Chương 21: Viper

Ren felt a heaviness inside, heart pounding in his chest, eyes searching for a sign. A slight breeze fluttered the leaves, and shadows moved in tandem. He never had a fear of the darkness, as night was the most peaceful time of day, and damn, he loved it. You got used to it after a while. To be honest, he sometimes liked the teasing of the dark, as if it or his brain was trying to mess with him. And prove he still had the same courage. A slight shift, strange voices, stretching shadows; the usual games.

Though he had to agree that in this world, this so-called darkness might not be so innocent. A red petal swirled in front of him. This—"I didn't expect you to grace my humble abode with a visit, Brother Guan," Ren said, then lowered his armored hand and straightened. His lips curled up gracefully, his frown softening.

"They said you've lost your touch," came a voice, smooth as oiled silk, mellow as a whispered lullaby. Another red petal drifted down, curling toward the dirt.

"But you're still as sharp as ever, Brother Ren." Ren turned slowly. From behind a tree stepped a man dressed in dark-blue robes, embroidered with faint bone-lotus patterns. His posture was straight, his hair bound by a carved jade clasp, and his hands folded behind his back. He looked like a visiting scholar from a noble clan. Yet the faint, numbing pressure in the air around him and the faint scar above his left cheek disturbed that image. A group of black-robed figures followed him like obedient puppies.

Liuxue flinched, her dagger trembling. Hmm? Ren lifted one brow, giving her a side glance. Then he turned back to Guan.

"Eh, the wind carries words as it pleases; who are we to silence it?"A chilling breeze licked Ren's skin, giving slight goosebumps. He shrugged with a carefree air.

"You could've given me a heads-up. It's not right to greet a guest like this, standing in the doorway instead of a feast table." Guan offered a shallow bow, perfectly measured.

"I've long wanted to visit, yet fate didn't offer the chance. Tonight… those same winds carried me here." His eyes shifted— only for a breath— toward Liuxue, before returning to Ren's face without the faintest hint of emotion.

"I see you've taken a disciple. Congratulations. She is lucky."

"She's talented," Ren replied, tone unreadable.

"Of course she is," Guan murmured.

"She gained your acknowledgment, after all. Still, strong talent draws greedy gazes as well." The wind stirred again. A branch creaked.

"A few looks aren't something to fret over," Ren said, staring deep into Guan's piercing eyes.

"But if they dare to reach with their dirty hands…" He grabbed one of the petals and crushed it into dust. The robed figures squirmed uneasily. Guan remained silent, his black eyes measuring.

"If anybody other than you said these words, I would've laughed," he said, the air getting heavier.

"But it's you." Ren just shrugged.

"When did you mark her?"

"Around six years ago, her bastard father sold her," Guan answered, an amused smile on his lips.

"To pay his debt."

"Tch," Liuxue let out a soft snort, but nodded when Ren gave her a questioning glance.

"You don't think a naive girl can survive out there long enough to arrive at the Supreme Judgment Sect, right?" Guan continued with a smile as if he was talking about what to eat for dinner.

"I watched her, intervened when her life was in danger, and didn't let others covet her roots. Truth be told, she gave me quite a shock, even to an old coldblood like me. Never thought a humble girl I bought for three golden coins could pass the test and become your disciple. What a fate, what an amazing fate!" A hint of pride flickered through his gaze as he stared at her, but Ren could hear the bittersweet tone in his voice.

"You might wonder why I waited or why I let her try her hand on another sect's test in the first place, and to answer that—""Even as a cauldron for devouring, you coldblooded bastards wouldn't accept unqualified women, I know that," Ren chimed in, smile already disappeared. His armored hand clenched and unclenched a few times.

"And you knew my thoughts about your trashy techniques, too, Brother Guan."

"How could I not know!" Guan let out a booming, genuine laughter, seeming to brush off the insult without a second thought.

"I was beaten into a… what was it again? Ah, yes, a bloody pulp, just because you disdained our approach to cultivation. Had to admit that it ain't a pretty way to teach someone righteousness. Remember your words?" An alien smile stretched across his face, almost reaching his ears. His mouth turned into a perfect crescent."' A disgrace to the righteous, a shame for the demonic; You're nothing but a bunch of sore losers crawling on the ground just to survive,' you said. Those words still haunt me at night, hehe."

He chuckled in self-disdain. Ren gave a thumbs-up inside at his soul brother's old antics, then he clicked his tongue.

"Looks like one beating wasn't enough since you're still doing things like this." Guan's eyes gleamed. His smile returned to that polite manner in a split second.

"Barely," he said, sighing wistfully.

