Volume One: Intrigue in the Imperial Capital-A Thousand-Year Wish (Part One)

Rewind a moment, almost at the same time Haoyue and I rushed out of the river harbor and stepped onto the bridge spanning the river—

The central courtyard of the imperial palace.

Compared to the previous matches held in the central square, the number of spectators here was significantly reduced, with only a few hundred people in the four-sided stands at most.

However, fewer people does not mean lower standards.

The stands radiated outwards in a wing-like fashion, centered around a luxuriously canopied central seat. Each seat was carved from ebony and equipped with a parasol, binoculars, and even a small tea table laden with various drinks. Those who could attend the semi-finals and finals at the palace were all high-ranking nobles, the wealthy, or their relatives, each dressed in lavish and flamboyant attire, displaying themselves before the matches began.

Beneath the most luxurious canopy sat Emperor Si Nan Liang and Prime Minister Haiton Cleon, next to them were high-ranking officials and imperial guards—most of whom were from the Si Nan Family or Cleon Family.

The Si Nan Family and Cleon Family were seated on the east and west sides of the stands, respectively. Both Patriarch sat comfortably, surrounded by their retainers, awaiting the start of the match. Si Nan Zheng Si Nan Changzheng sat next to Sinan Zheng; the seemingly frail old man exuded a terrifying aura, preventing anyone from making a sound. Connie Cleon sat next to Don Cleon, her expression inscrutable.

The atmosphere at the Si Nan Family was a bit unusual.

"Haven't you found Liu Ye yet?" Si Nan Zheng asked, frowning.

"I'm sorry, Patriarch... I haven't heard from you until just now."

Si Nan Hong and the others from Nanyuan were all ashen-faced. They had cursed that person a thousand times in their hearts, but that guy had just vanished without a trace.

"Is that so... However, it seems the Tartaglia Family isn't doing too well either."

Si Nan Zheng looking towards the other side of the audience, where Philip Tartaglia and several high-ranking family officials were sitting together, their faces so gloomy they could drip water.

"When we first learned that Haoyue Tartaglia had also disappeared, we immediately contacted her family's officials, hoping to share information, but they had no leads either..."

The deaths of Si Nan Feng, Liu Ye, and Haoyue—these three events were discovered almost simultaneously, making it hard to believe there's no connection between them.

"With this, two of the four contestants are now fewer, and both of them are strong contenders for the championship... Ha, things are really going to get interesting. This clan competition is quite a spectacle." It was Si Nan Changzheng who spoke, with a half-smile on his face.

"Ah... this..." After being teased by the strongest person, Elder Hong was no longer just ashen-faced, but completely lifeless.

"By the way, Gan Ming and Cheng'er didn't come either; only Xing'er did."

"Huh!?"

Elder Hong was startled and looked around, but he couldn't find the Third Young Master and the Fourth Young Master anywhere.

Where did those two kids disappear to?

"Xiao Ye... she still hasn't shown up?"

In the contestants' preparation room, Si Nan Ying was making her final preparations, but she was clearly distracted.

"Yes, Rui Feng and the intelligence department are still searching, but haven't found anything yet."

Si Nan Xiao was combing her hair, and the thick book that she always carried with her was placed at her feet.

"Ugh... It's already the finals, what is she waiting for?!"

"Yeah, it's already the finals..."

Si Nan Xiao stopped what she was doing and quietly looked at Si Nan Ying.

"Little sister, you've grown up..."

"Huh? Why are you suddenly bringing this up?"

"You used to be so innocent and naive, always doing silly things, but deep in your eyes there was always loneliness and confusion—I know I'm not qualified to judge you since I've always been indifferent to you, but I really felt it when I came back this time—you've changed, you've shed your confusion and become more mature."

"..." Si Nan Ying remained silent.

"Is it because of... Miss Ye?" Si Nan Xiao asked cautiously.

"... elder sister."

"Um?"

"I think... I've fallen for Xiao Ye."

"Really? That's great, I like her too."

"No, it's not the affection of a friend, but... the affection of a lover..."

"--!"

Si Nan Xiao's shoulders trembled, and for a moment her heart felt like it was being gripped.

"At first, I only considered her a friend, but later, my heart would race whenever I thought of her, I felt so happy whenever I saw her, and her smile made me feel so blissful. I felt really uncomfortable whenever that 'moon girl' got close to her..."

"Stop, stop talking," Si Nan Xiao clutched her chest.

"I think this feeling must be... Sister? What's wrong?"

"--Huh? Uh, no, it's nothing..."

Si Nan Ying turned her head away, somewhat puzzled, and remained silent.

Oh dear, this is troublesome, Si Nan Xiao thought to herself.

I really don't want to become rivals for love with my own sister...

