The setting sun slanted down, dyeing the upturned eaves of Gou Manor crimson.
Lin Chen pressed close to the shadows of the dense forest, his single arm hanging down, his gaze sweeping over the figures within the manor. He had come only to take Lord Gou's life, yet as he drew near, he caught several strands of fierce, brutal aura—men from Black Wind Stronghold.
Black Wind Stronghold.
The villains who had burned, killed, and looted on the night Canglan Academy fell; the culprits who had cut off his arm.
He never imagined Lord Gou colluded with these old enemies.
Rage churned in his chest, dark blue poison veins writhing beneath his neck. A cold sharpness gathered at the corners of Lin Chen's eyes. The unexpected presence of his foes only set his blood boiling.
Without hesitation, Late True Martial true essence erupted violently, carrying his figure straight for the manor gate.
The Shadow Dagger slid into his palm, its blade pitch‑black, slicing through the air with only a thin, sharp whistle.
The gate guards had barely turned their heads when Lin Chen flashed before them. His right arm swept sideways, the dagger's edge slitting one man's throat, blood spraying; his wrist twisted, the tip piercing the other's chest, true essence surging to shatter his internal organs.
Both bodies crumpled to the ground without a sound.
Lin Chen's toes tapped the earth, darting into the manor.
"Intruder!"
A shout exploded. Dozens of bandits closed in with blades and clubs, roaring to attack.
Lin Chen did not dodge or retreat. The Shadow Dagger spun in his hand—jabbing, stabbing, slashing, cutting—each strike locking onto throats, hearts, and dantians. The wet sound of blade piercing flesh echoed endlessly. Blood splattered his robes, dripping from the hem. He shifted his steps, weaving through the crowd, his right arm slashing like lightning. Bandit weapons shattered on contact with the dagger, limbs and blood flying everywhere.
Lord Gou bolted from his house, his face ashen, turning to flee.
Lin Chen's eyes turned cold. He flashed forward, blocking the man's path. The Shadow Dagger drove straight in, piercing his forehead. Lord Gou's body stiffened and fell rigidly to the ground.
With his target dead, Lin Chen lifted his gaze toward the grandest courtyard deep within the manor—an aura far beyond the True Martial realm surged outward.
Black Sha, chief of Black Wind Stronghold.
"You little bastard! Daring to kill my men!"
A roar shook the doors and windows. The courtyard gate exploded open. Black Sha's hulking figure stepped out, Spiritual Sea true essence rolling like tidal waves, warping the air around him.
Lin Chen tightened his grip on the Shadow Dagger, flooding his right arm with true essence, standing ready.
Black Sha stamped his foot, launching himself like a cannonball. His enormous fist, wrapped in Spiritual Sea true essence, smashed toward Lin Chen's skull. Lin Chen dodged sideways. The fist struck the ground, blasting a deep crater, sending rocks flying.
Black Sha attacked relentlessly, fists and legs flying, Spiritual Sea true essence raging, each strike powerful enough to split mountains. Lin Chen circled with speed, striking back with the dagger whenever an opening appeared. The blade sliced Black Sha's arm, blood spurting.
"Courting death!"
Black Sha howled in pain, golden light bursting from his eyes.
"Innate Spirit Form — Black Sha Demon Bear!"
A deafening bear's roar shook the heavens. A pitch‑black demon bear materialized behind Black Sha, its massive paw swinging with overwhelming ferocity.
The bear's paw slammed down. Lin Chen raised the dagger to block. A piercing metallic clang echoed. Crushing force slammed into him. The sound of his arm bone cracking rang out. His body flew backward, slamming into a wall. He coughed up a mouthful of blood. The poison in his chest erupted, blue veins crawling across his face, his breath growing weak.
He pushed himself up, wiping blood from his lips, gripping the dagger with his only arm, advancing slowly.
Black Sha charged again with the demon bear. Lin Chen did not retreat. He dropped low, dodging the paw, then pushed off the ground, sweeping his leg into Black Sha's knee. Black Sha stumbled. Lin Chen seized the opening, swinging his right arm with all his remaining strength, driving the dagger into Black Sha's dantian.
The blade sank in. True essence erupted, shattering his Spiritual Sea. Black Sha screamed. His spirit form dissipated. His body crashed heavily to the ground.
Lin Chen bent down, lifting Lord Gou's severed head by the hair. Blood dripped from the hair. His single arm hung limp, the dagger's blade stained red. He stood amid corpses and pools of blood. The setting sun dyed his robes crimson, blue veins crawling across his cheeks. Unfading killing aura radiated from him. Villagers peering from afar trembled, huddling in corners, not daring to move.
He turned, dragging his blood‑soaked figure step by step out of Gou Manor.
Behind him, only a silent crimson ruin remained.