Chapter 9: A Powerful Return

"Move along, my former companions. Today, I shall personally see you off to reunite with Yu Hualong!" Ten people—men, women, and even children—were led out of the dungeon in succession, shackled together by a heavy, thick chain held by the Shadow Demon.

Having not seen the sunlight for a single night, they felt as though they had been separated from the world for an eternity. Though bound by chains, the ten maintained their dignity and composure as best they could; the more dire the situation, the less they would allow themselves to be looked down upon. Especially when facing the man known as the Shadow Demon, they held firm to their belief: Yu Hualong would surely come to save them!

"Mother, where are we going?" three-year-old Yu Xin asked, turning his head with an innocent gaze.

"We are going to a place very, very far away. It is filled with singing birds and fragrant flowers, a place with everything one could want—it’s great fun and the scenery is beautiful. Xin'er, you will certainly love it!"

"Really? That's wonderful!" Yu Xin hopped and skipped, moving to the very front of the line. Such a fun place—he wanted to go.

Watching Yu Xin's small back, Cheng Ji felt a lump form in her throat, and she nearly burst into tears. But catching sight of the Shadow Demon behind them, she forced herself to suppress her emotions. She could not cry!

"What a cute child. A pity," the Shadow Demon remarked with a sigh.

A captivating, soul-stirring smile appeared on Cheng Ji’s beautiful face. She said nothing, but the look of utter contempt in her eyes said it all. Not one of Yu Hualong’s family members was a coward!

"Oh, right, there is one more thing I should tell you. Yu Hualong is dead. I sent him to his end with my own hands, ha-ha-ha! You want to wait for him to save you? Perhaps in your next life!"

The Shadow Demon’s manic laughter rang through the sky. He had finally waited for this day. As long as Yu Hualong remained in Demon Sky City, no one would ever acknowledge him as its master! His talents were clearly not inferior to Yu Hualong's, yet why, for all these years, no matter how well he performed, was Yu Hualong the only one anyone remembered? He refused to accept it! And so, the moment Yu Hualong broke the seal, he had to die!

The Shadow Demon wanted to see terror and grief on the faces of the ten, but he was disappointed. They showed no expression at all; they remained profoundly indifferent.

"Is that all you have to say? If you're finished, then get lost!" Yu Chenze, Yu Hualong’s second uncle, spoke. Though advanced in years, his presence remained formidable.

If there was anyone in Demon Sky City the Shadow Demon truly feared, it was Yu Chenze. In the past, every time he saw him, the Shadow Demon felt a tremor of dread. Now, cowed by this sudden shout, he fell backward onto the ground, looking thoroughly wretched.

"Ha-ha-ha! Shadow Demon, don't think that just because you're dressed in human skin, you aren't still a rat. How can a rat ever dream of becoming a tiger? You say Hualong is dead? Ha-ha-ha, I don't believe it!"

On both sides of the straight Demon Sky Avenue, people had gathered. "I truly never expected the Yu family to end up like this."

"Who would have thought? The Yu family was the most prestigious clan in Demon Sky City. You could say their history was the history of the city itself. Such a pity!"

Everyone sighed. This should not have been the fate of the Yu family, but what could they do? They feared the Shadow Demon, and they feared Ghost Hand.

"Brother Yu Xin, where are you going? Didn't we agree the day before yesterday to go catch bugs in the back hills together?" A gorgeously dressed little girl named Xiao Hua suddenly ran out from the crowd. She pulled on Yu Xin, her face full of confusion. She looked as if she were about to cry, clearly upset that Brother Yu Xin was breaking his promise.

"Oh! My little mistress, why did you run out? Let go! Don't stir up trouble!" The nanny, terrified out of her wits at the sight, quickly scooped up Xiao Hua and retreated back into the crowd, muttering, "Thank goodness I spotted her in time, or who knows what this little ancestor might have done? Little one, you scared me to death. Don't go running off again, you hear?"

"Xiao Hua, I won't be going to the back hills with you this time. I'm going to an even more fun place, but I'm just not taking you!" Yu Xin made a face at her, boasting proudly.

"Nanny, let me go! I want to play with Brother Yu Xin!"

