Chương 43: Execution

"That's why you killed him, Xue Tian!" Ren didn't give anyone a chance to react as silver light rippled outward. The scale suddenly expanded, vast beyond reason, towering above the feast ground. Its light banished all the shadows, creating its domain. Disciples started to fall to their knees one by one, their faces twisted. Then came the purple dragon. For a heartbeat, it seemed small compared to the scale, like a worm writhing beneath the eternal judgment. But when its maw opened: ROAR!

The dragon rose from the same silver radiance, swelling larger with every breath, coiling around the scale in endless ascent until its colossal claws seized the upper beam of the scale. Its head resembled more of a Western dragon— long horns jutting like spears, metallic scales catching the light. Yet its body bore the grace of the east: slender, flowing like a serpent. And its gaze— no, not its gaze alone.

Every scale, every horn, the slight curve in its vicious mouth, the narrowed eyes; everything about it radiated the same truth: unmatched pride. The symbol of Judgment's bearer unraveled at full glory. The very world trembled under its weight. At the same time, the behemoth called Supreme Judgment Sect abruptly awakened, all kinds of auras flaring in response to the bearer's will!

"You think a mere aura is enough?" Xue Tian's cold voice cut through the suffocation, reverberating. Another aura burst forth, and the sky blackened further. In almost an instant, red clouds blanketed above the dragon. These clouds manifested from nothingness, and lightning thundered in them. Underneath, blood dripped out of almost every disciple's ears. Some even bled from their eyes. Ren's chest rose once, sharply. A crushing force pressed down on his shoulders. Xue Tian's aura was heavy, and…

it was vast, unimaginably vast. However— It wasn't at the same level as his! As if provoked by the lightning's insolence, the dragon clenched its claws upon the scale. Its roar erupted once more, a deeper, more majestic cry. The full weight of a pseudo-Primordial's wrath pressed on. The clouds shuddered. Lightning splintered into sparks. And for the first time, Xue Tian truly frowned, his shoulders lightly sinking under the suppression. If you think that's it, you're very wrong fucker. Ren didn't hesitate.

No, to be exact, his mind couldn't catch up to his body's instincts. A punch flew straight as crimson light surged, slamming into Xue Tian's jaw with a crack that felt more deafening than the roar, mixing with his armor's protesting creaks. The air rippled violently. The man's head tilted half an inch, nothing more. Sparks flashed across his body, a strange flicker passing through his gaze. He didn't move. Still, Ren stepped back a moment later, his heart beating like a drum.

His knuckles were stinging beneath the armor, and he was pretty sure that crack came from his fingers. The pain cleared his mind for a second, and he held back his follow-up punch. Fucking hell, is he made of stone or what? He complained a little, feeling like he was against a late-game boss in the freaking start. Still, he put on a faint smirk, a little too crooked at the edges, watching with great interest.

"As expected… as expected of the bearer." Xue Tian took a deep breath and let out a quiet chuckle. Breaking his unmovable stance, he rubbed his chin with one hand, then cracked his neck. Something had changed in his face now, as if he had noticed something. And with it came another emotion. Amusement.

"Ahh, this reminds me of the past. You were so insolent, so arrogant! I even thought you might grow up after such a fall. Foolish of me, heh." Xue Tian shook his head, measuring Ren, his gaze piercing as if stripping him down to bones, "You haven't changed a bit. But you couldn't win against me when you were at your peak, let alone this… inferior, lesser version of yours, boy."

"You're right again." Ren didn't refute, nor did he need to. After all, Xue Tian was an obstacle even his soul brother had trouble dealing with. But oh boy, how sweet that punch felt! How exhilarating, how liberating it was! Should I throw one more? The irrational side of him growled in desire, but he chose to leave it for the future. To another time, when he could make him bleed without crippling himself.

"Then what is the meaning of this?" asked Xue Tian, a grin forming on his lips.

"Dominance over me? If so, it was pathetic."

"A declaration," Ren answered, shrugging.

"Of what?"

"That I'm still alive." He didn't hurry, although his body roared for blood. The next part was better witnessed by all. The more, the merrier. So, he raised his armored hand, stared at it, clenching and unclenching it. The pain was still there, but it was nothing but a fly bite for his body. His heart agreed with a strong beat.

