Dual Cultivation God Returns Chapter 1026: Wake up call

“You idiot! Imbecile! Useless trash!”, bellowed the Leader of the Iron Claw Group at full throttle toward Chief Go Ritian, who knelt holding a cloth bearing the remnants of the leader’s son, while three other Chiefs lingered nearby alongside the brother of the slain one.

Tiezhu Han, the leader, boasted a burly physique and rugged visage, exuding the intimidating presence of a savage, battle-scarred brute. Nevertheless, he wore lavish attire that clashed terribly with his brutal countenance and vibe, turning his appearance into something faintly absurd rather than the majestic nobility he desired. He resembled more a hill robber who had pilfered a lord’s wardrobe and piled on the flashiest items devoid of any fashion sense.

The sole indicator of his true nature remained the Iron Claw, displayed in its brutal, bare, and threatening state. Rather than a mere gauntlet on his left arm, his whole limb from the shoulder downward formed a Spiritual Treasure he acquired from an ancient ruin in his youth.

Those metal digits could shift from ordinary human fingers to razor-sharp claws, yet either shape proved deadly as any blade.

That very metallic hand now jabbed at Go Ritian’s forehead, “Not only did you botch your mission against the Crystal Wood Sect, you let my son get slain right before your eyes, and worst of all! You made us… made ME look like a goddamn joke! Have you got any brains in that skull?!”

Tiezhu In, the other son, remained frozen in feigned shock with a sorrowful look. Yet he deceived nobody present; the delight in his gaze betrayed him as he eyed the burnt corpse of his chief competitor for their father’s seat. It was a feat of restraint that his mouth didn’t twitch into a sly grin.

The three other Chiefs wore solemn faces. Failure on this scale aside, Go Ritian ranked among them, and witnessing him berated like a mere grunt brought no joy or comfort.

“Ahem, Leader”, one ventured, “The fact that Chief Go lost his arm…”

“Right! He lost an arm too! The claw arm!!!” Tiezhu Han whipped a feral glare his way, “Can you fucking believe it?!”

“That implies the foe was quite formidable”, another Chief added with caution.

“So? Was he?”, As the trio of Chiefs applied subtle pressure, Tiezhu Han reined in his fury a touch, swiveling back to Go Ritian for answers. His voice stayed wrathful, yet he appeared open to hearing more.

“He blurred into motion, leaving me no chance to respond… I reckon he matched close to Leader’s peak velocity”, Go Ritian offered a measured reply.

“What?! An Essence Ignition Realm powerhouse?! Didn’t you claim he was just an Essence Awakening Realm kid, right at the entrance even!”, Tiezhu Han scowled while the other three Chiefs, backing their ally, revealed hints of doubt on their expressions.

“H-he’s a L-lightning Cultivator”

“Tsk…”, Tiezhu Han spun away, pacing a few irritated strides, “Then it could happen… had to be the cursed rarest scenario… with a matching supreme inheritance plus solid body refinement… it’s no shock he hits speeds of the lag slowest Essence Ignition Realm experts fresh into Essence Awakening…”

At last he settled sufficiently to sense the faint Lightning aura clinging to the scorched body.

“And the men? I dispatched a dozen but you returned with only half!”

“Ah… about that…”, Chief Go’s eyes shadowed once more as memories of the aftermath resurfaced.

—

“You there”, Wu Long summoned, freezing every Iron Claw Group member on site, including Chief Go, “My stunning Blade Empress graciously let you live despite her foul temper matching mine after our interruption. She showed mercy since you merely obeyed commands”

A golden flicker danced in Nie Xiwang’s eyes as she averted them with an arrogant pout, arms folded across her chest, as though he overstated a trivial matter.

The fighters traded looks, recalling how the ravishing beauty had held back from harming or slaying them despite her initial rage, and then lowered their heads, murmuring thanks and cries, many uttering “Thank you, Blade Empress”

“Mm, with her choice made, I’d loathe to waste it”, Wu Long nodded approvingly. “You all realize what awaits in Iron Claw City just for witnessing that fool’s demise…”

Go Ritian had already figured out the situation, yet he stayed silent as Wu Long fixed his gaze on him and pressed on, “… but you also can’t not return because of a certain someone… so, how about I’ll give you a chance? Stay behind and I promise that I will let you go after this guy departs the city. It would be easy for you to lay low for a few decades lost somewhere around the continent”

Iron Claw Group warriors swapped glances again, this time brimming with uncertainty. Yet not a single one could challenge Wu Long’s harsh truth regarding their destiny if they returned home. Soon, one advanced to accept his offer with gratitude. That single act shattered the barrier, as the remaining five followed one after another, drawing a furious glare from Chief Go.

“You have an objection?”, Wu Long arched his eyebrow, then snatched the severed arm and swung it in a farewell wave, “I advise you just part your ways with them here nicely, I gave them my word they would be safe from you until you leave this city, so they will be safe from you until you do”

—

Ko Zhumen smirked through his son’s report, erupting into outright snickers by the conclusion, “Kukuku Tiezhu Han’s going to throw a fit. I don’t like that it happened within our City, on your eyes no less, but we can’t do much against a close associate of the prince anyway, so I’ll let it go”

“You may leave”, he dismissed with a wave of his hand, eyes shifting to the scrolls on his desk, but as Ko Gunwen spun to depart the chamber, he called out to his retreating back, “And for Heaven’s sake, wear something to cover that hideous thing! You’re such an embarrassment…”

Ko Gunwen paused, glancing back to note his father hadn’t lifted his gaze from the documents for that jab, before resuming his exit through the door.

No remnants of devastation or burden from his father’s past disapproval showed in his eyes. No grief over the lack of concern for his near-death encounter. No hollow void from absent affection or tenderness. And no sting from those parting words.

His thoughts were consumed by far different matters.

Indeed, he had ditched the mask.

Since that fateful night, the palm mark on his face no longer compelled him to conceal it or wince at his mirror image; instead, he bore it proudly in the open.

To him, it transformed into a badge of honor, proof of his second lease on life, a symbol that he had evaded the grim end of Tiezhu Bo witnessed that day. It stood as the remnant of his initial rude awakening, grasped in full only now following a second harsh lesson.

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