The night was quiet atop the towering walls of Xinyang City. A few soldiers sat near the torches, half asleep, chatting lazily to pass the time.
"Hey," one of them yawned, "why do we even need to guard this city? It's not like an army of Mongols is going to show up here."
Another laughed. "Yeah, they're busy fighting the Empire's Twelve Generals. We deserve a little rest for once."
The third guard frowned slightly. "Wait… did you hear something?"
A low, distant sound echoed across the plains — thud… thud… thud… — like the heartbeat of the earth itself.
They all stood up, confused, peering into the darkness beyond the walls. Then their eyes widened in horror.
Across the horizon, thousands of red lights flickered — torches stretching as far as the eye could see. Beneath that glow, an army of red-cloaked figures advanced silently, their footsteps shaking the ground.
"Sound the alarm!" one soldier shouted. "We're under attack!"
The nearest guard sprinted toward the bell tower, but before he could reach it, a shadow flashed before his eyes. A single clean strike — and his head fell to the ground.
The figure who swung the blade stepped into the torchlight, crimson cloak fluttering in the wind. He looked at the remaining soldier and smirked.
"So, you noticed… unfortunate." He raised his sword again, his tone almost amused. "You know the worst thing about this city?"
The terrified guard trembled.
"If you seal both gates," the man said softly, "you can trap everyone inside."
With a single stroke, he silenced the last witness.
The man turned his gaze toward the starless sky. His voice was calm — almost reverent.
"After tonight," he whispered, "the Era of Blood begins."
The man wiped the blood from his blade and turned toward the towering shadow that waited behind him. He knelt and bowed deeply.
"My lord," he said, voice calm despite the carnage around him, "I've eliminated every guard stationed near this gate. However, I'm not sure about the second one."
A soft, chilling laugh echoed through the night. From the darkness stepped a woman with a long scar running down her face — Lady Yuehua. Her eyes gleamed like dying embers.
"There's no need to worry," she said with a faint smile. "I sent a capable woman to handle the other gate."
The scene shifted to the second gate, where another woman moved like a phantom in the torchlight. A long, black whip danced through the air — crack! — slicing through the throats of three soldiers in one swing.
"Do not let a single soul escape," she commanded coldly. "Let this be the night the world remembers the power of our Cult."
Her subordinates bowed and charged forward, cutting down every guard in their path. The woman's lips curled into a grin. "This is my first mission personally given by Lady Yuehua," she whispered. "I won't disappoint her."
Moments later, a cloaked figure approached her and bowed. "My lady," he said, "the Third Blood and his five retainers are waiting outside the gate."
She chuckled softly. "Then what are you waiting for? Open the gate."
Her smile widened as the heavy doors began to creak open.
"Welcome them," she said. "Let the Era of Blood truly begin."
Beyond the massive gate, a lone figure stood tall beneath the moonlight. Behind him, five shadowy figures waited in silence, and farther still, an army of a thousand red-cloaked warriors stretched across the plains like a living tide.
The man's eyes gleamed crimson as he studied the woman who had opened the gate. His voice was calm, yet carried the weight of command.
"So, you must be the retainers of Fifth Blood," he said slowly. "One of Lady Yuehua retainers."
The woman lowered her head respectfully. "Yes, my lord," she replied. "It is my honor to welcome you — Lord Shen Yue."
A faint smirk tugged at his lips. "So you know my name… good. Tell me — where are the other four retainers?"
"They remain by Lady Yuehua's side," she answered without hesitation. "Each has been assigned their own task within the city."
Shen Yue's smile deepened. "As expected. She moves her pieces well — a perfect opening move."
Then she stepped aside and extended her arm toward the city gate. "Please, my lord. The path has been cleared."
Shen Yue walked forward, the sound of his boots echoing against the stone. Behind him, his army began to march — a crimson tide flooding through the gate and into Xinyang City.
The ground trembled beneath their steps.
The night sky burned red.
The Era of Blood had truly begun.
Inside the inn, Soho, Tian Hao, the monks, and Elder Linghui sat quietly, waiting for the sun to rise. The air felt heavy, thick with unease.
Tian Hao finally broke the silence. "What if we're overthinking everything? What if there's no attack coming?"
Soho didn't even look up. "Then how do you explain the disappearance of Elder Linghui's men?"
Tian Hao frowned. "Maybe they left the city for clues and will return by morning."
Before anyone could reply, Fahai, who had been staring out the window, suddenly froze. His eyes went wide, his face pale.
"Senior brother…" he whispered, voice trembling, "what's happening… out there?"
The others turned to look — and their blood ran cold.
Outside, the night was alive with fire. Flames devoured rooftops and lit the dark sky in shades of red and gold. Screams echoed from every corner as people ran through the streets, chased by shadows moving faster than the eye could follow.
The city walls shook with the sound of steel and death.
Elder Linghui stood slowly, his expression hollow. "It's begun…" he said, voice breaking.
Through the window, the flames reflected in Tian Hao's eyes — and for a moment, it looked as if the entire world were burning inside them.
Outside, Xinyang City was no longer a fortress.
It was the beginning of the end.