Chapter 21: Flames Without Blood
Inside the City Lord's mansion, the air was calm — until the doors burst open.
A guard came running in, his armor scratched, face pale with terror.
"Lord! Lord! We're under attack!" he shouted.
The City Lord rose from his seat, his expression darkening. A powerful aura of authority filled the hall as he demanded, "Who dares attack my city?"
The guard stammered, gasping for breath. "W-We don't know, my lord! They're all wearing red robes! After breaking through the gates, they… they did not advensec — they're just burning the houses!"
"What?" The City Lord's voice echoed. "They're setting fire but sparing lives? Why would they do that?"
The guard shook his head. "We don't know, my lord. But there are nearly two thousand of them. They attacked both gates at the same time."
The City Lord's eyes narrowed. "And the watch guards? Where are they?"
"They're all… dead, my lord," the guard whispered, trembling. "They were killed before they could even sound the horn. Only one survived — they let him go."
"Let him go?" The City Lord's voice dropped to a growl. "So they wanted us to know. But why…"
He clenched his fist, staring toward the window where smoke rose in the distance.
"What game are you playing… and who sent you?"
The guard hesitated for a moment, then spoke again — slower this time, his voice trembling.
"My lord… we also received information from the survivor."
The City Lord turned sharply. "Speak."
"The attackers were led by two commanders," the guard said. "At the west gate — a woman. She had a large scar across her face. At the east gate — a man with crimson eyes."
The City Lord's expression froze.
"…A scarred woman?" he muttered under his breath.
Memories flashed in his mind — a letter sealed with the mark of the Beggar Sect. He had dismissed it as mere rumor then, but now…
'A suspicious woman has been sighted in your city,' the letter had warned.
'We believe she is connected to the disappearance of the Baek family's son.'
The City Lord's hands tightened on the armrest of his chair. "So it's true…" he murmured. "All of this — the fires, the attack — it's connected to that missing boy."
He looked toward the rising smoke outside the window, his eyes narrowing.
"Scarred woman… crimson-eyed man… what are you after in my city?"
The City Lord slammed his fist on the table. "Gather every soldier. We march for the second gate — now. Evacuate the civilians to the central courtyards. We cannot risk another moment."
He paced once, eyes hard as flint. "Sound the war drums and close any routes the attackers might use. Whoever can't fight must be moved to the curtilage — and lock the inner gates behind them."
He paused, remembering the letter and the Beggar Sect's warning. "Send riders to the Empire and to Wudang. Tell them to hurry — they sent men to investigate the Baek family's son; we need their help immediately."
The guard bowed, voice steady despite the chaos. "Yes, my lord."
" Move!" The City Lord barked.
Soldiers spilled from the hall like a tide, armor clinking, orders shouted. Drums began beating in the distance, a deep, urgent sound that rolled through the streets toward the smoking horizon. As the City Lord watched his men rush into position, a cold thought settled over him — these attacks were not random.
Not long after, in a quiet inn near the city's center, the members of the Wudang Sect were resting. The night had been peaceful — until the doors burst open.
A guard stumbled in, panting and shouting, "Message from the City Lord! We need your assistance immediately!"
The Wudang disciples jolted awake, hands reaching for their swords.
From the upper floor, a door slid open. Ye Chen stepped out, his robe slightly loosened, hair unkempt from sleep. His calm gaze swept across the startled disciples.
"What's all this commotion?" he asked, his voice steady but sharp.
The guard quickly dropped to one knee, bowing deeply. "Forgive me for interrupting your rest, Master Ye Chen — but the city is under attack! The enemy has breached the outer walls and entered the streets!"
Ye Chen's eyes narrowed, the last traces of drowsiness gone.
"Under attack? By who?"
"We don't know yet, sir," the guard replied, trembling. "They wear red robes and are setting fire to the homes — the City Lord has ordered every force to join the defense."
Ye Chen turned toward his disciples. "Wake everyone. Arm yourselves."
"Yes, Senior Brother!" they shouted, rushing to prepare.
Within moments, the calm of the inn was gone — replaced by the clatter of steel, the snapping of belts, and the low hum of spiritual energy as the Wudang Sect prepared to move.
Ye Chen looked toward the window where the orange glow of fire flickered in the distance.
At the same time, inside a mansion owned by the Empire, the platoon commander and his fifty elite guards were resting after a long of travel.
Suddenly, the door slammed open. A city guard rushed in, breathing heavily.
"By order of the City Lord! I must speak to the platoon commander!"
Every soldier in the room stood at once, reaching for their weapons.
A tall man in imperial armor stepped forward — the platoon commander. His sharp eyes narrowed as he spoke.
"What's going on? What's all this noise?"
The city guard saluted quickly. "My lord, the city is under attack! The City Lord requests immediate assistance!"
"Under attack?" the commander repeated, frowning. "By who?"
"We don't know, sir. They're wearing red robes and burning everything in sight. The City Lord is calling all available forces."
The commander's expression darkened. "Tch… I was sent here to investigate the disappearance of the Baek family's son, not to fight a war." He sighed, then stood straight. "But it seems I've walked right into one."
He turned toward his men. "Everyone, prepare for battle! We move out!"
"Yes, Commander!" they shouted as they armed themselves.
The city guard added, "The City Lord ordered all troops to gather at the center of the city!"
The commander gave a sharp nod. "Understood. We'll join them shortly."
All across the city, the same scene was unfolding — in every tavern and inn, soldiers, bounty hunters, and sect disciples were being roused from their rest.
The disappearance of the Baek family's son had drawn countless powerful figures to the city — mercenaries, investigators, and elite warriors from various sects.
Now, with the city under attack, they all gathered at one spot: the central square.
Flames glowed in the distance, smoke rising above rooftops. The sound of clashing metal and frightened cries echoed faintly through the streets.
The City Lord stood on the stone steps before the gathered crowd — hundreds of fighters from different factions, all tense and waiting.
He turned to his guard commander. "Did you hide my children?"
The commander bowed deeply. "Yes, my lord. Do not worry — no one will find where they are."
The City Lord gave a small nod, relief flickering across his face before he looked out at the gathered warriors.
He raised his voice so all could hear.
"I am truly grateful," he began, his tone steady but heavy with emotion. "To stand beside you all in this fight — and to know that you came to help my city in its darkest hour — I will never forget this debt."
He drew his sword and pointed toward the east.
"Our mission is simple. We eliminate the forces gathered at the Second Gate and evacuate the civilians. Nothing else matters!"
From within the crowd, a man called out, "But what if we're attacked from behind?"
The City Lord's gaze hardened.
"You don't need to worry about that," he replied firmly. "My soldiers will stand their ground. No one will reach your back while I still draw breath."
A murmur rippled through the warriors — some nervous, others determined. The flames reflected in their eyes as the City Lord raised his sword high.
"Tonight," he declared, "we fight not for glory — but for survival!"