Xelas, clan leader of the Mad Dragon clan, and Xeral, president of the Star Empire’s Hanamura Magic Guild, were blood brothers. Fifty years ago, they fell out over competing for the clan leadership. Their battle ultimately split the Mad Dragon phantom beast into [Mad Dragon] and [Divine Dragon]. Xeral took the Divine Dragon phantom beast and departed far to the Star Empire, where he remained until now.
Clearly, Xeral and Xelas were very dissimilar brothers. One mild-mannered and wise, the other hot-tempered and irascible. Xelas treated his son completely differently from Xeral. Beatings and scoldings were routine. This evidently caused immense pressure on Dalas, this eldest son already over forty yet daily scolded like a grandson. Full of resentment, eager to vent.
After the Church entered the Tidal Empire, among the twelve clans, some submitted and joined the rebellion. Some opposed the Church. But Maze Lamp and Mad Dragon remained neutral. Neither aiding nor resisting. Maze Lamp’s mission protected the Emperor and Zenith Palace. Mad Dragon’s protected the capital citizens.
Xelas held no goodwill towards the Church. But clearly his son hoped the Mad Dragon house could draw closer to the Church for greater power. Now seeing Bishop Xis attempt to kill the Emperor, Xelas stepped forward to stop it, willing to fully break with Church forces. Dalas naturally did not want this. He still hoped to use Church aid for more power and wealth later. Thus, Dalas struck fatally at his father!
“Sorry, Father. I truly do not want to oppose the Church!” Dalas’s face somewhat complex, but eyes very resolute. Mad Dragon phantom shadow emerged on him. Far less robust and powerful than Xelas’s. Yet still filled with terrifying intimidation. “Father, you are old enough. I have long awaited your death. But now I cannot wait longer. Father, please depart…”
“You, you bastard! How did I sire a son like you!” Xelas roared angrily. Blood constantly flowed from his back. Not an ordinary wound. Faint blue light spread from it, seemingly a curse effect. Preventing easy healing. Hindering Xelas’s strength.
But enraged, he was extraordinarily brave. Swinging fists to strike his son.
Father and son exchanged several blows in moments. Xelas’s strength originally pinnacle in the Tidal Empire. His son Dalas far inferior, levels below. But Dalas’s dagger on Xelas carried terrifying curse. Greatly discounting Xelas’s power. Soon Xelas collapsed, spitting blood.
Dalas face full of vicious hatred. Leaped up. With Mad Dragon phantom shadow, fist smashing towards Xelas!
Onlookers gasped.
Boom!
Terrifying explosion.
Faint dragon roars echoed.
Ye Chui’s group, standing afar as if suddenly outsiders, expressions wonderfully colourful—Dalas’s attack did not land on Xelas. In that lightning moment, a white figure suddenly rushed over, blocking before Xelas. Single-handed holding short blade upside down, blocking Dalas’s fist!
Evans!
Evans already gravely injured, body full of sword wounds, one arm severed. Yet even so, with one arm he blocked Dalas’s attack.
Simultaneously, another figure appeared beside Xelas, supporting him. Bart. Bart looked somewhat weak, face pale, but expression utterly resolute.
Just before Xelas rushed over on news, he had been taking Bart and Evans brothers nearby on street seeking doctor for their injuries. After Xelas left, the brothers escaped Mad Dragon house watch. Originally to rendezvous with Ye Chui’s group. But hearing events here, seeing Xelas in peril from afar, the brothers unhesitatingly acted.
They were cousins with Dalas. But clearly very different from him.
President Xeral most valued blood ties. Though always saying he disowned brother Xelas, the brothers could tell Father still cared deeply for this brother. Though Xelas somewhat overbearing and unreasonable, he cared for the brothers too. How could they stand by and watch death?
Even if it meant dying, no regrets.
In truth, acting, the brothers prepared for death. Bart gravely injured, unhealed. Evans missing arm, greatly reduced power. On street, Bishop Xis eyed menacingly. No smooth escape possible. But no regrets.
“You!” Dalas seeing Bart brothers appear, body leaped back. Unwilling to confront Evans. He swiftly rushed to Ye Chui’s group. To Ye Chui, “Lord Xis, I have dealt with Xelas. But that Evans troublesome. Please act.”
Ye Chui, Leisha, Green, Celty, Guni faces full of contempt towards Dalas.
Bart and Evans protected before Xelas, faces grave watching Ye Chui’s group ahead. Prepared for bloody fight to last breath.
