Eor2
## Chapter 3: Blood in the Northeast (Continued)
Stone walls crumbled, undead soldiers disintegrated, and necromantic formations shattered like glass as the platform crashed through layer after layer of the fortress.
When the dust finally settled, they found themselves in what had once been the central courtyard of the keep, now transformed into a twisted throne room. Bodies in various states of decay and transformation hung from chains suspended from the ceiling—not yet puppets, but raw materials awaiting the necromancer's touch.
"Disgusting," Bradamante whispered, her face pale beneath her helmet.
Longxian stepped forward, the Heaven-Cleaving Spear now in his hands. Its obsidian blade seemed to drink in the sickly green light of the necromantic fires, returning nothing.
"Come forth, Withered Hand," he called, his voice carrying supernatural authority. "Face imperial justice for your transgressions."
For a moment, there was only eerie silence. Then a dry, rattling laugh echoed through the chamber as a figure emerged from the shadows behind what could only be described as a throne of fused corpses.
The Withered Hand lived up to his name—a gaunt figure whose actual left hand was nothing but desiccated bone and sinew. His face was partially obscured by a plague mask crafted from human skin, but his eyes burned with malevolent intelligence.
"Emperor Longxian," he rasped, voice creaking like ancient parchment. "How predictable that you would come personally. Arrogance has always been the downfall of the so-called righteous."
More figures emerged from the shadows—elite disciples of the Black Lotus, each radiating the corrupt aura of high-level demonic cultivation. They surrounded the four intruders, maintaining a cautious distance but clearly preparing to attack.
"Your Majesty," Bradamante murmured, shield at the ready, "there are at least twenty high-level cultivators here."
"I count twenty-three," Tomoe corrected, flames dancing along her blade with eager anticipation.
"Twenty-five," Barghest growled, her bestial senses detecting hidden threats the others had missed. "The two in the rafters reek of blood magic."
The Withered Hand's eyes crinkled above his mask—a grotesque approximation of a smile. "You brought only three guards? I expected better from the Boundless Emperor." He gestured dismissively. "Kill them all. I want the emperor's head preserved—the rest can feed the lesser puppets."
What happened next occurred so quickly that even the elite Black Lotus disciples struggled to follow it. Longxian moved—not with cultivation-enhanced speed, but with something beyond that, as if space itself compressed around him. One moment he stood at the center of their group; the next, his spear had pierced the chest of the furthest disciple, golden energy cascading from the wound.
"I didn't bring guards," Longxian stated calmly as the body crumpled. "I brought exterminators."
It was the signal to begin. Tomoe exploded into action, her blade becoming a whirlwind of flame that cut through three disciples before they could even raise their defenses. Barghest charged with bestial fury, her form shifting further toward the monstrous as she tore into the enemy ranks with claw and fang. Bradamante raised her shield, holy light bursting forth to counter the waves of death energy the remaining disciples hurled at them.
The Withered Hand snarled, drawing a curved dagger that dripped with black ichor. "Thousand-Year Soul Drain!" he screeched, slashing his own withered forearm. The blood that sprayed forth transformed mid-air into a swarm of spectral parasites that flew toward the invaders.
"Lady Bradamante!" Longxian called, already engaging three disciples simultaneously.
"On it!" she responded, swinging her shield in a wide arc. "Bouclier d'Atlante: Purifying Light!"
The shield flashed brilliantly, releasing a wave of holy energy that disintegrated the parasites before they could reach their targets. But the defensive action left her momentarily exposed on her flank. A Black Lotus disciple lunged, bone blade aimed at her unprotected side.
In an instant, Longxian was there, his spear deflecting the strike while his free hand seized the attacker by the throat. With seemingly casual strength, he crushed the disciple's windpipe before tossing the body aside like refuse.
"T-thank you, Your Majesty," Bradamante gasped, momentarily flustered by his proximity and the effortless way he'd saved her.
"Stay focused," he replied, though there was no rebuke in his tone. "Your shield is our key to victory."
The battle intensified as the Withered Hand himself entered the fray, revealing why he had survived for centuries as one of Xuanyuan's most feared demon cultivators. His desiccated body moved with unnatural agility, and each slash of his black dagger left trails of corrosive energy that ate through anything they touched.
"Emperor Longxian," he hissed, circling his opponent with predatory focus. "Do you know how long I've waited to add your head to my collection? The legends say your blood can extend life by centuries. I intend to find out."
Longxian smiled coldly. "Many have tried to spill my blood. None have lived to benefit from it."
Their clash shook the foundations of the already damaged fortress, golden imperial energy meeting corrupted death qi in explosive confrontations. Each impact sent shockwaves through the chamber, further destabilizing the structure.
Meanwhile, Tomoe found herself surrounded by seven disciples, each wielding weapons that leaked poisonous miasma with every movement.
"FINALLY!" she shouted with fierce joy, flames erupting around her entire body. "A REAL CHALLENGE!"
She unleashed her Noble Phantasm without hesitation: "Oṃ Ālolik Svāhā!"
Her form became almost entirely composed of flame as she moved at blinding speed, cutting through her opponents with a ferocity that left even Barghest impressed. When the technique ended, only charred remains indicated where the disciples had stood.
Barghest was equally devastating in her approach, having transformed fully into her monstrous form—a massive black hound with burning eyes and jaws that could crush celestial metal. She tore through the enemy ranks with primal savagery, immune to the death curses and blood techniques they desperately employed against her.
Through it all, Bradamante maintained the protective barrier that prevented the fortress's ambient necromantic energy from corrupting them, while occasionally striking out with her spear when enemies ventured too close.
The battle reached its climax when the Withered Hand, realizing he was outmatched, attempted a forbidden technique. Slashing his chest open, he exposed a grotesque inner cavity filled not with organs but with writhing, parasitic creatures.
"Thousand-Year Apocalypse Rebirth!" he screeched.
The parasites exploded outward, each seeking a living host to corrupt and transform. Simultaneously, the bodies hanging from the ceiling began to twitch and animate, dropping to the floor as newly awakened puppets.
"Everyone to me!" Bradamante shouted, channeling more power into her shield. The barrier expanded, creating a safe zone around her as the parasitic swarm filled the chamber.
Tomoe and Barghest retreated into the protective circle, but Longxian stood his ground, golden energy swirling around the Heaven-Cleaving Spear as he raised it high.
"Sovereign Flame Law: World Purification Strike!"
He brought the spear down with devastating force, driving its point into the stone floor. A shockwave of golden flame erupted from the impact point, expanding outward in a perfect circle that incinerated everything in its path—parasites, puppets, and the remaining disciples.
Only the Withered Hand remained, protected by a hastily erected barrier of condensed death energy. But the strain of maintaining it against Longxian's attack had clearly taken its toll. Black ichor seeped from beneath his mask, and his movements had become jerky, uncoordinated.
"This... changes nothing," he gasped, hunched over in pain. "The Black Lotus is eternal. Cut off one hand, and two more shall rise."
"Perhaps," Longxian acknowledged, walking slowly toward his wounded enemy. "But you will not be among them."
With a final, desperate screech, the Withered Hand lunged forward, his corrupted dagger aimed directly at Longxian's heart. The emperor didn't even bother to dodge. He simply caught the necromancer's wrist mid-strike, stopping the attack with insulting ease.
"Five centuries of cultivation," Longxian observed dispassionately, "and this is the extent of your power? Pathetic."
