Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xia Ping, alone, confronts a group of Dragon-Man Kings.
• He uses the Star-Drawing Technique, creating a powerful gravitational field that incapacitates both Dragon-Man and human Kings.
• The Dragon-Man Kings use their Dragon Transformation ability, doubling their strength, speed, and defense.
• Xia Ping uses the Great Yin-Yang Tablet-Shattering Hand, killing three Dragon-Man Kings with a single palm strike.

Character Developments

• Xia Ping demonstrates his immense power, shocking both allies and enemies.
• The Dragon-Man Kings, initially dismissive, are forced to use their most powerful ability due to Xia Ping's threat.

Significant Themes

• Xia Ping's power and confidence are emphasized, contrasting with the Dragon-Man Kings' underestimation of him.
• The theme of strength and its consequences is explored, as the Dragon-Man Kings are forced to use their most powerful ability, which leaves them vulnerable afterward.

Character Interactions

• Xia Ping's calm demeanor is juxtaposed with the anxiety of Baili Hu and the other human Kings.
• The Dragon-Man Kings initially mock Xia Ping but are quickly forced to take him seriously.
• Xia Ping's indifference and casual tone when threatening the Dragon-Man Kings highlight his confidence and power.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xia Ping faces off against multiple Dragon-Man Kings, who transform and attack him with powerful dragon power formations.
• Xia Ping draws the Spear of Hell-Suppressing Demon, releasing vast hellish aura and revealing its ancient, unfathomable power.
• Xia Ping uses the Spear of Hell to devastating effect, destroying the dragon power formations and injuring or killing ten Dragon-Man Kings with two strikes.

Character Developments

• Xia Ping demonstrates the immense power of the Spear of Hell and his own strength, earning respect and fear from the Dragon-Man Kings and human observers.
• The Dragon-Man Kings show their formidable power but are ultimately no match for Xia Ping's might.

Significant Themes

• The power of ancient artifacts and their weapon spirits, as hinted by the Spear of Hell's awakening.
• The clash of ancient forces and mythical beings, represented by the hellish gods and devils versus the Dragon God.

Character Interactions

• Xia Ping faces off against the Dragon-Man Kings, showcasing his power and striking fear into their hearts.
• The Baili Clan generals observe Xia Ping's battle, acknowledging the immense power of the Spear of Hell and Xia Ping's abilities.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xia Ping, a human expert, effortlessly defeats ten Dragon-Man Kings, shocking the Baili Clan generals and enraging the Dragon-Man Kings.
• Twenty Dragon-Man Kings join forces to use the secret art 'Dragon Horn', a powerful attack designed to pierce cities, against Xia Ping.
• Xia Ping counters with the Spiritual Secret Art 'Lion Vajra Seal', which attacks the Dragon-Man Kings' souls, defeating them instantly.

Character Developments

• Xia Ping demonstrates overwhelming combat strength, suggesting he might be able to challenge Emperor-class experts.
• The Dragon-Man Kings, despite their fury, realize the threat Xia Ping poses to their race and decide to eliminate him at any cost.

Significant Themes

• The power dynamics between humans and the Dragon-Man Race.
• The desperation of the Dragon-Man Kings to protect their race's future.
• The use of secret arts and techniques to gain an advantage in battle.

Character Interactions

• Xia Ping vs. Dragon-Man Kings: Xia Ping's overwhelming strength and strategic use of secret arts defeat the Dragon-Man Kings.
• Baili Clan generals vs. Dragon-Man Kings: The generals are shocked by Xia Ping's strength and the Dragon-Man Kings' desperation, but they cannot intervene in the battle.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Dragon-Man Kings suffer heavy losses (30%) due to Xia Ping's spiritual secret art.
• They decide to use their trump card, Dragon God's Wrath, a destructive flame that burns all matter to nothing.
• The Dragon-Man Kings combine their power to create a scarlet fireball and launch it at Xia Ping.

Character Developments

• Xia Ping remains calm and composed, showing no fear of the impending attack.
• The Dragon-Man Kings become desperate and reckless, resorting to their most powerful attack.
• Baili Hu and the others on the city wall are frantic with worry, knowing the danger Xia Ping is in.

