The Scarred Man's Defeat

"Fight me?"

Looking at Luo Xiaotian, who brimmed with fighting spirit, the scarred man signaled his underlings with a glance, then drew the broadsword strapped to his back!

"Boy, I advise you to tell me who you are, or don't blame my blade for showing no mercy!"

The scarred man rose into the air as well, dense baleful energy surging from his blade!

The overwhelming baleful energy shot into the heavens, seemingly shrouding the entire Ten Thousand Demon Mountains!

Wisps of black energy gradually appeared in midair, finally forming a pair of enormous eyes!

"Asura Slash!"

Gripping the Baleful Blade, the scarred man viciously slashed downward!!

Luo Xiaotian's expression remained unchanged. He lightly touched the ring on his hand, and a faint dragon's cry rang out...

"Roooar!"

A sword as black as ink slowly appeared in his hand, and he gripped it tightly.

"Since you're determined to seek death, don't blame me!"

Luo Xiaotian cast a long look in the direction Xu Xuan had left, and a phantom black dragon emerged from the Black Dragon Sword in his hand!

"Who exactly are you?"

At the sight, the scarred man's pupils contracted slightly. The move seemed familiar, and for a moment, he did not dare resist.

Bang!!

The black dragon mercilessly pierced straight through his body. His eyes bulged as he was flung high into the air before plummeting toward the ground.

"B-boss?"

Seeing this, the underlings immediately scattered and fled. Even their boss had lost. Wouldn't staying be courting death?

"Looks like he recognized me. Still, since he didn't resist, there was no need to take his life."

After casting a long look toward where the scarred man had fallen, Luo Xiaotian set off in the direction Xu Xuan had left.

Meanwhile, Xu Xuan was waiting for Luo Xiaotian on the outskirts of the Ten Thousand Demon Mountains.

"System, he hasn't gotten himself killed, has he?"

He might be the Son of Heaven's Dao, but those bandits were no pushovers.

"No. The Son of Heaven's Dao cannot die as long as Heaven's Dao endures!"

That was the system's reply, delivered in its icy voice.

Xu Xuan was speechless. He felt that perhaps the fatty was the protagonist, while he was nothing more than a lowly supporting character.

"Let's head back first. Tomorrow, they'll bring those women over safe and sound."

Luo Xiaotian walked over with a faint smile, leaving Xu Xuan utterly bewildered.

"What did you say? Those animals will bring them over?"

Xu Xuan looked incredulous. He really did not believe Luo Xiaotian was that capable.

Ding! The Son of Heaven's Dao possesses a limited ability to make his words become law. He is the world's darling, a child of Heaven's Dao. His words carry ninety percent certainty!

Xu Xuan: ...

"Then let's head back first."

Although he found it extremely hard to believe, with even the system saying so, Xu Xuan could only choose to return.

Inside the Black Wind Cave.

"Boss, are you all right?"

Several underlings watched the scarred man sitting in a daze on the edge of his bed, feeling uneasy. After all, such an enormous black dragon had pierced straight through his body. Surviving was lucky enough; he might well have suffered an injury that would be difficult to heal.

The scarred man shook his head, his voice trembling slightly. "Sigh, we've offended someone we never should have. From today onward, we're washing our hands of this business."

"What?"

Every underling present was at the Heavenly Mansion fifth layer or above. How could they accept that?

"Boss, do you know who that man is? If you do, we can find a way to kill him. Then we won't have to live in fear!"

They had thought the scarred man would agree, but instead, he flew into a rage!

"You bastard!"

"Do you know who he is? Kill him? Are you worthy? Would you even dare?!"

The scarred man kicked the underling who had spoken, sending him flying more than ten meters, and roared in fury.

"He's the Third Prince of our Black Dragon Empire! The cultivation art he used while fighting me is one only those of the imperial family's legitimate bloodline can learn!"

"And that sword was the very one the Black Dragon Emperor gave his third son back then! Now his third son is here, and he clearly wants us to release those women. If we don't obey, are you planning to wait until their army bears down on us?!"

After rattling off several sentences in one breath, his face flushed crimson and even twisted with a hint of ferocity.

"Yes, yes, yes..."

The underling could only nod repeatedly, not daring to disagree.

"Then why aren't you getting the hell out?"

At his furious roar, the underling he had kicked scrambled away toward the back.

"Tomorrow, all of us will go to Black Dragon Town and kneel and kowtow to them. Whoever ruined a family's daughter will marry her. Whoever took her first time will marry her!"

"If you refuse, don't blame me when you become a ghost beneath my blade!"

As the scarred man spoke, he gave the broadsword in his hand a violent shake, radiating murderous intent.

Who among them dared provoke their boss's wrath?

They could only nod hastily, and only then did the scarred man consider the matter settled.

Just as everyone was about to leave, the scarred man suddenly called them back.

"Wait. Go tie up Qian Ren and bring him to me. Since he offended the Third Prince of our Black Dragon Empire, we'll offer him as proof of our allegiance. Perhaps, for that, the Third Prince will spare us."

The underlings voiced their agreement before leaving.

Once all his underlings had left, the scarred man looked down at his injured chest and murmured to himself, "The Third Prince actually showed mercy..."

After leaving the Ten Thousand Demon Mountains, Xu Xuan and Luo Xiaotian returned to Black Dragon Town.

It was already the early hours of the morning. Like a ravenous beast, the darkness had swallowed all of Black Dragon Town into its belly.

All the residents of Black Dragon Town were sound asleep, but Xu Xuan and Luo Xiaotian stood on a rooftop, silent for a long time.

"Soon, this place will no longer be peaceful. Everything here will be shattered."

Luo Xiaotian suddenly broke the silence.

"Over this time, I've thought it through. Running away will only make him more brazen. I'll have to face him sooner or later. If he keeps refusing to know what's good for him, I'll slaughter him!"

Luo Xiaotian spoke as though he were about to do something utterly trivial.

"Isn't he your eldest brother, the crown prince? Is it really all right for you to kill him?"

Xu Xuan listened in bewilderment, looking at Luo Xiaotian with deep confusion.

But Luo Xiaotian shook his head slightly. "Our Black Dragon Empire has an unwritten rule. Anyone who refuses to submit may issue a challenge on the spot. The loser faces only two possible outcomes. First, they're expelled from the empire, though they can build up their strength outside and challenge the empire again. Second, the victor kills them on the spot. We usually choose the second option. I suppose you could call it one of the ruler's methods of maintaining control."

"It's a little harsh, but it works well."

After that brief explanation, Luo Xiaotian jumped down and returned to his room.

Xu Xuan fell silent.