Chapter 336: You're a Gentle Child...
Chapter 336: You're a Gentle Child...
"Lida?"
Kuro turned to look at her.
Lida tightly gripped the hooded cloak behind Kuro, her body trembling slightly as she kept her head bowed, unwilling to face the figure at the center of the arena.
"Kuro, let's go back. I don't want to stay here anymore", Lida said, her voice quivering.
Kuro paused, then looked down at her. "Recovered your memories?"
Lida nodded, her hand clutching Kuro's hooded cloak even tighter.
"Ju Geng's venison helped me recover them", she whispered.
This made Kuro twitch his lips into a smirk. It was absurd to think a meal could restore memories, but then again, his own forgotten past had flooded back over that same cuisine not too long ago.
In this world of the mind-over-matter, sometimes you just had to surrender to the madness.
"Good thing. Better to remember than forget. As for the rest—leave it to me."
Kuro patted Lida's head reassuringly, then lifted his gaze to the arena. "Hey, you there—Luo Family Ancestor Luo Shen, right? For my sake, how about restoring that bloodline curse for your descendants?"
"Oh, it's you, that cheerleader." Luo Shen licked his lips. "You did well—deliberately trying to ruin my fun?"
"Not my problem. I'm just here to investigate the Revolutionary Army", Kuro shrugged.
"Meh, details don't matter."
Whoosh!
Before the words faded, his figure vanished. On the six platforms, the fighters stiffened, their faces paling as they collapsed one by one.
"So fast!" Klah's pupils contracted. "I couldn't even see him!"
Back at the arena center, the long-haired figure reappeared, licking blood from his fingers. "The quality wasn't great, but it'll do."
"W-What incredible prowess!" Warner exclaimed from the announcer's booth. "This mysterious new Luo Family member just eliminated all competitors on the stage! Could this mean he's giving up on this Martial Arts Grand Tournament due to its subpar quality?"
Luo Shen wiped his fingers clean, then suddenly pointed toward the high platform, his smile widening. "You're awfully noisy, little brat."
A wispy black beam shot forth like a tangible entity, aiming straight for the announcer.
Hiss!
At that moment, a golden slash materialized out of nowhere, crashing into the black beam. The collision erupted into a shockwave, sending the high platform's hosts scrambling as they were blown backward.
But they didn't hit the ground.
Klah appeared mid-air, one hand on each announcer, gently setting them down.
"Not bad, that slash."
Luo Shen turned toward Kuro, grinning. "Reminds me of an old friend. Hey, how's that golden-haired mutt who never managed to come down from the sky?"
"Careful there", Kuro tightened his grip on Autumn Water. "Recognizing Shanks means you sailed with him once? But killing in front of the Navy—you sure the World Government doesn't concern you?"
The fighters on the platform weren't dead—Kuro could live with that. They were all rotten people anyway. But killing in front of him? That was crossing a line.
"Hehehe... That was an exhilarating battle. A top-tier clash. I'd love another round."
Luo Shen raised his hand, staring at it. "But my body's grown old. Another top-tier fight? My body won't allow it. So I chose this place—another method to recreate the spectacle I crave."
"You've destroyed my Martial Arts Grand Tournament. I should thank you for that—recent tournaments have grown so dull. Luo Wei's been wallowing in restraint, endless restraint. But your arrival finally freed him. Finally made things interesting."
Luo Shen tilted his head, voice brightening. "Ah, his bloodline fades, but he doesn't realize—Luo bloodlines grow stronger the more they thin!"
Kuro raised an eyebrow at Luo Shen's monologue. "You're crazy. Talking nonsense."
---
Insect Country's rear camp, battlefield.
Blood soaked the ground. The earth looked like it had been bombarded by meteors—craters pockmarked the landscape. Within those pits lay countless white-haired corpses, lifeless and still.
A lone figure staggered upright, staring at the last fallen white-haired fighter. He gasped for breath, dazed.
Caw!
A crow flew in, landing with a cry.
"Finished?" Luo Wei asked.
"Those unwilling to join the revolution were mostly contained. Sabo reports the king's captured too. Though strangely—when they arrived, the king was already trapped. We barely had to lift a finger."
The crow swept its gaze over the camp corpses, voice heavy. "Was it really necessary to go this far?"
"You don't understand Luo Shen's horror." Luo Wei shook his head toward Tui Town. "Our family isn't his glory—they're sacrifices. Fuel to sustain his life. Cultivated endlessly, their lives feeding his."
He lowered his head, a sudden vision flashing in his mind.
"Take care of your sister, Luo Wei. You're a gentle child."
A white-haired couple smiled at him, then walked willingly into a shadowed corridor—and never returned.
Luo Wei closed his eyes, clenching his Fist. "He chose this moment deliberately. Every three years, Luo Shen demands a Luo sacrifice. Now I've killed all Luo blood, he'll wither away!"
"Commoners think the Martial Arts Grand Tournament is Insect Country's greatest event—believe we strive to master others' martial arts through talent. Wrong. Every tournament is a death lottery to determine who becomes the sacrifice. The weakest become offerings."
"But now, that old man's been abandoned by time. Without family blood, he can't sustain his life. Now is my moment to ascend as king!"
"Relax. Once I rule Insect Country, I'll repeal those laws restricting natural cultivation. My goal is simply the throne. As for governing afterward, if you Revolutionary Army types worry, handle it yourselves. Not my concern."
Luo Wei picked up a bloodstained hooded cloak from the ground, indifferent to the stains as he draped it over his shoulders.
"Order the soldiers to follow me. We eliminate Luo Shen and seize Insect Country completely!"
"Why rush now? Lucius Kro's already confronting Luo Shen. If we stall until time's up, victory's assured." The crow protested.
"I'll end him myself. Until he dies by my hand, I'll never feel at peace." Luo Wei said coolly.
(End of Chapter)
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