The sun already took a rest beyond the horizon, leaving the moon and the stars to decorate the sky with their pale lights. From a distance, Fengyuan didn’t look like a settlement but as a sleeping beast of stone and iron. Its walls were topped with jagged crenelations, where the night watch pace along.

  Every fifty steps, a brass brazier shine its light from the fire, casting long shadows that flicker on the fields outside the gate. The Su guards, all highly skilled warriors are watching the roads but not because they’re expecting peace, but for the wild monsters that lurk in the forest nearby or the silent steps of bandits. Such are the dangers that lurk at the border, far away from the capital.

  Once through the heavy iron gates, the oppressive silence of the wall vanished. The town’s main artery was a cobblestone path lined with sharpening stalls and supply depots, but it led to the beating heart of Fengyuan: The Angry Boar.

  This sprawling tavern serves as the unofficial neutral ground for the borderlands. It’s a melting pot of two cultures: Brirene and Su. A female trader from Brirene is haggling over silk price, an adventurer from Su boasting about his achievement of slaying a wyrm. All of these are happening in the mix of aroma of mutton stew and smoked boar, but also pork dumplings and wheat noodles.

  The tavern’s door opens and a tall female figure enters, she wears a two-piece clothing with a black top and short pants, her black boots complete her black outfit. Her blonde hair is cut short, and the empty look on her eyes shows her inability to see. The most striking feature of hers is a magical marking on her forehead that tells what she is: A nyxari.

  She took a seat on an empty table and a waitress approach her.

  Waitress: Excuse me, would you like a Brirene blue cheese tart, or a fire-seared dumplings?

  Tall woman: I’ll have a blue cheese tart and a honeyed ale, please.

  Waitress: As you wish.

  Just as that waitress was about to leave, a man from Su sit at the opposite chair the tall women sit on. His long black hair is tied in a ponytail; his sword is sheathed on his back.

  Ponytail man: I’ll have the fire-seared dumplings and a green tea.

  Waitress: I understand, please wait for your order.

  After the waitress leave, the man starts the conversation.

  Ponytail man: Long time no see, Emerald. I’ve received your letter, though you’ve arrived later than what you wrote in your letter.

  Emerald: Well, I’ve told you before that I am not good with directions, right Li? It’s hard travelling alone. But, now that I’m here I want to finish my dinner quickly and go to bed.

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  Li: And why is the leader of the strongest mage guild in Brirene coming to Su? Are you here just for sightseeing, or is there something else?

  Emerald: I’m looking for Notus, my guild’s vice-guild master, or should I say… former vice-guild master.

  Li: Did something serious happen?

  Emerald: She stole an artifact of great importance from the guild’s treasure room. I knew she always love magical artifacts, but I didn’t know she’d really steal one from the guild.

  Li: I assume this artifact is a guild’s secret?

  Emerald: It is, so I can’t tell you about it. I just want your help in locating where she is, I’ll deal with her myself.

  Li: The beggar sect owes favours from your guild, so I will do my best to help you this time. I’ll inform you when we have an update about her location.

  Emerald: Thank you, I’ll be waiting for that. For now, I will enjoy my dinner.

  The waitress arrives at their table with their order just as they finished their conversation. But before Emerald and Li get a chance to enjoy them, a commotion happens. Just two tables away from hers, a man suddenly goes berserk. He shouts angrily at everyone near him while swinging his sword, his eyes are full of killing intent.

  Emerald: What’s happening? A bar fight?

  Li: It’s a little different than that, that’s a Dragon Corruption. It’s what happens when a Dragon Fist practitioner cannot contain the dark side of their martial art. He now sees everyone as an enemy.

  Emerald: Oh my, that sounds really dangerous.

  That corrupted man suddenly charges at Emerald with his sword held high. However, Emerald opens her palm and shoots a ball of wind at that man, making him roll on the floor until he stops near the entrance.

  Emerald: I don’t like disturbing other patrons, so maybe you and I should take this outside?

  A strong wind blows from Emerald and it pushes the corrupted patron outside of the tavern through the door. Emerald quickly follows that man outside. A soft wind blows slowly from Emerald’s entire body.

  That man slashes his sword and shoots out a fire attack in the shape of a crescent. Emerald does a middle kick and a blast of wind shoots out from her leg; the two attacks negate each other as they clash.

  Emerald jumps and rolls in the air and then she drops her heel on the man’s head. This attack hits directly and pushes the man back.

  The man strikes back with a leg sweep, but Emerald saw that coming and jumps over the attack.

  Emerald attacks with a three punches combo that ends with a wind blast from her kick that sends that man backward.

  Slowly, the corrupted man stands back up and launches a barrage of sword slashes to Emerald. All those attacks just cut wind as they all fail to hit his target.

  Emerald charges more magical power in her leg as she creates a stronger ball of wind, which she shoots back at the man. This super attack directly hits the target, which sends him rolling on the road and ends up unconscious.

  The commotion draws the attention of two of the guards who happen to be near the tavern, and both of them approach Emerald.

  Guard 1: Hey, what’s happening here?

  Emerald: It’s just a bar brawl, nothing more. I am not looking for trouble.

  That guard looks at Emerald’s body and he’s definitely liking what he sees, although he tries his best to not show it on his face.

  Guard 1: W-well, if that’s what happens then we’ll take care of this guy. You can go back and enjoy your night.

  Emerald gives that guard a small smile.

  Emerald: Thank you very much, kind guard. I’m sure I can enjoy my evening now.

  Emerald then turns back and walks back to the tavern, where she returns to her table and then enjoying her tart. The owner of the tavern seems really glad that Emerald took care of the problem, he makes her dinner free of charge.