C5 Tomb Slaughter

Everything was set, and Wu Duan had the chef prepare a lavish feast usually reserved for special occasions at the training hall. He also made sure to add extra dishes for the servants and reminded them to depart at dawn if they could.

Gathered around the table, Wu Shanbao gazed at his parents with his large eyes brimming with curiosity.

"What's the matter, Shanbao? Why aren't you eating?" Madam Wu inquired, noticing her son's hesitation. "Look, I've made your favorite vegetable rolls, steamed tofu, and lotus seed soup just for you."

Madam Wu carefully served each dish into Shanbao's bowl.

"Mom, what's the occasion today? Why have you prepared all these treats?"

"Because after today, we won't have the chance to enjoy such delicacies anymore!"

"Why is that?"

"Your father and I are taking you to travel the world tomorrow, so our lifestyle will change."

"Really? Mom, are you serious?"

"Yes," Wu Duan responded, his discomfort evident. Lying was frowned upon in Taoist teachings, after all.

Shanbao let out a sigh.

"What's troubling you?"

"I haven't had the chance to say goodbye to my friends. I also promised them that you would make puppets for them, Mom…"

"Shanbao, you'll make many more friends on our journey. Don't worry about that. And as for the puppet, you must take good care of it. Never lose it! It contains your mother's love and hard work. Do you understand?" Madam Wu spoke with a stern look on her face.

"I understand," Shanbao replied, sensing the gravity in his mother's voice. He made a mental note to discover the hidden uniqueness of the puppet.

Dinner was a bittersweet affair for Shanbao. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was off, though he couldn't pinpoint exactly what.

Once they had finished their meal, Wu Duan proposed a stroll in the garden.

"Dad, what's going on today?"

"What do you mean?"

"We've never all gone to the garden together before…"

Wu Duan, at a loss for words, glanced at his wife.

"So, would you like to join us for a walk?"

"Absolutely!" Shanbao exclaimed with delight.

The family spent the evening frolicking in the garden under the twinkling stars before retiring to their respective rooms.

Lying in bed, Shanbao quickly drifted off to sleep, a sweet smile lingering on his lips.

"Is Shanbao asleep?" Wu Duan inquired.

"Yes, my poor child," Madam Wu replied, her eyes brimming with tears.

Wu Duan wrapped his arms around his wife, gently caressing her soft hair to console her. "Everyone must endure hardships to grow. I believe our Shanbao will be safe and sound…"

Happiness is fleeting, so brief that it slips away before you can truly savor it.

Under the cover of night, Madam Wu wielded her magic to transport Wu Shanbao to a self-created space at the heart of the lake. After one last glance at her son, she sealed off the space.

The lake's surface rippled, gradually concealing the hidden chamber.

Waiting is excruciating, particularly when awaiting the specter of death. Wu Duan and his wife had prepared for the worst.

After a restless night, the break of dawn saw many relatives depart, easing Wu Duan's heartache somewhat. For those who remained, he could only offer his prayers, hoping they might avoid the impending disaster.

"Master, Madam, there's trouble!"

"What's the matter?" Wu Duan, startled by the housekeeper's frantic entrance, feigned calmness and asked.

"The young master has vanished!"

"Oh! Last night, the young master encountered a wandering Daoist priest who has taken him on a spiritual journey," Wu Duan fabricated, resorting to a lie he had crafted in advance.

To cover up one lie, it seemed, a web of deception was necessary.

The housekeeper simply uttered an "Oh" and went on her way.

That day, the Wu household maintained its usual tranquility, with those who stayed carrying on with their lives and charitable acts. Yet, a new weight hung in the air, its origin unknown to all.

"Will they come tonight?" Wu Duan questioned his wife.

"They should be arriving soon," she responded, gazing intently at the star-filled sky from the window.

Suddenly, a cold wind swept across the sky, dimming the once-bright stars.

Madam Wu's face fell at the sight.

"Is it time?" Wu Duan joined his wife at the window, observing the celestial oddity, reminded of the night he first met her under similar circumstances.

Madam Wu silently nodded, returning to the table to pour herself a full cup of tea. She feigned calmness as she delicately sipped her drink.