"Unfortunately, I can't give up on my technique, not while the Purple Worm Sect's danger exists. No serpent was born to lie straight as a stick, after all. Not going around killing or torturing mortals anymore should count for something, right? Only suitable slaves, demonic cultivators, and human wastes are my targets. Like her father." A soft silence stretched. Wind rustled the trees again as Liuxue gritted her teeth.

"Funny. Which category does she fall into, then?" Ren paused. Maybe you would if I shoved a long stick up your ass, you piece of shit. He snorted.

"Don't waste my time, and just tell me 'her' price." Liuxue's grip tightened, but he didn't clarify. The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

"Putting a price on someone? You?" Guan smirked in response and shook his head.

"Maybe I was wrong. You might've… changed, Brother Ren." Ren just glared at him, his disdain overflowing. Rubbing his chin, Guan stared with a twisted joy.

"It's hard to put a price on her. She is a beauty— no, a treasure! You know it's hard to find someone pretty after the corruption of death." His eyes gleamed dark.

"Spit it out already," Ren uttered, tone cold and impatient. Then he waved his hand as if he had already decided.

"You know what, never mind. I always hated bargaining, and it doesn't change even with an old friend. Three moves." The half-armor flared to life as he grasped at the air. At the same time, the aura around him changed. The change was unremarkable in itself— barely worth a glance. Only a crimson color tinted his pupils. And yet, this unassuming change sent a shiver through Guan, forcing him to retreat a step.

"Stand against my three moves, or attack me three times. Whoever falls, loses." Ren glared, his entire demeanor transformed into something sharper. Something dangerous. Deadly. Then—"You're wasting time with this cripple," one of the black-robed figures snapped. His voice was sharp, full of indignation.

"He lost everything. Why show deference to someone who can't even—" Crack. The figure's voice cut off with a scream as his body collapsed to the ground, hand gripping his jaw. Blood trickled from his lips— teeth shattered, face twisted. Guan hadn't moved from his spot. But his hand was now out of his sleeve, slender fingers hanging loose in the air. Ren caught him while throwing a quick glance at the darkness, though it could be just his imagination.

"Do not speak again." Guan's voice went frigid. The others remained silent, even holding their breaths. Guan turned back to Ren, calm once more.

"Forgive the insolence. It seems some of the younger generation haven't been properly educated." Ren didn't blink.

"A new addition to your graveyard collection, I assume." A beat passed.

"I only tolerate snakes," Guan said mildly, a sickly yellow light flashing through his eyes, "because I know how to break their fangs." The slapped man suddenly convulsed, his skin cracking like parched earth after a long drought. But instead of blood, red petals emerged from the cracks. Cries tore through the air, impossible to believe they came from a human's throat. Liuxue shivered, grasping Ren's arm. Taking a look, Ren noticed her wide eyes and the blood red petal that landed on her forehead.

A mark appeared right on the spot.

"She's grown well. Too well, perhaps. Pity... she would've made a splendid concubine. I would've treated her with care," muttered Guan as he grasped the struggling man's head. A similar mark had appeared on his forehead, too. Then the man went silent.

"That means you'll just break her later when you're bored," Ren snorted once again. He grasped the petal and clasped it tightly with his armored hand. The peculiar glow in his eyes intensified. The petal resisted, yet only for a moment before he crushed it into pieces like a glass. The mark on Liuxue's forehead disappeared too, though he knew it wasn't erased.

"Now, don't make me repeat myself." Ren raised his clenched fist.

"You must be joking, Brother Ren." Guan immediately raised both hands as he put on a knowing smile.

"How can I fight for what's already yours? Just consider me if you ever get tired of raising a viperling… They might be troublesome, after all." He bowed, elegant and deep. Then turned, his followers dragging the broken disciple with them into the woods.

"Your servants are getting a good night's sleep." His voice echoed eerily.

"Let's meet again at the Eldest Meeting, brother." Only red petals remained, dancing quietly behind him. This disciple matter is getting messier. Ren exhaled, watching the petals bleed into the dirt. His eyes quietly returned to normal. That's why I hate relations… It kills the peace of mind. Still, he patted Liuxue's head. She was shaken, grasping his arm tightly. Who wouldn't?

"I'm sorry," she whispered. Ren raised a brow.

"Do not blame yourself because of others' actions. Their sin isn't yours to carry." Liuxue blinked, her lips parting— then pressed them into a tight line.

"Do you really believe he gave up?" she whispered at last.

"No," Ren said, not blinking.

"Of course not. He is no different than a mad dog. His kind wouldn't let go as long as it bites once."

"Then why did he just leave?"

"Because it's me." He looked up. The moon was shining brightly, and the stifling darkness had already retreated. A bitter chuckle found its way out of his lips.

