Chapter 261: Wind

    ~~~

    The Storm Dragons spatial realm comes down, and chaos spreads over the battlefield. Not a single person is in the same place they were in when the light swallowed them all. Every formation has been broken, and countless lie dead. While high-level cultivators engaged in duels, the regular soldiers slaughtered each other by the hundreds in the endless corridors of the spatial realm.

    Even General He Bins soldiers, who knew about the spatial realm ahead of time, do not come out unscathed from the experience. No amount of warnings could have prepared them for the constantly shifting dimensions of the labyrinthine realm where one does not know whether friend or foe awaits beyond the next door.

    Still, it is better to be left shaken and confused than dead. Now that they are free, they can feel the material world instead of the vast emptiness of the Storm Dragons spatial realm.

    It shakes Lu Mei to her very core.

    We need to leave, she hisses. Now!

    Her reaction is purely instinct-driven. Primal. That is why it is only after she says it that she realizes her words will not be accepted without question.

    I refuse to leave, my lord!

    Sure enough, that is the first and most obvious objection. Lu Mei notes, with no small amount of relief, that she can sense Qing Jin alive and well.

    What? But now that the spatial realm is down, I can finally go to where my Honored Ancestor is!

    That is the second objection. Thankfully, it is easily ignored.

    I thought we were trying to rescue Brother Qing?

    The third. Lu Mei wasnt sure whether Huang Shing would speak up, but she is certain there is no need to wait for a fourth voice. She may not like Fan Bingbing, but she knows the girl will wait until shes explained herself before saying anything.

    You can go to him now if you want to, Lu Mei tells Lei Kong, then quickly adds, but wait until I have finished explaining! Hes safe here! We arent!

    Thankfully, Lei Kong does not disappear in a blur of speed when she is in the middle of her sentence. Were he not dealing with the Curse of the Earth Realm, he probably would have.

    Its so obvious now, Lu Mei says, the temperature around her rising erratically.

    The Eternal Flame whispers to her. It shows her the truth that had been kept hidden from her due to the spatial realm and the barriers around the palace.

    It is terrifying.

    He said it. Remember? Lu Mei says, pointing at Qing Guo. The Storm Dragon has been manifested all this time. Thats what this has been all about!

    What are you talking about? Qing Guo asks. The manifestation of the Storm Dragon is a necessary defensive measure to protect my father from the other two generals.

    But that has not always been the case, Fan Bingbing points out, finally speaking up. Her gaze shifts to Lu Mei. Its only because of the civil war that the Storm Dragon has been manifested this long. As I understand it, that usually wouldnt have been the case.

    Of course, it wouldnt. There is no way something like that could stay manifested this long without consequences! Lu Mei says, pacing erratically. Her legs want to run, but she contains herself. Its power has been festering in this palace all this time, changing it. Now, its nearly done! Its beating! Cant you hear it?!

    Hear what? Sister Mei, youre not making any sense, Huang Shing says.

    I am saying the palace has been acquiring the characteristics of the Storm Dragon! Its creating a heart! All one giant mass of power, probably the single greatest power source in the entire continent! Lu Mei shouts. And this whole place could become a battlefield between emperors at any second.

    Gold flames flicker around her. Her pupils are completely dilated.

    We need to leave!

    ~~~

    Just as an ant cannot tell the difference between a hill and a mountain, most were unable to notice that Murong Bang was in death throes. Whether at his weakest or strongest, an Emperor remains an Emperor.

    However, a dead Emperor is another thing entirely.

    When a beggar dies, the world can ignore it. When an Emperor dies, the world must give proof. And so, the earth trembles and the skies darken. Murong Bangs soldiers fall to their knees, disbelief written on their faces while nearly everyone else cheers. The earth might pay its respects, but they will not. The monster is dead. Let all rejoice!

    General Nie Dan breaks into the palace.

    His motion is sudden. Instant. A single step takes him right next to Liu Jin.

    Did you deal the finishing blow? he asks.

    It takes Liu Jin several seconds to answer.

