Killing and plundering was something Su Zhan had always wanted to do.
In the past, his strength was insufficient, so he kept a low profile, afraid of attracting attention and becoming a target. As a result, he never took action.
But now, the entire mine was in chaos—caused by him.
With such a huge disturbance, what was the point of hiding anymore?
Moreover, his cultivation had already broken through to the Fourth Stage of the Mortal Ascension Realm, and his number of clones had increased dramatically… This was the perfect opportunity to kill and loot!
Most importantly, with so many people searching for him, trouble would keep coming his way. Creating more chaos would make his journey smoother.
He still had to head to the Sun Sect.
"It just so happens," he murmured, "there are a few people I wanted to kill before. This time, I'll settle all accounts."
⸻
Inside the mine
Panic spread everywhere; fear was written on every face.
"The Judicium Corps must have made a mistake! How could someone capable of causing such an uproar sneak in among First-Level miners? Who are they looking for?"
"Haven't you heard? It's Su Zhan—the one who worked in our mining area before!"
"Su Zhan? That new kid? You think he's capable of this?"
"Lower your voice! Don't call him a kid anymore—address him as 'sir'! Rumor says Zhou Yueshan died by his hand!"
Hiss—! "Impossible! He's only First Level. How could he kill someone at the Fourth Stage of the Mortal Ascension Realm?!"
"Who knows? Anyway—here they come! The men of 'Vampire Claw'! Hurry, get your gold and spirit stones ready for tribute!"
⸻
The miners' chatter died down as two men approached.
One carried a large barrel, half-filled with gold and spirit stones.
The other held a portrait of Su Zhan, scanning faces as they passed.
Not far away, a mustached man reclined in a rattan chair, legs crossed. A woman fed him fruit as he sipped tea, while subordinates shaded him with an umbrella. His relaxed posture contrasted with the miners' misery.
The miners called him Bloodsucking Mustache.
It was clear from his reputation that he had plundered countless treasures from them—they hated him to the bone.
He didn't need to lift a finger. All he did was watch the crowd.
If anyone showed insufficient respect—or worse, resistance—he would point at them.
Immediately, his men would drag the person out, claiming they looked like the portrait.
At best, the accused would be beaten.
At worst, they'd vanish without a trace.
Fearing such an outcome, everyone obediently emptied their pockets into the barrel, their hearts bleeding with every coin.
⸻
Suddenly, a commotion rippled through the crowd.
The man holding the barrel blinked—then froze. The barrel was gone, as if it had vanished into thin air!
"What the—?!"
Before he could react—
Shing!
A flash of white light—and the world flipped upside down.
A pair of black boots descended from above, stomping his skull into the ground. His head burst like a watermelon.
"Kill…! Someone's killing people!!"
The scene unfolded in an instant.
Only when blood sprayed and the body fell did the miners truly process what had happened. Panic erupted—screams, cries, and a scatter backward.
Their horrified gazes fixed on a figure who had appeared out of nowhere.
A black robe.
A black hood.
Black gloves.
A black mask—no skin visible at all.
"You… Fourth Stage of the Mortal Ascension Realm… Su Zhan! You're Su Zhan!!"
Bloodsucking Mustache leapt to his feet, face pale.
In just one glance, he recognized the figure—a Fourth-Stage aura, black garb, and a long sword. This was the wanted man the entire Judicium Corps was hunting!
The black-robed figure flicked his sword clean of blood and strode toward him.
"Boy, you've got guts. You know the whole mine is looking for you, and you still dare to show up?"
He sneered. "Not even a single ally with you. What, are you here to kill me?"
With a flourish, he drew two short swords, their blades glowing faintly red. "Judging by your aura, you've just broken through to the Fourth Stage of the Mortal Ascension Realm. Without help, you couldn't even have beaten Zhou Yueshan—and my strength surpasses his!"
A wave of oppressive power burst from him, sweeping over the crowd. First-Level miners trembled as if staring down a savage beast. This was the absolute chasm between their levels.
"Today's my lucky day. Once I cut off your limbs, I'll take you in for the reward. Ten thousand spirit stones—mine! Ugh—!"
Pfft!
His words choked off.
A bloody sword tip jutted from his chest. Blood bubbled from his lips as the weapon slid free.
He crumpled, disbelief and unwillingness frozen on his face.
⸻
The miners shrieked again, retreating even farther.
"Wha… how… how is this possible?!"
The mustached man's eyes widened.
Behind him stood another black-robed figure—identical in every detail to the one before.
The same robe. The same hood. The same gloves. The same long sword.
How?!
He had sensed no one else nearby!
And yet… here they were. No aura at all—like walking shadows.
His realization came too late.
The figure stripped the swords and treasures from his body, then drove a final slash through him, ending him for good.
⸻
"You dare kill the Judicium Corps in the mine?! Seeking death!!"
Two more Fourth-Stage enforcers rushed over, drawn by the miners' screams.
But as they attacked, they froze—new black-robed figures had appeared beside their targets, stepping out of thin air.
One.
Two.
Three.
Four…
A total of four more appeared, their sudden presence making the enforcers' hair stand on end.
The men tried to retreat—only to find four identical figures behind them.
Now, ten black-robed figures surrounded them completely.
"It's over…"
Swords fell like rain.