Paragon Of Sin Chapter 1 - 1: Wei Wuyin

"No..."

Plop. Plop. Plop.

The rhythmic sound of crimson blood hitting the cold ceramic tiles echoed through the hall. A deathly stillness settled over the night air.

A male corpse lay sprawled across the floor. His hands were frozen in a desperate grip around his own throat, his eyes bulging like full moons. The bloodshot veins in his gaze were saturated with a mix of venomous hatred and shock, as if he simply could not fathom dying in such a manner.

The falling droplets came from a blade with a brilliant, pure silver luster. Gripping the saber was a young man.

His hair was dark as a moonless night, contrasting sharply with silver eyes that shone with an improbable purity. Completely unclothed and holding nothing but his weapon, he stood tall, staring down at the body. A faint, gentle, and innocent smile played upon his lips.

The metallic scent of blood reached his nose, yet he remained entirely unfazed. His gaze shifted downward toward the only other living person in the room. A young girl knelt just inches away, also naked. Her mouth hung open, dripping with a shameful liquid.

Her eyes were wide with trauma, tears on the verge of erupting. The reality of the situation seemed impossible to her, like a horrific nightmare from which she desperately prayed to wake.

"S-senior br-brother... Yu..." she stammered, her voice cracking with grief and disbelief. Her mind fractured as she struggled to process the scene. Memories of the past and recent tragedies collided, sending a tidal wave of despair through her soul.

She remembered their first encounter during the sect selections on a crisp autumn morning. Though he seemed ordinary then, he possessed a hidden spark that drew her in. Through sheer determination, he had climbed the ranks of cultivation with explosive momentum, eventually winning her heart completely.

It had felt like destiny. In his arms, she had found nothing but joy. Then, the darkness arrived.

It was the classic tragedy of the cultivation world. A more powerful rival Sect had manufactured excuses to declare war. In a predictable slaughter, the Sect’s wealth was plundered, while her fellow disciples—both junior and senior—were butchered, enslaved, or forced into hiding.

She and her beloved, Senior Brother Yu Jin, had fled together after their Sect fell. He had fought valiantly, taking the lives of many enemies and surviving several pursuits. Until now.

She looked up at the young man standing over them. His black hair was long and wild, and his shimmering silver eyes seemed to pierce through the gloom of the world. He was a core disciple of the enemy Sect, the one who had hunted them down and captured her.

Once caught, her life was no longer her own. She was a victim of war, a victim of the weak, and she knew the specific horrors reserved for women in such a position. Yet, she had clung to the hope, with every fiber of her being, that Yu Jin would come to her rescue.

She had placed all her faith in him.

She had believed.

And her Senior Brother Yu Jin had indeed arrived, appearing with a hero’s entrance and a murderous aura. Just moments ago, despite her current degradation, a small spark of happiness had flickered within her.

Then, with a single flash of a saber, hell had claimed him.

The young man offered a slight smile, looking down at her as if he hadn't just ended her lover’s life.

"You can continue."

His command made her shudder as the foul taste she had momentarily ignored flooded back. The disgusting memories returned like a breaking dam.

She had done the unthinkable just to stay alive, hoping to stall for time. Her eyes now burned with a thick, uncontrollable loathing. An intense killing intent ignited within her—a desperate resolve to seek vengeance for her Senior Brother, even if it cost her life.

But when her gaze met the cold reflection of his saber, her bravery vanished like a burst bubble. Reality hit her hard. Given her cultivation level and strength, any attempt to attack at this range would result in her immediate decapitation.

Suddenly, her eyes locked onto the young man’s groin. It was exceptionally well-endowed, a specimen of divine craftsmanship that any man would envy. It was a glimmer of a different kind of opportunity.

Knowing her life—or at least her freedom—was over, she refused to let this man walk away unscathed. Moving with sudden desperation, she lunged, intending to use her teeth to tear away the one thing that would cause him the most agony.

"Sigh..." A soft breath, like the whisper of a reaper, reached her ears. Panic seized the girl as she threw herself forward, but a streak of silver light danced across her throat. Before she could complete her move, her head detached from her neck and hit the ceramic floor with a dull thud.

The momentum caused it to roll slowly, only stopping when her wide, frantic eyes were level with the corpse of Yu Jin.

"At least you'll be reunited in death." The young man with the silver eyes and lean frame flicked his wrist. A whistling sound followed as he swung his saber, clearing the blood from the blade until the silver surface was spotless.

"Wei Wuyin, are you decent yet?" A soft, melodic voice drifted into the hall. A muscular figure appeared at the entrance, his bronze skin covered in scars and draped in scarlet furs.

The young man, Wei Wuyin, looked toward the newcomer with irritation. Despite the feminine tone of the voice, the man’s presence radiated raw masculinity.

Wei Wuyin snorted coldly. "It looks like your Yin Echo Method has reached a new level." With a flick of his hand, a scarlet robe emerged from his storage ring. He began to dress himself with measured movements.