"And as long as I'm alive… as long as I can clench these fists of mine, nobody can stop me." He felt it. The Judgment Hall enforcers manifesting through the void, row upon row of masked silhouettes, every gaze fixed on his back. Ren didn't turn around; instead, he lifted his gaze to Xue Tian, catching the slight twitch at his lips. He must've realized by now, he smiled. Not a mocking one, no, it was a genuine, calm smile. So what are you gonna do? Stay back and watch like always? Or will you risk it?

The rage burning inside him hadn't faded. But for once, he didn't care where it came from. Whether his or his soul brother's, whether born of corruption or carved by trauma— what did it matter? He had accepted. Truly accepted. The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there. This life… wasn't something he could do without holding the reins. He couldn't give them time or opportunity by remaining silent, by hiding his edge. No.

That would cause him to be swallowed by the monsters hungry for his position, for his identity, and for his loved ones. I'll do whatever I feel right, the consequences be damned, he thought, the determination surfacing on his face. I won't find myself in that alley, not now, not in the future.

"I, Wang Ren, am the Bearer of Supreme Judgment, a legacy disciple and Eldest among all," he shouted, the words echoing in the silence. Elders, a few core disciples that managed to stay conscious, Baozhai, the armored girl, and even some of the flared auras which had arrived but standing outside the feast hall in silence; all focused on him at that moment, their faces solemn. Ren took a deep breath, and the darkness in his pupils flickered.

Every inch of his being shivered in pleasure as if he was soaking in pure spiritual energy, the heaviness he always carried without even realizing… it began to fade at that moment.

"And by that right, I'll be the one judging the Miracle Sect," he declared, his voice coming out serene despite his solemn tone. Xue Tian's aura swayed, churning. Yet the purple dragon's focus on him was absolute, its glance pinning the man in place. Ren raised his fist over his head, his stance steady as a mountain.

"Elder Snowraven betrayed the values of our sect, protecting the corrupt Miracle Sect, but our dear Master Xue decided it would be better to sell them. I don't agree with this decision." He paused and turned to look at the higher-ups of Miracle Sect, chained and held by the masked figures like feral dogs. None of them dared to meet his gaze. Only Elder Snowraven, whom the Demoness forced to kneel in the air, glared at him, his face twisted beyond human.

"So, I, as the Bearer, invoke—" He got ready to clench his hand, fingers trembling in anticipation.

"Hold on." Just then, a lazy, disinterested voice interrupted. Ren lowered his gaze and saw the girl in armor rising. She wasn't in a hurry, treading upon unseen steps in the air with elegance, an azure dragon perched over her shoulders. The dragon flickered in and out of existence as though it didn't want to clash with the purple dragon, unlike her bearer. The purple dragon didn't spare it a glance. At last, the girl stood beside Xue Tian, face-to-face with Ren, extending her hand.

"It's so nice to meet you, Wang Ren," she said, her lips curving up sweetly.

"I'm Yue Yanling, Eldest of Azure Sky." What's the matter with this dum-dum? Ren couldn't help but arch a brow. He gave a quiet stare at her hand, but didn't reach out. Getting no reaction, Yue Yanling's smile faltered for a moment. Still, she quickly recovered and took back her hand.

"Aww, that's such a rude move, mister. Or should I—""What do you want?" Ren cut her chatter, already feeling a headache. At least Xue Tian knows how to remain silent. If not, he'd be ten times the nightmare.

"Oh, so serious," Yue Yanling answered in an exaggerated wave, her crescent eyes mocking.

"Anyway, I didn't want to interrupt at the beginning, since this is your 'inner' problem." She paused, rubbed her chin, and turned solemn at last.

"However, we got a deal." Ren noticed the subtle disappointed look on Xue Tian's face. He couldn't help but throw a questioning look, and the man just shrugged. Are you leaving the trouble to me? Ren asked with his gaze, his hand still in the air. Xue Tian shook his head subtly as if saying, 'You're the cause of this, so you'll take care of it.' Ren felt his hand itching.

"I'm already showing my support of Judgment Sect, and I'll continue to do so in the new era. In exchange, you should just let go of the Miracle Sect. They're worth…" Ren stopped listening to her chattering, his gaze already swept past her to the woman who had broken into cold sweat at the main table. She took a hesitant step, then another, resembling a newborn gazelle. Yet she froze the moment she lifted her flickering gaze and met his eyes. Her mouth moved, but no sound came out.

