“Patriarch!” one of the elders called out Daku King. “We cannot endure this any longer. Send word to Kent. Order him to surrender to the Emperor before we all perish!”
Just as the patriarch opened his mouth to speak, a deep, commanding voice echoed through the hall, silencing every complaint.
“Enough!”
The heavy wooden doors creaked open, and from the shadows emerged the Old Patriarch—Grand Elder Xian King. His back was slightly bent with age, but his eyes blazed with a sharpness that made even the strongest warriors avert their gaze.
Draped in a dark robe embroidered with the golden insignia of the King family, he stepped forward, his cane tapping against the stone floor with an air of finality.
A hush fell over the room as everyone turned toward him.
“So, this is what my descendants have become? A pack of whining cowards?” Xian King’s voice was like thunder, filled with disappointment and authority.
“Grandfather…” one of the elders began hesitantly, but the old patriarch raised his hand, demanding silence.
“Kent has made his decision, and I stand by it,” Xian King declared. “That sword is the pride of this family! It carries my legacy, our dignity! And you want him to hand it over to that tyrant Emperor like a beggar offering scraps? Shameful!”
Some of the younger members, still filled with fear, exchanged glances. One of them gathered his courage and spoke up, “But, Grand Elder, we are suffering. The Emperor’s soldiers are tightening their grip every day. If we defy them much longer—”
“Then leave!” Xian King’s voice boomed across the hall, making the very walls tremble. “If you are so afraid, if your spirit is so weak that you would rather bow than fight, then I hereby give you permission to renounce the King family name and walk out of these gates!”
Silence. No one dared to breathe.
“But let me make one thing clear,” he continued, his piercing gaze scanning the room. “The moment you step out of this house, you are no longer one of us. You will be forgotten. Your name erased from our records. You will be nothing but a traitor in the eyes of your ancestors.”
The weight of his words pressed heavily upon everyone present. No one moved. Even those who had been the loudest in their complaints now found themselves unable to speak.
Patriarch Jian King, who had been silent until now, finally lifted his head and met the eyes of the old patriarch. Then, he turned to the family members and spoke in a firm voice, Grandfather has spoken. Kent’s path is his own. We will not interfere, nor will we cower. This house will stand, no matter what.”
With those words, the fate of the King family was sealed. The murmurs ceased, and an uneasy silence settled in.
Outside, the imperial soldiers remained stationed, but inside, a new determination was born within the King family. They would stand with Kent, no matter the cost.
—
Endless Green Desert…
The first rays of dawn filtered through the cave’s entrance, casting long shadows over the rocky interior. The air was still, save for the faint rustling of Kent’s battle cape as he secured his armor. His long black robes, adorned with intricate golden embroidery, billowed slightly as he adjusted the silver buckles at his wrists.
By the time Firefly Lady Khoya stirred from her meditation, Kent had already packed everything. The cave, which had been their temporary haven, was completely cleared, leaving no trace of their presence.
Khoya rubbed her eyes and looked at the man standing before her, his posture unyielding like a mountain before a storm.
“So, have you decided?” she asked, her voice laced with curiosity and expectation.
Kent didn’t reply immediately. Instead, he pulled out two jade slips—one crimson red and one deep blue—placing them in Khoya’s hands.
“My background is far more complex than you can imagine. You might be surprised when you uncover it.” His voice was calm yet carried a weight that sent a shiver down her spine. “Travel east to Red Sword City. Find the King Family Patriarch and deliver this red jade slip in incognito. It contains my message.”
Khoya studied the jade slip, her brows furrowed in thought. Before she could speak, Kent continued.
“If you move north of Red Sword City, inside the Blue Pipal Tree Mansion, you will find my wives. They must be worried sick, as I have not contacted them in a long time. Deliver this blue jade slip to them.” He paused, his gaze darkening slightly. “No one, not even the King Family, knows of their location. Keep it that way.”
Khoya looked at the slips in her palm and then back at Kent, her expression unreadable. “And the third slip?” she asked, her voice carrying a hint of suspicion.
Kent took out a green jade slip, holding it up before placing it carefully into her hands. “After two days, ensure that the message inside this slip is spread throughout Red Sword City. Once this reaches the people, the Emperor won’t dare to lay a finger on my family.”
Khoya let out a soft chuckle. “Fair enough. And what about her?” She pointed to Princess Chi Kai, who sat bound near the cave’s entrance, her regal dress dirtied from the days of stillness. Her eyes were sharp, filled with both rage and unwilling admiration for the man who had captured her.
“I’m taking her with me.” Kent’s answer was absolute.
Khoya exhaled through her nose, shaking her head. “You’re a madman, Kent. But perhaps that’s what makes you interesting.”
She reached into her storage ring, retrieving a crystal-gold ring. Holding it up between her fingers, she extended it to him. “Show this to Princess Ai Ping. She’ll help you get a spot in the Royal Academy after hearing my message.”
Kent took the ring and inspected it briefly before nodding.
“And one more thing,” Khoya continued, reaching for another jade slip. “My sister, Boya… She’s in the Pleasure Tunnel. Find her and ensure she lives comfortably.”
Kent’s brows rose slightly. “Pleasure Tunnel?”
Khoya’s gaze hardened. “It’s not what you think. The academy disciples named it that way. Free her.”
Kent studied her for a moment before accepting the jade slip. “I’ll do what I can.”
With a sigh, Khoya handed over several space treasures filled with resources, and maps detailing the Kulu Nation Capital City. “These should help with your journey.”
Kent gave her a final nod before turning towards Princess Chi Kai. With a swift motion, he loosened the chains binding her but did not remove them entirely. “Come,” he commanded.
The princess narrowed her eyes. “You will regret this,” she hissed.
Kent merely chuckled. “I already regret many things, Princess. One more won’t make a difference.”
He raised his hand and, with a low whistle, summoned Sparky.
A deafening roar filled the air as a massive shadow descended upon the cave. The rocky ground trembled under the sheer force of the wind as Sparky, the colossal dragon, landed. His golden eyes burned like molten lava, his scales shimmering like lightning in a storm.
Khoya’s eyes widened. “A dragon?! You… actually have a dragon?!”
Kent smirked. “What? Surprised?”
He climbed onto Sparky’s back, pulling Princess Chi Kai up behind him. The dragon let out another ear-splitting cry, spreading its wings wide.
Khoya stepped back, watching as Kent tightened his grip on the reins.
With one last glance, Kent gave Sparky the signal. The dragon’s mighty wings flapped, creating a gust that sent dust swirling into the air. With a powerful leap, Sparky ascended into the sky, carrying Kent and the princess toward their next destination—the Kulu Nation Capital City.
The journey had begun.