Night over Blackflame City was quiet, but Nathan Yin's study was not. The flickering light from a soul lantern cast harsh shadows across his polished desk. Maps were unfurled, ink still fresh on some, others marked with recent blood.
"They've taken the outer treasury," growled his right-hand man, Verrik, a grim Soul Vein Mid cultivator with narrow eyes and a broken nose. "All guards are dead. We found their corpses with their cores drained."
Nathan leaned back in his chair, fingers steepled beneath his chin. His once-playful demeanor was now replaced by something colder. Something brutal.
"They slipped past our watchers. That place was considered forgotten. Abandoned," he muttered. "So someone clever... or someone from within the clan."
A knock came at the door.
One of his spies, dressed in plain brown robes, stepped inside and knelt. "Lord Nathan. We followed the remnants of the trail. There's movement at an old estate on the city's edge. More than fifteen figures. A small camp. We suspect they're the ones."
Nathan's eyes gleamed.
"And you're sure it's not a mercenary guild?"
"Too precise. Too quiet. They left no trace after the kill. I've seen mercenary style tactics, it's different. It's not local."
"...Or perhaps not mortal at all," Nathan whispered. He stood. "Ready our men. Everyone from vein initiate and higher. We move before dawn."
Verrik's lips twisted. "Kill on sight?"
"No," Nathan said. "We butcher them. I want their heads displayed. Whoever dares challenge the Yin Clan needs to be reminded of our place in this city."
The Crimson Fangs hideout was an abandoned bandits lair near the cliffs. Quiet. Too quiet.
Marla was the first to sense the change.
She burst into the side room where Ash was meditating, flame-light dancing over his arms. "Ash. Movement. South and East perimeter. Dozens. At least forty."
Talin appeared next, slipping from the shadows. "Sixty. Nathan and his retainers are with them"
Mira's face was pale. "They found us."
Arlen gritted his teeth. "This wasn't supposed to happen now."
Ash stood, calmly brushing the dust from his sleeves. His voice was steady.
"Then it begins."
Marla looked at him. "We can escape. Disperse. Regroup."
"No," Ash said, walking toward the main hall. "If we scatter now, they'll hunt us one by one. This is our home. We stand."
The room went quiet. Then, slowly, Mira nodded. "We hold."
Arlen sighed. "It's insane sir. But... alright."
Ash turned to the others. "Take your positions. Ready to engage at any moment."
The serpent's voice slithered through Ash's mind.
"So this is how it ends. Your little rebellion crushed by boots and fire. A good second life, really. Could've died worse."
Ash didn't flinch.
"We're not done. Not even close."
The serpent snorted. "You're still pretending to be a commander. Still playing war in a dying situation."
"I'm not playing.
War involves a wide range of activities and strategies, from the initial planning and mobilization to the execution of battles on the ground. I'll show this world how wars are won."
"Quite the commander," serpent drawled. "Giving orders like you're still on some Earth battlefield. But I wonder… are you prepared to watch them die for you again?"
Ash didn't flinch. "They're not dying tonight."
"Oh, I'm sure that belief will comfort their corpses. Or maybe you'll die first. At least you won't feel responsible."
Outside, the darkness began to shift.
Nathan Yin approached the cliffs, sixty men behind him. Soul lamps lit their path in dull orange glow. Verrik walked beside him, blade drawn.
"Good to see you again,Uncle Nathan."
Nathan's eyes narrowed. "Feng Yao...? No. That's not possible."
Ash's eyes gleamed with calm fury. "Names don't matter. Only debts."
Nathan sneered. "You've stirred hornets. I bring sixty men. You brought a grave."
Ash stepped forward, voice cold. "Then let's bury the past."
For a moment, silence stretched like a blade between them.
Nathan's lips curled. "You'll regret not staying dead."
Ash smiled. "You'll regret letting me live."
And then, they turned—one to command, the other to destroy.