The stain spreads outward on the sheets, as the red spreads. The assassins all watch the stain spread. That stain represents a deep wound on their targets. So much red must mean a serious wound, perhaps fatal, which means the completion of another job, a perfect score this time.
The assassins can't help, but smile at the thought of the score. "Heh heh heh, a good job this time. Can you imagine the loot we're gonna get this time?" one of them laughs with a greedy malice.
"Yeah apparently all three of them are Soul Master. Noble ones at that so you know they're loaded." another one said out loud. His voice is far away as he imagines the loot they are going to get.
"That's depending on how much the boss takes personally." One of them speaks up reminding them. His tone reveals his ambivalence about that fact. "Especially as they are Soul Masters. You know a lot of the most valuable things might be cultivation-based. The boss will take a lot of that for his own use."
A few of the assassins sigh at that as they know it to be the truth. Though it's not as if they can do anything. At least without being brutally killed. Their boss himself was a Soul Master. Much more paranoid than this lot too.
"Still the boss will probably have a party. There will be a big score, or the boss will be happy." The first one to speak speaks up again. "Either way we're probably going to get extra booze. In fact, I can smell the booze now. Wonder what girl I should have for the night." The man's greedy expression shifts with lust and desire. Plenty of options back at base, or maybe he should take another.
One of them hears the concept. Having extra booze is already a nice thing especially if theirs a party. The serving girls are always a treat for them. Though actually wasn't the scent of booze already in the air. "Do you guys smell that. It smells like booze, a lot of booze," he says bewildered. Wondering how much these guys have drunk.
Amongst the assassins one in particular places the smell. It was coming directly from the sheets. Looking at the sheets he could not help but find it strange. Only a few stab wounds actually drew blood. He moves over to the bed and pulls the sheet off.
What is revealed is something that causes all the assassins to freeze? The knives were not stabbed into flesh. Instead, they were stabbed into pillows and straw? The blood was flowing from a leather pouch, a wine skin. The blood was actually red wine, but that means that.
All the assassins in the room had a startling realization. They had absolutely failed in the assassination. Their targets weren't dead. They had absolutely failed to kill them. The thought kept on repeating in their heads, and then came fear.
If they had failed to kill their targets, if their targets weren't here. Then where exactly were they? That thought filled them each with dread and caused sweat to perspire. They couldn't have gone too far than likely. Rather why would they have gone so far having done this trick?
The assassins were completely terrified so much so that their minds were a mess. What should they do in this situation? Run these were Soul Masters. Fight, that was an even worse choice, the path to a massacre more like. Either way, they would likely die.
Still, if they were going to die. One thought in the privacy of his mind. "Everybody make a break for it," he says with force. That way hopefully he can escape while the others are caught. That's the only chance he has now. Maybe he can go to the boss, and he can help, the boss was strong.
Before the would-be assassins could attempt to escape. They heard a loud sound like something had dropped. Than the sound of breaking wood. Actually, there were two different sounds like that. From two different directions, they realize with no little amount of fear.
Some turn one way and others turn the other. They see the very targets of their assassination. Martial Souls smashed into the floor splintering the wood with their weight. They had planned this perfectly in their scheme. One was at the window, and two the oldest and youngest were at the door of the room.
That's when it began properly. The Soul Rings had begun to appear on the older ones. The one at the window had Yellow, Yellow, Purple, Purple, and Black. Five soul rings, which means a Soul King. The would-be assassins take an unconscious step back.
Their boss was a Soul Sect with four rings. Yet there was a massive difference even without counting the additional ring. Their boss had White, Yellow, Yellow, Purple a much worse combination. Even worse this guy had a black ring of all things. This made him much more dangerous.
As they tried to back away from Tang Hao, they were halted. They had run into their friends' backs as they tried to move. The ones who had been facing Tang Hao looked back to an even scarier sight. Tang Xiao was surrounded by Yellow, Yellow, Purple, Purple, Black, and Black. Six rings with an ideal formation of them.