Before the Withered Hand could respond, Longxian thrust the Heaven-Cleaving Spear through his chest. But rather than withdraw it, he channeled his imperial qi directly into the wound.
"Sovereign Flame Law: Soul Cauterization."
Golden flame erupted from within the necromancer's body, burning not just flesh but his very soul. The Withered Hand's scream transcended physical sound, becoming a spiritual wail that echoed across multiple planes of existence.
When it was over, nothing remained but ash that scattered in the disturbed air of the fortress.
Longxian turned to his three companions, each displaying different reactions to the battle's conclusion. Tomoe looked exhilarated, blood and soot streaking her face as she grinned with fierce satisfaction. Barghest was gradually shifting back to her more humanoid form, though her eyes still burned with battle-lust. And Bradamante seemed simultaneously horrified by the carnage and awed by Longxian's display of power.
"The fortress is cleansed," he stated simply. "Without their master's control, the corpse army outside will collapse within hours."
"That was MAGNIFICENT!" Tomoe exclaimed, practically bouncing with leftover adrenaline. "Your flame technique—I've never seen fire manipulated with such precision!"
"It was... impressive," Barghest admitted grudgingly, though there was new respect in her heterochromatic gaze.
Bradamante just stared at Longxian with wide eyes, her shield lowered now that the immediate danger had passed. "You... you could have defeated them all alone, couldn't you? You didn't need us at all."
Longxian regarded her thoughtfully. "I could have won alone, yes. But at greater cost, with more collateral damage, and without seeing how my Pillars perform in actual combat." His expression softened slightly. "You all exceeded expectations."
Before any of them could respond, the fortress gave an ominous groan. The structural damage from their dramatic entrance, combined with the battle's aftermath, had compromised the entire keep.
"Time to leave," Longxian announced, already striding toward a partially collapsed wall that offered a view of the night sky. "Lady Tomoe, if you would?"
Understanding immediately, Tomoe channeled her flames to blast a wider opening in the wall, creating an escape route. But as they moved toward it, the floor suddenly gave way beneath Bradamante's feet.
"Aieee!" she cried out as she plummeted, her armor clanking against debris.
Without hesitation, Longxian dove after her, moving so quickly he seemed to blur. He caught her mid-fall, one arm wrapping securely around her waist while his other hand seized a protruding beam to halt their descent.
The sudden stop brought them into extremely close contact, Bradamante's body pressed firmly against his. Her face flamed crimson as she found herself eye-level with the emperor, close enough to feel his breath on her cheeks.
"I—um—thank you, Your Majesty," she stammered, hyperaware of his arm around her waist and the strength with which he held both of them suspended with just one hand.
"Careful, Lady Bradamante," he replied, a hint of amusement in his voice. "I'm beginning to think these 'accidents' might be deliberate."
Her blush deepened impossibly. "N-no! I would never—that is—I'm just naturally clumsy and—"
"I'm teasing you," he interrupted gently, before pushing off from the beam with enough force to launch them both back up to the stable section of floor where Tomoe and Barghest waited.
"If you two are quite finished," Barghest growled, though there was a knowing glint in her eyes, "this place is about to become our tomb if we don't leave."
Using a combination of Tomoe's flames for propulsion, Bradamante's shield for protection, and Longxian's spiritual energy to stabilize their trajectory, the four managed to escape the collapsing fortress, landing safely on a nearby hillside just as the entire structure imploded in a spectacular cascade of stone and corrupt energy.
"Well," Tomoe observed, watching the destruction with satisfaction, "I'd call that a successful first mission."
---
## Chapter 4: Ripples of Victory
News of the Black Lotus Sect's decisive defeat spread throughout the Dragon-Spire Empire with supernatural speed. By the time Longxian's group returned to the capital three days later, songs about the "Emperor's Blazing Descent" were already being performed in taverns and marketplaces.
The stories grew more elaborate with each retelling. In some versions, Longxian had personally slain ten thousand undead warriors. In others, his three female companions were described as divine consorts who had descended from the celestial realms to join his harem. By the time these tales reached the imperial palace, even Chancellor Wei Ming was uncertain which details were fact and which were fiction.
"Welcome back, Your Majesty," Artoria greeted formally as Longxian's party entered the palace gates. She stood at the head of a reception committee that included the remaining Pillars and key court officials. "The empire rejoices at your victory."
"The Black Lotus threat has been eliminated," Longxian confirmed, dismounting from his celestial steed with fluid grace. "Their leader is dead, their army dispersed."
"The northeastern provinces are already sending representatives to express their gratitude," Zenobia added, stepping forward with a scroll in hand. "I've taken the liberty of organizing a formal ceremony to receive them tomorrow."
"Always the efficient administrator," Longxian noted with approval, causing a brief flicker of pleasure to cross Zenobia's usually composed features.
As the group moved into the palace proper, the returning warriors were bombarded with questions from their companions.
"Was it glorious?" Dobrynya asked excitedly, bouncing on her toes as she circled Barghest. "Did you get to transform fully? How many did you devour?"
"It was... satisfactory," Barghest replied gruffly, though there was a hint of a smile beneath her fearsome exterior. "The emperor fights well for a non-beast."
Nearby, Jeanne approached Bradamante with gentler curiosity. "Are you unharmed? Battles against corrupted forces can leave spiritual wounds that aren't immediately apparent."
"I'm fine," Bradamante assured her, though her cheeks colored slightly as her gaze inadvertently tracked Longxian's progress through the entrance hall. "The emperor... he protected us well."
Ibuki-Douji, who had been observing from a more elevated position—literally, as she had coiled her serpentine lower body around a pillar—noticed this subtle reaction with evident amusement.
"My, my," she purred, slithering down to join the conversation. "Our little knight seems to have developed an admiration for our Little Emperor. How charmingly predictable."
"It's not like that!" Bradamante protested, her blush deepening. "I just respect his power and leadership, that's all!"
"Of course," Ibuki-Douji agreed with exaggerated sincerity. "Just as Tomoe's eyes haven't left him since you arrived, and Barghest isn't quite literally following him like a loyal hound."
Indeed, Tomoe had attached herself to Longxian's side, enthusiastically recounting battle details to Uesugi Kenshin, who listened with silent attentiveness. And Barghest, despite maintaining a respectful distance, was clearly monitoring the emperor's movements with predatory focus.
"The first mission often forges special bonds," Ibuki-Douji continued casually, examining her claw-like nails. "I remember my first battle alongside a ruler I respected. It awakens such... intense feelings."
Bradamante sputtered incoherently, while Jeanne looked simultaneously scandalized and thoughtful.
Meanwhile, Longxian had reached the inner courtyard, where Beni-Enma waited with her usual solemn dignity.
"While you were away," she reported without preamble, "I detected three infiltration attempts by unknown cultivators. All were neutralized."
"Spies?" Longxian asked, instantly alert.
"Assassins," Beni-Enma corrected, her crimson eyes glinting dangerously. "Competent ones, bearing soul-fluctuation techniques I've not encountered before. Their remains await your inspection in the judgment hall."
"Your efficiency is appreciated, Lady Beni," Longxian acknowledged with a respectful inclination of his head, which the Judge of Hell returned with precise formality.
After ensuring the Heaven-Cleaving Spear was properly returned to its sacred resting place and making brief appearances at various obligatory welcome ceremonies, Longxian finally retreated to the imperial bathhouse—a secluded sanctuary where even emperors could briefly escape the burdens of rule.
