"Father, rest assured." Linley's voice was so low that only he could hear it. "Paterson... everyone who has hurt our clan, I'll find them."
Three days later, Linley was appointed a court mage of the Fenlai Kingdom, elevated to the rank of marquis, and granted a sprawling mansion in the city. The mansion stood on the eastern side of the noble district, just two streets from the royal palace. It had once belonged to a duke who had been convicted of a crime.
Late at night on the seventh day after moving into the new mansion.
Linley was in his study, leafing through notes sorted from his father's belongings. The Dragonblood Secret Codex lay open on the desk. Doehring Cowart's illusory figure floated nearby, his white brows slightly furrowed.
"Little Linley, someone is spying on us from outside the wall at the northwest corner of the mansion," Doehring Cowart suddenly said. "He's been there for a quarter of an hour. He's hiding his aura well, but he's at least a Seventh-level Warrior."
Linley's gaze sharpened, and he closed the codex. "Who does he work for? The Dark Church?"
"Doesn't seem like it." Doehring Cowart shook his head. "There's only one of him, and... there's something strangely familiar about his aura."
Linley rose, took the Purple Blood Soft Sword from a hidden compartment in the bookshelf, and wrapped it around his waist. He opened the study window and slipped out without a sound.
Clouds hid the moon, and the trees cast looming shadows throughout the mansion's garden. Linley moved through the darkness and soon reached the northwest corner. Guided by Doehring Cowart, he located a figure behind an old oak tree.
The man seemed to sense something. He suddenly emerged from behind the tree, leaped over the three-meter-high wall, and landed lightly on the lawn.
Linley was about to attack when he caught a glimpse of the newcomer's face in the faint light filtering through a gap in the clouds.
It was a young, resolute face, with dark brown hair and features... that were remarkably similar to his own. The man was taller and more powerfully built, however, with broad shoulders and a thick back. His simple brown leather armor could not conceal the knotted muscles beneath it.
"Brother," the newcomer said, keeping his voice low, though the excitement in it was unmistakable.
Linley's pupils contracted.
"Wharton?"
The young man before him, who looked eighteen or nineteen, was none other than his younger brother, Wharton Baruch, who had been only seven when Linley left home! But in just a few years, Wharton had changed so much-not just in appearance, but in the imposing presence he carried, steady as a mountain.
Wharton strode forward and hugged Linley tightly before he could react. "I found you."
Linley could feel the strength in his brother's arms. It was far beyond what an ordinary warrior possessed. He took a deep breath and hugged Wharton back, his voice trembling slightly. "How did you come to be here? Wushan Town..."
"I went back." Wharton released him, his expression turning grave.
Doehring Cowart's illusory figure drifted over to the brothers, studying Wharton with interest. "Little fellow, long time no see."
"Long time no see, Grandpa Doehring," Wharton said to Doehring Cowart. Then he turned to Linley. "Brother, let's find somewhere safe to talk."
Linley nodded and led Wharton back to the study. After making sure the doors and windows were shut tight, he cast a soundproofing magic barrier.
Only then did Wharton let out a long breath. He surveyed the study's luxurious furnishings. "A court mage, a marquis's mansion... Brother, you've done well for yourself."
"Empty titles, that's all." Linley poured Wharton a cup of water. "Wharton, where have you been all these years? Why have you grown so fast? And your strength..."
Wharton took the cup and drained it. When he put it down, his expression turned serious. "Brother, I came across some opportunities after I left home. I'll tell you the details another time. What matters now is that I know about Mother, and I know how Father died."
Linley's heart gave a violent thump. "You know?"
"I may know more than you do." Wharton looked Linley straight in the eye. "Paterson sent people to seize Mother back then, but King Clayde was the one behind it. Father went to Fenlai City to investigate. Paterson found out and sent people to hunt him down. He died of his wounds."
Every word struck Linley's heart like a hammer.
"How do you know all this?" Linley's voice tightened.
Wharton fell silent for a moment. "I have my sources. Brother, now isn't the time to press me about that. Paterson has to die, but we need to get more out of him-why Clayde wanted Mother captured, where she is now, and whether she's still alive."
Linley forced himself to calm down. Wharton's appearance had been so sudden, and the information he brought was staggering. But Linley chose to believe him-not just because they were brothers, but because he saw the same hatred and determination in Wharton's eyes that he felt himself.
"I've been watching Paterson." Linley went to the desk and took out a sheet of parchment marked with the layout of Paterson's mansion and the guards' shift schedule. "Tomorrow evening, he's going to the Nightingale Club in the west of the city. It's his secret hideout, and he usually takes only four personal guards."
Wharton leaned over to look at the map and pointed to an alley. "We can intercept him here. The club is deep in an alley, too narrow for a carriage, so he has to walk part of the way."
"How do you know that?" Linley looked up.
Wharton's mouth twitched. "I've been in the city for three days. I've figured out his routine."
Linley gave his brother a long look. Learning a duke's movements in just three days was no ordinary youth's feat.
