Chapter 322: The Guide To His Fate
For Zen, at his current level, the Spiritual Thorn could play two roles in his battles.
The first role was to attack his opponents stealthily. The soul thorn had surprisingly good effects on the cultivators who were weak in their souls, or those who lacked strong protection and soul-defense. As Zen's soul thorn attacked the cultivators, merely an instantaneous loss of consciousness could mean failure, or even worse—death in battle.
The second function was to punish people. The feeling of penetration into one's soul was excruciating, the agony indescribable. To give a perceptible measurement, the pain it imposed on one's soul was at least ten times greater than that caused by penetration into one's physical body. The human body's capacity to bear pain was restricted. So, when people felt a lot of physical pain, their minds stopped controlling their bodies. Without commands from the nervous system, they simply fell into a state of shock. A person did not experience pain when he or she passed out. Coma was the best elixir one could hope for when one was in that kind of physical pain. However, one's soul could never lose consciousness, no matter how much pain it endured. The soul thoroughly tasted every single splinter of that pain.
Whew! Zen released his soul thorn without hesitation.
As the soul thorn hissed and made its way to stab into Bryson's head imperceptibly, a low groan escaped Bryson's lips at the pain he felt. His distorted facial expression told the others of the suffering he was enduring. Bryson's affliction also warned the others how terribly sorry they would be if they dared disobey his orders and betray the Luo Clan.
Yet, Bryson still kept his mouth shut, not giving out the information that Zen needed. He knew that he would die immediately after he told Zen the secret, which was worse than being kept alive in such a painful state—even if he didn't believe his soul could take the agony anymore. The discord with Zen was not a small one. It was related to the murder of Zen's father. Zen would certainly avenge his father's death by killing Bryson, the murderer. In Zen's mind, that was the only end to the hostility he felt.
The only thing Bryson could do was to tolerate the pain that Zen imposed on him. He bit his lip hard to stop himself from moaning, but sweat trickled down his face all too quickly as the ache became too much to ignore.
“Is that enough pain for you?” Zen asked him coldly.
Still, no words slipped out of Bryson's mouth.
“It's fine if you don't want to talk,” Zen said as his gaze fell on Ken.
Ken was visibly shaking as he watched Bryson. He knew he himself was capable of enduring far less pain than what his brother could. Before Zen could say another word, Ken answered him quickly. “I'll talk! I can tell you everything you want to know. It was the Qi Clan! Ford Qi, the head of the Qi Clan. It was he who killed Mike. He killed your father with his own two hands! Please, Zen, please don't kill me. I was just a…”
Bryson sighed silently as he heard Ken's words. 'My idiot brother is entirely unreliable!' he thought to himself.
Zen nodded, replying, “Very good!”
As Zen waved his arm, the sword in his hand flexed, reflecting a cold, sharp beam of light. It ran straight at Ken. Ken's face paled, his entire body shaking more than ever. As the sword almost reached Ken's forehead, it was redirected. If it had pushed just a few inches farther, Ken's body would have been lying lifelessly on the ground. However, the sword changed direction and pushed into Bryson instead, without hesitation.
Poof! The sword cut off Bryson's neck, and his head fell onto the ground.
Zen had once said that he wouldn't kill anyone from the Luo Clan since they were family. He shared their blood, which was why back on Hell Mountain, Zen had only disabled Perrin but hadn't taken Perrin's life.
However, today was different. Zen had to sentence Bryson to death. Zen needed to kill him on his own. Bryson was one of his father's killers. He had been the primary conspirator in the murder. Zen had to avenge Mike's death and the first step in doing that was taking Bryson's life. Being an accomplice in Mike's murder aside, Bryson was also always regarded with general disgust. Everyone in the Luo Clan hated his guts. If Zen hadn't killed Bryson today, he wouldn't have been able to earn the trust of the youngsters in the clan. Deep down, these people had been fearful of Bryson ever since Mike's death. It wasn't hard to gather that little fact even if they didn't convey it to Zen. Zen would have to leave the Luo Clan one day, and after Zen left the clan, they would be afraid that Bryson would rise to power again. He would have come back in the future if Zen hadn't killed him today. Each one of the members would have a price to pay by then. So they wanted Bryson dead—it was the only way they would feel safe in the Luo Clan. For the youngsters, as well as for the good of the clan, Zen had been committed to wiping out this concern of theirs.
Bryson Luo had to die.
Zen was all too aware of how everyone released their harsh breaths as they witnessed Bryson's death.
Several wisps of malicious aura escaped Bryson's corpse. Zen knew Bryson had been the disciple of the Blood Prisoner. He had learned the Blood Evil Force from his master. Still, Zen did not expect Bryson had that much amount of malice aura amassed in his body. It seemed that in order to improve his strength and levels, Bryson had killed a lot of people, much more than Zen had expected.
Eventually, the malicious aura that broke loose from Bryson's body gathered and condensed into a blood-colored crystal.