"Now, let's begin the first match of the semifinals: Si Nan Ying, the second young lady of the Si Nan Family, versus Nicole Cleon of the Cleon Family!"

With both of them absent, it's natural that these two will have to compete first.

Amidst thunderous applause and enthusiastic cheers, Si Nan Ying patted her cheeks and walked onto the lavishly decorated ring. Nicole Cleon was already standing on the ring, still dressed in her gown-like attire, her face displaying an arrogant expression.

However, no one applauded from the Cleon Family's side—to be precise, everyone there, including the Patriarch Don Cleon, was locked in place by Si Nan Changzheng's oppressive aura, and no one dared to make a move.

The semifinals have finally arrived... Thinking about the hardships she had overcome, Si Nan Ying unconsciously clenched her fists.

Xiao Ye... I don't know where you are, but I promise I won't let you down!

I will work hard together, including your share!

"Fine, come on! You vicious shrew! I'll make you crawl on the ground!" Si Nan Ying shouted, determined not to lose in terms of momentum!

"...Hehe." Faced with Si Nan Ying's provocation, Nicole just smiled and remained completely unmoved, which was completely inconsistent with her arrogant behavior in the previous competition.

If you look closely, you can see that her eyes are sparkling with excitement, and her hands are trembling with excitement. Of course, Si Nan Ying doesn't notice any of this.

"Both sides, take your positions. Clan semi-finals, countdown -- 3 -- 2 --"

"Wait a minute!"

It was stopped.

The referee, caught off guard by Nicole's sudden outburst, was stunned.

The audience exchanged bewildered glances. Interrupting the referee was a serious breach of respect; what was Nicole Cleon up to?

Only Si Nan Changzheng seemed to sense something, and narrowed his eyes slightly.

"There's no need to count down anymore—or rather, there's no need to compete anymore!"

Nicole lifted her skirt, twirled slightly, bowed to everyone, and then announced with an extremely proud and glorious expression:

"This is a glorious moment!"

It is the culmination of many years of hard work by the Cleon Family!

It is the greatest honor of my life Nicole Cleon, to be the announcer for this scene!

I now declare--"

Nicole dramatically spread her arms, embracing the sky.

"The Revival Plan, the final act, now begins!"

As her words fell—

Click! Click! Click!

On the arena, in the stands, and even inside the palace, dozens of hidden doors opened, and countless fully armed warriors rushed out! They all exuded a Killing Intent, and were all valiant warriors who had been tempered by life and death for a long time! The warriors' uniforms were embroidered with the Cleon Family crest, and it was clear at a glance who they belonged to!

Chaos erupted instantly. The nobles screamed and fled, Si Nan Ying remained on the arena, bewildered, while Emperor Si Nan Liang was utterly dumbfounded—even if it wasn't the true center of power, the palace was still the palace! When did the Cleon Family deploy so many elite troops here!?

At that moment, a powerful voice resounded throughout the hall. Don Cleon and the Cleon Family's top leaders stood up and roared:

"For a thousand years, my Cleon Family has endured humiliation! Now is the time for our thousand-year-old wish to be fulfilled! Our target is— Si Nan Zheng's head!"

"Oh my god!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

"Long live the Cleon Family!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

"Forward! Do not fear death! This is the most glorious sacrifice!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

The warriors roared and formed a neat line, rushing towards the Si Nan Family's seat like countless locusts!

"So that's how it is... No wonder you've been causing trouble in the city lately, trying to divert the Si Nan Family's attention from the palace! You actually resorted to this!" Si Nan Zheng was fearless, slamming his fist on the table and rising to his feet. "A bunch of rats, daring to call themselves glorious? The Si Nan Family, kill them all! Leave no one alive!"

"Yes, sir!!!!!!!"

Instantly, dozens of warriors from the Si Nan Family in the audience leaped up, their supernatural powers shining brightly. Without the slightest hesitation, they charged directly at the countless Cleon warriors!

The moment the two families clashed, the deafening sounds of battle shook the very soul. Large amounts of blood splattered everywhere, and countless beams of light, lightning bolts, and fireballs flew about in a chaotic scene!

Si Nan Ying and Si Nan Xiao were not idle either. Si Nan Ying kept releasing exploding bubbles, and in the blink of an eye, she reaped the lives of more than a dozen people; Si Nan Xiao flipped through the pages of her book, and countless brave and skilled characters jumped out of the book, forming a sizable army; Si Nan Hong released countless yellow light screens to protect his tribesmen who were fighting.

However, despite the strength of the Si Nan Family, they were no match for sheer numbers. Under the siege of countless warriors, they were forced to retreat step by step, and their defensive line was now right in front of the Patriarch Si Nan Zheng!

