Chapter Forty: Slaying Shi Li, The Reckoning Begins

When Shi Hao spoke of eradicating evil to its roots, not only did the expressions of those from the Martial King’s Manor change dramatically, but even Shi Zhongtian and Shi Ziling looked uneasy. After all, both had once belonged to the Martial King’s Manor. Though they sought justice this time, they had never considered wiping out Shi Yi’s entire lineage. Shi Hao’s words of total annihilation unsettled them; after all, it had only been Shi Yi and his mother who harmed Shi Hao back then. While others had sided with them, not everyone deserved death.

Yet, glancing back at Jin Ling and the others’ cold, indifferent faces, and at Huo Ling’er’s righteous indignation, even Qin Yining, holding Qin Hao in her arms, seemed to offer no rebuttal. The father and son exchanged helpless glances; this matter was no longer theirs to decide. They could only act according to the circumstances, hoping the Martial King’s Manor would not be utterly destroyed.

Meanwhile, as Shi Li’s limbs were severed one by one by the demon ape amidst endless screams, within the Martial King’s Manor itself, majestic halls and palatial buildings stood in imposing rows, their golden glow beneath the sun radiating solemnity and awe, evoking a sense of reverence as if a celestial palace had descended to earth.

But beneath this auspicious and expansive façade, undercurrents surged, fraught with murderous intent. Inside the grand hall, a dozen elders sat in grave silence, runes flashing around them and ready to erupt at a moment’s notice.

At that moment, several thunderous shouts split the sky: “How dare you! You have harmed one of our Martial King’s Manor!”

“Insolence! Do you have a death wish?”

“You’ve injured our clansman—slay them!”

As the angry voices rang out, figures shot forth from the Martial King’s Manor. In the void, the elders who had sat in the great hall now appeared, their forms flickering and wreathed in runes, as if sealing the very heavens.

Seeing the newcomers, Shi Zhongtian could not help but burst into laughter. “Shi Yuan, Shi Zitang, well, well! At last, it’s time to settle all accounts!”

The arrivals were none other than Shi Yi’s father, Shi Zitang, and grandfather, Shi Yuan.

At the sight of Shi Zhongtian’s laughter, expressions twisted among those present. Shi Yi’s kin looked guilty, while those who had once sided with the fifteenth branch wore expressions of wild joy.

An elder strode forward, laughing heartily. “Old Fifteen, it’s been years! How have you been?”

Seeing who had arrived, Shi Ziling and his son allowed themselves a faint smile, returning the greeting. This man was the Fourth Elder who, years ago, had lent Shi Ziling a helping hand during his rebellion against the Martial King’s Manor. Ranked even senior to Shi Zhongtian, he was a revered patriarch of the clan.

Shi Zitang and his son’s faces turned ashen as they beheld the warm greetings shared. They knew the return of Shi Ziling’s family was to avenge his son for the theft of his sacred bone. At this moment, they dared not act rashly.

Swallowing his wrath, Shi Zitang turned to Shi Hao and the demon ape, who stood silently to the side, his voice icy: “How dare you two injure a member of my Martial King’s Manor? Today, you shall face death or worse!”

Shi Hao gazed at the pair as if they were fools, his expression one of utter disdain.

At that moment, one of those who had accompanied Shi Li leaned close to Shi Zitang and whispered in his ear.

After hearing him, Shi Zitang’s heart clenched with alarm. Glancing at the demon ape beside Shi Hao, he advanced two steps, bowing respectfully. “May I ask which venerable one you are? Why do you aid these people against my Martial King’s Manor? Know that our clan’s Human Emperor has reached the Divine Fire Realm, and my son is now apprenticed to the Spider Sovereign of Demon Spirit Lake. I beseech you to show mercy for the sake of these two mighty ones and stay your hand.”

Having learned from his subordinate that this demon ape could speak, Shi Zitang was deeply wary. Even ordinary Beast Kings, for all their intelligence, could not speak unless they had taken human form. Yet, this demon ape, though not transformed, could speak—and had easily severed Shi Li’s limbs. Such power was rare, perhaps even beyond the clan’s elders. Shi Zitang had no wish to provoke so fearsome a being, and so invoked the names of the Human Emperor and the master of Demon Spirit Lake, hoping to intimidate the ape into withdrawing.

“Divine Fire Realm? Is that so impressive? I’d like to see it for myself,” came a crisp, melodious voice as Huo Ling’er stepped out, her face filled with scorn. She stood at Shi Hao’s side, glaring at Shi Zitang and his son.

Huo Ling’er had already reached the third level of the Heaven-Piercing Fire Phoenix Art, her cultivation now on par with Shi Hao’s and no weaker than the Divine Fire Realm of this world. The power of her Fire Phoenix Art made her unrivaled among her peers, and she had no reason to fear the two men before her.

The sight of a young girl speaking so brazenly enraged Shi Zitang and his son, who prepared to teach her and Shi Hao a harsh lesson.

“What now? Ready to start a war?” Shi Ziling’s calm voice echoed in their ears.