The massive chamber was carved from a single block of jade, fed by natural hot springs that contained trace elements of spiritual minerals. Steam rose in fragrant clouds from the central pool, whose waters glowed faintly with ambient spiritual energy.
Longxian sighed with genuine relief as he sank into the heated waters, feeling the accumulated tension of battle and travel begin to dissolve. The northeastern campaign had been successful beyond expectations, but it had also confirmed his suspicions that darker forces were stirring beyond his borders—forces that might be connected to the mysterious resistance he'd encountered during the summoning ritual.
He closed his eyes, allowing his thoughts to drift as his cultivation automatically began absorbing the spiritual elements from the water. The peaceful moment was short-lived, however, as he sensed a disturbance in the water's surface—ripples approaching from the far side of the pool.
"The imperial bathhouse is supposed to be private," he noted without opening his eyes, his tone more curious than annoyed.
"Privacy is such a relative concept for emperors," came Ibuki-Douji's unmistakable sultry voice. "Besides, I thought you might appreciate... debriefing."
Longxian opened his eyes to find the serpent empress partially submerged in the pool, her massive coils mostly hidden beneath the water's misty surface. She had arranged herself modestly—or as modestly as her nature allowed—with strategic positioning and the water's opacity preserving some semblance of decorum.
"Most would consider this an executable offense," Longxian observed mildly, making no move to leave or call for guards. "Entering the emperor's bath uninvited."
"Most emperors would," Ibuki-Douji agreed, slithering slightly closer through the water. "But you're not most emperors, are you? The conventional doesn't interest you—which is precisely why you summoned beings like us rather than simply expanding your mortal armies."
Longxian studied her thoughtfully. Despite her provocative behavior, there was keen intelligence in her serpentine eyes.
"You have questions," he surmised. "Ask them."
She seemed momentarily surprised by his directness before settling into a more comfortable position, her upper body reclining against the pool's edge.
"The Black Lotus was a significant threat, yet you chose to handle it personally with only three companions," she began. "Efficient, yes, but unusually hands-on for a sovereign. One might wonder what other targets merit such... personal attention."
"You're asking about my strategic priorities," Longxian clarified. "Why eliminate the Black Lotus first when other threats exist?"
"Among other things," she acknowledged.
Longxian considered his response carefully. Despite her playful demeanor, Ibuki-Douji was one of the most ancient and powerful beings among his summoned Pillars. Her perspective could prove valuable if properly engaged.
"The Black Lotus represented a specific type of threat—one that corrupts from within," he explained. "External enemies can be contained and addressed methodically, but corruption requires immediate cauterization."
"A medical metaphor," she noted with approval. "Treat the internal bleeding before setting the broken bones. Sensible."
"You've observed much during your time here," Longxian continued. "What's your assessment of our current position?"
Ibuki-Douji's expression grew more serious, a rare glimpse of the ancient wisdom typically concealed beneath her flirtatious exterior.
"Your empire is stronger than it appears but more vulnerable than you admit," she stated bluntly. "Your conventional forces are well-trained but unprepared for the supernatural threats gathering beyond your borders. And your court... divided doesn't begin to describe it. At least three factions actively work against your expansion plans, two of which might be in communication with external powers."
Longxian raised an eyebrow, genuinely impressed by the accuracy of her assessment. "You've been busy."
"Serpents hear much when others think them merely decorative," she replied with a slight smile. "Besides, understanding power structures is an old hobby of mine."
Their conversation was interrupted by a sudden commotion outside the bathhouse doors, followed by the distinctive sound of Bradamante's voice raised in flustered protest.
"I didn't know he was bathing! I was just delivering the tactical reports as ordered!"
The doors burst open, revealing a red-faced Bradamante clutching several scrolls, with palace attendants attempting unsuccessfully to restrain her. Her momentum carried her several steps into the chamber before she registered the scene before her—the emperor and Ibuki-Douji in the bath together.
She froze, eyes widening to almost comical proportions. "I—you—she—FORGIVE ME!" she finally managed to squeak out, dropping the scrolls and covering her eyes with both hands. In her haste to retreat, she backed directly into a decorative jade statue, knocking it over with a resounding crash.
"Lady Bradamante," Longxian called, amusement evident in his voice. "The scrolls?"
"Right! The scrolls! Here they are! On the floor! Where I dropped them! I'll just leave them there and—OH HEAVENS I'M SO SORRY!" Still covering her eyes with one hand, she fumbled blindly with the other, trying to locate the dropped reports while simultaneously backing toward the exit.
Ibuki-Douji watched this display with undisguised delight. "Adorable," she commented. "Like a kitten discovering catnip for the first time."
Bradamante finally managed to locate the exit, still apologizing profusely as she disappeared through it, leaving the scrolls scattered across the bathhouse floor.
"She'll be mortified for days," Longxian sighed, though there was fondness in his expression.
"She'll be fantasizing for weeks," Ibuki-Douji corrected with a knowing smirk. "As will several others, once the inevitable rumors spread."
"Which I'm sure you'll do nothing to discourage," Longxian noted dryly.
Ibuki-Douji placed a clawed hand over her heart in mock offense. "Me? Spread rumors? I would never." Her expression turned mischievous. "Though I cannot be held responsible for what observations I might share if directly asked."
With that, she began to glide backward through the water. "I'll leave you to your solitude, Little Emperor. Consider our conversation... a prelude to future exchanges."
As she departed with considerably more grace than Bradamante had managed, Longxian found himself unexpectedly amused by the entire situation. The Pillars were already changing palace dynamics in ways he hadn't fully anticipated—not just in terms of military might, but in the subtle social currents that influenced court politics.
It would be interesting to see how these relationships evolved over time.
---
Sure enough, by the following morning, rumors of various romantic entanglements had spread throughout the palace. The most persistent involved Longxian and Ibuki-Douji in the imperial bathhouse, with increasingly elaborate embellishments added with each retelling.
Artoria, who had spent the early hours reviewing military reports in the strategy room, was visibly displeased when Zenobia mentioned these rumors during their morning briefing.
"Such talk is beneath our station," Artoria stated firmly, arranging tactical markers on the massive map table with perhaps more force than necessary. "We are here to serve the empire, not engage in court gossip."
"Of course," Zenobia agreed smoothly, though there was a calculating gleam in her eye. "Though one cannot help but note how quickly certain Pillars seem to be establishing... specialized relationships with His Majesty."
Artoria's hand paused momentarily over a marker representing the northeastern territories. "The emperor's personal affairs are his own concern. They do not affect our duties."
"Don't they?" Zenobia pressed gently. "In my experience, royal favor directly influences court politics. Those closest to the sovereign inevitably gain additional authority—whether officially granted or tacitly assumed."
Before Artoria could respond, the strategy room doors opened to admit Longxian himself, accompanied by Uesugi Kenshin. The War God, as usual, maintained her silent demeanor, floating slightly above the floor beside the emperor.
"Grand Marshal, Queen Zenobia," Longxian greeted them, apparently oblivious to the tension in the room. "I see you've already begun planning the next phase."
"Your Majesty," they replied in unison, bowing with appropriate formality.
"The northeastern situation is stabilized," Artoria reported professionally. "Provincial governors are reestablishing control with minimal assistance from imperial forces. I've taken the liberty of redeploying the Third and Seventh Banners to reinforce our western borders, as intelligence suggests increased activity from the Mountain Demon Sect."