A Soul King at the window and a Soul Emperor at the door. There was no way to escape. The assassins seeing how powerful their opponents were simply felt despair. Even if their boss was present, and all their forces it might not matter. Defeat, and as a result, death were absolute if they resisted. The knives in their hands slipped out falling to the floor.
Tang Yuan watched the ones who had attempted to kill him. They were huddled together in a group. Upon seeing the power of Tang Hao and Tang Xiao they had just given up resistance. They had been led out of the inn with their hands tied.
The side of the inn is away from the street, and a grassy field. The prisoners were made to kneel on the ground. They were keeping them in a group for now to keep an eye on all of them. Tang Yuan had watched as the brothers led the interrogation. He had a few questions of his own of course.
Their interrogation was actually going rather well. They hadn't even needed to really physically touch them. The entire group of them was just scared out of their wits. Perhaps simply resigned, and clinging to mercy.
Tang Yuan has no intention of killing them. At least not while they are tied up like this. If they were in a fight, he could probably do so. Yet like this, no killing in cold blood is not him. At least now that they had surrendered. Though there is no need to tell them that. Better to let them reach their own conclusions.
As the minutes fly on the three of them learn quite a bit. The bandit group is not particularly large about 40 in all. Their leader was a Soul Sect, and of course their strongest force. Besides their leader, there were only two other Soul Masters. Both of them only Soul Grandmasters with two rings.
So their total is 40 members with three soul masters. Not an immensely powerful force to be sure. Especially considering they already had 8 in custody here. Though theirs no telling how many had fallen victim to their trick. The fact that they set it up so well honestly. Plus the fact that they remained alive shows it had worked.
If not for the brothers' perception they might have also been victims. Perhaps they had only been successful below the fifth or fourth ring. They will be able to resolve the bandit issue. At least the brothers will be able to handle it. Tang Yuan can try to assist them as much as he can.
As the three of them mill over the information internally. Tang Yuan can't help, but have a question occur to him. "So what are we going to do with these guys?" he says pointing to their prisoners. Then continues with "I would rather not kill them in cold blood if possible. Not while they are defenseless like this."
The brothers hearing that were of two minds. Tang Hao would much prefer to kill them were they were. After all, they would not have shown such mercy. Better to kill them now so as not to regret it later.
Tang Xiao was in agreement with Tang Yuan on this matter. After all their threat has been neutralized. Though death was still their fate. Whether it came by their hands or by the village authorities. They would die for the murders they committed. Better to allow local law to work as necessary.
Thinking that in his mind Tang Xiao also decides the course of action. "We will look for the village elder or chief. They can decide what to do with these miscreants." his voice firm in his decision. So the three begin moving through the village to the head's house. Forcing their prisoners along as they do so.
It does not take but a few minutes to find the head's house. It was different from the others in subtle, and obvious ways. It was quite a bit larger than the other houses. Subtly the house simply seemed sturdier, and better taken care of. It also had a better look than the others with more care to its aesthetics.
Tang Hao and Tang Yuan sit outside to watch the prisoners. Tang Xiao meanwhile heads to the door of the house. Both of them had silently agreed to let him handle it. Tang Xiao is just better at talking than they are.
After a few minutes of relatively bored waiting the door opens. A slight tapping sound comes from the doorway, at a constant pace. Tang Xiao comes through the doorway along with the source of the tapping. An elderly man of some age exits the house alongside Tang Xiao. The tapping is coming from the wooden cane in his hand.
Both of them move down the stairs. The old man takes a greater measure of time. When he is far enough he simply takes a seat on the stone steps. As he does so he releases a sigh. His gaze falls upon the prisoners. There was quite a bit of anger in his gaze, perhaps even malice.
The village elder then turns to Tang Hao and himself. His gaze no longer has the weight of wrath. "Greetings Hornered Soul Masters of the Clear Sky Clan. I am the village elder of this small village. I'm usually called Old Li by the villagers." he introduces himself bowing his head slightly to them.
Then he returns his gaze to the prisoners. "It does me good to see these thugs in bonds. They have been terrorizing the village for several months. They take little gold from us. Though only because we lack gold to take." At that his admission he sighs and shakes His head. His expression became more sorrowful.
