Martial Arts of the Universe

In the dead of night in Wuyu City, the glow of torches blazed in every corner of the streets. The air carried the scent of iron, mingled with the metallic stench of blood still pooling on the ground. A city once peaceful was now filled with the screams and groans of Xiao Jian's loyal followers, who had been mercilessly slaughtered. Their bodies lay scattered across the palace courtyard, creating a horrifying sight.

In the main courtyard of the palace, Xiao Jian stood tall, clad in a grand black robe embroidered with gold. Despite being surrounded by thousands of fully armed soldiers, his expression remained calm, without a hint of fear. Beside him, Wang Mei clutched his hand tightly, her face pale, yet her eyes filled with determination. Behind them, a seven-year-old boy stood trembling. He was Xiao Tian, their only son. Though still young, there was a flicker of courage in his gaze, as if he understood that this night was a turning point in his life.

Before them, a young man stood atop the stone steps, clad in blood-red battle armor with the Wang royal emblem etched onto his chest. Wang Chong, Wang Mei's younger brother, glared at his sister with intense hatred. A smirk of mockery played on his lips, and behind him, the kingdom's generals, along with powerful figures from various sects and influential families, stood ready to eliminate this small family.

Wang Chong stepped forward confidently, his eyes narrowing as he gazed at his sister and brother-in-law.

"Xiao Jian, tonight I will take your life, along with your wife and child. I will seize the throne that rightfully belongs to me!"

Wang Chong's voice echoed through the palace courtyard, met with the roaring cheers of his troops.

Xiao Jian let out a deep sigh. His expression remained unchanged, yet his eyes held a profound disappointment. In a calm but resolute voice, he replied,

"Brother Wang Chong, why are you doing this? If you desire the throne, I would not hesitate to give it to you. After all, I never wanted this throne. I merely governed and waited for you to come of age. Once you were ready, I would have handed it over to you."

However, instead of being moved, Wang Chong burst into laughter. His laughter rang through the courtyard, filled with scorn and cynicism.

"Haha! Xiao Jian, don't be naïve! Do you think I'm a fool? Who would willingly step down from power once they've grown comfortable ruling? No one! I cannot allow you to relinquish the throne with an unwilling heart. I will eliminate all of you!"

Wang Mei's eyes trembled. Her heart ached to see the younger brother she had cherished turn into someone so consumed by his thirst for power. With a trembling voice, she made one last attempt to persuade him.

"Wang Chong, please, let your sister go! I promise I will not interfere with your rule in Wuyu City."

Yet, the only response Wang Chong gave further solidified his ruthless intentions.

"Haha! Forgive me, Sister. But I cannot let you leave."

His gaze was filled with cruelty as he raised his hand, issuing a command to his troops.

"Kill them all!"

His order rang out like thunder, and thousands of armored soldiers immediately tightened their formation around them. The gleam of swords and spears shone under the moonlight, casting terrifying shadows over the bloodstained ground.

The imperial generals stood at the front lines, leading their troops. There was no hesitation, no mercy in their eyes. To them, this was nothing more than an execution carried out under the orders of their new leader.

Xiao Jian let out a slow breath. He turned to Wang Mei, who was still gripping his hand tightly, then glanced at his son, Xiao Tian, whose small body trembled, yet whose gaze began to harden.

"All three of you must die! You are not worthy of ruling the Wang kingdom!"

Wang Chong's voice rang like a death knell, marking the beginning of the massacre.

The dark night felt even more suffocating. The wind howled, carrying the scent of death.

Thousands of armed soldiers charged in unison, their footsteps shaking the earth, sending a suffocating pressure through the air.

"Kill! Kill!"

The shouts echoed from all directions. They rushed forward with eyes full of hatred, raising swords, spears, and various other weapons, ready to claim the lives of the last remaining family.

Xiao Jian stood at the front, his body tense, his gaze cold yet filled with an overwhelming killing intent. His right hand gripped a pitch-black sword tightly, the weapon that had accompanied him through countless battles. The night wind blew, lifting the hem of his robe, now stained with splashes of blood.

Beside him, Wang Mei stood just as firmly. Her delicate hand clutched her husband's arm tightly, yet her eyes did not belong to a weak woman. There was determination, a burning courage. Behind them, Xiao Tian stood with his small body trembling, but his clear eyes reflected something different-fear, anger, and sorrow that he still could not fully comprehend.

Xiao Jian exhaled slowly before speaking, his voice heavy and resolute.

"Mei'er, protect our son. I will clear a path for you to escape."

Wang Mei shook her head firmly. There was no fear in her, only unwavering resolve.

"My husband, I cannot leave you to die alone. If you are going to die, we will die together."

Her gaze was unwavering, her voice devoid of hesitation. The thousands of soldiers closing in did not shake her heart, as if she had already prepared herself to face death.

Among the crowd of soldiers, Wang Mei spotted a man sitting leisurely atop his warhorse. His golden brocade robe billowed around him, his face clean and expressionless. He was an envoy from the Ming Dynasty, yet he remained nothing more than a spectator. He showed no intention of intervening. Wang Mei's eyes filled with pain and disappointment, but there was no time to dwell on it now.

Xiao Jian clenched his jaw, then looked at Wang Mei with deep seriousness.

"No! If you and Tian'er die, no one will seek justice for us. But if you survive, you can fight for justice for me and my people who have died at their hands!"

