Qing Yuan stood in the center of the circle, gripping his staff tightly.“We have accused one another far too much without proof. If you still doubt Bintang, then let him answer for himself. Summon him here.”He glanced at Lue Yinan, who obediently nodded.A low murmur rippled through the chamber. Some agreed, some opposed, but in the end, the decision was accepted.Not long after, the heavy iron door at the far end of the room creaked open. The sound of footsteps echoed softly, yet each step felt as though it pierced straight into the heart.Bintang appeared, dressed in deep black robes with a long cloak trailing behind him. His hair flowed freely, and his eyes were calm like the night sky. The aura he carried was immense, as if a dragon had slipped into that confined chamber.Several elders instinctively tightened their grip on their staffs, even drawing deep breaths. Once again, they felt pressured simply by his presence.The white-haired elder, who had been the most vocal opponent

This was a personal duel. A duel between two rulers of shadow and the Dragon King.Bintang pressed harder, his sword trembling as he whispered coldly, “I don’t need to kill you quickly. I only want to see the face behind that mask.”With a single surge of force, he blasted his opponent backward. The black mask cracked, half of the face beneath it revealed—pale skin and crimson eyes filled with hatred.“Your name…” Bintang murmured softly. “…You’re not a stranger. You resemble Qing Yuan slightly—you come from the bloodline of this nation.”The Shadow Lord fell silent, then burst into loud laughter. “That’s right! I am the rightful descendant—the blood that should have sat upon the throne! But my ancestors were cast aside, discarded, and hidden. Now I return to claim my right, even if I must do so through darkness!”Bintang exhaled slowly. “Then… there is no peaceful path between us.”The battle erupted once more. The dragon sword clashed against the shadow dagger. Each collision unleas

Qing Yuan, who had been kneeling with a pale face, tried to straighten his body. Tia supported him carefully, while Lue Yinan had already prepared a healing pill to suppress the internal injury caused by the severed soul bond.Qing Yuan’s face looked weary. His eyes gazed at the figure of his adopted son who had just resolved a crisis for their nation.“It’s a pity… this battle has also taken half of my soul with it… but I can still stand. What matters is… you have already ended it, Bintang.”Bintang nodded.“No, Father. This is not the end. This is only the beginning of the great reckoning we must face.”They all turned toward the massive altar that had been destroyed. The ancient symbols upon it were beginning to fade, as if the Shadow Lord had been the final key that kept them lit. But that destruction also signaled something else—the secret of the discarded bloodline could no longer be hidden.Juan approached, his face serious.“Dragon King… should we report this directly to the C

Amid the long period of peace that had lasted for more than two months in the Spirit Nation’s palace, Bintang and the Sky Dragon Organization continued investigating several groups, including the Information Tower that had once interfered.However, every trace of the problems they had caused seemed completely clean. Even all branches of the Information Tower within the Spirit Nation had vanished, no one knew where they had gone.“Dragon King… Aside from the matter of that white-haired elder, it seems there is no longer any threat capable of endangering your disciple…” Juan said respectfully while bowing to Bintang.Bintang nodded. “In a few days, we will return to the Amerta Nation.”The next day.“Today I announce… the territorial conflict over the border regions initiated by the previous council will be immediately revoked. And as the Emperor of this nation, I will also ensure that from this day forward, the Spirit Nation will form an alliance to strengthen economic sectors, defense

Night soon fell.The sky above the capital of Amerta was still filled with thousands of fireworks bursting endlessly. A gigantic golden dragon formed from light circled majestically in the air. The cheers of the people had not faded, even though the night had grown late.But inside the palace, the atmosphere was completely different.Inside the bridal chamber, golden candlelight danced softly. Red silk curtains draped around the magnificent bed, while the fragrance of jasmine flowers and fine wine filled the room.The War Goddess, who throughout her life had been known as cold, stern, and heroic, looked different that night. Her battle armor was gone, replaced by a soft crimson dress that revealed an elegance she rarely showed. Even so, her posture remained upright, as if even on her wedding night she still carried the authority of a general.Bintang sat across from her, his gaze calm. He poured wine into two jade cups.“Starting tonight, you are not only the sword that protects the n