Before Grimshaw could finish the threat, his pupils shrank to pinpoints, as though they had glimpsed something monstrous rising.
Jared moved, and the air itself seemed to flinch. In a heartbeat, stood ten paces away; the next, a streak of motion cleaved the air.
Grimshaw never managed to summon a veil of demonic aura or brandish his bone staff before agony tore through his right arm.
“Argh!” screamed, a ragged howl that split the clouds, far more agonized than the maimed demon general earlier.
Grimshaw looked down and found his arm gone, severed clean at the shoulder, dark green blood fountained, painting the stones. The bone staff that had served for years clanged to the ground, its crimson crystal flickering twice before dying.
“Y-You…” stammered, clutching the stump, his whole frame quivering.
How had this kid traversed the distance?
How could any strike be that swift?
Jared set his boot upon the fallen staff, crushing wood and crystal with a slow, merciless twist. His eyes stayed cold on Grimshaw. “I won’t repeat myself a third time…”
Staggering back, Grimshaw retreated ten, twelve, fifteen steps before found balance. The murderous intent pouring from Jared pressed against his throat, speak one more syllable, and his head would surely roll.
All around, the Blackshade Guards stood petrified.
Grimshaw had achieved Earthly Immortal Realm Level Three in cultivation and was a pillar of the palace. Yet, a Wandering Immortal Realm Level Six human cultivator had just severed his arm. This overturned their understanding of the world in an instant.
Jared’s frosty gaze swept the square. The pressure in the air thickened, choking. Instinct pushed every guard back a step, clearing a path as though warding off a storm. If even Grimshaw had failed, they had no chance.
Silence settled, eerie and absolute. The ring of more than a hundred soldiers parted of its own accord, opening a passage no one dared close.
Not one pair of eyes met Jared’s.
Lunaria watched, stunned at first, then thoughtful. She had never imagined Jared would strike Grimshaw, let alone reveal such overwhelming strength. Yet, the stalemate was broken, and possibilities blossomed.
Drawing a steady breath, smothered turmoil and swept the cowering Blackshade Guards with a frosted glance. Then, turned that same chill on the blood-drained elder. “Well? Get out of my sight!”
Grimshaw’s lips trembled, words died behind his teeth.
With a final poisonous glare at Jared, clutched the stump of his arm and, supported by his trusted aides, fled the square.
The Blackshade Guards sank back to either side of the palace walls, heads lowered, motions as small as possible. At last, the square lay still, bodies and blood the only witnesses to the storm that had passed.
Lunaria halted in front of Jared, the violet irises of eyes rippling with a swirl of wounded pride and reluctant gratitude.
“Thank you…” said.
Though Jared’s flippant jab had displeased her, couldn’t deny that his intervention had gotten out of a tight spot.
If word of today’s events spread, my dignity and standing as the demon princess would be left in tatters…
Jared lifted one eyebrow, neither agreeing nor denying.
“I simply prefer not to be pestered,” murmured. Then, turned toward Flaxseed, who stood gaping at him, and laughed. “Come on. Weren’t we off to investigate your clan?”
