Chapter 25 - Stage is set

Dongfang arrived at Ximen Wei's cell with two guards, the sight that greeted them was beyond disturbing. The putrid stench of decay filled the air, assaulting their nostrils with its foulness. The guard at the front staggered back, retching into a corner as the sight was too much for him to bear. The cell was awash with a macabre display of human remains, rendered into a grotesque mash of bones, flesh, and organs. The walls and floor were splattered with congealing blood, the metallic tang heavy in the air. Even Dongfang, a seasoned warrior who had faced countless battles and bloodshed, struggled to maintain his composure in the face of such unspeakable horrors. The sight was unforgettable, a haunting memory that would haunt the guard for the rest of his days.

The sight before them was no longer recognizable as a human being, but instead a revolting mass of flesh and bone. One of the guards, his hand unsteady, reached for a piece of parchment and marked Ximen Wei's name off the list. The guard then retreated to a corner, violently expelling the contents of his stomach. The guards gazed down the hallway that led to the children's quarters, where Song Peizhi kept his "toys." A sense of unease settled upon them, a foreboding feeling that something unspeakable had taken place within those walls. They could not shake the feeling that their worst fears were about to be realized.

Ximen Wei, his complexion deathly pale, was engaged in a fierce battle with a quartet of opponents. Despite the odds stacked against him, he ultimately triumphed through the use of his Qi Techniques. As he stood victorious, his gaze fell upon his crimson, blood-stained hands, and a deranged cackle escaped his lips. In one fateful day, Ximen Wei had committed a heinous and irredeemable act. Not only had he taken a life, but he had also snuffed out the futures of over ten individuals, including five innocent children who had been taken against their will and forced into this living nightmare.

Ximen Wei realized that in order to avoid arousing suspicion, he needed to stage his own death. To do this convincingly, he would have to ensure that his demise appeared natural. If only he perished within the confines of his cell, while the other captive children remained unscathed, then questions would inevitably be raised. After all, if a rogue Qi Cultivator was wreaking havoc in the Song Family's dungeon, why would they single out Ximen Wei and spare the rest of the children? To ensure that his actions went unnoticed, Ximen Wei would have to craft a believable illusion of his death.

This was all the more critical given Ximen Wei's association with the Criminal District and his affiliation with the Long Gang, a band of hoodlums personally groomed by the mastermind behind the Criminal District. The fourth guard, whose fate remained unknown, posed a potential threat to Ximen Wei's plans. The guards were aware that the fourth guard was out there somewhere, dead or alive. If Ximen Wei were to simply "die" in his cell, then with the right investigative techniques, the true identity of the dismembered remains would eventually come to light. The Qi world was a mystical and enigmatic place, and the power of Qi was capable of wonders beyond the comprehension of the humans of modern Earth. There were surely profound methods for gathering information and uncovering the truth.

Thus, Ximen Wei took it upon himself to turn the other children in the prison cells into a macabre mixture of meat and bones, ensuring that even if the true identity of the remains in his cell were revealed, there would still be lingering doubts and suspicions. The Song Family was one of the most prestigious and noble families, and they would not want to admit that a child had escaped their heavily guarded dungeon. It would be far more palatable to them to claim that a formidable Qi expert, accompanied by an inside accomplice, had infiltrated their dungeon. Ximen Wei surmised that the ego and reputation of such noble families were of utmost importance, and that they would prefer to maintain their image, even if it meant concealing the truth.

As Ximen Wei hastened towards the exit, his mind raced with the knowledge that freedom was within his grasp. The passage was heavily guarded in light of the recent alarm, but Ximen Wei was confident in his ability to slip away unnoticed. After all, he was intimately familiar with the layout of the dungeon, having undergone interrogation, and he now held the keys necessary to make his escape.

Despite the increased risk of being caught, Ximen Wei was determined to emerge unscathed from this crisis. The thought of finally enjoying the freedom he had always sought was enough to drive him forward. And, now that he had become a Qi Cultivator, his future prospects were unlimited. He had a chance, however small, to return to his former world and untangle the knots in his heart. With every step he took, Ximen Wei felt his heart swell with hope for a brighter future.

Dongfang was filled with rage and sorrow as he and his guards surveyed the horrific scene in each prison cell. Every one of them contained the mutilated remains of children, reduced to grotesque piles of flesh and blood. The stench was overpowering and even the experienced guards struggled to maintain their composure.

Dongfang swore to bring the perpetrator to avenge the innocent victims. With a fierce gesture, he summoned his Qi power and invoked "Qi Technique - Envision Aura".

The world before him took on an ethereal quality, and he could see the auras of all those who had passed by. Despite his anger, he was stunned to see an aura that stood out from the rest. It belonged to someone who was no taller than 150cm, but its strength was unmistakable, a clear indication of a Level 1 Qi Trainee.

Dongfang's gaze intensified. "We face a Level 1 Qi Trainee who stands 140-150cm tall, possibly a Dwarf, but his aura suggests he's human. Keep vigilant." He instructed his guards, then coughed up blood, suffering the consequences of overusing a Qi Technique beyond his abilities. He wiped the blood and hastened towards the exit to inform the Song Family and the authorities of Green Lotus City about the tragedy and the rogue Qi Cultivator on the loose.