I, the Night Emperor

The black-clad man lay dead in a pool of blood.

For a moment, Lie Tao and the others were stunned.

This kid really is ruthless! Killing without hesitation!

An Yi stared coldly at the people imprisoned in the dungeon, his gaze growing even more frigid.

Scum!

To drain people of their lifeblood, they locked them up in this sunless hellhole, treating them like livestock!

The ground was a deep crimson, thoroughly soaked in blood. Faint traces of hair and skin could still be seen mixed into the filth, and the thick stench of blood was nauseating.

Not far away lay the mangled corpse of a woman, her original features now unrecognizable.

No one knew how many innocent people had died here, turning this place into a living hell!

An Yi's eyes gleamed with murderous intent.

These people deserve to die!

"Damn, he’s efficient. Just kills without a second thought!"

Lie Tao grinned. "There are ten of us here. Since you’re so skilled, why not try taking us all on?"

An Yi twirled his dagger, flipping it into a reverse grip, and said coolly, "That’s exactly what I had in mind."

The system’s task just happened to require ten kills.

Perfect. Not one more, not one less.

"Arrogant bastard!"

Lie Tao’s face darkened as he drew an iron rod.

The commotion An Yi caused made Gourd Immortal pause his assault. Narrowing his eyes, he turned his attention to An Yi.

In an instant, his gaze sharpened, locking onto An Yi with undisguised hunger.

Even Nie Qinglan, whom he had praised as a peerless beauty, was cast aside.

"Hold back! I want him alive!" Gourd Immortal’s face flushed with excitement.

"Such pure, potent lifeblood! If Zhou Jun’s lifeblood was a stream, this kid’s is a raging river!"

If he could possess this boy, who needed blood slaves? Just feeding on him alone would be enough!

"An Yi…"

Nie Qinglan stared at him, her eyes welling up with tears.

Even though his face was mostly concealed by a mask, she recognized him instantly.

She never would have imagined—

This man, whom she’d dreamed of strangling, would risk his life to come to a place like this to save her.

A warmth spread through her chest.

An Yi glanced briefly at Zhou Jun, who lay emaciated on the ground.

Though barely recognizable, the outline of his face still matched the photos in Aunt Zhou’s home.

He was alive.

An Yi wasn’t too late. Everything was still salvageable.

Chengzi, imprisoned in the dungeon, watched as An Yi’s sudden intrusion halted the giant’s assault on Nie Qinglan. His racing heart finally calmed.

Whoever this guy was, Chengzi would be eternally grateful.

Though… he did look somewhat familiar.

"Stop him! Don’t let him escape!" Lie Tao ordered coldly.

An Yi smirked, raised his arm, and plunged his dagger into the elevator control panel, severing the wiring with precision.

Sparks crackled, black smoke rose, and the elevator controls were rendered useless.

"Relax. None of you trash are going anywhere."

His voice was icy, his eyes like frozen steel.

Lie Tao narrowed his eyes and gestured. "Move!"

Two black-clad men attacked from opposite directions.

"Watch out!" Nie Qinglan clutched her skirt, her heart pounding as An Yi was surrounded.

"All Evil Points—dump them into Dagger Mastery."

An Yi remained calm, allocating his remaining points.

Ding! Congratulations! [Dagger Mastery] has reached Lv. 2!

The moment the attackers closed in, An Yi’s dagger flashed.

One slash to the throat.

A spin, and his hand chopped down like a blade, snapping the second man’s neck from behind.

Backstab—150% damage multiplier.

The man crumpled lifelessly.

Smooth. Efficient. No wasted motion.

The kill counter updated: 3/10.

An Yi showed no mercy. Every strike was lethal.

These weren’t ordinary thugs—they were monsters who had tortured countless innocents.

Killing them felt no different from slaughtering livestock. No guilt. No hesitation.

Lie Tao’s expression shifted. This intruder was far stronger than he’d anticipated.

Every man stationed in this dungeon was a seasoned fighter, capable of taking on multiple opponents.

Yet An Yi cut them down like wheat.

Could he be… Ming Jin?

"All together!"

Lie Tao knew they couldn’t afford to be picked off one by one. Gripping his short rod, he charged.

An Yi flicked his wrist.

Thud!

An invisible force slammed into Lie Tao, knocking him back two steps.

Qi Manipulation.

An Yi hadn’t yet mastered the legendary art of shaping qi into blades or killing from a distance.

But even basic Qi Manipulation could turn the tide in battle.

Lie Tao was Ming Jin-level. Engaging him head-on now would be unwise.

The six remaining grunts had to die first.

After repelling Lie Tao, An Yi blurred into motion.

Two slashes.

Two throats split open.

The men died without a sound.

Kill count: 5/10.

The last four panicked.

What kind of monster is this?!

Lie Tao swung his rod at An Yi’s skull, but An Yi sidestepped effortlessly.

Seizing the opening, the remaining four rushed him, desperate to end him.

"Careful! Don’t damage him!" Gourd Immortal fretted.

Stab!

An Yi’s dagger pierced one man’s heart.

A follow-up punch shattered another’s skull, twisting his neck at a grotesque angle.

Kill count: 7/10.

Gourd Immortal sighed in relief. "Good, good. He’s unharmed."

"Boss…"

The last two trembled.

This demon moved like a ghost. His dagger danced unpredictably, always finding their throats. How were they supposed to fight that?

"Stay calm!" Lie Tao snapped.

Reassured by their leader’s composure, the two steadied themselves.

Lie Tao was a genuine Ming Jin expert.

No way this kid, no matter how talented, could match that.

They relaxed—just before collapsing, needles embedded in their necks.

Kill count: 9/10.

Lie Tao’s face paled. Sweat beaded on his forehead.

How?! When did he—?

Then he spotted the thin steel needles.

The bastard had thrown them mid-fight.

Silent. Instant. Lethal.

Ding! Congratulations, host, you have comprehended the [Hidden Weapons lv1] skill!

The system's voice echoed in An Yi's mind.

The needle just now was naturally not the Nine Yang Divine Needle, but rather one of the steel needles left behind by Viper during Qin Yao's kidnapping, which An Yi had picked up for later use.

After all, these things were forged from refined steel and could supposedly be sold for money! Too bad there weren't many of them.

Lie Tao stared coldly at An Yi and spoke: "With skills like yours, you're clearly no ordinary person! Who exactly are you?"

"Me?"

An Yi's eyes gleamed with a chilling killing intent as he replied indifferently: "The Night Emperor."