He continues after a minute or two to gather himself. His face showed a great deal of distress from memories. "Instead they take food as they please, and wine as well. They beat up the men of the village as they please. Several deaths have been a result." his face shifts in grief at the thought. Lost in the memories of the dead.
His face changes to a look of absolute fury. Yet there was also a sense of hauntedness to his face now. "They have also "Played" with a great many of the women in the village. Usually after beating down their husbands." his voice tone and the emphasis on "play" make it clear his meaning. His hauntedness leads to the thought that it was a personal matter as well.
His voice is practically brimming with anger now. "Once we were unable to meet a quota. So they decided to punish us, my family especially. My daughter, my beautiful girl was made an example by them. Right in front of me. What's worse was her daughter, my granddaughter was made to be present. She was made to watch as her mother was used by these, these animals, these monsters."
The elder was almost babbling now. His pain just kept spilling out of him. His voice was rife with sheer anguish. As that anguish transforms into a bone-deep despair. "I had to… try and explain why her mother was screaming. Hold her back to prevent her from being killed." The despair on his face was like it had been lit. Transformed into an endless inferno of absolute rage.
He opens his eyes to look at them now. "I tell you this now. To understand what we have been forced to endure. I ask you this now knowing I have nothing to give."
He takes a breath as the anger almost chokes him. "These bandits are not people, they are animals. Not even calling them animals is right to describe them. Vermin that's sounds better. I with every fiber of my soul request that you destroy them. That you exterminate them down to the last man. That none are allowed to survive. Please grant this old man this request I beg of you."
Through this story, the Tang Yuan had grown more and more angry. Angry and disgusted at the bandits, and their sickening acts. He wonders how much was example, and how much was sadism. He was sure his anger and disgust showed on his face. He tried not to look at the elder though. Afraid his face would be one of pity.
The brothers meanwhile had only grown colder in their visage. Their faces were masks of rage at hearing such horror. Perhaps they already had suspicions. Having traveled longer and lived a decade more than him. They had seen more of the world than he had.
In response to the request of the elder. They had only one question "Where is the bandits' base?" A very simple question yet loaded with promise. The elder hearing that looked up at them.
"In the forest, west of the village. There is a cave found by a villager a long time ago. The village turned it into a storage area. It also served as a rally point in a disaster or attack. The bandits learned of it, and took it over." The village chief explains to them. Another in the list of things they endured.
They ask a few more questions about the cave, and bandits. As well as possible complications. With that information, the three of them begin to move. Head west with purpose and all haste. It is difficult to say how long before the bandits realize something's wrong.
Leaving their prisoners in the village's hands. A number of villagers had followed them. Staying back to let them talk with the chief. A number had things in hand hammers, knives, and farming sickles. One thing for certain there won't be prisoners when they return.
The three move through the forest to the bandit's hideout. Moving quickly, but not pushing themselves to the limit. At least Tang Yuan doesn't as the weakest. The brothers aren't even moving at their top speed. It's not too far from the village that they find it.
It was a cave mouth that was fairly large. Enough that five humans could hold their arms out touching and still walk into it. It was about a human and a half in height. It would not be overwhelmingly cramped to move through. It would make combat more congested however in dangerous ways. Though they would likely have the advantage as a trio.
The three of them enter the cave with torches lit and ready. It would give away their presence when seen. Better that than dealing with possible traps. That or being ambushed from behind. Tang Hao was in front, and Tang Xiao was in the rear. Tang Yuan was in the middle of the formation as the weakest.
They had been moving slowly through the cavern. Wary of possible forks in the cave especially behind them. They find though that the cave is not overwhelmingly complicated. No forks in the entire length they had gone. They hadn't run into any of the bandits either. Both a good thing and a bad thing as they were more likely to face all of them together.
After a few minutes, they come to a new opening in the cave. It was lit with torches unlike a large part of the cave. Once more a door had been built into the cave opening. Two men on either side of the door. Door guards, and the first bandits they had seen in the cave.