Xiao Hua was not pleased. She twisted her small body, trying to break free from the nanny’s embrace, but despite her best efforts, she failed. Her delicate face was streaked with tears, a truly heartbreaking sight. She bit the nanny’s arm hard to vent her frustration.

*Bite away! Bite away! As long as you are safe, what does it matter if a piece of flesh is taken?*

Xiao Hua reached out her hand, wanting Brother Yu Xin to stop, but he only walked further and further away.

"Brother Yu Xin!!" Xiao Hua wailed, her heart-rending cries infecting the crowd, and many began to sob quietly.

***

Within the Nine Heavens Profound Spirit Array, Yu Hualong had already absorbed seventy percent of Luo Jiutian’s internal energy.

"You have given me all your power—what will become of you? This must be the third time I have asked you this, yet you refuse to give me a straight answer."

Luo Jiutian was extremely weak, yet a satisfied smile remained on his lips. *This is right. This is right. Lord Yu Hualong is a hero of his generation; without him, there would be no Demon Sky City. Such a man should not die here.* This was the only thing he, a crippled man, could do for Yu Hualong.

"My Lord, do not worry about me. I am but a cripple; staying here is quite fine. But you cannot stay. You are the sky of Demon Sky City—a foundation you built with your own hands. Can you really bear to see it destroyed by that beast, the Shadow Demon?"

People always said Yu Hualong was ruthless and heartless, but that was not true. He valued gratitude and grudges deeply; he remembered those who helped him for a lifetime, and those who wronged him for a lifetime. In truth, he had only met Luo Jiutian a few times; had he not fallen into this predicament, he would never have remembered such a person existed in Demon Sky City.

*Such a man cannot die like this.* He resolved that once he escaped, he would repay this kindness. "No! You are not a cripple; you are my benefactor. We shall get out of here together! Those I trusted betrayed me, and the one I had long forgotten chose to help me. I laugh at myself—I am the greatest fool in the world!"

"I will put this seventy percent of your power to good use. You are tired; rest well. Once I have merged this power, we will fight our way out together!"

Luo Jiutian’s internal energy was Yin-attributed, the same as Yu Hualong’s. Therefore, there was no risk of backlash during the fusion. What he needed now was time—the one thing he lacked most. Yet, rushing the fusion would be disastrous.

"My Lord, rest assured. This Nine Heavens Profound Spirit Array now has a function called 'Days Like Years'; the flow of time is very slow. I estimate your family is still safe. The Demon Sky Avenue is long; it takes half a day to walk from the dungeon to the execution platform. Plus, the Shadow Demon is a showman; he wants everyone to know he is at the peak of his life! During this time, as long as there is no outside interference, you will certainly succeed!"

Hearing this, Yu Hualong’s heart finally settled. There was no point in overthinking; the only path forward was to fuse his power.

***

The Demon Sky Avenue was long, and not a single tree lined the path. Cheng Ji and the others were already suffering from heatstroke under the scorching sun, while the Shadow Demon fanned himself and drank water, quite comfortable.

Yu Xin, who had been skipping about earlier, was now wilting. "Mother, I want water."

Seeing Yu Xin in such a state, Cheng Ji felt immense pain. Reluctantly, she looked toward the Shadow Demon, who was drinking water. She did not know how to ask, while Yu Xin stared at the water bottle swaying at the man’s waist, swallowing hard.

"Could you give Yu Xin some water? He is thirsty."

"Thirsty, are you? And what does that have to do with me? This brat looks like he eats plenty. If he drinks all my water, what am I supposed to do? Fine, I suppose I am a kind man. Little brat, come here, I’ll give you water."

At this, Yu Xin’s eyes lit up, and he scurried over to the Shadow Demon, looking at him with expectation.

The Shadow Demon was pleased by the boy’s expression. He unscrewed the bottle and handed it to Yu Xin.

*Snap!*

The Shadow Demon deliberately let go, and the bottle full of water shattered into pieces instantly!

"Oops! The bottle broke. Now there's no water. None of you get to drink!"

The Shadow Demon glared with malice at the boy. His features were identical to the Yu Hualong of the past. He hated Yu Hualong to the core; why would he give this brat water? He wanted the boy to die immediately!

