The more someone holds power over life and death, the more unbearable they become when faced with their own death and destruction.
Because they are used to being the arbiters of fate, once they can no longer control their fate, the helplessness and fear penetrate deeply into their bones.
The behavior of these men in black once again confirmed this point.
When they witnessed their revered giant python being skinned and gutted by this young boy, they were so terrified that they didn’t dare to move, collapsing on the ground like a puddle of mud.
Zhao Ya had made it clear earlier that without his permission, any unnecessary movement would be considered an escape attempt.
And the bloody outcome of defying his order was right before their eyes.
Combined with the oppressive aura of Zhao Ya’s murderous intent, these people knew that continuing on this path meant waiting for death, yet they dared not entertain the slightest thought of resistance.
At this moment, Zhao Ya strolled toward them, a short knife in his hand still dripping snake blood, sizzling as it corroded the stone floor.
With each step, the hearts of these men in black trembled.
Finally, Zhao Ya stopped and addressed the old man with a youthful gaze kneeling in the front.
"Do you remember Wu Bao’Er?"
Upon hearing this name, the man in black shuddered violently, his eyes filled with horror. He prostrated on the ground, speaking in an extremely humble tone.
"I... I know her. Sir, were you a friend of Wu Bao’Er?"
"No, I was her master!"
This response shocked the men in black further, but also brought a glimmer of hope to their hearts.
Perhaps... this grim reaper has other thoughts, which means there might still be a chance for them to survive.
However, just then, Zhao Ya, having confirmed the answer, wasted no more words. With a slight flip of his wrist, the man kneeling in front lost his head without a sound.
"The High Priest!" someone among the men in black exclaimed in shock.
Some were so terrified they wet themselves.
Zhao Ya had no interest in speaking further with them.
Since it was confirmed that these people were the ones who persecuted Wu Bao’Er and her mother, it also proved that the so-called priests of the Python God Sect were all here.
Therefore, without waiting for them to react, Zhao Ya swiftly decapitated them all as if chopping vegetables.
In an instant, heads rolled, and blood flowed all over the place.
Some of them, even in the final moments, had expressions frozen with endless fear and reluctance.
But none of that mattered anymore.
Those who cruelly harm others will themselves be slain, which serves them right.
After dealing with the aftermath, Zhao Ya did not rush to leave but instead started inspecting the hall.
As expected, Zhao Ya soon found a large fortune in a corner of the hall.
These should be the wealth plundered by the Python God Sect from various places. Zhao Ya had no reservations and directly used the stripped snake skin to wrap up all the precious and valuable items.
Then Zhao Ya set up incendiaries on the giant python’s body and various parts of the hall. After ensuring nothing was missed, he left the hall.
After walking some distance, Zhao Ya pulled out two enhanced Thunder Bombs and tossed them in before turning and fleeing.
Moments later, a thunderous explosion echoed from behind, followed by a massive wave of air that propelled Zhao Ya forward by over ten meters.
Looking back, he saw the hall engulfed in raging flames, mostly destroyed and beyond any possibility of restoration.
Only then did Zhao Ya finally feel at ease and quickly stepped outside.
Upon returning to the area where the maggots were, he found them all dead, having shriveled into dry husks.
It seemed these maggots were directly connected to the giant python, otherwise, they wouldn’t have died for no reason.
But it no longer mattered if they were or not.
Even though these insects had turned into withered carcasses, Zhao Ya unhesitatingly gifted them a few Thunder Bombs to eliminate any future threat completely.
Since using them a few times in Wuyang Sea, Zhao Ya had grown increasingly fond of the Thunder Bombs.
Not only do they pack enough power, but the high temperature during the explosion also ensures all traces are eradicated—an essential tool for murder, destruction, and robbery.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
A series of tremendous explosions echoed from behind, but Zhao Ya didn’t even glance back. He advanced rapidly.
Real men never look back at explosions.
The more pressing reason, however, was the continually falling stone debris from above.
Due to repeatedly detonating Thunder Bombs, the cave’s structure had become very unstable.
Simply put, it was on the verge of collapse.
Yet Zhao Ya wasn’t overly worried, nor did he discard the snake skin pouch on his back. Instead, he navigated through the falling rocks without pause.
Finally, a glimmer of light appeared ahead, accompanied by a cacophony of voices.
"What happened!"
"Was that an earthquake?"
"Why haven’t the High Priests come out yet?"
Amidst the confused shouts, a faint smile appeared on Zhao Ya’s lips. Suddenly, he sprinted, bursting out of the cave just in time.
"Someone’s coming out!"
"It’s that guy!"
"Shoot him!"
Outside, chaos erupted as those surrounding the cave entrance scrambled to prepare for battle, but it was too late.
Zhao Ya, without even drawing his blade, unleashed the Poisonous Powder he carried.