Yet even though they should have seen the three of them immediately they showed no notice. The two guards weren't standing. Instead, the two of them were slumped against the sides of the door. The two of them seemed to be in a haze or merely asleep.
No guards outside makes sense if they wanted to disguise the place. These guards being lax was just good luck. At least for the three of them, not so much the bandits. They probably figured no one would find this place. Yet this was that never. The three of them moved closer to them. As they did Tang Yuan noticed the bottle of alcohol.
When they were a dozen feet the guards finally registered them. The two of them looked up from their slumps. Their eyes were unfocused from alcohol and sleep. Tang Xiao and Tang Hao had their attention on the guards. But also on him, and he could practically feel the question.
Can you do it? That was the question they were slightly asking. Tang Yuan sighed as he brought his hand to his waist. He took a dagger from his storage belt. He hesitantly brought it to one of their throats. Then he reminded himself of all the deeds the man likely committed. He cut as quickly and ruthlessly efficient as he could force himself to be.
Upon the man's throat, a cut appeared seemingly small. Red began to flow from the gaping wound. The warm lifeblood of the man seeped out of the wound. The cut gaped open as more and more blood rushed out of it. Quickly the man's throat was dyed red. Then his clothes quickly joined that Fate becoming redder and redder.
Tang Yuan watched the man's eyes. They had changed from unfocused only seconds after the cut. Instead, they gained a moment of clarity. Then quickly fogging again as if with his final thoughts. Before quickly losing even that as they changed for a final time. His eyes became hollow as the light left his eyes.
The man was dead, and he had killed him. That was an undeniable action on his part. It was the first time he had killed someone in this life. Though not in both lives. Yet that experience was with a gun, and self-defense. This was up close as he could literally see the man's life leave his eyes.
It was a harrowing sight. Completely different from his past experience with human death. This was up close, he watched the life leave the man's eyes. He was certain his face showed his discomfort. His face was a mask of discomfort, and almost sorrow. Yet he did not allow himself to throw up at the sight.
He sighed he had not killed someone earlier today. Yet now here he kills someone in cold blood. He could tell himself it was necessary. He could have avoided this of course. Simply let the brothers do everything. Yet it was inevitable that he would face this. Better to face it now than in battle.
Tang Xiao had already ended the life of the other guard. He gave only a single nod to Tang Yuan. As the three of them stepped through the door. Leaving the two corpses behind them as they did. The time had come to deal with the enemy. Mercy might get them killed now in the heat of battle.
As they stepped through the door they found themselves in a large expansive room. It was an incredibly large and open room. Based upon the wall Tang Yuan did not believe it was natural. More likely expanded out by the villagers over time. Large enough to hold a few hundred people comfortably.
The bandits were all spread out in the chamber. Some were sitting on the ground gambling with each other. Others seemed to be playing the equivalent of chess. Some were practicing with weapons. All of them were drinking quite heavily at that. The smell of alcohol was in the air.
Despite their various states of drunkenness the three of them were noticed immediately. A shout rang out in the large room. "Intruders, those are intruders." The speaker was incredibly panicked, and incredibly loud. The sheer shock and panic in his voice were quite noticeable. "Boss, boss intruders there are intruders."
It took a few moments for the shout to register. Yet when it did the bandits broke into a panicked frenzy. Bandits in the middle of drinking dropped their cups, or wine skins. A number of cups breaking resounded. Other bandits rushed grabbing their weapons as quickly as possible.
Other bandits emerged from tarps that had been hung. The equivalent of beds more than likely. Their clothes are in disarray having likely been asleep. The bandits were suddenly arrayed before them. They were a motley crew armed with bows, swords, axes, and maces. Some of them were swaying slightly from alcohol, and others stood firm.
That was when someone came to the front of the group. He was a thin wiry man with little muscle on his body. Still, there was a dangerous quality to him. Perhaps it was the smile on his face. It was just a little off for the situation.
