Meanwhile, one month ago in the Dragon Kingdom…
Under the cover of a moonless night, four figures in plain traveler cloaks slipped out of the capital through a lesser-known side gate, followed by a small group of elite soldiers also dressed as ordinary merchants and mercenaries.
The four remaining heroes — their bodies fully healed and even stronger than before thanks to the Church's divine magic — moved with cold purpose. The golden-haired leader walked at the front, his holy sword hidden beneath his cloak. The other three followed in silence, their eyes burning with hatred.
They were no longer wearing their shining blessed armor. Tonight they were just "travelers" heading north.
When they made camp deep in the forest that night, far from any prying eyes, they gathered around a small, carefully shielded fire. The soldiers stood guard while the heroes spoke in low, venomous voices.
The leader stared into the flames, jaw clenched.
"We will not kill him quickly," he said. "First, we make him watch. We'll capture that pregnant bitch he calls his wife and the little girl. We'll torture them slowly in front of him — cut them piece by piece, make him beg, make him scream. Only when he has nothing left will I drive my sword through his heart."
One of the other heroes smiled cruelly.
"Or we kill the child first while he's forced to watch. Let him feel the same helplessness we felt when he humiliated us in front of the King."
Another laughed darkly.
"Even better — we can use the Goddess's blessing to keep them alive longer. Make the suffering last days."
The soldiers nodded eagerly, their faces twisted with the same hatred. They had lost comrades because of Feng, and their pride had been shattered.
The golden-haired hero looked toward the northern horizon, where the Holy Kingdom lay many weeks away.
"He thinks he can hide in that pathetic holy land. We will find him. We will find his new family. And we will make him regret the day he ever raised a hand against the Goddess's chosen."
The fire crackled as they continued planning their revenge — dark, detailed, and merciless.
Every day they traveled, they drew closer and closer to the Holy Kingdom of Elysium… closer to the peaceful inn where Luo Feng, Lina, Suki, and their newborn son were quietly building a new life.
None of them knew that vengeance was already on the road, heading straight for them.