"Brother, how strong are you now?" Wharton suddenly asked.
Linley made no secret of it. "I'm a Level Seven Mage in both the Earth Element and the Wind Element. As a warrior... I'm at the early seventh level, but after transforming into a Dragonblood Warrior, I can fight at the early ninth level."
Wharton's eyes lit up. "A Dragonblood Warrior? You can transform too?"
Wharton said, "When we intercept Paterson tomorrow, I'll lead the attack. You keep the situation under control. Don't let any of his men escape to report back."
Linley looked into Wharton's eyes and finally nodded.
The following evening, in the western district of Fenlai City.
The alley where the Nightingale Club stood was indeed secluded. Tall brick warehouse walls rose on either side, and uneven bluestone slabs paved the ground. Paterson's carriage stopped at the entrance, and he walked in with four guards.
All four guards were Sixth-level Warriors, protecting Paterson in a diamond formation. Paterson himself wore understated dark purple casual clothes. His brow was slightly furrowed, and he seemed preoccupied.
He did have things on his mind. Lately, King Clayde had grown increasingly cold toward him, ignoring his proposals at several court meetings. More troubling still, he had heard that someone in the Radiant Church was secretly investigating events from twelve years ago.
"My lord, there's someone ahead." The guard in front suddenly stopped, his hand on his sword hilt.
In the middle of the alley, a tall figure stood with his back to them, blocking their path. It was already dark, and the man stood in shadow, his face impossible to make out.
Paterson narrowed his eyes. "Go around him."
The guards changed direction, preparing to pass beside him. Just then, the man turned around.
"Duke Paterson." Wharton's voice echoed through the narrow alley. "I'd like to ask you about some things from years ago."
Paterson's expression changed. He had recognized that face-it looked so much like that woman from back then, and that man named Hogg! But he quickly recovered his composure and sneered. "Where did this little brat come from, daring to block my path? Seize him!"
All four guards drew their swords and charged.
Wharton did not move. Only when the foremost sword tip was three feet from his chest did his body suddenly begin to change.
Black scales emerged from beneath his skin, covering his entire body in an instant. Pitch-black spikes sprang from his joints, and a row of menacing bone spurs rose along his spine. Most chilling of all were his eyes-dark golden vertical pupils, cold and utterly devoid of human emotion.
Dragonblood Warrior transformation!
But unlike Linley's transformation, Wharton's body swelled far more noticeably. He grew to nearly two and a half meters tall, his muscles bulging as though cast from steel. A terrifying aura erupted from him, sweeping dust off the ground.
"Ninth level!" one guard screamed in terror.
Wharton moved.
There was no complicated technique, just a simple, straight punch. The air boomed in its wake. The guard in front was sent flying, sword and all, and slammed into the brick wall, embedding himself in it. Blood gushed from the gaps in his armor.
The second and third guards struck Wharton with their swords, but the blows only sent up showers of sparks. They failed even to break his scales. Wharton struck left and right, driving out two punches. Both men's breastplates caved in, their ribs shattered, and they fell, unable to rise.
The last guard turned to run, but Wharton's dragon tail lashed out like a whip, breaking both his legs.
The entire fight had taken less than three breaths.
Paterson's face went deathly pale. He turned to flee, only to find his feet rooted to the ground-at some point, the alley floor had turned into a muddy swamp, and his feet had sunk into it.
Earth Element magic: Swamp Technique!
Linley emerged from the shadows at the alley entrance, an earthy yellow light flickering at the tip of his magic staff. He looked at Wharton, a flash of shock in his eyes. His brother's aura after transforming was definitely beyond the early ninth level!
Wharton walked toward Paterson, his killing intent growing stronger with every step. Paterson struggled desperately to break free of the swamp, but the more he struggled, the deeper he sank. The mud had already reached his thighs.
"Y-you... who are you?" Paterson's voice trembled.
"Who I am doesn't matter." Wharton stopped in front of Paterson, his dark golden pupils fixed on him. "What matters is that twelve years ago, you captured a woman who had recently given birth. Tell me, why did you take her? Where is she now?"
Paterson shuddered all over. "I don't know what you're talking about!"
Wharton's dragon claw closed around Paterson's throat and lifted him bodily out of the swamp. Scales scraped against his skin, and Paterson could feel the terrifying strength in that claw. With the slightest squeeze, his neck would snap like a dry twig.
"I... I'll talk..." Paterson forced the words through clenched teeth. "It was the king... His Majesty Clayde... who told me to do it..."
Wharton loosened his claw slightly. "The reason."
"I don't know! I really don't know!" Tears and snot streamed down Paterson's face. "Clayde only said the woman was important and told me to capture her in secret, without hurting her... After I caught her, I handed her over to His Majesty's men. I never saw her again!"
Linley walked over, his voice icy. "Why did Clayde want to capture my mother?"
"Your mother?" Paterson looked at Linley and finally understood everything. "You're that woman's son? Then Hogg..."
"My father." Killing intent surged in Linley's eyes. "You also sent men to hunt him down and kill him."