"Efficient as always," Longxian approved, studying the map. "Though I believe we should accelerate our timeline. The Black Lotus incursion was bolder than anticipated—possibly indicating coordination among previously independent threat factions."
"You suspect an alliance forming against the empire?" Zenobia asked, immediately grasping the strategic implications.
"Not quite an alliance," Longxian clarified. "More a mutual recognition that their time grows short. Our victory at Amber Gate Pass has sent a message: the empire is no longer expanding through conventional means alone."
He gestured to Uesugi Kenshin, who silently placed a small jade disk on the map table. With a whispered command, the disk activated, projecting a three-dimensional image of a mountain range in the far northwest of Xuanyuan.
"The Howling Peaks," Longxian identified them. "Home to the White Fang Clan—beast cultivators who have maintained neutrality in previous conflicts. Lady Kenshin has detected unusual spiritual fluctuations in their territory, suggesting outside interference."
"The White Fang are isolationists," Zenobia noted, studying the projection. "They've rejected all previous diplomatic overtures—both from the empire and from demonic sects."
"Which makes their potential alignment with hostile forces concerning," Artoria concluded. "Do we have specific intelligence on the nature of these fluctuations?"
Uesugi Kenshin spoke for the first time since entering, her voice soft as falling snow yet somehow filling the room. "Death essence. Subtle, disguised, but present. Someone brings corruption to the wolf clans."
The implications were immediately clear to everyone present. If the beast clans of the northwest fell to corruption, they would provide enemies with not only territorial advantage but also powerful warriors with innate magical abilities.
"We need more information before committing to military action," Artoria advised cautiously. "The White Fang are proud and powerful. Approaching with force might drive them into our enemies' arms rather than away from them."
"I agree," Longxian nodded. "Which is why I'm dispatching a smaller team for reconnaissance and, if possible, diplomatic contact."
"Who will you send?" Zenobia inquired, already mentally reviewing which Pillars would be best suited for such a mission.
"Lady Barghest, for her connection to beast-kind," Longxian began, marking positions on the map. "Lady Dobrynya for her tracking abilities. Lady Brynhildr for spiritual protection against corruption."
He paused, considering the final position. "And I believe Lady Jeanne would be valuable for her diplomatic skills. The White Fang respect spiritual purity, which she embodies."
"A well-balanced team," Artoria acknowledged, though there was the faintest hint of... something in her tone. Disappointment? Concern? It was difficult to pinpoint.
"You disagree, Grand Marshal?" Longxian asked directly, golden-crimson eyes studying her with unexpected intensity.
Artoria maintained her composure under his gaze. "Not at all, Your Majesty. The selection is tactically sound. I merely wonder if your presence might be beneficial, given the diplomatic sensitivity."
"Are you suggesting I should personally lead this mission as well?" Longxian asked, a hint of surprise in his voice.
"I..." Artoria seemed momentarily flustered, an unusual state for the typically composed King of Knights. "I merely observed that your personal authority carried significant weight in the northeastern campaign."
Zenobia watched this exchange with barely concealed interest, her tactical mind analyzing the underlying currents.
"A fair observation," Longxian conceded. "However, the empire requires my presence here for the time being. The court remains... skeptical of our new power structure. My absence so soon after the last campaign might embolden conservative factions."
"Of course," Artoria agreed quickly, returning her attention to the map. "As I said, your selection is tactically sound."
The planning session continued for another hour, addressing various strategic concerns across the empire. Throughout it all, Zenobia continued to observe the subtle interactions between Artoria and Longxian—the way their eyes occasionally met across the map table, how they seemed to anticipate each other's strategic suggestions, the almost imperceptible softening of Artoria's usually rigid posture when the emperor acknowledged her input.
Interesting dynamics indeed, she mused silently. The legendary King of Knights might not admit it, even to herself, but she was not immune to the charismatic pull of Emperor Longxian. Few of them were, if Zenobia was honest with herself.
Which raised important questions about their future as the Pillars of Heaven. Where did duty end and personal attachment begin? And how would these emerging feelings—whether acknowledged or denied—affect their collective mission to unify Xuanyuan under the Dragon Banner?
Only time would tell. But one thing was certain: life in the Dragon-Spire Palace had become considerably more complicated since their arrival.
---
## Chapter 5: Wolves and Warriors
The northwestern mountains stretched like jagged teeth against the horizon, perpetually shrouded in mist and ancient mystery. This was the domain of the White Fang Clan—beast cultivators who traced their lineage back to the divine wolves that had roamed Xuanyuan during the Age of Mythic Sovereigns.
For centuries, they had maintained strict isolation, defending their territory against all outsiders—imperial and demonic alike. Their neutrality was legendary, as was their ferocity when that neutrality was threatened.
Now, four of Emperor Longxian's Pillars approached their territory, moving with purposeful caution through the foothills. Barghest led the group, her bestial senses alert for any sign of White Fang patrols. Behind her came Dobrynya, her cat-like agility allowing her to bound effortlessly over rocky terrain. Brynhildr followed with silent grace, her spear occasionally crackling with subdued lightning as it detected traces of spiritual disturbance. Jeanne brought up the rear, her banner furled for stealth but her divine senses extended to watch for ambush.
"The corruption grows stronger," Brynhildr noted softly as they paused at a ridgeline overlooking a mist-filled valley. "It has seeped into the very stone."
"I smell it too," Barghest growled, her nose wrinkling in disgust. "Death essence, mixed with something else... something old and hungry."
"But no actual White Fang yet," Dobrynya observed, her ears twitching as she scanned their surroundings. "Strange. By all reports, they maintain constant patrols throughout their territory."
"Perhaps they've been compromised already," Jeanne suggested grimly. "The corruption may have spread further than we anticipated."
"No," Barghest shook her head firmly. "I would smell their dead. This is something else... they're hiding."
"From what?" Dobrynya wondered.
The answer came with shocking suddenness. The mist below them surged upward, coalescing into a towering figure at least twenty meters tall—a spectral wolf composed entirely of bone-white vapor, its eyes burning with cold blue fire.
"TRESPASSERS," it snarled, its voice reverberating through the mountain passes. "YOU VIOLATE THE SANCTUARY OF THE WHITE FANG. DEPART OR BE DEVOURED."
Barghest stepped forward without hesitation, her form partially shifting as her bestial nature responded to the challenge. "I am Barghest of the Black Hound, Beast Commander of the Dragon-Spire Empire. We come not as invaders but as messengers and allies against a common threat."
The mist wolf regarded them with ancient suspicion. "THE EMPIRE HAS NEVER BEEN ALLY TO THE FREE CLANS. WHY SHOULD WE BELIEVE YOU NOW?"
Before Barghest could respond, Jeanne moved to stand beside her, unfurling her sacred banner. It glowed with gentle golden light, dispersing some of the mist around them.
"Because we bring truth," she stated simply, her voice carrying the weight of divine conviction. "By this sacred standard, I swear our intentions are honorable. We seek to warn you of corruption spreading through your territories—death essence that threatens beast-kind and human alike."
The mist wolf's ears flattened against its massive skull. "YOU SPEAK OF THE SHADOW ## Chapter 5: Wolves and Warriors (Continued)
"YOU SPEAK OF THE SHADOW THAT HUNTS OUR PUPS," the mist wolf growled, its massive form shifting uneasily. "THE NIGHT-WALKER THAT LEAVES CORRUPTION IN ITS WAKE. THREE MOONS AGO IT CAME, AND SINCE THEN, MANY HAVE FALLEN ILL WITH THE WASTING SICKNESS."
