~~~

The Crimson Cloud Tournament is over.

As the sun sets over Imperial Cloud City, the Crimson Cloud Arena is already in the process of breaking into countless small clouds. By dawn, there will be nothing left of it. The arena will not be seen again until the next tournament arrives.

The same cannot be said about the menacing palace floating above it.

A wave of panic had hit the city in the aftermath of the final round. The appearance of a dark palace floating on stormy clouds had not helped things. However, contrary to everyone's expectations, no disaster followed. When the fighting stopped and the people dared to peek outside their windows, they found their city was still there. It was something to be grateful for, but it did not make them any less apprehensive about the state of things.

“Are we at war?”

After a tournament final, the Three Hogs is usually filled to the brim, but not this time. More than half the seats are empty. Most people have chosen to stay inside their houses out of fear. Thus, the quiet words of Wei the Carpenter are heard by all. Some flinch. Others try to pretend they haven't heard anything.

Wei is not done talking.

“I can’t be the only one who’s thinking about it, right?” He asks, turning away from his drink as what started as a personal musing becomes an address to the room. “That palace showed up out of nowhere! Now, it’s just there! It’s above the Imperial Palace! How is that allowed? What’s going on?”

“Child, if we knew, we wouldn’t be worrying about it,” Ying the seamstress says before letting out a tired sigh. “But what’s the point of it? Worrying will only give you gray hairs, and I already have enough of them.”

“I’d listen to her if I were you, lad,” says Greedy Chun, the shopkeeper. “Besides, if there was a war, there’d be fighting.”

“There was fighting, though,” Wei counters. “We all felt it.”

Some people shiver as they remember. It wasn’t just Heaven Realm cultivators who fought. Emperors clashed in the Crimson Cloud Arena. It’s a wonder the city is still standing.

“Aren’t there memory jades?” Bo the Orphan asks as he refills a cup. “They are usually sold out by now, right?”

Greedy Chun snorts.

“Think carefully of what just happened, child. The people who record their memories all ran out of the arena after the Young Dragon was declared victor. That's when the fighting began. Means they weren't around to see it."

More than one face darkens at the mention of the Young Dragon. From the very start of the tournament, it seems everything has been revolving around the mysterious ruler of the Storm Dragon Empire, yet no one could have imagined things would have gotten to this point.

“It wasn’t just the Crimson Cloud Arena,” Wei says. “There was a battle below. Lots of fancy houses got destroyed. Don’t know what happened to the people.”

Someone laughs.

“Oh, there is no need to worry about them. They all left right away. Plenty of people have been storing their valuables with the Five Blessings Group for days now. It’s obvious they knew something was going to happen.”

All heads turn toward Gambling Xin. Unlike the rest of them, the man sounds fairly upbeat. He flashes them a grin that shows off his yellowish teeth.

“In a sense, that probably means this is not a war,” Gambling Xin says, biting into his bread. “Everyone important knew something was going to happen. You think the Emperor wouldn’t have summoned the whole army if he thought there was going to be a war? Instead, only the Emperors fought, and had they really been serious, there’d be no city left. That’s obvious, right? That means this is less serious than it seems. Have some hope, people.”

“Well, aren’t you chipper?” Ying the seamstress says.

Gambling Xin grins. “Why wouldn’t I be? It’s been a great day.”

“You bet against the Young Dragon,” Greedy Chun notes.

“Maybe I did. I cannot recall, you see,” Gambling Xin, “but do you know what I know for sure? The books were all destroyed in that little scuffle. What an unfortunate loss of records. Everyone is saying different things. I guess we’ll never know who owes who what money.”

“How tragic,” says the old man in the corner.

Gambling Xing laughs.

“Yes! Yes! I’m not sure what’s going to happen, but you know what? A toast to the Young Dragon! He cannot possibly be so bad!”

Predictably, no one toasts with him. A few even throw stuff at the gambler, who merely laughs it off. Nevertheless, the little display has undoubtedly lightened the mood of everyone at the bar.

Most of them, at least.

Bo is still not sure how to feel about this all.

The young boy walks between the tables as usual, bringing food and beer to all. However, he is only half-focusing on that. His mind is in turmoil. The heroes he was supporting all lost, and the guy everyone said was bad defeated everyone. There was a big fight, and no one even knows what it was about!

Bo doesn’t like any of this. He had been looking forward to the tournament, but the end had been full of confusion. Imperial Cloud City is his home, yet he has no idea what has happened to it.

The young boy sighs. His eyes drift to the window, lingering on the slowly disappearing arena.

Maybe one day…

One day.

