The Elder's face showed pity.
He raised his right hand, and a huge fireball appeared, then shot towards Himejima Shuri.
This was considered his final mercy.
The Himejima Family, representing the Vermilion Bird, was reborn through fire and would similarly end by fire.
A loud bang, and smoke and dust rose everywhere.
The Elder frowned.
"Who's there?!"
As the smoke and dust cleared,
a man was seen holding Himejima Shuri in a princess carry, smiling as he said, "That was close, that was close, I almost had to redo the mission."
This person was Ye Xiao.
Although he said it was close, it wouldn't have mattered if he hadn't made it in time; at worst, he could just reverse time and start over.
Ye Xiao scrutinized his mother-in-law, who looked exactly like Himejima Akeno, and the thought of a 'rice bowl' flashed through his mind.
But he quickly shook it off.
This one was a severe sadist; if it involved a small whip, he'd rather not.
"Sir, you intruded into the Himejima Family, aren't you afraid of offending the Himejima Family?!"
The Elder said, then looked at Ye Xiao with a solemn expression, the flames on his body intensifying.
This young man was unfathomable.
"I'm taking her with me today; let's see who dares to stop me."
Hearing Ye Xiao's words, the other fools were enraged, thinking, 'Ignoring the Himejima Family, you'll surely not return alive!'
"Intruders into the family die!"
"Kill him!"
"For the family!"
"For Miss Vermilion Bird!"
Everyone froze for a moment, then looked at the guy who was 'a toad wanting to eat swan meat.'
Perhaps feeling awkward about being stared at.
"Ahem, just kidding."
Then his expression hardened, pointing at Ye Xiao and shouting, "Hit him!"
"Beat him to death!"
Everyone cheered, then unleashed their spells and hurled them at Ye Xiao.
Ye Xiao shook his head as he looked at this group, a hint of disdain flashing in his eyes; they were just a bunch of dead people who should have been buried long ago.
Then, let's try the power of space-time.
"Time Stop."
As his words fell, everything around him instantly froze; the spells thrown at him hung suspended in mid-air.
And the people who used the spells were frozen in place.
Their faces bore expressions of anger and ferocity, as if they wanted to devour him.
Ye Xiao stood with his arms crossed, slowly pacing, observing these people.
Indeed, it was better for the Himejima Family's parasites to die.
He transferred his mother-in-law, who was in his arms, to Kamui Space, then a katana appeared in his hand.
Ye Xiao stroked the blade, then quickly drew and sheathed the sword.
As the sound of the sword returning to its sheath echoed, there seemed to be no change on those people.
But Ye Xiao was very satisfied, then snapped his fingers.
Time began to flow.
"You bastard, die for us!!!"
"Die!"
"......"
The Himejima Family disciples still wanted to say something, but the words wouldn't come out.
Numerous black lines appeared on their bodies, and then, before they could react, their bodies slowly slid apart like cut tofu.
The next moment, blood splattered, and dismembered limbs were scattered everywhere, a bloody and shocking scene.
Watching his own clansmen scattered across the ground, the Elder's eyes widened in rage, while also feeling a sense of lingering fear.
What kind of method was this, to be able to kill them without any warning?
"What did you do?!"
Ye Xiao chuckled softly: "Just sending them on their way."
The Elder was furious, the Vermilion Bird flames on his body surging.
"Ignorant brat, leave your life behind!"
Saying this, the Elder threw the flames in his hand towards Ye Xiao.
The flames transformed into a Vermilion Bird, rushing towards Ye Xiao with scorching heat.
Ye Xiao looked at the flames, a disdainful smile on his lips.
"Playing with fire in front of me? How bold of you."
Ye Xiao's body emitted Zhurong's flames; at this moment, Ye Xiao was like a fire god, and this Vermilion Bird flame seemed to possess intelligence, feeling fear.
At this moment, it bowed down before Ye Xiao.
The Elder looked at this scene with a solemn expression, while also feeling somewhat incredulous.
Who was this person in front of him?!
Onmyoji? Jujutsu sorcerer? Exorcist?
Countless identities flashed through the old man's mind, finally settling on the only impossible identity.
Godslayer—the Demon Lord of humanity!
"You figured it out?"
Hearing Ye Xiao's words, his eyes widened, sweat poured down his back, and he instantly knelt down, respectfully saying,
"The Himejima Family Elder, greets the King!"
Although the Himejima Family was a prominent family, to those who slayed gods and seized authority, they were merely insignificant and could be extinguished with a flick of a finger.
As for the dead clansmen.
What clansmen?
These were assassins who tried to assassinate the King and were summarily executed by the King.
Looking at the old man in front of him, Ye Xiao couldn't help but nod; he truly was a wise man who knew when to adapt.
Ye Xiao walked up to him and slowly said,
"Take me to see the Himejima Family Head."
"Yes!"
The Elder stood up and respectfully led the way: "This way, my Lord."
...
In the jungle, Himejima Akeno's short legs were running.
Behind her, a group of people in Himejima Family attire were chasing her.
Himejima Akeno's eyes were brimming with tears.
Her family just wanted to live peacefully, but why did it turn out like this?!
Was so-called bloodline really that important?!
Not far away, Grayfia and Rias watched little Zhu Nai.
A hybrid of human and Fallen Angel.
Truly a talented child.
Grayfia evaluated her internally.
And Rias, next to her, had a strong desire to acquire Himejima Akeno the moment she saw her.
There was an inexplicable feeling that she was destined to be her peerage.
"Sister Grayfia, I want her to be my peerage, can I?"
"Of course, I brought you here this time precisely to find her."
"That's great!"
Hearing Grayfia's words, Rias was very happy.
However, seeing Himejima Akeno, Rias said, "Let's go help her; no one can bully my peerage."
"No problem."
Little Zhu Nai ran breathlessly, but she was still a child.
Fireballs continuously shot from behind.
They exploded upon hitting the ground or trees.
As a large tree fell, it blocked her path.
"Little bastard, run, keep running!"
The leading man said disdainfully, while the others laughed heartily.
Just as little Zhu Nai was in despair,
a grayish-white magic power struck, instantly killing the leader.
"D-Demon! You dare to kill someone from our Himejima Family?!"
"When I return to report..."
Before he could finish, Grayfia raised her hand, and a massive Annihilation Ball appeared.
Everyone swallowed hard as they looked at Grayfia, who was surging with magic power.
"P-Pardon..."
Bang!
With a wave of her hand, magic power surged, and a deep pit appeared, leaving nothing behind.
Rias extended her hand towards Himejima Akeno.
"Hello, my name is Rias."
"H-Hello, my... my name is Himejima Akeno."
"Mm, I'll just call you Zhu Nai. Come with us; no one will bully you again."