Speeding through the pitch-black forest, I can't help but marvel at how so many people fit within the estate.
'It's an escort family, just like ours, so it's understandable that they have plentiful manpower...'
But I can't help but wonder whether they were preparing for a war against my family.
'There's no other explanation. Why would you have more than 500 soldiers on standby?'
But after looking at my notifications, I can't help but smile in satisfaction.
'It doesn't matter. Regardless, what a beautiful night. I didn't even need to use my Qi that much.'
[You've gathered 642 points of Fear]
[You've inflicted permanent Trauma on 214 people]
Right after I killed the patriarch, 214 more people became traumatized. Combining it with the initial haul of 410...
'617 Fear points per day.'
The Fear Qi seems to be much more potent after the breakthrough, and most of all, it doesn't kill on sight.
When I released the Fear Qi back on the mercenaries, most of them straight up died. Not to mention, my cultivation wasn't nearly as high as it is now.
'I'll think about it later. I better hurry back to the mansion.'
Shadowless Step.
Step after step, I rush back through the forest. With my Qi nearly full, the trip shouldn't take longer than a few hours.
CLANK!
THUD!
Within the blurry world, my enhanced hearing picked up a metallic sound, along with a few screams and blunt hits.
'I'm in a hurry... but I can't say I'm not curious.'
With the dark cloak still covering my body from head to toe, I rush towards the likely battlefield.
''Kekeke... Did you really believe that your little escape would be a success?''
A few breaths later, the sound of combat ends and is replaced with a wicked laugh from what seems to be the instigator.
A woman with silver hair.
''You are lucky that Young Master Zhao likes you. If not, I would make you my plaything.''
The silver-haired woman lies broken on the ground, her hair tangled and streaked with blood. Her clothes torn, her weapon split in half, but her spirit remains unflinching. With a pale face, she glares at the two servants, her crimson eyes full of hatred and contempt.
With my presence concealed, I calmly analyze the situation from a distance.
'Young Master Zhao? He might be patriarch already. Or perhaps after the funeral.'
The second servant takes a step closer to the woman, only to have a sword hilt pointed at him.
''Look, you've already lost. Don't make it worse than it is.''
The first servant chimes in, his expression as disturbing as it gets as his gaze looks down on her defenseless figure.
''Young Master Zhao is waiting in his bedroom~ Perhaps if we make him happy, he will share...''
The first servant smiles creepily, his hand reaching down to the woman's body, attempting to drag her back if necessary.
'I've had enough. This is none of my business...'
Just before the servant touches her, she quickly grabs a broken piece of the blade from the dirt, pressing it against her neck. Her grip is firm and stable, clearly displaying her resolution to the two servants.
''If you touch me, I will kill myself.''
'Hmm?'
Just as I was about to leave, her next course of action surprised even me. She's resolute and would rather die than submit.
'She could be useful...'
'Not cultivation, but that's fine. I can shape her based on my needs...'
My mind races as I think of various scenarios that can put her to good use. Half a breath later, my lips curl up ever so slightly.
'I've decided. She's mine.'
''Enough!''
Boooom!
As my words fall, my Qi is released out of its constraints. Everything freezes—be it crickets, birds, the two servants, or even the woman. I slowly walk out from the dark forest, making my way leisurely to the scene.
''I couldn't help but overhear the name Zhao.''
Step... Step... Step...
''That's an interesting coincidence, since their Patriarch died just a few minutes ago.''
Shadowless Step.
The world blurs, and within a single instant, I appear directly behind the two servants, placing my hands directly onto their shoulders.
''By my hand.''
My voice cold and detached, as if the words I just spoke were a daily occurrence.
Their bodies tremble violently, but the Fear keeps them firmly in place, as if stuck in a single moment until it lets them go.
[You've gathered 13 points of Fear]
'Pitiful yield.'
''You, on the ground...''
My cold blue eyes look down at her broken figure as I continue,
''What can you offer me for saving you?''
.
.
.
[STATUS]
[Name: Han Ye]
[Age: 18]
[Cultivation: Terror Manifestation Realm - Late Stage ▸ Qi condensation - Early Stage]
[Fear Points: 3 193]
[Trauma: +731/day]
[Fear Points needed for the next stage: 6 000]
[Techniques: Shadowless Step, Thousand Faces Arts (incomplete), Silent Pulse Breathing, Crow Shroud Technique]
Authors note: If you're enjoying the novel so far, please add it to your collections! Every single one goes a long way. Honest review will be Great too!