Chapter 3

What are my choices?" Theodore suppressed the hatred in his heart and asked calmly.

"Don't play dumb. Ms. Vivienne gave you a choice—either rot in this dungeon for the rest of your life or get lost so that you won't defile the land of the Ashcrofts," Henry spat disdainfully.

Upon hearing this, Theodore finally recalled Vivienne's words before she left. If he wished to leave, she wouldn't stop him. In fact, she would even have the household servants escort him back to the Yardleys.

Sure enough, Emery added, "If you choose to leave, we will personally escort you back. However, the moment you step out of this place, you will no longer be the Ashcrofts' son-in-law."

Theodore's brows furrowed slightly. Having endured humiliation for thirteen years, he had naturally learned to be shrewd, not to mention that he had just gained sixty years of cultivation memories of a Lord from the Sword Orb.

An additional sixty years of experience was practically the same as living two lives.

After pondering for a moment, he immediately saw through their scheme.

"If I walk out of here now, the Yardleys will face extermination, won't they?" Theodore's expression darkened.

The two guards were momentarily stunned by his intelligence, but they quickly dismissed it. Since his energy core had been destroyed, no matter how intelligent he was, he was nothing more than trash now.

Emery sneered. "You're smart, but unfortunately, you were born in the wrong place. The fact that your family possesses a sword technique close to the immortal level has already spread across Philodorah. If you leave, the Yardleys will surely be wiped out. But if you stay, you'll have to spend the rest of your life in this dark dungeon groveling for scraps like a dog. At least the Yardleys can continue enjoying the Ashcrofts' protection this way and no other noble family would dare to touch them."

As soon as Emery finished speaking, Henry immediately chimed in, "Even if they don't act openly, the noble families have plenty of ways to make life unbearable for the Yardleys. From what I hear, Mr. Sebastian of the Boltons has already gone to the Yardleys to take your younger sister as his mistress!"

A murderous intent flashed through Theodore's eyes. "So, she had it all planned out. Even if I live, my life will be a living hell. What a wicked wretch!"

Destroying his cultivation wasn't enough for Vivienne. She had set up a perfect death trap for him.

The news that the Yardleys possessed the Seraphic Swordplay had undoubtedly been leaked by the Ashcrofts. Even if they did not spread the word, the powerful factions that knew the secret would still come after the Yardleys.

For thirteen years, the Ashcrofts had suppressed other forces to ensure Vivienne's path to immortality. They prevented others from harming the Yardleys, but things were different now.

The Ashcrofts had gotten what they wanted. Even if Theodore remained in the dungeon, they would no longer suppress the other noble families as they once did.

No matter what choice Theodore made, the Yardleys were doomed. He would be left to waste away in despair.

"What did you just say?"

The two guards' expressions changed instantly.

"I said—Vivienne is a wicked wretch!" Theodore glared at them coldly.

"You little bastard! How dare you? Do you think you're really the son-in-law of the Ashcrofts?"

They thought that their ears were playing tricks on them, but they were certain now of what Theodore said. Emery's face darkened as he swung his fist at Theodore's face.

As a second-class cultivator, he could easily kill an ordinary cultivator, let alone a mortal. He had intent to kill with his punch.

However, Theodore didn't dodge. He channeled his internal energy into his fist while raising his hand and met the punch head-on.

Boom!

A muffled explosion echoed through the air as their fists collided. It was like two boulders smashing together.

Crack!

A sickening crunch followed and a piercing scream filled the dungeon. It wasn't from Theodore.

In that exchange, the surge of internal energy from Theodore's fist shattered Emery's right arm. He was sent flying backward in an instant. He barely stayed conscious because of the pain while clutching his mangled limb.

Henry stood frozen in shock. If not for Emery's agonizing wails, he would have thought he was dreaming.

He stared at Theodore in disbelief. His energy core had been destroyed, and he had become a cripple. How was this possible?

"What a shame. She's wrong. The Yardleys' Seraphic Swordplay isn't just close to being immortal—it is an immortal technique. No, it has even surpassed your perspective of immortals."

Theodore released a chilling aura as he fixed his gaze on Henry.

"Po… Postnatal Realm!" Henry's mouth fell open in shock.

Emery, who was writhing in pain, felt the overwhelming pressure of Theodore's aura and was consumed by terror. He still couldn't comprehend what had just happened.

Despite his shock, Henry was a loyal guard of the Ashcrofts and a second-class cultivator. He believed that Vivienne did not lie to them. In fact, he was convinced that this was the effect of the Celestial Pill that Vivienne had given to Theodore.

Swoosh!

Henry drew his saber and channeled his internal energy into the blade. In a flash, he lunged forward to slash Theodore.

Forget a cripple like Theodore—even another second-class cultivator would find it impossible to block such an attack barehanded.

So, he was certain of his victory.

Clang!

The sound of metal grinding against something filled the air. Henry's eyes widened in terror at the sight before him. If he wasn't the one who was attacking Theodore, he would have thought he was dreaming.

It was a killing blow, and Theodore had caught the blade between two fingers. No matter how much force Henry exerted, the saber remained fixed in place.

Crack!

With a slight twist of his fingers, Theodore's terrifying strength snapped Henry's wrist.

The saber flipped into the air, and Theodore caught the hilt. Then, he took a step forward and swung the saber.

Slash!

A severed head tumbled to the ground while the lifeless body stood there with blood gushing out like a fountain.

"Why would Ms. Vivienne lie to us?" Emery, still clutching his broken arm, stared in utter horror as his comrade's lifeless body fell.

"She didn't lie to you, but she made a mistake. Not killing me outright was the biggest mistake of her life," Theodore said coldly while stepping toward him with the saber.

"Please… don't kill me! I'll do anything! I'll be your slave, just spare me! Please—"

"Did you show me mercy when you made me grovel on the ground for food like a dog? Did you show me mercy when you beat me just because you felt like it? Did you show me mercy when you wished for my death?"

Theodore's voice was devoid of emotion as his mind replayed the thirteen years of torment.

"You'll rot in—"

Realizing that there was no escape, Emery started to curse Theodore.

Slash!

Before he could finish, Theodore's blade came down. Only then did his hatred fade slightly.

"What's going on? You—"

The commotion had alerted the other guards. Several of them rushed over, only to freeze in horror at the sight of the bodies. Their eyes then shifted to Theodore, who was standing in the center with a saber in hand, like a demon incarnate.

"Theodore killed someone!"

A moment later, the guards snapped out of their daze and shouted in panic. One of them immediately bolted to report the incident.

"Your good days are over from this day onwards."

Theodore sneered and strode forward while slashing the guards as if they were melons.

An hour later, Theodore emerged from the Ashcroft Manor in the outskirts. He then gazed toward the distant city.

"Philodorah, I'm coming."

Behind him, the manor reeked of blood. The stench lingered for days.

Ten days later, when the Ashcrofts' servants arrived to deliver supplies, they found that everyone in the manor had gone to hell.