Bandits found him near the mountain pass.
A skinny youth in torn clothes—easy prey.
Xu Yan felt fear. Then hunger.
When the first blade swung, he grabbed the man's wrist.
The bandit screamed as his Qi drained away violently.
Xu Yan did not look away.
When it ended, three corpses lay on the ground.
Xu Yan vomited.
Then he laughed.
His cultivation rose again.
That night, he carved words into stone:
"Mercy is a luxury for those acknowledged by heaven."