Sheng Jing Wu was about to speak again, hoping to pry for any sort of possible information to his advantage. However, his voice was instantly muffled, only to be replaced by a screeching howl of agony. For once the silver-haired devil swung his sword, all of his planned strategy of biding for time to prepare against the enemy's attack had died out.
The silver-haired devil moved from one instant to another, his sword slashing all too fast. Faster than the eye could perceive. Within a few milliseconds, Sheng Jing Wu's arm, which had wielded the crescent moon spade, had now been severed from the rest of his body, having been cleanly cut off with one graceful sweep of the sword.
He staggered backwards, clutching the bleeding shoulder with his one remaining hand.
First, there was shock. His mind couldn't register what had just occurred. Then came the agonizing pain.
He hadn't felt this level of agony in hundreds of years…
Sheng Jing Wu's eyes locked with the devil's, his mouth agape with incredulity.
A faint smile graced the silver-haired devil's lips, his terrifying eyes twinkling in the darkness.
There was no doubt about it, the devil was relishing this moment. Much like Sheng Jing Wu, he took pleasure in this, in torture.
The devil's face, that expression of smug satisfaction, seared into Sheng Jing Wu's very soul.
"Where is all your arrogance now?" The devil sneered.
Sheng Jing Wu stayed silent. His pale skin became clammy from sweat when he realized right then and there, that he was staring death in the face.
He turned on his heel and ran.
"Coward." The devil mocked. His evil laughter rang in his ears, urging the Jiangshi Master to escape as fast as he could. He raced into the manor, the lopped off side of his shoulders kept bleeding, leaving a messy trail wherever he went.
Inside the manor's halls, the sound of approaching footsteps prompted him to stand his ground and summon his internal energy. A mass of grey smoke instantly enveloped him.
It was one of the concubines who rushed to greet him. Her shrill cry resounded throughout the entire residence. "Ahhh! Master, what happened to you?!"
Shortly after, a throng of concubines left their private rooms upon hearing those words, gathering in the main hall. They cautiously approached Sheng Jing Wu, concerned.
"Master, your arm!"
"What happened to you?"
When one of the concubines attempted to bandage the bleeding clump of flesh, Sheng Jing Wu violently pushed her away. His long, dark hair clung to his sweaty skin and trembling shoulders. The usually regal, handsome countenance, was now a nervous, bloody mess of gore and stench.
He jostled further away from the entrance, shoving several of the concubines in the process, using them as meat shields and hurling them towards the main doors.
"Don't touch me, slut!" He hissed, and immediately raised his single hand, performing a variety of complex hand gestures. He began to chant the necessary words to teleport out of the sect.
The concubines were used to the Jiangshi Master's violent temper, but they had never seen their master so alarmed. After being hurled away, they wordlessly stared at each other, clueless about what they should be doing next.
Sheng Jing Wu disregarded the surrounding women. Every moment was precious to him, he was this close to escaping. He closed his eyes and focused all of his power into transporting himself.
Slash!
Alas, the devil wasn't so benevolent as to allow him to leave. It was almost as though he gave Sheng Jing Wu a glimmer of hope for the sole purpose of crushing his spirit.
"Argh!" Searing pain assaulted Sheng Jing Wu's senses, breaking his concentration. His eyes opened wide as he regarded the now dismembered forms of the concubines, laying upon the ground like a collection of broken dolls.
His gaze travelled to his feet, where the severed limb of his previously remaining arm was revealed.