A few days passed and a grand funeral was held in Shrek Academy; elders, faculty members, students, representatives from certain organizations and countries, and even civilians attended to pay their respects.
The oceanic holy shield still stood firm around the academy and city, amazingly, it didn't stop people from coming in from outside.
Out of curiosity, someone tried attacking it and their attack rebounded on them, knocking them unconscious.
It was held in the inner courtyard; Sea God Island. As a special exception due to current matters, outer courtyard students and faculty members were allowed to enter the island while even civilians could enter the outer courtyard but of course it was heavily guarded, with Shrek City's army stationed along every entrance and key location to ensure no one was causing trouble.
No one dared to. The atmosphere in the academy was gloomy and heavy with mourning.
"Bohohoho. Pavilion Master...!"
"It's unfortunate I couldn't enjoy more conversations with you, great elder."
"E-Elder... I've heard about you for so long and I've admired you ever since. I regret not meeting you..."
"....Mu En. Although you were a pain in my ass, and the murderer of my brother. You are still the best fucking fighter I've ever known."
"Old friend... Please, say hello to Mu Chen for me will you?"
"Great-grandfather!!"
Loud cries and sobbing echoed from Sea God Island, no, all kinds of tearful mutters echoed throughout the entire academy.
"Teacher Mu," Huo Yuhao looked up at the golden statue of Mu En, his expression melancholic. The light breeze rustled his black robes and cupped his hands, bowing in respect.
"It was short, but I am truly honored to be your disciple."
Normally every generation of Pavilion Master that dies within the soil of the academy, they would release their martial soul at its fullest potential and be absorbed into the Golden Tree in order to help future generations.
But because they couldn't recover Mu En's body, Xuan Zi and the rest of the Sea God Pavilion elders decided on creating a statue of Mu En at the middle of where the Golden Tree was.
It wasn't particularly large or extravagant, Xuan Zi and the elders knew Mu En well and he'd be sure to kick up a fuss if he knew they made a hundred meter tall golden statue of him on the island.
Instead, it looked ordinary and humble. It was made from finely carved white marble, smooth and cool to the touch, its surface polished just enough to reflect light subtly. There were no ornate engravings or exaggerated embellishments—just careful craftsmanship and detailed quality.
Mu En's statue stood with a straightened posture, hands folded behind his back, wearing simple long robes that gently draped over his form. Every detail was rendered with care: the calm lines around his eyes, the slight curl at the corner of his lips, the composed strength in his posture. It seems like it was back before he received his fatal injuries that left him crippled for decades.
On his feet was a stone slab that reads:
[Mu En - A loving grandfather, father, friend, teacher, and guardian. May his eternal soul rest in the Divine Realm alongside his ancestors.]
No fancy titles. No list of achievements. Just short yet meaningful words that many people felt towards him.
Huo Yuhao lingered for a moment longer, his gaze fixed on those words.
It wasn't a tomb nor a grave, yet, this image reminded him greatly about his mother.
'Mom... I'm sorry it took me this long. I'll take you back from that house and be buried in the most beautiful and peaceful land that I've known.'
Huo Yuhao closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
There was a tiny voice in his head, muttering why he couldn't just revive his mother? With his Necromancy Magic or his Eye of Destiny that has the abilities of the Rinnegan and the Edo Tensei, he could easily resurrect his mother.
But he was afraid.
The world wasn't safe. There are hidden powers so powerful that they could target any of his loved ones at any moment in time, especially when his mother was just a normal human.
How could he bring her back to a world like this?
A world where Evil Soul Masters run rampant genocides.
A world where nations are on the brink of war.
A world where gods meddled behind the curtain of clouds in the sky, scheming for something grand and beyond mortal comprehension.
She deserved peace.
Not war. Not fear. Not being used as leverage against him.
And so, he swallowed that voice. Buried it.
But the ache remained.
Then came a familiar, burning sensation within his chest.
Vengeance.
Huo Yuhao glanced around him.
The continent's most powerful people arrived in Shrek Academy to pay their respects.
The respective emperors of the three Douluo empires and several of their high ranking officials, with numerous sect masters, other schools' members, and some hidden old monsters had attended the mourning. Heck, even Di Tian and Bi Ji are here, as well as the Illustrious Virtue Hall Master Jing Hongchen and some Sun Moon Empire officials.
To pay their respects to one of the most powerful and respected soul master experts in the world, they would bring up a temporary truce.
