Within the ancient Totem War Castle, the atmosphere suddenly grew heavy and still, a silence so complete that none dared respond to the query.
“Has BloodMane returned yet?”
The Wolf King’s repeated question, sharper and more threatening this time echoed across the chamber.
An aged wolf-man took a hesitant step forward. “Great Chieftain, BloodMane was dispatched to Nanqing City.”
“I know that! And he hasn’t sent *any* report all this while?” The Wolf King’s voice grew icy, his fury reaching its threshold. If BloodMane had gone completely silent, it reeked either of utter disregard for his superior or darker ambitions.
The elder wolf, newly appointed as High Shaman, hesitated before venturing carefully, “Great Chieftain, the news just arrived from Nanqing — Duke BloodMane was badly injured by Chi-Yeh there—”
“Out with it!”
“The Duke was critically wounded after engaging Chi-Yeh. After managing an escape from Nanqing’s gates, he was pursued again. His force, alongside every last bodyguard… was entirely destroyed.”
The Wolf King’s pupils darkened and constricted like a predator’s, radiating cold and cruel intent strong enough to whip through the entire hall like glacial gales. Indeed, his wrath had rarely flared so dangerously. Even if BloodMane was rebellious and untamed, he remained a valuable tribal force. Without surpassing the Wolf King directly himself, his ambitions were still shackled, at least partially.
Now his defeat left an irreplaceable loss to the tribe; the chief commander felt one mighty arm amputated. Already at slight disadvantage against Spider Emperor and the Moonlit White Devil, his weakening further rendered the future perilous and constrained.
And, again — Chi-yeh! That damned Chi-yeh again!
Heaving a great breath to stave his rage, the King finally growled forth:
“What condition is the scene in? Has anyone observed?”
“Worst case scenario I’d say — corpses were sliced beyond recognition.”
Unexpectedly, wrath stayed its course with his King as a strange spectre surfaced in his thoughts— an unsettling female cloaked in white, holding the razor-edged cleaver no beast could withstand at full fury.
While her abilities stood modest compared to him, her knack of striking when least welcomed bordered uncanny precision. Those slashes struck precisely where his defence crumbled; an unequaled unease even when held beside the fears of deadly clashes with warriors far mightier.
“What did Ji Rei report?”
“This intelligence was what Lord Ji dispatched himself,” replied him carefully:
“He claims chaos struck abruptly leaving little room for foresight. Upon being wounded, BloodMane fled with every guardian trailing swiftly from Nanqing’s borders. Meanwhile, Lord Ji proceeded searching Chi-yeh thoroughly first within the walls and then outskirts… only then did the dreadful sights follow.”
The Wolf King snorted disapprovingly and muttered:
“Master Jiji knows how masterfully to absolve blame.”
“We cannot overlook his negligence,” ventured boldly the new shaman, “It *was* within Ji Rei territories BloodMane met his end.”
“Then we take Nanqing for ourselves.”
Shifting momentarily in expression, calculating gleamed briefly but dissipated slowly, the tribal chieftain shook finally head:
“Tempting — but we’re in delicate balance, three-way. Possesses we will not relinquish Nanqing’s prize freely unless we shift entire scales — besides Rei Jiji himself isn’t any common adversary to displace easily… Replace with someone else and we’ll see how swiftly Nanqing falls or even fractures under weaker hands.”
“So nothing more?”
“Oh we will demand our pound… perhaps more… BloodMane accepted his invite at Rei Jiji’s, yet found grave there.” Thus he marked instantly pair of attendants, dispatched south to exact payment most painful.
Meanwhile in other realms beyond floating mist realms emerged Valhall from its interstellar path toward the northern plains where preparation of advanced weaponries — massive ballista, engine wings awaited.
For more ten cycles past since first stone laid, a transformation bloomer of old tribes began shaping its form; monumental edifices began sketching outline of greatness. Tracks to ocean carved deep beyond fifteen furlongs as initial stock exhausted.
From land’s bones the tribes now dug deeper, stone hauled in ceaseless flow to feed growing foundations.
Graceful as a beast descending upon its domain came descent of celestial vessel near heartwood of tribes.
Handing Valhall’s fittings and fine adjustments between two figures: Miss Blue Moon, then departing back with his charge little Zhuji in tail back to valleyed peace named warm lake, hidden away into meditational retreat.
Days passed like rivers unshaken, calm waters unruffled. Time blurred for both master and cub.
Trained by uncounted hours, time passed without note. Laid curled like kitten curled beside, she slept sound, comforted endlessly in gentle tides of primal essence exhaled.
Husk wrapped within fragile body crackled ever so slightly — growing rapidly with each pulse beyond what men achieved in centuries. Around him swirled her pull—an anomaly drawing forth streams of ambient mana. A natural gift enviable as one could slumber on and thrive!
Though others drained badly amidst this field, to Chi-Yeh’s own discipline these demands mattered little. A modest supplement, once twice throughout entire session, merely over an hour or so restoring losses.
