Chapter Twenty-Three: A Bloody Christmas Eve (Part One)

Chapter Twenty-Three: A Bloody Silent Night (Part One)

The atmosphere at the scene became slightly tense.

No one dared to underestimate this youth any longer.

Though he wore a constant smile, the calm, speed, and accuracy with which he had struck just now fully displayed his strength—so much so that, even in a true duel, he could have killed Viscount Morel without a doubt.

Seeing that nothing else was amiss, the warriors withdrew one after another.

“What is your name?” Christine suddenly asked.

At her question, everyone present revealed expressions of envy and jealousy.

Christine’s beauty was renowned throughout the Empire of Lance. As the wealthiest widow in the empire, her late husband had been the illustrious Earl Weston, whose fortune, it was said, once tempted even His Majesty Christ. When Earl Weston passed away from illness two years ago, leaving no heirs, his entire estate was inherited by his stunning wife—thus Christine became Lady Weston.

Her outstanding beauty, coupled with the vast fortune left by her late husband, had made her the most coveted bride among noble youths. To marry this beautiful lady was to gain both wealth and beauty.

However, those truly willing to marry her were typically the second sons of the great houses. Without rights of inheritance or titles, marrying a renowned lady was their best path to advancement. And among all the eligible choices, Lady Christine ranked foremost.

This was why she was perpetually surrounded by a crowd of suitors, including some who, despite having inheritance rights, were drawn to her solely for her beauty.

Perhaps long years of being besieged by men had left her weary, so she devised a rule: unless she asked first, none of her suitors were permitted to introduce themselves in her presence.

Yet now, Christine herself had asked for Xiu Yi’s name.

To be questioned by a woman for whom at least a hundred men had dueled, Xiu Yi’s eyes flashed with a hint of disdainful amusement.

“Lady Christine, I have heard of your beauty and your rules. Perhaps, for someone who never lacks for admirers, asking another’s name is meant to confer great honor upon them. In your eyes, all I’ve done and said just now might seem merely to attract your attention—and it appears I’ve succeeded. But, I’m afraid you are mistaken.”

Lifting his chin with pride, Xiu Yi looked at Christine and said, “Though I will not duel for honor or dignity, neither will I sacrifice those things for a woman. So, as for your favor, I can only say this: I am not interested. As for my name, you will know it soon enough, but not in this manner of question and answer.”

The crowd erupted in astonishment; none had expected Xiu Yi to refuse Christine so arrogantly and bluntly.

Yet his attitude gave Christine’s other suitors hope. It seemed this youth had no interest in the ravishing lady—nothing was more gratifying than the disappearance of a formidable rival.

If they could, they would prefer to see this youth vanish as quickly as possible.

Seeing that all was settled, Xiu Yi turned to leave.

To him, there was no longer any need to conceal his strength, nor to bow and scrape before nobles he didn’t hold in the slightest regard.

If anyone failed to recognize this, he wouldn’t mind a little warm-up before his plans began.

Just as everyone was speculating about the identity of this mysterious youth, changes began to unfold in the sky.

A piercing whistle split the air, and the entire open-air platform seemed to ripple like waves.

A surge of immense spatial energy engulfed the Grand Lanya Theatre, pressing down upon everyone like a mountain.

The magical lamps flickered like saplings in a storm.

Many nobles cried out in alarm; some, more knowledgeable, shouted, “The spatial barrier is being breached. Someone is attempting a spatial teleportation here!”

“That’s impossible!” another exclaimed. “Who could possibly do that?”

The corner of Xiu Yi’s mouth curled into a cold sneer. “Who else? Of course it’s Archmage Abulite. But unfortunately, I doubt he will succeed in completing this teleportation.”

He raised his left hand slightly, reciting a series of mysterious incantations. Suddenly, a massive magical shield appeared out of thin air above the platform.

The white shield shone like a curtain of water rising into the sky, forming a gigantic dome that enclosed the entire platform, severing all energy transmission.

The previously turbulent air instantly calmed.

A large group of nobles stared in amazement. Someone asked Claude in horror, “When did the Browning family set up such a magical array here?”

Claude was dumbfounded. “No, this isn’t our doing. Such a massive array could only be conjured by the topmost alchemists.”

At the mention of a top alchemist, a name flashed through Claude Browning’s mind. He looked at Xiu Yi in terror, only to see the latter smiling and bowing to him; clearly, the feat just performed was his handiwork.