Wu Duan glanced out the window before taking a seat next to his wife, tenderly holding her jade-like finger.

Madam Wu's body shuddered slightly, yet she offered no resistance.

"Hahaha! Little sister, you don't come out to greet your big brother?" Boisterous laughter echoed from outside, causing the lady to visibly shudder.

Wu Duan tugged at his arm, and Madam Wu turned to see him silently signaling her to remain quiet.

Releasing her finger, Wu Duan savored the lingering scent on his hand, bringing it to his nose for a brief moment before calling out confidently, "Big brother, your late-night visit is unexpected. Forgive me for not receiving you sooner. Please, come inside to talk."

"A mere ant from Level One Heaven dares to speak to me!" A voice filled with scorn resounded from the courtyard. "Come out now, or I'll dismantle your hovel!"

Wu Duan and his wife rose and approached the doorway, where they saw three striking men standing in the courtyard, exuding an otherworldly elegance. The man speaking bore a resemblance to Madam Wu.

"Little sister, I thought you lacked discernment, but now I see you've chosen to degrade yourself! A genius of Level Six Heaven, living here with a Level One Heaven mortal in this barren place? You've squandered the resources our family invested in you! How can you face our ancestors?"

"Zhang Heng, spare me your sanctimonious act! I have severed ties with the Zhang family. Do not disturb my peace."

"Hmph! The blood of our family runs through your veins; you cannot simply disown it. Hand over the Breeze Fan and come with me to face the family's punishment. If you persist in your obstinacy, don't blame your brother for being heartless."

"Sir, you intend to take my wife without even inquiring if I consent?" Wu Duan straightened his posture and shook his sleeves, his voice resolute. Ready to face death, he stood defiantly, prepared to embrace his fate with valor. Wu Duan was the sort who would face death with dignity rather than surrender.

Madam Wu watched with admiration as he exuded an air of effortless grace.

"Do you really think you're fit to be a son-in-law of the Zhang family?" Zhang Heng scoffed, flicking his sleeve and unleashing a powerful gust of energy that sent Wu Duan flying.

Wu Duan's body slammed into a pillar, and he coughed up blood. Despite his training in Qi Refining, he was no match for Zhang Heng's seemingly effortless strike.

Madam Wu rushed to Wu Duan's side and helped him to his feet. Wu Duan, struggling, gestured for her to release his arm after taking a few steps.

"Ha! Even in Level One Heaven, we find such foolhardy souls! Let's see how much longer you can hold out!" Zhang Heng, fueled by rage, increased the force of his next blow.

Wu Duan was once again hurled through the air, crashing down so hard that the stone floor beneath him cracked. Madam Wu fell to his side, tears streaming down her face, "My lord, it's all my fault..."

After a brief respite, Wu Duan rose to his feet and declared, "If you want to take her, you'll have to step over my dead body." With great effort, he took a step forward.

"You wish for death? I shall oblige!" Zhang Heng roared, launching another attack.

The energy between heaven and earth roared, the pervasive Qi making it hard to catch one's breath. The chasm between Level Six Heaven and Level One Heaven was vast, and Wu Duan, let alone any Level One Heaven warriors banding together, stood no chance against Zhang Heng.

Seeing Wu Duan unable to withstand the blow, Madam Wu leapt in front of him as the Qi surged forward. But Madam Wu, having diminished her own cultivation, was ill-equipped to endure such a wrathful strike.

Together, they were sent flying, landing a good distance away. They crashed through the hall, coming to rest in front of the bedroom. Inside, the phrase 'One Hundred Years of Love' hung undisturbed. In that moment, with their organs shattered, they exchanged a final, contented look and closed their eyes.

If we cannot live as husband and wife, finding happiness together in the afterlife is a unique blessing!

Zhang Heng had never anticipated that his sister would sacrifice herself to save Wu Duan, and he was consumed with remorse. With a furious roar, he commanded, "Kill them all! I want the Breeze Fan found, even if you have to dig three feet into the ground to get it!"

The two individuals behind him turned silently and made their way to the front and back courtyards of the Wu Mansion.