    I thought about it. For years, I kept thinking about it. I told myself I wasnt, but I was, Liu Jin says. He is still looking at Murong Bangs corpse. He was injured. Weak. It was the perfect opportunity I couldnt bring myself to do itI couldnt

    You are pathetic, Nie Dan says, wiping the smile from He Bins face. Your monsters are done. Their creator must have died or been incapacitated. Your army cannot match mine, and you cannot kill the child next to me because the Storm Dragon will protect him. Fighting me is the only road open to you, and you fear even doing that much. This is over, He Bin. You have lost.

    General He Bin laughs.

    However, the rage that fills the room makes it hard for Liu Jin to breathe.

    Nie Dan, you damned fool, He Bin says, smiling with anger. Murong Bang is dead. Do you not understand what that means?

    I realize you found some way to kill him, Nie Dan replies, unfazed. I also know that if you could do it again so easily, youd have killed me already instead of trying to negotiate. Youre far too prudent for anything else. In other words, you cannot kill me right now.

    Very well thought out and reasoned. As expected of you. He Bin grins. However, I am pleased to tell you that you are wrong.

    General Nie Dan and Liu Jins heads turn even though they know looking away from an Emperor is foolish. They have no choice. The presence there demands their attention. There is no need for General He Bin to explain himself further. They feel it. She has been there all this time, but only now are they allowed to see her.

    How?

    For the first time, General Nie Dan sounds shaken.

    The wind goes where it pleases. You might not notice it, but it is always there.

    She wears a green cloak over her person. Her stature is far smaller than the two generals. Nevertheless, the woman seems to tower over everyone. Liu Jin immediately understands who she is. No... perhaps it would be more accurate to say this persons presence is revealing her identity to him.

    She is the Wandering Wind, the strongest cultivator of the Endlessly Raging Valley, one of the Four Great Sects of Crimson Cloud Empire.

    She is someone who has stepped into the Divine Realms.

    I see, Nie Dan says gravely. You are the one who killed Murong Bang.

    I am, the Wandering Wind answers.

    You will kill me as well.

    I will not.

    What?

    It is He Bin, not Nie Dan, who shouts in surprise. The general immediately silences himself when the Wandering Wind turns her attention to him.

    You called upon a favor because of your inability to deal with two Emperors. One has been dealt with. One remains, the Wandering Wind says. Surely, you will not say this is beyond you. Or do you believe you can command the Wind?

    He Bin does not get the opportunity to say anything in reply. Taking solace in the Wandering Winds stated non-interference, General Nie Dan bursts into action and tackles He Bin out of the room. From Liu Jins perspective, it is as if the two of them suddenly vanished. He can detect their presence several miles above the palace.

    It seems like he has wanted to do that for a while, the Wandering Wind says. I cannot blame him. He Bin is rather full of himself.

    How are you here? Liu Jin asks.

    The Wandering Wind does not answer.

    I know Murong Bang had dealings with the Endlessly Raging Valley, but does this mean General He Bin does as well? Is the Endlessly Raging Valley related to the Death Fashioning Scri-

    The Wandering Wind makes a motion with her hand.

    Liu Jins mouth keeps moving, but his words cease to make a sound.

    You seem to be under a misunderstanding, the Wandering Wind says. While I must admit watching you feel pity for that beast was somewhat curious, that does not mean you are qualified to speak to me.

    It is the expected answer of someone like her. It is only because of his confusion that Liu Jin has dared to voice his questions. There has to be a link between the Wandering Wind, General He Bin, and the Death Fashioning Scripture, but he cannot understand how it works or what purpose it serves.

    The only reason you are here is because your bloodline prevents anyone from hurting you within the bounds of the Storm Palace, the Wandering Wind tells him. However, make no mistake, I would like to test that. Perhaps I might after those two are done. Or perhaps not. I cannot say I care for greater plots. Regardless, I would appreciate it if you remained silent.

    Liu Jin considers his options carefully.

    As long as the Wandering Wind is here, they cannot win. She might have said she will not aid General He Bin against Nie Dan, but who knows what she will do after that battle is over? The Wandering Wind is notorious for doing whatever she pleases, operating completely beyond the control of the Endlessly Raging Valley.

    There is only one thing Liu Jin can do.

    Storm Dragon, dwell inside me.

    The palace cracks in half.

    ~~~