The eight-foot bronze pot groaned on the broken stones, roaring like a wounded beast. Thick clouds of oily black corpse-fire poured from its mouth, hissing against the midnight wind.Yan Mo bit his black tongue, spitting hot blood onto the bronze carvings with wild laughter. "Wake up, hungry snakes of the grave! Rip this boy into pieces and drink his marrow!"Three giant ghost snakes rose from the dark fire, their empty eyes glowing green. They hissed with sharp screams, showing long fangs as they circled the air above the roof.Clara ran to the porch railing, her small hands raised high toward the sky. "You will not hurt my brother!" Clara cried, her young voice ringing with pure, brave fury.Bright silver starlight burst from Clara's chest, covering the wooden veranda like a shining roof. The cool light blocked the bad smoke, keeping Seraphina and the sleeping Old Tie safe.Seraphina gripped her silver dagger, shouting through the roaring wind to Lucas. "Lucas, look at the pot handl

The gold carriage tore through the red palace gates like a wild beast. Heavy funeral bells shook the freezing air, crying out for a dying king.White mourning flags whipped from every high tower in the bitter wind. Frightened guards ran in circles, crying that the Emperor would not see the sunset.Inside the shaking carriage, Seraphina shoved an ink-stained scroll into Lucas's hands. Her golden eyes burned with pure, icy rage."Chief Steward Gu controls every spoon of medicine," Seraphina spat in disgust. "He takes silver and orders from Second Prince Julian, not your king.""Then Gu is the dog who poisoned your father," Lucas said, looking at Eleanor. His hand rested firmly on Doctor Vane's cedar needle box."My father loved him like a brother," Eleanor choked through hot tears. "If Gu sold my father's life, I will cut out his black heart myself."The carriage slammed to a halt before the imperial bedroom hall. Eleanor leaped down, running up the wide marble stairs with her sword dra

Chief Steward Gu shook violently on the white marble floor, kicking his legs in the black blood. Ugly dark foam poured from his mouth as the tooth poison spread fast."Hold his jaw!" Lucas shouted, rushing forward with a long silver needle in his hand. "Do not let the dark poison reach his inner heart gates!"Lucas drove the needle into the servant's throat, but thick black oil hissed from the wound. The concentrated venom dissolved the old man's heart in three quick breaths."He is dead," Lucas said softly, pulling back his blackened needle with a quiet sigh. "The poison in his tooth leaves nothing behind for our court to question."Prince Julian let out a quiet breath of relief, wiping cold sweat from his forehead. He quickly put on a sad face, looking down at the corpse in fake sorrow."What a terrible tragedy," Julian sighed loudly, shaking his head before the silent room. "Gu was a mad dog who acted all alone to deceive our royal family.""Do not play the fool, Julian!" Eleanor s

Thousands of crystal lanterns lit the marble halls of the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion. Wealthy lords, royal generals, and rich merchants packed the room in shimmering silk coats.Young Master Bai marched through the front doors wearing bright peacock silk robes. Eight tall guards with iron swords followed him closely as he laughed with arrogant pride."The herbal trade of this empire belongs to my family now," Bai boasted loudly. "Anyone who wants clean medicine must bow before the Grand Harvest Consortium!"Several minor merchant elders rushed forward, bowing low to flatter the young master. They smiled with greedy grins, begging him to sell their small shops a few herb crates."Please remember our western stores, Young Master Bai," an old merchant begged with rubbing hands. "We will pay double the normal price for even half a wagon of spirit herbs!""Be patient, old dogs," Bai chuckled with a cruel wave of his fan. "Those who obey my house will eat, but those who cross me will starve

Lucas turned toward Seraphina and gave her a warm, confident nod. "Bring out our medicine, Seraphina; let the capital see what true healing looks like."Seraphina stepped onto the wooden stage, carrying an ornate black lacquer box wrapped in gold silk. She lifted the carved lid, revealing ten shining crystal bottles of golden liquid."Behold the Sun-Core Bone-Marrow Elixir," Seraphina announced in a clear, ringing voice. "Crafted from sacred solar springs to mend broken veins and restore withered bones."She pulled the glass stopper from the first crystal bottle with a soft chime. A rich cloud of golden vapor rose into the air, smelling like sweet mountain honey and warm cedar.The golden mist drifted over the auction floor like a gentle summer breeze. Every tired nobleman and wounded cultivator in the hall sat up straight as their cold veins warmed."My stiff joints feel completely loose," an elderly general whispered in open shock. "Just breathing this sweet mist makes my old blood