As the disciples charged towards him, Wang Chen smirked and muttered under his breath, "Looks like the party's just getting started." He met their attack head-on, effortlessly deflecting their strikes with his sword. The disciples were clearly outmatched, and their frustration began to show.

"Come on, is that all you've got?" Wang Chen taunted, as he dodged a particularly clumsy blow. "I was hoping for a little bit more of a challenge." He struck back with lightning-fast strikes, each blow hitting its mark with deadly accuracy.

The sound of metal clashing filled the air, as the disciples continued to press their attack. But Wang Chen was a master of his craft, and his movements were as fluid and graceful as a river. He seemed to be enjoying himself, a wicked grin on his face as he danced between his opponents.

The disciples were no match for Wang Chen's skill and strength. One by one, they fell to his sword, their bodies collapsing to the ground in a heap.

The air was thick with the smell of blood and sweat, as Wang Chen stood victorious in the midst of the carnage. He wiped his sword clean on a fallen disciple's robe and sheathed it with a satisfied sigh. "Well, that was fun. Now, where were we?"

Finally, only one disciple remained standing, his eyes wide with fear as he watched his comrades fall. He was the one they called Brother Zhu.

Zhu glared at Wang Chen, his hands shaking. "You...you're a monster!"

Wang Chen sheathed his sword and approached Zhu, a smile playing at the corners of his lips. "Well, well, well, looks like you're the last one standing," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "But don't worry, I'm not going to kill you...yet."

Zhu gritted his teeth, his face contorted with anger. "You'll pay for this! I'll make sure of it!"

Wang Chen chuckled. "Is that so? Well, let's see what you've got."

Zhu charged at Wang Chen, his weapon raised high. But Wang Chen was too fast for him. He dodged the attack easily and struck back with a swift blow that knocked Zhu to the ground.

Wang Chen stood over him, his sword pointed at Zhu's throat. "Now, now. Let's not be hasty. I have a proposition for you."

Zhu looked up at him, his eyes filled with hatred. "I'll never join you!"

Wang Chen just laughed. "Oh, I'm not asking you to join me. I just want some information. You see, I'm looking for something, and I have a feeling you might know where it is."

Zhu scowled. "I'll never tell you anything!"historical

He walked towards Zhu, who was lying on the ground, clutching his wounds and gasping for air. He knelt down beside him and grabbed him by the hair, pulling his head up.

Zhu's eyes widened in terror as he felt Wang Chen's sharp nails digging into his flesh. He let out a scream of pain, but Wang Chen only laughed.

"You think that hurts? You haven't seen anything yet."

Wang Chen began to peel away at Zhu's skin, causing him to cry out in agony.

"Here, take this. It will heal your wounds."

Zhu gasped in relief and swallowed the pill, feeling his injuries mend instantly.

But the relief was short-lived as Wang Chen started torturing him again, each round more brutal than the last.

He would pause every once in a while to give Zhu a healing pill to keep him alive, only to continue the torture once he had recovered a bit.

"J-Just kill me. If I reveal something crucial, it will be considered as betrayal and it will break the Heaven's oath. So, I would die anyway. Please, don't torture me," Zhu pleaded, his voice trembling.

Wang Chen paused, considering his words. He knew that Zhu was right.

Wang Chen's eyes narrowed as he looked at Zhu, who was still recovering from the torture. "Do you know where Yue Mingluan went?" he asked.

Zhu blinked, confused. "That's what you wanted to know? Why didn't you ask earlier?" he muttered under his breath.

"I am asking now," Wang Chen snapped, his tone cold and menacing. "Tell me, in which direction did Yue Mingluan go? And don't make me repeat myself or I'll have to resort to more... persuasive methods."

Zhu gulped, his fear returning. "He went north," he stammered, hoping that this answer would satisfy Wang Chen and spare him from further torture.

Wang Chen pondered for a moment, then turned his gaze towards Zhu. "I can offer you a chance at life, but you will have to do something for me."

Zhu shook his head. "I have taken an oath to the heavens, I cannot betray my faction now. My life is already forfeit."

"I'm not asking you to betray your faction," Wang Chen replied coolly. "I know that you were planning to gather all the disciples in the south direction to warn them of my trap. Am I right?"

Zhu remained silent, his eyes downcast.

Wang Chen's eyes narrowed into slits as he scrutinized Zhu's expression. His voice, cold and commanding, pierced through the silence. "I need you to gather all the disciples in that location," he said, pointing to a spot on the map with his index finger, "within the next four hours. Can you do that?" The air around them seemed to thicken with tension, as Wang Chen waited for Zhu's response.

Zhu hesitated for a moment, unsure if he could trust Wang Chen. But the look in Wang Chen's eyes convinced him that he had no choice. "Yes, I can do that," he replied, his voice barely above a whisper.

Wang Chen wasn't convinced. "I can't trust you, Zhu. You could easily betray me. I need you to take a Heaven's oath that you will do what I ask," he declared firmly.

Zhu's heart sank at the thought of taking a Heaven's oath. He knew it was a serious and binding oath, and he didn't want to betray his faction. But he also knew that if he didn't take the oath, Wang Chen would never believe him. After a moment of hesitation, Zhu nodded his head and took the oath.

As soon as the oath was complete, Wang Chen turned and left without a word. Zhu watched him go, feeling a sense of unease settling in his gut. He knew that he had just made a deal with the devil, and he wasn't sure if he would be able to keep his end of the bargain.

[A/N:-

MONTHLY GOAL :-

100GT - 1 Bonus Chapter

200GT - 2 Bonus Chapter

500 PS - 1 Bonus Chapter

800 PS -2 Bonus Chapter

1 Magic castle - 5 Bonus Chapters ]