"Amazing!"
Liz exclaimed as a warm summer breeze swept through the air. Led by Bookie, their group of fledglings—currently excluding Zeke—approached the imposing walls of Martial City, which seemed to stretch endlessly across the horizon.
The sight left more than just Liz in awe. Countless martial artists from various schools and factions traveled along the crowded road toward the city. A long line had already formed outside the massive gates, where officials directed newcomers toward registration checkpoints to receive their visitor plaques.
Among the thousands gathered, conversations echoed from every direction.
"Master, there are so many competitors here. Do you really think we stand a chance?"
"Nonsense. Don't let intimidation defeat you before the exam even begins. I have complete faith that my students from the Falling Leaf School will not falter."
Liz happened to overhear the exchange between a master and his disciple standing ahead of them. The words only deepened her unease. Passing the entrance exam was the least of her concerns regarding the dangerous mission ahead.
"Relax," Kenshin said, patting her shoulder. "There's no point worrying about things that haven't happened yet. Let's focus on one step at a time."
"He's right. This is only the first step of a much longer journey."
Zeke's voice suddenly joined the conversation as he appeared seemingly out of nowhere.
"Zeke!"
Both Liz and Kenshin jumped in surprise, having failed to notice his approach.
However, there was one person who had.
"I see you've concluded your impromptu adventure."
Bookie spoke in his usual low, gravelly tone.
"You could say that."
"Hmph. No need to play coy. I saw everything."
"Is that so?"
Zeke asked, feigning ignorance despite already knowing that Bookie's raven had been secretly observing him from above.
"Indeed. Who would've thought you were already such a ladies' man at your age?"
Bookie's stern expression transformed into a teasing grin as he repeatedly nudged Zeke with his elbow.
"What?"
For once, Zeke was genuinely caught off guard.
"There's no need to be embarrassed. In fact, I'm impressed. You even prefer women much older than yourself."
Bookie nodded approvingly.
"Though the whole heroic rescue act was a bit childish. Then again, you're still young. If you survive long enough, I'll gladly offer you a few pointers."
"Thanks..."
Zeke muttered, deciding it was easier to let the misunderstanding continue.
"So you abandoned us just to flirt?"
Liz crossed her arms.
"Looks like our little brother is growing up right before our eyes."
Kenshin smirked.
"Tell me, what did she look like?"
Zeke chose silence as the safest response.
...
Eventually, they reached the front gates. Bookie stepped forward and assumed the role of leader.
Before they could enter, one of the stationed officials questioned them regarding their origins, identities, philosophy, and martial background. Bookie answered each inquiry smoothly while posing as the master of the Chameleon Clan.
Their cover story had been carefully prepared beforehand.
"The Chameleon Clan, you say?"
The official stroked his pencil-thin mustache while adjusting his spectacles.
"I've heard of them. If memory serves, your clan rarely interacts with the outside world."
"That is generally true," Bookie replied. "However, our patriarch has decided this rare occasion provides an excellent opportunity for these talented students to display our clan's abilities before the world."
The explanation satisfied the official. He scribbled several notes before continuing with a few final questions.
Eventually, they received their visitor plaques and were instructed to report to the city's northern checkpoint at a designated time.
With that, the nine fledglings and Bookie stepped through the gates and into the city.
"Would you look at this place..."
Kenshin whistled.
Under the clear blue sky, the bustling crowds, rich aromas, winding roads, and towering buildings surpassed anything he had imagined.
Compared to the Valley of Light, Martial City existed on an entirely different scale.
As one of the largest cities on the Eastern Continent, even Bookie struggled to hide his fascination.
Only Zeke remained largely unaffected.
"You don't seem impressed."
Rosemarie observed as she approached.
"It's certainly impressive," Zeke admitted. "But like I told my teammates earlier, we shouldn't mistake this for a vacation."
"Teammates? Liz and Kenshin?"
"What about it?"
Zeke's gaze sharpened.
Rosemarie immediately raised both hands.
"Easy. I'm only trying to make conversation. We've crossed paths enough times that pretending we're strangers feels awkward."
"Just because we've met before doesn't mean we know each other."
"...Fair point."
Rosemarie hesitated before extending her hand.
"Then let's fix that. My name is Rosemarie."
"Zeke."
After a brief pause, he accepted the handshake.
Soon afterward, Rosemarie introduced Sakura and Sayuri as well.