Young Yu Xin held back his tears. He could not cry. His father had said that in front of bad people, one must never cry, or they would be mocked!

Yu Xin was thirsty, but he would not beg for mercy. When his father came, he would make sure his father dealt with this bad man properly!

"What? You broke my water bottle and think you can just walk away? Not so easy! Lick the water off the ground!"

The Shadow Demon grabbed Yu Xin. His face was calm, but his words were truly infuriating.

"Shadow Demon, how dare you!"

Yu Chenze was filled with absolute rage. In other times, he would have torn this beast apart. Unfortunately, his cultivation was destroyed; he could do nothing but roar in fury.

The threats of a cripple were useless.

*Slap!*

"Old thing! Who do you think you’re talking to? Believe it or not, I’ll make you wish you were dead!" The Shadow Demon slapped Yu Chenze hard. To see a hero of Demon Sky City so humiliated was more than anyone could bear.

Especially Cheng Ji, whose eyes seemed to spit fire. "You dog! If my son loses even a single hair, I will make you die!"

"Everyone, attack together! Kill this vile man!"

*Thump!*

A dull drum beat forced these furious people to collapse to the ground.

The Shadow Demon put away the hand drum, his face icy. He looked at these once-arrogant people as if they were trash. "Don't move, or I won't be able to suppress the poison in your bodies. Did you think I would come unprepared? I knew you were all lunatics, so last night I poisoned your food. This toxin reacts to the drum. The feeling of your bodies twisting wasn't pleasant, was it?"

"Yu Xin, you wouldn't bear to see your mother suffer, would you? Be a good boy, lick the water off the ground, and I’ll let you go!"

The Shadow Demon did not treat Yu Xin like a three-year-old, but like an adult. Anyway, Yu Xin had to die; before he died, he would make sure to humiliate him thoroughly! Watching these arrogant geniuses glare at him with such unwillingness—the feeling was divine.

Young Yu Xin, tears in his eyes, crawled before the Shadow Demon. The ground was already dry; there wasn't a drop of water left!

*Thud!*

The Shadow Demon stepped hard on Yu Xin’s delicate face, grinding his foot into the skin. "You looked down on me? Look at you now! The tables have turned!"

"Get lost!" The Shadow Demon kicked the bruised and battered Yu Xin away. He was not yet satisfied; only when they were all dead would he be satisfied!

"Hmph, what are you looking at? If anyone is unhappy, step out, and I’ll let you die with them!"

The crowd dared not utter another word. They were filled with immense rage, but apart from their fury, they could do nothing.

"Son, are you alright?"

"Mother, I’m fine. I didn't shame Father; I didn't beg for mercy!"

Cheng Ji looked at Yu Xin’s bruised face, her heart aching. But Yu Xin did not care. "Mother, when Father comes, I’ll make sure he gives this bad man a proper lesson!"

"Good boy, well done! Truly worthy of being a child of the Yu family!"

At that moment, everyone was moved by the spirit shown by the young Yu Xin. Only such a person could become the master of Demon Sky City; someone like the Shadow Demon had no qualifications at all!

"Quick! Everyone, seal this place! Do not let those two get out alive. The plans of Lord Ghost Hand and Lord Shadow Demon must not be interfered with!"

The Shadow Demon and Ghost Hand knew Yu Hualong’s ability. They knew the Nine Heavens Profound Spirit Array would not hold him forever. Fortunately, the man had lost his cultivation; killing him would be easy!

"My Lord, rest assured. After Lord Ghost Hand reinforced the array, Yu Hualong cannot get out. Today is his death day!"

Luo Jiutian, though devoid of power, retained his superior perception. *Has it finally come?* "My Lord, whatever happens next, do not come out. The fusion is at the final stage; you must not be distracted. Don't worry, I promised you, and I will be fine. I have been here for many years; I naturally have contingency plans!"

Although Yu Hualong could not hear these words due to his meditative state, Luo Jiutian still had to say his final farewell. The iron staff, dormant for years, was finally awakening!

