The black-hooded man took a deep breath, his trembling finger pointing towards the lifeless woman’s corpse. "This woman, sir, is actually the boss’s wife," he began, his voice quivering with fear.
Liang’s interest was piqued slightly, his piercing gaze narrowing with curiosity. He studied the woman’s lifeless form for a moment, his eyes gleaming with a mix of curiosity and suspicion. "Go on," he urged, his tone cold and demanding.
Feeling a glimmer of hope, the man’s mind raced, desperately trying to think of something else that might captivate Liang’s attention. "Around ten years ago, the boss stumbled upon an artifact while venturing into the deepest tunnels," he continued, his voice barely above a whisper. "After obtaining this artifact, the boss’s power rose magnificently, surpassing even that of the Lustrous Scribes High Priest."
Liang’s eyebrows raised, a flicker of intrigue appearing in his eyes to match the growing interest in his voice. "Is that so?" he mused.
Encouraged by this slight reaction, the man hurriedly continued his story, his words tumbling out in a rush. "While he was deeply immersed in his cultivation today, this woman betrayed him," he revealed, his voice gaining a sense of urgency. "She stabbed him in the back and stole the very artifact that granted him his immense power."
Liang’s gaze shifted to the metallic case in his hands. He seemed deep in thought for a moment, contemplating this newfound information. The air felt heavy with anticipation as the man awaited his judgment. Finally, a sly smile curved on Liang’s lips. "That’s quite an interesting story," he chuckled darkly, a wicked glimmer in his eyes. He then turned his attention back to the black-hooded man, his gaze burning with intensity. "What’s your name?" he asked, the silence still hanging in the air like a suffocating shroud.
The man stammered nervously, his voice barely audible amidst the palpable tension. "This lowly one is named Dorrnen."
Liang’s smile widened, a predatory gleam in his eyes as he unsheathed the sword at Dorrnen’s waist. The metallic hiss of the blade leaving its scabbard filled the silent alleyway, resonating like a death knell. Running his finger along its sharp edge, he asked in a dangerous whisper, "Tell me, Dorrnen, do you know why I have killed this woman?"
Fear washed over Dorrnen like a tsunami, his heart pounding in his chest as he realized the consequences of giving the wrong answer. He frantically searched his memories, his thoughts racing through a labyrinth of possibilities. Then, a glimmer of understanding flashed through his eyes, a desperate hope fueled by a shard of insight. "If I am not wrong, sir killed her because she tried to use sir to delay us and get the chance to escape," he said, his voice trembling with uncertainty, like a fragile thread about to snap.
Liang’s laughter filled the air, the sound echoing off the cold alleyway. It held a mix of amusement and satisfaction, like a predator toying with its prey. "You are wrong."
Slowly, deliberately, he moved the sword’s tip towards Dorrnen’s shoulder, tracing a chilling path along his vulnerable flesh.
Dorrnen’s heart sank as his breathing grew shallow, the cold steel of the blade against his skin sending shivers of dread down his spine. His whole body shook with fear, his mind a whirlwind of regrets and prayers. "Please spare my life, sir, and forgive my ignorance," he pleaded, dropping to his knees with his head touching the ground, a lowly supplicant begging for mercy.
Liang shook his head and sheathed the sword, the metallic click resounding through the alleyway like the closing of a coffin. "Tell your boss I will be visiting him in a few days," he stated, his voice filled with an air of unyielding authority. With that, he turned and made his way towards the other end of the alleyway, his presence fading like a phantom in the night.
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It took a couple of minutes for Dorrnen to lift his head, his body still trembling with the remnants of fear. He let out a shaky sigh of relief, the weight of impending death lifted from his shoulders. As he picked himself up from the cold stone floor, he realized he had narrowly escaped the clutches of a merciless fate.
*****
Liang made his way through the darkened streets, his mind still reeling from the encounter with Dorrnen. He needed a moment to collect himself before he could continue with his plans. Soon enough, he spotted a modest inn tucked away in a quiet corner of the city, its sign swaying gently in the evening breeze.
