In the lower districts of Lungmen.
This was once Lungmen's slums, and now a gathering place for huge numbers of the Infected.
"Are you sure you're fine right now?" Rat King—Lin Gereui, the former ruler of Lungmen's lower city—fixed his stern eyes on Wei Yenwu, who was wrapped in bandages and struggling into his clothes.
Wei Yenwu didn't answer immediately. Only after he'd finished dressing did he turn to look at the old friend who had once saved him.
"Now is the best time. Reunion's people have already arrived. If we link up with them and act together, it may be our only chance to stop Lungmen before the two cities collide."
Lin Gereui studied him, then let out a long sigh.
"How are your injuries?"
Wei Yenwu glanced at his bandaged hand, tugging the corner of his draconic face.
"Can only say… worthy of Chixiao's sword aura."
Shaking his head, he reached out in the dim room and gripped a sword.
"Let's go."
He stepped out first. Lin Gereui said nothing and followed.
They crossed a corridor and arrived at a high platform. Below, row after row of people stood in disciplined order, waiting for Wei Yenwu and Lin Gereui.
Just then, a pink-haired girl stepped up to them. "Dad, Uncle Wei, everyone's here."
"Thanks for your hard work, Yuxia." Wei Yenwu nodded, then walked to the edge of the platform and looked down at the crowd.
These were Lungmen's citizens—the few who remained unbound, uncontrolled. They all shared one thing in common:
They were not Infected.
Wei Yenwu raised his sword.
"Everyone—our moment has come! Follow me—move out!!"
No one spoke. They simply tightened their grips on their weapons.
Anything that needed saying had already been said in these past days. Their families, their homes, their lives—everything had been thrown into ruin.
They had nothing left…
No.
They still had their lives.
Fight. Fight.
There was nothing to do but fight.
Rather than sit here waiting for some rescue that might never arrive, they would take up arms and resist.
—
Hurried footsteps echoed through the streets.
A group that had once numbered over a dozen now consisted of only two.
Talulah. Kevin.
Everyone else had stayed behind to stop their pursuers and buy time.
"Almost there—just ahead!"
The looming building drew nearer. Talulah's heart pounded faster; her pace quickened.
But at that moment Kevin sensed something wrong.
His gaze swept the surrounding rooftops.
"Why does this place feel so quiet? We're getting closer to the target. The defenses should be thicker, not thinner."
The unease in his chest expanded—and then he heard it. A faint sound, like… blades leaving their sheaths.
By the time Kevin registered it, more than a dozen figures had already appeared beside them, swords flashing straight toward Talulah and Kevin.
Fifth-tier Shunpo.
Kevin's speed exploded. Before the swords could fall, he seized Talulah, leapt up, and cleared the entire strike, landing ahead with her.
He set her down and faced the dozen black-cloaked swordsmen. They stood in perfect formation, silent, blades held straight and cold.
Strong.
That was the only impression they gave him.
Even controlled, their style wouldn't change—precise, ruthless swords meant only to kill.
Talulah recognized them instantly.
"Even the Black Coats are being controlled…"
She reached for her sword, but Kevin's hand blocked her.
"Leave this to me. Go destroy the reactor. Can you do it?"
Along the way, their comrades had stopped to hold back the pursuit. Talulah hadn't hesitated—she trusted they'd be fine.
But this was different.
These were the Black Coats—Wei Yenwu's secret personal guard.
They were deadly.
Sensing her hesitation, Kevin said, "I'm not as good at fighting as Xing or Ember, but if I want to run, no one here can stop me."
"But you can't."
"And… I might not lose."
Talulah looked once at Kevin, once at the approaching Black Coats, then gritted her teeth.
"Then I'm counting on you!"
She turned and raced for the distance.
You're making it sound like I'm about to die, Kevin grumbled internally.
If he couldn't win, he'd just bail and go home.
Seeing Talulah fleeing, the Black Coats accelerated to intercept—
Wordsoul: Monarch's Flame!
A terrifying heat surged out from Kevin, dyeing the world crimson.
A gust of wind carried that inferno into the Black Coats. For the first time, they halted—recognizing danger.
Kevin lifted a hand toward them, voice flat.
"Three idiots threw me here. I should at least be useful for once."
"This is my first time using it on people…"
"Come on. Spar with me."
As he spoke, he tossed out a small bag.
—
Talulah heard massive explosions behind her.
She didn't look back.
After coming this far, how could she?
When she reached the building, she found the door already open.
Talulah took a deep breath and stepped inside.
The roar of machinery filled her ears. It was the only sound in the entire structure.
She moved cautiously, eyes scanning for an ambush.
Then—footsteps.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
"Above!"
Talulah snapped her head up—and froze.
Because the enemy on the platform above was—
Chen.
And the enemy did not pause for her shock.
Chen slowly drew Chixiao.
The next second, Chixiao's sword aura erupted!
Blood sprayed.
Talulah barely evaded, staring at the fresh gash on her arm.
"This is the worst. I froze even after coming this far. If Patriot saw that, he'd chew me out again."
"I should've been prepared."
She raised her sword and aimed it at her sister.
"Little Chen… I'm here to save you."
Chen answered with another emotionless swing.
The battle began.
-------
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