Significant Themes

• The power of desperation and the lengths one will go to when cornered.
• The destructive nature of certain powers and their potential for collateral damage.
• The disparity between Xia Ping's abilities and those of his opponents, highlighting his unique position.

Character Interactions

• The Dragon-Man Kings work together to create the Dragon God's Wrath, showing unity in the face of adversity.
• Xia Ping's calm demeanor contrasts with the frantic worry of Baili Hu and the others, emphasizing their differing perspectives.
• The Dragon-Man Kings' smug satisfaction at Xia Ping's perceived impending doom underscores their overconfidence.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xia Ping swallows and absorbs the Dragon-Man Race's powerful 'Dragon God's Wrath' attack, Dragon Fire, instead of being burned by it.
• Xia Ping expresses desire for more Dragon Fire, enraging the Dragon-Man Kings.
• Xia Ping uses his 'Yang God Fist' divine ability, fusing four types of exotic flames, to attack the Dragon-Man Kings, creating a massive crater and shaking Baili City.

Character Developments

• Xia Ping demonstrates his ability to absorb and control powerful flames, further enhancing his Hell Golden Crow Bloodline.
• The Dragon-Man Kings, particularly Vester, are shocked and disheartened by Xia Ping's ability to consume their powerful Dragon Fire.

Significant Themes

• The power of Xia Ping's Hell Golden Crow Bloodline and his ability to absorb and control exotic flames.
• The shock and disbelief of the Dragon-Man Kings, highlighting the power imbalance and Xia Ping's status as their nemesis.

Character Interactions

• Xia Ping and the Dragon-Man Kings: Xia Ping's actions and words enrage and shock the Dragon-Man Kings, while he expresses disinterest in them once they can no longer produce Dragon Fire.
• Xia Ping and Baili Hu: Not directly present, but Baili Hu mourns Xia Ping's perceived death, highlighting Xia Ping's importance to the human race.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xia Ping unleashes the Yang God Fist, which creates a sea of terrifying flames, burning and killing over thirty Dragon-Man Kings.
• Vester, enraged, attempts to kill Xia Ping but is stopped by a spatial treasure containing twenty hidden Dragon-Man Kings.
• Xia Ping's Golden Slime transforms into ten thousand blades, effortlessly piercing and killing the twenty hidden Dragon-Man Kings.
• Xia Ping strikes down Vester with a single backhand palm, killing him instantly.

Character Developments

• Xia Ping demonstrates mastery over a powerful flame, likely Dragon Fire, but with unique properties.
• Vester, desperate to kill Xia Ping, uses a spatial treasure to hide Dragon-Man Kings and ambush Xia Ping, but his plan fails.
• Xia Ping's Golden Slime evolves, transforming into countless sharp blades, showcasing its adaptability and power.

Significant Themes

• The power of Xia Ping's flames and the Golden Slime highlights the theme of unexpected and overwhelming force.
• The theme of desperation and last-ditch efforts is shown through Vester's actions and their consequences.

Character Interactions

• Xia Ping and Vester's interaction is one of intense hostility, with Vester trying to kill Xia Ping and failing miserably.
• The Baili Clan generals watch the battle in awe and concern, realizing Xia Ping's incredible power and the danger he poses to the Dragon-Man Race.

Key Plot Points and Events

• A massive Dragon-Man army, led by a hundred Dragon-Man Kings, attacks Baili City.
• Xia Ping, a human expert, single-handedly kills seventy to eighty Dragon-Man Kings, turning the tide of battle.
• The remaining Dragon-Man Kings retreat, and the human army pursues and defeats the fleeing Dragon-Man troops.
• Xia Ping chases down and kills the last of the Dragon-Man Kings, preventing any from escaping.

Character Developments

• Xia Ping demonstrates incredible combat power, comparable to an Emperor Realm expert, earning the respect and gratitude of the Baili Clan generals.
• The Baili Clan generals, previously oppressed by the Dragon-Man Race, gain confidence and pride from their sweeping victory.

Significant Themes

• The power dynamics between humans and the Dragon-Man Race shift as humans gain a significant advantage.
• Revenge and hatred are shown to be reciprocal, with both sides vowing to eliminate the other.