In another life, Mu En would've died a natural death of old age and there wouldn't be a grand funeral like this, and people all over the continent wouldn't be banded together to attend his funeral peacefully.
But in this life, he died a warrior's death protecting the innocent from the Evil Soul Masters.
How could the people not feel admiration and respect for him? He was a hero!
They didn't know him personally, but like how many would do when a hero of such valor dies—they mourn him.
'This is the perfect opportunity. Haaa. Teacher, what would you think of me if you knew about what I am about to do?' Huo Yuhao masked his true emotions with a saddened look.
Although what he was about to do is incredibly unethical and shameless, he didn't care.
At his core, he was always who he truly is.
A Shinobi.
"It has been long overdue," Huo Yuhao kept his head bowed, his eyes burning bright red. "This debt of life blood, will now be repaid."
Those who heard his mumbling, misunderstood him and thought he sought vengeance against the person who killed Mu En. However it wasn't that.
Huo Yuhao had plans for them however, it was why he asked Di Tian to let them off.
In this world where the strong has the biggest voice, Evil is more than necessary to continue existing.
Ma Xiaotao was the first one to step up beside him, with puffy red eyes, she said. "It's okay, Yuhao. Karma will catch up with them, and we.... are that karma. There will be blood."
"His body and soul will go up in flames. I, Ma Xiaotao, will personally see it happens."
Her voice trembled with exhaustion, but her eyes gleamed with cold, burning determination to see justice for Mu En.
On Huo Yuhao's other side, Wang Dong'er stood by him with a saddened look in her eyes and tears dripping. Although she looked devastated, she stood strong and held his shoulder.
"It'll be fine." There was a complicated look in her eyes.
With a 100% compatibility with their martial souls, how could Wang Dong'er not know what Huo Yuhao was thinking about? Although she has many questions, she trusted him wholeheartedly.
Although his methods are unorthodox and can be seen as evil to some, it was nonetheless for the sake and benefit of those he loves.
"...." Huo Yuhao slightly smiled at her and looked back towards Mu En's statue.
"I swear... No one else will die."
'The ones I care about that is,' Huo Yuhao looked up at the majestically large Golden Tree, its green leaves emitting a golden hue, giving off a divine and saintly aura.
Anyone who sees such a large divine tree would be filled with awe and wonder, he himself was also when he was ignorant, but now...
All he feels now is a deep chill in his heart.
'I wonder...was this also part of your schemes? Sea God, Tang San.'
'No matter what, I will try my best to go against the machinations of Gods. Only I, myself, can dictate my own destiny!'
Several hours later.
Thousands of kilometers away from here, hidden in the leaves near the area of the White Tiger Duke's Mansion, a pair of Sharingan eyes opened.
"Begin the operation." Huo Yuhao said with his Spiritual Sharing as he silently stood up.
"Remember the rules of this mission: one, stay your hands from the flesh of an innocent. There are civilians working here without personal connections to the targets.
Two, hide in plain sight and, if you are found, minimize your attacks as it connects to the next rule.
Third, never compromise the sect. Make sure no one knows that we were behind this.
Lastly, finish this as quickly as possible."
Huo Yuhao swiped his hand over his face, a flash of blue light and a white snake mask appeared and it was firmly attached to his face. He was dressed completely in black, showing nothing that affiliated him with his sect nor the hidden soul tools that were attached to his outfit.
This... This was a long time coming.
From the shadows of the tree leaves, numerous white masks with varying animal features appeared. They were at least seven.
It was enough. Huo Yuhao only brought them with him as support and camouflage.
"Yes, sect leader!"
Huo Yuhao let out a deep breath and looked up at the full moon in the sky.
The moon's light pierced through the leaves and shined upon Huo Yuhao. The moonlight and the atmosphere causes him to emit a very holy yet chilling presence—like a divine executioner cloaked in judgment.
If anyone had seen him at that moment, they wouldn't know whether to pray or flee.
The white snake mask, smooth and expressionless, reflected none of the emotion brewing beneath.
But inside, Huo Yuhao's heart was steel.
No hesitation. No mercy.
This wasn't some mission.
This. Is. Personal.
The clouds slowly drifted over, covering the moon and engulfing Huo Yuhao in total darkness.
There was no sound.
At that moment, a Grim Reaper appeared over the White Tiger Duke's Mansion.
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AN: I fucked up the date of release of this chapter, instead of june it went to fucking july! I didn't realize it until now. Haaa....