Chapter 379 - 353: Grotto-Heaven 4
Feng Suiyun and Hua Wuxin stumbled, dropping to one knee in the snow. Veins throbbed on their temples as they coughed up mouthful after mouthful of blood, staining the pristine white snow like startling red plum blossoms.
Watching from the side, Peng Anmin felt his scalp go numb and subconsciously took half a step back.
As for Bai San and Gossip, they were startled at first. But when they saw the two assassins in such a wretched state, writhing in agony and coughing up blood, they remembered the torture they had endured themselves. They couldn’t help but exchange a glance, each seeing a flicker of satisfaction in the other’s eyes.
"Serves you right, you bastards, for being so damn cruel!"
Bai San muttered under his breath, feeling a great sense of relief.
Feng Suiyun and Hua Wuxin were, after all, elite assassins trained by the Seven Kills Association. They had withstood countless instances of brutal training and agonizing torture.
Even now, with their Divine Souls suffering an agony so intense they wished for death, the two still managed to grit their teeth and endure. Other than muffled groans of pain they couldn’t suppress and the blood that continuously streamed from the corners of their mouths, they uttered no shrill screams or pleas for mercy.
However, their violently trembling bodies and vacant eyes showed that they were on the brink of collapse.
Only when their life forces had dwindled to an absolute low did Chen Li withdraw the power activating the Evil Suppressing Seal.
The Divine Soul Bell Sound ceased abruptly.
Feng Suiyun and Hua Wuxin collapsed onto the snow as if completely drained, gasping for breath. Every ragged inhale was tinged with bloody froth. Their bodies were drenched in a cold sweat that rapidly froze into a layer of white frost in the frigid wind.
When they looked at Chen Li, their eyes were now filled with fear and awe.
Chen Li looked down upon them. "This seal has been planted deep within your Divine Souls. If you ever have a change of heart, I can take your lives at any moment."
Suppressing the residual agony and weakness in his Divine Soul, Feng Suiyun spoke, his voice hoarse, "This... this subordinate wouldn’t dare! I await your command, Master. I will walk through fire and water, and would not hesitate even in the face of certain death!"
Hua Wuxin also struggled to his feet and bowed his defiant head. Though he said nothing, his posture said it all.
"Remember your words today."
Without giving them another glance, Chen Li turned to Peng Anmin. "Bring those men over."
"Yes."
Peng Anmin quickly complied, dragging three securely bound and still unconscious men from the carriage.
It was the three gang leaders, the head of the Xinyi Bang among them.
Chen Li commanded Feng Suiyun and Hua Wuxin, "Dispose of these three. Leave no loose ends."
"As you command."
Feng Suiyun replied at once.
"Let’s go."
Saying no more, Chen Li boarded the carriage and took his seat.
Bai San and Gossip also scrambled onto the carriage.
Peng Anmin cracked the whip. The carriage started to move, slowly at first, crunching over the deep snow. It headed back the way it came, vanishing into the vast, swirling snowstorm.
On the mountaintop, the frigid wind howled, whipping up flurries of powder and gradually burying the tracks of the carriage and horses.
Once the carriage had completely vanished from sight,
Feng Suiyun and Hua Wuxin looked at each other, speechless. The only sound was their own heavy breathing.
Hua Wuxin violently punched the snow beside him, carving out a deep crater.
He glared intently in the direction the carriage had vanished, his voice raw with fury. "Why. Did. We. Submit?!"
Feng Suiyun remained silent for a long moment before letting out a heavy sigh. "And if we hadn’t? What then? Could the two of us have won, together?"
He paused, his voice tinged with a mix of bleakness and relief. "Look on the bright side," he said faintly. "At least the Old Ancestor is dead. From now on, we won’t have to live in constant fear, day and night. And the Seven Kills Association... it’s ours now. This new master... should be much easier to serve than the old one."
Hua Wuxin let out a cold snort and turned away. He fell silent, his gaze lost in the swirling storm, his thoughts his own.
The snow fell, heavier and heavier.