The Frozen Coffin

"Get away, you filthy rats! You're ruining my peace!" shouted a young man from his carriage window, belonging to the great Shen clan, as a group of commoners blocked the road. The luxurious carriage, made of ivory wood and red coral from the Eastern oceans, glimmered in the sunlight. A group of soldiers stood guard in front and behind it.

"Guards, move them out of the way!" the young man, named Xi, shouted. "We can't afford to be late for the princess's banquet!"

"Yes, young master Xi," the guards replied as they stepped forward.

"Drop your things and leave!" ordered the lead guard. "Don't let us catch you here again!"

Ignoring the command, the commoners separated, except for a young man who stood defiantly in the middle. Unlike the others, he exuded an aura of a cultivator and carried a bright blue sword. His silk clothes, which once seemed regal and expensive, were now dirty, scratched, and torn.

The young cultivator marched towards the carriage, pointing his sword at the young master who was peering out the window.

"You, Shen Xi, five years ago, humiliated and killed every member of my family, including my parents," he announced. "I vow to avenge them and destroy everything you hold dear!"

Xi Shen burst out laughing, and his guards followed suit, hesitantly at first, but with more confidence as their numbers were superior.

"With your inferior cultivation, how do you expect to defeat my guards?" sneered Xi, jingling a gold tael in his hand. "I don't even remember your pitiful family name."

The young cultivator, Lou Zhu, remained resolute. "It doesn't matter, for all I need is vengeance. Remember my name when I take your life!"

Zhu gripped his sword, and his aura flared as his sword burst into flames. He charged towards the carriage with lightning speed.

Xi commanded, "What are you waiting for? Seize him!"

The road, barely wide enough for a carriage, was immediately swarmed by soldiers wearing blue and white armor inscribed with the Shen family crest. Dismissing Zhu as weak, they charged without any fear. But they made a fatal mistake.

Ten minutes later, Xi stumbled out of the forest, his robes tattered and torn, and collapsed on the ground, fuming in frustration.

"Damn it! Damn it all!" he cursed. "How could he be so strong? He was nothing but worthless scum!"

Xi stood up and kicked a tree in anger, but then he heard a rustling sound behind him.

"How is his cultivation level so high?" wondered Xi as he began to run, fearing for his life. The forest was full of trees and shadows, a trap for the young master with his meager 2nd foundation stage cultivation.

As Xi emerged from the forest, he froze with fear when he saw a giant cliff blocking his escape. He ran towards a lone, giant tree in the middle of the clearing, and turned around, panting heavily.

A few seconds later, Zhu sauntered out of the forest, swinging his sword casually. His robes were tattered, and blood spattered his clothes. A maniacal grin appeared on his face as he began to cackle.

"Oh, young master Xi," he taunted, pointing his sword at him. "Do you feel it now? The fear, the pain? Your family caused so much suffering, and now it's your turn to suffer."

Xi's fear reached a new level as Zhu slowly walked towards him, each step heavy and resounding in Xi's ears. Zhu's aura fully extended, suppressing Xi, as he could only wait for his

inevitable death.

Xi Shen closed his eyes and began to pray to his ancestors for forgiveness. He waited and waited. Finally, he heard Zhu's footsteps stop and felt him raising his blade.

He struck.

But Xi didn't feel anything. After a few moments of confusion, he opened his eyes again. And he screamed.

For Zhu, still standing, had his head separated from his body.