In the heart of Windy City, chaos had stirred the very foundation of the ruling powers.
A massive procession cut through the main street. The crest of the City Lord's Mansion fluttered on armored flags, and the sound of disciplined boots echoed like thunder.
"Move aside! Clear the way! City Lord approaching!" barked the City Lord Guard.
At the head of the column rode City Lord Victor, a broad-shouldered man draped in black and gold robes, exuding pressure befitting a seasoned warrior. At his side rode his cousin and confidant, Chris, the captain of his personal guard.
Victor's eyes narrowed as they approached the smoldering ruins of the Lincoln Clan estate.
"What happened here?" he asked, scanning the rubble, his gaze finally resting on the severed clan banners.
"Unbelievable," Chris muttered, stepping over debris. "All of them… wiped out."
Victor's sharp eyes glinted as he stopped in front of a large stone cracked down the middle. He crouched, pressing his palm against it. A moment passed.
Then he inhaled sharply.
"This feeling…"
Chris raised a brow. "What is it?"
"Blade Aura," Victor said coldly.
Chris stiffened. "That's the first realm of blade comprehension, right? For true bladesmen?"
Victor nodded. "Yes. The path of the blade has many stages. First is Blade Aura, the initial manifestation of one's connection to the blade. Then comes Blade Intent, and eventually, Blade Heart… though that's spoken of in myths."
Chris whistled, shaking his head. "I haven't seen Blade Aura since the Imperial City… That time, the wielder was a Rank 4 Martialized Cultivator."
Victor's face darkened. "You think a Rank 4 is hiding in my city?"
Chris paused, then bowed. "I'll investigate at once."
—
Hours later, Chris returned to the City Lord's Mansion, expression grim.
"My Lord, we've discovered something."
Victor raised an eyebrow. "Speak."
"There was a conflict at the Celeste on Wind restaurant. A young man clashed with the Lincoln Clan's young master… killed him in a single blow. The Lincolns retaliated, bringing their full force to the restaurant. But he killed them all. Every single one."
Victor leaned forward, hands clasped.
Chris continued, "What's more… Lisa Lincoln had broken through to Rank 3, but even she was slain. Witnesses say it happened in mere moments."
Victor stood from his throne. The hall fell silent.
"A cultivator strong enough to kill a fresh Rank 3… and wield Blade Aura? In Windy City?"
He turned to Chris, eyes gleaming with thought.
"Find out where he's staying. Tomorrow morning, send an official invitation from the City Lord's Mansion."
Chris bowed. "Shall we prepare the guards in case he refuses?"
Victor waved a hand.
"No. This one is not an enemy we want. Not now. We must draw him to our side… or at the very least, not stand in his way."
He looked once more toward the direction of the ruined Lincoln estate.
"Clean up the site. Let the rest of the city know: Windy City respects power."
"Understood. I'll make the arrangements immediately."
As night fell, the city whispered of destruction, but the halls of power whispered something far more dangerous—respect.