"Is this all the younger generation can do? Looks like it's my turn to step in..."

A voice softly rang out.

The sound wasn't loud, but it attracted everyone's attention.

Si Nan Changzheng dusted himself off, slowly stood up, and his gaze sharpened!

The entire central courtyard of the palace visibly distorted. The once invincible warriors let out a strange cry and plummeted to the ground! They were all pressed tightly against the ground, their bodies twisted as if being crushed by something invisible! Within seconds, dozens of them were ground into mincemeat!

Si Nan Changzheng, the strongest member of the Si Nan Family, and also --

The ultimate gravity manipulator!

"You old scoundrel, Nagamasa, you've finally made your move!"

With a loud shout, the three Cleon Family brothers— Fred, Mike, and Tim— leaped into the air, transforming into a streak of light as they charged straight at Si Nan Changzheng!

Then look at Si Nan Changzheng. He simply pointed his right hand into the air, and some invisible thing immediately condensed into an all-encompassing shield, sending the three young masters flying at the same time!

With another clenched fist, the space a hundred meters above the ground twisted a few times, contorting into a gigantic, transparent fist that slammed down mercilessly!

Blood, entrails, and body parts splattered dozens of meters high, and more than half of the fully armed warriors were turned into mincemeat! Even the Si Nan Family members turned their heads away at the scene, not daring to look any longer!

This is the advanced form of Si Nan Changzheng's gravity manipulation ability—Mimicry Mass!

"Heh heh, what's wrong? You were shouting so loudly just now, and you're already done for?" Si Nan Changzheng stomped on the ground and flew into the sky at an astonishing speed, looking down at the crowd. "I rarely make a move, so why not make the scene even grander?"

With a gentle lift of both hands --

Rumble rumble rumble rumble!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The earth shook violently, producing a series of booming sounds. The cracking and splintering of earth and rocks were deafening. The magnificent palace was completely uprooted, and the city walls and gardens were also lifted into the air. The entire competition venue, including everyone who had not had time to escape, was lifted into the sky at an extremely high speed!

The imperial Imperial City of the capital, which is comparable in size to the Forbidden City on Earth, was lifted three hundred meters into the air by Si Nan Changzheng's manipulation of gravity!

Everyone was stunned, even Si Nan Zheng's expression changed slightly—this was the first time he had ever truly witnessed Si Nan Changzheng's fighting prowess! So powerful, so brutal, so invincible, this was the strongest member of their Si Nan Family!

As for those who slipped through the net...

With a flick of his wrist, Si Nan Changzheng conjured countless giant hands from his simulated mass, capturing all the remaining warriors! With another squeeze, they instantly exploded into countless pieces of minced meat, none escaping unscathed!

"Next up is—you!"

Si Nan Changzheng stared coldly at Don Cleon. The gravity around Don Clyon bound him tightly like shackles, and the grinding sound of his joints could be heard from afar.

"Don Cleon... I admire your courage for daring to cause trouble with me here, but... this is the end for the Cleon Family. I should have done it a long time ago!"

With a clenched fist, the shackles of gravity tightened abruptly, and Tang, his body contorted, let out a loud laugh.

"Um!?"

Si Nan Changzheng then realized that something was wrong.

But it was too late.

While he focused all his attention on the countless warriors and Tang, he naturally relaxed his vigilance towards those behind him.

Rather, he didn't need to be wary at all.

Mimicry mass surrounds him at all times, forming the strongest barrier that no one present can break through.

It was supposedly invincible.

But,

Si Nan Changzheng lowered his head, trembling.

There was a large hole in the area around the heart.

Just a split second ago, a beam of light, a tapestry of lightning and flame, shattered the mimicry mass.

It pierced his chest.

Tang laughed wildly.

Si Nan Family was dumbfounded.

Si Nan Zheng the first to come to his senses and looked in the direction from which the attack had been launched.

Who did it?

Although it was a sneak attack, who exactly was capable of severely injuring the strongest member of the Si Nan Family with a single blow?

Not Nicole

It wasn't Fred, Mike, or Tim either.

Of course, it wouldn't be Tang either.

The one who did it was--

Haiton Cleon!?

Prime Minister Haiton maintained his outstretched arm posture, his usual gloomy expression vanished, replaced by a terrifying coldness.

One hand was wreathed in lightning and flames, the other in frost and gale.

Standing next to him was Connie Cleon.

"The ability to manipulate four elements simultaneously... you... you are... you actually..."

Si Nan Changzheng turned around, trembling, his eyes filled with disbelief.

"You're not Haiton, you're... Victor Cleon!!!"

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Finally, we've reached this chapter! I originally wanted to split it into two chapters, but I managed to resist.