~~~

“You are going to die one day.”

Lord Feng Gui of the Eternal Flame Clan strides into the throne room of the Storm Dragon Palace with such confidence that it would be easy for anyone to mistake him for its owner. He only stops when he’s ten yards away from the throne. Even then, he does not kneel.

“I do not mean that as a threat, by the way,” he says. “It is a warning. If you keep acting as you have, you will die sooner rather than later. I would dislike that.”

Sitting on his throne, Liu Jin raises an eyebrow.

“I am surprised that you seem to mean that.”

“Oh, I am a terrific liar,” Feng Gui brags shamelessly. “However, on this occasion, I speak the truth. Your actions have irrevocably pushed the world in a direction I most heartedly approve of.”

Conflict with the other side of the Dead Plains is imminent. Most people would be worried, but the future Patriarch of the Eternal Clan has wanted this side of the continent free of foreign influence for a long time. Liu Jin’s actions work towards his agenda.

Nevertheless…

“I would have thought you’d disapprove of the timing,” Liu Jin says.

Lord Feng Gui shrugs.

“It is sooner than I wished it to be, but that’s not an insurmountable obstacle. The three great powers from the other side will hinder each other about as much as we usually hinder ourselves. Your existence guarantees that.”

As expected, he noticed.

The Temple of the Thousand Shadows tried to kill him. However, despite the sharpness of its blades, the corpse from the Death Fashioning Scripture had intended to take him alive. That marks a fundamental difference between them, one that is unlikely to be resolved anytime soon. As long as Liu Jin remains alive, the two will fiercely oppose each other.

“I wonder if that will be enough,” Liu Jin muses.

“If you truly wondered, you wouldn’t have done what you did,” Feng Gui points out. “There is no need to be coy. You are counting on it, are you not? The ceremony.”

Four thousand years ago, humans and demons were at war with each other, and the victory of the demons seemed imminent. Thus, the greatest humans of the time joined their powers to create a barrier around the continent, effectively separating humanity from the rest of the world and ending the war without a victor.

However, there is no such thing as a wall that will not crumble. Even the mightiest monuments succumb to the march of time, and the barrier is no different. Thus, a special ceremony is required to ensure the barrier remains in good condition. Since it was built on the blood of the 108, it is their blood that is needed to maintain it.

At first, this was not difficult. Though not all members of the 108 left behind descendants, most of them had. However, as time passed, many lines died out, making the survival of those that remain all the more necessary. On this matter, there is no such thing as different sides of the Dead Plains. Those who descend from the 108 must take part in the ceremony to renew the barrier if the continent is to remain safe.

That means Liu Jin’s continued existence can be argued to be necessary, but that’s not all.

“Losing one bloodline would be unfortunate. Losing several would be tragic, and that is what would happen if they went to open war with us. This puts the three great powers in a position where they must be careful with how they deal with this incident,” Feng Gui says. “The loss of the Feng Clan would mean the loss of three bloodlines.”

Liu Jin blinks.

“Three?”

“Important clans often intermarry, and the Feng Clan was very aggressive in seeking those with historied blood,” Feng Gui says, holding up his arm and patting the veins on his wrist. “Many of the main lines died out due to infighting and unfortunate catastrophes, so we remain as the true heirs. Cases like the Qing family, which can trace its line uninterrupted, are quite rare, but that’s part of what makes you so valuable. Of course, if you want my advice, I’d tell you that your family is a little too large. The existence of your cousin and uncle diminishes your value. As long as they exist, killing you is acceptable. The Qing bloodline will continue… for one or two generations, at least.”

