Night fell, and the sky was full of stars. Leo returned to the nearest city where he set up a temporary base. The city na was Xuanwu, and it was located near the Sichuan border. It was a bustling and busy place, and many people visited it to trade and do business.
He could've chosen Qin City , but he didn't want to get caught up in any problem. Indeed, Qin City lord had debt with him, but there was no need to bother him with such petty matters.
Besides, Xuanwu was a neutral city where the business was booming, and he could always find sothing interesting. This was another center of comrce, and it was perfect for him.
As he entered the city, Leo was greeted by a lively atmosphere that didn't lose to the other cities. Stalls were open, and people were selling all kinds of goods. From fruits and vegetables to weapons and armors, everything could be found here.
The Outcast group was already settled, and he was welcod with respect. Jack stepped forward and waved his hand to greet Leo and Anya who had just arrived. The latter imdiately approached Astrid and hugged her before pulling her sowhere else, much to the forr dismay.
After seeing them off, Jack showed Leo the base and sat across from him in a room that was
"Welco to the temporary base, Leader. We've been waiting for your arrival."
Jack approached him, a smile on his face.
"Good job, Jack. What's the status of the prisoners?"
"Half of the Outcast group send them back to Chengdu so Chiaki can interrogate them. We'll take the others and continue the mission as planned. As for Astrid... Well, you saw her earlier. Anya was really close to her because they are similar ages, so forgive her, Leader."
"I don't mind. I am glad to see Anya being so happy having a friend. She deserves it. I wished that you guys also had friends like her, but the past had passed and all I could do was apologize."
Leo sighed and shook his head. He could see the disappointnt in Jack's eyes.
"You don't need to worry, Leader. We had fun on the battlefield, and we are grateful for the opportunities you gave us. You didn't betray us like the other leaders who only cared about their own profits. We trust you."
"I'm glad that you think that way." He smiled and patted Jack's shoulder. "But, let hear your report about Supre Evil's hideout you guys find. It's not sothing we can ignore."
"Yes, Leader. Here are the details."
Jack pulled out a small scroll and handed it to Leo. After unrolling it and reading the information written, Leo couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.
"It's called the Valley of Death, and it's located around the Central Capital. We found it by chance while we're searching for a place to build our basecamp. It's a secluded and dangerous area, and no one dared to go there. The entrance is blocked by a huge boulder, and there is a chanism that allows them to know who gets closer to it."
He explained, and Leo nodded his head.
The map of the Valley of Death was drawn carefully, and the information written down was accurate. There were also the notes about the traps and dangers they had to avoid.
"I'm surprised you guys managed to find it."
"It's thanks to Astrid." Jack said, smiling wryly. "She accidentally entered the entrance and found a trapdoor leading underground. After Anya arrived and checked, we found that the tunnel led to a complex system that we couldn't even imagine. Because we're pretty busy, we can't spend ti exploring."
"Good work. You guys did well. And you also made the right decision to not explore it without preparation. This cult is pretty dangerous."
Leo sighed and folded the scroll, his expression serious. To be honest, he wanted to return ho and have a hot cocoa or a cold beer. But, the war had only just begun.
If he wanted to relax, he would only do so after dealing with the source of the problem. There was no way he could rest easy while there was still an enemy that might appear at any ti.
"I have a feeling that Supre Evil's followers will try to sche against us soon. Let's increase our guard and prepare for the worst."
"Yes, Leader. We won't disappoint you."
Jack bowed his head and left the room, leaving Leo alone. He looked at the window, his heart filled with worry and uncertainty.
For so reason, he had a feeling that sothing big was coming. Sothing that he couldn't control.
It was a scary thought, and he couldn't help but wonder if his decision to participate in the war was the right choice. He was about to doubt himself when he rembered the people he was fighting for. The goal he set to achieve.
'No, I can't hesitate. I have a job to do.'
With that in mind, Leo stood and walked out of the room.
'This is not a ga, and I'm not the main character. We can die anyti, and I need to protect everyone.'
That was his responsibility.
As he walked down the street, Leo couldn't help but feel a sense of foreboding in his heart. The night was peaceful, but his intuition told him that sothing was coming. Sothing that he might not be able to handle alone.