The attire, including the scarlet robe, bore the colors and emblem of his Sect. On the back was the image of a legendary black dire wolf perched on a mountain, its claws extended in a lethal pounce. Its eyes were depicted with a terrifying, murderous intensity.

"It has. Are you envious?" the man with the feminine voice teased, letting out a deep, boisterous laugh.

"Envious?" Wei Wuyin chuckled as if he’d heard a ridiculous joke. He then glanced down at the young man with the slit throat. "Chu Yan, was it really necessary to bait him here? It’s not like he actually posed a threat to me."

Chu Yan’s expression soured. A momentary flash of disappointment crossed his features before he masked it with indifference. "I don't know what you're talking about. This kid used some strange trick to slip past our perimeter and enter your temporary quarters. How could I have known? I only realized something was wrong when I felt a surge of Qi."

His words were a blatant lie. His body language practically screamed his guilt, but he clearly didn't care.

Wei Wuyin didn't bother looking at him, treating the man’s reaction as beneath notice. "You'll be punished for your 'negligence.' Now, get this mess cleaned up." Giving the order, he started walking toward the door where Chu Yan stood.

"As you wish," Chu Yan replied with mocking respect. The penalty for negligence was merely a loss of cultivation resources—a minor setback. He stepped forward to begin the task.

As Wei Wuyin brushed past Chu Yan, his gaze suddenly sharpened with a lethal, terrifying light.

Slink!

A sudden sense of impending doom washed over Chu Yan, who hadn't expected Wei Wuyin to strike so abruptly. Before he could even twitch, a blade was shoved through his temple, piercing his brain. A lifetime of regrets and memories flashed through his mind in the instant before everything was obliterated. They would remain forever unspoken.

As Chu Yan’s body collapsed, his head a mangled mess, Wei Wuyin cleared his throat and spat on the remains. "You spoiled my mood. Why should you get to live? Garbage."

With a relaxed stride, Wei Wuyin walked out to meet the guards stationed at his door. He scanned their faces, memorizing each one. "Lieutenant Chu Yan was killed in a surprise attack by an infiltrator. I have executed the intruder. Dispose of the bodies; I will handle the report to the Sect."

The guards stood frozen, their mouths hanging open. While they never expected Wei Wuyin to lose to an assassin, they were stunned that Chu Yan had fallen to his own plot. A cold shiver ran down their spines as they felt the shadow of disaster looming over them.

-----

Autumn had arrived. The leaves were turning vibrant shades, swirling in the breeze like tiny spirits. The air was filled with a sharp, crisp scent, and the landscape was a mosaic of red, yellow, purple, black, blue, orange, and brown.

Perched on a thick, high branch, Wei Wuyin observed his surroundings in silence. A camp sat a short distance away, populated by a mix of young and old cultivators. They were all dressed in purple uniforms featuring a crescent moon insignia.

No one in the camp noticed his presence as he watched them with a calculating gaze.

"The final camp..." he whispered with a hint of scorn. His own organization, the Scarlet Solaris Sect—represented by the Legendary Dire Wolf—had declared war on this Violet Moon Sect. While many official justifications had been given for the conflict, he knew the real reason.

It was all over a woman.

A very specific, very remarkable woman.

She was a direct relative of the Violet Moon Sect Leader—perhaps a sister or a granddaughter. She was born with immense talent and a beauty that rivaled a celestial fairy, backed by a powerful family. She was incredibly fortunate. However, in a world where the strong dominate the weak, such beauty and talent were magnets for greed and lust.

And her current situation?

He was certain she had already been caught and presented to the Young Master of his Sect as a trophy. She was destined to be a plaything, a prisoner kept for the pleasure of her captor.

Wei Wuyin looked up at the pale blue sky and sighed. A look of pity crossed his face. "She's wasted on that idiot. If she were with me..." A dark, cruel smile spread across his face. His eyes glinted with a predatory hunger. Licking his lips, he opened his hand.

With a small pulse of Qi, a perfect red apple materialized in his palm.

Crunch!

He took a large, noisy bite. The sound alerted the camp below. Several guards looked toward the tree, their eyes widening in terror. The scarlet clothing that featured in their worst nightmares was impossible to miss.

He grinned, juice from the fruit staining his lips.

"Hello."

"Enemy! ENEMY! ENEMY!!!" the most alert guard screamed at the top of his lungs. He didn't wait, immediately sprinting toward a planned escape route. He clearly felt his only duty was to sound the alarm, leaving everyone else to their fate. His survival instinct was sharp.

"Impressive," Wei Wuyin remarked. Such decisiveness was rare among cultivators. "Slay the ones who fight. Take the rest alive." Compared to the guard’s hysterical shouting, Wei Wuyin’s voice was calm and casual, as if he were discussing a mundane chore.

