The Heroine Must Die

“I didn’t come out because I’m not afraid of death,” she continued. “I came out because hiding inside is pointless. I’m not here to die. I’m here to survive.”

“Survive?” His tone was almost approving. “Good. The wise adapt to circumstance. Those who bend can endure. Hand over the Demon Dragon, and I guarantee your life.”

“Alright,” she said. “You said it.”

Below, tension snapped tight. “Master… she wouldn’t really—”

“Shut up,” someone hissed.

Lauren looked straight at the swordsman. “I can’t hand him over.”

His eyes cooled instantly. “But I can tell you where he is.”

The air seemed to drop ten degrees. “Little girl,” he said quietly, “don’t try to be clever with me.”

Lauren spread her hands slightly. “What trick could I possibly play? You shattered our Mountain Protection Array with one sword. It’s barely holding together. We’re ants in your eyes.”

She tilted her head. “Are you afraid of ants’ tricks?”

He studied her for a long moment, then glanced at the bloodstains still visible on the ground below.

“Spare me the flattery. Where is he?”

“The South Sea.”

“The South Sea?”

“Yes.” She spoke steadily. “You sealed his bones in Sky-covering Valley. But his flesh and blood were cast into the South Sea, weren’t they?”

A faint shift in his expression confirmed she’d hit something.

“That region’s been taken over by a scaled dragon He retrieved the flesh and blood and treats him like ancestor.” She shrugged. “If you don’t believe me, go see for yourself.”

The swordsman drew a slow breath and turned his gaze southward. Then, without warning, he grabbed Lauren by the collar.

The world blurred. They shot south like a meteor. The speed crushed the air from her lungs. For a few terrifying seconds, she couldn’t even breathe.

She forced herself to adjust. At this pace, they’d reach the South Sea soon.

Silent Fang had told her— If you can’t defeat him, bring him to me. Hopefully the bastard hadn’t been exaggerating.

Silent Fang was a scaled dragon on the verge of true dragonhood. His strength stood at the absolute peak permitted by this world’s laws.

Compared to Gerald— He had a far better chance against a monster like this.

......

Half an hour later, the Sword Cultivator hovered above the South Sea, still gripping Lauren by the collar.

Below them shimmered a massive Boundary Force barrier, its surface rippling faintly like water under moonlight.

Only a Big Monster could erect something like that. “This is it?” he asked.

“Yes,” Lauren replied evenly. “This is it.”

Without another word, he tossed her downward.

“Oof—!” She slammed back-first into the barrier with a dull thud, pain exploding up her spine. Before she could curse, a hand shot out from within the barrier and yanked her inside.

The Sword Cultivator’s eyes narrowed. He followed instantly— But just as he reached it, the barrier snapped shut.

Bang. He collided headfirst into it.

Inside, Lauren staggered upright, sucking in air. White rushed over, eyes wide. “Are you alright?”

“I’m fine.” She rolled her shoulders and glanced upward. “I brought you a strong one. Can you handle him?”

Silent Fang hurried over, looking her up and down anxiously. “Sister, are you hurt?”

“I said I’m fine.” She jabbed a thumb toward the sky. “Can you beat him?”

Silent Fang looked up. With a casual wave of his hand, the thick mist blanketing the sea dispersed. The barrier became transparent, revealing the Sword Cultivator hovering outside, longsword gleaming coldly.

The blade pointed straight at Silent Fang. “You’ve cultivated well to reach this level,” the Sword Cultivator said calmly. “Hand over the Demon Dragon, and I’ll spare your life.”

Silent Fang blinked. “Demon Dragon? Who’s that?”

Lauren cut in immediately, “Your ancestor. He’s here to kill your ancestor. Kill him first!”

“Huh?!” Silent Fang panicked. “He’s here to kill my ancestor? What do we do?!”

Lauren stared at him. “Are you serious right now? I’m not panicking—why the hell are you?”

“No, no, this man is really strong,” Silent Fang whispered nervously. “I can feel it.”

Lauren: “…” So you can’t beat him?

Outside, the Sword Cultivator’s tone remained flat. “Since you refuse to acknowledge it, hand over the Demon Dragon.”

Silent Fang shook his head vigorously. “No, no!”

The Sword Cultivator’s expression darkened slightly. “You think this barrier can stop me?”

“I won’t hand him over,” Silent Fang said, then added earnestly, “but I do want to see if I can beat you.”

“Then come out.”

Silent Fang shook his head again. “I won’t go out.” He pointed up at the sky. “If I go out, you’ll get struck by lightning.”

Lauren’s eyes nearly popped out of her skull. “Hey!” She wished she could physically sew his mouth shut. Who the hell blurts out their biggest weakness like that?!

Silent Fang looked at her, utterly confused.

Outside, the Sword Cultivator’s lips curved slightly. Ah. Powerful—but stupid.

“Come down!” Silent Fang shouted upward. “Come down and fight me!”

The Sword Cultivator’s voice remained indifferent. “Fine. Open the barrier.”

“No.”

“No.”

Lauren and White spoke at the same time. But the instant the word left their mouths—

A gust of wind swept through. The Sword Cultivator was suddenly standing inside the barrier. Robes fluttering. Sword in hand.

Lauren stared at Silent Fang in disbelief. Even White knew to say no. What the hell were you thinking?!

The Sword Cultivator smiled faintly. “Make your move.”

Silent Fang stepped forward, shielding Lauren and White behind him. “Wait a second. Don’t rush.”

He turned around, rummaged through his sleeves, and tossed a pile of storage bags at White. “Quick. Go pack up my treasures.”

White caught them instinctively. Lauren blinked. …What? White didn’t question it. He immediately began stuffing valuables into the storage bags.

Lauren stared at Silent Fang, completely unable to process this. Was he actually stupid? Or was this some kind of bizarre genius strategy?

On one hand, he’d allowed them into the barrier. That wasn’t stupid. On the other hand…

“Hey,” Lauren muttered urgently, “didn’t you say your mother left you some powerful array formation? Where is it?”

“Array?” Silent Fang froze. Then his eyes widened. “Oh shit. I forgot to activate it.”

Lauren closed her eyes briefly. Of course you did. She sent a dry telepathic message to Edmund. If we die here, don’t blame Silent Fang. Blame us for expecting too much from him.

“Brother! Everything’s packed!” White called out. He was practically buried under storage bags now.

“Good.” Silent Fang nodded seriously. “You and sister hide far away. Don’t get caught in the fight.”

“Okay! Be careful!” White grabbed Lauren and shot off into the distance inside the barrier.

The Sword Cultivator looked up and watched them retreat, growing smaller and smaller. A sudden, unpleasant premonition stirred in his chest.

“Where is the Demon Dragon?” he asked sharply.

Silent Fang pointed upward blankly. “With sister.”

What? The Sword Cultivator’s face twisted in fury. He shot into the sky—

Bang!

He slammed into something invisible and was violently knocked back down.

The barrier flashed. Then, in an instant, a second layer sealed over it.

Demonic energy surged upward like a tidal wave, black and violent, swallowing the sky above the South Sea.

Silent Fang let out a thunderous roar and materialized in an instant, his massive body tearing into the sky. He was a colossal dragon, scales slick with seawater and gleaming like scattered jewels under the blazing sun.

“Come on,” he growled. “I’m ready.”

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!