"You'll understand the meaning behind the name of Eldest Brother of Judgment with time. It's not as simple as power." The terror incarnate. Even I'm struggling to comprehend his true reach. He had noticed the genuine fear in Guan's eyes, no matter how masterfully he tried to mask it. Noticing her thoughtful gaze, Ren lowered his head and turned toward the trees, voice quiet.

"Go call Madam Zhang, just shout and she will hear. I need to check the servants." He paused.

"Might as well postpone your practice to tomorrow. Today was… too hectic. Rest first." Liuxue gave a short nod, then went to the manor when he opened the barrier. She didn't thank him. Of course not. But he didn't miss how she let out a relaxed sigh. The petals were still bleeding into the earth. As she walked away, Ren walked into the forest, muttering, "Damn it, Guan… you really know how to ruin a quiet night." He felt nauseous, but didn't have any urge to vomit.

The moment of skin cracking played on his mind again and again, as if it was stuck on an eternal loop. The fragility of life— no, more than that, the cheapness of life struck him like a gut-punch. Not vomiting, not crying out, nor throwing a wild laugh. His body showed no adverse reaction, nor did his mind refuse to accept. Ren stood there for a moment, listening to the night's rustle. That night in the alley… once again played in his mind. Lowering his head, he saw blood in his hands. Blink, and it was gone.

Ren let out a slow, tired sigh. When all is said and done, he expected such a day. After all those xianxia novels he read, all those blood-filled memories he watched, he knew this world couldn't be a bed of roses, filled with colorful butterflies. Though the peaceful days— no matter the urgency— caused him to dream a little. Yeah, this world is mad, but how different are you? In the end, he couldn't help but let out a bitter chuckle.

"Seems like I am no different…" … Ren found the servants stacked one over another, a little roughed up. Fortunately, none of them seemed to be seriously injured. With Madam Zhang's help, he moved them back to their old rooms in the manor and checked their wounds. And after settling Liuxue in the guest room, he was finally able to slip out into the backyard.

"You can come out now," he muttered. His shadow stretched, and a man— hidden from head to toe except for his eyes— slowly rose. The man knelt on one knee.

"Young Master."

"Shadow," Ren stared at him, his gaze unusually heavy.

"I thought you were protecting my peak in my absence. Is this how you do your job?" The man lowered his head more, nearly touching the ground.

"Where were you when he caught the servants?" No response. Ren felt the anger rising within, his blood boiling. He thought about what he would do if someone else had invaded and slaughtered the servants. They were outside the barrier just because of my idiotic decision… He'd avenge them, of course, but it wouldn't bring them back to life. His gaze turned piercing.

"Answer."

"I've let you down, young master…" Shadow said, his voice husky.

"Give me a freaking reason," Ren said through clenched teeth, doing his best not to let the fury leak into his voice.

"H-he noticed me, when I was hiding in shadows… I—""So you decided it's better not to get involved, huh?" Ren couldn't help but laugh hysterically.

"That's not the reason, Shadow, and we both know that. Raise your head." Shadow lowered his head more, touching the ground.

"I said, raise your head." Ren took a step forward, his aura leaking. It wasn't overwhelming, unlike the past, yet the very air stagnated in front of it. Primordial's Wrath. He just let out a sliver of it, but it was enough. Shadow shivered in fear and raised his head hesitantly.

"Your only mission is to protect my peak, no matter the danger. Even if you die, you have to die protecting. That's the only way to atone for your sin as a deathsworn." Ren glared deep into the man's eyes.

"But from what I see, you decided I'm not good enough for you to risk your life, right? Not anymore. That's why you hesitated." With every word of his, Shadow trembled harder, unable to stop.

"Heh, Shadow, you betrayed this one's trust. Broke your oath. Tell me, what should I do?"

"Y-young master! I didn't— I didn't mean to, just… he… I…" Shadow begged, launching himself at Ren's feet.

"Give— give me another chance, Young Master! Just once!" Pathetic. Ren watched. He could see the desperation in the man's eyes, but strangely, he didn't feel anything. This man… didn't deserve his pity. Am I becoming too cold-hearted? A stray question flashed past his mind, causing him to stumble just for a moment before he shook his head. As every merit deserves reward, every wrongdoing deserves punishment. A deathsworn was never innocent.

"A deathsworn's only worth is their oath. And you lost your worth," Ren muttered, saving his feet from the helpless grasp.

"Go back to the Grand Cave." He turned around, paused, and threw a short glance. He noticed the faint hope, but didn't hesitate to crush it.

"Do me a last favor, and call Sentinel for me." The last glimmer of hope disappeared in Shadow's eyes. He broke down, tears falling at the mention of the name. You reap what you sow. Don't blame me.