Eor3
## Chapter 6: Ripples and Reflections (Continued)
"Then we adjust our strategy," Longxian decided immediately. "Rather than preventing the awakening, we'll confront the entity directly as it emerges—when it's most vulnerable."
"You want to strike during the transition phase," Artoria understood immediately, tactical mind assessing the approach. "Before it can fully manifest its power in our realm."
"Precisely," Longxian confirmed. "Tomoe, your purification flames will be crucial. Kenshin, focus on disrupting the boundary between death and life essences."
Tomoe grinned fiercely, flames intensifying around her horns. "Leave it to me, Your Majesty! I'll incinerate whatever abomination crawls out of that hole!"
Kenshin merely nodded, frost gathering around her as she prepared her divine-aspect techniques.
"Take us directly to the formation's center," Longxian commanded the celestial dragons. The majestic beasts roared in acknowledgment, adjusting their course into a steep dive that sent the chariot plummeting toward the heart of the disturbance.
As they descended, the true scale of the awakening became apparent. What had appeared as a simple pentagram from above was revealed to be an enormous necromantic formation spanning several miles. The green energy lines connected five ancient burial mounds, each now erupting with corrupt spiritual energy that coalesced at the central point—a massive sinkhole forming as the earth itself gave way to whatever was rising from below.
"Corpse Emperor's breath," Tomoe swore, eyes widening at the spectacle. "What exactly are we facing?"
"If my suspicions are correct," Longxian replied grimly, "a Corpse Duke at minimum, possibly even a Corpse King."
"The distinction being?" Artoria inquired, preparing herself mentally for the coming battle.
"A Corpse Duke commands tens of thousands of undead and can corrupt an entire province within days," Longxian explained. "A Corpse King can raise millions and turn half the empire within a month."
"And you faced one of these before?" Tomoe asked incredulously, a new respect dawning in her eyes.
"A lesser variant," Longxian corrected. "A Corpse Baron, three ranks below a Duke. It still cost me an entire legion."
This sobering information settled over the group as the chariot completed its descent, landing atop a rocky outcropping with a view of the formation's center. The ground continued to buckle and heave, massive fissures spreading outward as something immense pushed toward the surface.
"We must strike the moment it emerges, before it can establish its death domain," Longxian instructed, drawing the Heaven-Cleaving Spear. The obsidian weapon seemed to drink in the ambient light, returning nothing. "Artoria, take the eastern approach. Tomoe, western. Kenshin, provide aerial support."
Each warrior moved to their assigned position with practiced efficiency, no wasted motion despite the ground's increasingly violent tremors. Artoria drew Excalibur, its invisible blade distorting the air around it. Tomoe ignited her katana with purifying flames that burned bright crimson against the sickly green glow of the necromantic formation. Kenshin ascended to hover several meters above the battlefield, frost patterns forming in the air around her as she prepared her divine techniques.
The moment of emergence announced itself with a deafening crack as the earth split open at the formation's center. From the yawning chasm rose not the expected humanoid form of a Corpse Immortal, but something far more monstrous—a massive, partially decomposed dragon skeleton wreathed in necrotic energy. As it continued to rise, they could see that its bones were inscribed with countless tiny scripts—forbidden spells and binding contracts that pulsed with malevolent purpose.
"A Grave Wyrm?" Longxian's eyes widened in genuine surprise. "That's impossible—they were all destroyed during the Purgation of the Sixth Celestial Emperor!"
The creature's skull emerged fully from the pit, eye sockets blazing with cold blue fire as it surveyed its surroundings. Upon spotting the four warriors positioned around it, the flames intensified, and a voice like stone grinding against ancient metal reverberated across the battlefield.
"EMPEROR LONGXIAN," it rasped, recognition evident in its unearthly tone. "THE MIDNIGHT COURT SENDS ITS REGARDS."
Without further warning, it exhaled a torrent of necrotic flame directly at Longxian's position. The emperor responded instantly, spinning the Heaven-Cleaving Spear before him to create a barrier of golden energy that parted the deadly breath weapon around him.
"Now!" he commanded. "Strike while it's still half-bound!"
Artoria was the first to respond, launching herself toward the creature's emerging left flank. Excalibur sliced through several partially materialized ribs, the holy sword's edge severing both bone and the necromantic bindings that animated them. The Grave Wyrm roared in pain and fury, swinging its massive tail to counter-attack.
Anticipating this, Artoria leapt with supernatural grace, using the momentum of the tail swipe to propel herself higher along the creature's body. Her blade continued its work, methodically severing connective spells wherever she struck.
Meanwhile, Tomoe charged the right flank, her flame-wreathed blade becoming a whirlwind of purifying fire as she carved through the creature's skeletal structure. "BURN IN RIGHTEOUS FLAME!" she shouted, her oni heritage granting her strength to match the massive beast's scale.
From above, Kenshin executed her divine technique with cold precision. "Winter's Judgment," she whispered, her soft voice somehow carrying across the battlefield. The air around the Grave Wyrm crystallized instantaneously, forming spikes of divine ice that impaled the creature from multiple angles, disrupting the flow of death essence through its form.
Despite their coordinated assault, the Grave Wyrm continued to emerge, more of its enormous body pulling free from the earth. It was easily a hundred meters in length, its skeleton adorned with artifacts and treasures embedded directly into the bone—the plunder of ancient conquests now serving as conduits for its necromantic power.
"The binding points!" Longxian called out, identifying glowing sigils at key junctions of the creature's anatomy. "They maintain its connection to the Midnight Court! Disrupt them!"
Understanding immediately, Artoria redirected her attacks toward the nearest sigil—a pulsing green glyph embedded in what would have been the Wyrm's shoulder joint. Excalibur struck with precision, the holy blade's essence directly countering the corrupt magic.
The sigil shattered with a sound like screaming glass, and the entire left forelimb of the Grave Wyrm suddenly went limp, the animating magic disrupted. The creature roared in rage, focusing its attention on Artoria.
"ARTHURIA PENDRAGON," it named her, the use of her true name sending a chill down her spine. "YOUR LEGEND HAS PRECEDED YOU EVEN TO THE REALM OF DEATH. THE MIDNIGHT COURT WILL ADD YOUR SOUL TO ITS COLLECTION."
"You'll have to take it first," she replied coolly, undaunted by the creature's knowledge of her identity.