"But if you insist, I can let you roughen them up a little, so you can vent your— Ugh!" Yue Yanling suddenly flinched, staring with wide eyes at the hand that stopped right before grabbing her throat. The azure dragon opened its maw, but clapped it shut as soon as the colossal dragon above turned to it.

"She is my guest, Ren," Xue Tian said, voice cold, his grasp no different than a clamp. At the same time, his brows sank as if exasperated at how inconsiderate he was.

"Don't take my respect as weakness, or you'll regret it." His aura flared once again, the lightning booming. Even the dragon growled uneasily for a beat before Xue Tian calmed his aura, pushing Ren's hand back. Then he lightly grabbed the girl at her collar and threw her back to the main table, his mouth moving without a sound, most probably transmitting his voice. Ren tilted his head, but had no intention to step back.

"Heh, Azure Sky and their perfect choices as Eldest disciples…" he muttered, eyes locking at the woman beneath, his voice echoing.

"The old one knew nothing about humility, and it looks like the new one is following his footsteps diligently. Protector Yun, is this a sect tradition? If so, please enlighten me, so I don't end up with another Eldest dead in my hands, will you?" An innocent smile settled on his lips, though his gaze told another story, carrying nothing but a kind of strict commitment. Protector Yun gulped hard, her eyes practically begging at Xue Tian. But he didn't even turn and acknowledge her. Whoops. Wrong person to rely on.

Ren's smile widened into a smirk. Azure Sky was nothing but a pawn, and Xue Tian never liked useless ones. Just as he guessed, Xue Tian waved a hand, and an elder appeared, taking them away.

"Do it," Xue Tian said at last, clasping his hands at his back again. Ren stared at the man's eyes, feeling his raised hand had gotten numb and heavy. He wasn't sure if it was physical or psychological. Whether one or both, he clenched his hand without hesitation.

"I, Wang Ren, invoke the Bearer's qualification to question Elder of Judgment— daoist named Snowraven. Do you plead guilty to your crimes?" Ren flashed behind him, grabbing the long, chunky cleaver from Demoness's hand. The disheveled, deranged-looking man raised his head toward the scale. He met with the dragon's gaze, his pupils turning purple. A serene smile erupted.

"I, Zeng Huiliang, plead guilty for losing my heart of justice. I broke my oath and deserve death." The moment these words were uttered, the dragon roared with wrath. It pressed over one side of the scale, breaking the balance. The scale groaned. Screams rose and silenced, heads falling and thudding in grotesque clumps. A sharp, metallic smell spread, overwhelming.

"With this, justice found its place," Ren muttered absentmindedly, passing the cleaver back to Demoness. He wiped the scalding hot blood splashed on his face. He didn't feel anything even though he killed one, ordered the others' execution, nor did his body give any abnormal reaction. His hands were steady, his breath calm. And the worst was how his stomach was fine despite the stench choking the air. He had done it again. The darkness in his eyes faded, the crimson glimmer returning.

The expected relief didn't appear. This is what they deserved. I am not gonna feel sorry for such scum. Xue Tian didn't comment as well. Instead, he swept a glance at those watching outside the domain.

"What will happen next?" he said, his tone calm.

"Is this your return? Just with a borrowed aura?" That was a good question, to which Ren nodded. Coming this far, this easily, was good, but he also knew it was only the beginning. He, too, turned to look at his audience. Qin Guiren, his master, stood at the forefront, hands clasped behind his back, his gaze bearing an unreadable anguish. Master Gao and Master Shu watched from the side, wearing proud smiles. He also noticed Elder Jie and Elder Ye, their eyes wide.

They were standing on the ground, waiting behind someone like maids. Xue Hu… you arrived as well, huh? The young man was frowning, his face twisted. The fear embedded deep inside of him was probably too much for him to rise into the air and enter the bearer's domain. That was why Ren didn't even spare another glance at him. He was nothing but a side character. The real threat was in front of him. Xue Tian is someone who only moves if he is certain. Ren slowly clenched his fists. I need to stay as an anomaly.

And the only way for that is… Power. He needed to show he still had the strength to protect his position. Are you ready, Little Sapling? Taking a deep breath, Ren lifted his head to the sky. The clouds covering the moon… they were about to move.

"Just watch," he muttered, feeling his moonlight energy flaring. He took a deep breath as a blue ball appeared in his palm. World at Palm. Ren crushed it with no hesitation. [Growth: 2500/10000] It was time to mend what was broken.