It is a good thing neither his uncle nor Qing Guo is here. Hearing that would have offended them greatly…although Liu Jin cannot quite say Feng Gui’s estimates regarding the Qing’s family future if he dies are altogether wrong.

“I will not put my family in danger just because it would be convenient," Liu Jin says.

“Fair enough,” Lord Feng Gui says. “However, if that is the case, why would you think it is okay to put my family in danger because it is convenient to you?”

Oh.

The room is suddenly a little too hot. Lord Feng Gui’s face has lost any trace of joviality, and Liu Jin has to remind himself that there is absolutely nothing the man can do to him as long as they are inside the Storm Dragon Palace. Unfortunately, that does not prevent the instinctual rush of fear that travels through his body.

“You are angry about Feng Hao,” Liu Jin says, perhaps needlessly.

“My son,” Feng Gui says, taking a step forward. “You used my son as a hostage. I have killed people for lesser offenses. However, that is not all. You somehow convinced my wife and my son, who hate each other, to work together behind my back to take Feng Hao outside the city so that your men could kidnap him. I’m impressed. I’m also angry. I’m so very angry.”

“In my defense, I only sought out Feng Zhi’s help. I never imagined he’d somehow get Lady Ling on his side.”

“You will find that does absolutely nothing to quell my anger.”

“I am unsurprised." Liu Jin sighs. “I did not know if I could trust you. I knew Feng Hao had been selected by the Crimson Cloud. I knew the more we fought in the tournament, the greater the odds of the Crimson Cloud acting on that interest. I found that dangerous. Feng Hao is far too young to receive so much power. However, if I told you that Feng Hao needed to be taken outside the city to prevent that…”

“You worried I would not be of the same opinion,” Feng Gui says.

“You want the Eternal Flame and the Crimson Cloud to become one. The Crimson Cloud choosing Feng Hao guarantees that happening,” Liu Jin points out. “It seemed like a reasonable worry.”

Because the root of Feng Gui’s Dao is Destruction for the sake of Creation.

To break the status quo of the Crimson Cloud and the Eternal Flame, even if the price for that was his son’s well-being… It is hard to say what someone like Feng Gui would have done if suddenly put in that position.

“And that it helped you negotiate with the Crimson Cloud was just an added benefit, I’m sure.”

“Lord Feng Gui, I cannot predict the future. I never imagined that the Crimson Cloud would have so much power or that Feng Hao would be chosen by it,” Liu Jin says. “Originally, I only planned to use the threat of the palace to make the Crimson Cloud more accommodating to our stay here. Things kept changing, and I tried to adapt to those changes as best as I could."

“And now?” Feng Gui asks, crossing his arms. “If I were to tell you that I wish to take my son and present him to the Crimson Cloud, what would you do?”

Liu Jin closes his eyes and sighs.

They are in the Storm Dragon Palace. Even though Feng Gui is one of the strongest Emperor Realm cultivators on this side of the Dead Plains, he cannot possibly impose his will on Liu Jin here. They are both well aware of that.

Nevertheless…

“I’d advise you that Feng Hao is young, and that receiving so much power so quickly could permanently hamper his development. However, if even that wasn’t enough to sway you…I would allow Feng Hao to leave with you.”

Feng Gui raises an eyebrow.

“Oh? You wouldn’t stop me?”

“You are his father,” Liu Jin says, struggling to get the words out. “It is not my place to dictate how you raise your son. As someone who cares for him, I would try to help Feng Hao through the process as best as I could, but that is all I can do. Besides…It would do no good for us to bear grudges against each other right now.”

If they are to survive what is to come, they need to stand together. That cannot happen if Liu Jin decides to hold Feng Hao hostage over the wishes of his father.

No matter how much Liu Jin may disagree with those wishes.

Lord Feng Gui chuckles. “I’d call you a liar, but you seem to hate what you are saying so much you must be telling the truth."

“For what it is worth, I do apologize,” Liu Jin says.

“I expected nothing less,” Feng Gui says.

