"Urgh...!"
The three men abruptly froze, looking down in disbelief at the specks of chaos light piercing through their chests. Before they could even scream, the light swiftly faded from their eyes, and their lives were extinguished. The Dao intent of nirvana invaded them, erasing even the possibility of reincarnation!
Thud!
Three corpses toppled to the ground, stirring up a little dust. The sound was especially jarring atop the deathly silent cliff.
Silence!
Every rogue cultivator, including Wang Hu and Zhao Polu, stared in horror at the three bodies rapidly losing their warmth, then whipped around toward the young man behind the boulder. His expression was calm, and he even lowered his head to softly soothe the little ball of fluff in his arms. A chill shot from the soles of their feet straight to the crowns of their heads!
Yun Qing looked calmly at those who remained. "They accepted my protection, yet sought to secretly collude with the enemy. Faithless traitors deserve nothing less than death."
He paused, his voice carrying unquestionable authority. "I have always acted openly and honorably, with clear rewards and punishments. Those willing to stand beside me will have my utmost protection. But if anyone harbors disloyal intentions, these three are your example."
His matter-of-fact words, coupled with the still-warm corpses on the ground, struck with overwhelming force.
The remaining rogue cultivators fell silent as cicadas in winter. Any wavering schemes they had entertained were utterly crushed by this ruthless scene, and they dreaded being judged guilty of "secretly colluding with the enemy" themselves.
Wang Hu, Zhao Polu, and the others also felt their hearts tighten, their awe of Yun Qing deepening another degree.
"Now, those willing to stay and follow my rules, step forward and swear upon your Dao hearts. Throughout our cooperation on