Naturally, the protagonist, even in death, was thoroughly obliterated by Zhao Yunhai, leaving no trace behind.
The first protagonist was dispatched by Zhao Yunhai's handgun, then utterly annihilated by an explosion and fire, leaving nothing but ash.
The second protagonist, Zhang Yunyi, was cremated after his death and the cause of death was confirmed.
Yang Fan, the third protagonist, naturally received the same treatment.
He was cremated on the spot, his ashes placed in an urn, and scattered from a private jet.
...
After the matter was settled, Zhao Yunhai naturally accompanied Elder Feng to visit the grave of an old acquaintance.
Jingzhou, Ancheng.
Upon entering Ancheng, Zhao Yunhai noticed Elder Feng's unease.
At this moment, Elder Feng showed none of the imposing aura of a peak Xiantian realm expert, instead appearing somewhat flustered and uncomfortable.
Though the acquaintance was gone, the memories remained, and beautiful scenes flickered before his eyes as if they were happening right now.
Ancheng had changed greatly, but the grave of Elder Feng's old acquaintance, and even the surrounding scenery, were exactly as they had been before he left.
Even though Elder Feng didn't visit, he had the wealth to buy the land, even the surrounding grass and trees.
He also hired people to specifically guard it, day in and day out for decades.
"I buried her here because this was where we first met.
"Back then, she was still naive, and I had only recently emerged from my training at the Zhao Clan. But as you know, while the Zhao Clan doesn't engage in internal strife, it cannot accommodate someone so pure-hearted. I could see it clearly."
Zhao Yunhai nodded in agreement.
The Zhao Clan's inability to tolerate purity was due to a past clan leader who was indeed pure-hearted.
This kind of purity wasn't about kindness, but rather a mind solely focused on good intentions.
Such kindness had nearly caused a major problem within the Zhao Clan.
Fortunately, the Zhao Clan leader was promptly made to abdicate. Since then, the Zhao Clan had inscribed this principle in their ancestral records, forbidding anyone from violating it.
Every rule in the Zhao Clan's ancestral records was born from a bloody lesson learned firsthand.
Elder Feng continued, his tone becoming boastful.
"At that time, she was helping a martial artist here, but I could tell at a glance that the martial artist was not a good person.
"I advised her not to meddle, and that one should be cautious when traveling.
"She ignored me, saying that as fellow travelers in the martial world, we should help each other.
Hearing this, Zhao Yunhai's expression began to change.
So this was Elder Feng's preference. This woman was a saint.
Zhao Yunhai wouldn't have wanted a woman like that even if she came to him begging.
Elder Feng noticed Zhao Yunhai's discomfort and chuckled.
"Xiao Hai, do you think she was like a saint? Unnecessary pity only harms those around you."
Zhao Yunhai nodded; that was precisely his thought.
Suddenly, Elder Feng stopped beneath a tree, lost in thought, and slowly began to speak.
"It was here. She was squatting here, tending to that person, and it was here that she personally killed that person."
"Hm?" Zhao Yunhai looked at Elder Feng with utter confusion.
What was happening?
What did he mean she saved the person and then killed them?
If that were the case, why would Elder Feng call her naive?
"Hahahaha." Elder Feng laughed with a touch of wicked amusement.
"Xiao Hai, the naivety I spoke of was my first impression of her when I met her. I *thought* she was naive.
"But in the end, it was I who was naive."
Elder Feng said with a wry smile, "Because I didn't leave at the time; I was observing from the shadows.
"Then she discovered me, and I was robbed by her."
Speaking of such an embarrassing incident in front of a junior, Elder Feng felt no shame; instead, a faint hint of happiness appeared on his face.
"At that time, I couldn't defeat her, so I had no choice but to leave my valuables. It was later that we became acquaintances, perhaps through that encounter."
"It wasn't until later, when our relationship deepened into friendship, that I learned the person she was saving was about to die because the other party had only revealed half of a treasure's location.
"That's why she saved his life, to make him finish speaking before he died.
"As for what she said to me about helping each other in the martial world, it was because she intended to rob me and wanted to keep me occupied."
"How about that? Surprised? Delighted?"
Elder Feng turned to look at him after speaking.
Alright, Zhao Yunhai admitted that he had misunderstood. So that's how it was.
"Elder Feng actually likes to tease his juniors."
Zhao Yunhai smiled helplessly.
No wonder Elder Feng liked such a woman; she was indeed very interesting.
The old and the young walked, stopping and starting.
The elder reminisced about personal experiences, and the younger listened to the stories.
Finally, they arrived before a simple grave.
Elder Feng's trembling hand touched the tombstone, and he appeared very nervous.
"I haven't visited you in so many years. You won't blame me, will you!"
"Heh, you probably won't blame me. You'll surely mock me, a grown man, for carrying this burden for decades."
"Back then, I slaughtered their entire family, leaving no one alive, not even the dogs or chickens."
"I collected a drop of blood from each person, a drop of blood from every livestock animal, and drank it from a bowl."
"Do you know how exhilarated I felt then? Do you know how miserable I was after taking revenge? Because you wouldn't return either."
"No matter how strong I became, you still wouldn't return."
Zhao Yunhai remained silent, not disturbing Elder Feng's one-sided conversation with the tombstone.
Perhaps after speaking his heart out, the knot in his heart would slowly unravel.
The inscription on the tombstone was simple: "Tomb of Zhang Minxin, Beloved Deceased."
Truly a remarkable woman, to have kept Elder Feng so deeply infatuated for decades.
Perhaps they had experienced too much together for an outsider to comprehend their emotions.
Just then, Zhao Yunhai's gaze flickered to someone not far away.
The person was wearing a work uniform and a cap, diligently sweeping the ground with their back turned to him.
It seemed this person was the one Elder Feng hired to maintain the grounds.
Zhao Yunhai's attention did not linger there for long; he then turned his gaze elsewhere.
More than two hours later, Elder Feng finally finished speaking.
Zhao Yunhai stood behind him, quietly for over two hours.
Du Lüsi, Jin Yan, and the others did not enter; after all, this was a place of eternal rest for the deceased, and too many people were not welcome to disturb it.
Elder Feng, being a peak Xiantian realm expert, naturally possessed enough strength to protect Young Master Yun.
Si Jin Yan and the others waited obediently outside.
"Xiao Hai, thank you."
"After returning to the clan, I will go into seclusion."
"Stuck at the peak Xiantian realm for so long, this is the first time I've felt any loosening of my cultivation."
"I used to often hear people say that those with unresolved burdens, after finally breaking free from them, would achieve progress and enlightenment."
"It seems to be true."
Though Elder Feng showed signs of a breakthrough, he did not appear overly happy.
"Congratulations, Elder Feng."
Zhao Yunhai knew Elder Feng was not in the best mood, so he offered a simple congratulation.
After the two of them left, the attendant slowly turned around, revealing a face filled with hatred.