Claude strode toward Xiu Yi. “What on earth is happening? Why is there spatial energy fluctuation here? What is this magic shield?”

Xiu Yi replied with a light chuckle, “It’s simple, really. Archmage Abulite attempted to teleport himself directly here, but I cut off his energy transmission with this shield, so he cannot pinpoint his destination. Now, our archmage will have to go to the trouble of walking here himself.”

Abulite? Claude’s mind swam. “Why? Why would he come? And why did you do this? When did you set up this array?”

With his hands behind his back, Xiu Yi gazed up at the sky. “Shouldn’t you already know all the answers, Lord Claude Browning? Didn’t your brother instruct you to detain me in secret, strip me of all my possessions, and then dispose of my body? Didn’t your family’s warriors already surround the entire Grand Lanya Theatre?”

Upon hearing this, Claude staggered back several steps in fright.

Xiu Yi continued calmly, “Cards must be laid on the table sooner or later. Why act so surprised? I believe we have a little time to get to know each other better before Abulite arrives in fury to exact justice on us all. Oh, and don’t count on your family’s warriors. This magical shield has trapped everyone on the platform; no one can leave now. Your warriors, following your orders, are standing guard outside, but since you can’t leave, they’ll be the first to clash bloodily with Abulite. I’m sure the enraged lord won’t hesitate to slaughter all your men as a lesson for you—daring to harbor and hide an imperial traitor. Oh, and by the way, my wind lark tells me Abulite has already dispatched a squad of warriors to the Browning estate. It seems he intends to uproot your entire family. Not surprising, really, since I also happened to steal from his treasury…” A wicked smile crept across Xiu Yi’s face.

Claude turned deathly pale.

Suddenly realizing that everything was out of his control was a dreadful feeling, but the disastrous consequences were even more devastating.

By now, many nobles had discovered that the magical shield had not only cut off the flow of magical energy but also blocked all exits.

They clamored anxiously, demanding to know what was happening.

But the answer arrived swiftly.

A thunderous roar resounded above the open-air platform—it was none other than Abulite, the Sixth-Rank Archmage of Fragrant Leaf City.

“Claude, you despicable wretch! I’ve given you enough chances, yet you have squandered them all! To covet state treasures and harbor the empire’s most wanted—after today, your family is finished! Perhaps, at the moment of your death, you’ll understand the dire consequences of greed!”

A colossal human face appeared in midair, unmistakably the furious Archmage Abulite.

After his treasury was robbed yesterday, Abulite had issued a citywide order to hunt down Xiu Yi Glaire’s whereabouts. Never did he imagine that the Browning family would dare to hide Xiu Yi Glaire.

Had he not received an anonymous letter of denunciation, he’d never have believed Claude capable of such a thing.

When Abulite sent men three times to demand Fink Danito from Claude at the Grand Lanya Theatre, insisting he return to the Bureau of Legal Affairs for questioning, Claude’s repeated refusals finally aroused his suspicion.

And when Xiu Yi hinted to Claude that Xiu Yi Glaire possessed a fortune, the mobilization of Browning family warriors only further provoked Abulite’s ire.

He had originally intended to establish a spatial transmission channel to warn Claude directly about the dangers of his actions, but never expected to be shut out by a vast magical array.

There was no doubt—only Xiu Yi Glaire from Purgatory Isle could create such a magic array.

At this moment, having exhausted all patience after his treasury was plundered, Abulite took matters into his own hands.

The magical shield split the open-air platform from the outside world. Beyond, the lord’s warriors were attacking the Browning family’s forces, while on the stage, Claude stared at Xiu Yi, his face ashen, seeing in the boy’s eyes an unrestrained killing intent.

Xiu Yi strode to the high platform, surveying the crowd below. He lifted his proud chin and began the impassioned speech he had long prepared for this moment:

“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Grand Lanya Theatre! Named for the mother of our nation, this theatre is the oldest in the Lance Empire, standing for two hundred and thirty-six years. Like our country, it is decrepit, corrupt, and in decline! Yet tonight, it shall bear witness to the most splendid performance in its history—one that might, perhaps, inject a final burst of vitality into its decaying life, allowing its filthy existence to drag on just a little longer!”

