Chapter 272: The Tragic King of Slaughter
Blood pooled on the ground, seeping slowly among the remains. Not a single survivor was left, and the air hung heavy with the metallic scent of blood. Each lifeless body bore a fatal, precise wound.
Those who had gathered to watch the chaos, or even hoped to ambush the victor, scattered in fear as soon as they witnessed the skill of this alluring woman. However, one man remained, standing calmly on the rooftop, his black hair blowing in the wind, his entire face hidden beneath a mask, making his expression unreadable.
Though both figures were fearsome, it was this masked man who instilled the greater terror.
Watching Hu Liena, her face smeared with blood and exuding a chilling killing intent, Dai Yao, hidden behind the mask, sighed in admiration. Her rapid transformation in just a month was remarkable, showing her fierce resolve and ruthless efficiency. As part of the Spirit Hall's Golden Generation, Hu Liena had shed her innocence quickly, adapting with ruthless pragmatism to the Slaughter City's twisted reality.
Dai Yao, now the "Shura Emperor," had been shadowing her as a bodyguard, per Bibi Dong's orders. But he knew that this could not continue indefinitely. In Slaughter City, trust was a luxury no one could afford, and his constant, watchful presence would surely raise Hu Liena's suspicions. He needed a logical explanation to prevent her from growing wary.
This wasn't the first time she'd questioned his motives. Dai Yao had maintained his silence until now, but after today's ambush, he recognized that Hu Liena's training had reached a pivotal point. It was finally time to reveal his purpose.
To fulfill Bibi Dong's intricate instructions—protect Hu Liena without exposing his identity and ensure she received full training along the way—was a daunting task. If not for his commitment to preserving Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, he would never have agreed to this.
Hearing Hu Liena's demand for answers again, he spoke from beneath his mask in a deep, steady tone, purposefully disguised to mask his identity.
"I've heard your name, Hu Liena. And seeing you in action today, I must say, your strength is indeed impressive."
Hu Liena narrowed her eyes at the Shura Emperor's slow approach, tightening her grip on her short sword as she asked coldly, "Are you planning to attack me as well?"
If the Shura Emperor drew any closer, she doubted she could defend herself effectively. She had been tracking his presence for over a month, and his presence today, when she had faced an ambush, puzzled her. What did this masked man want?
From behind his mask, she thought she heard the faint trace of a laugh.
"No, if I'd wanted to kill you, I would have done it on your first day here," he replied. "You're exhausted. You should recover your soul power."
Dai Yao halted at a distance of ten meters, pausing to assure her, "I won't come any closer. Does that help you believe I'm not here to harm you?"
Seeing him stop within her defensive range, Hu Liena's wariness diminished slightly. "Then what's your purpose here? Why have you been following me?"
Planting the base of his spear into the ground and leaning on it, he responded, "You're here for training, aren't you? I can tell by the difference in your aura compared to the others here."
"'Also'?" Hu Liena repeated, her mind racing as she caught onto his implication. Her eyes lit up. "Shura Emperor, are you here for training as well?"
He nodded. "You're quite perceptive, Hu Liena."
Hu Liena bit her lip in thought, her mind connecting the dots quickly. "You want a partner to complete Slaughter City's trials?"
"Exactly," he replied, his voice steady and low.
Intrigued by his response, Hu Liena's lips curved into a sly smile as she tucked a loose strand of orange hair behind her ear, her eyes gleaming with a dangerous allure. She purred, "Then surely, if we're to be partners, we should trust each other, shouldn't we? Perhaps you should let me see what's behind that mask?"
The Shura Emperor's achievements in Slaughter City surpassed even Bibi Dong's former records. A genius like him would be a valuable recruit for the Spirit Hall. Beyond that, his reputation in Slaughter City intrigued her; he was said to lead a disciplined, almost monastic life, shunning the vice-ridden allurements that corrupted others.
Hu Liena couldn't help but feel admiration for him. But her instincts warned her that he wasn't being fully open. If he was sincere, she reasoned, he would show his face.
And if he happened to be handsome…
As she eyed him expectantly, Dai Yao inwardly scoffed. She truly was a romantic, just as he remembered. In the story, one look at Tang San had left her smitten. But he couldn't risk revealing his face here.
Keeping his tone firm, he replied, "Apologies, but I can't take off this mask."
Hu Liena's initial excitement faded, disappointment flickering in her eyes. But Dai Yao added quickly, "There's something important I should warn you about."
She glanced at him, her curiosity piqued. "What?"
"In Slaughter City, everything you consume is poisoned, including the Bloody Mary. The more you drink, the more toxins accumulate in your body. You may not feel it now, but on Hell's Road, it will hit you hard. This poison has probably been the undoing of many before you."
To gain Hu Liena's trust, he knew he had to offer her useful information. And if he was to navigate Hell's Road with her, he didn't want to be weighed down by a weak partner. In the original story, even after purging the toxins, Hu Liena had nearly succumbed to the mental strain of Hell's Road. If she kept ingesting poison recklessly, she'd break far sooner.
Although he was tasked with protecting her, he couldn't afford to carry her weight on Hell's Road. With only the Asura Spear at his disposal and no access to his external spirit bones, the challenge was already doubled.
"If you trust me," he said, producing a small, emerald-green pill, "take this detoxification pill. It will purge the toxins over three days, though you may experience some discomfort."
He handed her the pill, noting her skepticism. To ensure his survival in Slaughter City, he had prepared a few remedies based on Tang San's Tang Sect poison formulas.
Hu Liena scrutinized the pill for a moment. Though she remained wary, she put it away in her spirit tool without taking it. She glanced at him coldly, muttering, "Fine. I'll consider it."
