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"How could he lose?! He was so strong!" the Sunblade Damsel exclaid.
"Unfortunately, my daughter, in this world even Immortals can fall," the Sunshine Empress replied, her glowing red eyes sharp with authority. "This is why the Murim Alliance was ford—to fight together and maintain control of the world. But certain individuals, such as the Heavenly Demon, tried to break this perfect balance. Instead of leading us, he rejected our kindness and opposed our rule. That is why we had to act, to keep this world under control. Imagine what would happen if the Murim Alliance or the Heavenly Jade Palace didn’t exist! It would be a lawless land full of bandits and barbarians. There would be no flourishing business, no cities, no empires!"
"I understand, mother..." the Sunblade Damsel nodded, though she seed weary of her mother’s sermons. "But what happened to the sect?"
"The sect has been renad by her as the Ghostly Fist Sect, and it is now catalogued as an illegal sect," said the Sunshine Empress. "She has assigned the forr White Mist Elders and disciples as its mbers. The last report stated that the Poisonous Needle Assassin managed to escape, and that the Beggar Sect’s Warrior seems to be either dead or frozen."
"Ken?!" the Sunblade Damsel gasped. "That brute wouldn’t die so easily... he might have been captured. If that’s the case, perhaps the entire sect is hostage to her."
"I know, but we can’t risk it. I have received orders from the Heavenly Jade Palace," said the Sunshine Empress. "They have commanded every Immortal Sect to destroy the Ghostly Fist Sect and all of its mbers. Normally, we are not hostile to Players—they bring treasures from other worlds, resources, techniques, wondrous arts, even magic. But this is an exception."
"Yes, this ti it is necessary to slay them all, with everything we have," said the Sunblade Damsel. "Are we going to plan a raid, like we did against the Heavenly Demon?"
"No. She may be strong, but she is not that monster," the Sunshine Empress replied. "However, the Heavenly Jade Palace Elder instructed to ask you a few questions regarding Wu Lieng. Since you fought him, you should be able to answer easily."
"Yes?" the Sunblade Damsel asked.
"What connection did Wu Lieng and that woman nad Maria have?" the Empress asked. "Are they true allies... or is he rely her servant, a slave?"
"They’re certainly allies," the Sunblade Damsel said firmly. "Wu Lieng spoke of her as if she were the guiding light of his life. I’m fairly sure I saw her speaking to him about deep matters, sothing about their lives being similar. She also said she would help him free the Heavenly Demon... and slay the Golden Dragon Emperor."
"...Slay the Golden Dragon Emperor? Free the Heavenly Demon?!" The Sunshine Empress burst into laughter. "Hahahahaha! She killed that fraud of the White Mist Immortal and now thinks she can overturn all of Murim and slay the greatest Calamity we’ve ever faced?! A monster even Immortals fear, one we can only lure away thanks to the Heavenly Jade Palace’s special thods?! How delusional! Perhaps we should go personally to show her what the world truly is, hm?"
"Mother, don’t be reckless! She’s strong..." the Sunblade Damsel warned. "We can’t rush in—we must prepare a large group first!"
"Hm? You’re truly afraid... As my boldest and most reckless daughter, I am surprised at your sudden cowardice," the Empress sighed. "But... perhaps there is truth in your concern. Fine."
The Sunblade Damsel sighed in relief. She did not want her mother to foolishly leap into danger. Maria and her family were dangerous monsters—and they had the power to turn others into monsters as well. They could not be underestimated.
"I was just saying," the Empress shrugged. "I would love to claim all the artifacts she took from that fraud, but the Murim Alliance would punish if I tried to seize everything for myself. And their punishnt is not sothing I desire—especially from one of the Elders of the Heavenly Jade Palace."
The castle began to stir as disciples and elders mobilized, preparing for what was to co. anwhile, the Sunblade Damsel walked to the window, gazing out at the vast territory her mother, sisters, and she governed over Murim.
Beautiful trees in eternal autumn decorated the mountain. Below, people worked, talked, ate, and lived. Children played in the plaza, and far away, farm animals were being fed.
Yet despite the calm, she felt sothing else. A strange shift in the air—sothing her mother and sisters might sense faintly, but which she felt growing stronger with each passing minute.
No matter the outco of this war... she knew Murim would change forever.
"What troubles you, young lady?"
She turned, seeking the source of the voice, and found a tall, muscular man with tanned brown skin and long red hair tied into a ponytail.
He carried a golden helt with a red mohawk, wore white robes resembling Greco-Roman togas, and bore a large circular shield and a long golden spear tipped with fiery red tal.
His presence radiated divine power and rich Mana. He was not from Murim, but from the Upper Floors.
Olympus.
"Diodes..." the Sunblade Damsel blushed lightly as she looked at his handso face, his red eyes filled with concern for her.
He approached slowly, holding her delicate hands with his strong ones, his gaze full of care.
"Are you alright? I know you endured a great battle," he said. "You did well to retreat. As one of your philosophers once said, ’He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight.’ Is that right?"
"Haha... you’re trying really hard, Diodes," giggled the Sunblade Damsel, caressing his face. "I’m... scared."
She pulled her face away at the last mont before kissing him, leaving Diodes more concerned.
"Scared? You? My lady, you’re the most reckless and brave woman I have ever known... what could possibly scare you?" Diodes asked.
"Her... and her family," she admitted. "I don’t know what’s wrong with , but Murim will change... no, perhaps the entire Tower, Diodes."
"We won’t let that happen," said the War Hero of Olympus. "The Murim Alliance, especially your sect, was wise to forge a strong alliance with Olympus. My father Ares has always held Murim in high regard. He says there is no world like it—a world of true warriors."
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