Paterson fell into utter despair. He realized there was no chance of leaving here alive today.
"I... I can tell you a secret." Paterson gasped for breath. "Clayde was terrified of word getting out about that woman... He said that if it did, he would certainly die... There must be a bigger secret involved, something to do with the Radiant Church... Ah!"
Wharton's claw tightened sharply. "Explain!"
"I don't know... I only overheard him talking to someone... He mentioned 'sacrifice' and 'pure bloodline'..." Paterson's face turned purplish red. "Please... spare me..."
Wharton looked at Linley.
Linley closed his eyes and took a deep breath. When he opened them again, they were ice-cold. "Pay for Father's life with yours."
Wharton nodded and twisted his claw hard.
Crack.
Paterson's body went limp, the last terror in his eyes frozen in place.
Wharton released him, and the corpse fell to the ground. He ended his Dragonblood Warrior transformation and returned to human form, then took a small bottle from inside his clothes and poured its powder over the corpse and the four guards.
Amid a hissing sound, the bodies rapidly dissolved, leaving not even clothes or weapons behind. Only a few pools of murky liquid remained, seeping into the cracks between the bluestone slabs.
"Corpse-dissolving powder. I bought it from an alchemist," Wharton explained briefly. He then carefully inspected the scene and erased every trace of the fight.
Linley dispelled his magic, and the swamp beneath them returned to bluestone paving. The brothers exchanged a look, then quickly left the alley and disappeared into the night.
Less than ten minutes after they left, five black shadows appeared at the alley entrance like ghosts.
Their leader, a masked man in black, crouched to examine the ground. He ran a finger through a crack between the slabs and brought it to his nose. "Corpse-dissolving powder. They died not long ago."
"My lord, Duke Paterson's carriage is still parked at the entrance, but he's nowhere to be found," another man in black reported.
The masked man stood, a cold light flashing in his eyes. "Looks like someone beat us to it. Withdraw. The plan has changed."
The five shadows vanished as silently as they had come.
The study in Linley's mansion.
Wharton washed the smell of blood from his hands and changed into clean clothes. Linley stood by the window, gazing at Fenlai City in the night, silent for a long time.
Wharton said, "Brother, our next target is Clayde."
Linley nodded. "But we can't move against Clayde now. He's a Ninth-level Warrior, and he's heavily guarded. More troubling still, if the Radiant Church really is involved, our enemies may be stronger than we imagined."
Linley turned to his brother and finally asked the question. "Wharton, your strength... just what level have you reached? After that transformation, you were definitely beyond the early ninth level."
Wharton was silent for a moment. "The peak of the seventh level. I can break through to the eighth level in three months at most."
Linley drew a sharp breath.
That meant Wharton could fight at the late ninth level after transforming, and he was only twelve!
"How did you..." Linley stopped halfway through and shook his head. "Never mind. Everyone has their secrets. You're my brother, and that's enough."
Wharton smiled. "Brother, we'll avenge our parents. I promise."
The brothers clasped hands, sharing the same determination and the same hatred.
Three days later, news of Duke Paterson's disappearance spread.
King Clayde flew into a rage and ordered a citywide search. The Radiant Church also sent people from the Inquisition to assist with the investigation. But every lead ended in the alley by the Nightingale Club-Paterson and his four guards had vanished as though into thin air, without a trace.
Two days later, a confidential report reached Gilmer, a Cardinal of the Radiant Church.
"My lord, we've confirmed it. On the night Paterson disappeared, the Dark Church's Nightmare Squad appeared nearby. The squad has five members, all seventh-level assassins skilled in assassination and intelligence gathering."
Gilmer frowned. "Why would the Dark Church go after Paterson?"
"We don't know. But we detected traces of dark magic at the scene, as well as traces of corpse-dissolving powder-a method the Dark Church often uses to dispose of bodies."
"Was Paterson in league with the Dark Church?"
"We haven't found any evidence yet. But Paterson made plenty of dirty deals in private over the years and offended many people. The Dark Church may have been hired by someone, or it may have wanted information from him."
Gilmer pondered for a long time, then annotated the report: "Continue monitoring the Dark Church's movements and strengthen Linley Baruch's protection. This young man is exceptionally gifted. Nothing must happen to him."
He had no idea that the real culprit was at the side of the person he meant to protect.
At that moment, Linley and Wharton were training in a valley thirty li outside the city.
In his Dragonblood Warrior form, Wharton shattered a three-meter-high boulder with one punch. He turned to Linley. "Brother, your turn. Try using Battle-qi and magic at the same time after transforming. Get a feel for how they work together."
Linley nodded and took a deep breath.
Black scales covered his body, and his dark golden pupils opened. He could feel the power surging inside him, but he still fell short of Wharton.
But it didn't matter.
With brothers united, their strength could cut through metal.
They had plenty of time, and plenty of determination.
Not one of those who had hurt the Baruch Clan would escape.
Starting with Paterson, then Clayde, and then everyone pulling the strings behind the scenes.
A debt of blood had to be paid in blood.