even willing to kill them and intends to release them, viewing their notorious names, their strength, and the people they’ve killed as trivial.

"Is that really what you think?"

Hearing the furious roar from behind, the figure with the Yue Saber nailed to his chest halted.

"Killing you is actually quite easy, very easy. I only need to move a finger."

Saying this, the figure with the Yue Saber nailed to his chest really raised a finger to a nearby brick.

The sturdy brick exploded into pieces under that light touch.

"But there’s no need, you know? Killing is simple, crushing your heads is simple, but it’s unnecessary. There’s not even a need for you to die."

Saying this, the figure with the Yue Saber nailed to his chest turned around, glancing at the prisoners.

"It’s better for you to live; you can witness my strength."

With that, the figure turned and left.

Leaving behind a group of prisoners, clutching weapons, sitting stunned in the prison.

This was a mindset they couldn’t comprehend, an idea unfathomable to them.

All they knew was that the monster who spoke these words was far above them.

Just like a giant overlooking ants.

"Pfft—"

A series of sounds pierced through flesh; within moments, over a dozen prisoners committed suicide on the spot, preferring death to this humiliation, or perhaps, it’s their only way to control their fate.

But there were more who chose to live.

The Slaughterer was one of those who chose to live, stumbling out of the underground prison. The long-lost gentle sunlight bathed him; it brought no warmth, only chills.

The former Slaughterer once believed he was a strong man, having killed a thousand people.

But today, he realized what true strength looked like.

Perhaps those words were twisted reasoning, completely illogical, but as long as they came from that person’s mouth, they became irrefutable law.

This was strength, strength that disregarded revenge, even disregarded rules.

Or perhaps the words of the strong themselves were the greatest rule.

"That’s why I won’t kill you."

Half a month later, the Slaughterer resumed his roadside robbery, wielding his massive scissors, saying this to a bystander.

"I’ll sever your limbs and let you live; after all, only by living can you witness my strength."

Yes, this time, he realized when such words were spoken, the unwavering sense of solidity within his chest—this time, he felt he had found a path to become stronger without killing, simply because now what made him strong wasn’t the Evil Qi from killing, but himself, the strength arising from within.

"Come on, draw your blade; show me your skill, see if you can bring me some joy."

"...Are you serious?"

The traveler carrying a saddlebag scratched his head, then drew out a visibly cheap double-handed war blade.

This made the Slaughterer shake his head; he saw the shallow crack on the blade. Using such a broken weapon, what skill could he possibly have...

"Buzz—"

With a hum, a fiery blade five-zhang long pierced the sky.