Evil Soul Masters: We Were Forced Into It. Chen Xing: You Still Have to Die

[The full image of Lai Lai inviting someone for ice cream is in the group]

"H-how could you improve so fast?"

Chen Xing's voice was lazy.

"I didn't improve fast. You're just too slow."

The Starfarer walked toward him, each step making the ground tremble.

Dark Hummingbird's lips quivered.

"Wait! Young man, let's talk this out!"

"What do you want? Money? Resources? I can give you anything!"

"Just spare my life..."

Chen Xing stopped.

Thinking he had gotten through to him, Dark Hummingbird hurried on.

"Do you know why I joined the Holy Spirit Cult? I was forced into it!"

"I was an orphan. No one cared what happened to me..."

"The world drove me down this path!"

"I never wanted to kill anyone, but if I didn't, Shrek and the Tang Sect would have killed me..."

His voice caught as he spoke.

Chen Xing listened quietly until he finished, then said, "That does sound awful..."

It's working!

"But I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you. You still have to die."

Dark Hummingbird's smile froze.

Chen Xing's voice came through the Mecha, chillingly calm.

"The world drove you into a corner? What about your daughter, Long Bing?"

"Was she forced into it too?"

"Did you think about that when you killed her with your own hands?"

Dark Hummingbird froze at the sound of Long Bing's name.

Chen Xing went on.

"That story might fool someone else."

"But me? Save it."

"Shrek and the Tang Sect may be hypocrites, but you Evil Soul Masters have torn away even that flimsy cover. You're pure evil."

"You don't deserve to live!"

Dark Hummingbird went deathly pale.

He turned to run.

Chen Xing gave him no chance.

"The flame passes from one to the next. I am the trailblazer!"

[Starfarer Judgment, execute!]

A blazing greatsword appeared in the Starfarer's hands.

A domain swallowed Dark Hummingbird in an instant.

He stared at the blade in the Starfarer's hands, at the dazzling blue-white light surging across it, and swallowed hard.

I'm dead!

Sure enough, the Starfarer moved a moment later.

It shot above Dark Hummingbird and brought its sword down on his head.

Dark Hummingbird tried to dodge, but the blade was too fast.

A single sweep of blue-white light severed one of his wings.

Screaming, he fell onto a platform.

The Starfarer did not let up.

Its sword struck from left, then right.

Every blow landed squarely on Dark Hummingbird.

One slash followed another.

Fireballs exploded in rapid succession.

Dark Hummingbird's body was hacked apart, his screams growing weaker.

Still, the Starfarer did not stop.

It swept its sword to one side and beat its wings, drawing back half a step.

Then it pointed the blade downward.

The sword transformed into a cannon barrel, aimed straight at Dark Hummingbird's mangled remains below.

Overclocked Particle Beam!

The beam struck the ground and burst into a golden bloom of fire.

Dark Hummingbird's body vanished within it,

leaving not even ashes behind.

Chen Xing watched the red dot marking Dark Hummingbird go dark on the holographic display and let out a breath.

Wiping out a powerful Evil Soul Master with the Starfarer felt fucking incredible!

Time for the next one!

With that thought, he pushed the control stick forward and flew deeper into the Ice Fortress.

In another area deep within the Ice Fortress.

The moment Chen Xing landed, a nauseating stench hit him.

Blood and rot mingled in the air.

He frowned.

Not far ahead, a figure slowly emerged from the darkness.

It was a gaunt man in a dark red robe. His face was as pale as paper, but his eyes glowed bright red.

He looked the Starfarer over and pulled his mouth into an ugly grin.

"So you're the little brat who broke in? I'm Dark Blood Demon, leader of the Holy Spirit Cult's Four Heavenly Kings."

Chen Xing looked at him, his thoughts stirring.

Dark Blood Demon.

The man who killed Tang Ziran and Lang Yue in the original story.

That had not happened in this life,

but this man had to die.

If not for his parents, then for the countless innocents Dark Blood Demon had murdered.

"Make your move."

Dark Blood Demon chuckled.

"Don't be in such a hurry, little brat. It's not often I get someone to talk to. How about hearing my story first?"

Chen Xing was silent for a moment, then agreed.

"Go ahead."

Dark Blood Demon's eyes lit up. He thought Chen Xing had taken the bait.

So he began telling his story.

His parents had died when he was young, and his grandfather had raised him. After his grandfather died, his Martial Soul awakened. He began devouring souls, was expelled from school, ended up on the streets, and was eventually hunted down and forced to join the Holy Spirit Cult...

He told it with feeling, even wiping tears from the corners of his eyes at the emotional parts.

Chen Xing listened quietly to the end, then asked flatly,

"Are you done?"

Dark Blood Demon nodded.

"I am. Tell me, little brat, wasn't my life miserable? I was forced into becoming what I am—"

Chen Xing cut him off.

"How many people have you killed?"

Dark Blood Demon blinked.

"What?"

"I asked how many people you've killed."

Dark Blood Demon fell silent for a moment, then smiled.

"I've lost count. Thousands? Tens of thousands? Maybe more."

Chen Xing nodded.

"So you were forced to kill all those people?"

Dark Blood Demon's smile vanished.

Chen Xing went on.

"What you went through was awful. But suffering doesn't excuse murder. What about the people you killed? Didn't they suffer? They had parents and children too. When someone who claimed he had 'no choice' killed them, who spoke up for them?"

Dark Blood Demon's expression darkened completely.

Chen Xing's voice grew colder.

"You deserve death even more than Dark Hummingbird. At least he knew what he'd done. You can't even see it. You think you're the victim? No. You're a demon wearing human skin."

Dark Blood Demon's face twisted, and his voice rose to a shriek.

"What do you know?! You're just a wet-behind-the-ears brat! What do you know about survival?! I killed them because I had to! If I hadn't, I would have died!"

Chen Xing gave a cold laugh.

"Then now you can die."

Dark Blood Demon roared.

Dark red light erupted from his body, which began to swell and warp.

Martial Soul Avatar: Blood Demon Wraith!

"You little bastard! I'll make you wish you were dead!"

Chen Xing wasted no more words. He sent the Starfarer charging forward.

Gripping the beam greatsword with both hands, he launched into a savage barrage of slashes.

Dark Blood Demon tried to strike back with curses, but they vanished into the Starfarer without the slightest effect.

"How is that possible?!"

His eyes bulged.

Chen Xing's voice carried a smile.

"My Wish Power grants Curse Immunity."