General Silverlight, clothes still pristine despite being forced to his knees, spoke defiantly.
"Bai Huo, a revered scholar of our time, respected by thousands. Yet you act without discernment, attacking an ignorant junior… You're a venomous snake, hiding a petty sneak attack behind a gentleman's facade. You've tarnished the righteous spirit of scholars. My emperor won't let this slide!"
Hovering above, Bai Huo replied calmly.
"When did I, a scholar of this era, attack your junior? You two, playing off each other, are highly suspicious. And you, an elder, spew vulgar words. I think it's time to teach this greedy, slanderous fool a lesson first."
…
Moments later, Silverlight slumped against a tree, breathing heavily, eyes dazed, lost in some trance.
Standing nearby, Bai Huo spoke.
"Rest here and reflect on my lesson. No need to stir."
…
Five miles away, in a forest, Arthur Sterling scanned his surroundings.
"Uncle! Where did you take me? What is this place?"
Clothes tattered, body aching from the rapid transport, and worst of all, bearing an unjust accusation.
I, Arthur Sterling, have never been in such a wretched state.
Heart screaming to shout.
I'm innocent! I want to scream I'm innocent…
But that man doesn't care what I say. He just wants to capture and dissect me. Those eyes—terrifying. I need to get back to the citadel now.
A voice called from behind.
"Young master, why rush off? Come back, greet my teacher, then leave. So impolite."
A pursuer had caught up—a scholar-clad man, tall and robust, with a long scar across his face. Definitely not a good guy.
"Don't push me!"
The man stood firm, eyes gleaming in the night.
"Young master, we have no intent to harm you. You're mistaken."
Knowing he couldn't fight this man, Arthur backed away, pleading.
"You're forcing me… The treasure's not with me. I swear it's not… Believe me…"
"Enough nonsense! Hand it over… No, everything! Treasures belong to the virtuous, not fools. Know your place."
A flash of light streaked by.
"Who's there?"
In an instant, the pursuer's body split into three, collapsing to the ground.
Imperial soldiers arrived.
"You dare kill our people on Moonlight Empire soil? How improper."
Arthur's heart leaped. Moonlight Empire soldiers. I'm saved!
Stepping forward, he bowed to the dead pursuer's killer.
"Thank you, sir, for saving me. May I have your honored name? I'll surely repay you."
The commander, face urgent, raised a hand to assist.
"Names later. The treasure's critical. Hand it to me for safekeeping, and I'll present it to His Majesty. You'll still get the credit. Hurry—time's short."
Arthur stared silently. Another misunderstanding. I need to explain.
"Actually…"
Before he could finish, the world spun.
The commander, disgusted, barked orders.
"Stubborn fool. Strip him and search—quick, we're running out of time!"
In a flash, Arthur's belongings were laid out neatly in a row on the ground.
"Report! Found a suspicious item. Please inspect, Guardian."
A black flag with a bold tiger character. Ordinary to most, but to a Nascent Soul expert who could sense heavenly laws, it concealed a domineering, unyielding will, intricately condensed. Undetectable without holding it.
"No need to search further. Pack everything and take this man to Darkveil City. Disperse…"
…
At Bai Huo's side, after interrogating the group:
"So this team was just eliminating bandits? Balong's dead… Who did it?"
Chasing to the scene, Bai Huo found only a faint trace of blood, the area meticulously cleaned of all evidence.
A subordinate approached.
"Report! Forces from Shadow Origin City spotted. They've clashed with Moonlight Empire troops."
"Hurry there."
Fifteen miles north of Strong Bull Mountain, in a dense forest, Bai Huo arrived. The lord of Wolfspire Citadel, Dominic Sterling, wailed in anguish and fury.
"Guardian white, return my son's belongings! Have some dignity. You stripped him bare—what's this? Robbing wealth and honor? A man of your stature…"
Great General Aurelius Brightblade, commander of the Seventh Moon Legion, cut through the sobbing with a commanding voice.
"This area is sealed with an inescapable net. You can't escape. Shadow Origin City owes us and His Majesty an explanation."
Dominic Sterling, face etched with sorrow, spoke.
"Great General, you must uphold justice for my boy. How could that man do this to him… Poor child."
Dominic's eyes fell on his son.
Under a tree, Arthur Sterling clutched a blanket wrapped around his naked body, numb with pain, eyes vacant, staring at the figure in the barrier.
Dominic, heart breaking, turned to Aurelius Brightblade, lamenting.
"Great General, this stubborn criminal's sins are monstrous. Arrest him for trial in the heavenly prison!"
Bai Huo spoke up.
"Hold on. This man killed one of our commanders, a meritorious official. We must take him back to face justice under Great Prosperian Dominion law. Please hand him over."
Aurelius Brightblade responded.
"As great general of the current dynasty, commanding the Seventh Moon Legion, I must take him today. If you're here to negotiate, fine. But if you insist on stealing my prisoner, I'm afraid I can't comply."