My Core is the Boss-Chapter 107.2: Thank Heaven Youre Here, Little Bride

Before long, Wu Tong arrived at a quiet lakeside. He took out a small vial of liquid and poured it into the lake. The crystal clear water instantly turned blood-red. Moments later, a terrifying projection appeared upon the lake's surface.

Wu Tong bowed deeply, his tone filled with reverence. "Greetings, Supreme.”

"How is Yuzhou?" the projection asked slowly.

"Supreme," Wu Tong replied respectfully, "I've encountered some complications. The City of No Return is guarded by a single powerful figure. He is suspected to be the White Supreme’s disciple."

The Supreme's expression darkened, though he quickly suppressed his unease. Wu Tong, of course, understood Misang's hesitation. Misang had no desire to truly make an enemy of the City of No Return, hence why he had conveniently left Yuzhou. Wu Tong, on the other hand, had come here under the Supreme One's direct command.

"A disciple of the White Supreme?" The Supreme's eyes narrowed. A faint fear surfaced, disappearing quickly. "No, if the White Supreme truly knew of this matter, he wouldn't send a disciple, and came himself."

Just thinking of the White Supreme filled the Supreme with dread. After all, the two were the most powerful beings in this world. The Supreme dared not even imagine clashing with either.

"So, it's mere coincidence," he murmured, calming himself. "Are you afraid you're no match for this disciple?"

"Yes," Wu Tong admitted. "My death is nothing but I fear disrupting your grand plan, Supreme."

He knew the Supreme was plotting something involving the City of No Return and Jialan City. He did not know the details and dared not ask but success promised unimaginable fortune.

The Supreme's eyes flickered with countless emotions. Then, without warning, the lake began to churn violently. A vortex formed at its center, dragging all the water inward.

Wu Tong watched, his heart trembling. He knew this was the Supreme's doing.

A quarter of an hour later, the vast lake had vanished completely. Not even a trace of mud remained, leaving only cracked, barren ground. A droplet of violet water floated beside Wu Tong, glowing faintly. The Supreme's voice resounded again. "Take this. If you find yourself outmatched by the White Supreme's disciple, use it. This drop contains my strongest Origin strike, capable of instantly decimating a city. Even a low-ranking Supreme would be heavily injured. The White Supreme may have three thousand disciples, but apart from a handful of true elites, none can withstand this blow. You should be able to seize the City of No Return no problem."

Wu Tong's heart pounded as he gazed at the violet droplet. He could barely contain his excitement. "Thank you, Supreme! I swear to capture the City of No Return for you!"

That was merely the first step. Once the city fell, the Supreme would obtain what he sought.

***

Meanwhile, deep within a northern abyss...

A man wreathed in violet light stood before an ancient, mysterious stone tablet. It had been in his possession for three thousand years. The whole time, he'd researched it until he finally unearthed its secret: a record of an ancient truth.

His eyes burned with greed. "The City of No Return... the place where the Demoness was buried... the very source of all Demon Origin. If I obtain it..."

The so-called Supreme One or White Supreme wouldn't matter anymore.

"Unfortunately, I can't go there myself yet, or it would draw too much attention..."

He was one of the most powerful figures in the entire North. Any movement on his part would immediately alarm countless powers. If he went to the City of No Return personally, his true objective would be exposed.

So instead, he used Wu Tong, a mere nail he'd planted long ago. Only after Wu Tong had uncovered the Demonic Origin would he act.

"The City of No Return will be simple enough..." he mused. "But the place where the Great Demon fell is another matter."

Another vast opportunity also lay there, one not lesser than the City of No Return's, but it was far harder to claim. He would have to find another way.

***

In Jialan City, dark clouds gathered overhead, casting a heavy gloom.

Guardian Dong Long listened grimly as his subordinates finished their report.

"Wu Tong is preparing to march his entire army against the City of No Return," he said, his voice hard as iron. "What are your thoughts?"

The gathered Nation Subjugators looked grave. "Wu Tong is far harsher than Misang, and stronger too. If the City of No Return falls, our Jialan City may not stand much longer."