Character Interactions

• Xia Ping and the Baili Clan generals work together to defeat the Dragon-Man army, with Xia Ping taking the lead in the final pursuit and slaughter of the Dragon-Man Kings.
• The Dragon-Man Kings, despite their initial arrogance, beg for mercy upon facing Xia Ping's wrath, highlighting the disparity in power between them.
• The Baili Clan generals express their gratitude and admiration for Xia Ping's role in their victory.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Dragon-Man Race elders are gathered, discussing the war with the Human Race, expecting an easy victory against a single human city, Baili City.
• They bet on how long it would take for their army to win, treating the war as a game.
• Scouts report that the Dragon-Man army has been annihilated, and a human, Xia Ping, has single-handedly killed a hundred Dragon-Man Kings.
• The Dragon-Man Emperor issues a "Dragon-Man Kill Order" to eliminate Xia Ping.

Character Developments

• Xia Ping is introduced as a newly advanced human King with monstrous combat strength, capable of defeating a hundred Kings of the Dragon-Man Race.
• The Dragon-Man Emperor is established as the supreme ruler of the Dragon-Man Race and the strongest being on the Dragon God Continent.

Significant Themes

• The underestimation of the human race by the Dragon-Man Race, leading to their shock and disbelief at their defeat.
• The power dynamics between the human and Dragon-Man races, with the Dragon-Man Race initially believing themselves to be superior.

Character Interactions

• The Dragon-Man elders interact with each other, initially displaying arrogance and confidence in their race's superiority, but later showing shock, disbelief, and anger at their defeat.
• The Dragon-Man Emperor interacts with the elders by issuing the kill order, showing his authority and determination to eliminate the threat posed by Xia Ping.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The human elders gather in the Holy City, helpless to defend Baili City against the Dragon-Man Race's attack.
• News arrives that Baili City has won a great victory against the Dragon-Man army, routing a million-strong force and liberating eighteen cities.
• Xia Hengkong, a human with peak King Realm cultivation but Emperor Realm combat strength, is identified as the hero behind this victory.

Character Developments

• Xia Ping, now known as Xia Hengkong, demonstrates extraordinary combat prowess, defeating over a hundred Dragon-Man Kings.
• The human elders are shocked by Xia Hengkong's feats and suspect the appearance of another Emperor Realm expert in the human race.

Significant Themes

• The power dynamics between the human and Dragon-Man races.
• The importance of strong individuals in shaping the fate of their people.
• The transformative potential of the Dragon Crystals.

Character Interactions

• The human elders interact with each other, expressing their frustration and disbelief at the news of Baili City's victory.
• Xia Ping interacts with the Hell Golden Crow within him, as the Dragon Blood from the Dragon Crystals attempts to transform his body and is resisted by the Hell Golden Crow.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xia Ping consumes Dragon Crystals, significantly enhancing his physique and bloodline.
• The system informs Xia Ping that he has gained 500 million Hate Points, totaling 1.5 billion.
• Xia Ping learns that Yu Qiqi and the others are trapped in the Dragon God Forbidden Land within Dragon God City.
• Xia Ping decides to head to Dragon God City to rescue them.

Character Developments

• Xia Ping's power increases dramatically after consuming Dragon Crystals, approaching the Treasure Refining Realm.
• Xia Ping's determination to rescue Yu Qiqi and the others grows stronger.

Significant Themes

• Power and strength: Xia Ping's continuous growth and his desire to face stronger opponents.
• Fate and destiny: Xia Ping's journey to find Yu Qiqi and the others, and their contrasting experiences in the True Dragon Nest.
• The system's omnipotence: The system's ability to investigate the whereabouts of Yu Qiqi and the others.

Character Interactions

• Xia Ping interacts with the system, learning about Yu Qiqi and the others' location.
• Xia Ping meets Baili Hu, who informs him about a visitor from the Holy City.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xia Ping decides to go to Dragon Horn City, the gateway to the Dragon-Man Race's main city, despite its heavy defense and six Emperor Realm powerhouses.
• A Dragon-Man army, with thousands of soldiers and tens of thousands of human slaves, is advancing towards Dragon Horn City. The slaves are treated brutally, with no regard for their lives.

