Undercurrents

While the Branch of the Devouring Moon Sect was the primary target, the rest of the City had not been spared by the assailants who purported themselves to belong to the Searing Sword Palace.

Though it was obvious to most that the attackers were likely from an entirely different Sect, their words had a powerful impact on the normal citizenry. They were easily shepherded by the strong and, while the more astute among them understood the falsity behind the claims, it didn't change the fact that they couldn't do anything to resist.

By the time any of the other Sects residing in the Devouring Moon City reacted, fires had spread through the more impoverished areas and, while the stronger Sects had yet to be touched, many of the smaller families had already been wiped out. The invaders had unhesitantly slaughtered anyone who did not immediately join their cause and, as a result of several months of planning, they already had several hundred people within the city to sowing chaos.

In order to try and gain control of the situation, the Devouring Moon Mercenary Guild had declared a state of emergency that required all active Mercenaries to fight against the invaders. They were headed by the Branch Master, Liang ZhenKang, who had already piled up the corpses of more than a hundred attackers. He took it upon himself to use his golden staff to beat the majority of enemies to a pulp while directing the Mercenaries and a few drafted civilians to deal with the spread flames.

With his onyx-black eyes reflecting crimson light, Liang ZhenKang shook his head as he looked at the devastation and muttered, "Another pointless massacre to further the agenda of a few foolish people...what a farce..."

Unlike the majority of people, the Branch Master knew exactly who their attackers were. They were a family from the neighboring Sacred Spring Bamboo City known as the Peng family. While they were nothing special, the grandson of their current Grand Elder had been scouted by one of the branch families associated with the Searing Sword Palace. This made him foolishly believe he could use their authority to do whatever he wanted and, as a result, the neighboring city had recently changed its name to the Rising Flame City.

Liang ZhenKang knew that it wouldn't be long before an Enforcer from the Searing Sword Palace rid the world of the arrogant young master of Peng family but that meant nothing in the present. Rather, in order for them to have mustered up such a force in such a short period of time, it was obvious that the Peng family had a hidden backer...

Using his staff to leave a 10cm dent in a man's skull, Liang ZhenKang could only sigh in exasperation as he turned his head toward the Devouring Moon Mountain and stated, "I hope you really do have a powerful Master, young lady...this world isn't kind to those without a strong background."

Though even Wen Xiulan wasn't able to expand her senses beyond the city, Lian ZhenKang was very aware of the phenomenal aura that was quickly accelerating toward them. He could even feel the air begin to drop in temperature, despite the fact that pillars of fire surrounded him from almost every angle...

(Fenrir's Commentary: 'The city is on burning...!? Fenrir will kill them all...!')