1154: Etched

Etched

Having devoured the demonling his internal energy was restored to more than sixty percent again which also greatly helped in dealing with Eurig's poison. 1

"I thought it wouldn't be a big deal but that poison is really strong. It made my entire body sluggish and heavy, significantly slowing down my reflexes and even making it hard to breathe. If I wasn't a cultivator it would have been the end for me," Hao Xuan mused.

"But why do it at all, master?"

"To prove a point. His biggest card was his own poisoned blood that is refined in the depths of hell by his patron. It gave him enough confidence to go against me once and as long as he thought he had that card up his sleeve he would keep trying to pull some stupid shit like that."

"To deal with people that hold a blind belief in themselves the best way is to just tear it all down. Break them to the point that nothing makes sense anymore. Now he knows that I'm not only physically stronger but his poisons won't work on me either."

"And if he does something like that again he will meet the same fate as his comrade. You strip them of all hope, take away all their secrets and leave them naked and afraid of someone bigger and much stronger than them. That is how you break idiots like him, by overwhelming them to the point of no return."

Upon hearing Hao Xuan's explanation Claudia's head hung low as her mind began to wander.

"But master really is incredible. You might not see it yourself but to someone like me, you are like the sun. Your very existence is because despite having all these incredible powers you are not lost in them."

"Most mortals lose themselves the moment they get power especially if they never had it before. But you are wise beyond your years. You do not let the power control you or get to your head. You don't even have the arrogance and vanity that comes with your title."

"You treat those stupid mortals like equals, as if that could ever be the case. If only they knew of your esteemed self-"

"Stop, any more and my head might get too big for my shoulders," Hao Xuan chuckled staring up at the darkened sky, "Trust me when I say it's not as simple as you think. I'm no different from anyone else. I didn't go out seeking all this. They just...fell into my lap more or less. I am only a cog in someone else's machine."

"Given the option I'd rather live a life of peace. And maybe when all this is over I can explore the wonders of the universe without all this pressure weighing me down."

Claudia could not tear her eyes away from Hao Xuan's gloomy face. She was already too far gone now.

'That's what makes you different. You do not seek power even when it is handed to you on a silver platter. But I'm afraid the peaceful life that you desire will never come, 'they' will not let it,' her expression turning sour.

'What if I don't bring him to her? Will that...change anything...? I don't want him to fall in their trap...'

"Thank you, Ms. Claudia, for all your help," Hao Xuan's voice brought her back as he stood on his own, "I'm good now."

"No please, it...was nothing," she mumbled absentmindedly.

"No, I really mean it. I saw you step in front of me earlier during the confrontation with that idiot. You thought I needed help and despite being outnumbered you stepped up without a second thought. I will not forget it and if given the opportunity I will pay you back."

Claudia was stunned by his directness. It was not something she had experienced very often.

"Just for something like that? I didn't even fight."

Hao Xuan shook his head, "But you intended to and that's enough for me. Come now, we have much to do. The city needs to be closed off and the protection array restored if we are to stand a chance."

He grabbed her by the waist and leaped into the air towards the city gates before she could say anything.

The grimoire that was hovering behind her stayed in place, watching them disappear almost like a sentient being. It was listening to their conversation this whole time.

Only when they were out of sight did it turn towards the ground where Claudia's shadow still remained standing. A pair of fiery red eyes opened within it for a moment before the shadow grew smaller and lighter before vanishing along with the grimoire.

A blackened imprint of a hoof was left behind in the place of the shadow, etched deep into the stones.

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