Character Developments

• Xia Ping: Shows determination to face the Dragon-Man Race's main stronghold, indicating his growing power and confidence.
• Human Slaves: Display resilience and hope, even in their dire situation, after hearing about Xia Ping's actions against the Dragon-Man Race.

Significant Themes

• Oppression and Resistance: The brutal treatment of human slaves by the Dragon-Man Race highlights the oppressive nature of their rule, while the slaves' resilience and hope signify their resistance.
• Power Dynamics: The mention of Xia Ping's actions and the Dragon-Man Emperor's involvement emphasizes the power struggle between the human and Dragon-Man races.

Character Interactions

• Xia Ping and Baili Hu: Xia Ping's decision to go to Dragon Horn City surprises and concerns Baili Hu, showing his loyalty and care for Xia Ping's safety.
• Dragon-Man Soldiers and Human Slaves: The interaction between the Dragon-Man soldiers and human slaves illustrates the harsh and dehumanizing treatment of the slaves, as well as the soldiers' disregard for their lives.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xia Ping, a human with combat strength comparable to an Emperor, arrives near Dragon Horn City, seeking Dragon God City.
• Dragon-Man soldiers, fearing Xia Ping's reputation, attempt to kill him, but he effortlessly defeats three King-level Dragon-Man generals with a single finger strike.

Character Developments

• Xia Ping demonstrates his power and confidence, showing no fear of the Dragon-Man soldiers.
• Gongsun Yang, a captured human King, shows defiance and contempt towards the Dragon-Man commander.

Significant Themes

• The power imbalance and tension between the Human Race and the Dragon-Man Race.
• The fear and respect that Xia Ping's reputation commands among the Dragon-Man soldiers.

Character Interactions

• Xia Ping and the Dragon-Man commander: The commander fears Xia Ping and orders an attack, but Xia Ping defeats the three generals with ease.
• Gongsun Yang and the Dragon-Man commander: Gongsun Yang provokes the commander, questioning the Dragon-Man Race's power and the Dragon-Man Kill Order.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xia Ping, a human expert, arrives and instantly kills three King-level Dragon-Man commanders.
• Over a thousand Dragon-Man soldiers are ordered to stall Xia Ping until reinforcements arrive.
• Xia Ping uses his Martial Arts Divine Ability, Great Yin-Yang Tablet-Shattering Hand, to kill all the Dragon-Man soldiers with a single palm strike, flattening them into the ground.
• Xia Ping learns about Dragon Horn City and its significance as a gateway to Dragon God City from Gongsun Yang, a human slave.
• Xia Ping frees Gongsun Yang and the other human slaves from their shackles.

Character Developments

• Xia Ping demonstrates his immense power, instilling fear and awe in both Dragon-Man soldiers and human slaves.
• Gongsun Yang shows respect and reverence towards Xia Ping, recognizing him as a legendary human hero.

Significant Themes

• The power dynamics between humans and Dragon-Men are highlighted, with Xia Ping's strength challenging the perceived invincibility of the Dragon-Man Race.
• The theme of freedom is emphasized as Xia Ping liberates the human slaves from their shackles.

Character Interactions

• Xia Ping interacts with Gongsun Yang, learning about Dragon Horn City and expressing his intention to challenge the Dragon-Man Emperors in Dragon God City.
• Gongsun Yang and the other human slaves express concern for Xia Ping's safety and discuss their plans to escape the Dragon-Man Race's territory.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Batik, the City Lord of Dragon Horn City, convenes a meeting of Dragon-Man Kings to discuss the Dragon-Man Kill Order, which offers a wish granted by the Emperors upon completion.
• The Kings express their eagerness to help Batik kill Xia Ping, the target of the order, to gain his favor and benefits.
• Urgent military intelligence reports that Xia Ping has attacked and defeated three Dragon-Man commanders outside the city, killing over a thousand soldiers and rescuing human slaves.
• Xia Ping is revealed to be heading towards Dragon Horn City, intending to challenge the Dragon-Man Emperors in Dragon God City.

Character Developments

• Batik: Displayed ambition to become a Dragon-Man Emperor and anger at Xia Ping's audacity.
• Dragon-Man Kings: Revealed their desire for power and status, some with hidden schemes to complete the Dragon-Man Kill Order themselves.

