47 Gratitude (Part 8)
Qin Lao opened his eyes wide daring not to blink.
For in his vision was scene so surreal that it felt like a dream.
In the moment when his struggles went in vain, surrounded from all sides, danger and death dancing to mock his dramatic throes for survival, a Wargod shining like the sun descended from the heavens. His presence unforeseen brought forth a ray of hope penetrating deep into his despairing heart.
"Go no further" the wargod's voice resounded. Echoing equal to a hundred generals roaring in unison. His intentions swept drastically about the area. As if he would call the wind rain at any moment.
The 5 savage beasts were stunned dumb. Their crimson demon eyes gleaming viciously on sect leader's figure. Drawing all their attention away as they attempt to ascertain with their instincts to who this interloper dared to intrude.
The torrential auras of the beasts' spiked through the roofs along with their wariness. They sense no danger from the intolerance as their intuition told he held no killing intent. But their instincts screamed at them to avoid his glowing rays as much as possible. Fear and aggregation only heightened their aggressiveness.
Sect leader only shook his head calmly at the sight of their savagery. Then, without further hesitation, he stepped out from his world.
With a flash, he appeared beside the one of the savage squirrels. As it had no time to react, sect leader grabbed with his hand what seems to be the ear of the beast. Then, swerving his wrist down, the body of the massive creature was lifted from the ground, flipped around, only to be tussled back to the ground with a booming sound.
Peng!
The hard ground cracked under the sheer impact and the beast groaned in pain.
Such a scene as hard to take in. Everyone knew how heavy these massive creatures were. Forget about their weight, even the strength they wielded was two folds greater than their corpulent. And this middle-aged man seemingly simple in bearings, tussled the giant with one hand as if it was nothing!
Such unmatched strength!
Sect leader smile remained the same. Neither perturbed or excited, just calm as a lake. Then, the next scene unfolded.
Another savage creature with the same constitution with the others, pounce forth, with its massive body drilling through the void, came to slam its body with a full powered strike targeting sect leader!
With his hand still gripping the ear, sect leader casually swung the massive beast towards his attacker.
Peng!
The noises of massive bodies colliding heavily resounded. Issuing fractured sounds of bones breaking and blood spilling. The attacker was utterly subdued with one move alone. Both howled in agony under the grievous pressure of the strike.
But sect leader was not done. Immediately after subduing, his other hand moved to grab the ear of the other beast and converted it into another weapon for terrifyingly heavy bludgeoning!
"Go no further" he said it again. Sounding neither happy or angry. Only calm without the slightest bit of threat.
In his hands were defeated monsters which had lost their savagery. Their aggressive gone from their eyes as they submit themselves from the terror gripping their ears. They tremble like they were spasmodic as blood oozed from the wounds and mouths.
The 3 left had become wary. No longer could they possibly focus on Qin Lao, who was much nearer compared to sect leader. Unconsciously, they took a step back, their hindlegs trembling and their every subtle movements made them want to flee. But it seems sect leader wasn't willing to let them go. Then, he flashed away. Appearing above the 3 savage beasts with his hands holding on the 2 savage beasts. He lifted them both up, and like swinging two hammers, he slammed the 2 viciously below the 3 using their sheer masses!
In this one action, the sky seems to be falling. Sonic boom exploded in the air. Following another explosive boom that sent clouds of dust swirling up the air. The ground rumbled beneath and shook the surrounding trees and boulders. And the result of the aftermath victimization of the savage beasts. Their figures pummeled black and blue, spasming on themselves on the 1-meter depression. Their eyes lost their gleam reflecting their distant indignation.
Seeing this, it was clear to anyone that the 5 monsters were utterly crushed with the strength of several magnitudes. Anyone would've shivered if they were the victim themselves.
"And that's that." clapping the dust off his hands, sect leader descended from the air and approached Qin Lao slowly.
Qin Lao, after all this time, had stood motionless from his position while his eyes burned the very incident he had seen.
Like a wargod, he descended. Brewing up a storm with only the strength of his hands. Wielding power of the higher order. Overwhelming the battlefield within a second.
Only one word could describe what he had seen.
Tyrannical!
All these, Qin Lao couldn't do. Couldn't now, and could never.
Everything happened too fast to be seen, yet Everything appeared like slow film to him. As if the heavens had allowed him to witness true power, Qin Lao's heart was shaken to the very core!
Thud.
He fell weakly on his knees. Heat as felt in eyes and his vision turned blurry. It suddenly became difficult to breath with his nostrils, and his lungs were involving for air. Then he realized he was sobbing. He was sobbing in quick breathes.
Why? What's the matter with me? Why am I... about to... cry?
He was perplexed of himself but surely, he knew how painful his heart became after witnessing sect leader trampling the battle.
Then out of nowhere, memories of his life zoomed passed his visual field like a kaleidoscope. Memories of his bitter experiences and struggling to overcome his weaknesses. Only to find out that everyone else had bested him in those aspects and his hardworking was all for naught.
Those memories were so bitter for him that he had to lock them up a long time ago in order to focus himself for his goals.
And now, like a broken dam bursting open, those memories were unleashed to take over. Bit by bit, seeping down to the very core of his soul. Second by second, blanking him black and white and discarded the unnecessary colors.
Finally, realized those memories were stuck to him to haunt him. Clinging to him like how he clung to air to breath.
Bitter...
Bitter bitter bitter bitter bitter bitter bitter...
Such bitter-filled memories.
...
... ...
... ... ...
Why am I so weak?
...
"... Well done, young Qin. Although you've encountered some trouble, you manage to accomplished what I've requested of you."
"Sect leader is too kind to this humble one. I'm forever grateful that your excellency has come to my rescue. If your excellency will ever need me again, I am ready to serve you through hell or high waters."
"... Hm, alright. I'll keep that in mind. Go ahead and claim your reward in the Merit Palace."
After saying such, sect leader waved his hand and sent Qin Lao away via teleportation. The surrounding void jerked for a bit before reverting back to normal, and Qin Lao realized that he was standing in front of a huge building recognizable from his memories. The Merit Palace.
Qin Lao did move from where he stood and merely froze on the spot. His eyes blank from clarity before reverting back with crystal gleam.
He sighed from exhaustion and fatigue overwhelmed him. With dropped shoulders and head hung low, he felt completely aware of his powerless.
Lifting his hand to see was a metallic token from sect leader clutched between his fingers.
Expressing his exhaustion with another sigh again, Qin Lao feed energy to his body and straightened his slack posture. Taking a deep breath, he stepped out and entered the Merit Palace.
Totally unaware that he had become a different person compared an hour ago.
