The King Of Warriors novel (Jared Chance) novel Chapter 5268

Mid-afternoon sun poured through sword-shaped lattice windows of Swordmaster City, casting slanted shards of light across the blue-gray flagstones.

Jared and Flaxseed sat in the room, bent over a broad map of the Darkwind Gorge. Around them lay fresh talisman papers—Flaxseed's newest scouting charms—still humming with faint spiritual residue. He tapped one sheet with a weathered fingertip. “That place drips with toxic miasma. My charms will carry us for only a short distance before we're choking on the foulness.”

Their planning shattered beneath the shriek of splintering metal outside, followed by a chorus of shocked cries from the market yard. Flaxseed shot upright, stuffed his talismans into his tunic, and barked, “D*mn it—sounds like trouble worth watching!”

Jared was already at the threshold when five armored figures skimmed into view on flying swords. The man at the forefront wore a gold cloak stitched with a snarling beast, and the sun glared off the sword-shaped brand at the center of his brow—Drystan Hexford, commander of the Celestial Palace's Sixth Hall. Behind him, four elite guards hefted halberds that dripped golden light. They were the Celestial Palace's Golden Armor Guards.

“Jared!” Drystan's shout cracked the air like thunder. The blast of power riding his voice slammed into the inn's stone archway.

Crack! The arch exploded into powdery debris, sending nearby cultivators scrambling for cover, none daring to intervene. Jared stepped into the courtyard, gaze icy and unblinking. “And who exactly are you supposed to be?”

“I'm the commander of the Celestial Palace's Sixth Hall.” The name slipped out in a tremor, brittle as cracked porcelain. At once, every cultivator nearby edged farther from the stone pavilion, unwilling to share in whatever punishment might follow. They all understood what that silver-roofed power meant. Celestials were proud beyond reason; one misplaced breath could cost a life.

“Bloody lapdog of the Palace!” Flaxseed roared, fury rolling off his scar-pitted face. He flicked three strips of talisman paper into the air. They flashed gold, then burst into a trio of flame-winged ravens that shrieked toward Drystan. “Jared, let me test him!”

“Flaxseed, don't—your strength—” Jared began, but the older man was already charging ahead.

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