Aldred and the others continued their journey with the Astrolabe as their guide. They passed by a river, and rounded a mountain where they arrive in a place between two tall cliffs.
"We should camp here," Aldred said. "The view is good. The air is fresh. It's a perfect place for leisure."
"I agree with that."
"Me too."
Bartrem nodded. "Men, we camp here."
"Yes, sir!"
Aldred summoned all the necessary things from his divine dimension. It was the usual; tents, grills, mattresses, tables, basket, and everything else they needed for camping.
Bartrem and the soldiers began grilling. After traveling so long with him, some of the soldiers picked up the trade and helped Bartrem with cooking the food. Their help made it easier and faster for them to create more food for everyone.
And then Aldred took out the wine, booze, and beer. Everything for every kind of taste. Fruits were neatly placed on a basket which was enough for everyone.
One of the reason why traveling the world was so good was because Aldred brought unlimited supply of high quality meat, fruits, and complete gears for camping. Most people starved and eat whatever the could while camping for a long period of time, but Aldred was like a walking luxury.
This was one of the reason why treasure hunters were so respected. They did not have a lot of chance to replenish their supplies, and even if they did, they would not fill it with high quality food such as Aldred. Some who had extra spatial bag might do that, but it wasn't common.
They drank, ate, chatted, and laughed together.
Mary laughed at Aldred's joke about impregnating the moon. She laughed so hard she fell on all four. Suddenly, a small rock fell from the cliff above.
She looked up and saw nothing there.
"I am serious, Mary. I am not joking when I say I impregnate the moon."
Mary laughed again.
Everyone was slightly drunk because of the wine, so they let loose. Of course, with their powerful body, the alcohol would not be able to affect their behavior unless they let it. Aldred could remove the effect of the alcohol immediately, and he could also let it run around in his bloodstream.
They sang a song, and told a story about what happened earlier.
"You should have seen that man's face. He was really shocked when you reach the 100th stair."
Aldred laughed. "Ah, that's right. I almost forgot about Kang Huan. He was a good dude. I should have give him something before we part."
"Maybe you will meet him again," Mareona said.
"I doubt it, but I hope that's true."
Mally looked up. "Time to get some sleep."
They all nodded and cleaned the place before they entered their own tent.
Red eyes peeked from above the cliff. Staring at the camp with great hatred.
The shadow turned around and looked at a silhouette of a man who stared at the camp with a deep intensity.
The shadow kept looking at the man, as if waiting for an order.
The man nodded.
The shadows turned around and whispered: "Silent Spell: Obliterate."
Soundless, odorless, and without warning a dark beam came from above and struck down at the camp. The impact engulfed the trees, plants, and rocks, turning them into dust. Even a large part of the cliffs were devoured.
The silhouette grinned. And then he laughed. He stepped forward, revealing the figure of handsome and tall man.
It was Wen Shuren. "That man finally died. He finally died! Because of your stupid orb, Shi Xiulan has been acting weird and it's hard for me to seduce her because of that!"
The dark beam vanished, revealing nothing but a huge crater.
A fabric slowly floated towards Wen Shuren. It was the material for the tents.
Wen Shuren smirked, and threw the fabric away. The shadows nodded and stood up, revealing a bunch of men with luxurious robe. They were Shuren's top cultivator. Even though their cultivation was at the Gold Rank level, but they could match against a weakened Platinum Rank.
So many resources were put to train them, and it wouldn't be long for them to reach Diamond Rank. It was only a matter of time.
"I see. So that is your plan," a voice entered Wen Shuren's head. Time and space seemed to freeze, and he could not move a muscle.
Suddenly, the world shattered, and he found himself being tied to a tree with Aldred standing in front of him.
"W—where am I? And you. You are supposed to be dead!"
"I bring my strongest men with me. They won't leave any stone unturned to kill you."
"Are you sure about that?" Aldred pointed to the side where the Wen Shuren's subordinates were, tied to the ground and unable to move nor speak.
"How can this be? I see it with my own eyes. You are death! Not even your corpse survive the dark beam!"
"It's all in your head, buddy. This is the reality."
"No! I cannot have this! You are dead! Dead!"
"No. It's you who is going to die." Aldred summoned his Phantom Doomblade.
Wen Shuren looked terrified after he saw the blade right in front of his face. "No! No! No! You cannot kill me. My family will hunt you down! They won't let you live an easy life!"
"I heard that a lot!"
STAB!
Aldred raised an eyebrow. He stabbed for the neck, but a small transparent shield suddenly appeared and blocked his attack.
The projection of a man appeared beside Wen Shuren. The man stood tall and dignified as he looked at Aldred with nonchalant eyes.
"Give him a quick death," the man said.
"Uhh… did I heard that right?"
"Father! What are you saying. I am your son!" Wen Shuren's face darkened.
"You are useless and not worthy of the resources it will take to avenge you. The least I can do is to give you a painless death."
"FATHER! No! Don't let this man kill me! Please!"
"You are no longer my son. From now on, I officially disown you."
Wen Shuren's dark face immediately turned into disbelief and despair.
The projection disappeared.
Wen Shuren looked down and cried, sobbing like a child would. Snot and tears filled his face. His handsome face that would make all ladies turn their sight was no more.
He looked weak and disgusting.
Even Aldred did not want to kill the man anymore. "This punishment is far worse than death. To be disowned by your own father. I can understand your pain which is the reason why I will let you live. Not to make you feel good, but let you suffer much longer."
Aldred vanished, leaving nothing but blood mist.
A few minutes later, a man appeared with the same appearance in the projection.
Wen Shuren looked up. "Father?"
"You foolish of a child. Let this lesson carve itself into your heart. What did I tell you about the rule of this world?"
"Never offend the wrong person."
"Then why did you?"
"I am sorry. I was wrong."
"Your ego, your emotion. You let them control your behavior. Learn to control them better."
"I will. But, do you really disown me?"
"Of course not. It is the only way I can prevent him from killing you."
"But how can you be so sure?"
"That man has seen arrogant fucks like you so many times. I can see the disdain in his eyes. The desire to cleanse dirt like you in this world was so strong in his heart. I indirectly offered him a far worse punishment. And he accepted it. Even if he didn't, at least it would gave you a few minutes for me to come."
"Why didn't you just kill him?"
"He is protected by the curse. Nothing above Gold Rank can touch him without fatal consequences."
"I see. Thank you, father. I don't know what I will be without you."
"Now, you will go with me. I will teach you the art of manipulation."
Wen Shuren smiled and nodded.
