647: Uninvited Guests

Uninvited Guests

"Hah, I know that you wanted to lure the Fourteen Evils here but... we're getting overwhelmed."1

Sitting across from her in the tea shop, Grandpa Meng took a sip from his cup before putting it down. He looked at his adoptive granddaughter, There were a few papers neatly stacked beside his cup, all of them were reports from the other cities. 

"Although Luan City and the surrounding cities are safe because of you, things are still a bit hectic on our side. There are plenty of other cities and villages that need protection, several have already been destroyed by a passing criminal. Trying to track all of it has already become more and more difficult. In short, the pressure is mounting", he told her. 

Grandpa Meng then leaned forward, putting his finger down on those reports. 

"It doesn't show here but they're getting desperate now. More and more people are gathering, forming larger groups to enter that Cursed Land. Are you sure you can handle this?" he asked. 

The young woman looked back at him calmly. 

"Don't worry, grandpa. All of them will be dealt with."

As she said this, Ming Yue took out a few pouches, each one full of red tokens, placing them on the table in front of him. 

He looked at the bags before facing her. There was still a bit of concern in his eyes. 

"Are you sure? It's just going to be you, isn't it? What about the others? Your comrades? Are you not going to ask them for help?" he questioned. 

"There's no need, they know what they need to do and so do I. We cannot just deal with the Fourteen Evils, we have to dismantle Redmist Sanctuary. It hasn't been very long since they've expanded, doing this won't be too difficult."

Ming Yue answered him, looking straight into his eyes as she did so. They were unwavering and determined. Grandpa Meng looked at her, quiet for a few seconds before sighing. 

"Haah, alright then. But still, be careful, and if you ever need help just let me know."

"I will." 

It didn't take long for rumors to spread out, especially when Yingba's disappearance was made known. For a man like him, there was no need to hide his own tracks, everyone knew where he was headed. And since he hasn't made a sound since then. they could only see it as his end. 

Just like that one of the strongest experts of Redmist Sanctuary had perished. 

And no one knew how. 

Mist Valley or specifically, what was left of the original branch of the Sanctuary, was even renamed at some point. As the rumors gathered and compounded, it was called the "Misty Blood Tomb" now. 

Stories began to grow and travel. How an origin of evil had been punished by the Heavens, destroyed, and buried under blackened dust. For many, it deterred them from coming closer, even those within Red Lotus Country were fearful and left. 

Those who stayed could only be crazy or confident. 

In their eyes, there was less competition for them and more opportunity to gain. 

And it wasn't just evil cultivators who came but experts of other kingdoms as well. Partially because they want to witness it for themselves but also for another reason. 

Vengeance. 

Evil cultivators had no lacking in sin, there are many who have been wronged or offended by them. Crime had gone rampant after all, broken families, lost dreams, shattered lives. There were plenty who lived only to seek revenge. 

Certainly, Ming Yue's plan was working but... it was succeeding more than it should. Whether or not she wanted it, trouble was coming. 

"Kekekeke, to think I'd come across a fresh catch tonight! If this luck continues, I might just have a good time at the Misty Blood Tomb!"

On the byroads between kingdoms was a man wielding a bloody sword in one hand and dragging a corpse with his other hand. 

His clothes were ragged, stained with blood, and dirty. Despite that, there was a grin on his face, happy about his kill. 

"Ah, I've gotten my meal for tonight and tomorrow! Human flesh is always such a treat!"

The man made no attempt to hide himself, walking in broad daylight and leaving behind a trail of blood. 

Suddenly a dagger flew out, just missing him by a hair as it stabbed itself right into the trunk of a tree. 

"You, you're the Butcher of An Le, right?" 

A cold voice spoke out as the man tilted his head behind him, getting a look at who had just attacked him. The grin on his face was still there. 

"So what if I am? Are you the one who threw that knife?" he asked, lowering his sword to the ground. 

The owner of that cold voice was a middle-aged man, a cultivator it would seem. His clothes seemed somewhat thicker as he wore not one but three layers. Compared to the Butcher of An Le, he was more stoic though in front of this killer, there was a growing hatred. 

"Two years ago, you killed my junior brother and my junior sister. They were supposed to be together, married even. They might have had children by now", he said. 

"Really? I don't remember. I've killed so many after all. But if they're dressed like you.... Mmm, yes, I do recall something like it now. Their hidden weapons and tricks made it a bit hard but nevertheless, their flesh grew to be quite tender! Kekekekeke!" 

The Butcher cackled before dropping the corpse and facing the man who withdrew his hands, taking out a pair of swords. 

"I was not there because of the war in the Demon Continent. I would've returned with gifts for them but when I came back, they were dead. Their bodies were left a mess, as if a beast just tore through them with their teeth", said the man. 

He stared at the butcher icily. There was hatred, there was anger, and there would be no remorse. 

"I buried them and after that, I searched. It didn't take long to find out who had done it and once I did find out, I went on my way. I knew that the news of a Cursed Land would lure someone like you. So, I waited, biding my time until you showed up. And now I've found you."

Pointing a sword at the butcher, he gnashed his teeth as he said these next words. 

"Even if it kills me, I will make sure you are sent to the deepest pits of hell."

The Butcher of An Le sneered before laughing. 

"Really? Is that it? You're not even at the peak of Earth Realm? Can you really contend with me? The Sky Realm is but a step from my grasp. You know what, with your flesh, you'll be that very step."

Without wasting a single moment, the Butcher charged forward, swinging his sword out wildly as he laughed. The man wasn't shocked or surprised by the move, he waited for it, using both swords to block the attack before fighting back. 

The sound of blades ringing against each other echoed under the sunlight as both of them fought furiously. But as the Butcher said, the difference in power was there. 

"Kekekeke, what can you honestly do now? Just die and join your juniors!" the Butcher cackled. 

He swung his sword down, hammering away as his enemy had nowhere to run. Each of his strikes had to be dealt with by both swords, even then, the man was pushed back. He didn't even have a chance to showcase his own skills. 

Despite that, he was resolute. 

"Even if I die! I will take you down with me!" 

He lunged forward, stabbing both swords into the Butcher's stomach while letting the bloodied blade cut deep into his shoulder!

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