Chapter 227 Duncan's Provocation
At the city gates of the Dark Star City…
A long line of people stood before the gates as they discussed the recent auction that was held in the city. Countless exclamations were heard as people marveled over the various treasures that were auctioned.
The Blue Wind Society Hall's announcement and the major factions joining together to promote the Grand Event that was going to happen in seven years was in everyone's mouth. Even when they didn't know what the Grand Event entailed, everyone couldn't help speculating about it.
The long line of people waiting to enter the city was rowdy at the moment.
On the other end, there wasn't anyone conspicuous that was waiting to get out of the city. Due to geographical reasons and political reasons, the Dark Star City only had one gate.
Whenever a beast tide occurred, the Dark Star City would bear the heaviest burden while defending against the tide. Hence, due to safety concerns and other related concerns, the Dark Star City only had one gate.
Hence, there was always traffic on the road that led to the gate.
But, with Dark Star City becoming more prominent after the recent auction, there weren't many people waiting to go out. Most wanted to spend time in the city and check out the various rumors they had heard.
At this moment, a lone figure walked towards the gate, from inside the city, in a conspicuous manner. The figure had a blank mask on its face and it was carrying nothing but a sword.
However, the murderous aura that was emanating from the figure was enough to cause several people to look over. As they watched, the figure approached the gates and stopped. Seeing this, everyone became anxious.
Everyone knew that the security in the Dark Star City was really tight. The City Guard of the Dark Star City was no joke. Provoking them was tantamount to signing a death warrant. Seeing someone dare to do such a thing really made people anxious.
The figure didn't make any moves. But, the murderous aura and its presence alone was enough to cause chaos among the people present. Those who were waiting in line to enter the city, backed away slightly not willing to get entangled in these issues.
The figure merely glanced at them and looked away. It looked as if it was waiting for something. Soon, the entire area around the figure had become deserted. The City Guards were watching this as well.
Unlike others, they weren't in a hurry to distance themselves. Even then, they frowned slightly seeing this person standing there exuding a murderous aura. Most of the guards were in the Spirit Sea realm. They intuitively felt that the figure was very dangerous, but they weren't really worried. They were waiting for their captain to come over.
The captain soon noticed this incident and quickly made his way over. He was in the early stages of Violet Palace realm. He could clearly see the cultivation of the figure. The figure was only at the peak of the Spirit Sea realm. However, even he felt dread looking at the murderous aura emanating from the figure.
While he knew logically that a Spirit Sea realm cultivator creating a ruckus in the city was akin to asking for death, the primal part of him didn't care about it. Even if more powerful members of the City Guard came over and subdued the figure later, if something happened to him, there would be nowhere to cry.
Everyone was selfish. No one wanted to put their lives on the line. Moreover, this city was frequented by not just righteous cultivators. Even demonic cultivators frequented the city. Looking at the murderous air, even if he thought with his foot, he would be able to identify the figure's affiliation.
But, he also realized that this was causing a scene already and people were looking at the figure. The other guards had the excuse that the figure's cultivation level was higher. But, he didn't have such a convenient excuse.
If he didn't step up and let the scene prolong, he would be severely reprimanded and would never obtain another promotion. So, he gritted his teeth and walked up to the figure to enquire why he was creating a scene.
Just as he neared the figure, he felt the figure's eyes train on him. His feet froze. His knees started trembling a little. Being stared at by the figure, the captain felt primal fear course through him.
In that moment, he knew instinctively that he would die if the figure made a move. Despite the difference in cultivation levels, he didn't think he could last even one round with that figure.
"I heard that a bunch of imbeciles want to hunt me down," the figure spoke in a calm tone that sent shivers across the captain's spine. "As much as I would have liked to rip them apart and crunch their hearts under my boot, I respect the precepts set forth by the Blood Mask Governor. So, I won't take care of them in the city."
The figure paused and removed the blank mask he wore gently.
"My name is Duncan. I am from the Heavenly Demon Sect. Tell that imbeciles who are looking for me to come find me. I will wait for them for two days on the hill, fifty kilometers from here in the southern direction. Talk is cheap. Let them prove to the world they aren't a bunch of cowards."
The figure threw the blank mask at the captain and calmly walked out of the gate in the southern direction. Until the figure disappeared in everyone's vision, no one spoke. But, the moment the figure disappeared on the horizon, chaos broke out immediately.
The news of Duncan's challenge traveled like wildfire throughout the city. Those interested parties who had been looking for information regarding Duncan in the city were stunned.
They sent over Duncan's challenge to their respective superiors quickly not daring to hide one bit. Within the hour, every young talent who had been looking around for Duncan to make a name heard about Duncan's challenge.
They couldn't believe this person's audacity and courage. Duncan hadn't said much, but those short sentences he had said were like thorns in their eyes. They were all arrogant people themselves. But, this guy seemed more arrogant than them.
Recalling how he had behaved dismissively towards them in the Greenwood Forest, everyone's eyes turned red. They couldn't tolerate such disrespect. Words like talk is cheap seemed to sting their hearts directly.
These young talents were all like cats whose tails were stepped on. They immediately set off in the direction Duncan had told them that he would be waiting for them in haste.
*****
Duncan's plan had been simple.
Since all these people wanted to hunt him down, then he would release his location publicly. They wanted to hunt him down. He wanted to kill them. There was no need to talk too much and discuss about why they wanted to hunt him down.
Anyway, he would figure it out when they came to the location he specified and ran their mouth. As for why he used such provocative words, Duncan knew well about the pride these so-called young talents possessed. By needling them a bit, they would rush out to clear their name.
Duncan didn't want to waste any more time. He had already postponed his breakthrough to the Violet Palace realm for a long time now. One thing after the other came up preventing him from breaking through to the Violet Palace realm.
He was slightly worried that if he delayed even for a small time, something else would happen putting a stop to his schemes. He wanted to kill these so-called young talents and collect the slaughter qi from massacring them. He wanted to bathe in their blood and let the entire world know that they couldn't target him willy-nilly.
If they dared to target him, then they must be prepared to bet with their lives. Duncan didn't like being eyed like a steak on a roadside stall by every righteous cultivator. Only by making a name for himself can he deter those who weren't strong enough from having designs on him.
Hence, he had been prepared to commit a brutal massacre to let everyone know that he wasn't easy to mess with. Provoking these hotheads to come after him was part of his plan as well.
He had prepared everything meticulously for this to go off without a hitch. Even the location he had picked out was carefully chosen. The timing he chose was also when most of the senior cultivators of the sects were camping near the Greenwood Forest.
Once he was done with his deed, he even had his exit route prepared. Everything was in place. All he needed now was for those arrogant brats to come to him and get slaughtered.
Taking a deep breath, Duncan climbed to the peak of the small hill he had chosen as his location and waited for his prey to come knocking…
*****
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