The First Event 4

Xi Ying was no longer very hopeful in this new world, in the beginning she felt like this was a chance for the best side of humanity to show. Despite all of her efforts, and the abundant kindness of the group she had helped form. That all went to hell yesterday, she and Milo had managed to escape that ruthless attack. She was still unsure why they were attacked in the first place.

She and Milo had managed to escape and hide away, only reaching the slums that night, as they were still actively being searched for. Worse yet, whichever group attacked them were even searching the slums. It almost made Xi Ying despair. Why? Why did they want to kill her so badly? She could even see the doubt in Milo's eyes.

She knew that he was starting to have doubts about sticking near her, and that more than anything made this situation all the more miserable. Milo had lost his priority with the merchant he had been working with, so they had no chance of earning any last moment pay. So, they had no choice but to sleep within the slums, hiding away from the search parties.

They were incredibly tired, so as soon as the gates opened the next morning they had flown inside with all due haste to avoid their pursuers. They hoped they would not dare do things in front of the guards. Their pursuers had been waiting for them in front of the gate, but they had still managed to slip by.

They didn't dare to leave the gate area, as it had the strongest presence of guards. The number of eyes on them only grew as more people started gathering around them. Milo and Xi Ying simply watched on in slight terror as they were slowly surrounded, but thankfully the guards were watching them closely, so they felt somewhat assured.

However, among this tense atmosphere, a peculiar sight occurred. Ty Langshan who was approaching imperiously, as if he was the emperor, had his way blocked as he was walking towards Xi Ying.

A small group of about ten children and five elderly women cut in front of him, they were guiding them and trying to keep them calm. They did not know why , but they seemed very nervous. Of course, Ty Langshan did not like this interruption one bit.

He waved to one of his subordinates, not needing to tell them what to do. Even if they were thrown in jail for a week, it was a better fate if they disobeyed their impatient young master. One of the men whom particularly looked sadistic, was the first to approach one of the old ladies. It was obvious he enjoyed doing the dirty work for Ty Langshan.

"Hey old bat, move it! You're blocking the way!" The man went to push the old lady along, but it was obvious he was about to push with too much force.

People looked on in silent anger, and even the guards looked like they were about to intervene, but the rules and laws of the town were quite clear. Although they could step in whenever they wanted, in such a public place they needed just cause before acting. Needless to say, most of the guards were prepared to be the hero to save the old lady. Maybe she had a beautiful granddaughter?

However, the next scene shocked everybody, because even before that hooligan's palm reached her, she had brought up her cane. That fast motion did not match her old and withered appearance, but before anyone could react that old grandma had brought her cane down on the man's forehead.

The sound of a loud thwack resounded within the busy street, and the rough man was sent flying to the ground by the grandma, who was still smiling kindly.

"You whippersnappers need to be more filial! Where is your mother young man? I need to speak with her, with such behavior you'll never find a wife!" The old grandma scolded repeatedly.

Everyone present didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Wasn't this scene wrong? Wasn't this kind old lady supposed to ask for some strong and brave young man to teach this hooligan a lesson? Instead, what was this? Wasn't this old lady too ruthless?

The rough man on the ground grunted, before he snarled from anger and embarrassment, he jumped up off the ground his face black and full of lines. Both bystanders and guards were ready to intervene, should the man try anything, and since something had occurred the guards had the right to jump in.

However, before anything progressed, horns and bells started to blare and ring across the town. All the guards froze on reflex, and all the common people flinched. A moment later, all the natives of Heaven's Mercy jumped into motion.

The guards started rushing towards the walls as both merchants and everyday commonfolk started either closing up shop or finalizing deals, hurriedly agreeing on a price, and skipping the long process of bargaining. Nobody wished to be close to the walls during this time.

The old women guiding the children kept moving on, heading towards the center of town their destination uncertain. Xi Ying and Milo had found their opportunity and quickly followed after the super grandma, as they easily got lost in the crowd.

