From Sword to Slaughter: Evolution

"Zhang Feifan has a Martial King backing him. What should I do?"

Zhou Huachao murmured to himself, casting a glance at Zhang Feifan's lifeless body. "Though you humiliated and abused me before, you're dead now, so let's consider our grievances settled."

Despite feeling a sense of closure over Zhang Feifan's death, Zhou Huachao couldn't shake the growing unease. Sooner or later, someone would find out, and when that happened, his situation would become dire.

"Over there!"

Suddenly, a faint sound came from outside the door.

It seemed someone was approaching!

A dark-skinned coffin bearer, Chen Hei, led a group of mercenaries toward Zhou Huachao's location. As they entered the courtyard, a thick scent of blood hit their noses.

As soon as they stepped inside, their eyes widened in astonishment at the sight of a pile of gold coins stacked like a small mountain.

"How much is this? A few million in gold coins?" one of the mercenaries gasped, swallowing hard.

"Look at this!"

One of the men spotted an arm lying on the ground.

"An arm?"

"Zhang Feifan's?" another mercenary guessed, recognizing the limb.

Zhou Huachao didn't flee. Instead, he calmly walked out from the inner room.

"Chen Hei."

His gaze locked onto the dark-skinned man, recognizing him immediately.

Chen Hei was also a coffin bearer, but today he had arrived with the members of the Black Serpent Mercenary Group. The Black Serpent Mercenary Group's leader had always been close to Zhang Feifan.

"Zhou Huachao! What did you do to Brother Feifan?"

Cheng Jifei, the deputy leader of the Black Serpent Mercenary Group, raised his sword, pointing it at Zhou Huachao.

"What do you think?" Zhou Huachao replied coolly, sweeping his eyes over the group.

"Jifei, that sword he's holding isn't ordinary."

Chen Hei's voice was cold as he stared at Zhou Huachao. "I heard this kid used that sword to kill the sand thieves."

Zhou Huachao's expression darkened. This man had betrayed him!

"You killed him, didn't you?"

Cheng Jifei's eyes narrowed, his tone changing as a dangerous edge entered his voice.

"Yes."

Zhou Huachao didn't bother denying it. Sooner or later, they would know the truth.

"You're dead."

Cheng Jifei's gaze turned icy.

"That remains to be seen."

Zhou Huachao had already anticipated facing off against the Black Serpent Mercenary Group after killing Zhang Feifan.

Cheng Jifei's eyes narrowed further. Zhang Feifan had been a Martial Master at the peak of his strength. Could Zhou Huachao really have reached such a level? It didn't seem possible, based on what he was seeing.

"Kill him," Cheng Jifei commanded.

As soon as his words left his mouth, two mercenaries lunged at Zhou Huachao with their weapons raised.

Zhou Huachao let out a cold snort, gripping Ji Mie tightly. If staying quiet and enduring this treatment would only lead to his death, then the only way forward was to kill them all!

With a swift motion, he swung his sword.

Swish, swish, swish—

The two mercenaries only saw a flash of cold light before everything went dark.

Dead. In an instant, both mercenaries had been cut in half by Ji Mie.

[Killed eighth-tier martial artist, gained 8,000 evolution points]

[Killed eighth-tier martial artist, gained 8,000 evolution points]

[Absorbed blood essence of eighth-tier martial artist, gained 8 energy points]

[Absorbed blood essence of eighth-tier martial artist, gained 8 energy points]

The ease with which Zhou Huachao had dispatched the two eighth-tier martial artists was almost laughable. He could already feel the dramatic change in his strength, and killing them had barely registered with him.

Cheng Jifei's eyes widened in shock.

Two eighth-tier warriors, killed in a matter of seconds! And that sword… it was still absorbing their blood!

"Is that the sword you were talking about?" Cheng Jifei asked Chen Hei, who stood frozen.

"It must be," Chen Hei replied, nodding.

Chen Hei had never seen the sword up close, but he had heard rumors from the other coffin bearers about Zhou Huachao's powerful new weapon.

"No wonder he's so arrogant. That sword is unnatural."

Cheng Jifei muttered under his breath.

"Zhou Huachao, if you hand over the sword, we'll forget this ever happened," Cheng Jifei said, fixing his gaze on Zhou Huachao.

Cheng Jifei was no fool. The situation had become strange, and Zhou Huachao was no longer the weakling he had thought. He preferred to avoid direct combat if possible.

"Do you take me for a fool?"

Zhou Huachao laughed coldly.

He might be an honest person, but that didn't mean he was stupid. He knew that without Ji Mie, he wouldn't stand a chance.

Cheng Jifei's eyes narrowed even more.

"So, you really plan to go against the Black Serpent Mercenary Group?"

With a sharp motion, Cheng Jifei drew his own sword, a black blade that began to hum as it was infused with his energy.

Buzz, buzz, buzz—

The black sword trembled, charged with power. This was no ordinary weapon either. Zhou Huachao could tell that much.

"Let's see whose sword is stronger," Cheng Jifei sneered, his body flickering like a shadow as he rushed toward Zhou Huachao.

Fast!

Zhou Huachao's eyes widened as Cheng Jifei's speed surprised him. In the blink of an eye, their swords collided.

Clang!

The force of their clash sent both men stumbling back a few steps.

"Hmph, not bad."

Cheng Jifei quickly steadied himself, flashing a mocking smile.

"Take a closer look at your sword," Zhou Huachao said coldly.

Confused, Cheng Jifei glanced at his black blade—and his eyes widened in disbelief.

"Impossible!"