THE FIRST BLOOD
882 Words
A cold silence settled over the underground palace after Elder Long revealed the arrival of the Shadow Alliance (**).
The elders exchanged uneasy glances. For decades, the name of the Shadow Alliance had been spoken only in whispers. Wherever they appeared, bloodshed followed.
Li Chen tightened his grip on the Dragon Soul Sword (***).
"Why are they hunting me?"
Elder Long sighed.
"They are not merely hunting you. They seek the Dragon Emperor Ring. Whoever controls the Ring controls the greatest cultivation inheritance in history."
Elder Han stepped forward.
"Twenty years ago, your grandfather defeated the Shadow Alliance's leader. Before dying, he sealed the Dragon Emperor Ring and hid you among ordinary people."
"So my life in the Su Family wasn't an accident," Li Chen said quietly.
"It was your grandfather's final plan," Elder Han replied. "He believed that living as an ordinary man would keep you safe until the Ring awakened."
Li Chen lowered his head. The humiliation he had endured for three years suddenly carried a different meaning. Every insult, every hardship, and every sacrifice had been part of his grandfather's desperate attempt to protect him.
Elder Long placed a hand on his shoulder.
"You have little time. From today onward, every step you take will be watched."
Li Chen nodded.
"I understand."
Before leaving, Elder Long handed him a small jade token engraved with a dragon.
"This is the Dragon Clan Command Token. If you are ever in danger, crush it. Every Dragon Clan cultivator within a hundred miles will come to your aid."
Li Chen accepted it gratefully.
"I hope I never have to use it."
---
By sunrise, Li Chen had returned to Jiang City.
The streets were alive with morning traffic, and the city looked as ordinary as ever. No one would have guessed that ancient cultivators and assassins were hiding among the crowds.
His phone rang.
It was Su Xinyi.
"Where were you all night?" she asked, her voice filled with worry.
"I had to deal with something important."
"Are you coming home?"
"I'm on my way."
She paused before speaking softly.
"Be careful."
Li Chen smiled.
"I always am."
As he ended the call, a strange sensation swept over him.
Someone was watching.
Across the street, a man wearing a delivery uniform adjusted his cap and slowly approached.
"Excuse me," the man called.
"Are you Mr. Li Chen?"
Li Chen stopped walking.
"Yes."
"I have a package for you."
The delivery box looked ordinary.
Yet the man's heartbeat was unusually calm.
Too calm.
Li Chen's instincts screamed in warning.
"I didn't order anything."
The man's smile disappeared.
Neither did his eyes.
In one swift movement, he crushed the package.
A black dagger shot out like lightning.
Li Chen reacted instantly.
The Dragon Emperor Ring flashed with brilliant golden light.
A transparent barrier formed in front of him.
Clang!
The dagger struck the barrier and shattered into dozens of pieces.
The assassin stared in disbelief.
"The Ring..."
"So the rumors were true."
Without hesitation, he drew a second blade and charged.
His movements were unbelievably fast, far beyond the abilities of an ordinary human.
Li Chen had never fought a cultivator before.
But as danger approached, memories from the Dragon Emperor Ring flooded his mind.
His body moved on instinct.
He sidestepped the attack and struck the assassin's wrist with his palm.
Crack!
The blade fell to the ground.
The assassin growled and unleashed a powerful kick.
Li Chen blocked it with his forearm before driving his fist into the man's chest.
Boom!
The assassin crashed into a parked car.
Metal bent inward from the impact.
Nearby pedestrians screamed and fled.
The assassin struggled to stand.
Blood dripped from the corner of his mouth.
"You've only awakened for one day..."
"...yet you're already this strong."
Li Chen remained calm.
"I don't want to kill you."
"Then you're a fool."
The assassin suddenly swallowed a black pill.
Dark spiritual energy exploded from his body.
His muscles swelled, and crimson veins spread across his skin.
His aura doubled.
Elder Han's voice echoed from behind.
"Young Master!"
"He's using the Blood Demon Pill!"
"It sacrifices his life for temporary power."
The assassin roared and lunged again.
This time, Li Chen drew the Dragon Soul Sword.
The blade sang as it left its scabbard.
Golden light illuminated the entire street.
For a brief moment, a phantom dragon coiled around the sword.
Everyone nearby froze in fear.
Li Chen slashed once.
A streak of golden light flashed through the air.
The assassin's weapon split cleanly in half.
A second later, his knees hit the ground.
He looked at the glowing sword in disbelief before collapsing unconscious.
The Blood Demon Pill had consumed the last of his strength.
Police sirens echoed in the distance.
Elder Han quickly approached.
"We must leave."
Li Chen looked at the unconscious assassin.
"Take him."
"There are questions that need answers."
As they disappeared into a nearby alley, neither of them noticed a woman watching from the rooftop of a nearby building.
She wore a flowing blue dress that danced in the morning breeze.
A silver mask covered half her face.
She smiled faintly.
"So..."
"The Dragon Emperor has finally appeared."
"This city is about to become very interesting."
- Writer