The battle intensified as the Grave Wyrm fully emerged, its complete form even more terrifying than initially apparent. Its spine was lined with what appeared to be the weapons of fallen heroes, each radiating corrupted versions of their original powers. With a mental command, it launched several of these weapons simultaneously—cursed projectiles seeking each of the four warriors.
Tomoe responded with a counter-barrage of flame arrows, detonating the projectiles mid-air in spectacular explosions of conflicting energies. Kenshin created a shield of divine ice that absorbed and nullified those directed at her. Artoria used Excalibur's invisible edge to cleave through the ones targeting her position.
Longxian, however, chose a different approach. He caught the weapon aimed at him—an ancient halberd that had once belonged to a celebrated hero of Xuanyuan—and immediately began a purification technique, channeling his golden imperial qi through the corrupted metal.
"Sovereign Flame Law: Reclamation of Honor," he intoned, his voice resonating with imperial authority.
The halberd shuddered violently as golden flame engulfed it, burning away centuries of corruption. For a brief moment, the spirit of its original wielder manifested—a spectral warrior who offered Longxian a grateful bow before dissipating into peaceful light.
Seeing this, the Grave Wyrm realized the danger Longxian represented to its collected arsenal. It focused its full attention on the emperor, launching a concentrated assault of necromantic energy bolts while simultaneously attempting to reclaim the purified halberd with tendrils of death essence.
Longxian met this challenge head-on, the Heaven-Cleaving Spear in one hand and the reclaimed halberd in the other. He moved with the fluid grace of a master cultivator, each step precise, each strike purposeful. The purified halberd severed the death essence tendrils while the Heaven-Cleaving Spear absorbed and neutralized the energy bolts.
"Your weapons remember their true purpose," Longxian called out to the Grave Wyrm. "The heroes who wielded them would rather see them destroyed than used for corruption!"
"HEROES DIE," the creature responded dismissively. "THEIR ATTACHMENTS ARE MEANINGLESS IN DEATH'S EMBRACE."
"Then why do they respond to my call?" Longxian challenged, driving the purified halberd into the ground and channeling his imperial qi through it. "Sovereign Flame Law: Awakening of Dormant Glory!"
The halberd became a conduit, golden energy racing from it toward the Grave Wyrm's embedded weapons. One by one, they began to glow with their original holy light, the spirits of their wielders stirring from enforced slumber.
Seeing the tide turning, Artoria pressed her advantage, striking at another binding sigil while the creature was distracted by Longxian's spiritual assault. This one was located at the base of its skull—clearly a primary control point based on its intricate design.
Excalibur's edge met the corrupt glyph with holy conviction, and the resulting explosion sent Artoria flying backward. She twisted mid-air to land gracefully on her feet, just in time to see the Grave Wyrm's skull separate partially from its neck, hanging at an unnatural angle as the control magic faltered.
"THE MIDNIGHT COURT... WILL NOT... BE DENIED," the creature struggled to speak, its powers visibly waning. "THE CORPSE EMPEROR... RISES..."
"Not today," Tomoe declared, seizing the opportunity to unleash her Noble Phantasm. "Oṃ Ālolik Svāhā!"
Her form became almost entirely composed of flame as she launched herself directly into the Grave Wyrm's body cavity, her purifying fire spreading explosively through its skeletal structure. The corrupt energy tried to resist, green and crimson flames battling for dominance within the bone framework.
From her elevated position, Kenshin recognized the perfect moment to strike. "Divine Verdict: Bishamonten's Judgment," she announced, her normally soft voice carrying supernatural authority.
The sky above darkened as spectral pagodas materialized around the battlefield, each representing an aspect of divine justice. From these structures poured sacred lightning that struck the Grave Wyrm with unerring precision, targeting the remaining binding sigils and shattering them simultaneously.
With its control points destroyed and its interior consumed by Tomoe's purifying flames, the Grave Wyrm let out a final, defiant roar before its structure began to collapse. The weapons embedded in its form broke free, each returning to its original, uncorrupted state as the death essence binding them dissipated.
Longxian recognized the danger immediately. "The death essence—it's going to detonate! Defensive positions!"
Understanding the imminent threat, Artoria rushed to Tomoe, who had exhausted herself with her Noble Phantasm and was struggling to extract herself from the collapsing Wyrm. Grabbing the oni-blooded warrior around the waist, Artoria leapt clear of the disintegrating skeleton just as the concentrated death essence reached critical instability.
Kenshin descended rapidly, creating a dome of divine ice around herself and Longxian, while Artoria used her wind manipulation to propel herself and Tomoe behind a rocky outcropping.
The detonation, when it came, was less an explosion than a reality-warping implosion. The death essence collapsed in on itself, creating a momentary void that hungrily consumed everything within a hundred-meter radius before violently expelling the transformed energy outward as purified spiritual particles.
When the dust settled and the spiritual turbulence calmed, the four warriors emerged from their protective positions to survey the aftermath. Where the Grave Wyrm had stood was now a perfectly circular crater, its edges crystallized into obsidian-like stone. Scattered across the battlefield were dozens of ancient weapons, now restored to their original, uncorrupted states—a treasure trove of legendary armaments that had been lost to history for centuries.
"Victory," Tomoe declared breathlessly, leaning heavily on Artoria for support, her energy depleted from her powerful technique.
"For now," Longxian qualified, examining one of the liberated weapons—a dagger that hummed with latent spiritual power. "But the Grave Wyrm was merely a sentinel, not the true threat."
"It knew my true name," Artoria noted with concern. "And yours. The Midnight Court has been observing us."
"Which means they fear us enough to gather intelligence," Longxian concluded. "A promising sign, albeit a concerning one."
Kenshin, typically silent, spoke again. "The death essence pattern... familiar. Similar to the void left by the twelfth summoning."
This observation caused all eyes to turn toward her. The connection between the failed twelfth summon and the Midnight Court had not previously been considered.
"You think the Midnight Court interfered with the summoning ritual?" Artoria asked, immediately grasping the implications.
"Possible," Kenshin replied with typical brevity. "The resonance patterns align."
Longxian's expression darkened at this theory. "If true, it suggests a level of awareness and capability beyond what we anticipated. The Midnight Court shouldn't have known about the ritual in advance, let alone possessed the power to interfere with it."
"Unless they have agents within the empire," Tomoe suggested, her exhaustion momentarily forgotten as she considered this disturbing possibility.
