The streets of the small town were dead and dilapidated. Most buildings on either side had already collapsed, leaving only the mournful wail of wind passing through hollow window frames.
A lingering stench of rot hung in the air—the reeking aftermath of old blood and decaying flesh fermenting together.
Han Yuchen walked with his hands behind his back, his expression calm, as though he were strolling through his own backyard.
Leng Yuebai followed quietly behind him. Her spotless white dress looked utterly out of place in this filthy environment, yet her cold, deity-like aura made others reluctant to entertain any profane thoughts toward her.
"This is the entrance to the City of Slaughter?" Leng Yuebai frowned slightly, a trace of disgust flashing through her eyes that reflected the starry sky. Every inch of air here was filled with the negative emotions of depravity and madness, making her instinctively uncomfortable.
"This is only the 'welcome area' outside the gates." Han Yuchen chuckled and looked toward the only building with lights at the end of the street. "The real hell lies below."
It was a tavern.
Its battered wooden door swayed precariously in the cold wind, leaking dim, murky light from within. Before they even approached, they could hear the uproar inside—frantic roars, deranged laughter, and bloodcurdling screams.
Han Yuchen pushed the door open.
"Creeeak—"
As the wooden door opened, a wave of heat mixed with cheap alcohol, body odor, and thick blood stench rushed toward them. The tavern's clamor came to an abrupt halt.
Dozens of gazes, like hungry wolves, turned in unison toward the two "uninvited guests."
Those eyes were filled with greed, lust, brutality, and madness.
The people here could no longer be called human. They were scum abandoned by the world, beasts drowned in desire and slaughter.
Han