The others around him stepped away from him letting him pass. Those closest to him became nervous at his presence. Spirit Rings appeared around his body, White, Yellow two rings. One of the three spirit masters. He brought a sickle into the air in front of him. It was basically farming sickle yet stained red.
"Well, well looks like some fools have wandered into are home. Looking to play hero little nobles." the man said in a friendly tone as if talking about the weather. His smile became slightly wider, and a glint appeared in his eyes.
"So we have intruders do we?" a new voice sounds out from behind them. The bandits move to the sides. Letting two other men become visible. These two men quickly come to the head of the bandits. The sickle wielder is on one side as the other two take positions.
The man on the other side of the sickle user is the one he looks at first. He is the shortest of the three as he is slightly hunched. His stature is lanky, and his arms are fairly long. If he were to describe him in a way he looks slightly monkeyish.
The man in the middle is very different from the other two. He is very large in his stature and was heavily muscled as well. His face was severe in its appearance. Standing in the middle of the three he was likely the boss. He was watching the three of them closely.
Suddenly the first man spoke up "Hey I saw them first that means they are mine to kill. So don't get in my way Boss you either Monkey." he said pointing his sickle at them to emphasize his point.
The two other men looked at the three of them considering. The boss was especially considering. Perhaps it was the alcohol in his system. Maybe it was simply irritation at his subordinate. Sickle had been in trouble for a long long time. If he killed those three he would be content for a while. If he died then one less irritation. He spoke, "Very well Sickle take care of these would-be heroes."
The sickle wielder stepped forward as he began to speak. "Well, now my Bloodetained Sickle will run red with blood. Which of you three is going to die first?" he says with the same out-of-place good cheer. The longer he watches the more off it seems.
Tang Xiao having concluded had labeled the three as of little threat. Their overall obliviousness to the difference in strength was especially showing. So he had a thought to take advantage of this situation. "Tang Yuan you shall fight this miscreant as long as you can," he speaks up his voice serious. His face turns to Tang Yuan showing his confidence in him.
Tang Yuan steps forward with only a measure of worry for himself. If he gets over his head one of the brothers will likely intervene. He summons his martial soul holding his hammer ready. His spirit rings Yellow, Purple appears circling him. The bandits watching are shocked by the presence of the purple ring.
The three spirit masters are especially shocked. Each of them had a white soul ring as their first. Their second being yellow though of little age. Even their boss the strongest of the three didn't have a purple ring. Instead, he had two yellow rings.
"Well, how interesting a purple second soul ring. Still, I'm going to end your life kid. My martial soul is Bloodstained Sickle, I'm a Soul Grandmaster level 25. Known simply as Sickle remember it as you bleed out." the man spoke with confidence. After all, they were the same rank how much difference could a purple ring make?
Tang Yuan spoke next. "I'm Tang Yuan, my martial soul is the Golden-Veined Clear Sky Hammer. My soul level is 23." With that Tang Yuan moved forward. As he did so he said "First Ability: Golden Aura." his hammer's Golden Aura manifested as his Offense increased by 20%.
Tang Yuan and Sickle began to watch the other closely. Tang Yuan begins to slowly move closer to strike. Sickle does the same on the other side. When the two are within striking distance Tang Yuan makes a move. Swing his hammer shallow in a testing swing. His opponent avoids it as he predicted.
Sickle's first ring begins to glow a dull color. "First Ability: Swipe". Then he moves his weapon a good number of times. Sickle manages to get a glancing blow. A small cut appears on Tang Yuan's arm. Blood begins to drip from the wound, first blood goes to Sickle. His smile grew wider at the sight of blood.
Tang Yuan noticed his first soul skill. Yet it did not seem to be that powerful. Though it could also be unleashed a number of times. Still, his reserves have definitely suffered as a result. Tang Yuan reaches for his storage belt. Time to try an old trick in this situation. He tosses the rocks from his belt at his enemy.
Sickle reacts well to the rock attack backing up as he avoids them. Tang Yuan takes the chance to move after him. His hammer was already swinging with full strength. His opponent avoids more than one of his blows. Finally, his opponent's second soul ring lit up. Tang Yuan readied another blow to hit him in response.