"A matter to investigate upon our return," Longxian decided, surveying the scattered weapons. "For now, we should secure these artifacts. They're too powerful to leave unattended, and they rightfully belong to the empire's heritage."
As they began collecting the liberated weapons, Tomoe suddenly stumbled, her depleted energy finally catching up with her. Longxian moved with surprising speed to catch her before she fell, one arm wrapping securely around her waist while his other hand stabilized her shoulder.
"Easy, Lady Tomoe," he cautioned, his tone gentler than his usual commanding voice. "Noble Phantasm deployment takes a heavy toll, especially one as powerful as yours."
Tomoe found herself pressed against the emperor's chest, her face uncommonly warm despite her flame-resistant nature. "I'm fine," she insisted, though she made no immediate move to extract herself from his supportive grip. "Just need a moment to recover my strength."
"Your flames were magnificent," Longxian complimented her, still maintaining his supportive hold. "Few could have penetrated the Wyrm's core so effectively."
The praise sent an unexpected flutter through Tomoe's chest, and she found herself uncharacteristically flustered. "I... thank you, Your Majesty. I live to serve the empire."
Artoria observed this interaction with an unreadable expression, her grip on Excalibur perhaps slightly tighter than necessary. Kenshin, too, watched silently, frost patterns momentarily accelerating their formation around her before she consciously controlled them.
Seemingly oblivious to the effect he was having, Longxian helped Tomoe to a stable sitting position on a nearby rock before turning his attention back to the battlefield. "We should depart soon. The spiritual disturbance will attract attention—possibly more agents of the Midnight Court."
"Agreed," Artoria said, perhaps a touch more coolly than intended. "I'll secure the remaining artifacts."
As she moved away to continue collecting the weapons, Tomoe watched the interaction with newfound interest, a small smile playing at the corner of her lips despite her exhaustion. The stoic King of Knights wasn't quite as emotionally detached as she appeared.
This could get interesting.
---
## Chapter 7: Court Intrigues and Hot Springs
The return journey to the Dragon-Spire Palace was conducted in relative silence, each warrior processing the implications of their encounter with the Grave Wyrm. The recovered weapons—thirty-seven in total—lay secured in specially prepared containment fields at the center of the chariot, their combined spiritual presence creating a palpable pressure even while dormant.
As they approached the capital, the afternoon sun cast long shadows across the imperial city. From their elevated position, they could see unusual activity in the palace complex—additional guards, formation arrays activated, and what appeared to be a gathering in the main ceremonial courtyard.
"Something's happened," Artoria observed, immediately alert to the pattern of deployment that suggested a security response rather than a planned event.
"Indeed," Longxian agreed, directing the celestial dragons to increase their pace.
They landed directly in the imperial courtyard, where they were immediately greeted by Zenobia and Chancellor Wei Ming, both bearing expressions of controlled concern.
"Your Majesty," Wei Ming bowed deeply. "We're relieved by your timely return."
"What's occurred?" Longxian inquired, stepping from the chariot with fluid grace.
"The White Fang delegation arrived an hour ago," Zenobia reported professionally. "Alpha Yue and twelve of her senior warriors, escorted by our Pillars as arranged. However, they were followed—a shadow infiltration team breached our outer wards shortly after their arrival."
"Casualties?" Artoria asked immediately, falling into her role as Grand Marshal without hesitation.
"None, thankfully," Zenobia assured her. "Lady Beni-Enma detected the intrusion almost immediately. Six infiltrators were neutralized—agents of the Black Lotus Sect, based on their techniques."
"Where are they now?" Longxian questioned, already moving toward the palace interior.
"Lady Beni-Enma has the surviving infiltrator in the Judgment Hall," Wei Ming informed him, hurrying to keep pace. "The others did not survive their apprehension."
As they entered the palace proper, Tomoe and Kenshin broke off to secure the recovered artifacts in the imperial vault, while Artoria and Longxian proceeded directly to the Judgment Hall—a specialized chamber designed for interrogations that required spiritual isolation.
They found Beni-Enma waiting outside the ornate black doors, her crimson judicial robes immaculate despite having apparently been in combat recently. Her fiery eyes registered their approach with clinical detachment.
"Your Majesty, Grand Marshal," she acknowledged with formal precision. "The infiltrator is secured. Initial questioning confirms Black Lotus affiliation, but suggests a deeper connection to an entity he refers to only as 'the Court.'"
"The Midnight Court," Longxian confirmed grimly. "Our encounter in the west revealed similar connections. They're moving more openly than anticipated."
"The prisoner carries unusual spiritual modifications," Beni-Enma continued. "Soul-binding techniques that prevent certain information from being extracted—they trigger necrotic collapse when specific topics are broached."
"I want to question him personally," Longxian decided. "Lady Artoria, perhaps you could check on our White Fang guests? Ensure they understand this infiltration attempt was targeted surveillance, not a lapse in our security."
Though clearly interested in the interrogation, Artoria nodded professionally. "Of course, Your Majesty. I'll see to their concerns immediately."
As she departed, Longxian turned back to Beni-Enma. "Show me this infiltrator."
Inside the Judgment Hall, they found a man—or what had once been a man—restrained within a specialized containment array. His physical form appeared mostly normal, save for the black veins visible beneath his skin and the unnatural stillness of his posture. His eyes, however, revealed his true nature—solid black orbs without pupil or iris, reflecting nothing.
"Emperor Longxian," the prisoner spoke, his voice carrying an echo as if multiple people spoke simultaneously. "The Midnight Court has been expecting you."
"Then they won't be disappointed," Longxian replied evenly, approaching the containment array. "Who sent you to spy on the White Fang delegation?"
The prisoner's face contorted in what might have been a smile. "The Court has many eyes. Many ears. The beast-kin's alliance with your empire was... noted. Catalogued. Consequences have been assigned."
"What consequences?" Longxian pressed, his golden-crimson eyes studying the corrupted agent carefully.
"The price of betrayal is transformation," the prisoner replied cryptically. "The White Fang will serve, one way or another."
Beni-Enma stepped forward, her blade partially drawn. "He speaks in riddles deliberately. My earlier questioning suggests a trigger phrase might extract more specific information."
"Indeed," Longxian nodded thoughtfully. "The Grave Wyrm we encountered mentioned 'the Corpse Emperor rises.' Perhaps this is the key."