Brynhildr stepped forward, her spear glowing with spectral light. "This wasting sickness—does it begin with fever dreams and end with the victim's spiritual essence turning black?"
The mist wolf's eyes widened. "YOU KNOW OF THIS PLAGUE?"
"It is soul corruption," Brynhildr confirmed grimly. "A technique commonly employed by death cultivators—specifically, the Black Lotus Sect."
"The same cult we recently defeated at Amber Gate Pass," Dobrynya added, her tail swishing with agitation. "They must have established operations here simultaneously."
The mist wolf regarded them with new consideration. "FOLLOW THE NORTHERN PATH. THE ALPHA WILL SPEAK WITH YOU." The apparition began to dissipate, its form thinning back into natural mist. "BE WARNED—ANY DECEPTION WILL BE MET WITH IMMEDIATE EXECUTION."
"Charming," Dobrynya muttered as the last wisps of the guardian spirit faded away.
"They're scared," Barghest observed, already moving toward the indicated path. "I can smell their fear on the wind. Whatever this corruption is, it's hit them harder than they're admitting."
The northern path led them deeper into White Fang territory, winding through ancient forests where the trees grew to impossible heights, their canopies filtering the sunlight into dappled patterns. Occasionally, they caught glimpses of movement among the shadows—wolf cultivators observing their progress, some in beast form, others in their humanoid aspect.
After several hours of travel, they reached a massive clearing dominated by what appeared to be a small mountain. As they approached, however, it became clear that the "mountain" was actually an enormous petrified wolf skull, weathered by centuries of exposure but still unmistakable in its origin. Caves had been carved into its surface, with primitive but powerful wards glowing at each entrance.
"The Ancestor's Cradle," Barghest identified it with quiet reverence. "The skull of the first divine wolf of Xuanyuan. Few outsiders have ever laid eyes upon it."
A delegation awaited them at the base of the skull-mountain—a dozen White Fang cultivators in semi-transformed states, their features blending human and lupine characteristics. At their center stood an imposing figure who could only be the Alpha—a white-haired woman with piercing yellow eyes and subtle wolf ears poking through her long mane. Despite her relatively humanoid appearance, she exuded an aura of primal power that made even Barghest straighten her posture respectfully.
"I am Yue Ying, Alpha of the White Fang," she introduced herself without preamble. "You claim to know the nature of the sickness that plagues my people."
Jeanne stepped forward, bowing respectfully. "We believe so, Alpha Yue. The symptoms you described match those of spiritual corruption spread by the Black Lotus Sect—necromancers who seek to convert living essence into death energy."
Yue Ying's eyes narrowed dangerously. "And why would the empire suddenly concern itself with the welfare of the beast clans? For centuries, your kind has been content to leave us to our isolation."
"Because the threat has evolved," Brynhildr replied evenly. "The Black Lotus now serves a darker master—one who seeks dominion over all Xuanyuan, beast and human alike."
"The 'Corpse Emperor,'" Dobrynya added, recalling the message delivered by the Black Lotus leader at Amber Gate Pass.
This statement caused visible unease among the White Fang delegation, with several members exchanging worried glances. Yue Ying's expression remained stoic, but her ears flattened slightly—a subtle tell that Barghest immediately recognized.
"You've heard this title before," Barghest observed.
Yue Ying was silent for a long moment, clearly weighing her options. Finally, she gestured toward the largest cave entrance. "Come. What I must show you is not for open discussion."
The interior of the skull-mountain was both primitive and sophisticated—rough-hewn passages illuminated by bioluminescent fungi, interspersed with sophisticated cultivation chambers where spiritual energy flowed in carefully directed currents. As they descended deeper, they began to encounter the victims of the mysterious plague.
Dozens of wolf cultivators lay on stone platforms, their bodies wracked with tremors as black veins spread visibly beneath their skin. Some were fully transformed into wolf form, others caught in painful half-transformations as the corruption disrupted their shape-shifting abilities. Pack members attended to them, applying herbal poultices and channeling purifying energy that seemed to provide temporary relief at best.
"It began in the outer territories," Yue Ying explained as they passed through the makeshift infirmary. "Young scouts would return from patrol with minor symptoms—fatigue, discolored spiritual energy. Within days, they would deteriorate to this state."
"How many have been affected?" Jeanne asked, her heart aching at the suffering around them.
"One-fifth of our clan," Yue Ying answered, her voice tight with controlled emotion. "Primarily the younger, less experienced cultivators. We've lost thirty-seven already."
They finally reached a heavily warded chamber deep within the structure. Yue Ying performed a complex series of hand seals, deactivating multiple layers of protective formations before opening the stone door.
Inside, suspended within a cage of pure spiritual energy, was a small black orb no larger than a clenched fist. Despite its size, it radiated a malevolent aura so intense that even the hardened warriors felt an instinctive revulsion.
"Three moons ago, one of our hunters discovered this embedded in the corpse of a divine beast in the outer territories," Yue Ying explained. "Before we understood its nature, several examined it directly. They were the first to fall ill."
Brynhildr stepped closer, her spear raised defensively as she studied the orb. "A corruption seed," she identified it. "An advanced necromantic technique used to gradually convert an area's natural spiritual energy into death essence."
"Can you neutralize it?" Yue Ying asked, hope briefly flickering in her otherwise stoic expression.
Brynhildr and Jeanne exchanged concerned glances. "Possibly," Jeanne answered carefully. "But it would be dangerous. Such artifacts are typically linked to their creator—destroying it might alert whoever planted it here."
"Which might be exactly what we want," Dobrynya suggested, her tactical mind working quickly. "If we can draw out this agent of the Black Lotus, we could eliminate the immediate threat to the White Fang and gain valuable intelligence on the Corpse Emperor's operations."
"A trap," Barghest nodded approvingly. "Using the seed as bait."
Yue Ying considered this proposition. "My people are warriors, not bait. If we undertake this plan, we do so as equals in the hunt, not as imperial subjects."
"Of course," Jeanne agreed immediately. "Our mission is to offer alliance, not demand submission. Together we stand a much better chance against this common enemy."
After further discussion, a plan began to take shape. They would use Jeanne's holy banner and Brynhildr's purification techniques to neutralize the corruption seed, while Barghest, Dobrynya, and the White Fang warriors prepared an ambush for whoever responded to its destruction.
As preparations progressed, Dobrynya found herself assigned to work with a young White Fang scout named Huan Lei, whose tracking abilities complemented her own.
"So," Huan Lei began as they set up specialized traps around the perimeter, "what's it like serving the Boundless Emperor? We hear many stories, even in our isolation."
"Oh? What kind of stories?" Dobrynya asked curiously, her tail swishing with interest.
"That he conquered the Southern Wastes in a single day. That his spear can split mountains. That he maintains a harem of divine consorts from across the realms." Huan Lei's ears twitched mischievously at the last item.
Dobrynya nearly dropped the spirit-sensing formation flag she was placing. "H-harem? We're not—I mean—we're his Pillars of Heaven! Sworn protectors and officials of the empire!"
"Of course," Huan Lei replied with a knowing smirk. "Though that doesn't explain why you're blushing beneath your fur."
