Born in Blood



Liam was utterly confused.

Why were the differences between Unforgiven Shadow and Wild Fang's aura so different?

Having a different aura was perfectly normal.

They could also be affected by external variables, such as pills or elixirs, besides the usual elemental differences.

But this was different.

Way different.

They contained special properties that came from the cultivators themselves.

Unforgiven Shadow's aura was purely black, devoid of any light. 

It was ominous and unnerving, like the Shadows themselves were alive.

On the other hand, Wild Fang's aura was, well… wild. 

It raged uncontrollably in no particular pattern, like a burning blaze.

The cultivation path was deep.

What Liam was currently witnessing was something well beyond his years.

All he could do was watch and hope to learn something.

Unforgiven Shadow was a long distance away from Wild Fang.

The latter stared at him with blades for eyes, and the former's expression was simply distant.

As though the situation at hand didn't bother him in the least. 

Like it was just like any other day.

These two existences were just a number away from the sixth Rank. Becoming powerhouses capable of leading a country. 

Liam doubted that the Isolation Barrier could do much to keep them in… but then again, it was made by a Rank 5.

Suddenly, a calm but terse voice entered Liam's mind. 

[You're too close. Start running.]

…It was Usan!

Liam couldn't even sense the man's mental waves as they connected to his mind. Even now. 

As soon as the transmission ended, Liam didn't bat an eye and began running as hard and fast as he could, using his Wraith Form.

Dying for a stupid reason such as watching a fight wasn't something he planned on doing. 

Meanwhile…

"The great 'Unforgiven Shadow'," said Wild Fang, anger lacing his voice. "You survived exile, eh? Heard you lost your mind in the process."

Silence.

Usan still had a distant expression

The words had absolutely no effect on him.

"I do admit I lack knowledge about you. Some say you're a bastard, which I honestly don't doubt."

"What I want to know is, why weren't you executed straight away? Why did the Seven Clans choose to exile you instead? If it were up to me, I'd make you an example."

"I wonder what went wrong. From serving in the same wars to killing your own brethren for the sake of revenge."

"You lost yourself in this pointless pursuit… Silver. Even now, you are blind."

Usan's face was still distant, his amber eyes fixed to Wild Fang's. 

But a closer look hinted at something… deeper. A subtle change in expression.

There was a fragile silence, but it loomed over the spectators like a bad omen.

Nobody looked back as they ran.

Except Liam, of course.

"I don't answer to the dead," Usan said coldly. 

And the conversation ended there.

SHING!

A chokuto-type blade appeared in Usan's right hand.

When something was so deeply black, it simply negated any light from bouncing off its surface. 

Right now, the blade in the Unforgiven Shadows' hand was just that.

But the sharpness and power that radiated from it was indescribable.

Liam couldn't tell if that item was a Rank 5 or not. 

But he wouldn't be surprised if it was.

All around Unforgiven Shadow, hundreds of different black blades formed.

However, these blades were different.

They weren't actually solid.

They were made solely from a mix of darkness and pure shadow.

But a Rank 5 core was behind those weapons. 

It was not to be underestimated at all.

Wild Fang furrowed his brows as he watched.

It seemed that until now, he hadn't taken Unforgiven Shadow too seriously.

Wild Fang had still remembered the early days where the Temple of Shadow was still a normal large-sized Sect of a different name.

Back then, he was still a relatively young cultivator who fought in the wars against the Imperialists and the Dual Empire.

Back then, the Unforgiven had another name. 

When he hadn't resorted to dark magic, when he was still a kind-hearted person, and when he was still respectable.

Silver.

Just Silver, due to the color of Usan's peculiar hair.

Silver had contributed the most to those wars.

But he was brutal. 

Uncharacteristically ruthless.

It was a stark contrast from his warm demeanor.

Usually, prisoners of war were kept alive and taken care of. 

If they were important, they were used as bargaining chips to come to terms with the invaders. 

Of what lands to keep out of, and what places were off-limits due to historical importance. 

But Silver didn't like that line of thought.

Not one bit.

Peace gave him no comfort.

What use were the lands if the people living on them were slaughtered?

Mothers, sons, husbands, fathers, daughters. 

Murdered!

Ilalians were being attacked, and the Imperialists dared ask for payment and terms?

How dare they?!

Usan killed every single prisoner of war kept by the Seven Clans.

No one was spared.

Not the weakest, not the strongest.

This sparked massive outrage throughout the entire country.

Why?

Because the war worsened from then on.

The Imperialists honestly didn't care about the prisoners, but losing forces and face wasn't ideal. The Dual Empire was in the same boat.

Thus, when the prisoners of war were killed, both countries attacked in full force.

Everyone blamed Silver for that.

How could he throw away the morals of their country for the sake of some empty quest of revenge?

Couldn't he see that more people died because of his actions?

But Silver was unrepentant. 

They couldn't afford executing him, since the Seven Clans needed all the help they could get for the war.

Thankfully, just as things were going to get worse, the Rank 6 powerhouse was born.

The war ended!

Peace followed!

No more death!

Finally!

But Silver wanted more. 

He wasn't happy with the outcome.

Their enemies didn't get to run off scot-free.

With a Rank 6 and numbers on their side, an attack on their invaders was possible!

But he wasn't dumb enough to begin with that. 

Instead, he started practicing with unorthodox techniques and powers.

Soon after, he found the Dark Star and its powerful effects, which gave him the inspiration for the Ten Thousand Shadows.

But his actions were soon unveiled by the Seven Clans' spies.

Usan was punished thoroughly. 

Stripped of his name, clan, disciples and history.

But instead of being executed, he was exiled and cast away, given the name of the Unforgiven Shadow.

But he had never left.

And now?

The Seven Clans, the invaders, and everyone in between him and his revenge were his enemy!