In quiet days without concern, time might stretch forever.
Yet even amidst tranquility, a ripple brushed Chi-Yeh’s consciousness; strange fluctuation tugged within. Eyes fluttering open softly.
Then, a moment more distant shadow bloomed horizonwards; swiftly transforming into a procession gliding swiftly above.
From four ships—three cargo-fighter hybrids; one high-speed war vessel emerged. Featureless exteriors carried no identifying crest upon its surface, yet none mistook its identity—none besides Chi-yeh.
Recognizing immediately stood one atop, silhouetted sharp silhouette with a presence unmistakable.
Atop his shoulder sprouted Zhu-Ji’s curious gaze as she stirred from deep slumber murmuring,
“Mama’s home?”
“Indeed, we greet him now.” Cradling up the tiny, he departed valley into ancestral lands beyond.
The ships came gliding in, selected wide field and commenced descent. High above deck宋子宁 sprang downward, alighting firmly onto feet as landed precisely beside Chi-yeh. Roars burst unguarded:
“You missed me yet? Heha! The one, Only True, Irrepressible, Lord Son!”
Chi-Yeh returned gentle smile, knuckle to chest in familiar clasp, “Quicker than expected.”
“Speed runs in my blood,” grinned wider as gestured toward following vessels. “Every last treasure I still hold — and you dare *not*, NOT swindle my investments.” Flipping open swiftly from satchel forth a list.
Hand received sheet, Chi-yeh stared back surprised beyond. Three cargo holds delivered:
– 30 Mining and Excavation Platforms – heavy-grade, near-latest specs
– 2 Melting Units
— Double Core Reactors
— Complete Refinery
— Assembly tools with unmatched finesse
With supplies sufficient in laying foundation of production stronghold—while mostly lightly-used or near-prime goods of black market, still these were impossible gems found across lawless zones’ depths rarely seen within frontier.
And still not yet done:
Almost half a thousand men—skilled specialists long faithful to宋’s past ventures. Instant power re-balanced entire land with宋 now outnumbering native hill barbarities, effectively re-drawing strategic map.
All tasks of receiving crew, installing facilities passed into other trusted hands: the ever competent Qing Yue, Hong Lian overseeing logistics. While also integrating the heavy-iron logistics from Ninyang Industries into current operation. Settlement placed intentionally to flank hill-folk lands’ intended expansions westwardly; with mountain barrier at western, Chi-Yeh valley as east frontier, and southern sea as fourth boundary sealed tribe’s expansion radius within manageable parameters.
Although Qing Yue expressed initial disappointment, she knew where her boundaries lay.
Current territory granted to hill dwellers far exceeded their developmental capabilities—for decades at this rate they’ll barely expand even within limited bounds through sheer growth numbers and aggressive reproduction habits alone.
When ground crew dispersed toward assigned functions宋 leaned closer with sly whisper:
“Figured something clever to neutralize our greatest threat… regarding *the Temple!*”
“Spit it!” ChiYeh questioned eagerly.
For *the Temple of Ancient*—its importance stood critical. None could traverse to *Holy Mountain*, if swarmed endlessly upon arrival by Eternal Night fleets unless riding superior dreadnought from a forgotten era, capable of outclassing any enemy.
But its true danger: remnants of defenses left behind in the form of mechanisms capable of slaying even Grand Masters sealed off its inner sanctum permanently from Chi–Yih. Unknown mechanisms still locked in that mysterious core—could be booby-trapped for all they knew if intruded!
If King Zheng learned its location—there remained danger he could reassert control from far away… That very danger宋 hinted now.
Chi-yeh puzzled; What method might宋 possibly wield against such a transcendent being? Even the Tianshang were untouchable! Yet宋’s name carried influence rare even among the elite.
The answer remained cryptic as an enigma.
With knowing smirk宋 merely added:
“All in due time… Now—first show me how renovations’ve advanced since my parting!”
Both boarded inspecting thoroughly vessel’s decks and chambers宋 furrowing brows mid-tour:
“Four balistae? How laughable—such tiny addition?”
Chiyeh chuckled, “These didn’t cost.”
Snapped upright immediately:
“No cost?? Elaborate—Quick!!!”
Simple: when Jiji allied with this Wolf King plotting assassination, my escape led Ji to negotiate settlement by gifting *four*. Blood price.
This revelation hit immediately. With a thought宋 triggered wind blades swirling outward encircling his ally—scanning rapidly for wound’s confirmation.
Finding none eased宋’s breathing; however fury darkened eyes. Voice laced gritted teeth:
“So胆大胆的 fatty, dares betray us!! You’ll wait, when I’m done I’ll paint red his palace!”
Chiyeh soothed with reassuring palm onto shoulder:
“Calm down——this one’s long since escaped worse fates. Killing me takes stronger than *that Wolf* and even *Shenshan* can’t keep me for long… Remember whose legs brought us out each time ahead of any.”
Slow grin, although lingering malice still hung thick,宋’s countenance softened slightly.
Yet beneath the smile—murder danced.
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