Not expecting that answer, Hao Xuan missed the next tree branch he was supposed to step on and fell to the ground along with the unconscious hunter in his arms.
*Cough*
Throwing up a mouthful of dirt, he inquired further.
"Death...Dealer's what?"
*Cough*
"The hell are...those things?" he asked through intermittent bouts of cough.
"It matters not, since you can't get them anyway. The point is, the Law has been invoked already so you should just focus on that."
With gritted teeth, Hao Xuan climbed back up on the tree and continued moving across the canopies to keep a low profile. There were more footsteps coming in from the right side as well.
"Goddamnit, it looks like the natives came out as well. Can't pick a fight with them right now," he muttered before steering further towards the left side.
He was already a good distance away from the ruined village so unless someone was especially looking for him, it wouldn't be easy to find him among the thick trees in the darkness.
When he couldn't hear the footsteps anymore, Hao Xuan continued the conversation.
"Alright, what is this invoked shit? What does it mean for me, put it as plainly as you can."
"It means you were lucky enough to receive a small fragment of a cultivator's experiences. That fragment reacted with the energy in your body and set the basis for the law. Basically, the first quarter of the law is already done. Now you just need to comprehend the complexities within it and draw out its power."
"...comprehend the complexities? Like its that easy," Hao Xuan scoffed, "I knew reading would get me into trouble one day," he remarked, staying silent for the remainder of the journey back to the city.
Sounds of explosions could still be heard and occasionally something would light up the night sky in the direction of the ruined village.
He stopped on the outskirts of a small local village and interrogated the one-eyed hunter who was knocked out. He didn't know much more about the words of power but did give a few interesting details about the resistance that was fighting against the cultivators.
Apparently they were experimenting with their own people and were always looking for 'test subjects'. These three had kidnapped many people and delivered them to the resistance for experimentation.
"Why? Why would you do that? Are you part of them too?" Hao Xuan glared at the hunter.
"No no," he shook his head aggressively, "We just do it for the money, we don't share their beliefs! They are complete lunatics that believe the words of power are the only way out of this. They keep calling people to fight for the 'cause' and sometimes forcing them as well. Please sir, you must believe me! I can even be your mole and join them if you want!" he knelt down and tried to kiss Hao Xuan's shoes but was kicked away.
"You sell your own people for a few silver and gold, how are you any better? At least they believe in something, but trash like you, I have no use for."
Before the hunter could plead for his life, Hao Xuan flicked his forehead with a little force.
His head twisted at a 40-degree angle with a loud crack from his back, breaking his neck instantly.
Even Hao Xuan himself was taken aback by his coldhearted actions. He looked at the hunter's still warm corpse and then at his hands.
He stared at them in silence for a few minutes before mumbling, "Since when did I get used to killing so easily? I can't even feel...anything...anymore...or did I never feel anything at all...?" he tried to recall a time when he was ridden with guilt and his conscience stopped him from doing something like this but nothing came to mind.
**
It took almost two hours for Hao Xuan to reach the walking city this time because of the several detours he had to make during the trip back.
He even ran into two parties near the walking city but both of them ignored him and went their own ways in a hurry.
It was only after reaching the city did he find out that all this commotion wasn't caused by him.
"The resistance attacked the walking city of the temple.. They have asked us for reinforcements," Henrik relayed the news as blandly as he possibly could.