Karl Mordo's limp body sailed through the skies like a discarded doll—until the Ancient One appeared beside him.
She sighed softly as she caught her unconscious disciple in a weave of golden sparks.
She had entrusted Mordo with a Dragon Ball in the first place for a reason. She wanted him to see with his own eyes that Earth was not protected solely by the sorcerers of Kamar-Taj. There were countless other powerful beings in the world. And she had hoped that by fighting in the Dragon Ball Tournament, he might shed some of his rigid views about the natural order.
More than that, she had seen him as one of her most promising students—second only to the destined successor, Stephen Strange. She had wanted Mordo to establish ties with Smith Dole, to befriend him, perhaps even to gain a path for himself beyond Kamar-Taj.
But instead of that… things had collapsed into disaster.
The Ancient One shook her head. She chose not to rewind his injuries with the Time Stone. Instead, she simply opened a portal and carried him back to Kamar-Taj. Perhaps this humiliation would serve as a lesson.
······
Inside the Assassin Brotherhood.
Xu Wenwu returned to his quarters, his mind replaying the events of the day. First the visit of the Eternals. Then Karl Mordo. But unlike the dignified departure of Ajak, Mordo had ended in a state of ruin.
The reason was obvious: both had come for the Dragon Balls. But Mordo had been arrogant, presumptuous—so much so that Smith had half-killed him and hurled him out.
To Xu Wenwu, Smith had already been exceedingly merciful. He had chosen to share the Dragon Balls' miracles through the Tournament, ensuring fair competition and safety. That generosity alone was unmatched. And yet… there were always those dissatisfied, those who tried to pry with greedy hands.
If Smith had truly wished, he could have long since wished himself emperor of Earth, or even president of the United States. Yet he had not.
Ying Li, at his side, broke his thoughts.
"Wenwu, I heard the alarms earlier. What happened?"
Xu Xiaoling and Xu Shengli stared at their father, curious eyes wide.
"Mordo," Wenwu replied flatly. "He must have said something offensive. The leader beat him half to death and threw him out. I don't know if he'll survive."
Xiaoling snorted.
"Obviously it was about the Dragon Balls. That sorcerer didn't know his place."
Shang-Chi added grimly,
"Sacred relics like the Dragon Balls will always draw covetous eyes. Thankfully, Smith is strong enough to protect them."
Wenwu nodded. He remembered the suffocating aura Smith had released—an aura that made even him feel the chill of death. For Mordo, who couldn't even rival Thor Odinson, to bare his fangs at such a man… sheer folly.
Ying Li, relieved that the threat was dealt with, spoke gently.
"Wenwu, after your induction ceremony here, I want you to take me and the children back to Ta Lo Village. I was brought back to life, but I don't want my family there to grieve forever. And… Shang-Chi and Xiaoling are still weak. I want to see if they can inherit the power of the Great Protector, the Dragon's strength."
She knew exactly how precious that power was. It was once hers. And though she had given it up for love, now she wanted to pass it on to their children.
At her words, Wenwu fell silent. Ta Lo. That place had left a scar in his heart—its rejection had forced him and Ying Li away. She had given up her divine power for him, and in the end, that choice had led to her death.
Looking at his children now—so powerless compared to their potential—he admitted he would feel far more at ease if they inherited that strength. Then even if he gave them the Ten Rings, they would have the might to wield it.
Finally, Wenwu nodded.
"Very well. After the ceremony, I will speak with the leader and take you all to Ta Lo."
Ying Li smiled softly. Her second chance at life would not be wasted.
······
One week later.
Selina returned with her vampire squad, along with Wesley, John Wick, and Eddie Brock aboard the Airbus One.
The week had been brutal: strike one scam compound, then immediately march to the next. Again and again, with the vampire squad scouring the minds of traffickers and fraudsters, deciding who lived and who died. Even they had grown weary of the flood of vile memories. The sheer evil they had witnessed sickened them.
But the results were undeniable. Every major fraud park in the region had been wiped out. And with the Assassin Brotherhood's bounty posted, killers from across the world swarmed Southeast Asia like wolves.
Selina herself was surprised by the success. The bounty order remained in place—not a temporary mission, but a permanent one. From now on, any fraud or trafficking syndicate that grew too bold would find assassins at their doorstep.
······
(End of Chapter)
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