Prologue Chapter Three Commander of the Holy City

The crowd behind did not panic and flee at the sight of the demon; instead, they continued to observe the scene. It had indeed been a long time since anything significant had happened in the Holy City, so even when something did occur, the people felt little fear. Perhaps it was this sense of security that constituted the true happiness of the Holy City.

“Black wings? You—you’re a demon too?”

“I’m not sure, but I know I’m different from you,” Blackfeather replied calmly, his eyelids drooping with a trace of weariness, his mind wandering.

High in the sky, Ling Xiaolei could sense that the two in confrontation were saying something, but the distance was too great, and not a word could be heard.

“Why aren’t they fighting? Why all the talking?” Ling Xiaolei muttered anxiously, eager to catch a few thrilling moments.

“They say beauty is heartless, and it seems to be true…” Bai Shengye teased from the side.

“What do you know, you big-headed fool!…”

“Why attack the human world?” Blackfeather’s dark robe was solemn, his tone grave and humorless. “Do you have other accomplices?”

“Hmph, attack the human world? They say humans are peaceful and friendly—I doubt it! You were the ones who struck first!” the demon snarled, feeling these people before him were utterly unreasonable.

“There’s nothing more to discuss. Wherever you came from, go back. You are not welcome here in the human realm!”

As Blackfeather spoke, he turned his heavy staff. A dense beam of black light slashed toward the demon. The demon was momentarily stunned, but swiftly countered with a dark spell of his own.

“Darkness magic—how could you not be a demon? Who exactly are you?” the demon pressed, unwilling to let go, as if desperate to claim Blackfeather as an ally.

“Who I am—I wish I knew,” Blackfeather replied coolly, his gaze indifferent. He was not being mysterious; the truth was, he knew nothing of his own origins.

On the ground, the wounded dragon twisted in agony. Crimson light shimmered over its body, and, incredibly, it gradually transformed back into human form. Lying there was a charming dragon girl.

She was petite and slender, her eyes large and bright, her skin snow-white, and her long brown hair was braided into two plaits that hung from either side of her head. She pressed both hands to her bleeding abdomen, curling up in pain.

“This little one looks barely past ten…” the crowd murmured, “Shapeshifting into a dragon is a power reserved for the royal family of the Dragonkin—a mark of pureblooded lineage. This little princess must have quite a background…”

“Looks like it’s time for me to play the hero,” Bai Shengye declared, flicking his silver hair off his shoulder and sauntering forward with casual flair. When the little girl gazed up at him with a pitiful look, he immediately put on a serious expression, knelt down, and deftly opened his medical kit, slipping on a pair of white rubber gloves.

“Don’t be afraid, little one. I’m a doctor—a kind-hearted doctor.”

“Do… doctor… it hurts…”

Her eyes were innocent and pure, beads of sweat gathering on her brow as she panted weakly.

“The wound’s not light. Let me take a look at it first,” Bai Shengye said.

“Okay…” she nodded faintly.

He furrowed his brow in mock gravity, gently moved her hand away from her abdomen, and with practiced fingers began unbuttoning her shirt from the bottom up.

“Huh?” The girl froze for a moment, the pain momentarily forgotten, then shouted, “That’s not where the wound is, doctor!!”

“Oh, really?”

“It’s lower down, doctor!” she cried, eyes wide, clutching her chest defensively.

“Ahem, your actions are all being recorded by my camera,” Ling Xiaolei reminded him.

“What’s it got to do with you? Mind your own business!” Bai Shengye straightened, feigning innocence. “Sorry, sorry, but you have to help the doctor find the wound so I can treat you…”

With that, Bai Shengye decisively lifted the hem of her skirt.

“Ahhh!!” Her scream was even more tragic than when she had crashed to the ground.

She clutched her skirt with one hand and her chest with the other. Whether from blood loss or fright, her lips had turned a shade of purple.

“Doctor, the wound is on my abdomen! My abdomen!”

“You need to cooperate if you want treatment. Look at all the blood you’ve lost—if I don’t stop the bleeding, you’ll soon lose consciousness. What do you suggest we do…”

“Ahem…” Ling Xiaolei coughed softly.

“Stay out of it!”

“I’m recording all of this anyway.”

In the sky, Blackfeather and the demon fought fiercely, black light flashing, their staves clashing with metallic chimes.

“Wow, that’s intense…” The crowd gasped in awe.

“Move aside! Move aside!” The people were shoved apart as the Holy City Guard Captain, Lin Aosoul, strode forward. He clamped a cigar between his teeth, wore a thick wolf-fur coat, and carried a massive, gleaming hammer on his shoulder. He ruffled his messy deep-blue hair and lifted his dead-fish eyes as if he’d just woken up.

“This is the infamous ‘Brutal Law Enforcement’—the Holy City Guard Captain, Lin Aosoul. He’s a subgiant from the Snow Realm, so he’s much bigger than most. But for a captain, he looks more like a criminal than anyone we’ve ever seen…” Ling Xiaolei seized the moment, quickly aiming her camera at him.

“Just a bunch of demons, and look how nervous you all are. Come on, set up the rocket launchers…” Lin Aosoul grumbled, raising his hand. Instantly, a line of rocketeers knelt, bracing their weapons, aiming, and preparing to fire.

“Firepower ready—let’s bid our dear Blackfeather farewell with a dazzling salute!”

“What? Wait, why me?” Blackfeather shouted, parrying the demon’s attacks as he turned.

“Why not? You’re the one we’re after. Ready—fire!”

Before Blackfeather could react, a barrage of rockets flew straight at him. Dodging left and right, he smashed them apart with his staff, surviving the first wave, though now his hair was dusted with soot.

“Are you out of your mind? I told you it wasn’t me!” Blackfeather pointed desperately at the demon. “It’s the demon! The demon!”

“What? Isn’t your cousin just here to visit you?” Lin Aosoul cocked his head, scratching his ear and nonchalantly blowing on his fingers. “Tch…”

“What’s your problem? You just want to arrest me, don’t you? I’m a law-abiding citizen! You can’t just lock me up because you’re jealous of my talents!”

While Blackfeather argued with Lin Aosoul, the demon seized the opportunity and slipped away using a teleportation spell.

“Hey, where’s the demon?… This is all your fault! What kind of captain are you? The demon got away because of you!”

“Well, the demon’s gone now, so I might as well arrest you. Firepower, ready—”

“Wait, wait, you idiot! I was clearly brave and selfless—if you’re going to arrest me, at least have a reason!”

“A reason? Hmph…” Lin Aosoul sneered coldly.

“Fine, I’ll give you one—bring in the witness.”

The crowd parted, and out stepped a stout woman in an apron, rolling pin in hand. She pointed squarely at Blackfeather.

“It was him—he ruined my vegetable garden!”

“…"

“Hahaha, prepare to die! Fire!”

A volley of rockets streaked toward Blackfeather. As darkness closed in before his eyes and the shells exploded in front of him, he managed to squeeze out through clenched teeth:

“Fine, you win…”