The next morning, sunlight crept slowly through the thin mist blanketing Tianyin City. Amidst the bustling city stood a grand pavilion of ancient architecture, with arched rooftops and towering golden pillars. This was the headquarters of the Holy Sky Alliance—a place where the mightiest warriors gathered to plan the future of the martial world.
The morning air within the pavilion's inner courtyard felt heavy—not because of the weather, but due to the grim news brought by three figures who had just arrived. They staggered forward, their bodies covered in wounds, their clothes stained with dust and dried blood.
Upon reaching the main hall, the three—Lu Zhou, Mu Whon, and Kim Jheon Mo—immediately knelt before the Alliance Leader, Cheon Ji. His usually calm eyes turned anxious at the sight of their condition.
"Why are you all so badly injured?" he asked, voice filled with concern.
Lu Zhou bowed his head, his voice heavy and broken. "We… encountered the Dark Blood group in Xinjing City. They were far stronger than we expected. When the enemy was distracted, we seized the chance to escape… to bring this report."
Cheon Ji stared sharply at Lu Zhou. "I thought you wouldn't come back, Lu Zhou… But here you are, in this state."
Then he looked at each of them. "Is our enemy really that powerful?"
"Yes, Master," Lu Zhou answered without hesitation. "Their strength must not be underestimated. I believe we need to send at least four more warriors. Including… Master Mo Tian."
Cheon Ji's face darkened instantly. "Mo Tian… he's gone. I haven't known his whereabouts for some time now."
Silence fell over the room.
Cheon Ji stared deeply at them. "Do you still wish to fight?"
The question hung in the air, but no one answered at first. Then Lu Zhou slowly stood, his eyes burning with resolve. He clenched his fists tightly.
"Master… I still wish to fight. I have unfinished business with the Dark Blood leader."
Cheon Ji nodded slowly, then looked at the other two.
"And what about you two?" he asked.
Lu Zhou quickly interjected, "Mu Whon and Kim Jheon Mo have given their all in battle. They deserve rest and recovery."
But Mu Whon shook his head. "No, Lu Zhou. We were only doing our duty. It wouldn't be right for us to step back while you continue to fight alone for the alliance."
Kim Jheon Mo nodded, though his breath was labored and his body trembling.
Cheon Ji looked at them with sympathy and let out a long sigh. "You're too hard on yourselves. For the alliance… I order both of you to rest and recover. That's a command."
"But Master—" Kim Jheon Mo tried to protest.
"No buts!" Cheon Ji said firmly. "You will fight again… but not today."
Then he called out to the other elite warriors. "Summon Da Zhong, Chen Tiamo, and Pen Aiyu. Immediately."
Before long, three valiant figures appeared and knelt before him.
"You will accompany Lu Zhou to Xinjing City. Your mission: eradicate the Dark Blood forces to the very root."
"Yes, Master!" they replied in unison.
"But be careful," Cheon Ji continued. "These enemies are no ordinary foes. If the situation gets out of hand, retreat and return."
"Yes, we understand."
The four warriors immediately prepared themselves and departed the pavilion for the battlefield in Xinjing City. Yet, hidden in the shadows of the pavilion's roof, two figures who were meant to rest—Mu Whon and Kim Jheon Mo—secretly followed them, their determination no less fierce than those who left with orders.
As the sound of their footsteps faded, Cheon Ji stood still in the center of the silent hall. His gaze drifted toward the ceiling, as if searching for something invisible.
"Mo Tian… where are you?" he whispered, barely audible, like a prayer. "I need you…"