Worry rippled among them. Misang had been powerful, but his offensives had always been half-hearted, as though he feared death. Wu Tong, on the other hand, was a predator through and through.

"Wentai," Dong Long turned to the Liu siblings. "What do you think?"

Liu Wentai and Liu Wenmei had met Qi Yuan before.

"The City of No Return guardian is incredibly strong," Liu Wentai said quietly. "He could've even been a Mythwalker."

Every time he recalled Qi Yuan's breathtaking sword strike, awe filled his heart.

Then, an elder suggested, "A Mythwalker may be mighty, but Wu Tong marches with a hundred Nation Subjugators and an endless demonic army. Even a Mythwalker can be surrounded and slain. My advice is that we invite that City of No Return guardian here, to Jialan City."

Dong Long nodded. "If he agrees, I would gladly yield my post to him."

Liu Wentai quickly shook his head. "That's impossible. The guardian of the City of No Return would never leave his city."

He remembered that one sword stroke that had said all there was to say.Trying to persuade Qi Yuan to leave was an impossible task. Moreover, he'd even incurred Qi Yuan’s ire.

"Arrogant fool!" an elder snapped. "Does he think being a Mythwalker makes him invincible?"

But then, a deep voice rumbled.

"As a Mythwalker, he's free to do as he pleases. If Liu Wentai speaks true, then should that man come here, Jialan City would only become a burden to him.

“With that kind of power, even if he were to be defeated, escaping should not be a problem. Instead of worrying about the City of No Return, we should be worrying about ourselves. What would happen to Jialan City once he's gone?"

The room fell silent. They all knew he was right. The City of No Return was doomed to fall. And when it did, that guardian would surely flee, and they would have to face Wu Tong's army alone.

Dong Long stood upon the city wall, eyes fixed on the horizon. His voice was low and steady. "Let's just hope that before he leaves, he gives Wu Tong's army a wound they won't forget."

That would buy Jialan City time to prepare.

"Liu Wentai, Zhao Ju," Dong Long ordered, "assemble a team and watch the City of No Return from afar. Report back immediately for any movement."

He wasn't really after news of the City of No Return itself, but of Wu Tong's forces. The fate of the City of No Return was already sealed. Hence, he had to know what would remain of Wu Tong once the battle was over.

Liu Wentai and Zhao Ju saluted.

"Yes, sir!”

***

A month passed in the blink of an eye.

Hidden deep in the vast desert, Liu Wentai and Zhao Ju lay concealed among the dunes, surrounded by a dozen reconnaissance scouts. They were the best in Jialan City, masters of stealth and speed.

Zhao Ju grinned lazily beneath his sand hood. "That City of No Return guardian sure loves to look cool. If it were me, and Wu Tong's army was coming, I'd be halfway to the next city by now. But he is sitting alone atop the city wall, facing a sea of soldiers without flinching. Yeah, he's showing off, but damn if it isn't impressive."

"Maybe," Liu Wentai said, recalling Qi Yuan's calm gaze, "he really isn't afraid."

"Relax." Zhao Ju chuckled. "When Wu Tong's army arrives, he'll probably throw out one flashy sword strike and then bolt."

If he had that kind of strength, he'd do the same as that guardian. Shameless? Absolutely. But damn, he really was cool.

Liu Wentai shot him a disdainful look. "Don't judge a true man's heart with a petty man's mind."

Zhao Ju shrugged. "I don't care what's in a man's heart, I care what he does. If he stays and hurts Wu Tong's army, I'll respect him for it. He may be showing off, but he's still damn impressive. The only pity is that the City of No Return's doomed either way."

His tone carried a note of regret.

T/N's:

Cultivation in the second gameRealm Also known as 不入流Unranked一境/统领者First RealmCommanders二境/霸主Second RealmOverlords三境/镇国者Third RealmNation Subjugator四境/陆地神话Fourth RealmMythwalker五境/至尊Fifth RealmSupreme大至尊Great Supreme