Chapter 850: The Just will Triumph

Chapter 850: The Just will Triumph

Without thinking, Old Seven yanked the alarm trigger at his waist.

Ring—ring—ring—

The first-level alert blared through the base. Old Seven, First Firelord, Nomad, and Flower scrambled back, putting thirty meters between themselves and the elevator. They braced for a fight.

Amon appeared with other members in tow. "What's happening?"

"Possible invasion!" Old Seven's voice cracked. He aimed shaking fingers at the elevator, ready to unleash air bullets.

"Battle stations!" Amon barked. Everyone took position.

Gripping her boomerang, Amon's mind whirred. If it were the Nine Scions or Zodiac Signs, Madam Li would've sensed it. This meant either a false alarm or minimal casualties...

Ding.

The elevator doors inched open.

The air froze all of a sudden, and all of them felt their heart clench.

There, alone, stood Gao Yang—leader of the Nine Scions.

The lanky boy, not yet nineteen, exuded authority. His black trenchcoat and tied-back hair accentuated his sharp features and an icy gaze. At his feet sat a reddish-brown briefcase, filled with flyers.

He didn’t seem to be here to fight.

"Now!"

Amon reacted first, hurling her boomerang. She couldn't win alone, but she could buy time for the Union's heavyweights to arrive.

Others followed suit, unleashing a barrage of attacks.

Clink, clink. Clang.

Black Gold weapons, energy bullets, and elemental assaults crashed against a translucent golden barrier. Inside, Gao Yang tilted his chin. A gust ruffled his coat and hair.

Fourth, to eliminate any discord, Surnamed Li had framed Gao Yang as the Malediction and used her closest confidant Chen Ying, getting the third team killed in the process. Moreover, she planned the attack at the Starcatching Pavilion with no mercy. Her cruelty is unimaginable.

The four crimes are all supported by concrete evidence. We stand upright and just, and we welcome anyone to look for the truth in any way.

We hope that you will come to your senses sooner rather than later and stop helping the villains in their wrongdoings. Stop going after your own kind against the will of the heavens.

Finally, we challenge those on the side of Qilin and Surnamed Li to a battle to put an end to their villainy and insidious ambitions. We wish to lead all fellow awakeners out of the mist to welcome the dawn.

The just will triumph over the wicked. The light does not fear the shadow.

The brave will forge a way. We make our destiny.

Qingying Bridge, early morning the day before the Lunar New Year's Eve.

What say you, Qilin and Surnamed Li?

Nine Scions & Twelve Zodiac Signs.

...

Qilin swiftly scanned the challenge, his glasses catching the light. His expression remained impassive.

As he read, others had retrieved flyers, either from the floor or mid-air. Their reactions varied widely: derision, shock, stoicism, skepticism, terror, concern...

Whispers erupted among close confidants, and soon the office hall buzzed with chaotic murmurs.

Surnamed Li, donning her reading glasses, perused the flyer Colorless handed her. Her calm demeanor betrayed the counterarguments already forming in her mind for each listed crime.

But a more pressing matter demanded her attention. She looked up at the man beside her. "Shall we accept the challenge, Guildmaster Qilin?"

Qilin let the flyer slip from his long fingers.

"Of course."

Adjusting his glasses, he raised his voice.

"The just will triumph over the wicked. The light does not fear the shadow. It's time we settle things with the Malediction."