The Ethereal Domains

Chapter 536: Mister Hundred Flowers

Mister Hundred Flowers . . .

Bing-Er seethed with anger, yet her face retained its breathtaking beauty, which, if anything, enhanced her allure.

Second Prince couldn't tear his eyes away from her, while the old man with the white beard appeared even more lecherous in his gaze.

Both men ogled Bing-Er as though they intended to devour her.

- Clang! -

A longsword, still encased within its scabbard, materialized in Cha Eun Xiao's grip. The sword's swift and thunderous withdrawal resonated like an explosive crack that reverberated throughout the world. Only half the blade had been unsheathed, yet the intensity of the impending conflict seemed to reach the very heavens.

"Kill!" Cha Eun Xiao's eyes bore the unwavering resolve of his drawn blade.

"Wait!" The old man fixed a peculiar look in his eyes upon Cha Eun Xiao. "Youngster, do you not wish to learn of my identity before the battle commences? Once the fight is underway, there is no turning back. Would you not prefer to savor the pleasures of life?"

This old man exuded an air of malevolence. His martial prowess was unmatched, and he had transcended the limitations of the Land of Han-Yang. He could perceive that Cha Eun Xiao was formidable but still significantly weaker than him. Although he believed there should be a few elite cultivators within the House of Cha, he surmised that none were genuinely formidable. The sounds of slaughter outside further validated his assumption; the guards of Second Prince's Palace were subpar. A united force of Cha's Blood Guards should have easily penetrated the palace. Cha Eun Xiao's presence was not surprising. The old man was confident in his ability to capture Cha Eun Xiao with a single maneuver. This explained his casual tone as he conversed with Cha Eun Xiao. He sought to divert Cha Eun Xiao's resolve, recognizing the unique circumstances at play. The prospect of Cha Eun Xiao collaborating with Second Prince could significantly alter the situation.

However, Cha Eun Xiao was not one to underestimate. He understood the potential consequences of tangling with Cha Nantian.

Suddenly, a shadowy figure in black vaulted into the room. The glint of a blade flashed, and six of the eight guards flanking Second Prince felt their throats slit. Blood gushed forth as six heads toppled and rolled across the floor, converging into a macabre scene.

The man in black spoke sharply, "I know who you are. It seems that Mister Hundred Flowers, who vanished over twenty years ago, is in our midst! Hua Liushui, you greatly overestimate your ability. Do you truly believe no one can recognize you? How naive!"

These words emanated from none other than the World's No. 1 Assassin, Ning Biluo.

Although Ning Biluo and the other three had recently infiltrated the palace, they had made swift work of the guards, leaving a trail of death in their wake. The fate of the palace was irrevocably sealed. Ning Biluo had taken charge of the situation, assigning his companions to maintain order and protect the room, out of genuine concern for Cha Eun Xiao.

The old man displayed astonishment, inquiring, "And who are you? You possess astute perception. You indeed recognize me!"

He found it difficult to accept that someone could still identify him. Mister Hundred Flowers had once been a dominant figure in the martial world due to his mastery of diverse martial arts, a reputation achieved through a series of nefarious deeds that had thwarted his downfall for years.

The most grotesque and despicable aspect of this man was his heinous acts against women, involving rape and murder. His insanity knew no bounds.

He practiced a rare and peculiar martial art that required sexual intercourse with women to advance. A disturbing feature of this martial art was that it bestowed the ability to heal from any injury, no matter how severe, as long as he lay with a woman. However, this repugnant power came at the terrible cost of the woman's life, and his vile actions eventually ignited public outrage.

In response, more than thirty formidable cultivators from various sects united to confront him. Yet, even in the face of such a formidable coalition, Mister Hundred Flowers managed to kill five of them before vanishing without a trace. His whereabouts remained a mystery, leading some to speculate on his demise, while the surviving pursuers testified to his incapacitation.

Mister Hundred Flowers had indeed sustained grievous injuries. His abdomen bore a deep wound, and his dantian had been nearly severed. Consequently, he had hidden in seclusion for over a decade, striving to mend his shattered body. He had yet to return to his former peak condition, but after years of convalescence and the aid of Second Prince, he had successfully restored much of his power.

The reason behind Second Prince's operation of a brothel lay with this odious individual.

To avoid detection, Mister Hundred Flowers had undergone a complete transformation, adopting the guise of an elderly sage with a flowing white beard. This disguise allowed him to remain concealed within the confines of Second Prince's palace, where he remained inconspicuous.

During the assault by the two major sects on the palace, Mister Hundred Flowers kept a low profile and refrained from revealing himself. Among the women whose cultivation he had violated, a few belonged to these prominent sects. He fervently wished to escape recognition by these sects.

Yet, fate had other plans for him. A voice now called out his name, an unexpected and unsettling development.

Ning Biluo snorted with disdain. "Hua Liushui, it seems you've forgotten... Do you not remember who inflicted that injury on your abdomen?"

Mister Hundred Flowers was taken aback, his heart swelling with a profound sense of hatred. He roared, "Ning Biluo! It's you! You're here!"

Once, he had been an unbridled force in the world. Every woman he desired ultimately met a tragic demise in his hands. And among these women, several belonged to those under Ning Biluo's protection. They had perished during their prime.

Numerous influential factions had convened to hunt him down, and initially, Ning Biluo had been barred from joining due to his background as an assassin. Nevertheless, Ning Biluo insisted on participating in the quest and even offered to risk his life to eliminate Hua Liushui. Ultimately, he executed a sword strike that grievously injured Hua Liushui, although he failed to kill him. This failure had long festered as a source of resentment for Ning Biluo.