Soulbound: Chronicles Of A Shadow Assassin-Chapter 29: The Great Purge
Mingyu stood atop a hill, gazing down at the serene lake that sparkled like a shard of fallen sky. The water’s edge lapped gently against the hill’s slope, creating a eye-catching sight. It was simply breathtaking.
But that wasn’t what Mingyu was paying attention to. Instead, he was lost, deep in his thoughts.
He remembered the one time, when the Yewang, who now happens to be Yan Jianyu, had brought him to this same place years ago.
That was when he taught him the Dragon-Scale Ritual, and he had brought him to the lake, saying that he wanted to show him the origin of the spell.
Yan Jianyu gazed out at the lake, his expression nostalgic. "This lake was once home to the powerful water-dragons. They possessed the ability to shift into human form, and their scales held immense power. Those scales are what facilitate the soul transfer ritual."
Mingyu’s curiosity was piqued. "You said the lake was ’once’ home to the dragons," he noted, his eyes sparkling with inquiry. "Isn’t it anymore?"
"A conflict ensued between the so called righteous Mages and the dragons, because the Mages saw the soul transfer ritual as a forbidden act. Some dragons foolishly took sides with the Mages, and stood against their fellow dragons in defense of the Mages... and so, the great purge ensued. The dragons fought against each other.
When powerful creatures clash, there’s bound to be destruction. Not wanting the Mages to intervene in their fight, they moved their battle to their own home–this lake right here, and from then on, no dragon had ever been seen."
Mingyu took in all the information, "I see." He nodded. "Then how do you still have some dragon scales in your possession?"
Yan Jianyu chuckled. "That’s for me to know, and for you not to worry about." He answered, and stirred the topic to another direction. "This lake is also the grave of Transmigrators who have been killed by the righteous Mages. After they get crystallized, their bodies get disposed off here."
"So this is will be my grave as well." Mingyu muttered, clutching his sword as he lifted his head to face the sky, heaving a sigh. I’ll be with you guys, shortly.
Without hesitation, Mingyu gazed back down at the lake, then took a few steps back to build momentum, before sprinting forward, launching himself off the hill’s edge and into the lake’s waiting waters.
Mingyu closed his eyes, held his breath, and allowed his body to slowly sink deeper into the water. The silence of the lake enveloped him like a shroud, a heavy stillness that seemed to muffle all sound.
He felt the weight of the water pressing down upon him, his chest tightening with anticipation. He counted to three in his head, before he then released the breath he had been holding. Prepared to meet his end, he steeled himself for the inevitable.
But seconds ticked by, and to his utter astonishment, he felt... fine. There was no burning sensation in his lungs, no struggle to breathe. He was inhaling and exhaling with ease, as if the lake’s depths were his natural habitat.
The realization dawned on him slowly, and Mingyu’s eyes snapped open in shock.
Mingyu’s confusion deepened as he beheld the wondrous sight before him. Moon Shadow, still clutched in his arms, was radiating a brilliant light that illuminated the surrounding water.
A shimmering barrier had formed around him, repelling the surrounding waters and creating a pocket of air that allowed him to breathe easily.
Mingyu’s gaze fell upon his sword, his expression etched with confusion. He hesitated for a moment, his hand hovering over the hilt. Then, with a sense of trepidation, he wrapped his hand around the hilt of his sword. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮
To his surprise, he unsheathed the sword with ease, its blade glinting in the dim light of the underwater barrier.
My powers have returned!!! Mingyu screamed in his head, disbelief written all over his face.
Meanwhile, on the surface, Jiang Yichen had arrived at the hill. Fearing the worst, he rushed down the hill to the lake’s edge, searching about for Mingyu.
"Mingyu!" He yelled out, but immediately slapped himself when he realized his mistake. Someone could be snooping around, and might hear him calling out the name of a supposedly dead assassin.
"Yinzhi!" He called out instead, continuing his search.
Jiang Yichen doubled over, gasping for breath after his frantic search. "Darn it," he muttered, his chest heaving with frustration. But as he stood there, his mind replayed his last words to Mingyu, and his frustration gave way to a crushing sense of guilt and anxiety. Then do just that!
"Where are you, Mingyu ? I didn’t mean it." He muttered, with his head faced down, his voice cracking with remorse.
The sound of dripping water and gentle ripples echoed through the air, catching Jiang Yichen’s attention, and he raised is head to see Mingyu emerging from the lake. His drenched robes clung to his body, and water dripped from his hair, rolling down his face.
Jiang Yichen’s lips parted, and an involuntary sigh of relief escaped his mouth at the sight of Mingyu, still alive and well. But then, something else caught his attention—something shocking.
Moon Shadow was in Mingyu’s hands, and it was no longer in its scabbard.
Mingyu’s eyes locked onto Jiang Yichen’s, his expression unreadable. He raised Moon Shadow, its silver glow blindingly bright, and pointed it upwards, with the tip of the sword aimed directly at Jiang Yichen.
Jiang Yichen’s heart skipped a beat as he felt a shiver run down his spine. He subconsciously swallowed in apprehension, not knowing what was running through Mingyu’s head.
"Scared?" Mingyu asked, a smug smile spreading across his face as he took a step forward. His eyes gleamed with amusement as he said, ""I already gave you my word that I would spare you if our paths were to cross again."
Mingyu’s steps suddenly faltered, and his eyes began to lose focus, as exhaustion from nowhere struck him. Before he knew it, Moon Shadow slipped from his fingers, and he collapsed with it to the ground as everything around him slowly dissolved into darkness.