A moment of silence falls over the throne room as Feng Gui and Liu Jin match gazes in a silent war.

Liu Jin’s patience gives out first.

“Well?” He asks.

Feng Gui smiles. “Well, what?”

“Will you be taking Feng Hao away so that he might receive the Crimson Cloud?” Liu Jin asks.

Feng Gui does not answer right away, which Liu Jin realizes is his way of taking revenge. It does not make the wait for an answer any more bearable. Lord Feng Gui is a deeply infuriating man who understands exactly how deeply infuriating he is.

But Liu Jin did technically kidnap his son.

“No,” Feng Gui says at last, chuckling when Liu Jin lets out a sigh of relief. “There will be time for that later. At present, it might be best if he stays here. That will also serve as punishment for his mother.”

Right. Lady Ling collaborated with Feng Zhi. A man like Feng Gui would never overlook that offense.

A man like Feng Gui will never overlook any offense. That’s a dangerous thing, yet Liu Jin must work with him if they are to survive what comes next.

~~~

…

…

…

How?

The question echoes throughout Ruan Haoran’s mind in between constant flashes of pain. One brat in the Heaven Realm. One miserable ant! That’s all he needed to squash to be rid of this issue! He is an Emperor Realm cultivator! It should have been as natural as breathing!

So why is he the one who ended up like this?

Blood flows from Ruan Haoran’s mouth as one of his lungs collapses. His body is racked by coughs. Dai Jie’s attack did so much damage to his body that he can barely move, and his meridians and dantian are so damaged that his regeneration is not working properly. Something like this should have never happened. How could the leader of the Ruan Clan be carried away like an invalid while that brat rose to the heavens?!

Unthinkable! Unacceptable! Inconceivable!

And yet, that is what happened.

“Ru...an...”

Though Ruan Haoran struggles to form words, his mouth will not cooperate. The man carrying him lets out a gentle shush.

“Yes, the elders of the Ruan Clan and I managed to escape the city safely, Clan Leader.”

No.

That is not what he wanted to ask.

“...Chenshu…”

The name of the man who failed him.

The name of the man who is carrying him in his arms.

Why?!

Back then, it should have been safe for him to use all his power to snuff out that brat. Dai Jie’s attack should never have reached him. Ruan Chenshu should have been able to defend against it.

Why hadn’t he?!

“Yes, Clan Leader,” Ruan Chenshu says in an attempt at a soothing voice. “I am here to accompany you in your last moments.”

…

What?

No. The damage he suffered is great, but it is not impossible to fix. His soul will recover. His dantian can be repaired. They just need to take him back to the Endlessly Raging Valley as soon as possible. Why is Ruan Chenshu talking about him like he is dying?!

“...I…”

“You have led the Ruan Clan bravely,” Ruan Chenshu says. “Neither I nor the other Elders will ever forget your many sacrifices.”

The Elders! Why aren’t they doing anything? Why aren’t they correcting Ruan Chenshu!

Why are they just standing there?!

“And now, we watch you make the final one.”

Ruan Chenshu sets him down on the harsh ground.

“For the good of us all.”

His hand comes down, and Ruan Haoran is no more.

~~~

Ruan Chenshu rises and holds up his bloody hand. A simple burst of Qi would wipe away the blood, yet that is not necessary.

“Ruan Haoran was a great man who gave all he could for the Ruan Clan and the Endlessly Raging Valley. I believed in him from the very core of my soul,” he says to the Elders. “That is why I will completely understand if anyone has a problem with what I did.”

The Elders say nothing.

Ruan Chenshu never believed otherwise. Just as he firmly believed Ruan Haoran would have the courage to stand on the stage, yet lack the capabilities to succeed.

“Very well,” Ruan Chenshu says, turning away. He senses Xiao Yifan waiting for him. As expected, the woman used the chaos to escape the city. “Carry the corpse. The leader of the Ruan Clan deserves a proper burial.”

The elders immediately turn to each other, each of them trying to will the other to be the one who has to carry the ugly corpse on their way back.

Ruan Chenshu smiles.

~~~