A red aura came onto the sickle as if coated in fiery blood. "Second Soul Skill: Severence." With his sickle coated in the aura, he unleashes a blow. Aiming to cut his foe down to the bone. The red lighted sickle is countered by the hammer's next blow. Red and gold clash as the two try to overpower the other.
This contest lasts for several long moments. Then the weapons are forced apart by their own power. Tang Yuan forces his hammer down to steady himself. His opponent takes the chance to swipe with his faintly glowing sickle. The swipe cuts through Tang Yuan's shirt and into his skin. This wound is not shallow, but neither is it critical.
Sickle takes a breath, on one hand it would seem he got the better of that exchange. In reality, the truth is different. His First Soul Skill: Swipe, was incredibly simple just a basic cutting attack. Practically little difference to a normal cut if slightly sharper. His Second Soul: Severence, was much much sharper than a normal strike. It was also able to cut normal trees in half.
In that last exchange of weapons were a stalemate. If anything his sickle had lost. Once more he looked down at his still shaking hand. That hammer was incredibly powerful, a single blow had shaken him up. He could feel it all the way to his shoulder. Allowing another clash like that would be a bad idea.
Tang Yuan upon recovering immediately went after his foe. Swinging his hammer to crush his foe. Sickle avoided all of his blows as best as he could. Taking any chance to draw another cut on his enemy. Tang Yuan had suffered two further wounds since. At this rate, he would bleed too much, or run out of energy.
Tang Yuan decided to try something different. He slammed his hammer into the ground. Then pushed it forward kicking dirt and rocks into the air at Sickle. Sickle immediately begins to cut the larger pieces up. Tang Yuan rushes forward in another strike.
As the hammer moves closer Sickle finds himself out of position. He can't block it with his weapon even if he wanted to. He decides that he has no choice in the matter. Moving his arm to try and block the blow. Tang Yuan's second spirit ring begins to glow "Second Spirit Ability: Lightning Channel" Electricity begins to spark from his hammer.
The hammer hits his opponent's blocking arm. The strike was a critical blow in a way. Severely wounding the struck arm with the hammer's force. Yet that was only a part of the strike's effect. The electricity moved from the hammer into the struck body. Moving through the body in an electric shock.
Sickle did his best to back off as he regained his footing. That strike had severely wounded his arm. What's worse he also suffered from the lightning. It had caused His body to start twitching slightly. His hand was shaking again.
Tang Yuan noticing his opponent's compromised stance pushes the advantage. Unleashing another lightning-cloaked strike from his hammer. This time his foe meets him with his second ring activated again. Their weapons face off against each other with one major difference.
This time both of Tang Yuan's soul skills are activated. As red sickle and golden hammer clash once again. Electricity runs through the hammer clashing into the aura of red. This time the red is hard-pressed. All the while electricity runs through the weapons.
Quickly the exchange is broken as Tang Yuan exerts more force. This time it is undoubtedly Clear that he is the winner of the clash. His opponent is off balance, reaching for his belt. Tang Yuan brings a dagger from his belt. Moving it quickly while his foe is off balance he stabs the dagger into flesh.
Sickle bowls in pain at the blow. He tryna to move away, but he can't very well. A badly wounded arm, two shocks of electricity, two shaking clashes, and now a dagger. Sickle had suffered severe wounds. His combat power was severely reduced as well. Yet he has no time to recover and rest.
Tang Yuan once more holds his hammer ready. Swinging it as his toe readies to try and counter. Even as their weapons clash once again. This time Tang Yuan easily wins the clash of Martial Souls. The sickle is forced away as its master is stunned by the clash. This time the clash was not enough to stop him.
He unleashes a second blow that easily passes his shattered guard. Tang Yuan puts everything in this blow. It directly connects to his foe's head in an absolutely critical blow. A slight crack might be heard by those with great ears. This blow shatters the skull of its receiver. With that final blow, Tang Yuan manages to achieve victory. One of the bandit leaders is killed.