Far West—Haining Alliance.
Dense clusters of islands, like shattered porcelain, lay scattered across the blue sea.
At the heart of the archipelago, in its most central region,
stood towering, rugged gray buildings built like enormous tower ships. This was the Haining Alliance headquarters—the Haining Palace.
The atmosphere within the palace was heavy and oppressive.
Guards and maids alike remained silent, not daring to make a sound. Even as they walked, they lowered their heads and eyes, terrified that the slightest noise would bring calamity upon them.
Haining Palace did not possess many complicated structures. It could generally be divided into three sections: front, central, and rear.
At this moment, deep within the rear palace, inside a hall studded everywhere with luxurious coral, pearls, and gemstones,
"Father!" A woman in a black dress wept uncontrollably as she knelt beside the bed, gripping the large hand of the man lying upon it.
"Qing'er."
The man on the bed wore a peaceful expression, though traces of reluctance and desolation lingered in his eyes. If not for the enormous bowl-shaped bloody hole in his chest, through which one could see straight from his front to his back, no one would have believed that he was gravely wounded and on the brink of death.
He tightly squeezed his daughter's hand. His eyes were filled with attachment, regret, and sorrow.
"After I am gone, do not concern yourself with the alliance. Take our clansmen and leave immediately. Do not remain in the Far West. Remember this!"
"Father... You will not die! You definitely will not!!" The black-clad woman was drenched in tears, trembling all over.
"Do not be afraid. I have arranged everything." Mo Nian transmitted his voice. "Leave at once. Take advantage of the time while I can still hold the situation under control. After