The six masked killers stood frozen in place as burning heat filled the narrow corridor. The freezing rain was swallowed whole as the air turned dry and scorching like an open oven."My skin is on fire!" one killer screamed, clawing at his scorched black mask. "What kind of monstrous power is boiling the very air around our boots?!"Lucas did not give them a single breath or a single word. His gray robes snapped with a loud crack as nine golden needles whistled forward in a blur.The needles struck before the six assassins could even lift their steel knives. Sharp metal crunched through bone and sinew, pinning all six killers flat against the thick oak wall!Horrible shrieks tore through the stormy night as the killers hung above the floorboards. Sacred golden energy burned into their joints, turning their inner warrior veins into cold ash."My inner channels are dead!" the second-in-command wailed, kicking his legs in wild panic. "Pull them out! Have mercy and pull these burning need

The high ministers backed away in deep fear, murmuring anxiously across the wide terrace. "Look at the steel in Princess Eleanor's hand," an old duke whispered in dread."We cannot shed royal blood inside this banquet hall!" an old senator cried out, clutching his heavy silk sleeves. "A fight between royal children will tear the court into bloody pieces!"Imperial Physician Kang stepped forward from the high table, smirking with slimy cunning. "There is no need for flashing swords tonight," Kang sneered, waving his fat hands."Lower your sword, Princess Eleanor," Kang shouted in a mocking voice. "If this rural boy claims to be a true imperial doctor, let him prove his skill before the Senate!"Kang spread his fat arms wide, bowing to the forty high ministers sitting on the terrace. "I propose an ancient medical duel under the sacred laws of the imperial court!""Both doctors will examine and treat the same noble patient tonight," Kang declared with cruel glee. "The doctor who fails mu

The royal messenger fell hard onto the cold stone floor, crying out in terror. "The Emperor has collapsed inside the palace!" the man screamed in fear. "He vomited black blood, and his life is dying away right now!""The Son of Heaven is dying!" an old minister wailed, dropping his wine cup. "Heaven help us, the great dragon of our empire has fallen to the ground!" Frightened guests jumped from their seats as cold panic filled the hall.Prince Julian laughed with dark joy as he heard the terrible news from the palace. He drew his heavy steel sword with a loud, ringing scrape. "Drop to your knees, Lucas!" Julian shouted, pointing his blade straight at Lucas's heart."Do not let this killer escape!" Julian yelled to the shocked nobles on the terrace. "Lucas used slow poison in his needles when he touched our father earlier! He wanted to weaken the Emperor so Eleanor could steal the crown!""Surround the terrace right now!" Commander Han barked, stomping his heavy iron boots. "Lock your

Heavy thunder rolled across the dark royal palace as cold rain poured down from the black clouds. "Stay close to my back," Lucas whispered softly into the freezing wind. "The storm will hide our steps on the roof.""The Iron-Blood Guards are marching on the stone paths below us," Seraphina warned in a low voice. She pointed down into the dark palace courtyard. "One loud step will bring two hundred iron crossbows straight toward our heads.""Do not worry, Sister Seraphina," Clara whispered with a calm, gentle smile. She held her small hands out into the wet, freezing air. "My starlight core will hide our bodies from their eyes until we finish our work."A soft silver mist wrapped around their clothes like thick evening fog. "The palace guards cannot see us at all now," Clara whispered into her hood. "We are only shadows and rain moving through the dark night sky."Seraphina pulled open an old iron air grate with a quiet, careful tug. "The Golden Chamber kept these palace maps for fifty

"Mercy, Father, please do not kill me!" Prince Julian shrieked in wild terror. Royal enforcers dragged the prince across the floor as his dragon robes tore. "I am your flesh and blood, Father!""Silence, you treacherous dog!" Chancellor Matthew roared with thunderous fury. The old Chancellor stepped forward, slamming his heavy palm into Julian's chest. Julian wailed in agony as his inner power shattered into dark dust forever.Two guards grabbed Young Master Bai by his bruised, bloody neck. "Please spare my family, Your Majesty!" Bai wept, spitting red blood across the floor. "We were only following the prince; I beg for mercy!""Your family business is dissolved forever, Bai!" Emperor Jeffrey declared in cold anger. "Every single copper coin in your vaults belongs to the crown. Drag this filthy beggar into the palace mud right now!"Emperor Jeffrey turned toward Princess Eleanor before the assembled lords and generals. "Step forward, my brave daughter," Jeffrey said in a warm, royal