The skull chuckled darkly its tone had again changed with mischief. “Ah my dear inheritor, you’re learning from such a poetic end for the poor soul.


    Chen Zhe grimaced. “Could you not Keep quiet?”


    “Oh, don’t be like that.” the skull retorted its voice suddenly shifting to a child.


    Ignoring the skull’s antics, Chen Zhe advanced. Ahead, he saw Tian Lou bloodied but battling the three enemies. His sword swung in wide arcs desperate to fend them off. Nearby, Tian Lan with her injuries severe was slumped against a tree.


    Chen Zhe clenched his fists. He could feel the power coursing through him, the legacy of the Scarlet Demon amplifying his strength. Again the skull spoke but this time with a his real voice. “Remember your strength boy, it comes at a cost.


    Chen Zhe nodded subtly taking a deep breath to steady himself before charging forward.


    The spearman noticed Chen Zhe approaching and sneered. “You? How did this useless archaeologist survive the beasts and make it here unscathed?”


    Chen Zhe stepped forward his expression calm.


    The non-combatants in the enemy group laughed mockingly. “He’s got a death wish. He could have escaped from us but he is throwing himself here just to die.”


    Behind him, Tian Lou managed to lift his head weakly.But Chen Zhe ignored the warnings. As the spearman pushed forward at him aiming a deadly strike toward his head, Chen Zhe tilted his head with precision and caught the spear mid-thrust. With a strong pull, he got the spear in his hand and he got the weapon from the attacker''s grip.


    The spearman barely had time to react before Chen Zhe moved like an expert . A streak of crimson flashed as the spear found its mark. The spearman’s headless body slumped to the ground and blood splattered across Chen Zhe’s face.


    The skull’s voice broke into wild laughter now sounding like a teenager. “Oh man! Did you see that? Boom headless one like me. You’re really getting the same vibe as my master. Keep at it, brat.”


    Chen Zhe wiped the blood from his face, his eyes cold.


    Tian Lou lying on the ground watched in awe and disbelief. “Is this... really Chen Zhe?”


    The axe-wielders moved in flow attacking him from both sides. Chen Zhe parried one strike with the spear with his shift movements.Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.


    The skull spoke up again its voice now sounded like an elder. “Sloppy footwork, boy.


    Chen Zhe growled under his breath. “If you’re not going to help, at least don’t distract me.”


    “Distract you? Me? Never ever lie again.” The skull’s tone shifted once more “I’m your fan now Go get him Chen Zhe Rah rah raaa!”


    Chen Zhe exhaled sharply focusing his qi.


    “Wait.” the captain said raising his hands. “We don’t need to fight.


    Chen Zhe’s grip on the spear tightened. “You think I’d believe that?”


    The captain laughed nervously. “I’m serious. No tricks.”


    But as Chen Zhe prepared to strike, the captain’s blade suddenly turned but not towards Chen Zhe but toward his remaining ally.


    Before the strike could land, the other man retaliated plunging his weapon into the captain’s side. The betrayal played out in an instant, leaving both men mortally wounded.


    Chen Zhe stood still processing the scene.


    The skull’s voice turned smug sounding like a jester reveling in chaos. “Oh, the beauty of greed. They couldn’t even trust each other. Such poetic irony, don’t you think?”


    Chen Zhe approached cautiously ensuring both men were truly dead before turning to Tian Lou and Tian Lan.


    With the immediate danger gone, Chen Zhe helped Tian Lou to his feet and carried Tian Lan on his back. The skull, now adopting a soothing grandfatherly tone began speaking again.


    “Ah, young one, you’ve seen the truth of the world today.


    Chen Zhe shook his head unsure whether to laugh or be concerned.


    “Strange?” the skull said with its voice suddenly playful. “Strange is just another word for special.”


    As they moved away from the battleground, the skull whispered something chilling. “You should know... that man who killed the captain?


    Chen Zhe’s steps faltered. The weight of the skull’s words settled on him like a heavy cloak. He glanced at the smoking remains of the battlefield, a sinking feeling in his chest. What had he truly inherited?