The reaction was immediate and violent. The prisoner's body convulsed, black fluid leaking from his eyes, nose, and mouth as he fought against his restraints. "THE AWAKENING APPROACHES!" he screamed, his voice losing its human qualities entirely. "THE MIDNIGHT COURT PREPARES THE WAY! THE TWELFTH GATE WILL OPEN WHERE THE EMPEROR FAILED!"
"The twelfth gate," Longxian repeated, exchanging a significant glance with Beni-Enma. "The connection to our failed summoning grows clearer."
Before they could press further, the prisoner's condition deteriorated rapidly. The black veins beneath his skin began to pulse visibly, spreading across his face and neck in accelerating patterns.
"Soul collapse imminent," Beni-Enma warned, raising her blade. "Shall I extract his core before detonation?"
"No," Longxian decided quickly. "I want to observe the process. This may reveal details about the Midnight Court's binding techniques."
Beni-Enma nodded, reinforcing the containment array with additional seals as the prisoner's body began to distort, the corrupted soul energy reaching critical instability.
"YOUR DOWNFALL IS WRITTEN," the prisoner managed through a mouth that was rapidly losing definition, his features melting into amorphous black ichor. "THE TWELFTH PILLAR WILL BE YOUR UNDOING."
With those ominous words, his physical form collapsed completely, imploding into a swirling vortex of death essence that strained against the containment array before dissipating into nothingness—not purified, but rather recalled to some distant source.
Silence fell over the Judgment Hall as Longxian and Beni-Enma contemplated what they had witnessed.
"Soul retrieval," Beni-Enma identified the phenomenon. "Advanced technique. The prisoner's essence has been recalled to its master rather than allowed to dissipate naturally."
"Which means everything he saw, everything he heard—including our interrogation—has been transmitted back to the Midnight Court," Longxian concluded. "This wasn't just an infiltration. It was a message delivery system."
"They wanted to be caught," Beni-Enma realized. "To confirm their suspicions about the White Fang alliance and to deliver their warning directly to you."
Longxian's expression darkened. "And to learn what we know about their operations. This encounter has revealed more to them than to us—a tactical error on my part."
"One might argue it was inevitable," Beni-Enma offered clinically. "The Court clearly has resources we have yet to fully assess. Open confrontation was only a matter of time."
"Perhaps," Longxian acknowledged. "But now they know we've connected them to the twelfth summoning. That information might accelerate their timetable."
Their discussion was interrupted by the arrival of a palace messenger, who bowed hastily at the entrance to the Judgment Hall.
"Your Majesty, forgive the intrusion, but Alpha Yue requests your presence at the diplomatic reception. The White Fang delegation grows... restless with the security measures."
"Of course," Longxian nodded. "Inform them I'll join shortly. Lady Beni, please continue analyzing the residual energy signature from our guest. Any insights into the Midnight Court's techniques could prove crucial."
"As you command," Beni-Enma bowed formally, already moving to collect spiritual samples from the containment array.
Longxian departed the Judgment Hall, his mind racing with implications. The connections between the failed twelfth summon, the Midnight Court, and this "Corpse Emperor" were becoming clearer—and more concerning. If his suspicions were correct, the enemy they faced was far more ancient and powerful than even his Pillars might be prepared to confront.
But first, diplomacy required his attention. The White Fang alliance was too valuable to risk through perceived disrespect.
---
The diplomatic reception was being held in the Azure Sky Pavilion, an elegant structure within the palace grounds specifically designed for hosting distinguished foreign visitors. As Longxian approached, he could hear animated conversation—and what sounded suspiciously like Bradamante's flustered apologies.
Sure enough, upon entering, he discovered an amusing scene: Bradamante had apparently tripped while serving tea to Alpha Yue, resulting in the beverage being spilled across the White Fang leader's ceremonial furs. The blonde knight was frantically attempting to blot the stain while apologizing profusely, her face crimson with embarrassment.
"I'm so sorry! I don't know how it happened—one moment I was just walking normally and the next—oh, this is terrible, these furs look so valuable and now they're ruined and it's all my fault and—"
"Enough, pup," Alpha Yue interrupted, though her tone held more amusement than anger. "They're just furs. I can kill another snow tiger if needed."
"But still, I—" Bradamante's frantic apologies ceased abruptly as she noticed Longxian's arrival. "Your Majesty!" She straightened so quickly she nearly upset another tea service, catching it at the last moment with impressive reflexes that contradicted her usual clumsiness.
"Alpha Yue," Longxian greeted the White Fang leader with respectful formality. "I trust your journey was comfortable, despite the unexpected complications upon arrival?"
The white-haired woman rose, her powerful frame and subtle lupine features commanding natural respect. "Emperor Longxian. Your Pillars explained the situation. These Black Lotus vermin grow bold to strike so close to your seat of power."
"Bold but foolish," Longxian replied smoothly. "Their infiltration attempt has been neutralized, and we've gained valuable intelligence from the encounter."
Around the pavilion, other interactions were unfolding between the White Fang delegation and the Pillars who had remained in the capital. Dobrynya was engaged in animated conversation with several younger wolf cultivators, her natural affinity for beast-kin evident in their relaxed postures and occasional laughter. Barghest and a particularly large White Fang warrior appeared to be engaged in some form of arm-wrestling contest, their matched strength causing the table beneath their locked arms to creak ominously.
Ibuki-Douji had positioned herself on an elevated cushion, her serpentine lower body coiled comfortably as she observed the proceedings with evident amusement. When she caught Longxian's eye, she offered a playful wink that somehow managed to be both inappropriate and elegant simultaneously.
Zenobia was conducting more formal discussions with the White Fang's tactical advisors, elegant fingers tracing potential defensive alignments on a map spread before them. Her royal bearing seemed to impress even the typically dismissive wolf cultivators, who listened with unusual attentiveness to her strategic assessments.
Artoria stood slightly apart, maintaining a watchful eye over the entire gathering. When Longxian entered, she inclined her head respectfully before moving to join him and Alpha Yue.
"Grand Marshal," Alpha Yue acknowledged her with unexpected warmth. "Your Pillars performed admirably in our territory. Few outsiders have ever earned such respect from the White Fang."
"They serve with honor," Artoria replied simply. "As I believe the White Fang does as well."
"Direct and unembellished," Alpha Yue approved, sharp canines visible as she smiled. "I appreciate warriors who speak plainly."
