The Third Prince stood in the courtyard, the shadows of the Black Wolves Sect's high walls looming over him. Before him knelt a wounded man—one of Prince Long Wei's elite soldiers, captured while spying.
With a slow, deliberate movement, the Third Prince drew his sword. The polished steel gleamed coldly in the dim light as he pressed it against the spy's neck.
The soldier's eyes burned with hatred. Now that he was face-to-face with one of the masterminds behind the chaos, his suspicions turned into certainty. So it was you… the one who had the middleman and his family slaughtered…
That truth set his blood aflame.
With a snarl, he rolled to the side, breaking free from the prince's blade, and seized his own sword. "I'll take your head for what you've done!" he roared.
The Third Prince smirked, eyes narrowing with predatory delight. "Oh? You wish to cross swords with me?"
Their blades clashed with a sudden clang!—a fight erupting without warning. The Black Wolves Sect Leader stepped forward to intervene, but the duel had already ignited into a storm of steel.
This was not the prince's usual style. His movements were sharper, faster, deadlier.
The spy felt it immediately—this was not the same Third Prince known for his graceful but predictable swordplay. Every strike was crushing, every step precise, and his qi flowed with terrifying control.
Taking a hit to his ribs, the spy staggered back, coughing blood.
The prince laughed. "Surprised? You thought I was weak? I've been hiding my strength for years, waiting for the right moment. Now you will witness my true sword!"
Before the spy could recover, the Third Prince vanished in a flash of qi. A single gleam of steel followed—piercing the soldier at a vital point.
The man crumpled to the ground, blood pooling beneath him.
The Black Wolves Leader's brows furrowed. For a moment, he looked as though he might step in—but then his expression cooled, and he turned away. Whatever was brewing between the Emperor's sons, he would not interfere… though something in him remained uneasy.
The Search for the Fallen
Elsewhere in the city, Long Wei and his three remaining elite soldiers moved quickly through alleys and narrow streets. The night was quiet, but their hearts pounded—searching for their missing comrade.
After hours of searching, one of them spotted a secluded compound. No guards outside.
They stormed in, weapons drawn, but the main hall was empty.
"This is where they met," one soldier murmured, scanning the floor for traces of movement.
Another soldier stepped toward a back window and froze. "Prince… over here."
They rushed to her side. Outside, in the courtyard, lay a body—sprawled on the cold stone, bathed in moonlight and blood.
It was him.
The fourth elite soldier.
They ran to his side, lifting him up, carrying him inside, desperately working to stop the bleeding.
He was still alive—barely.
"Stay with us!" Long Wei said, his voice low but urgent.
The soldier coughed weakly, his eyes glassy yet fierce. "We… are alone. No one stands with us… not even the Emperor."
A sharp breath, a faint smile—and then his head tilted back, lifeless.
"NO!" one soldier cried, clutching his body. Another slammed his fist against the floor, screaming his name into the night.
Long Wei closed his eyes. His chest felt as if a blade had pierced it. A brother-in-arms, lost in this cursed game of power.
They buried him hours later, with solemn rites. No one spoke, for there were no words left to say.
A Path of Vengeance
As they walked away from the fresh grave, the three remaining soldiers unsheathed their swords in unison. Their faces were cold with rage.
"We ride for the Black Wolves Sect," one said, voice like iron.
Long Wei met their eyes and said nothing. He knew their hearts. Sometimes, a man must let vengeance burn.
Elsewhere – The Deities Arrive
Far from the sect's gates, high on a rocky hill, two figures watched the city below.
The Spear Deity stretched his arms. "Last time I came here was for a rare herb."
The Sword Deity chuckled. "I only ever passed by."
Their eyes never left the city walls.
In Xiangwu – Tides Shift
In the Imperial residence, a cloaked spy knelt before the Emperor.
"Your Majesty, the Sword Deity and Spear Deity have departed to meet with Prince Long Wei… but the information reached us too late. They have already arrived in the Black Wolves' territory."
The Emperor's gaze hardened. "So… my brother dares to act against me."
He rose to his feet. "I will pay him a visit."
A Meeting of Brothers
At the Sect Leader's residence, the Empress approached the gates—only to see the Emperor himself walking up the path.
Her eyes widened. She slipped behind a pillar, hiding in silence, watching him pass.
Why would he come here now…? she thought, heart uneasy.
Inside, the two brothers sat across from each other, tea between them.
The Emperor spoke in measured tones. "Brother, the affairs of the world are dangerous. Best that you do not meddle. And if you must aid someone… let it be your family."
The Sect Leader remained calm, sipping his tea, his expression unreadable.
No answer.
The Emperor stood, a faint smirk on his lips, and walked out.
Blood in the Black Wolves Sect
The three elite soldiers stormed through the sect gates, their swords cutting through startled guards.
Steel clashed against steel. Qi flared in bright bursts. The ground shook.
Then, a sudden surge of energy—one devastating strike—knocked them all back.
The Black Wolves Sect Leader had arrived.
But the soldiers didn't falter. They attacked together, their rage driving them beyond exhaustion. The battle was fierce, their blows like thunderclaps, but the Sect Leader's power was greater.
One by one, he struck them down.
Then a new voice rang out.
"Did you kill one of my men?"
It was Long Wei, stepping into the courtyard with his blade drawn, fury in his eyes.
The Sect Leader said nothing.
"I'll ask again. Did you?"
Finally, the leader replied, "No."
But Long Wei's eyes burned with disbelief. With a sudden slash, his blade cut away the Sect Leader's mask.
The man's hand shot up, covering his face instantly.
Long Wei advanced, determined to see the truth—
—but two flashes of light descended from the sky.
The Sword Deity. The Spear Deity.
"Prince Long Wei," the Sword Deity said, stepping between them, "we are here to take over the investigation."
The Sect Leader turned and vanished into his chambers, his face hidden once more.
To be continued…