Chapter 292: Scum

At the sight of the scene, Chen Yan felt a wave of nausea.

His head felt heavy and a dull ache spread throughout his body, particularly in his legs which felt like they had been repeatedly hammered.

He didn't feel like he was tied up; it was more like his hands and feet were bound together, and he was hanging upside down from the ceiling. This was an even more uncomfortable posture than being tied.

As the world swam before his eyes, Chen Yan struggled to adjust his vision.

"Is anyone there?" he called out, his voice weak.

A few seconds later, a figure emerged from the darkness. It was Li Kui, the head disciple of the outer sect.

"So, you're awake," Li Kui said with a smug look.

"It's you," Chen Yan's eyes narrowed.

"That's right, it's me," Li Kui grinned, revealing a gap in his teeth.

"Why are you doing this?" Chen Yan asked.

"Why? Because I despise you!" Li Kui's face twisted with anger. "You, a mere inner sect disciple, dare to challenge me? You deserve to die!"

Chen Yan remained silent, his mind racing.

"I knew you wouldn't dare to speak," Li Kui sneered. "Let me tell you, I'm going to make you suffer. You'll wish you were dead!"

He raised a hand, and with a cruel smile, struck Chen Yan.

Chen Yan felt a sharp pain on his cheek.

"Still not speaking?" Li Kui's voice was icy. "Don't worry, we have plenty of time. I'll make sure you scream."

He raised his hand again, and Chen Yan braced himself for the blow.

But it never came.

Instead, Li Kui's hand was caught in mid-air.

"What?" Li Kui turned, startled.

Standing behind him was a figure, shrouded in darkness.

"Who are you?" Li Kui demanded.

The figure didn't answer. With a swift movement, he knocked Li Kui to the ground.

Li Kui scrambled to his feet, but the figure was too fast. In a blur of motion, the figure disabled Li Kui.

Chen Yan watched, stunned.

The figure then turned to Chen Yan and released him from his bonds.

Chen Yan fell to the ground, his body aching.

"Thank you," he managed to say.

The figure remained silent.

"Who are you?" Chen Yan asked again.

The figure still didn't respond. He simply turned and walked away, disappearing into the darkness.

Chen Yan watched him go, bewildered.

He then turned his attention back to Li Kui, who was writhing on the ground in pain.

"You deserve this," Chen Yan said, his voice cold.

He then turned and walked out of the room, leaving Li Kui behind.

Outside, the sun was setting, casting long shadows.

Chen Yan took a deep breath of fresh air.

He was alive.

And he was free.

He didn't know who had saved him, but he was grateful.

He knew one thing for sure: he would never forget this day.

And he would never forgive Li Kui.

As he walked away, a figure emerged from the shadows, watching him go.

It was the figure who had saved him.

He watched until Chen Yan disappeared from sight, then turned and walked away in the opposite direction, melting back into the darkness.