“I know you nobles are bored by ornate stage performances, by contrived expressions and wooden lines! You live in luxury and idleness, ever seeking stimulation, ever chasing pleasure! Tonight, you shall have your wish—tonight will fulfill every thrill you have ever desired.”

As Xiu Yi’s voice rang out, everyone on the platform fell silent, their eyes fixed on the calmly smiling youth upon the stage.

He wore a mysterious smile.

“Strange, isn’t it? Strange that I would say such things? Strange that you do not know who I am? Be patient—the answers will soon be revealed.”

With that, he made a curious gesture, placing his left hand to his ear as if listening intently.

“Listen! In the distant woods, a pack of wild beasts are running. They are in pursuit, chasing prey that dared defy their will…”

His voice was distant and profound, as if narrating a tale. “The beasts are fierce, arrogant, and hunt in packs. The prey is weak, powerless to resist such might, and so it can only flee for its life. Suddenly, a fox blocks the prey’s path. The fox, tempted by the taste of its quarry, wishes to steal it away for itself.”

The boy’s gaze shifted toward Claude, who stood frozen in place, and his eyes twinkled slyly. “The fox is greedy, but he made a fatal mistake—the prey is different from the rest. It fights back, and when it bites, the pain is excruciating!”

“And so, what we shall hear tonight is not the pitiful cry of the prey, but the desperate, dying wails of the greedy fox as he faces his doom…”

As Xiu Yi finished speaking, the black hair atop his head began to lighten, turning into a strange, shimmering gold.

Boom!

Cries of astonishment erupted from the crowd.

“Oh my God, he’s Xiu Yi Glaire!”

“He is Xiu Yi Glaire!”

The name sent a chill through every noble present, especially the young men who had spoken to Xiu Yi earlier; they stood utterly stunned by the scene before them.

Xiu Yi lowered his hand and swept his gaze over the nobles below, smiling.

“Why be surprised? Why panic, my lords? Don’t you crave excitement? Don’t you long for blood to fill your empty lives? Aren’t you fond of duels? Aren’t you the ones who treat life as a game? Well then—tonight, I offer you the chance for a duel.”

He pointed to the front of the stage.

“I, Xiu Yi Glaire, stand here, awaiting your pursuit, your hunt, your challenge!”

“Any one of you, if you desire, may join this battle. Then, with your own bodies, you will feel, up close, the terror of death itself!”

“I believe this experience will benefit you greatly for the rest of your lives. You will never forget this night, nor the unparalleled thrill brought to you by a certain someone. And when, someday, you wish to execute a servant who has erred, perhaps you will remember a name—a man! It may make you pause and treat life with a little more respect before you act!” Xiu Yi roared.

“Here and now, I declare: from this day forth, the Browning family is officially struck from the rolls!” Xiu Yi’s hand slowly pointed at Claude. “Let the lives of the Browning family serve as the sacrifice for my rage, their blood as my warning to the Empire of Lance… If you wish to capture Xiu Yi Glaire, be sure you are prepared to pay the price!”

All fell silent, their gazes filled with terror as they stared at the youth above.

At that moment, the aura radiating from the boy was so fierce that it made their hearts tremble.

Never before had someone issued so impassioned and heroic a proclamation under such circumstances!

“Kill him!” came the command, blazing with the fury of Claude Browning, who had lost all reason. He bellowed the order at his family’s warriors.

A tide of warriors surged toward Xiu Yi.

A touch of desolation and grim resolve flashed in Xiu Yi’s eyes.

He stood firm upon the platform, softly chanting an incantation.

“In the sea of oblivion I sink, revived as all falls silent, the will of nothingness commands all… Spirit Ignite.”

The dark magic sigils branded on his body glimmered faintly. With a gentle wave of his hand, several rushing warriors clutched their heads in agony as pain exploded within their minds.

“Aaah!” they screamed, torn by the agony.

“It’s soul magic!” someone shouted in horror. “He’s a damned soul mage!”

“Not only a soul mage,” Xiu Yi returned, his eyes glittering with mirth.

A heavy sword materialized in his right hand—the very one he’d bought in that shop, inscribed with windspirit arrays.

His slender form wielded the massive sword, unleashing a torrent of blazing, colorful flames that shattered the blades flashing toward him into a spray of sparks.

Wielding the greatsword, he charged fearlessly into the midst of the warriors.

And upon the open-air platform, the bloody, frenzied dance began in earnest.