Son striking father. Instead prisoner Divine Dragon brothers stepped to protect. Pale-faced Xelas momentarily indescribably complex.
Now on Puppet Statue Street. Many onlookers around. Some city guards arrived. Including the moustached one Ye Chui’s group met entering capital. They clearly revered Xelas. Showed anger towards Bishop Xis and Dalas. But momentarily dared not charge.
“Lord Xis, what next?” Dalas lowered voice asking Ye Chui.
Ye Chui’s magic guide book floated beside, concealed by Bishop Xis wide sleeves disguise. Outsiders could not see. His mind communed with book, searching resource library for solution. Current situation completely unexpected.
Originally Ye Chui’s plan simple: throw Emperor on street, disguised as Bishop Xis kill him. Draw wave of hatred for Church. Simple, direct, brutal. Who expected so many twists. Family ethics drama.
He soon found solution. Quietly [Insight] a movie, unlocking new spell.
That spell perfectly suited now.
Ye Chui waved hands. Thick mist emitted from his body, spreading all directions. In moments, entire street fully enveloped in mist—Advanced water vapour spell [Heavy Mist]!
Water and fire elements fused form water vapour fusion magic.
Movie Ye Chui insight classic sci-fi thriller “The Mist”.
Dense fog instantly blocked nearly all vision. Everyone saw only less than a metre around. But Ye Chui knew all movements within mist.
Mist reached, his vision reached.
“Lord Xis, this…” Dalas voice fearful, sensing mist’s terror.
“Green.” Ye Chui said calmly.
Green understood. Clang! One brick knocked Dalas unconscious. Dalas backstabbing own father made Green utterly disdain him. No mercy.
And at this moment—
“There’s a gay pulling my zipper—” Evans attacked Ye Chui. First move his current strongest [Slash]!
“Naughty!” In Ye Chui’s mist, no movement escaped perception. Moreover, Evans’s current ability created by him. He instantly released [Dizziness] spell. Accurately hit Evans. Evans just leaped body crashed to ground, fainted.
Ye Chui swiftly appeared beside Bart and Xelas.
Bart glanced at fallen brother. Gritted teeth hard. Showed Ye Chui even death fight to end expression.
Ye Chui hurriedly waved, dizzying Xelas. Then to Bart, “Relax. It’s us.”
Seeing Ye Chui reveal true form, Bart instantly widened eyes. Felt worldview collapsing… How Bishop Xis Ye Chui disguised?
“True Xis already dealt with by me. Much happened this day. Temporarily no talk. Leave here first. But before…” Ye Chui glanced at Emperor lying on ground. “I must kill him first.”
Bart: “…”
He knew. From moment Arbitrary Magic Guild hired for Tidal Empire chaos, this nation doomed. Now killing Emperor…
But Bart did not question Ye Chui’s intent. Green and he supported fainted Xelas. Guni used greatsword to carry fainted Evans on shoulder. Everyone withdrew under mist cover.
Ye Chui restored Bishop Xis appearance. Dispelled surrounding mist. Onlookers panicked in sudden fog dispersal. Saw Bishop Xis standing before Emperor. Heard Bishop Xis evil angry roar, “Divine wrath none can extinguish. Today by divine will, I sanction you!”
As spoke, thin lingering mist around Emperor suddenly birthed terrifying bugs. Fully condensed from water vapour. Huge forms, like demon insects.
Also [Heavy Mist] power. Spell besides releasing confusing fog, could condense terrifying demon bugs from mist to attack enemies. Just like in movie The Mist.
Emperor awoke. Mouth emitted tearing screams. Giant ants, moths, centipedes continuously crawled onto his body.
His screams would inspire Tidal Empire citizens for countless years after, resisting Church’s brutal oppression…
Bishop Xis figure vanished. Street left only fainted Dalas and gruesomely dead Emperor.
…
Night had fallen.
Ye Chui originally planned return to Ancestral God Temple. But Emperor’s killing made capital instantly tense and strict. Patrol guards everywhere. Evans, Bart, Xelas all gravely injured. So Ye Chui found secluded empty courtyard. Prepare hide one night, treat three’s injuries first.
“President Ye Chui.” After settling Xelas and Evans, Bart suddenly grave-faced approached Ye Chui. “Please grant me power. Like Evans’s power!”
Consecutive setbacks in Tidal Empire. Perhaps more great battles imminent. He urgently needed strength boost. Evans his younger brother, originally far below him. Now Evans far surpassed. Current crisis urgent. Finally resolved!
Hearing Bart’s request, Ye Chui’s eyes instantly lit.
Hanzou finally online!