*Whoosh!*

Luo Jiutian moved like the wind, rushing outside the array. Holding his iron staff, he pointed it at the crowd. "Today, with me here, no one is stepping inside!"

"Ha-ha-ha! I wondered who had such a big mouth—isn't this Luo Jiutian, the cripple? What? You want to play the hero? Come then, let me see what skills you have to stop us!"

"You heard him! In that case, don't be polite! Give him a proper greeting!"

"Yes!" the disciples shouted in unison.

"Ten Thousand Swords Execute!"

*Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!*

Thousands of sharp sword beams shot from the disciples' hands, condensing into a massive circular sword array in the sky. In an instant, countless beams whistled downward, determined to kill Luo Jiutian!

"Ten Thousand Flowers Overlapping Waves Staff!"

Luo Jiutian showed no fear. He flung his iron staff into the air. The sky was filled with staff shadows, thick and suffocating like a dense, impenetrable black cloud. Executing this technique did not require much power; thirty percent was enough to face the enemy!

*Bang, bang, bang!*

The violent collisions caused the very sky to distort!

Yu Hualong, in the midst of his fusion, could not fail to notice such a commotion. He forced himself to remain calm. He was sixty percent complete; only forty percent remained. It would take about half an incense stick's time. *Luo Jiutian, you must hold on!*

*Bang!*

*Pfft!*

Luo Jiutian, ultimately drained by his lack of power, was no match for the elites. His weak body was slammed heavily into the ground, and he spat out a mouthful of blood! This internal injury made his already frail state even worse.

"Hmph, Luo Jiutian, I heard you were once the strongest disciple of Demon Sky City. It seems you are nothing more than this. Move! This business has nothing to do with you! For the sake of the past, I don't want to kill you!"

How could Luo Jiutian retreat? He propped himself up with his iron staff, slowly rising. His face was pale, his steps unsteady, yet his aura grew stronger!

"I said it before: I will not allow anyone to enter the array! You want to pass? Fine, defeat me first!"

"Fist of Heaven's Wrath!"

*Bang!*

A massive fist shadow sent Luo Jiutian flying. This time, he should not be able to get up! The Fist of Heaven's Wrath had a burning effect; the more one struggled, the worse the injury became.

Luo Jiutian’s right arm was broken, and his abdomen was severely damaged. He was covered in blood. Had it not been for his immense willpower, he would have collapsed long ago.

He shook his head hard to stay conscious. *Good, Lord Yu Hualong is at seventy percent; only thirty percent left. I must hold on until the end!*

"Soul Strike!"

*Whoosh!*

A thick, immense spiritual force transformed into a sharp sword aura, shooting from the iron staff!

*Boom!*

A pillar of fire shot into the sky, accompanied by the screams of countless disciples. Within three heartbeats, the area was turned into scorched earth!

*Pfft!*

The price of burning one's soul was death! Yet, Luo Jiutian felt no regret. Even if he had to choose again, he would do the same!

The blood gushing from his body would not stop. He felt his life force fading rapidly. "Who else is afraid of death? Step out! I’ll take care of you all at once!"

*Huff, huff, huff.* Now, even uttering a simple sentence exhausted all his strength. His body heaved, and a flush of red appeared on his pale face.

"Truly worthy of being the face of the old Demon Sky City. Even in this state, you have such a fierce technique. If you live, you will be a disaster. Go to hell!"

Duba Yidao emerged from the astonishing pillar of fire, looking wretched. His hair was singed, and blisters covered his face. All the elites he had brought were dead! He was the only one left!

Even if he was the only one left, he had to complete the task assigned by Lord Shadow Demon!

*Clang.*

"Luo Jiutian, you are a worthy opponent. A man like you is qualified for me to draw my blade, and even more qualified to die under it."

Duba Yidao, a blade over three feet long, was pitch black, with a visible red line running along the edge! This divine blade had killed many powerful enemies; it was a weapon of notorious fame!

"Is that so? Then it is truly my honor. As it happens, I have one move left. Why don't we settle this with this final move?"

Even at this point, Luo Jiutian did not give up. He would fight to the very last moment! This was his promise to Lord Yu Hualong!

"Duba Single Blade Slash!"

