At the outskirts of the Magical Beast Mountain Range, in Qingshan Town...
The rcenary's glinting blade swung directly toward the little beggar, who slipped in his attempt to dodge.
"Finished…"
The boy's face filled with despair as the blade neared him, while the other rcenaries grinned with cruel anticipation. For n who lived by the sword, killing was just a part of life, often accompanied by celebratory drinks.
However, just as the blade ca within a centiter of the boy's neck, it stopped abruptly, as if an invisible wall had appeared. No matter how much force the rcenary applied, the blade wouldn't budge.
"Who's there?!"
The rcenaries imdiately sensed sothing amiss and scanned the room. All they saw was Xiao Tiance sitting calmly at his table, smiling faintly at them.
"Why such hostility, gentlen? The boy just wanted sothing to eat. Is there really a need to take his life? How about sparing him, just this once, as a favor to ?" Xiao Tiance said with a serene smile.
"Favor to you? Who the hell do you think you are?" one rcenary barked and raised his blade toward Xiao Tiance.
Before he could move, another rcenary grabbed his arm and bowed slightly to Xiao Tiance. "Your deanor speaks of strength far beyond our own. It's clear we are no match for you. The boy is yours to deal with."
"But second brother, he "
The other rcenary cut him off with a sharp slap and whispered, "Did you not see? He didn't even move, yet Third Brother's blade couldn't fall. Such a person is beyond us."
Turning to the others, he commanded, "We're leaving!"
Without another word, the rcenaries left, abandoning even their ordered als.
Xiao Tiance turned his attention to the little beggar, observing him with interest. "They're gone. You're safe now. It just so happens that their food is already ordered. If you can finish it, feel free to eat here I'll cover the cost."
"Thank you, sir! Thank you!"
The boy, clearly starving, eagerly agreed, his fear of Xiao Tiance montarily overshadowed by the prospect of food.
"Get up. It was nothing," Xiao Tiance replied with a small wave of his hand.
When the waiter arrived with several bowls of noodles, he hesitated upon seeing the beggar at the table. Xiao Tiance intervened, smiling. "The boy's al is on . Let him eat."
"Oh, what a kind custor. This boy's lucky to et you," the waiter said, throwing in so flattery before serving the noodles.
Xiao Tiance tried a few bites of his own noodles. They were decent but far from exceptional. He soon put down his chopsticks and quietly observed the boy devouring the food with gusto.
After finishing several bowls, the boy patted his stomach in satisfaction and smiled innocently at Xiao Tiance.
Seeing the boy's infectious grin, Xiao Tiance chuckled, paid the bill tossing a gold coin far exceeding the cost and left the noodle shop.
As he walked toward the outskirts of Qingshan Town, he sensed soone following him. Without showing any irritation, he maintained his leisurely pace until they were nearly out of town. Then he stopped and spoke without turning around.
"Little one, how long do you plan to follow ?"
The silence behind him was deafening. Monts later, the boy erged hesitantly from the trees and knelt before Xiao Tiance.
"Sir, please take in. If you give food and shelter, my life is yours!"
As he spoke, the boy repeatedly kowtowed, stealing glances at Xiao Tiance's expression.
Xiao Tiance's gaze turned icy, and his voice carried a chilling edge. "Do you realize I already know your secret? You're of the Soul Devouring Tribe. If discovered, you'll be hunted and killed. If I wanted, I wouldn't even need to lift a finger to crush you into dust."
Hearing the words Soul Devouring Tribe, the boy's body trembled violently. He felt as if death had already claid him.
The Soul Devouring Tribe was a peculiar ancient race with the ability to absorb and devour the bloodline power of others. In ancient tis, this ability made them feared across the Dou Qi Continent.
Seeking to perpetuate their race, the Soul Devouring Tribe waged large scale wars against other ancient races, annihilating countless clans to harvest their bloodline powers.
Their unchecked slaughter eventually provoked a coalition of ancient powers, leading to the tribe's near extinction. The final leader of the tribe was devoured by the Void Swallow Fla in the hands of Emperor Tuoshe.
The boy, the last known mber of the Soul Devouring Tribe, knew his lineage was a death sentence if revealed. Yet, this man had seen through his identity with a single glance.
The boy trembled but didn't flee. He knew that soone capable of such insight and strength likely hailed from one of the ancient imperial clans. Running would be futile.
"Sir, if you wanted to kill , you wouldn't have saved at the noodle shop. I am the last of my tribe. If you're willing, I'll give my life to you. Whether I live or die, I leave it to your will," the boy said, bowing deeply.
"Oh?"
Xiao Tiance raised an eyebrow, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes. The boy had gambled his life and shown remarkable composure for soone so young no older than eight.
"Hahaha! You're gambling, aren't you?" Xiao Tiance laughed.
"Indeed, sir," the boy admitted. "I'm gambling that you'll spare . If I win, I can live to serve soone as powerful as you, perhaps even one day rebuild my tribe. If I lose, my life repays your earlier kindness, and I die with no regrets."
Hearing this, Xiao Tiance's lips curled into a faint smile. From the start, he had no intention of killing the boy.
"You're clever. But sotis, I dislike clever people. What do you propose I do about that?"
(End of Chapter)
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