CG Chapter 31: Redemption in Blood
Once he witnessed Tian Chang losing himself after the death of Monolith, Whisper didn't hesitate to take this opportunity to throw a set of hidden weapons of his own at Tian Chang. He threw a bunch of needles at Tian Chang's critical body parts.
"Whoosh."
In the blink of an eye, the initial needle found its mark, striking Tian Chang's shoulder, causing him to wince in pain. Despite the sudden impact, he managed to hold onto his composure and regain control of the situation.
Tian Chang's thoughts raced as he dodged Whisper's deadly needles. 'Monolith, my friend, how did it come to this? Betrayed by one of your own.' He clenched his fist, torn between his past and present.
Whisper's betrayal of his leader's last wish prompted Tian Chang to question sharply, "What are you doing? Aren't the Triad members supposed to follow their commander's orders to the end?"
As he uttered those words, a heavy clot of blood welled up in Tian Chang's chest, causing him to cough violently, spitting it out onto the blood-soaked ground.
Whisper's response was a chilling, heartless laugh that sent shivers down the spines of those who bore witness. "Hahaha, do you really think that I will listen to his foolish wish? His authority only extends until his last breath, and once he dies, his words become meaningless. We swore our loyalty to the Sealed One and the Eight Keepers. If anything stands in my way while I fulfill my mission, even if it's my previous leader, I'll kill him to honor the covenant."
Tian Chang's eyes shifted to Colossus, the giant of a man who had once been his trusted ally. "Colossus, are you also going to betray your leader?" His voice dripped with bitter disappointment.
The giant man stood unwavering, his loyalty unshaken, a faithful slave to the keepers. His gaze remained fixed on Monolith's lifeless body. He felt that Monolith was in the wrong as he had betrayed the highest authority in this world. "Colossus follows the orders of the Keepers. New leader, Whisper."
Disappointed by what became of his team, Tian Chang's eyes redden as he spoke, "I see. Well, it seems the Triad will become a thing of the past after today."
"May your blood be the nourishing rain that brings forth the blossoms of peace to my wife and son." Tian Chang declared his words a solemn tribute to the family he longed to reunite with.
On the other side, as Colossus's words reached Whisper's ears, a sinister grin spread across his face, a malevolent expression that only a fellow demon could comprehend. Within that dark smile, power and authority surged, infusing him with newfound strength. Had Tom been present to witness the transformation, he would have grasped that in the hidden world of Cryptus, another shadowy demon lurked, hidden from sight.
Tian Chang's rage-fueled punch surged forward with an unstoppable force aimed directly at Whisper, the demonic creature in front of him. He intended to shatter the man's head into pieces and bring an end to this fight that had only brought despair.
However, fate, as it seemed, had other plans for him. Just as his fist hurtled toward its target, a massive figure emerged from behind. Colossus, with his iron-like body, stepped forward to intercept the blow. He became a living shield for Whisper. As he stood between Tian Chang and his target, it was as if an indestructible chasm had formed.
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Without a second thought, Whisper seized this new opportunity to strike. He slashed at Tian Chang with his twin daggers at his abdomen. Fortunately for Tian Chang, the attack only glazed his outer skin and didn't cause any significant damage.
Colossus moved forward as he started unleashing multiple attacks at Tian Chang while Whisper moved to the back, acting as the ranger of the duo.
Colossus tried to unleash a final attack that would kill Tian Chang, "Colossus, kill Tian Chang today."
Tian Chang moved to the side, evading it as he used this chance to strike at Colossus's neck, trying to rip out his breathing tube.
"Dodge." Whisper screamed as he warned.
But, alas, Tian Chang's strike had already landed on Colossus, inflicting devastating damage.
"I kill. Colossus kills," bellowed Colossus with unyielding determination, his words resonating with the last vestiges of his fading strength. Each breath was a struggle, but his loyalty remained unshaken.
