"You, lower your mask," Xinzi told one of the nearby golden mask wearers. The man obeyed without delay, revealing a face that immediately made Yan Le's heart spiral out of control.
"Xin Zhong, Yan Le. Yan Le, Xin Zhong. In the past, people referred to him as Yan Zhong, master of the Yan clan and Hegemon of the Yanzhou Province. He is also Yan Le's father—a criminal one that does deserve to be damned. Unfortunately, his luck knows no limit, enabling him to become one of the retainers of my Xin clan. His cultivation base went from late to peak-stage of Dao Revelation, and it won't be long before he crosses the Void Tribulation." Xinzi started, making the gathered folks' eyes dart between Xin Zhong and Yan Le.
'Wait, what? She's the daughter of the Yanzhou Hegemon?' While rubbing her scalp, Dong Ling thought.
Throughout Yanzhou Province, there wasn't a single cultivator that didn't know Yan Zhong of the Yan Spirit clan. How could they not, when with one word, that man could alter their laws or put an end to their existences. The first battle of Burning Spear Supercity and the subsequent exodus of the Yan Spirit clan had long spread throughout Yanzhou—giving various factions free rein to act as they pleased.
Although Guang Fanghu stated that Xinzi had rescued Burning Spear Supercity from demonic plots, they couldn't imagine that he literally subjugated the Yan Spirit clan—even less that Yan Le turned out to be Yan Zhong's daughter.
That said, judging by Xinzi's words and Yan Le's red, trembling eyes, all could see that the relationship between father and daughter was far from being a healthy one.
"A good soldier with strong potential. However...he does have unfinished business with you, and cannot be a true member of the Xin clan army until that business has been dealt with. What do you want to do with him? Just say the word, and whatever you want will happen now." Xinzi made Yan Le an irresistible offer.
Xin Zhong stepped forward, and with his arms crossed behind his back, bowed at Xinzi and Yan Le. Clearly, he didn't object to Xinzi's words, ready to suffer death should that end up being his sentence.
For a moment, Yan Le stared at this deferential version of her father. As far as she could recall, Yan Zhong had always represented the summit. The most dominant expert of an entire province, lording over millions of cultivators and hundreds of millions of mortal lives. His name equaled Yanzhou's peak, and his face commanded obedience. Yet in Xinzi's world, he'd been reduced to "a good soldier with strong potential," and would die on the spot if his master so desired it.
This...was power.
"Nothing. I want nothing from him." Yan Le shook her head, refusing to take advantage of the situation. Anyone could see that Yan Zhong—no, Xin Zhong had been broken into a loyal dog by Xinzi. Anything that he did, he did because Xinzi commanded him to do so. Not due to self-introspection or personal growth.
He was a soldier of the highest caliber, ready to live and die for his lord. This was no longer the Hegemon willing to ruin his human daughter's life to protect his reputation. Yan Le would find no satisfaction from dealing with this version of him, and beyond, refused to deprive Xinzi of a loyal goon.
"Are you sure?" Xinzi asked, for past today, Yan Le wouldn't get another opportunity for vengeance.
"Yes, but even with all these boons, one day, I will surpass him," Yan Le pledged, more to herself than Xinzi or Xin Zhong. But little did she expect that, upon hearing these words, Xin Zhong would lift his eyes at her, his lips curling into a smile.
"Your servant looks forward to it," he said.
Xinzi waved his hand, dismissing Xin Zhong, who promptly returned to the troops.
"Then let the past stay in the past. We have a future to build—one so radiant that it will eclipse the glory of all paradises," Xinzi said, through his words hinting that, since he took the pain to bring Yan Le to his side, her past didn't bother him.
Here, our monk stood up, ambling at Chun Xu. With a smile, Xinzi lifted up the Sword Fairy's chin, forcing her to look him in the eyes. "For how long are you planning to kneel, exactly? Forever? If you're going to do that, you should face the other way so I can at least appreciate the curvature of your curled rear," as candid as ever, Xinzi said.
"Lewd and depraved." Chun Xu didn't answer, but Dong Ling shook her head, not surprised in the slightest.
"Yes, absolutely yes. I insist on being lewd AND depraved. Deal with it." Xinzi replied, then shifted his attention back to Chun Xu.
"With that said, A'Xu, you should understand the principle of 'too much is as bad as not enough.' Since I've already let go of the matter, kneeling here only makes things awkward for us all. Stand up," Xinzi said, and without delay, Chun Xu rose to her feet—yet still felt dwarfed by Xinzi, who towered above her by a solid 20 cm.
Chun Xu loved Xinzi. But at the same time, she dared say that there was no entity, man, woman, devil or deity, that she found more terrifying than the monk smiling at her.
One could never tell when his gentle smiles concealed nefarious intent. And while Chun Xu didn't doubt that Xinzi would never mean her harm, not being able to figure out his thoughts when he could always see through hers made her feel like a lamb—helpless in the jaw of a lethal predator.
"Alright girls, the White Immortal Sect is gone, but the Liberation Temple still stands. Zi Yao, Zi Zuixian and Zi Huamei aside, all experts of the Dong and Zi clans have joined my side. We're now going to break through the brume right behind us, opening the gate to a treasure trove that will supplement our efforts in spreading my Creed of Liberation and rebuilding the White Immortal Sect.
Henceforth, you're all disciples of the Liberation Temple. Congratulations.
Hanxing, go ahead." The words had barely left Xinzi's lips that, to the girls' surprise, the green-clad man revealed his face: Lord Hanxing's face. Then they glanced at the masked purple-haired woman nearby, and as they realized who hid behind that mask, confusion stretched their faces.
With a wry smile, Hanxing bowed at Xinzi, then turned towards the brume. The green winds of degradation erupted from his dantian, blowing through the brume and cleaving open a clear path towards one tall green gate.