Adding up the blood-colored crystals Zen had collected before, he had four of these crystals in total now.
Zen was already thinking of how to utilize the malicious aura in these blood-colored crystals. Since he had already accumulated some malicious aura and he would keep accumulating more and more malicious aura in the future, it would be best if he chose and learned a cultivation method that would help him make good use of it. But for now, he would have to resolve the leftover issues of the Luo Clan and clean up its disloyal troublemakers.
Zen turned to face the members of the Luo Clan, announcing loudly but solemnly, “Bryson Luo has now been executed. Ken Luo remains to be sentenced. Ken was the secondary conspirator in my father's death. He doesn't deserve a death sentence for his crime, so I leave you all to decide how to punish him. Tomorrow, I'd like to pay my respects to Luo's ancestral graves. I will personally visit and pray at the tombs of our ancestors for a prosperous future of the Luo Clan.” After his announcement, Zen handed over the entire business of the Martial Arts Hall to his other uncles and the other elders of the Luo Clan. Having executed the troublesome Bryson Luo, Zen's job here was done. He trusted that after taking control of the Luo Clan, the elders would tackle the rest of the issues better than he would.
After hearing Zen's announcement, Ken's pale face finally regained a bit of color. He had thought himself doomed to die. The idea that Zen would keep him alive never occurred to him. As he watched Zen turn around and leave—his strong, broad back coming into view—Ken's eyes glazed over with awe for his nephew. Zen was no longer a small boy. He had grown up to become a man who could well handle the affairs of the Luo Clan. Even in heaven, Ken's brother, Mike Luo, would be happy to see his son lead the clan into a new flourishing era.
The Dragon Garden was where the eldest branch of the Luo Clan had lived before.
But since the death of Mike Luo, the eldest branch had declined. The Dragon Garden had been sealed up, becoming a forbidden place for anyone in the Luo Clan to enter.
Sometimes, people walked past the Dragon Garden to take a quick glimpse at it, but seldom did anybody step inside.
Due to neglect, the estate saw many weeds cropping up here and there, as high as an adult person. The walls of the garden had thick layers of dust atop of them.
Today, dozens of Luo Clan servants rushed to the Dragon Garden to tidy it up. They swept the ground, removed the weeds, and pruned the bonsais. So dedicated were they that the place was as good as new in no time. It was transformed from a cold and desolated place into one that radiated joy and liveliness, all in half a day. This renewed Dragon Garden had been the reminiscent of the olden days for everyone in the Luo Clan. They all missed those golden days when the Luo Clan had still been the strongest clan in C County.
As Zen and Yan finished their meals and walked into the Dragon Garden, they were stunned at the scenery before them.
Zen didn't give any orders to the servants to clean up the Dragon Garden, but there were some thoughtful ones in the family who always did more than they were asked to.
As Yan stepped inside, a wide smile across her lips, she made her way to a swing in the corner. When she had been a toddler, this had been her favorite place to play. So much time had passed. In all these years, the original ropes of the swing had decayed. She saw that they were replaced with a pair of new ropes that the servants probably tied up earlier today.
Sitting on the swing, she swayed back and forth as it moved in the wind. Her long slender legs hung in the air. It reminded her of freedom. She might be physically restrained because of the existence of that evil man, but at this moment, she didn't care. Her mind was free as her eyes roamed across the beautiful sky. She had her wonderful, loving brother at her side and nothing else could make her happier. Seeing the heartfelt smile on Yan's beautiful face, Zen smiled too. This was the first time he saw her smile so freely since their reunion with each other. To Zen, it felt like his happiest moment after so many years of separation from his sister.
Yan was still a little girl. She was just forced to take a lot of brunt on her small shoulders, all because of her special physical constitution and her extraordinary talent.
Even now, she couldn't escape those restraints.
Although Kenneth had agreed to let Yan come home with Zen this time, he had warned Zen not to try to help her run away, for it would be in vain.
The evil man had already imprinted a mark on Yan. Wherever she escaped, no matter how far, he would find her. Revolting against such a powerful man so blatantly and publicly would not be a good idea, at least not at the moment. If that man found out about Zen's defiance, things could only get worse for them.
At first, Zen had wanted to take Yan into the fairy palace, which was so mysterious and astonishing that even Zen found it indecipherable.
However, Zen was only the temporary owner of the fairy palace. There were so many things that he was not authorized to do there. He couldn't be sure the palace would be safe enough for Yan to stay in.
Yan was still on the swing. The sun was setting. As the last rays of sunlight glimmered on Yan, she looked as beautiful as a painting, beyond description in words.
His eyes resting on her wide smile, Zen clenched his fists tighter and made himself a silent promise to protect his little sister till his dying breath. Even if one day he had to sacrifice himself for that, he would hardly hesitate. He would exhaust the last of his strength to give his sister Yan a safe, secure, and happy future. To Zen, she was the most important person, his invaluable treasure, the only family member he had left.