Significant Themes

• Ambition and power hunger among the Dragon-Man Kings.
• Arrogance and defiance in Xia Ping's actions.
• The desire for recognition and status among the Dragon-Man Race.

Character Interactions

• Batik and the Dragon-Man Kings: Batik attempts to rally the Kings to help him kill Xia Ping, while some Kings plot to complete the mission themselves.
• Xia Ping and the Dragon-Man Race: Xia Ping's actions provoke the Dragon-Man Race, particularly Batik and the Kings, who see him as a threat and an insult to their pride.

Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xia Ping, a human, invades Dragon Horn City, the Dragon-Man Race's fortress, kicking apart its gates.
• City Lord Batik and other Dragon-Man Kings are enraged and horrified by the breach.
• Xia Ping calmly states he's only passing through and was blocked, infuriating Batik.

Character Developments

• Batik: Transitions from shock and fear to anger and determination to eliminate Xia Ping.
• Xia Ping: Remains calm and composed, showing no fear despite the overwhelming odds against him.

Significant Themes

• The power dynamics between humans and Dragon-Man Race, with Xia Ping's actions challenging the latter's dominance.
• The consequences of underestimating an opponent, as seen in Batik's initial disbelief and subsequent anger.

Character Interactions

• Xia Ping and Batik: Xia Ping's calm demeanor contrasts with Batik's escalating anger, highlighting their power imbalance and differing mindsets.
• Xia Ping and the Dragon-Man Kings: Xia Ping's presence and actions instill fear and awe in the Dragon-Man Kings, making them cautious and hesitant to act rashly.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xia Ping uses the Heavenly Dragon Eight Sounds, a powerful divine ability, to incapacitate most of Dragon Horn City's Dragon-Man population, including its elite soldiers and kings.
• Batik, the Lord of Dragon Horn City, is killed with a single punch from Xia Ping.
• Several hundred Dragon-Man Kings attack Xia Ping, but he easily defeats them using his Lightning Fist martial divine ability, killing over a hundred kings in just three minutes.

Character Developments

• Xia Ping demonstrates immense power and control over his abilities, showing no signs of fatigue or struggle despite using powerful techniques.
• The Dragon-Man Kings, despite their strength and numbers, are shown to be no match for Xia Ping, highlighting their overconfidence and underestimation of his abilities.

Significant Themes

• The power of bloodlines: The Dragon-Men, despite being part dragon, are suppressed by Xia Ping's true dragon bloodline, demonstrating the innate superiority of pure bloodlines.
• Strength and fear: Xia Ping's display of power instills fear in the Dragon-Man Kings, showing how strength can control and intimidate others.

Character Interactions

• Xia Ping and the Dragon-Man Kings: Xia Ping's interactions with the Dragon-Man Kings are one-sided, with him easily defeating them and showing no fear or respect for their power.
• Xia Ping and Batik: Xia Ping's killing of Batik serves as a turning point, demonstrating his seriousness and the consequences of underestimating him.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xia Ping, having reached Emperor level, easily defeats and scares off the Dragon-Man Kings of Dragon Horn City.
• The Dragon-Man Kings retreat to Dragon God City, leaving Dragon Horn City unguarded.
• Xia Ping loots the City Lord's Mansion, taking all the treasures, spirit herbs, Spirit Liquid, refining materials, and Dragon Crystals.
• The Dragon-Man Kings alert Dragon God City to the invasion, sounding war horns for the first time in history.

Character Developments

• Xia Ping demonstrates his immense power, striking fear into the Dragon-Man Kings and proving himself a formidable opponent.
• The Dragon-Man Kings show cowardice and panic, fleeing Dragon Horn City and alerting Dragon God City to the threat.

Significant Themes

• Power dynamics: Xia Ping's strength intimidates the Dragon-Man Kings, turning the tables on their initial invasion.
• Wealth and resources: Dragon Horn City's treasure vault showcases the Dragon-Man Race's vast wealth and resources, which Xia Ping plunders.
• Fear and panic: The Dragon-Man Kings' reaction to Xia Ping's power highlights their fear and desperation.