Entering the inn, Liang was greeted by a weary innkeeper who looked up from his ledger, a tired smile on his face. "Good evening, sir. How can I be of service?"
Liang’s gaze swept across the simple interior of the inn. Satisfied with its relative lack of activity, he leaned against the wooden counter, his voice low and measured. "I am in need of a room for the night. Preferably one where I can have some privacy and remain undisturbed."
The innkeeper nodded understandingly and handed over a key. "Room 203 would suit your requirements, sir. It’s on the second floor, away from the main hallway, ensuring you’ll have the peace and quiet you seek."
Accepting the key, Liang thanked the innkeeper and ascended the creaking stairs. The dimly lit corridor was silent, save for the distant murmur of voices and the flickering of a lantern at the end. Liang reached his room and unlocked the door, stepping into a small, windowless chamber that offered a respite from the chaotic world outside.
Placing the metal case on the wooden table, Liang’s nimble fingers deftly unlatched the locks. Easing it open, he unveiled what lay within - a black stone, smooth and polished, emanating an otherworldly aura. Its mysterious beauty captivated Liang, his eyes widening with a mixture of awe and curiosity.
As Liang continued to study the black stone, his gaze fixated on a particular spot that seemed to catch the faintest glimmer of light. Drawing closer, he noticed an intricate rune inscribed on the surface. The rune appeared ancient and mystical, its sharp lines and intricate patterns creating an aura of both elegance and foreboding.
Liang’s eyes traced the contours of the rune, his mind swimming with questions about its meaning and purpose. There was an undeniable energy surrounding it, a presence that seemed to beckon to him, whispering secrets and promises in his ear. It was as if the rune held the key to unlocking a potent force that lay dormant within.
But before Liang could delve deeper into his musings, a sudden and unexpected sensation jolted through his body. A searing pain radiated from his forehead, causing him to stumble back in shock. As Liang’s hand touched his throbbing forehead, he felt a surge of energy coursing through his veins, as if his very being was being rewritten in that moment. The pain transformed into a bittersweet symphony, a dance between agony and euphoria. And then, with a blinding burst of light, the True Rune emerged.
Its ethereal design transcended the boundaries of mortal comprehension, pulsating with a mesmerizing display of seven vibrant colors.
In a flash, Liang’s human form disappeared, replaced by that of a majestic serpent.
A surge of power coursed through his serpentine body as the True Rune hovered above the stone, its radiant colors swirling in a mesmerizing dance.
With a graceful movement, the True Rune descended, merging with the surface of the stone. As the rune fused with the stone, a tremor rippled through the chamber, causing Liang’s serpentine form to shudder with anticipation.
Then, as if guided by an invisible force, the stone began to crumble into dust, the particles floating gently towards the floor. Liang watched with a mix of awe and curiosity as the once-solid artifact dissolved before his eyes, leaving behind only a small mound of ash.
But from the ashes arose something new, something ominous and mysterious. A black rune materialized, suspended in the air, exuding an unsettling aura. Its twisted and complex patterns seemed to defy comprehension, a dark symbol etched into existence by an unknown and primordial force.
The moment the black rune came into existence, the world seemed to lose its color. The vibrant hues of life dulled, giving way to a dull and monochromatic existence. Even the air felt heavy and suffocating, as if the very essence of life was being drained away.
As Liang’s serpentine eyes fixated on the black rune, a sense of foreboding filled the chamber. The air grew heavy, suffused with an eerie silence. The world seemed to hold its breath, as if acknowledging the emergence of this enigmatic symbol.
With a sudden and swift movement, the black rune shot towards Liang, penetrating his serpentine form and vanishing beneath his scales. The serpent’s body convulsed momentarily, a wave of energy rippling through his being.
Then, just as quickly as the black rune appeared, it vanished within Liang’s serpentine form. In a transformative instant, the serpent shape began to contort and recede, giving way to the return of Liang’s human form. He stoodtall, his eyes now reflecting the ancient darkness that imbued the rune.
Unexpectedly, Liang’s once-silver hair had transformed. It was no longer a gleaming cascade of lunar light, but a deep, abyssal black that seemed to absorb all surrounding illumination.