"I'm not blushing!" Dobrynya protested, though her heightened body temperature suggested otherwise. "It's just... we're professional warriors, that's all!"
"Professional warriors who happen to all be female, all extraordinarily powerful, and all living in close proximity to one of the most powerful men in Xuanyuan," Huan Lei pointed out with infuriating logic. "Even isolated as we are, we recognize the pattern. It's not so different from wolf pack dynamics, really."
"It's completely different!" Dobrynya insisted, though she found herself wondering why the suggestion bothered her so much—or rather, why it didn't bother her as much as it probably should.
Before this uncomfortable conversation could continue, a spiritual shock wave rippled through the area—the signal that Jeanne and Brynhildr had begun their purification ritual. All personal concerns were immediately set aside as Dobrynya and Huan Lei rushed to their assigned positions, preparing for whatever might respond to the seed's destruction.
They didn't have to wait long.
The sky above the Ancestor's Cradle darkened unnaturally as clouds formed with impossible speed, swirling into a vortex centered directly above the skull-mountain. Lightning crackled within the maelstrom, but instead of the natural blue-white, these bolts were sickly green and seemed to move with purposeful malice.
"That's... not a natural response," Dobrynya observed, her fur standing on end from the corrupted spiritual energy saturating the air.
A bolt of green lightning struck the peak of the skull-mountain with devastating force, blasting open a section of the ancient bone. Through this newly created aperture descended a figure that radiated death essence so intense it killed the vegetation in a spreading circle around its landing point.
The being appeared humanoid but was clearly anything but human. Its body was composed of what looked like polished obsidian, with glowing green energy visible through cracks in its surface. Where a face should be, it wore a mask carved from white jade, depicting a serene, almost beautiful countenance that created a disturbing contrast with the malevolence of its aura.
"WHO DARES INTERFERE WITH THE WORK OF THE MIDNIGHT COURT?" it spoke, its voice reverberating unnaturally, as if multiple entities were speaking in imperfect unison.
From her hidden position, Dobrynya could see the White Fang warriors tensing, preparing to spring the ambush. But something felt wrong—this entity was too powerful, too confident for a mere sentinel.
Her instincts proved correct when the being made a simple gesture, causing the ground to erupt with skeletal hands that grabbed at the hidden warriors, exposing their positions prematurely.
"FOOLISH CREATURES," it condemned them. "YOUR RESISTANCE IS NOTED AND WILL BE REPORTED TO THE CORPSE EMPEROR. YOUR SENTENCE IS ETERNAL SERVICE."
It raised both arms, and the killing intent that radiated outward was so intense that several younger White Fang warriors collapsed instantly, black corruption spreading across their bodies.
Barghest was the first to respond, erupting from her hiding place with a roar that shook the mountains. Her form shifted mid-leap, growing to her full bestial aspect—a massive black hound with burning eyes and jaws that could crush celestial metal.
She slammed into the entity with bone-jarring force, driving it back several meters before it stabilized, obsidian hands grasping her throat with surprising strength.
"A FOREIGN BEAST," it observed with cold curiosity. "YOUR ESSENCE WILL MAKE AN EXCELLENT ADDITION TO OUR COLLECTION."
The standoff was broken by a flash of holy light as Jeanne emerged from the skull-mountain, her banner fully unfurled and radiating purifying energy. "In the name of the divine, I command you to identify yourself, servant of corruption!"
The entity seemed to recoil slightly from the holy light before straightening again. "I AM ENVOY YU OF THE MIDNIGHT COURT, HERALD OF THE CORPSE EMPEROR AND HARBINGER OF THE GREAT UNMAKING. YOUR PITIFUL LIGHT CANNOT STAND AGAINST THE GLORY OF TRUE DEATH."
With frightening speed, it flung Barghest aside and launched a barrage of green lightning bolts at Jeanne. The saint raised her banner defensively, the holy fabric absorbing much of the corrupt energy but not all—several bolts struck the ground around her, creating pools of bubbling corruption that began to spread rapidly.
"The corruption is spreading too quickly!" Brynhildr warned as she joined the battle, her spear crackling with counter-lightning. "We need to contain it before it reaches the wounded inside!"
Dobrynya and the White Fang scouts began a fighting retreat, attempting to draw the entity away from the skull-mountain while Jeanne and Brynhildr worked to neutralize the spreading corruption.
Through it all, Yue Ying coordinated her clan's efforts with remarkable composure, demonstrating why she held the position of Alpha. "Circle formation!" she commanded. "Channel the ancestral howl on my mark!"
The White Fang warriors who remained combat-capable arranged themselves in a perfect circle around Envoy Yu, their eyes beginning to glow with inherited divine power. When Yue Ying gave the signal, they released a synchronized howl that was more than mere sound—it was a spiritual technique passed down from their divine wolf ancestors, capable of temporarily disrupting enemy cultivation.
The howl visibly impacted Envoy Yu, causing the green energy within its obsidian form to fluctuate erratically. Taking advantage of this momentary weakness, Barghest charged again, this time targeting the white jade mask.
Her massive jaws clamped down on the entity's face, and with a savage twist of her powerful neck, she tore the mask free. What lay beneath was not a face but a writhing mass of green energy containing what appeared to be hundreds of tiny, tortured faces—the spirits of those consumed to create this abomination.
"BY THE ANCESTRAL FANG," Yue Ying gasped in horror. "It's a collective entity!"
"Worse," Brynhildr corrected grimly as she drove her spear into the creature's torso, channeling purifying lightning through the wound. "It's a soul prison. Those are the spirits of its victims, converted into fuel for its existence."
Realizing it was outmatched, Envoy Yu began to dissolve into corrupt mist, attempting to escape. "THE MIDNIGHT COURT DOES NOT FORGET DEFIANCE," it warned as its form became increasingly insubstantial. "THE CORPSE EMPEROR SHALL HEAR OF YOUR RESISTANCE. YOUR SUFFERING WILL BE LEGENDARY."
"Not if we destroy you first!" Dobrynya declared, performing a complex series of hand seals. "Sky-Binding Chain Technique!"
Glowing blue chains materialized from her spiritual energy, wrapping around the dissipating entity and temporarily halting its escape. "Jeanne! Now!"
The saint thrust her banner forward like a spear, channeling divine energy directly into the restrained entity. "Sacred Purification!"
A column of golden light erupted around Envoy Yu, eliciting an inhuman screech of agony as its corrupt essence began to disintegrate under the assault of pure divine energy. The tiny faces trapped within its form were briefly visible as they were released from their prison, expressions of torment transforming into relief as they ascended through the light and disappeared.
When the light faded, nothing remained of Envoy Yu except the white jade mask, which had fallen to the ground and cracked perfectly down the middle.
Silence fell over the battlefield as both the Pillars and the White Fang warriors processed what they had just encountered. It was Yue Ying who finally spoke, her voice heavy with the weight of new understanding.
"This is far worse than a simple plague," she stated, kneeling to examine the broken mask. "This 'Midnight Court' and 'Corpse Emperor'—they aren't just titles. They're an organized force with specific goals."
"And resources," Brynhildr added, studying the lingering energy signatures of their opponent. "That entity contained at least three hundred captured souls. The power required to create such an abomination is... substantial."
Jeanne approached Yue Ying, her banner now furled but still glowing faintly with residual energy. "Alpha Yue, I believe the time for isolation has passed. This threat targets all of Xuanyuan—human and beast alike."
