Chapter 13: The Dark Hand Behind the Curtain
1087 Words
"Who are you to dare cause trouble at the Thousand Poisons Sect? Are you tired of living?"
Their eyes were cold as ice. If looks could kill, Alexander Reed's body would have been riddled with a thousand holes by now.
But Alexander's face remained impassive, as calm as a still pond.
"I've come here to ask you something."
As he spoke, Alexander slowly extended his right hand. The poison worm, controlled by his power, leaped alive in his palm.
From among the crowd, someone gasped in recognition:
"The Heart-Devouring Worm? Isn't that our Master's signature poison?"
"Legend says he crafted it with his own blood essence. He made only three! Once infected, the victim suffers excruciating pain every fifteen days as the worm feeds on their heart meridians. Only after eighteen years, when the worm matures and breaks free, is the victim finally released through death!"
"How did you get our Master's Heart-Devouring Worm?"
Alexander withdrew his hand, containing the worm, his expression growing even colder.
"It seems... I need not ask further. Tell me, where is your Venerable Master?"
"Hmph! You want to see our Master? Let's see if you have what it takes!"
"That's right! Our Master's status is too exalted for the likes of you!"
"Everyone attack together! Kill him!!"
Though the Thousand Poisons disciples were poison practitioners, they were also martial artists of sorts, their physical abilities far beyond ordinary people.
Several hundred gathered, moving as one. Their shadows blocked out the starlight, their eyes glowing blood-red like demons in the night, eager to tear Alexander to pieces!
Alexander remained unfazed, hands clasped behind his back, and spoke coldly:
"Victor."
At these casual words, a new presence filled the air!
Killing intent!
Pure, distilled killing intent!
Unlike the disciples' bloodthirst, this felt as if the entire compound had suddenly been submerged in an ocean of corpses and blood!
Only someone who had waded through countless battlefields, their hands stained with endless blood, could emit such intense and authentic killing intent!!
Before the disciples could react, a sword light flashed from behind Alexander!
Fine as spring rain, yet powerful as thunder!
As the blade light flashed blue!
Thirty disciples directly in front of Alexander had their bodies pierced instantly!
Thirty people, without even a chance to realize what had happened, crashed to the ground!
Then came the second flash, the third, the fourth...
Each sword strike carried supreme sword intent!
Each flash was Death's own decree!
One second!
Two seconds!
Three seconds!
In just three seconds, over half the Thousand Poisons disciples lay dead or dying!
None could resist!
Finally, fear took hold of the remaining disciples.
"Ghost... It's a ghost!"
"Run!"
Countless disciples fled in panic, none daring to face Victor Knight!
But at that moment, from the starlit sky above, a blade of light shot down at dizzying speed!
A thunderous explosion rang out as the ground before the retreating disciples split open thirty meters deep. Those who couldn't stop in time were vaporized to ash! Not even bodies remained!
In an instant, all hope drained from the Thousand Poisons disciples!
Their earlier arrogance had transformed into terror, most having wet themselves in fear!
Just then, a roar erupted from the main hall:
"Who dares cause trouble at my Thousand Poisons Sect?"
Following the roar, a dark figure leaped forth, moving in swift bounds until it landed before the chasm.
Seeing this, the surviving disciples crawled toward him like drowning men clutching at straws, desperately kowtowing.
"Master, please save us!"
"Master, spare our lives!"
The Venerable Master of Poisons stood with his silver hair flowing past his shoulders, his face flushed and his eyes blood-red. Anyone encountering him at midnight might have mistaken him for a forest demon!
He glanced at the chasm behind him, momentarily taken aback.
But upon seeing his disciples' corpses strewn about, rage erupted in his heart!
"What masters do I have the pleasure of meeting? My Thousand Poisons Sect practices in these remote mountains, what grievance could you possibly have against us? Why such ruthless s*******r?"
Alexander replied coldly:
"When I, Alexander Reed, kill, I kill. I never explain myself to anyone."
"Such arrogance!"
The old master's massive hands, like skin stretched over bone, clenched together with an audible c***k! His eyes grew dark as winter snow!
"Whether I'm arrogant or not is none of your concern. Master of Poisons, I have just one question: five years ago, did you poison the Reed family's newborn child in North River City?"
The old master paused, his eyes scanning Alexander before responding coldly:
"Who exactly are you?"
Alexander stood proudly under the moonlight, amidst the sea of corpses, hands still clasped behind his back.
"I told you, I am Alexander Reed."
"Alexander Reed! Reed...!"
The old master's pupils contracted!
"You're that Alexander Reed who offended Gabriel Mitchell in the capital, had your limbs broken and was thrown in the river? You actually survived?"
Alexander fixed him with an icy stare.
"You talk too much."
The old master gradually regained his composure, letting out a cold laugh:
"Indeed, I did plant the Heart-Devouring Worm in the Reed family's newborn. Your daughter has quite the constitution - perfect for nurturing my worm and increasing my power, ha ha ha ha!"
A murderous glint flashed in Alexander's eyes. In the clear sky above, a sudden c***k of thunder broke the silence!
The old master trembled, momentarily confused, but pressed on:
"Hmph! Enough with these theatrics! Alexander Reed, five years ago, you were nothing but an ant who dared to taint the Mitchell family's precious daughter! You deserved death a thousand times over! Having your parents killed by Gabriel Mitchell, your limbs broken and being thrown in the river - that was your just reward! Though I don't know what you've been through these five years, if you think you can avenge your daughter, you're still far too naive!"
He paused, his lips curling into a sneer.
"I've been renowned for forty years - everyone in North River City knows my name! Who doesn't show me proper respect and deference? Who are you to challenge me?"
"Today, for killing my disciples, I'll break your limbs again and place you in a vat to nurture my worms!"
"You didn't die five years ago, but this time, I'll ensure you suffer a fate worse than death!"
The remaining disciples raised their hands and shouted, their eyes gleaming with renewed confidence:
"All hail the Master! All hail the Master!"
"Our Master's power is supreme! Avenge us!"
- Writer