The diplomatic discussions proceeded productively from there. Alpha Yue formally pledged the White Fang's alliance with the Dragon-Spire Empire against the growing threat of the Midnight Court and its associates. In return, Longxian guaranteed mutual defense pacts and formalized trade routes that had previously been restricted due to imperial policy toward beast clans.
"There is one additional matter," Alpha Yue raised as the formal agreements were concluded. "A tradition among the White Fang when forming blood-alliances with powerful entities."
"I'm familiar with beast clan customs," Longxian nodded. "You wish to share the Communal Hunt."
"Indeed," the alpha confirmed, appearing pleased by his knowledge. "Tomorrow's full moon would be auspicious for such an event. My warriors grow restless confined within stone walls, no matter how elegant."
"The imperial hunting grounds of Mount Vermilion lie a short distance from the capital," Longxian offered. "Sacred beasts roam its forests—worthy prey for warriors of your caliber."
Alpha Yue's eyes lit with predatory interest. "Excellent. And you will join the hunt personally?"
"Of course," Longxian assured her. "Along with whichever Pillars wish to participate."
"I'll join," Barghest announced immediately from across the pavilion, abandoning her arm-wrestling match (which appeared to have ended in a draw).
"Me too!" Dobrynya added enthusiastically, her tail swishing with excitement.
"I would be honored to participate," Bradamante declared, managing to sound both formal and eager simultaneously.
Other Pillars expressed similar interest, though Artoria maintained a professional detachment, noting that some should remain to oversee the capital's security. The preparations were quickly arranged, with the hunt scheduled to begin at dusk the following day.
As the reception concluded and the White Fang delegation retired to their assigned quarters, Longxian found himself momentarily alone with Artoria in the now-empty pavilion.
"You seem troubled, Grand Marshal," he observed, noting the subtle tension in her typically composed features.
"Not troubled," she corrected carefully. "Concerned. The Midnight Court's infiltration, coming so soon after our encounter with the Grave Wyrm, suggests coordinated action across multiple fronts. I question whether a hunt is the most prudent use of our resources at this time."
"The diplomatic value outweighs the temporary diversion of forces," Longxian countered gently. "The White Fang's alliance gives us a crucial foothold in the northwestern territories—territory we would otherwise need to secure militarily at great cost."
"I understand the strategic necessity," Artoria acknowledged. "My concern is more... immediate. Your presence on the hunt places you in potential danger, especially if the Midnight Court is indeed monitoring our activities as closely as evidence suggests."
Longxian studied her with newfound interest. "Your concern is for my safety specifically, not just operational security?"
A faint color touched Artoria's cheeks, though her expression remained determinedly professional. "You are the empire's sovereign. Your safety is paramount to our mission's success."
"Of course," Longxian agreed, though a slight smile played at the corners of his mouth. "Purely strategic considerations."
Artoria opened her mouth as if to clarify, then thought better of it. "If you'll excuse me, Your Majesty, I should coordinate tomorrow's security arrangements with Lady Zenobia."
As she departed with perhaps slightly more haste than the situation warranted, Longxian found himself unexpectedly pleased by her concern, professional though she framed it. The King of Knights was not typically one to express personal worry—that she had done so, however obliquely, suggested an evolving dynamic between them.
His contemplation was interrupted by the sound of sinuous movement as Ibuki-Douji slithered into view from behind a decorative screen.
"My, my," she purred, amusement evident in her serpentine eyes. "The stoic king grows attached to her emperor. How delightfully predictable."
"Eavesdropping, Lady Ibuki?" Longxian inquired, more curious than displeased.
"Observing," she corrected with a dismissive wave of her clawed hand. "There's a difference. Besides, the developing relationships between you and your Pillars are far more entertaining than any court intrigue."
"We maintain professional associations appropriate to our positions," Longxian stated, though without much conviction.
Ibuki-Douji laughed—a sound like wind chimes in a graveyard. "Oh, Little Emperor, you can lie to yourself if you wish, but please don't insult my intelligence. I've lived for millennia and observed countless rulers and their... companions."
She slithered closer, her massive serpentine lower body moving with hypnotic grace. "The fierce Tomoe watches you with battle-lust that extends beyond mere combat. The stoic Artoria's composure cracks whenever you offer her specific attention. Even the terrifying Barghest grows domesticated in your presence. And sweet Bradamante—well, her infatuation is visible from the heavens themselves."
"Your point being?" Longxian asked, refusing to be baited by her observations, accurate though they might be.
"No point," she shrugged elegantly. "Merely observation. Though I do wonder..."
"Yes?"
"How long will you maintain this pretense of pure professional distance?" she asked, suddenly serious despite ## Chapter 7: Court Intrigues and Hot Springs (Continued)
"How long will you maintain this pretense of pure professional distance?" Ibuki-Douji asked, suddenly serious despite her playful demeanor. "Your Pillars grow attached—emotionally, spiritually. You feel it too. Why deny what's naturally forming?"
Longxian regarded her thoughtfully for a moment before responding. "The empire faces existential threats. Personal entanglements might compromise objective decision-making."
"Or they might strengthen bonds that transcend mere duty," Ibuki-Douji countered smoothly. "I've observed countless rulers across millennia, Little Emperor. The most effective were not those who ruled through cold distance, but those who inspired genuine devotion."
Before Longxian could respond, a messenger arrived with news that demanded his immediate attention. The imperial advisors had decoded additional information from the corrupted artifacts recovered at the Grave Wyrm site.
"We'll continue this conversation another time, Lady Ibuki," Longxian stated, already moving toward the exit.
"We always do," she replied with a knowing smile. "And yet, we never reach a conclusion. How convenient for your carefully maintained distance."
Her words followed him like a subtle challenge as he departed the pavilion.
---
The following evening arrived with perfect conditions for the Communal Hunt—clear skies, a full moon rising over Mount Vermilion, and a gentle breeze carrying the scents of the sacred hunting grounds across the assembled hunters.
Alpha Yue and her White Fang warriors had partially transformed, their features more lupine than human as they prepared for the hunt. Similarly, Barghest had shifted closer to her bestial aspect, muscles rippling beneath her armor as she tested the night air.
Dobrynya bounced excitedly on her toes, tail swishing as she adjusted her tracking equipment. Bradamante checked and rechecked her shield and spear, nervousness and anticipation warring in her expression.
