Although I understand from an objective standpoint, I don't really like being separated from Cory when were doing the same thing. For now--
*Boom*
Seems like I'll need to put my thoughts aside for now, it's almost time to begin.
"Lia, get the storage ring that Cordelia gave you ready. Once we charge in, send out those robots or whatever Cordelia calls them, the Burning Metal Dragons, we're going to make a grand entrance," Yue says.
"I understand, I have three rings, each with a single Burning Metal Dragon inside. Unlike Cory's seemingly infinite stomach that can hold a thousand of these, the storage rings just barely have enough space to fit one and these were the rings with the most space available. But more importantly, is there anyone we need to watch out for or pay particular attention to? Perhaps someone as strong as that chicken?" I ask.
"That chicken is not strong, it just doesn't die," Yue irritably says while trying to keep her voice down, "but there are a couple of people that we should pay attention to. Fortunately, the strongest members of the Hong family aren't here right now, so at the very least, we don't need to worry too much about not being able to retreat. The ones we need to watch out for right now are Hong Yi and Hong Li, these two are the strongest amongst the elders but age has brought them down a bit so they aren't anything we can't handle."
*Boom*
"That's the second one, so I should probably pick up the pace. The most dangerous one is definitely the current Hong Patriarch, Hong Feng, he is stronger than me so if he shows we are going to need the assistance from the Burning Metal Dragons, those will be the lynchpin to holding him back or even killing him," Yue says.
"What are these Burning Metal Dragons that you two have been talking about, Boss?" asks one of Yue's subordinates.
"Essentially they're giant metal automatons that Cordelia controls. They are practically indestructible and can completely absorb fire and heat, this aspect makes them particularly useful for us since one of the Hong family's main attack methods is to use fire in conjunction with Divine Energy," Yue explains.
"If I'm not mistaken after enough Divine Energy is absorbed, they will release all the previously absorbed heat as an attack to its surroundings. So we should make sure to back away before it occurs. Unlike Cory, we aren't completely immune to fire and heat," I say, adding on to Yue's explanation.
*Boom*
"There's the third one, get ready we are storming the front gate in a couple of minutes," Yue says.
Ever since the first bomb went off, we've seen many people dressed in combat garbs rushing past our location near the Hong family residence. The diversion seemed to have worked since the only people remaining are a handful of other guards that have been patrolling the area closer to the Imperial Palace and the personnel that's personally loyal to the Hong family. I would assume the situation is also similar on the Cheng side as well.
"Rush the gate and take down the guards!" Yue yells as she put on her Scarlet Feather mask.
We take down the two men guarding the front gate in a surprise rush before Yue burns the wooden gates and knocks them aside. As we enter the premise of the Hong family residence, I release the three Burning Metal Dragons from the storage rings. Over in the distance, I can see three more of them so I would assume Aurelia's side has also made their move.
Much like when we assaulted the private residence of that other Hong family member, rushing out from the manor is a multitude of guards, but alongside them are several people with a similar hair colour to Yue, I'd assume them to be her relatives.
"You dare intrude on the Hong family! Name yourse--"
One of the members of the Hong family yelling something at us, but before he could finish, a Burning Metal Dragon walked up and smashed him underfoot. I don't need the Soul Connection to know that Cory's probably a little annoyed that she can't be here personally, so I'm not too surprised she attacked the first person to come forward.
"Uhh, just so you know, we don't have complete control over these giants," Yue says upon seeing the pitiful state of her relative.
"You are that Scarlet Feather, are you not? Your actions have caused a great deal of trouble to our income," says an old looking man as he walked out from the manor.
"Today will be the day that the terrorist, Scarlet Feather, will be unmasked," Says another old man.
"Hong Yi and Hong Li, you two showed yourselves faster than I thought you would. Where's the patriarch?" Yue asks.
"The patriarch need not bother himself to deal with rabble like you. We are more than enough to take you, your rebellious gang, and these strange automatons," Hong Yi says.
"If you think the two of you and a bunch of cannon fodder can take us down, then you've got another thing coming, especially if you think our automatons can be easily destroyed," Wanjing says, taunting them.
"Hmph, scrap metal like this should just be burnt down and put to better use," Hong Li says as he waves his hand, sending a wave of fire towards one of the Burning Metal Dragons.
But as expected, it did absolutely nothing to damage it as the Burning Metal Dragon just absorbs the flame and strikes back with a fist coming straight down on the position of the two elders.
*Crash*
*Bang*
Unlike their junior who had literally been stepped on, the elders avoid the fist of the Burning Metal Dragon, but the entrance to the manor is a different story. Both the ground where the elders stood has been pulverised and the front door of the Hong family's manor has been completely destroyed. Although it wasn't intentional, this should actually relieve some pressure off of the subordinates that Yue brought along who are currently fighting with the other guards around us since it will take some more time for reinforcements from inside to come out.
Wanjing has already run off to drain the life out of the Hong guards after having baited the elders to attack the Burning Metal Dragons while Yue ran straight at the two elders. As much as I'd like to join her, I'm not currently a match for them, so I suppose I will assist Wanjing with taking down the guards and weaker member of the Hong family.