A black-and-red blade aura transformed into a fierce hurricane, whistling toward Luo Jiutian. The sky darkened because of this hurricane, and blue lightning coiled around the black-and-red vortex, threatening to destroy everything!

"A truly powerful move. A pity I am not as clever as you. The only thing I can do is push the only staff technique I know to its absolute limit!"

"Overlapping... Waves... Staff!"

*Ah!!*

With a final roar, the black iron staff in Luo Jiutian’s hand expanded in the wind. In an instant, it transformed into a massive iron pillar nearly a hundred feet long!

"Go!"

This was the final and most powerful form of the Overlapping Waves Staff. The surrounding ground had already been razed to the earth! This astonishing battle was about to reach its conclusion!

*Pfft!*

At that moment, Luo Jiutian, having exhausted every last ounce of his cultivation and physical strength, spat out his final mouthful of blood. His tall frame finally collapsed!

*Bang!*

The powerful staff technique shattered along with the man’s fall! *If only I could have held on a little longer, I could have won.* But he truly could not. *Lord Yu Hualong, I have broken my promise. I am sorry!*

*Whoosh!*

The ferocious blade slash did not stop; instead, its momentum grew even more savage!

"Ha-ha-ha, Heaven truly helps me! Die, Luo Jiutian! To die under this move is your glory! I will remember you as a man who was brave to the very end!"

Luo Jiutian’s consciousness was fading. He could no longer hear what Duba Yidao was saying. In a haze, he seemed to see a figure. Who was it?

"Go to hell!"

A figure shot out from the array at incredible speed!

*Boom!*

A shocking impact raised a cloud of dust.

"Old friend, you've worked hard. Leave the rest to me!"

"Who? Who is speaking?" Duba Yidao felt something was wrong.

*Whoosh!*

*Ah!!*

Duba Yidao let out a shrill scream! His left arm had been severed!

"You broke one of Luo Jiutian’s arms, so I shall break one of yours. It’s only fair!"

A tall man holding the severely wounded and unconscious Luo Jiutian walked slowly out of the dissipating smoke. It was Yu Hualong! He had arrived at the final moment, but he was still one step too late!

Yu Hualong gently laid Luo Jiutian down and stood up. His eyes, devoid of emotion, stared at Duba Yidao. "Weren't you looking for me? Now I am here!"

"You seek death!"

Duba Yidao knew the man before him was Yu Hualong. Despite having only one arm left, he remained fierce. His divine blade expanded in the wind, becoming massive!

"Duba Single Blade Slash!"

The enormous blade descended from the sky with destructive force, intending to kill this accursed Yu Hualong!

Yu Hualong watched the blade fall without a hint of fear. A black orb of light condensed in his hand. "Let’s start with this!"

"Primordial Essence Wave!"

This Primordial Essence Wave was a brand-new technique Yu Hualong had created after merging Luo Jiutian’s power. He didn't know how strong it was, but this damned Duba Yidao would serve as a perfect test subject!

"Hmph, Yu Hualong, you have truly become decadent! After all this time merging power, you produce this? Today, you must die!"

Duba Yidao’s face was twisted, his killing intent unmasked. He would win this battle!

*Bang!*

The next second, Duba Yidao’s massive body was sent flying by the impact. His seemingly invincible blade aura shattered into pieces! It was truly fragile!

*How is this possible? My ultimate technique was shattered so easily?*

*Break!*

The entire sky distorted. If caught in this distortion, even if one survived, they would be severely wounded. *Damn it, the opponent’s strength is too high; I am no match!* Escaping was the priority. Once he recovered, he would have another chance to settle the score!

Duba Yidao moved like the wind, fleeing instantly, leaving nothing but afterimages.

"You think you can just leave after hurting someone? Not so easy! Stay here!"

Yu Hualong pressed his palm forward, and the very space seemed to solidify!

Duba Yidao was filled with terror. "No, you cannot kill me! If I die, you will have trouble!"

Yu Hualong did not care for such threats. "Do you think I’d have no trouble if you lived? I am trouble incarnate. You talk too much! Die!"

"Demon Sky Fist!"

*Bang!*

Yu Hualong gave him no chance to speak again, executing the strongest technique of Demon Sky City to finish him off.