Several of Longxian's elite imperial officers had also joined the hunt, including Xuan Duguang, the imposing Crimson Horizon General whose massive red spear seemed to pulse with barely contained energy. The stern-faced man stood slightly apart from the others, his fierce crimson eyes constantly scanning for potential threats even in this supposedly secure location.
Lady Yan Feiyu, the Mirror Orchid Duelist, adjusted her elegant sword sash with graceful precision. Despite her formal attire, there was something deadly in her calm movements—like watching a viper arrange itself before striking. Her quiet presence drew occasional glances from both the White Fang warriors and the Pillars, all instinctively recognizing a lethal predator regardless of her understated demeanor.
Most surprising was the presence of Feng Meiling, the flamboyant Celestial Flame-Binder, whose seven different-colored flames danced around her fingertips as she chatted animatedly with Tomoe Gozen. The two fire-wielders had apparently formed an immediate bond, comparing techniques and discussing the finer points of flame manipulation with enthusiastic gestures.
"The hunting grounds of Mount Vermilion have been sacred to the Dragon-Spire Empire for generations," Longxian explained to the assembled group. "The beasts that roam here are no ordinary prey—they are spiritual creatures, some descended from divine bloodlines. Hunting them requires skill, respect, and proper technique."
Alpha Yue nodded in appreciation. "The White Fang honors prey through clean kills and full utilization. No part goes to waste—flesh feeds the body, essence strengthens the spirit, bones become weapons or talismans."
"A practice the empire respects," Longxian acknowledged. "Tonight, we hunt as one pack—human and beast-kin united in sacred pursuit."
With these words, the hunt began. The group separated into smaller hunting parties, each taking a different section of the expansive mountain forest. By White Fang tradition, the Alpha and the pack's strongest warrior—in this case, Emperor Longxian—formed their own hunting pair, setting out toward the mountain's highest peaks where the most powerful creatures dwelled.
Barghest, not to be outdone, claimed the treacherous ravine system known for housing particularly dangerous prey. Dobrynya volunteered to accompany her, along with a senior White Fang tracker named Huan Lei.
Bradamante found herself partnered with Xuan Duguang and two younger White Fang warriors, assigned to the dense central forest where visibility was limited but prey abundant.
Tomoe and Feng Meiling, still deep in conversation about advanced flame techniques, naturally formed their own hunting party, heading toward the volcanic springs on the mountain's eastern face—an area known for fire-resistant beasts that would challenge their respective abilities.
Lady Yan Feiyu silently selected the bamboo groves on the western slopes, a territory requiring precision and patience rather than raw power. Two White Fang scouts requested to join her, fascinated by her serene deadliness.
As the teams dispersed into the moonlit wilderness, the hunt truly began.
---
Longxian and Alpha Yue moved through the high mountain terrain with confident efficiency, tracking a particularly elusive prey—the legendary Moonsilver Qilin, a sacred beast seen only during full moons and renowned for its spiritual horn that could purify corrupt energy.
"Your Pillars adapt well to beast cultivation territory," Alpha Yue commented as they paused on a rocky outcropping, scanning the silvery landscape below. "Especially the black hound. She smells of divine beast heritage."
"Lady Barghest carries the bloodline of ancient guardian beasts from her homeland," Longxian confirmed. "Her instincts are impeccable, though her manners occasionally lack refinement."
Alpha Yue chuckled, a sound more growl than laughter. "Refinement is overrated. Raw instinct serves better in survival situations." She cast him a sidelong glance, yellow eyes gleaming in the moonlight. "You understand this better than most humans. You smell of both civilization and wilderness—imperial incense and battlefield blood."
"A ruler must embody seemingly contradictory aspects," Longxian replied simply. "Compassion and ruthlessness. Tradition and innovation. Discipline and adaptability."
"And solitude amid companionship," Alpha Yue added perceptively. "I notice you maintain careful distance from your female warriors, despite their obvious devotion. Among wolf-kind, such behavior would signal either disinterest or deliberate courtship restraint."
Before Longxian could respond to this unexpectedly direct observation, Alpha Yue tensed, her nose twitching as she caught a new scent. "Moonsilver," she whispered. "Close. And... something else."
Longxian felt it too—a subtle disruption in the mountain's natural spiritual flows. Something foreign had entered their hunting grounds, something that didn't belong in the sacred ecosystem of Mount Vermilion.
"Death essence," he identified quietly, golden-crimson eyes narrowing as he scanned the terrain. "Faint but present."
"The Black Lotus again?" Alpha Yue growled, claws extending instinctively.
"Perhaps," Longxian replied, though his expression suggested uncertainty. "But different... older somehow. We should—"
His words were cut short as a piercing scream echoed across the mountainside—not animal, but human. Female.
"Bradamante," Longxian identified immediately, already moving with cultivation-enhanced speed toward the source. "Something's wrong."
---
In the dense central forest, what had begun as a routine hunting expedition had deteriorated into a desperate fight for survival. Bradamante, Xuan Duguang, and their White Fang companions had encountered not the expected forest prey, but a horrific ambush—corpse cultivators emerging from what appeared to be freshly-dug earth gates hidden beneath the forest floor.
"Trap!" Xuan Duguang had shouted, his massive crimson spear already sweeping through three attackers, their bodies erupting into flame upon contact with the divine weapon. "Defensive formation!"
Bradamante had immediately raised her shield, creating a protective barrier around herself and the younger White Fang warriors as more enemies poured from the hidden tunnels. Her scream hadn't been of fear but warning—an alert to the other hunting parties that they faced organized opposition.
Now they fought back-to-back, surrounded by at least thirty corpse cultivators whose grotesquely modified bodies suggested Black Lotus affiliation, though their techniques carried unfamiliar elements.
"These aren't standard Black Lotus disciples," Xuan Duguang observed grimly, his spear moving with lethal precision as he maintained a defensive perimeter. "Their corruption pattern is more advanced—resembling the Midnight Court's work."
"How do you know about the Midnight Court?" Bradamante asked, momentarily surprised that the general was familiar with the recently discovered threat.
"The emperor keeps no secrets from his Crimson Horizon General," Xuan Duguang replied tersely, his spear punching through another attacker's chest. "Stay focused, Shield-Maiden!"
Bradamante nodded, returning her attention to the battle. Her shield flashed with holy light as she channeled more power into its protective field, while simultaneously striking out with her spear whenever an enemy ventured too close.