***

Back At Gu Erin's Camp –

Gu Erin was not doing well; he had only managed to kill two of the five Rank 2 beasts that entered the clearing before another four joined in the battle. Gu Erin gritted his teeth as his frustration made the Blood Mist shift around him. He felt like there was a flame burning him up from within.

Gu Erin found himself fighting a downhill battle with seven Rank 2 beasts, Gu Erin was slowly being pushed back, and for the first time he was wounded. Small cuts had started to accumulate on Gu Erin's body, which only added to his mounting frustration. He could not afford armor at this point in time.

However, just as Gu Erin thought about armor and envisioned it, the Blood Mist conformed to his will, it tried to gather around him but failed. Noticing this change in the abundant Blood Mist Gu Erin paused. This pause proved less than ideal as a Tomahawk Basilisk's tail swept by, brushing up against his ribs.

The force of the light hit sent Gu Erin flying back more than five meters, giving Gu Erin some breathing room. In these brief seconds Gu Erin did his best to try and utilize the Blood Mist. When Gu Erin next opened his eyes and looked down, he was pleasantly surprised at the effectiveness and utility of the Blood Mist. However, its ability to take hits has yet to be tested.

When Gu Erin next exchanged blows with the multiple Rank Two beasts, he was again sent flying back. He coughed up a bit of blood, and he quickly wiped away the residual blood at the corner of his lips. Although this Blood mist offered some protection, it was flimsy compared to true armor, it wasn't dense enough.

Gu Erin's mind went blank, was it that simple? With a force of will Gu Erin pulled on the connection to his Blood Mist. All the Blood Mist that covered the entire clearing and was dense enough to make one unable to see their own shins, was whipped up into a whirlwind. The Blood Mist frantically gathered around Gu Erin.

When the whirlwind finally stopped and the Blood mist had disappeared, all eyes naturally went to the source. They're stood Gu Erin, or rather what they assumed was Gu Erin, instead what they saw was a roiling mass of blood that looked alive. It shifted and contorted, until it started to condense further and further.

When the mass of blood finally condensed into its final form they were all shocked, and all the beasts were still. Gu Erin was now clad in blood plate armor, it looked as solid as metal, and it even glimmered in the sunlight. Gu Erin's blade had also transformed, resembling something far more similar to an estoc.

Gu Erin smiled to himself; battle truly was the best path to improvement.

With that same slightly crazed smile Gu Erin leapt back into the fight with the Rank 2 beasts, his movements supplemented by his bloodline. His strikes were far more powerful, and they cut far more deeply. Any blow that landed on him only sent him flying, but it didn't break through his armor. When Gu Erin felt that his armor was starting to get thin. He would go on a rampage killing all the Rank 1 beasts around him to replace the lost Blood Mist.

Gu Erin's smile started to grow, this was no longer a life and death battle, with this new found knowledge and breakthrough in using one of the aspects of his bloodline he could easily cross Realms to fight.

Rank 2 Beasts fell left and right, Rank 1 beasts started to become harvested like wheat, Gu Erin was lost in the slaughter. Gu Erin's image started to resemble that of a mad demon rather than a graceful dancer. Any blow was either dodged easily or absorbed by the armor. Any beast that came near would either die, or be grievously wounded.

The people of the camp were not scared of this development, all they cared about now was they had a break to breathe. The relentless assault of the beasts had truly drained them completely. They had been fighting since morning, and had been in many life and death situations.

No man or woman was spared from fighting, afraid they would be left behind by Gu Erin, and seeing him happily slaughter the beasts that wanted to kill them, they were all happy to simply sit and watch.

It wasn't till an hour later that Gu Erin finally started to slow down, even with his new found bloodline strength, he was still just a Peak Blood Transformation warrior. His stamina was limited, and he had already pushed himself beyond his limits just battling for this long. Now he could retreat and comfortably wait till the beast tide subsides.