Righteousness, I Won’t Stop You from Being a Hero

The negotiations collapsed. Both Serena and the white-robed man knew there was no point in talking further, and in silent agreement, they let the issue drop. The white-robed man no longer pressed Serena to mutilate herself, instead having a subordinate drag her along as the group headed outside...

Prince Nolan still hadn't arrived, but as soon as these people stepped out, Sean Xuan and his fighters blocked their way. Sean's gaze stayed fixed on Serena's neck, staring intently at the hand gripping her throat.

It was a real eyesore—he wanted nothing more than to chop that hand off.

"Skyvault Palace Lord, we meet again. Too bad Lance Quinn isn't here, or we could have another round—I've been missing those days." Prince Damien put on a show, clearly trying to provoke Sean Xuan.

"Don't worry, you'll be joining Young Master Lance soon enough." Sean Xuan, though not close to Lance Quinn, still found Lance's death far from pleasant.

The martial artists at his side were seething with righteous anger; if Sean hadn't held them back, they would have charged long ago.

"Looks like you're not as useful as you think. These people don't care whether you live or die." Prince Damien mocked Serena.

"If letting you all walk out of this village without losing a single man is enough, that's all that matters." Serena understood perfectly—if killing Prince Damien meant sacrificing her, these martial artists wouldn't hesitate.

If one person died, they could claim she willingly gave her life to slay the demon lord—it wouldn't harm their reputations at all.

"You'd better make sure you're worth that much—otherwise..." Prince Damien left the rest unsaid, but everyone understood his meaning.

Once a hostage loses their value, there's only one outcome: death.

"Rest assured, Your Highness Damien, I've always known my own worth—unlike some people whose ambition soars higher than heaven but whose lives are as fragile as paper." Serena, even now, showed no sign of acting like a hostage.

"Just talk, nothing more." This time Prince Damien was smarter—he didn't take the bait, but instead vented his anger on Sean Xuan: "Skyvault Palace Lord, you're a clever man. I shouldn't need to spell it out for you."

"What do you want?"

"No need for your concern, Skyvault Palace Lord. Just give us a clear path and don't chase after us like dogs. As for what I truly want, I'm sure Prince Nolan has it." Prince Damien made it clear he didn't take Sean Xuan seriously. Sean didn't get angry, simply ordered his people to open the way so Damien's group could leave.

"Skyvault Palace Lord, we can't let this demon escape! He's brought disaster to the martial world, committed countless crimes—if he gets away, who knows how many more heroes will die at his hands." Killing a notorious demon lord meant instant hero status, and not everyone could resist that temptation.

"Go ahead—if you want to act, I promise I won't interfere." Sean Xuan was even more direct, gesturing for the man to step forward.

The man, face flushed, tried to drag Sean into complicity with lofty ideals: "Skyvault Palace Lord, eliminating evil is everyone's duty. We all share responsibility. Now is the time for you to put righteousness above kin and not be swayed by this demon's threats."

Sean Xuan sneered, "A true hero, a real paragon. I'm not as noble as you—I can't bring myself to sacrifice my own for righteousness, but I won't stop you from ridding the martial world of evil."

With those words, the would-be hero was left utterly awkward—unable to advance or retreat, stuck in the middle of the road.

"Hahaha..." Suddenly, one of the white-robed freaks behind Prince Damien burst out laughing. "You so-called martial heroes are such hypocrites. Righteousness above kin—what a joke. The day I capture your whole family, let's see you practice righteousness then."

"The master is right—a bunch of sanctimonious hypocrites." The other freaks chimed in, spitting at the would-be hero to show their contempt.

"Peh... peh, peh." The rest followed suit, shaming the man so much he couldn't lift his head. But he wasn't the type to die rather than suffer humiliation; instead of attacking, he turned with righteous indignation to accuse Sean Xuan and the others: "You cowardly mice—I'll remember today's disgrace. A gentleman's revenge is never too late in ten years. I'll pay this back a hundredfold."

With that, he leaped away, leaving his acquaintances too ashamed to look up and the rest unwilling to press Sean Xuan further.

Prince Damien's group, dragging Serena, rode off in triumph. Though the crowd was unhappy, no one dared speak up. Logan Ling's eyes flashed with disdain; while the crowd was distracted, he quietly slipped away—not to follow Serena, but to pursue the man who had just fled.

He'd seen that man's eyes... Logan was sure he hadn't been mistaken. The man's hatred wasn't aimed at Prince Damien, but at Serena.

Someone like that couldn't be allowed to live.

Less than five li out, Logan spotted him. Without giving his target time to react, he killed him with a single sword strike.

With the threat eliminated, Logan checked his map for bearings and headed to the prearranged spot Serena had mentioned, setting up an ambush ahead of time...

Prince Damien boasted to Sean Xuan that Prince Nolan would have everything ready, but in truth, they didn't dare confront Prince Nolan head-on.

"Eastlyn's Prince Nolan is a man who achieves great things—he won't be held back by romantic entanglements." That was Prince Damien's rationale.

"If that's true, why stop us from killing the villagers? What's the point of insisting Serena be a hostage?" the white-robed freak challenged.

"As long as it doesn't affect the bigger picture, Nolan will accept some sacrifices. Serena is our talisman when things get critical." Prince Damien's personal grudges played a role, but he wasn't wrong.

"I hope you're right this time. Otherwise... I wouldn't hesitate to offer you up to appease Eastlyn's fury." The white-robed freak brought up old wounds, leaving Prince Damien humiliated.

Proud as he was, Prince Damien could barely endure such repeated insults—but for now, he had to rely on them.

Prince Damien lowered his head, hiding the viciousness and murderous intent in his eyes.

Unable to act against the freaks for now, Prince Damien vented his anger on Serena. They'd already prepared horses in secret; before leaving, he had Serena tied to a horse's tail, forcing her to run behind it.

"Don't kill her." The white-robed freak didn't approve but didn't object either. As long as Serena survived, Nolan wouldn't make a fuss—for a woman, it wasn't worth it.

With his goal achieved, Prince Damien finally smiled. Serena silently mourned for herself—and for the freaks.

If she died, Nolan would go mad and avenge her... But if she survived, those freaks were doomed. Serena was not someone to be trifled with.

Serena's hands were tied. Prince Damien sat tall on his horse, looking down at her: "Miss Feng, you'd better run well. With such delicate skin, who knows if Prince Nolan will still want you once it's all scraped raw."

"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness Damien, but you should worry about yourself. Heaven may forgive natural disasters, but never self-made ones. I look forward to seeing you get your retribution." Serena pulled a cold, mocking smile.

"Retribution? Hahaha... I'd like to see what fate has in store for me." Prince Damien showed no fear, raising his whip for a harsh lash. "Hyah!"