The White Fang warriors fought with feral intensity, their transformed claws tearing through corrupt flesh with savage efficiency. But for every enemy they fell, two more seemed to emerge from the tunnels.
"We need to collapse their entry points!" Bradamante called out, recognizing the strategic necessity.
"Agreed," Xuan Duguang nodded. "Cover me."
With that brief warning, the Crimson Horizon General leapt high into the air, his muscular form silhouetted against the full moon as he raised his spear skyward. "Crimson Meteor Art: Earthshaker Strike!"
His descent was like a comet, the massive spear striking the ground with cataclysmic force. The impact sent shockwaves rippling outward, collapsing the hidden tunnels and crushing dozens of enemies in a single devastating attack.
The forest floor cratered beneath the strike point, trees toppling and earth heaving as the spiritual energy released by the technique reshaped the immediate landscape. Bradamante barely managed to maintain her footing, her shield's barrier the only thing protecting their small group from the destructive backlash.
As the dust settled, they found themselves in a newly formed clearing, the immediate threat neutralized but the forest eerily silent—unnaturally so for sacred hunting grounds normally teeming with wildlife.
"They're gone, but more will come," Xuan Duguang stated, retrieving his spear from the shattered earth. "This was coordinated—they knew exactly where we would be hunting."
"How?" Bradamante wondered aloud. "The hunt locations were decided only hours ago."
Before the general could respond, a new presence made itself known—a figure walking calmly from the treeline, applauding slowly. Unlike the grotesque corpse cultivators they had just defeated, this newcomer appeared entirely human—a handsome young man dressed in scholarly robes of midnight blue, his long hair bound in a traditional topknot.
"Impressive, General Xuan," the stranger commented, his refined voice at odds with the devastation surrounding him. "The Crimson Meteor Arts live up to their fearsome reputation."
Xuan Duguang instantly positioned himself between the newcomer and Bradamante, his spear leveled at the stranger's heart. "Identify yourself," he demanded, killing intent radiating from his powerful frame.
"How rude of me," the young man smiled, offering a formal bow that somehow managed to seem both respectful and mocking simultaneously. "I am Wei Changze, humble observer for the Midnight Court. I've come to extend a personal invitation to Emperor Longxian."
"Invitation to what?" Bradamante asked warily, her shield still raised defensively.
Wei Changze's smile widened. "To witness the awakening, of course. After all, he played such an important role in setting the stage—his failed twelfth summon created the perfect resonance point for our master's return."
Xuan Duguang's eyes narrowed dangerously. "You speak of matters beyond your station, boy. Your Court's schemes will fail like all who have challenged the Boundless Emperor before."
"Perhaps," Wei Changze shrugged elegantly. "But I'm not here to fight—merely to deliver a message and... observe your capabilities firsthand." His gaze shifted to Bradamante, studying her with unsettling intensity. "Interesting. The Shield-Maiden of Charlemagne. Your spiritual signature is particularly... reactive to our master's essence. I wonder why."
Bradamante felt a chill run through her at his words and scrutiny. Something about this man's presence felt wrong—not corrupt like the corpse cultivators, but somehow hollow, as if something essential had been removed and replaced with something alien.
"Enough talk," Xuan Duguang growled, his patience clearly exhausted. "Deliver your message and depart, or die where you stand."
"So direct," Wei Changze sighed dramatically. "Very well. The message is this: The Twelve Gates Will Open Where Emperor Failed. The Midnight Court invites Emperor Longxian to witness the completion of what he began. One month hence, at the Black Lotus Ancestral Grounds."
With his message delivered, Wei Changze began to step backward, the darkness of the forest seemingly reaching out to envelop him. "Oh, and do give my regards to the White Fang Alpha. Her clan's allegiance is... noted. Consequences have been assigned."
Before either Bradamante or Xuan Duguang could respond, a massive spear of golden light pierced the space where Wei Changze had been standing—missing him by mere millimeters as he faded into the shadows.
Longxian landed in the clearing, the Heaven-Cleaving Spear crackling with imperial energy as Alpha Yue arrived beside him, her form fully transformed into an enormous white wolf.
"Your Majesty!" Bradamante exclaimed with obvious relief.
"Are you injured?" Longxian asked, his golden-crimson eyes quickly assessing her condition before scanning the battlefield.
"We're unharmed," she assured him. "Thanks to General Xuan's intervention."
Longxian nodded acknowledgment to his general before focusing on the lingering spiritual signature where Wei Changze had disappeared. "A Midnight Court envoy," he identified, frowning. "More sophisticated than their previous agents."
"He knew about the twelfth summon," Bradamante reported anxiously. "And he delivered a message... something about twelve gates opening where you failed."
Alpha Yue growled, her massive lupine form stalking the perimeter of the clearing. "The forest reeks of death and corruption. This entire hunt was a setup—they wanted to observe us, test our capabilities."
"And deliver their invitation," Xuan Duguang added, relaying Wei Changze's complete message.
Longxian's expression darkened as he absorbed this information. "One month until their planned 'awakening'—whatever that entails." He turned to Alpha Yue. "The messenger also threatened your clan specifically. It seems your alliance with the empire has accelerated their timetable."
The white wolf's ears flattened against her skull. "Let them come. The White Fang fears no death-worshippers."
Further discussion was interrupted by the arrival of the other hunting parties, each reporting similar ambushes across Mount Vermilion. Tomoe and Feng Meiling arrived with minor burns—not from enemy attacks but from their own increasingly competitive flame techniques as they had fought back-to-back against the corpse cultivators.
Barghest, Dobrynya, and Huan Lei appeared with several trophies—apparently having treated the ambush as part of the hunt, collecting corrupted beast cores from enemies who had attempted to ambush them in the ravine system.
Lady Yan Feiyu arrived last, her elegant robes somehow still immaculate despite the numerous blood splatters on her sword. She reported encountering not corpse cultivators but shadow assassins—more sophisticated agents who had attempted to separate and eliminate the White Fang scouts accompanying her.
"This was a coordinated reconnaissance effort," Zenobia concluded when all reports had been shared. The tactical genius had joined them upon receiving word of the attack, arriving with reinforcements from the palace guard. "They tested our various combat styles, documented our responses, and delivered their message—all while gauging our defensive capabilities."
"And we obliged them," Longxian noted grimly. "By separating into small hunting parties, we displayed our individual techniques rather than our coordinated strategies."