The Alpha rose, clutching one half of the broken mask. "You speak truth, Holy Maiden. The White Fang has stood apart for generations, but we cannot face this corruption alone." She turned to address all present. "I will consult with the elders, but my recommendation will be clear—the White Fang shall stand with the Dragon-Spire Empire against this common enemy."
It was a historic declaration—one that would significantly alter the balance of power in Xuanyuan. The White Fang's neutrality had been a constant for centuries; their alignment with the empire would send shockwaves throughout the realm.
As they began treating the wounded and securing the area, Dobrynya found herself partnered with Barghest to search for any remaining traces of corruption. The larger woman had returned to her more humanoid form, though her eyes still glowed with residual battle-lust.
"You fought well," Barghest acknowledged gruffly—high praise from the typically terse warrior.
"So did you," Dobrynya replied, her tail swishing with pleasure at the compliment. "I've never seen anyone physically overpower a spiritual entity before. The emperor will be impressed when we report back."
Barghest made a noncommittal sound, but Dobrynya noticed her posture straightening slightly at the mention of Longxian's potential approval.
"You know," Dobrynya continued casually, recalling her earlier conversation with Huan Lei, "the White Fang have some interesting theories about our relationship with the emperor."
"What theories?" Barghest asked, instantly alert.
"Oh, just that we're all part of his... harem," Dobrynya said, watching carefully for Barghest's reaction.
To her surprise, the fearsome warrior didn't reject the idea outright. Instead, she was silent for several moments before responding in a low voice. "The strongest male leads the pack. It is natural."
"Wait," Dobrynya halted mid-step, her ears perked forward in shock. "You're not denying it? You actually think of us that way?"
Barghest shrugged her massive shoulders. "I am beast-kind. We do not complicate mating with unnecessary customs. The emperor is the strongest. His bloodline should continue through worthy females."
"But—but we're not just beasts!" Dobrynya sputtered. "We're legendary heroes with our own histories and purposes!"
"And?" Barghest raised an eyebrow. "Does purpose exclude desire? Does legend prevent heart from beating faster when he speaks your name? I have seen how you look at him, little cat. Your tail betrays what your words deny."
Dobrynya's tail, which had indeed been swishing in an agitated manner, suddenly went rigid. "That's—you're—we're getting off topic! We need to focus on the mission!"
Barghest's lips curved in what might have been a smile. "As you wish. But denial changes nothing. The hunt continues regardless of whether we acknowledge the prey."
With that cryptic statement, she continued their patrol, leaving a flustered Dobrynya to follow while trying desperately to convince herself that her racing heart was solely due to the recent battle.
---
## Chapter 6: Ripples and Reflections
Emperor Longxian stood motionless on the highest balcony of the Divine Observation Tower, his golden-crimson eyes fixed on the distant northern horizon. Though the White Fang territories were far beyond physical sight, his spiritual senses—enhanced by the tower's ancient formations—allowed him to perceive significant disturbances in the empire's border regions.
Hours ago, he had felt the unmistakable surge of divine energy that could only be Jeanne's noble phantasm. Now he waited, patient as a mountain, for confirmation of its cause and outcome.
"Troubled thoughts, Your Majesty?" came Artoria's voice from behind him.
He didn't turn, having sensed her approach long before she spoke. "Not troubled. Focused."
She moved to stand beside him at the balcony's edge, her smaller frame dwarfed by his height yet somehow not diminished by the comparison. Like him, she gazed northward, as if she too could perceive events happening hundreds of miles away.
"The White Fang mission," she surmised correctly. "You felt it as well."
"A significant spiritual discharge," he confirmed. "Jeanne's purification technique, if I'm not mistaken. Something warranted its use."
"Do you wish to send reinforcements?" Artoria asked, always practical, always prepared for action.
Longxian shook his head slightly. "Not yet. I trust their capabilities. Intervening prematurely might undermine the diplomatic aspect of their mission."
They stood in companionable silence for several moments, the wind at this height causing Artoria's golden hair to occasionally brush against Longxian's arm—a subtle contact neither acknowledged openly.
"The court is still adjusting to your new governance structure," Artoria eventually commented. "Minister Fang has submitted three formal protests regarding the Pillars' authority."
"As expected," Longxian replied with a hint of amusement. "Fang represents the old guard—those who believe power should remain exclusively in the hands of Xuanyuan-born nobles. His protests are traditional rather than practical."
"And how will you respond?" she inquired, genuinely curious about his approach to internal politics.
Longxian turned slightly, regarding her with unexpected directness. "How would you have handled such resistance in Camelot, King of Knights?"
The question caught Artoria off-guard. Few ever asked about her reign, and fewer still seemed genuinely interested in her administrative approaches rather than her battle prowess.
"I..." she began, collecting her thoughts. "I would have acknowledged their concerns while demonstrating the practical benefits of the new system. Change is best accepted when its advantages are visible, not merely promised."
"A wise approach," Longxian nodded approvingly. "Which is precisely why I've arranged for Minister Fang to personally observe the Crimson Flash Cavalry's training exercises tomorrow."
"Lady Tomoe's unit?" Artoria clarified, already seeing the strategy.
"Indeed. Their effectiveness under her command has increased threefold in mere days. Seeing this improvement firsthand will be more persuasive than any written decree."
Artoria found herself smiling slightly—a rare expression for the typically stoic king. "You understand human nature well for one so focused on martial cultivation."
"The greatest battles are won in hearts and minds long before blades ever cross," Longxian replied, returning his gaze to the horizon. "A lesson I suspect you learned during your reign as well."
Another comfortable silence fell between them, broken only when a messenger hawk materialized from a spiritual transmission formation near the tower's base. The bird circled once before landing on Longxian's outstretched arm, a small jade cylinder attached to its leg.
He retrieved the message, dismissing the spiritual construct with a gesture of thanks. The jade cylinder glowed briefly as he channeled qi into it, projecting a miniature image of Jeanne above his palm.
"Your Majesty," the tiny projection began, "we have successfully contacted the White Fang Clan and neutralized a corruption source within their territory. We encountered and defeated an entity identifying itself as 'Envoy Yu of the Midnight Court,' claiming to serve the Corpse Emperor. The entity was significantly more powerful than standard Black Lotus operatives, utilizing advanced soul-manipulation techniques. Most importantly, Alpha Yue of the White Fang has agreed to preliminary alliance discussions. We await further instructions before proceeding with formal negotiations."
As the projection faded, Artoria and Longxian exchanged significant glances.
"The Midnight Court," Artoria repeated thoughtfully. "A new faction we haven't encountered before."
"Not new," Longxian corrected grimly. "Ancient. The Midnight Court was said to be the judicial arm of the last Corpse Dynasty, over two thousand years ago. If they've returned..." He trailed off, the implications too ominous to voice completely.
"You knew this threat might emerge," Artoria observed, studying his expression. "It's why you performed the summoning ritual now, isn't it? You sensed something awakening beyond your borders."
Longxian was silent for a moment, weighing how much to reveal. Finally, he nodded once. "Three years ago, during meditation at the apex of the Void Peak, I experienced a vision—fragments of a possible future where Xuanyuan lay in ruins, its living populations harvested for spiritual essence to feed an empire of the dead."
"A prophecy?" Artoria asked, her expression serious.
"Perhaps. Or perhaps merely a warning—a glimpse of what might be if certain forces remain unchecked." He closed his fist around the jade cylinder, crushing it to dust with casual strength. "The summoning ritual was my response to this vision. Conventional forces alone cannot stand against what comes."