As Hu Liena turned to leave, Dai Yao sighed under his breath. Just as he thought, a handsome face could break down even the strongest defenses. Unfortunately, he couldn't risk showing his own.
"Try to speed up your progress in the killing field," he called out after her. "I can't wait here forever."
Hu Liena didn't respond, her gaze lingering on him for a moment before she disappeared into the shadows.
A year from now, Tang San would arrive in the Slaughter City, and Dai Yao knew he had to minimize Hu Liena's chances of meeting him. With her inclination toward romantic attachment, things would get awkward quickly if she became enamored with Tang San. He couldn't imagine taking on Hell's Road as a group of three.
So, he was determined to push Hu Liena to speed up her kill count in the arena.
Upon hearing this, Hu Liena's steps hesitated before she furrowed her brow and quickened her pace, leaving the conversation behind.
One Year Later
In the resting area, Dai Yao watched Hu Liena with amusement, remarking, "So, you finally took that detox pill I gave you a year ago."
Though her expression was hidden beneath her mask, Hu Liena could hear the playful tone in the Shura Emperor's voice, enough for her to imagine the smirk behind it. Annoyed, she replied, "Enough talk, give me a few more of those pills."
Over the year, Shura Emperor had watched every one of her matches. After that first encounter, Hu Liena began speaking to him more freely. With both of them here for training, they shared common ground and, gradually, a bond developed between them. Although the dark and treacherous environment of Slaughter City prevented her from fully letting her guard down, she had come to accept Shura Emperor as her partner for Hell's Road.
With Dai Yao's encouragement, Hu Liena had managed to achieve sixty-six victories, matching Tang San's pace in the original story. Dai Yao himself had reached his ninety-ninth victory six months prior, waiting only for Hu Liena to complete her hundred battles so they could face Hell's Road together.
However, the intense bloodlust accumulated from so many kills was starting to weigh on them both, slowing their progress. Finally, as the accumulated bloodthirst began clouding her mind, Hu Liena took the detox pill that Shura Emperor had given her. The pill purged the built-up toxins from her body, clearing her mind.
This act also deepened her trust in him, much to Dai Yao's relief. Tang San—no, "Tang Yin"—was likely already here by now. If he hadn't secured Hu Liena's trust, she might have been swept up by Tang San, just as she was in the original story.
Fortunately, luck was on Dai Yao's side. Hu Liena had chosen to trust him.
"Use the detox pills sparingly," Dai Yao advised as he placed a few more in her hand. "There's no way to replenish them here in Slaughter City."
As she accepted the round pills, a rare softness appeared in Hu Liena's eyes. She whispered, "Thank you. If we make it out, I'll introduce you to a good opportunity."
Over the past year, she had grown to understand Shura Emperor's strength and tenacity. With his guidance, she felt confident they could conquer Hell's Road. She was certain such talent belonged in the Spirit Hall.
In the suffocating environment of Slaughter City, surrounded by enemies, the mutual trust they shared had forged a unique bond between them. Inevitably, she began to feel something special for him. Yet, even after a year, she had never seen the face behind Shura Emperor's mask.
Her curiosity only grew. Once he joined the Spirit Hall, she vowed to uncover his true face.
"My thanks," Dai Yao replied with a smirk hidden beneath his mask. He was fully aware that her "good opportunity" was an invitation to join the Spirit Hall.
"Time to head out for today's match," Hu Liena said, snapping him from his thoughts as she gestured for him to follow.
In the Dark Depths of the Hell Arena
In the dimly lit and cavernous hall, a tall figure lounged lazily on a massive crimson stone throne. A cold female voice broke the silence from a nearby shadow.
"Great King, Shura Emperor has completed ninety-nine victories but has yet to enter his hundredth match. It seems he's smart enough to avoid challenging Hell's Road."
The tall figure on the throne frowned and replied, "Fool. Shura Emperor is stalling so the Hell Messenger can complete her own hundred battles. He wants them to face Hell's Road together!"
The female voice faltered briefly, then spoke with regret, "If we had known, we could have arranged for them to face each other, eliminating one of them in the process."
The towering man snorted. "No point. Shura Emperor and Hell Messenger were both sent by that 'Killer God' from the Spirit Hall. If they die in the arena or on Hell's Road, that Killer God can't complain. But if we intervene to force them against each other, it would mean our own destruction!"
"Anyone with the Killing God Domain can freely enter and exit Slaughter City," he continued, his tone grim. "In their domain, any Spirit Master can regain their spirit abilities. If the Spirit Hall's Killer God goes on a rampage here, Slaughter City will be reduced to ashes!"
The chilling female voice fell silent, as if frozen by the implications.
The King of Slaughter sighed. "So be it. Opening Hell's Road will bring another bloodbath upon us. I can only hope that after sending Shura Emperor and Hell Messenger into Hell's Road, no more powerful figures will come seeking trials here. Otherwise, Slaughter City will be left bleeding."
The female voice offered no reply, likely envisioning the bleak fate that would await them if yet another spirit deity sent a prodigy to test themselves in Slaughter City, calling for the sacrifice of countless depraved souls.
Two consecutive openings of Hell's Road would drain Slaughter City's resources to the brink.
At that moment, Terror Knight Scott burst into the room, his voice trembling. "Lord of Slaughter, the Killer God himself has arrived with another young prodigy!"
Hearing this, the King of Slaughter froze, his face going rigid. Speak of the devil. Were these two Killing Gods trying to make him, the King of Slaughter, a destitute ruler?
Friends, if you enjoyed the novel, you can subscribe to my Patreon channel.
Until November 30th, get 30% off your subscription and the purchase of the novel.
Read 40 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Canserbero10