*Bang!*

The jade pendant representing Duba Yidao’s life force shattered instantly. Ghost Hand, witnessing this, showed no emotion. He had expected this; how could a mere Duba Yidao be a match for Yu Hualong? *Excellent, Yu Hualong. You have finally returned. I have been waiting for you all these years!*

Luo Jiutian slowly regained consciousness. The figure he saw in his haze was not a hallucination—it was real. It was Lord Yu Hualong. *Wonderful, the Lord has emerged. This means the fusion was a success!* Unfortunately, he could no longer speak a word.

"Say no more. That I could recover such power is all thanks to you. Rest assured, those who harmed me, those who harmed you—I will not spare a single one. You rest here; I will return shortly!"

Yu Hualong, his power restored, vanished instantly, leaving Luo Jiutian behind. Luo Jiutian wanted to warn him to be wary of Ghost Hand, who had reached the Realm of Martial Dao and possessed god-like, unpredictable abilities. *Do not be careless!*

Yet, even without such warnings, Yu Hualong would not be careless.

***

At the end of the Demon Sky Avenue lay the execution platform. Today, the platform was crowded, and the silence was absolute. Everyone wanted to see the fate of the Yu family! By now, it was clear that those gathered at the execution platform were all enemies of the Yu family.

"Everyone, you have seen it. The Yu family is wicked and corrupt. My beloved Demon Sky City has been turned into a foul place by them. Tell me, do such people deserve to die?"

"Kill them!"

With a single sentence, Ghost Hand incited the crowd to fury. If looks could kill, Cheng Ji and the others would have died many times over!

"Verify their identities, then execute them immediately!"

Ghost Hand did not want to wait a second longer; he feared complications. He did not even know why he felt such inexplicable anxiety. Was he truly afraid of Yu Hualong?

"Reporting to the Lord, the disciple has checked. These are indeed Yu Hualong’s family."

The Shadow Demon was a quintessential sycophant, handling such tasks with practiced ease.

"Good! Execute them! You oversee it!"

Ghost Hand scanned the surroundings. The man still hadn't appeared. At this late hour, why had he not shown himself? What was he waiting for?

"Yu Hualong, I know you are here. Watch closely. Even if you appear now, you cannot change anything. Your family must die today! Coward, weren't you looking for me? I am right here. Why don't you dare come out? I never feared you in the past; why would I fear you now? If you don't come, fine. But if you do, I will slay you along with them!"

The Shadow Demon’s voice was filled with infinite hatred. He had finally waited for this moment, and his face became twisted and insane.

"Do it!"

At the Shadow Demon’s command, the executioners raised their blades!

Cheng Ji looked at her dear son, her heart filled with peace and apology. *If not for being born into the Yu family, Xin'er would surely have had a different future, right?*

Suddenly, a torrential rain began to fall, and a fierce wind roared!

*Was even the heavens weeping?*

"Shadow Demon, you beast who defies Heaven! You will die a wretched death! Man may spare you, but Heaven will not!"

"Heaven? Ha-ha-ha! If I trusted in Heaven, would I be where I am today? Everything I have, I earned myself! Executioners, what are you waiting for? Do it! Or you will die with them!"

As long as Cheng Ji and the others died, even if Yu Hualong arrived, there would be no way back. The Shadow Demon thought of the despair he would see on Yu Hualong’s face, and his madness grew.

"My Lord! We shall meet in the next life! If there is a next life, I am still willing to be your wife!"

"Ha-ha-ha! Die!"

The executioners’ blades were finally descending!

*Boom!*

At that critical moment, a figure slammed into the execution platform, shattering it to pieces!

"Hmph, since I have come, I will not allow anyone to hurt you. To hell with the next life; I only want this one! In this life, you, Cheng Ji, are my woman!"

Everyone present knew this voice to their bones. Who else but Yu Hualong?

*Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!*

*Ah!!!*

Three sharp beams pierced the bodies of two executioners, and with a scream, they fell dead.

"Father is mighty!"

