The rooster crows.

The sky brightens.

In the eastern sky, a faint light appears.

Shadowy figures rush across the wild grassland.

There was once a village here, but its people have died.

They died miserably.

No bones remain.

Only the chickens are left, unfed, and wolves eating the bodies.

In the past, in the Black Pine League, wolves dared not enter human villages.

Martial artists were swift and skilled, killing wolves was as easy as killing chickens.

But now.

Wolves uncharacteristically came to the village, greedily feasting on bodies.

The buildings had collapsed, debris was everywhere.

Most of the walls had fallen, clearly there had been a fierce fight here.

"Woo..."

A wolf noticed the presence of a human and let out a howl.

The other wolves paused, turning to look at the figure.

It seemed they too wanted a taste of living flesh.

Declan Marsh channeled the spiritual power within him, scaring the wolves away, tails tucked like frightened dogs.

It had been a day and a night.

After hearing the alarm, he left Neolle Leocadia.

The affairs of the Black Pine League, he couldn't control.

Staying wouldn't change anything.

Declan Marsh wanted to save his tribe; he didn't care how they judged him.

He decided to meet West Tower alone, to confront the ruthless martial artist of Boulevard Mountain.

He believed that if he was willing to sacrifice himself, West Tower would spare the civilians.

As for those royal clans, noble families?

What did it matter if they lived or died?

He was the king of the Black Pine League, responsible only to his people!

From the moment Atticus Marsh wanted to release Mr. Ghost from Mountain of Leaving, Declan Marsh had disagreed.

But there was nothing he could do.

In other words, he was a king in name only.

On this path of escape, he encountered many trying to kill him.

Those people were once the Imperial Guard.

They were once his protectors!

The world is ironic.

Those bodyguards now pursued him?

Declan Marsh, constantly in hiding, was utterly exhausted.

"Out for a workout this early?"

Suddenly, a voice called out.

"Who's there!"

Declan Marsh instinctively drew his Black Dragon Sword!

It was the symbol of royal and imperial power!

In such dire times, even in death, Declan Marsh would use this sword to meet his end!

"Just someone just as bored as you." The speaker stepped from the shadows, eyeing the sword at his waist. "Nice sword, mind if I take a look?"

Declan Marsh hesitated, tightening his grip on the sword instead.

Most in the Black Pine League recognized this sword.

It could easily expose his identity.

"Stingy," Julius Reed shook his head, sitting on the remnants of the village wall. "Ran away from home?"

"You could say that." Declan Marsh remained wary, but seeing the other was of similar age, he let his guard down a little.

"This place just had people killed, it's unsafe. You seem well-off; better go home. If you lose your life, it's not worth it," Julius Reed said nonchalantly.

The martial artists of Boulevard Mountain were stationed thirty miles away from here.

Julius Reed had smelled the blood in the air and came alone to investigate.

What he saw was utterly brutal.

"My life isn't worth much. Kings and dukes, are they just born so? Is my life a life, and theirs not?" Declan Marsh's eyes reddened, his voice slightly choked.

Perhaps a day ago, this was a happy family.

They enjoyed family bliss too.

But everything was destroyed.

Declan Marsh dared not think, dared not imagine the despair those people felt before dying!

"Curse this damn world! Curse this damn power!" he punched the wall, tears flowing uncontrollably.

If it weren't for Atticus Marsh's decision, why would the Black Pine League suffer such devastating losses?

Greed!

It's all greed!

"So young and yet so empathetic. Since ancient times, the world has always been like this. If you have the ability, protect them; if not, no need to cry here," Julius Reed had guessed his identity when he saw the sword.

Rumors were that the king of the Black Pine League was a naive child.

But seeing him today, Julius Reed felt the boy wasn't bad.

He had the demeanor of a benevolent ruler.

But in chaotic times, benevolence leads only to death.

"And you, who are you? Aren't you afraid of being killed? This Black Pine League, the world is in chaos! Why must we be dragged into this damn holy lord battle?" Declan Marsh wiped his tears, taking a deep breath.

"I'm just passing through, and this sight made me feel sorrow. But doesn't the Black Pine League have any law and order? A whole village wiped out," Julius Reed asked, pointing to the courtyard filled with corpses.

He checked.

No survivors.

The deaths were swift.

It seemed the perpetrator acted alone.

Such a formidable person, was there no restriction on him?

Even a powerful alliance like the Black Pine League, no one managed this?

At the very least, someone should handle the aftermath and burials.

"Even if I told you, you might not have heard," Declan Marsh was full of sorrow, unable to comprehend, for personal greed, so many lives must be sacrificed?

"It was the work of someone called Mr. Ghost from Mountain of Leaving. He's too powerful, no one in the Black Pine League can stop him. Even the royal family had to go into exile."

After speaking, Declan Marsh gripped his sword tightly.

The king's sword, meant to protect the people.

But now, it could only escape with him.

"Mr. Ghost from Mountain of Leaving? That guy isn't dead?" Julius Reed was a bit shocked.

He had severely wounded Mr. Ghost in the past, and sent Mr. River to suppress him.

The Nine-building Rivers and Mountains Array!

How could he have escaped?

But judging by the brutal method, it was undoubtedly Mr. Ghost from Mountain of Leaving.

"Dead? Someone released him, seeking domination," Declan Marsh scoffed. "I advise you to leave early, or else that demon might claim your life! He kills without caring if you're a Black Pine League citizen."

"Hmm, quite terrifying. But I'm more curious why the mighty king of the Black Pine League sneaks away here. Are you afraid of dying?" Julius Reed asked pointedly.

"You... forget it." Declan Marsh shook his head. Upon leaving, though he wore a different outfit, anything from the royal family bore dragons, and with the sword in hand, it wasn't too hard to guess his identity.

"I don't have the power to stop this, but I can use my own way to keep more from dying."

"How will you stop it?" Julius Reed asked.

"I'll find West Tower of Boulevard Mountain. They released Mr. Ghost specifically to deal with this West Tower. It's getting late, I must go." Declan Marsh got up, sword in hand, heading toward the direction of the White Dragon League.

"Why not run? It's dangerous on this journey, do you want to die? Are you sure the Boulevard Mountain people won't kill you?" Julius Reed called after him.

"Of course I'm afraid of death!" Declan Marsh replied firmly without turning, "But I am king; I must protect my people!"

Suddenly.

The sound of galloping horses.

"Your Majesty. Please return with us!"

Not far away, Vidal Leopold, leading countless masters, charged toward them!

"You should leave, or you'll be caught up in this!" Declan Marsh was startled, turning to tell Julius Reed.

"Why should I leave?"

Julius Reed watched the approaching group, jumping down from the wall, standing in front of Declan Marsh.

"They're coming for me, you'll be killed if you stay!"

Declan Marsh said anxiously.

"You're right," Julius Reed placed his right hand on the yin-yang symbol at his waist, a slight smile on his lips, "I too must protect my people."

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