As the burning sun illuminated the world, a figure appeared above the ruined mansion of Klown in a blur. Lightning coursed through his body for a brief moment before vanishing.
He stared at the shattered remains of the mansion, his fists clenching so tightly his knuckles turned white.
"What the f*ck?" Sir Guo couldn't help but curse, his eyes widening in disbelief. "It's true? The Mayor is dead?"
He spread his senses and detected the chaotic Qi lingering around the estate, a clear sign that a great battle had taken place. The realization made his heart burn with fury… and disappointment.
"They went to war without me? That's unfair!" Sir Guo's face twitched in frustration.
If he hadn't overheard the students talking when he returned to his training ground, he wouldn't have known that Klown was already dead!
Remembering his conversation with the beggar—his disciple—shame and embarrassment consumed him. "He definitely knew about this, and that's why he agreed to my request. F*ck!"
Sir Guo had left the city to find a place rich in Lightning Qi, intending to train his disciple there. He had planned to bring Yoma back after they killed the Mayor! But by the time he returned, Klown was already gone.
The injustice of it made him want to scream. A whole fcking year* of preparation! An entire year devising a plan to end the life of the hideous Klown.
In truth, Sir Guo was the first person to uncover the Mayor's schemes—two years ago. But at the time, he hadn't had enough evidence to act. He had spent an entire year investigating to uncover Klown's true intentions before crafting his own plan.
Thinking of all the effort he had put in, tears welled up in his eyes.
"I hate this," he muttered, but as his voice echoed, a presence flashed beside him.
"Go away, Axton," Sir Guo said, glancing at the Great Serpent Headmaster.
Axton ignored the dismissal and chuckled as he surveyed the destroyed mansion. "Did you come here to admire this masterpiece too?"
"I should've been the one to paint it," Sir Guo growled through gritted teeth.
"Why are you so agitated?" Axton asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Nothing. You should've waited for me to return—or at least told me you were planning to kill that fatso," Sir Guo scoffed.
"It was a matter for the Cultivation Schools and the Great Families to handle. Including you wasn't necessary," Axton replied.
"I have the power of lightning, and that's their weakness," Sir Guo shot back. "I bet you lost a lot of people, right? Their energy is tough to deal with—it's almost impenetrable."
"You're not wrong, but we didn't lose that many," Axton said with a smile. "You know, your disciple was one of the reasons we won. If it weren't for him, the people would have been sacrificed to a Demon. But it seems like you already know this."
"Yoma played a major role in this?" Sir Guo repeated, his voice tinged with jealousy—or perhaps envy. He felt as though something important had been stolen from him. "Wait, how did you know he's my disciple? Did he tell you?"
"Of course not," Axton shook his head. "You see, he was also my personal disciple—but he already quit."
"You?" Sir Guo raised an eyebrow. When he saw the smile on the Great Serpent Headmaster's face, he felt like he was being mocked.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Axton asked.
"That beggar! I will teach him a lesson. He doesn't respect this sacred relationship!" Sir Guo said, his frustration boiling over.
"Don't blame him. But are you sure he's still your disciple?" Axton smirked.
Hearing this, Sir Guo fell silent. After a moment, he glared at the Great Serpent Headmaster. "Why are you even here? Just to humiliate me? If that's your reason, I'll fight you!"
Lightning flashed around Sir Guo as he prepared himself.
"Stop it." Axton's expression turned serious. "I came here to confirm that you also became his master. Besides, I have a request."
The word request made the lightning around Sir Guo vanish as curiosity and confusion bloomed on his face. "What request?"
Axton waved his hand, and a transparent barrier surrounded them. At the same time, he initiated a Thought Transfer.
Protect Yoma as much as you can. That's my request.
Oh? Sir Guo raised an eyebrow. May I ask why?
You're his master, aren't you? That should already be your obligation. Why are you asking?
Master today, not tomorrow, Sir Guo replied bitterly. Letting out a sigh, he glanced back at the ruins. I made a deal with him—after we killed the Mayor, I would let him go. But Klown is already dead.
So you were also planning to kill him? It seems he's made a lot of enemies. If you'd told us sooner, we could've worked together, Axton chuckled.
There was a chance you'd side with him. That's why I kept it to myself, Sir Guo said.
How did you find out? Axton asked, unable to contain his curiosity.
Sir Guo glanced at the Great Serpent Headmaster for a moment before answering. You know I'm a Wanderer. I travel to places I didn't even know existed. I've taken on more identities than I can count. I've heard stories and rumors. Eventually, I found them—in some ruins—performing a ritual. Demons. They're real, not just fairy tales to scare children. Klown was part of them, and he was the only survivor. So, I tracked him down. It led me to this city. At first, I wasn't sure, so I gathered evidence. That's the gist of it.
They're already out there, then? Axton asked.
Yes, Sir Guo muttered. It's one of my goals—to eradicate all of them.
In a few days, the main Great Serpent School will send men to investigate what happened here. You can share what you know. They might even provide information in return, Axton suggested.
Not a chance. Who knows? Maybe your sect has already been compromised, Sir Guo said with a shrug before returning to his earlier doubt. So, do you still want me to protect him even though he's not my disciple anymore?
Don't bother with it, Axton said, waving his hand. I'll handle it.
By the way, that bone monkey outside—what are you going to do with it? Sir Guo asked.
I'm not the one handling it. Why? Do you need something from it?