Chapter Seventy-Six: The Matter Concluded

Next, about seventeen or eighteen people squeezed out from the crowd. A man stepped forward—someone I recognized immediately: Imperial Dynasty. As he walked, he shouted, “I just heard there was a fight here, so I came to check it out quietly. I didn’t expect things to be this serious. Miss Silvermoon, are you alright? Do you need my help?” Behind him trailed a group of Imperial Dynasty players, each exuding a formidable aura—they were clearly no ordinary members.

“The Imperial Dynasty is here. Now things will get interesting.”

“That’s not all—look, the people from Snowy Night have arrived too, and even Blazing Flame and Sky Battle. Incredible, who would have thought so many top players would gather in Dragon City at the same time?”

“Why is Imperial Dynasty offering to help Dragon and Phoenix? Are they on good terms?”

“You don’t know? Rumor has it that Imperial Dynasty secretly has a thing for Dragon and Phoenix’s leader.”

“Seriously? Then those guys are in trouble.”

All around, the crowd whispered amongst themselves. Silvermoon was struggling to get up, while I rested my Ruyi Staff on my shoulder, staring at Imperial Dynasty. There was no love lost between us, to say the least.

When Imperial Dynasty saw me, he immediately barked, “Kid, we meet again. If you lay another finger on her, I won’t let you off!” He shouted as he drew two battle axes, showing off his strength. He was a burly man with dark skin, wielding his axes like a modern-day Black Tornado Li Kui.

“Imperial Dynasty, enough with the phony good guy act. If you want to get close to me, forget it! This is a personal matter between him and me—I don’t want anyone interfering. Otherwise, I’ll take you down too.” Silvermoon, having just stood up, snapped angrily.

Imperial Dynasty hesitated. “Well… fine, I won’t interfere. I’ll back off.” He retreated, but his eyes never left me, clearly itching to strike at any moment.

Meanwhile, Blazing Flame said, “Brother, I see you’ve grown stronger these past days. Crushing flowers with such a heavy hand here—impressive.”

I just chuckled. At that moment, a hearty laugh rang out—a man in his thirties, the very one who’d shouted for mercy earlier: Flamewarrior, someone I’d met before.

Beside him stood Roc, whom I hadn’t seen since the insect event. He’d improved quickly, now a level 33 knight—a second-tier warrior with high defense and stamina.

Imperial Dynasty’s face darkened. “So even the Flamewarrior’s people are here for the fun.”

Flamewarrior smiled, nodding at Imperial Dynasty. “That’s right. Is there a problem? I, Flame, have always enjoyed a good commotion. With so many gathered here, how could I miss it?”

Imperial Dynasty narrowed his eyes. The other side had ten people, while his group had only six. If a fight broke out, he’d be at a disadvantage. Just then, the Snowy Night Warlord stepped forward. “Weiwei Dragon, I ran into you today. We never settled our last score. Let’s finish it now.”

On the other side, Sky Battle also chimed in, “That’s right! We’ve still got unfinished business. Today, I promise you’ll regret it.”

I could only inwardly sigh. All these guys who usually kept their distance were now appearing at once. Did they plan this together? Roc walked over to me. “Brother, I have to hand it to you—you’re incredible, getting yourself entangled with so many people all by yourself.”

“How have you been, Roc?” I asked.

“Pretty good,” Roc replied, smiling. He glanced around at the wreckage and sighed. “I have to admit, you’re amazing. Not many summoners can outdo warriors in raw power. Why not join us? You’ve already offended Imperial Dynasty, Snowy Night, and Sky Battle. You’d be safer with us.”

It was true all three were formidable guilds. Taking them on alone was hardly wise. But I didn’t like being tied down. “No need. I’ll handle my own problems.”

Roc said, “Think it over, especially if you want to keep playing in Dragon City.”

I gave him a dry smile. “Got it. Maybe one day I’ll take you up on it.” I was getting impatient.

Turning to Silvermoon, I said, “There’s no point continuing this fight. Too many troublemakers around. Why don’t you just return my gear, and let’s end this here? No need to blow a game feud out of proportion.”

