Chapter 6: Gathering a Motley Crew of Followers

"Soul... Soul Emperor!!!"

No one could have imagined that such a small town, developed merely as a supply station for those entering the Sunset Forest, would harbor a powerful Soul Emperor. It must be known that a soul master of this rank is considered a regional hegemon throughout the entire Douluo Continent. Such powerhouses usually only operate within the Spirit Hall, the two great empires, or within certain sects and soul master academies. Even when they need to obtain soul rings, they have absolutely no need for temporary supplies.

"I didn't know a Soul Emperor had descended! Please, just treat what I said as nothing but hot air—spare me this once!"

The human trafficking gang consisted of three men. They were still clutching iron chains, the other ends of which were tethered to several children who looked even younger than Bei Bei. It seemed they intended to sell these children in more remote areas.

"Enough nonsense. Reveal your martial souls!"

Liu Erlong’s expression was icy. Her soul power far exceeded that of this group, so she could naturally sense the fluctuations of soul power coming from these disgusting individuals. She did this not out of consideration for some ridiculous rule about soul masters not attacking ordinary people, but simply to vent her rage on behalf of Jiang Bei Bei. Human traffickers are despised everywhere; letting them die so easily would be letting them off too lightly.

"This... Soul Emperor, we really didn't mean it! If we had known you were staying here, we wouldn't have dared to book the whole place even if we were given ten thousand guts!"

Even at death's door, these guys thought Liu Erlong was only attacking because her peace had been disturbed. They knelt on the ground, kowtowing repeatedly to beg for mercy.

"Since you won't reveal your martial souls, that suits me just fine!"

Following these cold words, Liu Erlong transformed into a fire dragon and charged straight at the three men.

"Martial Soul, Avatar!"

Facing a crisis, the three traffickers were terrified and quickly released their respective martial souls. To everyone's surprise, it was a combination of one Soul Sect and two Soul Elders—no wonder they were so arrogant before. Such strength could be considered the backbone of some factions. Unfortunately for them, they had encountered Liu Erlong—the Killing Horn in a state of blind fury.

*Thud! Thud! Thud!*

After three muffled sounds, these three despicable wretches had their soul power sealed and were hammered into the ground, leaving only their heads exposed. The iron chains they had been clutching were snatched away by Liu Erlong the moment they made contact and were tossed aside.

This fierce display stunned the innkeeper and the remaining guests, who quickly ducked their heads, terrified of being caught in the crossfire.

***

Liu Erlong stomped hard around the three heads, packing the earth to ensure there was no possibility of escape, before heading back toward her room. Some grievances were better left for Jiang Bei Bei to settle herself; it would be of great help in clearing her mental block. After seeing her go upstairs, everyone in the shop except for the owner scattered like birds and beasts; sleeping on the street was better than provoking such a terrifying killer.

Back in the room, Liu Erlong found Jiang Bei Bei leaning against the windowsill. It was clear that she had witnessed everything that had just transpired.

"Bei Bei, Mother has already subdued those bad guys for you. Don't be afraid; Mother will accompany you to finish them off."

Kindness is certainly a noble virtue, but to survive better on this continent, one cannot go their whole life without staining their hands with blood. Although Jiang Bei Bei was still young and this was a bit premature, the trauma the others had inflicted on her young heart had to be erased by her own hand.

"Thank you, Mother."

To Liu Erlong's surprise, her obedient daughter, who had always seemed "pitiful, weak, and helpless," spoke with an unexpectedly calm tone this time, showing not a hint of fear.

"Is the hatred too deep? Alas, poor child."

When the mother and daughter went back downstairs, they suddenly heard the clanking of iron chains, followed by the wailing and pleas of the three traffickers.

"Hm?"

As they approached, they realized that the group of children previously led by the traffickers were now acting like maniacs, using all their strength to swing the iron chains and smash them against the three heads protruding from the ground.

"Wait... wait!"

Now, Liu Erlong was anxious. This was something she had specifically prepared for Bei Bei. But when she rushed forward, she found that the three traffickers had already been beaten to a pulp, blood and gore splattered across the ground; there was absolutely no chance of survival.

Jiang Bei Bei, who had followed closely behind, immediately bent over and vomited violently at the sight. This scene was too graphic to even pass censorship in an anime! Even though she had lived two lives, both were in times of peace; how could she have ever seen something like this?

After killing the three traffickers, the group of already malnourished children lost their strength and slumped to the ground, their eyes vacant.

"Sigh!"

Ever since she had accepted Bei Bei as her daughter, the softness hidden in the depths of Liu Erlong's heart could no longer be concealed. Looking at this group of poor children, she signaled the innkeeper to call someone to clean up the scene. The entire process was filled with blood and mud, yet all the children, including Jiang Bei Bei, remained silent, just watching quietly.

***

"Children, I will find a way to help you find your biological parents..."

Before Liu Erlong could finish, she was interrupted by a slightly older boy.

"Auntie, we don't have parents anymore. They were all killed by these bad guys!"

At the boy's words, Liu Erlong froze. If that was the case, then what about Bei Bei's parents...? She didn't dare to think further, and her gaze toward Jiang Bei Bei became even more pained. Yes, what kind of desperate situation would force a six-year-old child to flee into the depths of a deadly soul beast forest?

After a long while, Liu Erlong finally regained her composure. She was just about to step forward and ask the children if they were willing to go back to the Lanba Academy with her, when Jiang Bei Bei suddenly hugged her.

"Mother, can you take them in? You told me yesterday that after becoming a soul master, one can receive a stipend. Bei Bei is willing to use her soul master stipend to take care of them!"

Jiang Bei Bei genuinely sympathized with these children who had suffered the same fate as her predecessor. Seeing that she was about to become a soul master, she wanted to do her part to help them.

"Bei Bei, Mother knows you are kind, but we must ask if they are willing..."

"I am willing!"
"As long as there is food to eat, I can do a lot of hard labor!"
"I can help you do some things that are inconvenient to bring into the light."

Upon hearing that they were willing to take them in, the trafficked children scrambled to their feet, fearing that if they were a second late, they would miss this golden opportunity.

The only exception was the boy who had spoken up earlier. His eyes were not clear like a normal child's; instead, a gloomy, dark aura radiated from him.

"What is your name?" Jiang Bei Bei asked curiously.

"My name is Ye You—'Ye' for the dark night, 'You' for the gloomy shadows. There are more than just these three in this trafficking ring. I can lead you to the others, as long as you let me kill them with my own hands!"

The boy named Ye You exuded a thick, murderous aura that no child of his age should possess.