"Too late. I will take you down first," Tian Chang grinned as he followed it with another attack.
With a sinister grin, Whisper unleashed a torrent of razor-sharp needles at Tian Chang, aiming to not just deter him but to inflict excruciating pain. However, Tian Chang, his senses sharpened by the brutal battle, anticipated the assault. He evaded the deadly projectiles with a dancer's grace, the air humming with the menace of the missed strikes.
As Whisper's wicked smile turned to horror, Tian Chang seized the opportunity to deliver a bone-shattering blow. With a viciousness born of desperation, he plunged his fist into Colossus's chest, rupturing organs and splattering the battlefield with a gruesome display of blood and gore. Colossus, the once indomitable giant, crumbled like a broken monument, his life extinguished in a crimson burst of violence that would forever stain the earth beneath their feet.
After ending Colossus's life, Tian Chang's steely gaze shifted to Whisper. He uttered a chilling declaration, his voice laced with determination, "The giant boar is down, and all that remains is the little snake."
After issuing the threat, Tian Chang sensed his strength dwindling rapidly. He understood that…
.
.
.
"Hahaha," Whisper's laughter echoed with madness as he observed Tian Chang's fading vitality. "May the sealed one's bliss be with me, and may my poison be the last thing you taste. Did you truly believe I would use ordinary needles? This poison hails from the flowers of graves, the dark yet exquisite 'Mortis' flower," he taunted, relishing at this grim revelation. His body contorted in pleasure; his words dripped with madness as he watched Tian Chang's weakening form.
Tian Chang understood that he needed to finish this fast, so he ran at Whisper while evading as many of his needles as possible.
"How are you still alive?" Whisper questioned, puzzled that Tian Chang had any strength left.
"Do you think that I didn't train for such situations? Tian Chang replied with indifference. "I've tasted more poisons than you've had meals."
Once he reached his opponent, Tian Chang attacked his stomach with a punch that would shatter mountains.
Whisper coughed heavily, "You bastard."
Noticing one of Whisper's daggers slipping from his hand, Tian Chang seized the opportunity. With lightning reflexes, he grabbed the dagger and slashed it away, ripping at Whisper's hand and leaving it severed from his body.
After the brutal exchange, Whisper found himself weakened. The wounds inflicted by Tian Chang had taken a toll on him. He stumbled back, his vision blurring and the world around him spiraling into darkness. With a final, malicious scream, he succumbed to unconsciousness.
Tian Chang was on the verge of collapse as he strode forward. His body screamed in agony as his vision dimmed. The battle had taken its toll on him, leaving him drained, and his senses began to fade as he fell unconscious. As the fight reached its end, he felt a fleeting moment of peace.
.
.
Time passed in a disorienting haze, and Tian Chang slowly regained his consciousness. His body ached, with every movement sending waves upon waves of pain through his being. As he swept away the fog of unconsciousness, he realized that he was lying on the blood-soaked ground with nothing but the remnants of the now-dead village that surrounded him.
Gazing upon Whisper's lifeless form nearby, Tian Chang took slow, heavy steps toward it. His trembling hand hovered over Whisper's veins, too weak to muster any firm grip as he sought any sign of life. Once he touched Whisper's neck, a profound sense of relief washed over him. There was no pulse. He was now certain that Whisper's repulsive voice would stay silent once and for all.
Knowing that the immediate threat was defeated, a heavy sigh of exhaustion escaped Tian Chang's lips. He had earned a break, a moment of well-deserved rest. But that slumber would need to wait, for his thoughts quickly turned to the one thing that truly mattered to him, that being his family.
Before he could allow himself the luxury of rest, this lone middle-aged man knew that he had to ensure that his loved ones were safe. The journey ahead of him was uncertain as he didn't know what happened to them. However, Tian Chang remained fearless. With every step he took, a crackle was heard, a sign of his determination. He ventured forth, searching for answers, driven by the unshakeable hope of reuniting with his family.