Dao Feng stared at the Zhang family members in disbelief. He had already spared them once. How could they be so ungrateful? How dare they still speak to him so presumptuously?
Wu Tian glanced at Dao Feng, pleased by the change in his expression. Yes, that’s how it should be. Let his worldview shatter.
Then, his cold gaze turned toward the second wife of the Zhang family and the others. His voice, so chilling it struck fear into their hearts, commanded, "Kill them all, without mercy!"
The tone was sinister, as if it had risen from Hell itself. Not just the Zhang family, but everyone around them shivered uncontrollably.
"You want me to take you as my disciples?" Wu Tian asked. "What gives you such bizarre confidence?"
He laughed, a mocking sound that scoffed at the Zhang family’s arrogance and greed, which far outstripped their abilities.
The commotion had already drawn a crowd of commoners.
"We were guests! Look, he wants to kill us!" the second wife of the Zhang family shouted, hoping to use them to her advantage.
The Zhang family clan elder and the others exchanged glances. Realizing her intent, they began to echo her claims.
"That’s right! No matter what, we are friends who have traveled from afar!"
"Heavens, are the people of Xiuyuan Country so unreasonable?"
Unaware of the full story, the commoners began to whisper among themselves.
"Is Wu Tian going to murder someone?"
"Is he really a demon?"
Their murmurs grew loud enough for the second wife and the others to hear. The Zhang family rejoiced, gambling that Wu Tian wouldn’t dare kill them under the gossiping eyes of the masses.
"If I want to kill someone, who can stop me?" Wu Tian cared nothing for rumors. Let them talk. All that mattered was that his own heart remained unburdened.
Wu Tian’s palm struck down with its full force. "Arhat Overturning Heaven Seal."
A gigantic palm seal, radiating endless might, crashed down before the incredulous eyes of the second wife and the others. The Palm Technique descended from the heavens and instantly smashed them into a paste of flesh and blood.
"How could this be?" The surrounding commoners cried out, staring in horror at the lifeless remains. They couldn’t believe that Wu Tian would still kill the Zhang family right in front of them, despite their protests.
Wu Tian’s voice was cool. "All of you must learn to distinguish right from wrong. Before the truth is clear, before you understand the facts of a matter, it is best not to speak recklessly. Do you understand?"
The commoners nodded, realizing they had been wrong and manipulated by someone with an agenda.
A complex, indescribable expression appeared on Dao Feng’s face. Kindness has no place in commanding soldiers! When the time comes to be ruthless, one must never be soft-hearted. At last, Dao Feng understood.
And so, the matter with the Zhang family, a mere trifling affair, came to a close.
「Far away, in the one-star nation of the Wudong Immortal Dynasty, another incident was unfolding.」
Princess Miaoshan’s Avatar had departed the Immortal Dynasty and journeyed to the Xiuyuan Realm. Upon learning of this, King Wudong went in search of Miaoshan.
"Why did your Avatar go to such a remote place?" King Wudong asked lightly. "Tell me, do you have a lover there?"
It wasn’t uncommon for a princess to fall for a commoner.
"No, Father, you misunderstand," Miaoshan hurriedly explained. "Master Li the Fortune Teller said he found a remarkable person there, so..."
"So you think your father is easily fooled?" King Wudong, ruler of the Wudong Immortal Dynasty, interrupted, his voice low. "A phoenix only nests on a sacred tree. How could a truly remarkable person exist in such an impoverished land? It seems you truly did go in search of some poor boy."
King Wudong cared about social status more than anyone. In his heart, nobles came from wealthy lands; it was rare for a noble child to emerge from a poor family.
Miaoshan’s breathing grew rapid with frustration. "Father, I’m serious! It is possible for some great masters to live in seclusion in remote places!"
"Silence!" King Wudong barked. "Don’t try to fool your father. Tell me, what is the name of this poor boy who has caught your eye?"
"There is no one..." Miaoshan’s voice faltered. She didn’t know how to make her father believe her.
Seeing her reaction, King Wudong let out a cold laugh. "Look at you, at a loss for words. Lacking conviction? Tell me, what is the name of the poor boy your Avatar went to find?"
"There isn’t one... I don’t have one," Princess Miaoshan insisted stubbornly.
King Wudong sneered. "In any case, recall your Avatar at once. Do not get involved with people from that impoverished land. As my daughter, how could you go to such a trivial place? Simply stepping on that land would soil your shoes! If word of this got out, you might not feel shame, but I certainly would!"
Princess Miaoshan’s face turned pale, and she could barely stand. She had never imagined her father’s misunderstanding of her could run so deep.
"Father, it’s true. Master Li the Fortune Teller said he found a remarkable person who might know the cause of the strange things happening around me, so I..."
"Unrepentant! Still lying to your father!" King Wudong roared. Then, in a patronizing tone, he continued, "Miaoshan, you are too naive. I know that any man who gets close to you dies for no reason. This has left you disillusioned, thinking you can settle for just any man. You’re even happy if some poor boy wants to approach you. But let me tell you, you are wrong to think this way."
King Wudong’s obstinacy and authoritarianism left Miaoshan pale and speechless. She stared at the king before her in disbelief, her mind spiraling into reflection. Is this really my father? The kind, benevolent man from my memories is gone. In his place stands a thoroughly stubborn and self-serving tyrant. What is the point of family? Of kinship? Which path am I supposed to take? Kinship, love, friendship... why do they even exist?
Miaoshan’s lips trembled, but she spoke with resolve. "Father, this is my personal matter. Please do not interfere."
Hearing this, King Wudong’s expression turned utterly dark. His eyes blazed with fire. He suddenly raised his hand. A sharp SLAP resounded as he struck Princess Miaoshan across her delicate cheek.
"Silence!" King Wudong roared, his fury erupting. "I am your father! I raised you! How dare you talk back to me?"
Miaoshan covered her stinging cheek, but she did not cry. She sometimes had the urge to cast off all her burdens. For her, even kinship had become a burden.
King Wudong looked at his daughter, his face an icy mask. "Remember this," he said, his voice grave. "Even if any man who wishes to marry you is doomed to die, as my daughter, you do not have the right to choose your own happiness. Your marriage must be tied to the interests of the Immortal Dynasty."
With that, King Wudong turned and left, leaving Princess Miaoshan to stand there, all alone.