Chapter 102: The Overlord Rides the Waves

A storm of blood and slaughter engulfed the Imperial Capital.Among the dozen noble clans of the city, each had wielded power through courtly offices and petitions laid upon the emperor's desk.Thus, they became the targets of a merciless reckoning.Five hundred Northern Luo iron riders surrounded a lone carriage—like a beast born of primordial chaos, trampling all in its path.One after another, the clans were swept in the purge, severed heads rolling like fallen fruit.

Yet this cleansing did not mean complete annihilation—some scions survived. But for these once-proud houses, the wounds were deep and grievous.Lesser families trembled in fear, dreading the iron hooves crashing through their gates.This day—was a day of blood.This day—was a day cloaked in fear for every noble lineage of the capital.Even crying children would have their mouths covered at the mere mention of the Northern Luo young lord.

…

Prime Minister's Residence.Zhao Kuo sat solemnly upon the high seat, slowly sipping his tea.At his age, serenity and health were paramount.A subordinate burst through the doors, falling to his knees.

"Prime Minister! Dire news!""The Northern Luo Young Lord has led five hundred iron riders into the capital—he's captured Lord He and unleashed a massacre! Many noble clans have been annihilated, officials lie dead in droves… the streets run red with blood!"

The man's face was deathly pale, clearly shaken to his core.Zhao Kuo abruptly set down his teacup. A sharp gleam flashed in his eyes.

"That Northern Luo whelp dares commit slaughter in the heart of the empire... utterly lawless!""Indeed, cultivators have become the new force of chaos in the realm."

Zhao Kuo gently caressed the jade ring on his finger, then raised his hand and waved.From the darkness above, a figure dropped silently from the rafters.

"Summon Mr. Du to the east wing.Let a cultivator deal with a cultivator."

This Mr. Du had once encountered a divine fate within the Immortal Palace atop Wolong Ridge.Zhao Kuo had personally invited him to his estate as an advisor—his hidden trump card.

Had Lord He and the ministers witnessed this, they would have been utterly astounded.For in this moment, Zhao Kuo appeared nothing like the senile elder they had known.

Leaning back in his grand chair, he took another sip of tea and sighed.

"These court officials… they've disappointed me deeply.""If there must be bloodshed, then let the blood flow more freely."

He glanced at the kneeling subordinate and murmured,"Prepare the carriage."

The subordinate departed.Zhao Kuo rose slowly from his chair.

"What I've always lacked was a breath of eastern wind.Today… the wind is perfect."

He stepped out, boarded the carriage.The wheels rumbled as it headed toward the Book Pavilion.

…

Outside the Pavilion.Mo Tianyu was casting divinations when a carriage arrived at the pavilion's doorstep.Zhao Kuo disembarked, cast a glance at Mo Tianyu, and asked,

"Is the Grand Preceptor within?"

Mo Tianyu took a swig from his gourd."He is—but he refuses to see you."

Zhao Kuo's eyes twitched.He ignored Mo Tianyu and clasped his hands behind his back, gazing up at the weathered old building.

"Kong Xiu… we've competed half a lifetime. It's time to settle this."

"The young emperor lacks decisiveness.You are ensnared in rumor and scandal.Why not let us set aside our blades, and together… guide the empire?"

A subtle tremor came from within the Book Pavilion.There was weight in Zhao Kuo's words—truth laced with deeper meaning.

At last, Kong Nanfei stepped out from the second floor."You should leave," he said. "The master asked me to relay this—He's never seen you as a rival, so there is no need for a conclusion."

Zhao Kuo's face flushed crimson.His fists clenched tightly.Never saw him as a rival—It was blatant disregard.

He spoke no more. With a flick of his sleeve, he turned and left.He would let his actions prove to Kong Xiu the cost of that refusal.

…

Heart-Isle of Northern Luo Lake.Lü Dongxuan trembled violently.Two towering plaques before him exuded an overwhelming pressure.

In his wheelchair, Lu Fan remained unperturbed as Ni Yu pushed him to the second floor, where he leaned on the railing and listened to the wind.

At a distance, Lü Mutui stood with a complicated expression.Beside him, a pipa-carrying maiden looked on with concern.

"Is Elder Lü… alright?""Could he be in danger?" asked Mingyue softly.

Lü Mutui glanced at her and waved his hand."No danger. Quite the opposite—this is a rare opportunity."

The plaques outside the White Jade Pavilion were infused with profound fortune.They could unlock clarity and deeper understanding.

Time passed slowly.Lü Dongxuan remained motionless for half a day—like one in cultivation.

Above, Lu Fan drank a few cups of wine and began arranging a game of Go—The Mountain-River Formation.

As he aligned the pieces, his thoughts extended to the state of the capital…and the arrangements for raising the dragon.

He wasn't particularly worried—Ning Zhao, Yi Yue, and Nie Changqing were all in motion.Short of a mobilized army of a hundred thousand, no threat remained in the capital.

His gaze drifted toward the imperial palace gardens.

There, Yu Wenxiu stood within the shimmering pond, the black flood-dragon coiled around his arm before diving into the waters.The fish scattered in panic.

Lu Fan lifted a wisp of spiritual energy and gently marked the location.Thus, the Dragon-Raising Ground within the palace was confirmed.

Suddenly—he drew back his senses.His brow twitched faintly.

Below, Lü Dongxuan opened his eyes.The golden chain around his neck gleamed even brighter.His expression was tangled and unreadable.He rubbed his hands together and sighed.

"For our Heavenly Secrets clan to be brought under his banner… was not a loss."

But Lu Fan's attention had shifted elsewhere.

Holding a bronze goblet, he leaned against the railing.Wind swept through his hair as he gazed upon the golden sunset over Northern Luo Lake.

There—someone approached by boat…And another…Walked upon the waves.

…

At the Gates of Northern Luo.Lu Changkong stood atop the city walls.Beside him, Luo Yue was clad in battle armor.

From the edge of the plains, a black horse galloped forth.Upon it rode a man shrouded in a broad black cloak, a bamboo hat obscuring his face.Yet the sheer size of his frame exuded a crushing pressure.

"I have come to pay respects to the Northern Luo Young Lord.May City Lord Lu grant me an audience."

The man tugged his reins.Lu Changkong narrowed his eyes.

"City Lord," Luo Yue whispered, "this man… is terrifying."

Even without a clash, the pressure was stifling.Lu Changkong, a cultivator himself, could feel it clearly.The man below… was a high-tier cultivator.

"Who are you, and from whence do you come?" Lu Changkong called, hand resting upon his sheathed blade, spiritual energy stirring.He stood like a lion awakened—his cultivation had reached the Fifth Stage Qi Pill Realm.

The black-robed man laughed, releasing no aura.

"I hail from Xiliang."

The city walls burst into an uproar.Xiliang.A black destrier.

Lu Changkong's eyes narrowed.Could this man… be the Overlord of the Western Commandery?

After a long pause, he waved his hand.The gates creaked open.

The black-robed man laughed heartily, the black steed neighing as its hooves thundered into the city.

Lu Changkong's troops were already assembled at the gates.As the man entered, he removed his hat, revealing a face exuding tyrannical dominance.

Lu Changkong was stunned.Luo Yue drew his blade in panic.

The Overlord!

This was the legendary Overlord!The man who fought five thousand at Wolong Ridge—and bathed the battlefield in blood.

His name struck terror across the land.

Now… the Overlord had arrived in Northern Luo.

But for whom?