"Third Brother, where's Xiao Yan?" Xiao Ding asked urgently as Xiao Heng prepared to depart for Yan City.
"He's handling some business in Mo City. It won't take long before he's back," Xiao Heng replied.
"I'm off to find Qing Lin. Tend to your wounds first." Before the stunned members of the Mo Tie Mercenary Corps, Xiao Heng summoned his Dou Qi wings. The pale blue feathers shimmered, and with a single flap, he soared into the sky toward Yan City.
With his Dou Zong puppet in hand, there was no chance Qing Lin would be taken again. As for the cultivation of her Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils, he'd seize what he needed when the time was right. The Heavenly Snake Mansion only had a one-star Dou Zun—hardly a threat.
"Captain, is Young Master Xiao Heng a Dou Wang?" Xue Lan asked, her eyes wide. The surrounding mercenaries leaned in, eager for the answer.
"No," Xiao Ding said.
"But those are Dou Qi wings!" someone protested.
"Can't it be Dou Huang?" Xiao Ding grinned. The crowd gasped, their shock quickly turning to excitement.
___
A streak of pale blue light tore across the sky. In half a day, Xiao Heng spotted the walls of Yan City, the largest stronghold in the Jia Ma Empire's eastern provinces. Guarded by imperial forces, it was dominated by the Mo Clan, who controlled nearly sixty percent of the city's commerce. Aligned with the Yun Lan Sect, the Mo Clan ruled as unchallenged tyrants.
Xiao Heng landed outside the city and donned a black robe to conceal his identity. The most popular attire on the Dou Qi Continent must be these black robes, he mused wryly.
While queuing to enter the city, he overheard that today was the birthday celebration of Mo Cheng, the Mo Clan's grand elder. Even the Yun Lan Sect was sending representatives to honor the occasion.
Jie jie jie! A birthday feast? More like a funeral banquet planned in advance, Xiao Heng thought, a dark smirk forming.
As he neared the gate, a group of young Mo Clan members galloped past on horseback, kicking up clouds of dust that choked the crowd. Among them was a striking young woman with a curvaceous figure—rumored to be the Mo Clan's second miss, according to passersby.
Inside the city, the streets buzzed with activity, far livelier than Stone Desert City. Xiao Heng casually inquired about the Mo Clan's location and made his way toward their headquarters, prioritizing Qing Lin's safety above all else.
Weaving through the bustling streets, he soon arrived at the Mo Clan's fortress-like compound. Its outer walls bristled with patrol sentries. Circling the perimeter, Xiao Heng identified a sparsely guarded section for his infiltration. Any guard who glimpsed him was reduced to a pile of ash in an instant. A faint silver glimmer darted through the compound as he searched for Qing Lin.
After a lengthy hunt, he located her. Ensuring her safety, Xiao Heng chose not to rescue her immediately. Instead, he lurked within the Mo Clan's walls. I won't let Mo Cheng die so easily. There's plenty of time to make his birthday truly unforgettable.
___
The next day, the Mo Clan's grand hall brimmed with festive cheer. Mo Cheng, his hair streaked with white, greeted representatives from various factions with practiced warmth. As the guests assembled, Xiao Heng deemed it time to make his entrance.
The last to arrive was Nalan Yanran, clad in a moon-white robe. Mo Cheng scurried to welcome her, his enthusiasm masking the curses he muttered inwardly about the Yun Lan Sect. His surface courtesy, however, was impeccable.
Nalan Yanran drew every eye in the hall. Once all were present, Mo Cheng began to propose the formation of the Mo Alliance. His speech was cut short by a chilling laugh.
Jie jie jie! A man's sinister chuckle echoed through the hall. A flash of silver light, and a black-robed figure appeared at the center.
"Who are you, and what business do you have with the Mo Clan?" Mo Cheng demanded coldly.
"I'm here to feast," Xiao Heng said calmly. "After all, today is your final day."
"My final day?" Mo Cheng sneered. "You're welcome to join the feast—or to seek your own death." Crimson Dou Qi gathered in his hands, ready to unleash a technique.
"Confident, aren't you?" Xiao Heng laughed.
With a sudden gesture, Xiao Heng unleashed a surge of suction force, disrupting Mo Cheng's technique. The elder was yanked forward, a hand wreathed in pale blue flames clamping around his throat.
Mo Cheng thrashed futilely against the iron grip. "Hand over the girl you took, and I might spare you," Xiao Heng said.
"Attack!" Mo Cheng barked, signaling the Mo Clan guards. A dozen of them charged at Xiao Heng, weapons drawn.
"Ants," Xiao Heng murmured. Blue flames rained down, reducing the Dou Shi guards—and their weapons—to ashes.
"Could that be a Heavenly Flame?" Ge Ye, standing beside Nalan Yanran, whispered. Nalan Yanran's gaze locked onto the black-robed figure.
"You're not one to stay quiet, are you?" Xiao Heng said, shaking his head. Blue flames ignited on Mo Cheng's limbs, and amid his agonized screams, his arms and legs crumbled to ash.
Mo Cheng's hate-filled eyes bored into Xiao Heng's. "One last time—hand over the girl," Xiao Heng said, his voice hardening as flames licked at Mo Cheng's wounds.
"Sir, might you show mercy?" Ge Ye interjected.
"I've said it already: he gives me the girl, I let him go," Xiao Heng replied.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Mo Cheng spat defiantly.
Without a word, Xiao Heng let the blue flames creep further, consuming Mo Cheng's flesh bit by bit. "Hand over who I want, or the Mo Clan—down to the last dog—burns."
"A little girl, you say?" Mo Lan, the Mo Clan's patriarch, stepped forward. "Please, sir, give us a moment. I'll have her brought here."
"Be quick about it."
"Hurry up!" Mo Lan snapped at his men. As Mo Cheng opened his mouth to protest, flames flared across his lips, silencing him.
Seeing Mo Cheng on the brink of death, Ge Ye moved to intervene but was repelled by a casual flick of Xiao Heng's hand.
"Are you challenging the Yun Lan Sect, sir?" Nalan Yanran demanded.
"Who struck first?" Xiao Heng countered.
"You—" Nalan Yanran faltered, then tried again. "Do you dare reveal your name?"
"Am I a fool? Tell you my name so your entire sect can hunt me down?" Xiao Heng laughed. "Use your brain. If I wanted you dead, you'd both be ashes already. The Yun Lan Sect? A pathetic faction without even a Dou Zong."
Nalan Yanran clenched her teeth, her face flushing with fury. The Yun Lan Sect, called a pathetic faction? Her chest heaved as she struggled to stay composed.
"Move faster, or I'll slaughter you too!" Xiao Heng barked.
"Sir, the girl is here!" Mo Lan called out. A Mo Clan disciple entered, carrying Qing Lin on his back. He gently set her down.
"Young Master!" Qing Lin's eyes lit up, sensing the familiar aura of Xiao Heng's blue flames, matching the fiery mark he'd left on her.
____
If you want to support me and read advanced chapters and other stories: patreon.com/Caluem