Young Yu Xin finally realized that he wasn't going to a fun place; someone had intended to kill him! Though only three, he was no fool. Hearing his father’s voice, he burst into tears after the initial joy, burying his small body in Yu Hualong’s arms, hammering him with his tiny fists. "Father, why did you come so late? Do you know? I was terrified, Mother was terrified, but I held back my tears. I couldn't let the bad men be happy. That's what you told me!"

How much power could those small fists have? Yet, the wailing made Yu Hualong’s heart ache. "It is Father’s fault. Father is bad. Will you forgive me? From now on, Father will never let anyone bully our little Yu Xin again."

Yu Xin wiped his tears and smiled. "Okay! Let’s pinky-promise. Whoever breaks it is a puppy!"

Cheng Ji looked at the two men, one large and one small, her heart softening. They were her whole world!

Yu Hualong held Cheng Ji’s slender waist. "I am sorry, I am late. I let you suffer."

Cheng Ji shook her head. "Not at all. You arrived exactly when you needed to. You don't know how brave and strong our child was!"

"I can imagine. You taught him well! Now, don't fear. I am here for everything!"

*Slap!*

"A-Long, you little bastard, you finally decided to show up. Your old man was nearly finished. You listen to me: today, you are not to spare a single soul. If one escapes, I’ll give you a lashing!"

"Big Brother, stop yelling. Look at the time. Any business can be discussed when we get home!" Yu Chenze supported his older brother, trying to comfort him.

"A-Long, your father is right. Give them a proper lesson!"

"Yes, Second Uncle!"

Yu Hualong turned, his face icy. He reached out his left hand, and a violent force erupted, lifting the once-arrogant Shadow Demon into the air!

"I heard you were looking for me?"

The Shadow Demon’s face was filled with terror. He couldn't even speak!

"I heard you were going to slay me too?"

Yu Hualong tightened his grip. The Shadow Demon’s face turned deep red; he was suffocating!

"Brother A-Long, let’s sit down and talk this through. There is no need for violence!"

*Clang!*

Yu Hualong threw a long sword hard at Ghost Hand’s feet; the hilt was still vibrating!

"Ghost Hand, shut your dog mouth! Your turn is coming shortly. It was because I believed your ghostly act back then that I ended up in that dungeon. Today, you try the same thing again! One more word, and I kill you first!"

Who was Yu Hualong? He was the master of Demon Sky City. His appearance made everyone fear for their lives; no one was unafraid. Ghost Hand, who had been acting so high and mighty, cowered at the sight of the indomitable Yu Hualong.

"What? Shadow Demon, speechless now? Fine. Since you aren't talking, then never talk again!"

*Snap!*

Yu Hualong snapped the Shadow Demon’s neck and tossed him away like garbage.

"Boss Xie, when everyone besieged me back then, you gave me a blade in the back. I have never forgotten that. Do you remember what I said? I said that as long as I lived, I would never let you go. Now, you die too!"

*Whoosh!*

A sharp sword aura shattered Boss Xie, who never had the chance to speak.

*Ah!!*

Everyone screamed. *Yu Hualong has gone mad!* Yes, he was mad. Having lived in a dark dungeon for so many years, anyone would have gone mad!

"Wen Yuejiao, you and Boss Xie framed me, claiming I had improper designs on you! I don't want to see your disgusting face for even a day. You pride yourself on your beauty? Fine, today I will ruin your face and make you a monster that everyone despises. Kill you? Hmph, a person like you is not qualified to die by my hand!"

"Oh, right, I forgot. That last sword aura already ruined your face. Now, you truly are a hideous monster. Alive, you are a waste of resources; dead, you are a waste of soil. A person like you is only fit to be despised! Cheng Ji, take this ugly woman to the dungeon. I want her to live a life worse than death, so that every man who sees her will feel sick enough to vomit!"

"That is a good idea. I like it. But I didn't know your heart was so cruel."

"It doesn't matter. Let it be cruel. As long as you are good to me, I don't care what others think of Yu Hualong!"

Everyone was at a loss for words. The man was a lunatic. What method would he think of next to deal with them?

"Every debt has a debtor. The person I want is Ghost Hand. This has nothing to do with you. Get lost!"

"Ghost Hand, it is your turn now. I am here to settle our account! Prepare to die!"