Chapter Zero: The Beginning After the End

  Corpses littered the ground, and blood flowed like rivers on the battlefield. Flocks of crows, undaunted by the soldiers still clearing the field, scattered about, competing for the fresh flesh and blood. Almost instantly, the dark color they represented became the dominant hue of the entire battlefield, aside from the red of blood. Amidst this interwoven tapestry of red and black, a jade-green banner with only half its surface remaining, charred and burnt, stood out in jarring discord.

  Huh, huh...

  Gasping sounds like a broken bellows, Dean strained to get a wisp of oxygen for his lungs; yesterday, his bowstring snapped along with the bow body, and after four days of fighting, the scarred armor lost its defensive ability in an instant, and what was lost together with the armor was the long sword that had just been cut off.

  He casually tossed the broken sword aside.

  Now, all Dean had left in his hand was this jade flower battle flag.

  Clutching the flagpole tightly, Dean, exhausted and drained of all strength, could only struggle to ensure that the flag did not fall to the ground before he himself fell; as for the soldiers who were gradually closing in on him, he did not see them - those who had followed him, those whom he had followed, except for him, had all fallen in the battles that had lasted for ten years.

  And now, those soldiers who were still able to move were all his enemies.

  "Dean Ken, Haggaslow's Lone Wolf... What a chilling title! To think that we didn't have to be this way!"

  A middle-aged man in full armor stood out from the crowd, standing less than ten paces away from Dean, shaking his head in admiration, his voice filled with sorrow - his neatly combed hair, not a single whisker on his chin, and now this sorrow; words like gentleman and knight would make anyone who saw him think that he was the most genuine embodiment of these titles.

  In fact, he had a more illustrious identity: the King of the Kingdom of Gao Sai, the successor to the Conqueror - these were the identities and reputation of this middle-aged man.

  Of course, these are not important to Dean. All he needs to remember is that the other person is his enemy - the one he hates most among countless enemies.

  "Do you remember? The first time we met, our conversation was extremely pleasant, and I even invited you to be my bodyguard!"

  The mournful voice continued until it was interrupted by anger.

  "I'm extremely glad I didn't agree, and utterly despise the self that wavered at that time!"

  Dean's eyes stared at his opponent with a fierce glare, his gaze filled with only anger and murderous intent.

  "Are you glad? Glad about your current situation?"

  The middle-aged man straightened his body, and he seemed to be embracing victory as he raised his arms, looking around at the already ended battle, then burst out laughing with a scornful smile: "A team of 1,500 people, facing my three legions, is really like an mantis trying to stop a chariot, overestimating one's own strength!"

  "What makes you think you have such ability? Is it those ruthless assassinations of yours? Or... that woman!" The middle-aged man deliberately paused, looking at Dean's increasingly angry expression, and burst out laughing loudly: "A woman who even in death is still not forgotten, the Grand Duchess Feicui, shouldn't she be able to rest in peace?"

  "Hmph, I forgot, as one of her murderers, I don't have the right to say such things!"

  Suddenly, the middle-aged man seemed to have thought of something and patted his forehead with a apologetic look; but the contempt in his eyes fully revealed his hypocritical nature; he was savoring the joy of victory after a war, although it wasn't a real celebration, but just like an appetizer before a big meal, the man in front of him was indeed the best choice.

  "That's right, it was me, the King of Xiti, and the twelve high priests of the Dark Temple... who joined forces to get rid of that woman, that incredibly annoying woman!" The middle-aged man trailed off for a moment before finishing his sentence; however, he didn't hear the angry roar he had expected. Instead, he stared in shock at the man who was exhausted from using up all his strength.

  I know!

  Dein gave out an answer that had been prepared since the beginning of this war - a black crystal that was emitting light, held in his hand.

  "You!!"

  The middle-aged man who had always been calm and composed changed color for the first time, he stared at Dean in horror, his face turned pale; then, he turned around and ran.

  "It's useless, within a ten-kilometer radius underground, it's all explosive crystals; my people and I are just bait... unfortunately, I only lured you..."

  Boom! Boom! Boom!

  A deafening explosion drowned out Dean's final words; in the first instant of the blast, Dean was consumed by flames, and the middle-aged man who had been fleeing only managed to hold on for less than three seconds before his defensive magical items were depleted and he too fell.

  To be destroyed completely!

  Of course, the middle-aged male soldiers around him were also crushed to pieces - all of Dean's accumulated wealth had been exchanged for this batch of explosive crystals, and the amount was originally arranged according to the number of his enemies; now, only one side came, and they were all endured, that is, they died and could not die again.

  Within a hundred kilometers, it's all scorched earth, devoid of any signs of life.

  ……