Silvermoon looked at me, then let out a cold laugh, gritting her teeth. “That simple? Who do you think I am? You’ve injured so many of us, taken out my team members, and you expect it all to end just like that?”

I replied, “You have some nerve. You killed my companions and took their gear, and you still have the gall to complain?”

Imperial Dynasty interjected, “This world is the law of the jungle. If you’re not strong enough, you can’t blame others when you lose.”

But before he could finish, a blade was pressed to his throat. Amaterasu glared icily. “When Brother Dragon is speaking, you keep your mouth shut. Interrupt again and I’ll take your head.”

Imperial Dynasty’s eyes blazed, but though he was furious, he didn’t dare make a move, afraid Amaterasu would make good on the threat.

I glanced at Amaterasu, then turned back to Silvermoon. “So, what do you want?”

Silvermoon said, “It’s simple. Let me shoot you with two arrows, and I’ll return your items. How about it?”

“Two arrows? What’s that supposed to mean? Don’t even think about pulling a fast one,” I warned her.

She took a deep breath. “During our fight you grabbed where you shouldn’t have, and you also threw that cursed staff at me. Both times, I was left unsatisfied. I want payback. Let me shoot you twice, and I’ll return your gear. Afterward, we’ll be even.”

I thought back. It was true that during my Grab Cannon move I might have grabbed somewhere inappropriate, but if she got hit by my Ruyi Staff, that was her own fault for not dodging. Still, if this would finally settle things, so be it. She couldn’t kill me with her attacks anyway. “Fine,” I agreed.

Silvermoon grinned. “Good, you have guts. Don’t worry, I’m not the scheming type. My word is good. I’ll even let you heal up before I shoot, so you won’t get killed in one shot. But you need to toss the staff first.”

I immediately handed my Ruyi Staff to Roc for safekeeping and took a few steps back, bracing myself. “Go ahead.”

Silvermoon gritted her teeth, nocking two arrows on her bow. With a flash of blue light, two beams shot out—not at my head or heart, but my knees. Both knees were instantly shattered, and I toppled forward toward Silvermoon.

She gave a cold laugh. “Hmph!” I clenched my jaw, forcing a smile. Dream on if you think you’ll make me kneel. I pressed my arms to the ground and flipped into a handstand, then raised my head.

“Well, that’s two arrows. Fulfill your promise,” I said with a grin as I walked up to Silvermoon. She hadn’t realized what was happening yet. Then, with a forceful push, I spun into a backflip, and my hands—taking advantage of the moment—grazed her chest. Landing on my feet, I laughed, “Not bad—height, 166 cm, measurements 89-57-85. Truly an ideal figure, haha!”

“You—!” Silvermoon’s face turned almost green with fury. She’d meant to play a trick on me, but instead she’d been humiliated in front of everyone. Shame and anger flooded her all at once.

But she kept her word. Swallowing her rage, she said, “I said I’d return your items, and I will.” She threw the gear to the ground. Ye Shuang and the others hurried over to retrieve them, overjoyed to recover their lost equipment. Roc tried to help me up, but I waved him off. I summoned Dragonwar, climbed onto its paw, and then settled on its shoulder, shooting Silvermoon a lewd look. She immediately turned away and left without a backward glance.

With Dragonwar there, Imperial Dynasty and his crew didn’t dare make a move, left only to watch as Dragonwar carried us away.

———

Elsewhere, Silvermoon ducked into a side alley. A figure in black appeared before her. “Silvermoon, don’t get involved in such childish antics again. It only tarnishes our Bloodshade’s reputation.”

Silvermoon snapped, “Enough lecturing.”

The figure smirked, “As long as you understand. By the way, is your figure really as that brat described?” He struck a lewd pose.

“Argh, that hurts!” Silvermoon’s foot shot up, catching him square on the chin and sending him sprawling. Clenching her fists, she ground out, “Mind your own business! Weiwei Dragon, one day I’ll tear you apart myself!”