Pleasantries were exchanged, but Zeke remained cautious.
He still remembered his private conversation with Reaper Ono after the second trial.
The possibility of cooperation had been discussed, though neither side had committed to anything.
Rosemarie's friendly approach wasn't random.
She knew about that meeting.
Which meant her interest in him was almost certainly political.
"You really don't know when to quit, do you?"
Bookie suddenly appeared, laughing as he pointed toward the three girls now surrounding Zeke.
"This kid's unbelievable."
"Ugh..."
Zeke buried his face in his palm.
....
Meanwhile, far to the north, atop a lone plateau overlooking the entirety of the Martial City, a council meeting had just concluded within the Martial Alliance's inner headquarters.
The gathered elders departed one after another, leaving behind only three men.
The Martial Alliance Leader, Rayden.
His trusted advisor, Oshin.
And his Vice Leader, Machi.
"How are things progressing down below, Oshin? Machi?"
Rayden asked in a firm yet measured tone.
Dressed in an embroidered white robe, the broad-shouldered man possessed a physique more akin to a great bear than a scholar. His silver eyes gleamed beneath a cloud of white hair and a beard to match as he patiently awaited their report.
"Everything is proceeding according to plan."
Oshin answered calmly.
"Martial cultivators continue arriving from every corner of the continent. Barring any unforeseen complications, the entrance examination will begin tomorrow."
The orange-robed monk folded his hands together, colorful prayer beads wrapped around his right forearm.
The event had already been delayed several times due to internal matters. Fortunately, those issues had finally been resolved.
Rayden nodded before turning toward his Vice Leader.
Machi stood tall in flowing green robes. With his lean frame, sharp features, and calculating eyes, he resembled a praying mantis disguised as a man.
"The web has been spun."
Machi spoke confidently.
"It is prepared for him, along with any other undesirable insects foolish enough to wander into it."
"...Understood."
Rayden's expression remained unreadable.
Seeing the faint shadow behind his leader's eyes, Machi continued.
"I know the days ahead will test us in more ways than one. However, what we do in the shadows today serves the greater good."
Rayden remained silent for a moment.
Then he slowly nodded.
"I take no pleasure in what lies ahead."
His silver eyes drifted toward the distant city below.
"But you're right, Machi. It must be done."
Neither Oshin nor Machi responded.
There was nothing left to say.
The three men soon moved on to other matters before ultimately going their separate ways.
....
Late that afternoon, Rayden returned to his private estate.
The moment he stepped through the gates, a familiar voice greeted him.
"Grandpa!"
Julep Frost rushed forward and wrapped her arms around him.
Her long snow-white hair buried itself against his chest as she looked up at him with bright blue eyes.
To the rest of the Martial Alliance, Julep was a capable and level-headed inner disciple.
To Rayden, she was still his precious granddaughter.
"My little tulip."
A rare smile appeared beneath his beard.
"What brings you here? I thought you were meeting that friend of yours who was arriving today."
"Well, I haven't heard anything about her arrival yet."
Julep grinned mischievously.
"So I figured spending time with my favorite person in the world was the next best thing."
"Haha! Is that so?"
The pair began strolling through the estate gardens, a familiar routine between them.
Ever since childhood, Julep had always loved wandering among the vibrant flowers blooming beneath the sun.
For a while, they simply enjoyed each other's company.
Eventually, a carrier bird descended from the sky and landed gracefully on Julep's shoulder.
A small message was tied to its leg.
After reading it, her eyes lit up.
"Finally."
She turned toward Rayden with an apologetic smile.
"I hate to cut our precious time together short, Grandpa, but it looks like my friend has finally arrived."
"No need to worry about me."
Rayden chuckled.
"Go on and enjoy yourself."
"Okay!"
Julep quickly kissed his cheek before skipping off down the garden path.
Rayden watched her disappear from sight.
Only after she was gone did the smile leave his face.
His gaze drifted toward a lone tulip among the flowerbeds.
Unlike the others, it had begun to wither.
With a quiet sigh, he infused a trace of Qi into his eyes and removed the dying stem with a single glance.
'There's no point in second-guessing myself.'
He stared at the severed flower.
'A diseased branch will eventually infect everything around it if left unattended.'
The wind gently rustled the garden.
Yet Rayden's expression remained heavy as he contemplated the difficult choices still to come.