Before Wang Mei could respond, Xiao Jian tightened his grip on his sword. With a single powerful motion, he raised it high.

"Kill!"

His voice echoed like thunder. At that moment, he channeled his inner energy into the sword, causing it to tremble and release a dense black aura that enveloped its blade. In the blink of an eye, Xiao Jian shot forward like lightning, charging straight into the enemy ranks before him.

Swiiish!

Craaak!

With a single slash, several heads were severed instantly, blood spraying into the air like a fountain from hell. The headless bodies collapsed to the ground with heavy thuds, while agonized screams filled the night.

But even though he was strong, the sheer number of enemies made the battle difficult. Several blades managed to slash his body, leaving wounds that continued to bleed.

Klang! Klang! Klang!

The clash of weapons echoed endlessly.

"Don't let him escape!" Wang Chong shouted from a distance, his voice filled with delight as he watched his brother-in-law being surrounded from all sides.

A royal general, a large man with a thick beard, smirked confidently.

"Your Majesty need not worry. No one will leave this place alive. The three of them will die."

Xiao Jian continued to fight, his body already covered in wounds. Suddenly-

Srrt!

A long spear pierced through Xiao Jian's chest from behind!

However, he did not scream. Instead, he became even more ferocious. His eyes turned red, his breathing grew heavier, but his sword continued to slash mercilessly.

Plof! Plof! Plof!

Several more heads were severed. Xiao Jian kept moving forward, slaughtering anyone who blocked his path.

With his last bit of strength, he finally broke through the encirclement and managed to escape the enemy's grasp. But his body was already too weak. Blood poured from his wounds, staining his once-pristine white robes a deep crimson.

At last, Xiao Jian stopped running. His breathing was ragged, his body struggling to stay upright. He turned back, looking at Wang Mei, who was still holding Xiao Tian's hand tightly.

"My wife, you must take Tian'er and leave Wuyu City. Go as far as you can. Remember, your brother-our son's uncle-is the one behind all of this! You must avenge me!"

Wang Mei's eyes widened, tears streaming down her face.

"My husband, no! I will stay with you! We will live and die together!"

"No! You must live. Go!"

With the last of his inner strength, Xiao Jian flung Wang Mei and Xiao Tian far away from the battlefield.

As she was thrown back, Wang Mei could only watch as her husband turned around, raising his black sword once more.

"I will slaughter all of you."

Xiao Jian leaped, charging into the soldiers still pursuing him. This time, he did not hold back his inner energy.

As a Level 6 King Warrior, Xiao Jian's power far surpassed General Wang, who was only at Level 4. But the sheer number of enemies left him overwhelmed.

Shoott!

Sreeet!

"Aaaargh!"

The energy from his sword slashed through dozens of soldiers in a single strike. Their bodies were cleaved in half, blood spraying in all directions.

However, Xiao Jian's body grew weaker. His wounds were too many, his blood nearly drained.

At that moment, a sharp, poisoned sword suddenly pierced through his back!

Srekkk!

The blade stabbed straight through his heart.

"Ugh... uhuk...!"

Xiao Jian coughed up fresh blood, his eyes losing their light. He struggled to turn his head-and there stood Wang Chong, his face full of satisfaction, still gripping the hilt of his now blood-drenched sword.

"Brother-in-law, I can no longer allow you to live."

"NO...! FATHER!"

Xiao Tian screamed hysterically as he saw his father stabbed.

The boy tried to run forward, but Wang Mei held him tightly.

"Tian'er, we must go! Do not waste your father's sacrifice!"

"No, Mother! I have to save Father!"

But Wang Mei refused to let him go. With tears streaming down her face, she picked up her son and ran as fast as she could, leaving behind her husband, who now stood drenched in his own blood.

Xiao Tian's eyes had turned completely red, as if reflecting the fury burning within him. From the corners of his eyes, streaks of blood trickled down, leaving terrifying crimson marks on his face. Yet, his gaze remained locked onto one figure-his father, now standing at the edge of death.

Xiao Jian's body could barely stand upright anymore. Dozens of spears and swords had pierced him from the front and back, creating gaping wounds that continued to pour fresh blood. His once-magnificent robes were now tattered and soaked in crimson, just like the sword he used for support, trembling in his grip.

Although his breaths were ragged and his body was on the verge of collapsing, Xiao Jian's eyes still burned with uncontainable hatred. With the last of his strength, he straightened himself slightly, his sharp gaze locked onto the man who had destroyed everything.

"Wang Chong, your death will come soon," he rasped, his voice hoarse but firm. Every word carried an unshakable resolve. "My son will surely avenge me."

Standing before him, Wang Chong merely scoffed coldly. A cynical smirk formed on his lips, reflecting the arrogance deeply ingrained within him. Calmly, he stepped closer, looking down at Xiao Jian as if he were nothing more than a fallen warrior doomed to destruction.

"You shouldn't get your hopes up," he said in a tone dripping with contempt. "They won't be able to escape! I will send them to hell to accompany you!"

After uttering those words, Wang Chong turned away and faced his army-hundreds of soldiers standing in perfectly disciplined formation, awaiting their next command. Their eyes were filled with unwavering loyalty, devoid of any hesitation toward their leader.

With a voice that echoed across the battlefield, Wang Chong raised his hand and issued an undeniable order.

"Capture them and bring them back, dead or alive!"

Without the slightest hesitation, the well-trained troops responded with a resounding roar that shook the air.

"Yes, Your Majesty!"