Next Morning — Wai City
By dawn, news had already spread like wildfire across Wai City. Whispers filled the streets, courtyards, tea houses, and marketplaces — something had happened last night in the Gao Residence.
Every major clan in Wai City—the Su Clan, Chu Clan, Bai Clan, and Tian Clan—had heard of it. Speculations ran rampant, but none knew the truth.
Inside the City Lord's Mansion, in the grand main hall, City Lord Wai Luolin sat on his elevated throne. His expression was calm but inquisitive, his eyes scanning the room with quiet authority.
Before him stood the leaders of the city's most powerful clans. Su Han of the Su Clan. Chu Men of the Chu Clan. Bai Shen of the Bai Clan. Tian Zhe of the Tian Clan. All four were dressed in their finest robes, respectfully greeting Wai Luolin with cupped fists.
Wai Luolin broke the silence.
"Do you all know what happened last night?"
Su Han stepped forward.
"Yes, we all know something happened in the Gao Residence."
The others nodded, confirming his words.
Wai Luolin leaned forward slightly.
"So, where is Gao Hai?"
Bai Shen answered respectfully.
"He is sick, my lord. He couldn't come personally, but he has sent his wife along with a guard to represent their clan."
At that moment, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed from the entrance of the hall.
Gao Chi, dressed in simple mourning colors, walked into the hall with Guardian Xuan by her side. Her face was solemn but composed. She stepped forward and stood beside the other clan leaders, bowing slightly.
"My husband is unwell, so I have come in his place," she said politely.
But Guardian Xuan stood silently behind her, his arms folded, showing no signs of greeting or deference.
This slight did not go unnoticed.
Tian Zhe narrowed his eyes and snapped, his voice filled with anger.
"You bastard! You're just a guard! Why don't you greet the City Lord?!"
The sudden outburst caused murmurs among the others. Yet Wai Luolin, still seated on his throne, didn't speak. He watched, letting the situation unfold.
Gao Chi turned her head slightly toward Tian Zhe and responded calmly.
"Forgive us, but that guard only listens to his master's orders. We cannot command him."
Tian Zhe grew more furious.
"Then who is his master? Did his master not teach him any manners?!"
Guardian Xuan, hearing Tian Zhe yell at Gao Chi, suddenly tensed. A tremble passed through his arms. His eyes sharpened. That was the mother of his master—someone Tian Zhe had just insulted.
In an instant, Guardian Xuan vanished from where he stood.
The room fell into silence. Even Wai Luolin, a cultivator at Nascent Soul First Layer, failed to detect the movement. His heart skipped a beat.
Before anyone could react, Guardian Xuan appeared right in front of Tian Zhe.
Tian Zhe sensed something, a shift in pressure, a sudden presence. But before he could raise his defenses, a heavy slap landed squarely across his face.
A loud crack echoed in the hall.
Tian Zhe flew back like a ragdoll, smashing into the wall near the hall entrance. Dust and stone fragments fell as he slumped to the ground, dazed and bleeding from the mouth.
Guardian Xuan stood tall and cold, eyes burning with controlled fury.
"Do not yell at Master's mother," he said, his voice steady as steel.
Shock swept through the hall. The other clan leaders stood frozen. Even Bai Shen, known for his calm nature, found his jaw tightening in disbelief.
Wai Luolin remained in his throne, his eyes wide.
What terrifying speed and power. Nascent Soul... Second Layer at least... and I'm only at First Layer.
Meanwhile, Gao Chi stood silently.
She finally bowed her head slightly and spoke.
"I apologize for his behavior. His master was my son, Gao Tian. And as you all know, Gao Tian is... no longer with us."
Her voice trembled at the end. Tears welled up in her eyes, falling down her cheeks. Her grief was raw, unrestrained.
She continued.
"I don't know where he found this guard, but he's been protecting us... in Gao Tian's name... ever since."
