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Chapter 9 - Chapter 9: First Battle

Chen Meng followed Xiao to the residence of the Five Yakshas.

The other four Yakshas looked up as Xiao entered, with Chen Meng trailing behind. Upon seeing Chen Meng, Fushe paused in surprise.

"Lord Chen Meng, what brings you here?"

Fushe asked curiously.

"Morax asked me to join you all in clearing out monsters—said I might gain a better grasp of my powers through combat. Also, can you not call me 'lord'?"

Chen Meng replied.

"If the Emperor has sent you to us, then please come along."

Minu stood up and headed outside, with Fushe and Xiao close behind.

Vanant looked at Chen Meng.

"Lord Chen Meng, let's go together."

"All right. By the way—why do you all suddenly call me 'lord' now?"

Chen Meng asked, puzzled.

Yingda stepped in to explain.

"Well, before, you hadn't formed an alliance with the Emperor. But now that you have, your status to us is equal to the Emperor's and Lady Gui Zhong's."

"Got it. Let's go, then."

After hearing the explanation, Chen Meng also stepped outside, with Vanant and Yingda following close behind.

———————————————————————————

Outside the residence—

Chen Meng looked at the five Yakshas before him, wondering how to start the conversation. Just then, Fushe spoke up.

"Lord Chen Meng, you'll be with me. Xiao and Minu will be one team, and Yingda and Vanant will be another. All right, let's move out."

The others departed, leaving Fushe and Chen Meng behind. Fushe turned to him.

"Then let's go, Lord Chen Meng."

Chen Meng nodded. Once he agreed, Fushe turned and headed off into the distance, with Chen Meng following.

Before long, the two encountered hilichurls near Lingju Pass that had been tainted by residual demonic corruption.

Fushe donned his mask, though he didn't draw any weapon. He glanced back at Chen Meng, who pulled out his Fillet Blade from his weapon inventory and looked ahead, meeting Fushe's gaze.

"Looks like you're ready, Lord Chen Meng. I'll take the lead."

Fushe turned and charged the monsters. Chen Meng followed closely behind.

The hilichurls, noticing the two charging toward them, raised their weapons—rusty blades and torches.

Fushe gathered Electro energy in all four of his arms. He leapt forward and slammed one arm to the ground, sending a burst of Electro energy out in all directions.

The energy surged toward the hilichurl holding a torch. As it neared, an Overloaded reaction occurred and exploded—sending several hilichurls flying and crashing back to the ground.

But clearly, the corruption had made them harder to eliminate. Chen Meng channeled his power, enveloping himself and his Fillet Blade.

Waiting for the right moment, he struck a hilichurl just as it was getting back up. The blade struck deep, purple energy from the sword wrapping around the creature's body—some of it even seeping into the wound.

Chen Meng watched as the hilichurl, now entangled in violet energy, stood frozen in place.

He was about to strike again to test the effect when something strange surged through his mind—a connection.

Chen Meng stared at the hilichurl and instinctively issued a mental command for it to turn around. The creature turned and stood still. More commands followed—and it obeyed them all.

Chen Meng realized the hilichurl was now under his control. He quickly looked around for Fushe.

There he was—Fushe's upper arms gripping hilichurls by the throat, his lower arms pulsing with Electro energy as he punched through enemies one by one. But Chen Meng noticed wisps of black energy drifting into Fushe's body.

"Fushe, I'm coming!"

Chen Meng shouted, rushing forward. He also ordered the controlled hilichurl to intercept the others.

He reached Fushe just in time and slashed down two hilichurls already badly wounded by Fushe. These ones didn't remain standing—they fell and slowly dissolved into the ley lines.

Apparently, a fatal blow still meant complete dissolution, regardless of control. Fushe dealt with the ones he had in his grasp, then looked toward Chen Meng's back and asked,

"Lord Chen Meng, how's your control over your power coming along?"

Chen Meng, watching the lone hilichurl fight off five others, replied,

"Hmm… not great. See that one over there? I controlled it—it's a new ability I just discovered."

Fushe followed his gaze—the hilichurl was clumsily fending off five others with a rusty blade.

"Lord Chen Meng, looks like your little soldier is about to be overwhelmed."

Indeed, its movements were slowing. Chen Meng checked the mental link—he could feel it weakening.

"Let's finish them off while we can."

Chen Meng charged forward, with Fushe following right behind.

The remaining hilichurls were quickly dealt with, including the controlled one, which also dissolved into the ley lines.

Chen Meng sheathed his blade and turned to Fushe.

"How are you holding up?"

Fushe removed his mask.

"Thank you for your concern, my lord. I'm all right."

He stored away the mask. Of the eight hilichurls, Chen Meng had taken down five—he knew how resilient the Yakshas were, but still, he didn't want Fushe to bear more karmic debt.

Fushe looked around and saw no more enemies.

"Let's continue patrolling, Lord Chen Meng."

Chen Meng stepped beside him.

"Sure. By the way, has your karmic debt increased?"

Hearing the word, Fushe instinctively stepped away.

"How do you know about karmic debt, Lord Chen Meng?"

Fushe stared at him warily, quietly gathering power.

Chen Meng sighed and spoke calmly.

"Fushe, relax. I'm not 'her.' I'm Chen Meng—the new Archon of Dreams. I've only inherited some fragments of 'her' memory."

Fushe stared into Chen Meng's eyes. Chen Meng didn't flinch.

Eventually, Fushe relaxed and returned to his side.

"I'm sorry, Lord Chen Meng, I—"

Chen Meng cut him off.

"No need to apologize. I understand. My authority unsettles you, but please believe me—even if I one day regain it fully, I won't be 'her.' I won't become her."

Fushe looked at Chen Meng—his gaze was firm and resolute.

"All right, let's move."

Chen Meng turned and walked forward. Fushe let out a long breath to steady himself, then looked ahead at Chen Meng's back.

"Lord Chen Meng, you're going the wrong way."

Chen Meng slowly turned to face him.

"Fushe, you lead the way."

Fushe gave a small smile and turned to guide the path forward.

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