Shi Zitang’s face darkened, his tone heavy. “Eleventh Brother, we’ll settle our affairs later, but these two have shown disrespect to the Human Emperor—they must be punished!”

“You wish to punish my grandson? Did you ask for my permission?” thundered a furious voice, shaking all who knew the truth of years past.

“Your grandson? That little one from back then?” the Fourth Elder asked Shi Zhongtian with a trembling voice.

Shi Yuan and Shi Zitang both stared in shock at the ten-year-old boy standing calmly before them. Shi Zitang muttered in disbelief, “Impossible. He should have died long ago. This can’t be…”

“What’s wrong? Surprised I’m not dead?” Shi Hao replied coolly.

Years before, the little one had led Jin Ling and others in a rampage against the Rain Clan, slaying many, but fearful of the emperor’s wrath, the Rain Clan had kept the matter secret, and the Martial King’s Manor had assumed the boy had perished.

Now, seeing this youthful, heroic figure before them, how could they not be shocked?

“Hahaha! Wonderful! The little one survived—this is a blessing for the Martial King’s Manor!” the Fourth Elder exclaimed, overjoyed. He had always liked that sensible child, and though he had been powerless to help him seek justice, seeing him alive now filled him with happiness.

“When my father led me out of this place, I ceased to be of the Martial King’s Manor. Elder, please do not speak such words again,” Shi Hao replied coldly.

The Fourth Elder’s laughter froze, embarrassment flickering over his face as he recalled the shameful deeds of the past.

Shi Zhongtian and Shi Ziling exchanged wry smiles. Now that Shi Hao was safe and had gained great fortune, they did not wish complete enmity between their family and the Manor, but they knew the matter had slipped beyond their control.

“Though my daughter-in-law committed great crimes, she has been slain by your father; the debt is paid. You are unharmed now, and your family is still of the Martial King’s Manor—must you press us so hard?” Shi Yuan interjected gravely.

Shi Hao ignored him, signaling the demon ape. Understanding, the beast extended a claw toward Shi Li, who still wailed on the ground.

“How dare you!”

“Stop!”

But as Shi Yuan and his son roared in fury, Shi Li’s body was struck apart, shattered into pieces and his soul extinguished on the spot.

Shi Yuan raged, runes swirling about him as he produced a blade-shaped treasure, its black light sweeping toward the demon ape.

Shi Hao blocked the ape, who was about to crush Shi Yuan, and signaled Shi Hao, who nodded, rising to meet Shi Yuan in battle.

Shi Yuan was furious—how dare Shi Hao send a boy of similar age to fight him? He saw it as a calculated insult. Power surged around him, and his treasure radiated darkness as if swallowing the world.

Little Shi Hao had cultivated the Nine-Turn Mysterious Art for three years, though limited by age and talent, he’d only reached the second turn. Facing Shi Yuan’s fearsome attack, he faltered at first, for though he had hunted beasts, this was his first true battle.

Shi Hao paid no mind to their fight, certain that while Shi Hao’s cultivation could not match Shi Yuan’s, the Nine-Turn Mysterious Art made one’s body invincible. It would not be easy for Shi Yuan to defeat him.

Shi Zitang, face dark, watched as his father, a clan elder, was held at bay by a mere child, unable to win quickly. He realized that he himself would fare no better.

Turning, he addressed Shi Ziling: “Eleventh Brother, are you truly set on throwing the Martial King’s Manor into chaos and ruining its reputation?”

Shi Ziling was silent for a moment before replying, “This was caused by your branch. Hand over Shi Yi and this ends here. Refuse, and do not blame us for what follows.”

Shi Zitang laughed bitterly. “Even if your son survives, what of it? Could he compare to my son? My son was born with double pupils, a natural sage, and with the supreme bone taken from your son—he is a genius wherever he goes, even in the higher realms. Who in Stone Country would dare harm him? Since that’s how it is, let us fight!” With a furious wave of his hand, he shouted, “Activate the ancestral formation!”

The Martial King’s Manor was the main branch of Stone Country, once protected by ancient ancestral spirits wielding supreme arts that shook the world. The formation they left behind was not to be underestimated.

As Shi Zitang’s voice fell, several hidden elders of the Manor moved in the void. Chains of runes locked the heavens, and countless phantom beasts appeared, roaring as if to rend all within the formation to pieces.

The elders who had sided with the Fifteenth Branch, led by the Fourth Elder, cried out in anger, “Shi Zitang, how dare you use the protective array to slaughter your own kin? This is a grave crime, punishable by death!”

“Hmph! My son Shi Yi is the pride of this age, the hope of the clan. If you would kill him, you must be destroyed!” Shi Zitang retorted.

Just as Shi Hao was about to act, an ancient voice rang out: “Cease at once! No harm must come to the clan’s supreme!” The voice was not loud, but to those present, it thundered like a divine decree.

The elders, who had just activated the ancestral formation and were poised to attack, immediately froze the formation in the void. The phantom beasts vanished, but the rune chains continued to bind the world, suppressing everyone present.