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The voices of many people echoed through the desolate forest—each person stood clearly divided into two sides, their faces full of unease and suspicion.
"If the Demon Sect truly wants Lady Ruo Yang… then why don't we just hand her over?"
The man who spoke, named Fei, stepped out of line. His eyes were filled with resolve, though his voice trembled.
"That would end this, and maybe they'll let the rest of us go… At least we'd be alive!"
"Do you even realize what you're saying, Fei!?"
The head guard, Fang, roared. "You are one of the sworn protectors of the Ruo Yang family!"
"Chief Fang!" Fei growled.
"Don't you see? There's no way we can survive if we continue to serve this family blindly! The Demon Sect is far too powerful!"
Fang clenched the blade in his hand tightly—he stayed silent, not responding.
Fei straightened his back and spoke with a firm voice.
"Anyone who agrees with me… stand behind me!"
At his words, several soldiers and followers slowly stepped over to stand behind Fei. Some lowered their heads, unable to meet Fang's gaze.
"Have you all forgotten the oath you swore before heaven and earth?" Fang shouted. "Have you forgotten your pledge to Ruo Yang?"
Fei smirked and looked around.
"Look, Chief Fang… These people have already decided. Oaths mean nothing when you're about to die for them!"
"Are you trying to start a rebellion, Fei!?"
One of the soldiers on Fang's side shouted angrily.
Suddenly—a rustling sound came from the bushes.
A young woman stumbled out, falling between the two opposing sides.
"Lady Ruo Yang!"
Fang's eyes widened. He rushed to help her up.
"Are you all right, my lady?"
"Uncle Fang… I'm fine."
She gave a faint smile, though her face was pale.
Before another word could be spoken—a black needle sliced through the air, aimed straight at Ruo Yang's body.
Whish!
But Fang reacted instantly.
He channeled Level 2 Ryu — Golden Body — into his right arm.
With a tightly clenched fist, he swung at the incoming needle with full force.
Crack!
The sound of the needle shattering rang out. It disintegrated into dust immediately.
Fang froze… Just a moment of contact told him exactly what that energy was — a form of Ryu. And he knew whose it was.
"Fei!!" Fang bellowed, releasing a murderous aura so intense the ground trembled.
"You dare attempt to assassinate the young lady!?"
"Please understand me, Chief Fang!" Fei shouted back, his eyes filled with panic and desperation.
"I had no choice… I just want us to survive!"
He pointed a trembling finger at Fang before turning to his group.
"Everyone who agrees with me! Draw your Ryu and fight — now!"
The forest fell deathly silent for a heartbeat—then erupted with the roars of multiple streams of Ryu from Fei's side.
Dozens of soldiers behind him ignited their inner power simultaneously. Light flared from their bodies—each color and intensity different…
But their intent was the same — to eliminate the ones blocking their path to survival.
"Step aside, Chief Fang!"
Fei stepped forward, his body glowing with a deep, ocean-blue Ryu.
"I don't want to fight you… but if you insist on standing in our way—I won't hold back."
Fang stood unmoving, his face like stone. The weight of his killing intent still pressed down on the earth around him.
"You're leading yourself—and them—into destruction, Fei."
His voice was slow but carried undeniable authority.
"If you take the wrong path today… you may never be able to redeem yourself."
Ruo Yang's eyes widened. She tried to stand, but her legs had no strength.
"Please… don't kill each other…" Her voice was barely more than a whisper.
But no one listened.
Boom!
A soldier from Fei's group launched at Fang's men, the impact echoing through the woods.
In an instant, battle exploded—power clashed, shaking the very ground.
Leaves scattered. Dust surged into the air.
Fang countered the charging soldier with a punch, sending him flying.
But before he could breathe, three more enemies came at him at once. He deflected their strikes with swift, powerful blows.
"Traitors… Taste what true loyalty feels like!"
Fang's voice thundered across the forest.
Meanwhile, Ruo Yang tried to stand again.
She clasped her hands together, tears filling her eyes.
"Please… someone… stop this…"
Yet behind the bushes, a shadowy figure stood silently.
In his hand was a sword with a curved, bamboo-leaf shape—as though waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
A slow grin crept across the man's face beneath the shadowed leaves…
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