Character Interactions

• Xia Ping interacts with the Dragon-Man Kings, displaying his power and instilling fear in them.
• The Dragon-Man Kings interact with each other, fleeing Dragon Horn City and alerting Dragon God City to the threat.
• Xia Ping interacts with the artifact spirits of the Mountain River Bead (Green Ox) and the Golden Slime, handing over the looted resources for them to manage or consume.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The chapter opens with Gran Emperor, a powerful Emperor Realm expert of the Dragon-Man Race, fishing on a cliff near Dragon God City.
• A group of Dragon-Man Kings, elders of the Dragon-Man Race, approach Gran Emperor, seeking his help against a human named Xia Ping who has breached Dragon Horn City and is heading towards Dragon God City.
• Xia Ping is described as possessing Emperor Realm combat power while only at the King Realm, having killed over a hundred Dragon-Man Kings and knocking out a million elite soldiers.
• Gran Emperor decides to confront Xia Ping, while the Dragon-Man Kings suggest inviting other Gran Emperors to help.

Character Developments

• Gran Emperor is introduced as a calm, powerful, and somewhat arrogant figure, confident in his abilities and dismissive of the human race.
• The Dragon-Man Kings are shown to be powerful in their own right but fearful and respectful of Gran Emperor, and somewhat lacking in confidence in their ability to stop Xia Ping.

Significant Themes

• The theme of power and its misuse is evident, with Gran Emperor's casual disregard for life and the Dragon-Man Kings' fear of Xia Ping.
• The theme of racial superiority is also present, with Gran Emperor's belief that only the Dragon-Man Race should be the true overlord on Dragon God Continent.

Character Interactions

• Gran Emperor interacts with the Dragon-Man Kings with a sense of superiority, using his power to intimidate them.
• The Dragon-Man Kings interact with each other with a sense of fear and desperation, seeking Gran Emperor's help to stop Xia Ping.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xia Ping, a human Emperor, arrives at Dragon God City, the capital of the Dragon-Man Race.
• Emperor Gelan, leader of the Dragon-Man Race, confronts Xia Ping, displaying his power by freezing a Blood-Devouring Demon Bird with a single move.
• Xia Ping effortlessly incapacitates thousands of Dragon-Man soldiers and residents with a powerful divine-sense attack, demonstrating his overwhelming strength.

Character Developments

• Emperor Gelan: Shows his might and confidence, ready to face Xia Ping.
• Xia Ping: Proves his power and composure, treating the Dragon-Man Race's display of force with nonchalance.

Significant Themes

• Power dynamics and respect for strength.
• The gulf between newly ascended and experienced Emperors.
• The human race's status as a slave race in the Dragon-Man Race's eyes.

Character Interactions

• Xia Ping and Emperor Gelan: Their initial encounter sets the stage for their conflict, with Xia Ping's display of power challenging Emperor Gelan's authority.
• Xia Ping and the Dragon-Man soldiers/residents: Xia Ping's divine-sense attack incapacitates thousands, demonstrating his disregard for the Dragon-Man Race's might.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xia Ping, an Emperor Realm expert, arrives at Dragon God City, causing significant damage and casualties.
• He states his intention to enter the Dragon God Forbidden Land, angering the Dragon-Man Kings and elders.
• Hundreds of Dragon-Man Kings attack Xia Ping, but he uses his Divine Ability, Boundless Gravity, to incapacitate them.
• Xia Ping lectures the pinned Dragon-Man Kings about their helplessness and lack of qualification to challenge him.

Character Developments

• Xia Ping demonstrates his immense power and confidence, showing no fear of the Dragon-Man Race's strength.
• The Dragon-Man Kings and elders display their anger and frustration at Xia Ping's audacity and their own helplessness.

Significant Themes

• Power dynamics and the consequences of underestimating one's opponent.
• The humiliation and frustration of being powerless in the face of overwhelming force.
• The arrogance of Xia Ping, both in his words and actions, and its impact on the Dragon-Man Race.

Character Interactions

• Xia Ping interacts with the Dragon-Man Kings and elders, showing no respect for their authority or power.
• The Dragon-Man Kings and elders interact with each other, expressing their shared anger and frustration at Xia Ping's actions.
• Xia Ping's calm and indifferent demeanor contrasts sharply with the Dragon-Man Kings' fury and desperation.