'He's finally turned dark!'
Hattori, who had been lounging on the sofa, abruptly sat up, a look of relief on his face.
'This guy Hongmao had finally stopped stubbornly clinging to his chivalrous path all the way to the bitter end.'
'This time, it's also thanks to Hei Xiaohu. If he hadn't provoked Hongmao, given his stubborn nature, he might have waited until it was too late before turning dark.' Hattori shook his head slightly and looked at the group chat page.
As the Group Owner, he could monitor all private chats between members.
Hei Xiaohu's final words to Hongmao were clearly the trigger that caused him to turn dark.
[Young Master of the Demonic Sect: Who are you upholding your chivalry for?]
[Young Master of the Demonic Sect: Who are you brandishing your Changhong Sword for?]
[Young Master of the Demonic Sect: In your world, the Demonic Sect is gone. Your father Baimao can't be revived. Besides Lantu and the Seven Swords, what else is worth you desperately protecting?!]
[Master of the Changhong Sword: …]
[Young Master of the Demonic Sect: Hongmao, back when I was pursuing Lantu, even I lost to you. And now, some random kid who just showed up can overcome your ten years of love?]
[Young Master of the Demonic Sect: Is your love for Lantu... really weaker than that pedantic stubbornness of yours?!]
Boom!
Hei Xiaohu's words landed like a thunderclap, exploding in Hongmao's ears.
Ten years ago, when the Seven Swords opposed the Demonic Sect, Hongmao was alone and weak, his situation dire.
He and Hei Xiaohu were worlds apart.
Moreover…
Hei Xiaohu was also utterly devoted to Lantu.
In terms of strength, looks, status, and unwavering dedication, Hongmao admitted he was inferior to Hei Xiaohu.
But, even under such disparate conditions, Lantu still never left his side, sharing life and death.
And now?
In the memory fragment sent by Hei Xiaohu, that kid Hantian...
What right did he have?!
Even Hei Xiaohu couldn't stand watching.
Even the former Hei Xiaohu said such things.
'What reason do I have left to keep letting those around me get hurt for the sake of my own pedantic ideals?!'
Hongmao understood now.
When he was a child, his father once asked him a question.
What is chivalry?
The young Hongmao, with a child's voice, answered:
'I wish to wield the long sword, to sweep away injustice.'
'I wish to travel the world, hand in hand with you.'
Ah.
Hongmao looked at his palm, murmuring softly as he reinterpreted those childhood words.
Sweep away injustice.
Wasn't his current situation the greatest injustice heaven had dealt him?
Insulted, framed, having the dignity of a chivalrous hero trampled upon again and again.
Were those born to be chivalrous only allowed to save others, but never permitted to save themselves?
What a colossal joke!
Hand in hand with you.
That hand he had held countless times, gazed upon with deep affection countless times.
The hand that never let go, even in life-and-death crises.
Now...
It was about to fall into another man's palm.
For another man to enjoy her warmth, her softness... everything about her!
As a chivalrous hero himself, could he not... change all this?
"This time, the path of chivalry is for myself alone."
Hongmao said coldly.
The dark energy behind him grew even denser.
The power of the seventh level of the Heavenly Demon's Wild Dance was equivalent to Hei Xiaohu at his peak.
It's enough to withstand the combined force of five swords and sweep away an army of ten thousand.
In today's declining martial world, if not invincible, he was at least a top-tier master.
With the skill of that self-proclaimed 'Phoenix Heroine', she couldn't withstand a single palm strike from the darkened Hongmao.
Crack!
Dark energy surged, and the chains binding Hongmao instantly shattered.
The Heavenly Demon's Wild Dance focused on killing and destruction.
In terms of pure offensive power, it slightly surpassed the Changhong Sword Technique.
"Where is that woman? And that black chicken?" Hongmao's gaze swept around, dark energy radiating outwards.
The entire room was empty.
He had made such a loud noise inside, yet no one reacted.
'It seemed this was a secret room far from the crowds, specifically for that person's interrogations.'
"Hmph, if you won't come out, don't blame me for forcing you out." Hongmao's voice was icy as the power of the Heavenly Demon's Wild Dance surged behind him.
Boom!
The terrifying force shook the small house to pieces.
Beams broke, the floor collapsed, the ceiling was blown right off.
'Still no one?'
Hongmao frowned slightly and picked up a fragment from the ground.
It seemed to be a piece of a teacup. On the inside, four small characters were engraved.
'Phoenix... Martial... Arts... School?'
Hongmao narrowed his eyes, reading the words one by one.
Heh.
The Phoenix Martial Arts School!
Hongmao sneered, internal energy vibrating in his hand.
The teacup fragment instantly turned to powder, flowing through the gaps between his fingers.
"No matter who you are from the Phoenix Martial Arts School, today, not even the heavens can protect you!"
With those words, Hongmao's figure, like a black storm, instantly swept through the forest, charging towards the city.
Phoenix Island, Phoenix Martial Arts School.
At this moment, the 'Phoenix Heroine', now without her mask and still in her blue clothes, was kneeling straight on the ground, her mouth slightly pouted, her face full of grievance.
'Mother, I didn't sneak out to play! I was saving people! You have to believe me, Mother!'
The blue-clad girl pleaded tearfully to the beautiful woman in a red dress before her.
However, the beautiful woman ignored her pleas.
She simply poured herself a cup of tea and said calmly,
"House Rule number six: Leaving the island without permission. What is the punishment?"
"Kneel for the time it takes one incense stick to burn, ten strikes on the palm."
The blue-clad girl said pitifully.
"That's right. No matter your reason, rules are rules. The punishment cannot be reduced."
The red-dressed beauty smiled slightly and said solemnly.
"However, your motive for going out was to save someone. Although you broke the house rules, it is understandable. The palm strikes are waived, but you must kneel properly for the full incense stick! Back straight!"
"Yes! Mother!"
Hearing she didn't have to suffer the palm strikes, the blue-clad girl responded loudly and happily, her back unconsciously straightening.
'This child...'
The red-dressed beauty shook her head helplessly.
Her daughter, Shui Dingdang, was good in every way, but this competitive, playful nature of hers was a real headache.
Phoenix Island forbade women from learning martial arts.
Yet Shui Dingdang idolized Hongmao, Lantu, and the other Seven Swords, wanting to become a great hero.
She had caused her mother no end of worry over these matters since she was little.
"Sigh."
The red-dressed beauty sighed softly and turned her gaze to another corner.
"Mr. Little Black, is what my daughter just said true?"
Three minutes ago, Shui Dingdang had truthfully told her mother about encountering Hongmao on the road and saving Little Black and the infant Seven Swords.
Little Black was the only one who could verify the truth of her story.
"It's all true! Your daughter is truly a heroine among women, a great hero! That one punch, that one kick… Whoosh! She took down that villain in an instant! So impressive!"
Little Black's eyes shifted craftily as it smiled obsequiously.
Hehe.
'This Phoenix Martial Arts School looked wealthy, with considerable assets.'
'If I could please this mother and daughter, butter them up properly, I might just receive some rewards, be draped in gold and silver.'