Swish! Swish! Swish!

Blurs of scarlet erupted from the brush, surrounding the camp. The members of his Sect lunged like hungry Dire Wolves. They drew their sabers and swords, striking with lethal precision.

Anyone who looked like they might resist was cut down, their blood soaking into the fallen autumn leaves.

Wei Wuyin watched the spray of blood, the agonizing screams, and the pervasive sense of hopelessness. To him, it was almost... artistic.

"Hm?"

Something caught his attention. A metal cage, roughly five meters on each side, sat at the edge of the camp. It appeared these weak cultivators had been hauling it with them. As a Core Disciple and the leader of this operation, he didn't need to oversee every detail of the slaughter.

He tossed his half-eaten apple aside and jumped down. He strolled casually through the carnage and suffering. His subordinates were efficient, moving around him to finish off the remaining defenders.

"Please, help me!" A woman in her early twenties saw Wei Wuyin’s relaxed walk and realized he was her only hope. She didn't try to run, knowing she couldn't outpace him. Instead, she gambled on his mercy.

She threw herself at his feet, blocking his path. Before she could say another word, several blades from the nearby disciples were already closing in on her with lethal intent.

She let out a sharp cry.

Wei Wuyin frowned and flicked his hand at the last moment. One blade was already a hair's breadth from her back. The woman holding it had a cold, robotic expression. They all stopped instantly, looking up at Wei Wuyin’s tall frame and commanding presence.

Wei Wuyin looked down at the trembling woman and smiled. He knelt. Reaching out with his right hand, he summoned another ripe red apple.

"Hungry?" he asked.

The woman was stunned, her mind momentarily blank until a nearby scream and the sound of a head hitting the ground snapped her back to the present. A middle-aged man’s head rolled past her, making her heart feel as though a snake were squeezing it.

Was this her end?

She refused to accept it!

She nodded frantically at Wei Wuyin, her eyes filled with a desperate mixture of hope and terror. She grabbed the apple as if it were a lifeline and took a bite immediately.

"Mn. Keep her alive," Wei Wuyin commanded. His followers bowed. Before the woman could even thank him, the cold-eyed female disciple struck her on the back of the head, knocking her out. She slung the woman over her shoulder and moved on.

The others offered a quick salute and returned to the mop-up operation. Wei Wuyin ignored them, focusing on the square cage.

The cage was rusted, featuring a sliding door and a tiny window. It was the only source of light and air for whatever was inside. He ran a finger over the metal and paused in surprise.

"Froststeel?" Wei Wuyin knew this material was used for torment. Froststeel maintained a freezing temperature regardless of the season. It wouldn't even warm up in a standard fire; it required intense heat far beyond normal melting points to be shaped.

He grimaced. Being locked in a box made of this stuff would be a frozen purgatory.

His interest was piqued. Why would a group of refugees be lugging around a cage like this, and who was inside?

He grabbed the handle and slid the door open. A thick darkness filled the frozen interior. When he exhaled, a cloud of frost appeared.

"Cold..." he muttered, summoning a silver saber into his hand. He stepped inside, peering into the shadows. The cage was small, yet it felt strangely empty.

"Aaah!" A sudden, piercing shriek made him spin around, his blade slashing through the air. However, he hit nothing but the freezing atmosphere and the metal walls.

Before he could adjust, he felt someone behind him. A sharp pain lanced through his neck, and his eyes snapped wide. With a guttural roar, he released a burst of Qi from his acupuncture points, an explosion of force radiating from his body.

A dark shape was thrown back, slamming into the wall. The sound of bones snapping followed, but there was no cry of pain. Wei Wuyin winced as his neck burned, the injury fueling a sudden, violent rage.

Clutching his throat, he leveled his saber at the figure. His eyes burned with fury and a desire to kill.

But all he heard was the sound of insane laughter.

As his eyes adjusted, he saw it was a man. A young man, perhaps his own age, but he was skeletal and malnourished. His eyes were dark and hollow, and his long silver hair was a matted, filthy mess.

He was naked, his bare skin pressed against the freezing Froststeel. His flesh was shriveled and covered in frostbite. Wei Wuyin could see the evidence of heavy torture—scars and bruises mapped out across his body like a network of roads.

The sound of the laughter dampened Wei Wuyin's rage, replaced by curiosity. He kept pressure on his bleeding neck and narrowed his eyes.

"Why are you here?" he demanded.

"Why are you here?" the man mimicked in a raspy, broken voice that dripped with madness.

Wei Wuyin lashed out with a kick. His foot moved with the speed of a gale, striking the man’s head. The impact of bone on bone was sickening. The man’s head snapped back, colliding hard with the Froststeel wall.

Bang!

"Why are you here?" Wei Wuyin asked again.

The young man slumped, barely conscious and unable to answer.

Bang!

Wei Wuyin kicked him a second time.

"Why are you here?"

This time,