Blood dripped onto the stone floor.
Luo Shan staggered back three steps, one hand pressing against the deep wound across his chest. His black wolf mask had cracked from the force of our clash, revealing sharp features twisted with disbelief.
Silence filled the command hall.
Outside, even the wind seemed to stop.
The Phoenix Flame Guards stared.
The militia forgot to breathe.
Even Yue Lian's usually calm eyes held surprise.
The captain of the Blood Wolf Battalion—
injured.
By me.
Luo Shan slowly looked down at the blood staining his fingers.
Then he laughed.
Low.
Dangerous.
"So the crippled Fifth Prince truly changed."
His killing intent became heavier, pressing against the walls like invisible blades.
The seven Blood Wolf assassins behind him stepped forward in silence.
Every one of them radiated a murderous aura.
Hu Mei clicked her tongue.
"Master, this is the part where normal people retreat dramatically."
I rolled my shoulder, ignoring the ache in my arm.
"Good thing I'm not normal."
Lin Xue stood beside the door, silver sword half-drawn.
Her blue eyes were cold.
"One command."
Yue Lian lowered her spear.
"My guards are ready."
Even Feng Yuehuang's golden gaze rested on me.
She said nothing.
But I understood.
If I wanted, they would erase these assassins in a single breath.
But—
This battle mattered.
Not because of strength.
Because of reputation.
If I could not stand against the Third Prince's first blade, how could I ever sit on the throne?
I lifted my sword.
"No one interferes."
Luo Shan smiled darkly.
"Brave."
Then his voice turned sharp.
"Kill."
The seven assassins moved instantly.
Fast.
Too fast for ordinary soldiers to follow.
Black shadows rushed from every direction.
I stepped back, sword flashing.
Clang!
Steel met steel.
One blade.
Two.
Three.
Every strike was aimed at my throat, heart, and spine.
No hesitation.
These men were trained to kill princes.
Perfect.
I ducked under a slash and drove my elbow into one assassin's ribs.
Crack.
He stumbled.
I cut his throat without mercy.
The system flashed.
[Host kill successful]
EXP +300
Warm spiritual qi surged through my body.
Good.
One down.
Six left.
Another assassin appeared behind me.
Before he could strike, one of my Frost Wolves lunged from the side, crashing into him with icy fangs.
The man screamed as claws tore through his shoulder.
I grinned.
Right.
I had more than a summons.
I had my beasts.
"Good boy."
The Frost Wolf growled proudly.
Hu Mei laughed loudly from the side.
"Even Master's wolves know how to steal kills."
Another assassin charged.
This time, I met him head-on.
Qi surged through my blade.
I used the newly acquired Blood Spear Technique, adapting its movement into sword form.
Faster.
Sharper.
More ruthless.
His eyes widened too late.
My sword pierced through his chest.
[Host kill successful]
EXP +320
Reward: Low-Grade Summon Card]
A summon card.
Perfect.
My eyes lit up.
Even in battle, I couldn't help it.
I was excited.
Who would come next?
What kind of monster?
What kind of beauty?
I laughed.
Luo Shan frowned.
"Why are you smiling?"
I pulled the glowing card from the system inventory.
"Because I like surprises."
Without hesitation—
I crushed it.
Golden light exploded inside the hall.
Everyone froze.
Even the Blood Wolf assassins stopped moving.
A massive summoning formation spread across the floor, ancient runes blazing with divine pressure.
The torches bent from the force.
Wind howled through the hall.
Then—
A laugh echoed.
Wild.
Arrogant.
Male.
From the centre of the light stepped a tall man in black-red robes, long dark hair tied behind him, carrying a massive demonic blade across his shoulder.
His eyes were crimson.
Sharp.
Dangerous.
He looked like trouble.
The system panel flashed.
[Summon Successful]
Name: Mo Jianli
Title: Asura Blade Sovereign
Race: Ancient Demon Clan
Realm: Spirit Core Level 5
Loyalty: 50
He looked around once.
At Feng Yuehuang.
At Lin Xue.
At Hu Mei.
Then, finally, at me.
A slow grin spread across his face.
He dropped to one knee.
"This sovereign greets the Master."
The Blood Wolf assassins looked like they wanted to die.
Honestly—
same.
I smiled.
Perfect.
A male summon.
And a terrifying one.
Feng Yuehuang folded her arms.
"Another arrogant one."
Mo Jianli smirked.
"At least I know how to make an entrance, Phoenix."
Hu Mei clapped happily.
"Oh, I like him already."
Lin Xue looked like she regretted existing.
I pointed toward the assassins.
"Play later. Kill first."
Mo Jianli stood and rolled his neck.
"As Master commands."
He lifted the massive blade.
The demonic aura exploded.
The entire hall shook.
One Blood Wolf assassin tried to retreat.
Too late.
One slash.
That was all.
Half the hall behind him split open.
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Mo Jianli yawned.
"Weak."
Even Luo Shan's face turned ugly.
Good.
Let despair settle in.
I stepped forward again.
Now there were only three assassins left.
And Luo Shan.
His breathing had become heavier.
Blood soaked his armour.
But his eyes were still sharp.
Still dangerous.
Good.
I wanted him desperately.
He glared at me.
"You think this ends here?"
I smiled.
"No."
I pointed my sword toward the south.
"This is where it begins."
His expression twisted.
Then he roared and charged again.
This time—
I charged too.
Sword against sword.
Qi against qi.
Hatred against ambition.
The impact shattered the command hall floor.
Outside, the crimson banner of the Fifth Prince rose higher in the northern wind.
Tonight—
The Blood Wolf Battalion would not leave alive.
And tomorrow—
The capital would learn to fear exile.