The Dawn of the New World

Everyone present could feel the tension growing in the air the moment Hao Xuan mentioned the treatment.

Eurig unceremoniously straightened his back and stared right into Hao Xuan's eyes.

"Why, if you don't mind me asking, do you need that man? Bringing him back will only create more trouble for us."

He was obviously challenging Hao Xuan in a not-so-direct manner and he understood that.

'Is it because he thinks that I am weak now?'

With only one arm and an otherwise 'rough condition' Hao Xuan looked more like an escaped slave rather than some great chosen one.

The other demonlings behind Eurig also inched forward in a rare show of harmony. Claudia's brow shot up in fury as she stepped in between them without a moment's thought.

"Have you lost your mind?! Get on your knees and beg for forgiveness! Do you think the Savior will just let you be?!"

But Eurig only gave a factitious smile in response.

"The Savior only wanted me to bring the Chosen one to him. He did not specify how. Not to mention I have been listening in to the chatter of these filthy demihumans and this man does not appear to be anything special. We have no reason to listen to some weakling who can't even protect himsel-"

"Kneel."

*BAM*

One word using the Emperor's Qi and Eurig's knees folded like paper and he fell to the ground with such force that cracks appeared in the stone floor. His expression turned to one of shock and confusion as he slowly raised his head to peer towards him.

Hao Xuan moved Claudia aside and stood in front of Eurig, looking down on him with such coldness that even the demonling could feel it wash over him.

"You must be confused about your position in the food chain now that you have this new power. Don't worry, I won't blame you for this insolence because after all, the self comes first, right?"

He got down on one knee but even then he appeared much larger than Eurig at this moment. Placing a hand on his shoulder Hao Xuan also smiled, an amused smile not so much different from looking at an animal.

"Make no mistake, in this, whatever this is, you are at the bottom. It's good to be curious but push me too far and I might just...eat you right up. Hahaha..."

His grip tightened around Eurig's shoulder until his bones cracked under the pressure and Hao Xuan's fingers continued to dig into his putrid flesh.

Eurig tried his best to hold his screams but in the end it was too much and he finally broke apart.

"AAAAAAH!"

He screamed and cried trying to push his hand away but to no avail. When Hao Xuan finally let go there was only a mess of mangled flesh and bones left in its place. Eurig's arm hung limply from his body with a few threads of tendons holding it in place.

His blood was light green in color which created a putrid smell as soon as it hit the air. Claudia immediately covered her mouth and warned Hao Xuan, "Master, it's poison!"

Tears streaming down his face Eurig looked up with a look of defiance and mockery.

"That's what you deserve! Now beg for help you filthy-" but the words got stuck in his throat when he witnessed Hao Xuan licking the poisoned blood off of his hand.

"Hmm, a bit sour for my taste," he mumbled before spitting it back out.

Eurig's mouth fell open, "H-HOW?!"

Hao Xuan wiped his hand on Eurig's clothes before gently caressing his face, "Don't worry your pretty little head about things like that. You just have to do what I say and everything will be fine. Understand?"

What little bit of faith Eurig had in his own abilities and plans fell apart in an instant. He couldn't understand it and certainly couldn't explain it.

"What...are you...?"

Hao Xuan chuckled, "I'll let you know when I figure it out. Now, get up. You have work to do," and turned around to leave but was stopped by Eurig.

"I can't."

*Sigh*

"Must you make this so difficult? Do I really have to tear you from limb to limb for you to understand what's going on?"

As he said the words the Law of Chaos expanded outwards covering the entire room. As chaotic energy bubbled within Hao Xuan's meridians the air became heavy with trepidation.

Eurig swallowed a mouthful of saliva to wet his drying throat and quickly explained before it was too late.

"There is no cure! There is nothing I can do, I swear it! Once the poison fully takes effect there is no way to remove it. It slowly eats away at the victims' vitality until there is nothing left. Only then does it fade away by itself."

"Even if I wanted to- which I do, there is nothing that can be done! I swear on my life!"