He shook his head and chuckled.
'Don't worry. I'm not alone.'
With that in mind, Leo continued his walk, his eyes sharp and his senses alert.
In the darkness, sothing was lurking.
***
Inside a dark and damp cave, a figure was sitting on a throne made of bones. Their pale and ghostly face was covered in a black mask, and their long dark hair was flowing down their back.
Their hands were on the armrest, and their fingers were tapping gently, creating a soft sound that echoed in the chamber. A few candles were the only source of light, and the sll of incense was strong.
From their position, they could see the altar in front of them, and the bloodstains that covered the stone platform. Many masked people gathered around, reciting sothing as they used a murky, dark Qi to perform a ritual.
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No matter how one saw this, they would agree that it was an unholy scene. Blood and flesh were everywhere, and the sound of screams and groans could be heard, along with the stench of rot and decay.
'This is the true face of power and corruption.'
They scoffed and shook their heads, their eyes cold and their hearts empty. They had seen it all, and they couldn't believe that people were willing to sacrifice others to gain immortality and strength.
It was disgusting and pathetic.
Still, it was a necessary step. They had to gain power and influence, and they didn't care about how they did it. They would use whatever ans they could, even if it ant dirtying their hands and their soul.
For their Master, Supre Evil, they would do anything.
'Soon, we'll have the power we deserve. No one will be able to stop us.'
A smile appeared on their face, and their eyes flashed with a dark and sinister light. The person sitting on the throne was no ordinary individual.
He had a na, a real na, and a family that was waiting for him to return. But, he was too far gone, and there was no turning back.
'I will make everyone suffer. I don't want to see anyone's happy ending.'
The person laughed, and their eyes glowed with an ominous light.
'Let's see how the world will change when the Supre Evil returns. I can't wait. Soon... Our supre revenge will begin.'
As the ritual went on, the person sat on their throne, their body trembling with excitent and desire.
It was only a matter of ti.
Scream filled the chamber, and the sound of flesh being cut could be heard. The sll of blood and decay was thick, and the air was heavy.
The person leaned back and closed their eyes, their heart beating with anticipation. Soone had been grabbed and forced onto the altar where the ritual was being held.
It was a beautiful young woman, and her eyes were wide with fear. She couldn't speak, and her mouth was covered with a cloth.
She tried to struggle, but it was no use. The murky Qi held her down and prevented her from moving.
As the knife was raised, her screams filled the air, and her blood splattered everywhere.
The person laughed and shook their head.
'This is the price of trying to destroy our master's legacy. We will hasten his return with the power of blood. And, no one will be able to stop us.'
Smiling, they closed their eyes and enjoyed the sweet sll of victory.
'We will bring destruction and chaos to the world.'
As the ritual continued, the person couldn't help but laugh. It was going to be a wonderful adventure, and they couldn't wait to see what the future would hold.
From the shadow, two young n dressed in white robes trembled in fear. The symbol on their robes showed that they ca from the Wudang Sect. They were here on a mission, but they never expected to find the evil cult practicing such a vile ritual. Their hands covered their mouths, and they could barely breathe.
"W-We have to get out of here. We can't let them find us."
"Y-Yes, you're right."
As they turned around and ran, the sound of their footsteps echoed in the chamber, and the sll of death and decay filled their nostrils.
The two young n ran through the cave, their hearts were filled with fear and dread. If they got caught, then their fate would be the sa as the woman lying on the altar. The cave corridor was long and dark, and the walls were wet and cold.
They could barely breathe, and their hands were shaking.
But, they couldn't give up on their lives.
Light appeared in the distance. Their lips curled into a smile as they ran faster, their hearts beating with hope.
"We're almost there! Don't give up, Xin!"
"I won't! We'll make it, Yi. Just a little further."
Soon, they would reach the exit. Or so they thought.
When they reached the light, they found themselves in the chamber filled with blood. The masked people and the person sitting on the throne of bones were still there, waiting for them.
"Welco back." The person on the throne spoke with a cold and mocking voice, "Did you enjoy your little trip? We know you were here. Don't worry, we won't kill you. We need you alive."
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