Betrayal and the Past

A vast and unfathomable abyss seemed to gradually unfold.

On the boy’s face, an expression had surfaced—like that of a primordial beast, ready to tear apart anything that dared to stand in its way.

“If you’ve already decided to anger me…”

“Then be prepared to pay the price.”

“Death—might just be the lightest of your punishments, Neal… Aorah.”

“Uncle Ai, take care of yourself. I’ll be right back.”

As he spoke, Sui Ming walked past the old butler without turning back.

Only a gust of wind remained in his place.

“…Forgive me, young master.”

Outside the grand estate, not a single soul stirred.

The sky had opened up into a torrential downpour.

Countless raindrops fell like needlepoints, striking the earth and stirring ripples on every surface.

Droplets fell relentlessly from the heavens, landing on Sui Ming’s head with a rhythmic patter.

But the boy’s mind wasn’t on the rain—his gaze was fixed coldly on the mansion before him.

He marched forward, and though the gate lay open, no one moved to stop him.

In the silence of the night, only the sound of rain echoed.

There—before the mansion doors—stood a man.

Without warning, arrows flew toward Sui Ming, howling through the air like a meteor shower.

Sui Ming tried to deflect them with his dagger—

But this wasn’t a novel.

That sort of trick was never going to work.

Flames trailed through the air, bright orange lines streaking past like blazing whips.

Still, one arrow slipped through his defense, embedding itself deep in his thigh.

He didn’t flinch.

His years as a professional assassin had long since trained him to ignore pain.

At that moment, Sui Ming was a walking weapon—an instrument of pure death.

“Kill him,” Neal said calmly.

A powerful wave of mana suddenly surged from all directions.

Clearly, they had been waiting for this moment for a long time.

“…Where’s the little girl?” Sui Ming asked coldly.

“Little girl? Why the hell should I—”

Sui Ming flicked his thumb.

A dark gray blur tore through the rain, heading straight for Neal’s forehead.

Clack.

The man casually caught it in his palm.

But when he opened his hand, his skin had already been torn open.

“Is that how it’s going to be, then…?”

“Don’t blame me for what comes next.”

As he spoke, a massive figure slowly emerged from the mansion.

Bulging muscles shimmered faintly in the rain, and the mana radiating from him made it clear—he wasn’t someone to mess with.

“Sorry, kid,” the man said, stepping forward.

“But tonight… someone’s bought your life.”

Like a phantom, he appeared before Sui Ming and threw a punch.

[Inner Force – Force Redirection]

The huge fist slammed directly into Sui Ming’s arm.

A cracking sound echoed through the night—like timber splitting.

Sui Ming was flung backward like a ragdoll.

Huff… huff…

He gasped for air, looking down at his bruised and bloodied arm.

Had he not used redirection, that arm might’ve been rendered useless.

He forced himself to stand in the corner, but the opponent was relentless—another punch was already incoming!

No way. I can’t block this head-on.

Sui Ming dropped low.

With a swift motion, he drew his dagger from his waist—its blade flashed with a chilling light.

A wave of unnatural cold surged out.

Frost spread instantly, locking onto the man’s abdomen.

Startled, the man hesitated.

Sui Ming stepped forward.

[Inch Force – Heartpiercer]

He struck with surgical precision—right where the frost had formed.

A deafening boom tore through the rain.

“Too bad… not enough power.”

The man roared and seized Sui Ming by the arm, hurling him toward the courtyard wall.

CRACK!

He crashed hard.

Blood trailed from the corner of his mouth.

“Let me show you the difference between a [Soul Invoker]… and a mortal!”

[Soul Invocation – Wraithbound!]

It was absurd—such a burly man possessed such a sinister soul.

His figure melded into the darkness.

Before Sui Ming even realized what had happened, his gut was smashed by a heavy blow.

“Urgh—!”

“What? That’s it? Not fighting back anymore?”

“Weren’t you acting tough before? Where’s that weird blade of yours, huh? Go on—cut me! Hahaha!”

Blow after blow rained down.

Every punch left a fresh red mark.

Watching from the side, Neal Aorah frowned.

This… this is the one I prepared so much for?

How is this possible?

He began to question whether the silver-haired boy before him was truly the Sui Ming he feared.

Once upon a time, he had defeated an [Immortal] while only [True Manifestation] himself.

And now? He couldn’t even handle a Tier 5 [Mortal Dust] Invoker?

This must be a joke.

He had even bought a Grandmaster-level Alchemical Bomb just in case.

And this was the result?

Was it all just overthinking?

Or…

Elsewhere—

“You! Why did you lie to him?!”

Bai Ling grabbed Uncle Ai by the collar.

Her golden pupils narrowed into slits, exuding terrifying pressure.

The old butler sighed and wiped some blood from his sleeve.

“You want to know how the young master survived?”

“Back then… I should’ve died too.”

Three years ago—

“Damn it! Why won’t those pursuers give up?!”

“The young master’s already in this state! And they still won’t let him go?!”

“His circuits are shattered! Do you understand what that means, Bai Luoxia?!”

“His future—it’s gone! He’ll never recover! And you… you still won’t stop!”

“Tell me—can you really live with that?!”

The woman standing in front of him didn’t flinch.

Her sea-blue hair fell over cold, emotionless eyes.

She slowly raised her sword.

“I want to ask him something.”

“If you won’t hand him over—don’t blame me for being cruel.”

At that time, Ai didn’t have white hair yet.

He was a proud young man, eyes filled with resolve.

He glared back at the princess, unwilling to step aside.

He owed the Xi Family everything.

How could he not give his life for them?

Back when he was just a beggar on the streets,

It was the young master who saved him.

“I still remember those words clearly…”

[‘Come with me. I can’t promise luxury, but I can promise you’ll never go hungry again.’]

How could he repay that kindness?

The part he told Sui Ming—that it was the old master who saved him?

Total nonsense.

That old turtle wouldn’t lift a finger for anyone.

He lied only to earn the young master’s trust.

“If you want to hurt him—then step over my corpse first!”

Ai raised a massive axe and charged at the girl.

He had nothing but sheer will… and a refusal to bow before the imperial princess.

“…If that’s how it’s going to be,” she said coldly,

“Then so be it.”