Wai Luolin leaned forward on his throne, his eyes narrowed as he stared at Gao Chi.
"So tell me clearly what happened last night. Everyone in the city is restless. I need a proper explanation."
As his voice echoed across the hall, Guardian Xuan silently walked back to his position behind Gao Chi. All eyes turned to watch him once more. His presence alone filled the hall with quiet tension.
Behind them, some of Wai Luolin's personal guards entered from a side door and carried the unconscious Tian Zhe out of the hall. His limp body dragged lightly along the polished floor. The other clan leaders watched in silence, no one daring to comment.
Gao Chi stepped forward and bowed respectfully.
"It was nothing major," she began. "Just a Rank 4 Mid-Tier Spirit Beast that somehow slipped through the city's barrier and entered our residence. My husband and his personal guard—who stands behind me—managed to slay it before it could cause harm to others."
Wai Luolin tapped the armrest of his throne, eyes fixed sharply on her.
"A Rank 4 Mid-Tier Beast?" he said slowly, suspicion gleaming in his gaze. "Then why couldn't I sense anything last night?"
There was a heavy pause before he added, "Do you have any proof of the beast's presence? Perhaps a corpse? Or the beast core?"
Gao Chi nodded without hesitation.
"Yes, City Lord. If you would kindly grant permission, I will present the beast core here."
Wai Luolin waved his hand.
"Permission granted."
At her signal, Guardian Xuan turned without a word and walked toward the entrance of the main hall. He made a few swift hand gestures near the doorway. Moments later, a Gao Clan guard entered, holding a wooden tray carefully balanced in his hands.
Upon the tray sat a blue, glowing orb—the beast core.
Guardian Xuan returned to his position behind Gao Chi. The guard walked forward, lowered his head respectfully to the City Lord, then stepped aside.
Gao Chi took the tray herself and lifted it slightly for all to see.
The radiant blue of the core lit up her face as she turned it slightly toward Wai Luolin.
Su Han, Bai Shen, and Chu Men stepped forward, their eyes widening at the sight. Even they could tell—this was indeed the core of a Rank 4 Mid-Tier Beast. The glow, the purity, the density—everything was authentic.
Guardian Xuan, standing behind Gao Chi with his arms crossed, remained still. Yet inwardly, his thoughts stirred.
It was the right move to hunt that beast last night and present its core as proof. No one will question the story now.
Wai Luolin stepped down from his throne and approached. He stared closely at the orb for a moment before speaking.
"This... is definitely the core of a Rank 4 Mid-Tier Beast," he muttered aloud.
Then a subtle smile tugged at his lips.
Strange. Why do I still feel like they're hiding something?
But he said nothing further.
The matter was settled.
One by one, the clan leaders took their leave. Gao Chi exited gracefully, Guardian Xuan shadowing her every step. The Su, Chu, and Bai clan leaders followed suit, discussing the core and the beast under their breath.
The massive bronze doors of the City Lord's Hall slowly closed behind them, ending the audience.
---
Several hours later, as the sun rose higher in the sky, a voice rang across Wai City through a voice transmission array.
"I, City Lord Wai Luolin, have confirmed that the disturbance last night was caused by a Rank 4 Mid-Tier Beast. It has been slain. The clan responsible for defending our city and eliminating the beast is the Gao Clan. The matter is now resolved. All citizens may resume their lives without worry."
The voice echoed across the buildings, spreading to every corner of the city.
The residents of Wai City let out sighs of relief. A beast had truly broken into the city, and yet no innocent lives were lost. Murmurs and praises filled the air.
"So it was the Gao Clan that killed the beast?"
"Didn't someone say they saw a demon?"
"Who cares what it looked like? The City Lord confirmed it's over. And the Gao Clan saved us."
"Gao Hai… that man… he must be incredibly powerful."
From that moment on, the streets buzzed not with fear, but with admiration. The Gao Clan's name once again rose from obscurity—no longer whispered with doubt, but spoken with awe and respect.