Artoria digested this information, appreciating the weight of responsibility it represented. "And the missing twelfth summon? Was that part of your vision as well?"
A shadow passed across Longxian's features. "No. That was... unexpected. A variable I'm still attempting to understand."
Before their conversation could continue, the tower's warning gong sounded—three sharp strikes indicating an urgent matter requiring imperial attention. Moments later, Chancellor Wei Ming emerged onto the balcony, slightly out of breath from the climb.
"Your Majesty, Grand Marshal," he bowed quickly to both. "Forgive the interruption, but we've received reports of unusual seismic activity in the western provinces. Multiple spiritual fault lines have become active simultaneously."
"Natural phenomena?" Longxian inquired, already moving toward the tower's interior.
"Unlikely," Wei Ming replied, falling into step beside him. "The pattern appears deliberate—forming what our geomancers describe as a 'waking sequence.'"
Artoria followed closely, her tactical mind already assessing implications. "Someone is attempting to awaken something buried in the western territories."
"Or someone," Longxian added ominously.
They descended rapidly to the palace's strategy chamber, where Zenobia was already coordinating response efforts, her tactical brilliance evident in the precise deployment orders she issued to imperial messengers.
"The disruptions form a perfect pentagram," she reported without preamble as they entered, gesturing to the glowing map table. "Each point aligns with an ancient burial site from the Corpse Dynasty era. Local garrisons report increasing undead activity emanating from each location."
"Classic awakening protocol," Longxian noted, studying the pattern. "Five points of resonance to break a high-level sealing formation."
"Can we disrupt it?" Artoria asked, immediately focusing on practical countermeasures.
"Yes, but we'd need to neutralize at least two nodes to break the geometric harmony," Zenobia replied. "I've already dispatched fast-response units to the two closest locations, but they won't arrive for at least three days."
"Too slow," Longxian shook his head. "If this is indeed a major awakening sequence, we have hours at most."
He turned to Chancellor Wei Ming. "Prepare the Heaven-Piercing Chariot for immediate departure. I'll lead this intervention personally."
"Your Majesty," Wei Ming protested, "two major expeditions in such quick succession would leave the capital vulnerable. Perhaps some of the Pillars could—"
"This is no ordinary threat, Chancellor," Longxian cut him off firmly. "If my suspicions are correct, we face the potential awakening of a Corpse Immortal—possibly even a Corpse King. Such entities require direct imperial intervention."
"Then I shall accompany you," Artoria stated, her tone making it clear this was not a request but a declaration.
Longxian regarded her for a moment before nodding. "Very well. Your expertise against supernatural threats will be valuable."
"I should join as well," Zenobia interjected. "My tactical oversight would—"
"You are needed here," Longxian interrupted gently but firmly. "The capital's defenses must be reorganized in case this is a diversion. There is no one I trust more with that task."
Though clearly disappointed, Zenobia accepted the decision with a graceful nod. "As you wish, Your Majesty. Whom else will you take on this expedition?"
Longxian considered briefly. "Lady Tomoe for her purification flames and Lady Kenshin for her divine-aspect techniques. Both are particularly effective against death-attribute cultivation."
Within the hour, preparations were complete. The Heaven-Piercing Chariot—a more combat-oriented version of the imperial war chariot—stood ready in the palace's central courtyard, its celestial dragon team stamping impatiently as they sensed the upcoming battle.
As Longxian performed final equipment checks, securing the Heaven-Cleaving Spear across his back and donning more practical battle armor rather than ceremonial regalia, he found Ibuki-Douji slithering up beside him, her massive serpentine form moving with characteristic grace despite its size.
"Off to battle ancient evil without me, Little Emperor?" she pouted with mock disappointment. "And here I thought we were developing such a special relationship."
"Your talents are considerable, Lady Ibuki," he acknowledged diplomatically, "but this mission requires specific counters to death-attribute techniques."
"And it has nothing to do with you selecting the three most serious, duty-bound women among your Pillars?" she teased, circling around him with predatory playfulness. "No fun allowed on imperial missions, is that it?"
"The potential awakening of a Corpse Immortal is hardly an occasion for 'fun,'" he replied dryly, though there was a hint of amusement in his eyes.
"All the more reason to enjoy what pleasures present themselves before facing such dangers," Ibuki-Douji suggested, leaning closer with a mischievous smile. "I could provide a proper sending-off that would ensure your safe return. For spiritual fortification purposes only, of course."
"Your concern for my spiritual well-being is noted," Longxian responded with perfect composure, though the subtle quirk of his lips betrayed his amusement at her persistent flirtation.
Their exchange was interrupted by Artoria's arrival, the King of Knights now fully armed for battle, Excalibur sheathed at her side. Her expression remained neutral as she observed Ibuki-Douji's proximity to the emperor, but those familiar with her subtle tells might have noticed the slight tightening around her eyes.
"The chariot is prepared, Your Majesty," she reported formally. "Lady Tomoe and Lady Kenshin await your arrival."
"Excellent," Longxian nodded, moving past Ibuki-Douji toward the waiting transport. "We depart immediately."
"Safe travels, Little Emperor," the serpent empress called after him. "Do try not to get yourself sealed away for two thousand years. The palace would be so dreadfully boring without you."
As they boarded the chariot, Tomoe greeted them with characteristic enthusiasm, flames already dancing around her horns in anticipation of combat. Uesugi Kenshin offered a silent nod of acknowledgment, frost crystalizing briefly in the air around her.
"Western quadrant, maximum speed," Longxian commanded the celestial dragons, who responded with eager roars before launching the chariot skyward with tremendous force.
As they soared toward the distant disturbance, cutting through clouds at supernatural velocity, Artoria found herself standing beside Longxian at the chariot's bow, the wind whipping around them as they studied the approaching landscape.
"You've faced these Corpse Immortals before," she observed, not a question but a statement.
"Once," he confirmed, his expression darkening at the memory. "Early in my reign, when my cultivation was still developing. It nearly cost me my life."
"Yet you survived," she noted.
"At great cost," he clarified. "An entire imperial legion sacrificed themselves to create the opening I needed for the killing blow. Their names are inscribed on the Memorial of Enduring Valor."
The personal admission surprised Artoria. Longxian rarely spoke of defeats or near-defeats, maintaining an aura of invincibility that inspired both his allies and intimidated his enemies. This glimpse of vulnerability, of acknowledged debt to fallen soldiers, resonated with her own experiences as a ruler who had borne the weight of her subjects' sacrifices.
"This time will be different," she stated with quiet determination. "This time, you have us."
Longxian glanced at her, something unreadable flickering in his golden-crimson eyes. "Indeed," he agreed softly. "And that may make all the difference."
The moment of connection was broken by Tomoe's excited shout from the chariot's stern. "Look below! The disturbance is visible even from this height!"
They all moved to observe the phenomenon she'd spotted. Even from their elevated position, they could see an ominous green glow emanating from five distinct points in the landscape, connected by lines of darker energy that formed a perfect pentagram. At the formation's center, the ground itself appeared to be rippling, as if something massive stirred just beneath the surface.
"We're too late to prevent the awakening sequence," Kenshin observed, her soft voice somehow carrying despite the rushing wind. "The formation is already in its final phase."
"Then we adjust our strategy," Longxian decided immediately. "Rather than preventing the awakening, we'll confront the