C29 Mark

My worst fears materialized when I saw the Evil Taoist, clad in a green Taoist robe, lurking right behind me. His eyes glowed with a sinister green light as he watched me with an icy stare.

Terrified, I stumbled backward, nearly tripping over the ruins. It was then that I noticed something crucial—there were no shackles trailing behind the Evil Taoist!

I bolted, seeking refuge in the pitch-black forest. My dying foster father had warned me about people without shackles; they were often those who had used dark magic to cheat death.

The shortened shackles I had seen behind Grandma Lee suddenly came to mind, and I began to piece together why the villagers seemed so soulless. It was highly probable that the Evil Taoist was sapping the life from the villagers to prolong his own.

I sprinted desperately, glancing back now and then, only to find that the Evil Taoist wasn't in pursuit.

Breathing a sigh of relief, I found myself on a hidden trail leading to the back mountain, known only to those born and raised in the village.

After a grueling half-hour climb, I reached the back mountain, collapsing onto the ground, breathless and unable to run any further. My throat was parched, and sweat soaked my body.

As I took a moment to rest and considered searching for water, a rustling of footsteps behind me caught my attention.

Chills ran down my spine, and as I slowly turned around, I was met with the eerie sight of those dark green eyes piercing through the darkness.

Scrambling to my feet in terror, I was about to flee when the Evil Taoist's cold voice stopped me in my tracks. "Zhao Changsheng, you can't hide from me. Don't bother trying. Take a look at your arm."

I pulled up my sleeve and was horrified to see a red mark slowly emerging. "What is this? When did you do this to me?"

"That mark ensures that no matter where you run, I will find you. Remember when we first met? You bumped into me…" The Evil Taoist said with a chilling smirk.

I couldn't believe it. I had been marked from that moment, which explained the pain in my arm.

"I assumed you were dead since I couldn't sense your presence. It seems your father found a way to shield you. Speaking of which, he was quite injured that day. Is he dead now?" The Evil Taoist's sly smile sent a wave of dread through me.

"You're the one responsible for my father's death! I... I'll fight you to the end!" I shouted through gritted teeth, my fear transforming into a blazing fury. I snatched up a rock and hurled it at his head.

The Evil Taoist effortlessly sidestepped and caught my arm, twisting it sharply. A sickening crack sounded, and my arm felt as if it had snapped. I crumpled to the ground, grimacing in agony.

Kneeling there, I bore the pain and fumbled with my good left hand into my pocket, stealthily grabbing a fistful of lime. But before I could toss it, the Evil Taoist seized my wrist.

"Kid, don't try to be clever. If you just do as I say, maybe I'll let you die without too much suffering," the Evil Taoist sneered.

"In your dreams!" Ignoring the throbbing pain in both arms, I summoned all my strength and bit down on the Evil Taoist's arm like a wild animal.

Pain contorted his face, already twisted with malice, as he clenched my hair and swung his fist toward me.

But just as his fist was about to connect with my forehead, a burst of golden light erupted from my temple, just as it had before.

The brilliant light dazzled him, turning his eerie green eyes a golden hue. The Evil Taoist's face paled, and he hastily released me, stumbling backward. Yet he couldn't escape the force of the mysterious energy; he spat out blood and collapsed.

"You... Your father was from the Heaven Connecting Palace!" the Evil Taoist gasped, clutching his chest in disbelief.

I wasted no time as he struggled to recover. Not a bit of the lime was spared as I threw it directly into his eyes, now wide with astonishment.

Then, I bolted down the mountain, while the Evil Taoist's angry curses echoed behind me: "Kid, as long as that mark is on you, I'll find you soon enough. I'll make sure your death is excruciating!"