"A mistake we won't repeat," Artoria stated firmly, having arrived with Zenobia. The King of Knights had insisted on joining the reinforcement team personally, her concern evident despite her professional demeanor.
"Indeed," Longxian agreed. "We return to the palace immediately. This development demands our full strategic attention."
As the group prepared to depart, Bradamante approached Longxian hesitantly. "Your Majesty," she began, her usual nervousness temporarily overshadowed by genuine concern, "the Midnight Court envoy said something strange... about my spiritual signature being 'reactive' to their master's essence. What could that mean?"
Longxian regarded her thoughtfully, his expression revealing nothing of his internal considerations. "I'm not certain," he admitted finally. "But it bears investigation. When we return to the palace, I'd like Lady Ibuki to examine your spiritual signature more closely. Her knowledge of esoteric connections exceeds even my own."
Bradamante nodded, though she couldn't quite suppress a grimace at the thought of being examined by the serpent empress. "As you wish, Your Majesty."
---
The return to Jinlongya was conducted with heightened security, imperial guards and Pillars maintaining vigilant formation around the White Fang delegation. The floating mountain range that housed the imperial capital came into view as they ascended the grand staircase leading from the base of Mount Celestial Anchor—the enormous mountain chain that served as the physical tether for the floating imperial seat.
Bradamante gasped in wonder as they passed through the lower cloud layer, revealing the full majesty of Jinlongya. The imperial capital sprawled across seven interconnected floating mountains, golden pagodas and jade palaces catching the moonlight in breathtaking displays. Ancient array formations glowed along the perimeter, maintaining both the mountains' elevation and their defensive barriers.
"It's even more beautiful at night," she whispered, momentarily forgetting the evening's dangers in the face of such magnificence.
"The Dragon-Spire Palace was constructed during the First Heavenly Emperor's reign," Xuan Duguang explained, his typically stern demeanor softening slightly as he noted her appreciation. "Each floating mountain represents one of the seven original kingdoms that united to form the empire. Your quarters are in the Zhendu section—the northern mountain."
Bradamante blinked in surprise at the general's unexpected knowledge of her living arrangements. Xuan Duguang, realizing how his comment might sound, quickly added, "As Crimson Horizon General, I oversee security protocols for all imperial residents."
"Of course," Bradamante nodded, though she couldn't help noticing a faint coloration to the stoic general's face that had nothing to do with his crimson cultivation aura.
Upon reaching the imperial palace proper, emergency council was convened in the Strategy Chamber—a specialized room within the central mountain's palace complex where spiritual interference was impossible and security absolute.
Beyond the Pillars and White Fang representatives, several of Longxian's elite imperial officers were in attendance, including all those who had participated in the hunt. Additionally, a newcomer stood among them—a silver-haired young woman whose presence somehow commanded attention despite her youth.
Lianyu Xue'er, the Frostlight Prodigy, stood with perfect posture at the chamber's edge, her piercing violet eyes with their distinctive white pupils surveying the gathering with analytical precision. Though barely eighteen, she carried herself with the confidence of a seasoned warrior, the frosted edges of her silver-white hair occasionally releasing small crystals that sublimated before touching the ground.
Artoria noticed the newcomer immediately, assessing her with a warrior's eye. Despite the girl's youth, there was something formidable in her composed stillness—a coiled potential that reminded Artoria of Uesugi Kenshin's deadly restraint.
Longxian acknowledged Xue'er with a slight nod before addressing the assembled council. "The Midnight Court has revealed their next move—a ceremony at the Black Lotus Ancestral Grounds one month from today. They believe it will complete what they call 'the twelve gates'—a reference to our summoning ritual and its missing twelfth participant."
"A trap, obviously," Zenobia stated, already analyzing potential strategic approaches. "They want you there personally, Your Majesty. The question is why? What advantage does your presence provide them?"
"Perhaps they require imperial bloodline for their ritual," Beni-Enma suggested, her crimson eyes gleaming with judicial assessment. "Many high-level necromantic techniques demand noble sacrifice."
"Or they simply wish to eliminate the empire's sovereign," Artoria added pragmatically. "Decapitate the leadership to create chaos before their master's awakening."
"Both possibilities have merit," Longxian acknowledged. "But there's another angle we must consider. If the Midnight Court did indeed interfere with our twelfth summon, they may have redirected that spiritual connection elsewhere. The 'twelve gates' could refer to twelve summoning points—eleven successfully completed by us, one corrupted by them."
This theory created a sobering silence as its implications sank in. If true, it meant the Midnight Court had not merely disrupted their ritual but had actively co-opted it for their own purposes.
"We need more information," Xuan Duguang declared, breaking the silence. "Reconnaissance of the Black Lotus Ancestral Grounds must begin immediately."
"Agreed," Longxian nodded. "But conventional scouting will be detected. We need a more... subtle approach."
All eyes turned to Ibuki-Douji, whose expertise in divination and spiritual reconnaissance was unmatched among the Pillars.
"A scrying ritual?" the serpent empress surmised, a rare seriousness replacing her usual playful demeanor.
"With a focus on dimensional resonance," Longxian confirmed. "If they're truly attempting to open something analogous to our summoning gates, there should be detectable spiritual preparations underway."
Ibuki-Douji considered this for a moment before nodding. "Possible, but challenging. I'll need specialized materials and... assistance." Her serpentine eyes slid meaningfully toward Bradamante. "Particularly from our Shield-Maiden, whose spiritual signature apparently resonates with their master's essence."
Bradamante swallowed nervously but straightened her shoulders with determination. "I'll help however I can."
"Excellent," Ibuki-Douji purred. "We'll begin tonight. The full moon provides optimal conditions for such working."
As the council continued discussing defense preparations and intelligence gathering protocols, Alpha Yue approached Longxian directly, her expression grave.
"Emperor," she addressed him with uncharacteristic formality, "if the Midnight Court specifically mentioned consequences for the White Fang's allegiance, my people may be in immediate danger. I request permission to dispatch runners to our outlying territories with warnings and defensive instructions."
"Granted," Longxian agreed immediately. "In fact, I'll provide imperial messenger hawks to expedite the process. The distance between our forces and your clan lands remains a vulnerability we must address."
"Thank you," Alpha Yue acknowledged, genuine appreciation in her yellow eyes. "The White Fang