Black Python City, like Pasture City and Wushan Castle, was a city with a long history.
Legend had it that in its earliest days, this place was just a small village in the wilderness, constantly threatened by the Magical Beasts of the untad lands.
The most powerful of these Magical Beasts was a black Giant Python, twenty to thirty ters long. Nearly every year, many people would end up in its belly.
The Hyde Clan rose to prominence by slaying this Giant Python, becoming the leaders of the small village.
Later, through the final years of the Empire and the ensuing continental strife, this small family expanded step by step, from Honorary Knight, to Baron, to Viscount, and finally to Count.
In Ossen’s words, if he hadn’t been careless thirty years ago, the Wushan Territory would now bear the na Hyde, not Wushan.
With this mindset, they had never truly accepted the Wushan Clan’s authority.
During Lurans’s pri, they could still restrain their ambitions, but seeing Lurans’s decline, their aspirations began to swell uncontrollably.
Especially as Ossen gained more and more Golden Knights under his command, and he himself broke through to the teor Level, their family’s ambition inflated to its absolute peak.
Until Lurans popped that balloon.
At this mont, several carriages were parked before the grand gates of the Ossen family’s castle.
Idrisa disembarked from the lead carriage and handed a formal invitation to one of the Hyde Clan’s Guards. "Please inform Count Ossen that Earl Jesus of Moonlight Valley has co to call."
The Guard was very courteous. "You are too kind, sir. The Count has already given instructions. Please, follow into the castle."
With that, he made a welcoming gesture.
And so, the carriages slowly drove into Black Python Castle, stopping at the courtyard reserved for esteed guests.
Several people stepped out of the carriages. Besides Jesus and Idrisa, there was the Black Robe Mage, phisto, and his guard, Madman.
"Distinguished guests, the Count is already waiting for you in the great hall," said the Golden Knight, Negan, who had co to receive them.
Jesus smiled. "What, is Barrington not in the castle?"
He was not just a Count but also a mber of the Royal Family. When visiting Black Python Castle, even if the lord himself did not greet him, he should at least be received by a direct family mber.
Negan looked slightly apologetic. "My apologies, my lord. It is the end of the year, and Barrington has been busy with the territory’s affairs. He has not returned to the castle in a long ti."
Jesus nodded slightly and glanced at phisto beside him. "Very well. Take to see Ossen. I’ve found a way to cure him."
"This is the Hyde Clan’s honor!"
Soon, under Negan’s guidance, Jesus and his party arrived at the great hall.
Ossen Hyde, once a tall and burly Knight, was now wasted away to skin and bones. His once-piercing eyes had beco turbid and dull, like those of an old man on the verge of death.
"Ossen, you look truly hideous right now."
Jesus strode in, his words unapologetically sharp. "If we weren’t in Black Python Castle, I would have thought you were a beggar pleading on the streets."
"Hehehe..."
Ossen sneered, his voice feeble. "Don’t forget, you were the one who goaded into challenging Lurans last ti. Now that I’ve failed, you have the gall to mock ?"
As he spoke, his gaze shifted to the Black Robe Mage seated to the side, a flicker of anticipation in his eyes.
"Is this the Mage you ntioned, the one who can cure my affliction?"
Jesus dropped the mockery and made the introduction. "Correct. This is the Great Mage phisto. He has a way to treat your injuries."
phisto gave a slight bow. "From the mont I entered, I could sense the high-purity Witch Soul Power within your body."
He stepped forward, took Ossen’s wrist, and sent a thread of Spiritual Power into the other’s body. ’This purity... it must be the Power left behind by the previous Master of Witch Soul. To think I’d actually encounter it!’
"Do you really have a way?"
Ossen’s voice trembled slightly.
The fact that this man could identify the origin of the strange Energy in his body right away made his trust in Jesus rise significantly.
"Please do not doubt my abilities, Count."
phisto pulled a black pearl from his robes. "If even I cannot cure it, then there is no one else on this continent who can."
As he spoke, several rays of dark light shot out from the black pearl and enveloped Ossen.
Ossen let out a pained groan. Already weak, he was now unable to even speak.
Negan instinctively felt sothing was wrong and was about to ask what was happening, but Jesus stopped him.
"Don’t make a fuss over nothing. This kind of treatnt is naturally accompanied by pain. With Ossen’s strength and temperant, he can fully endure this bit of suffering for the sake of his impending recovery."
Only then did Negan halt his steps. "You have a point. I was being rash."
phisto glanced at Jesus, the corners of his mouth curling up, pleased with himself for having first subjugated the Count of Moon Pass Valley.
Without Jesus, his actions would have been far more troubleso. How could he have operated so openly and legitimately like this?
Soon, phisto stopped channeling the pearl. As the dark light dissipated, Ossen collapsed into his chair as if completely drained of strength.
Seeing this, Negan imdiately rushed forward to support him. "My lord, how do you feel now?"
Ossen’s breathing was heavy and ragged, but a sharp glint flashed in his slowly opening eyes. "I feel... very good!"
Fighting Qi began to erge from his body, and during the process, he felt no pain at all.
Witnessing this scene, Negan finally broke into a smile.
"Congratulations, my lord! You’ve finally recovered!"
Ossen being crippled had been a blow to many, as their path for advancent had, in a sense, been blocked.
But he believed that now, with Ossen’s recovery, everything would be all right.
"Don’t get excited, Negan. Our ti is coming."
Ossen smiled, extending a hand toward his follower.
Jesus, however, asked, "Is there enough Energy left in the pearl?"
"More than enough!"
phisto chuckled. "Ossen already had Witch Soul Power in his body. I rely converted it. The consumption was far less than what was used on you that day."
Hm?
Negan heard sothing amiss in their conversation, but by now, it was too late for him to resist.
VMMMM—
Ossen’s Fighting Qi erupted, enveloping the Golden Knight before him.
"My lord, you...?" Negan was alard and confused.
What followed was an agonized wail, but the sound was trapped within a black barrier, unable to escape.
"I told you, our ti is coming."
Ossen’s smile looked sinister and terrifying. "But before that, you must first beco one of ’us.’"
Negan felt goosebumps break out all over his skin. He wanted to struggle, but as the dark light entered his body, he gradually lost the ability to move.
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