What Zen didn't know was that everything was destined under the law of the world. Whatever he might encounter, experience, and suffer was set in stone for him. It would undoubtedly be a journey of hardships, but Yan Luo would act as the guide to his fate, the light that paved way for him to march forward. This was Zen and Yan's destiny, but neither of them realized it at the moment.
Early morning next day, the elders of the Luo Clan followed behind Zen as he climbed the hill that was in the backyard of the Luo house. It was a blessed site.
This was the Luo Clan's cemetery. Several tombstones were dug into the ground. They loomed silently and solemnly on the hill. The ancestors of the Luo Clan slept soundly in this tranquil and dignified atmosphere.
Zen prayed piously to the fathers of Luo.
As the new leader of the Luo Clan, this was the first ritual that signified his venerable status.
Three bamboo incense sticks had been lit up by the servants. Zen held them in his hands and bowed three times in front of his father's tomb. Having finished the worship ritual, Zen left the graveyard, his expression becoming sterner. The intention to kill was clear in his eyes. Some of the people in C County must die for their sins!
Meanwhile, in a room located on the highest story of the Crescent Building in C County, five people sat around a table, discussing things of significance.
The five were the leaders of the current top five clans of the C County.
They represented the Huang Clan, the Qi Clan, the He Clan, the Zhang Clan, and the Chen Clan. These days, nearly all the mineral resources, the shops, and the gambling stalls in C County came under their jurisdiction.
The Luo Clan had once ranked first—being the richest, strongest, and most powerful clan that had suppressed all others in the C County. However, as the Luo Clan began to fall and decline, its place at the top had been replaced by the others. Gradually, the Luo Clan had ebbed away and dropped to the sixth place. The properties that had once belonged to the Luo Clan were snatched up by the other five clans. Now, the Luo Clan had become so insignificant and dispensable that no one even cared to mention it.
“Zen Luo! He must die! My son Darcy was killed in his hands. I have to avenge my son! Does Zen believe that with the Cloud Sect to back him, he can breach protocol and kill anyone he wants? He can't take what he wants so ruthlessly!” A man shouted, so much in anger that his face went red.
It was Chuck Huang, Darcy's father. He sat at the helm of the round table and was the head of the Huang Clan.
Chuck had a lot of children, but Darcy had happened to be his favorite. He was Chuck's first son and the most talented among all of Chuck's offspring. Chuck had wanted to devote everything, every resource that belonged to the Huang Clan on Darcy, for his growth and education. Darcy would have been worthy of this investment. What Chuck hadn't expected was that rat Zen to come back to the Luo Clan. Before Chuck could do anything about it, Darcy had already been involved in the conflict within the Luo Clan and killed under Zen's sword for some unknown and inexplicable reasons. Chuck only knew that a friend whom Darcy had been hanging around with recently was from the Luo Clan, but how did that relate to Zen? Why did Zen kill Darcy? What was the connection between the two? How did they even meet? Did Darcy do something to attract that kind of hatred from Zen? And how deep was this hatred that Zen just killed Darcy without even a second thought? After all, Darcy had been the Huang's heir. He had been quite a talent among the younger generation, not to forget that he belonged to the most respected clan of C County. Chuck knew nothing of the affair, but he trusted his son to be the innocent one. How was he supposed to endure his poor son's death?
“Well, I do agree with you. I believe Zen must die too. But how are we going to deal with him? I've heard that even the notorious Blood Prisoner, who was wanted by the government at any cost, has been killed by him. Chuck, I doubt you are unfamiliar with the Blood Prisoner's strength or how powerful he was,” Ford replied, worry etched across his face.
Truth be told, the one who feared Zen the most at the moment was Ford himself.
The other heads might be afraid of Zen at some level, but they didn't have any real and profoundly irreconcilable issues with him. They had nothing more than some small conflicts or disputes regarding the interests of their clans. Zen had no vendetta with them. The Worst case scenario, they would have to relinquish the industries and properties they had robbed from the Luo Clan and give them back to Zen. Maybe they would even compensate some more with money, and they would be fine. Even Chuck could move on from the death of his son and refrain from avenging Darcy. He could swallow his resentment for Zen. But it wouldn't be the same for Ford. He had killed Zen's father, Mike Luo, personally! It was not even slightly similar to encroaching on the benefits of the Luo Clan. Once Zen learned the identity of his father's true murderer, he would not forgive Ford. Zen would kill him! Ford could already foresee his miserable ending. The chances of him remaining alive were slim, to say the least.
Now that Bryson had been executed, then his cowardly brother, Ken, must have already given Ford away. It was only a matter of time before Zen marched to Ford's place and took his life.
The Huang Clan, the He Clan, the Chen Clan, and the Zhang Clan had the choice of surrendering their wealth to oblige Zen and seek his forgiveness. Their heads could make grants to the Luos for the safety of their clans. But Ford Qi, he would have to surrender his life! All to quench Zen's burning fire of hatred and revenge! For the redemption for his sins, Ford would have to die in the hopes that Zen would at least spare the Qi clan.