For a moment, the entire inner courtyard fell unusually silent. Apart from the crackling and splattering sounds of raindrops landing on the umbrella canopy, not a single noise could be heard.
Everyone in the courtyard was rendered speechless by the sudden arrival of this uninvited guest. The only sound that followed was the heavy breathing of the intruder, which was impossible to drown out, even with the rain.
"Hu... hiss... hu... hiss..."
The intruder's plasma lightsaber, emitting a bright crimson glow, produced a unique sizzling sound characteristic of plasma. Those sitting at the tables nearest the entrance to the courtyard trembled uncontrollably, almost ready to flee.
But the uninvited guest stood squarely in front of the only exit they knew.
Thus, the frightened guests dared not move a muscle, worried that any sudden motion might provoke the faceless figure into an unexpected and terrifying act.
Among these distressed guests near the edge of the courtyard were none other than Master Chen and Master Feng, who were attending Old Master Xie's 80th birthday banquet out of obligation.
The crimson lightsaber, like a high-intensity light source, shone brilliantly. Though its hue made it hard to see clearly, Master Chen—overcoming his initial shock and swallowing the food in his mouth—gathered his courage to squint at the silent, so-called faceless figure.
That… What is that?!
Upon closer inspection, Master Chen realized this wasn't some faceless creature at all. Though the red glow made the figure hard to discern, he could vaguely make out the contours of its face.
Then, as a bolt of lightning tore across the stormy night sky, the momentary flash illuminated what should have been a human face.
In that split second, Master Chen froze in shock, his entire body trembling. The chopsticks in his hand slipped to the stone-tiled floor with a loud clatter.
What he saw under the figure's hood was not a human face at all. It was a jet-black mask, as dark as the night itself.
The mask, with its distinct mechanical craftsmanship, completely obscured the figure's face and was seamlessly connected to a mechanical structure that covered the neck.
Beneath the black cloak, the figure wore a set of retro-styled soldier's armor. However, the armor also displayed a modern mechanical design, fitting perfectly against the intruder's body.
Like the mask, the armor revealed no signs of human skin or flesh. Not even the smallest gap could be seen between the armor's plates.
Through the black armor, one could vaguely see rhythmic movements synchronized with the heavy breathing. But despite the audible "hu... hiss" sounds resembling respiration, everything about the figure made it hard to believe it was alive.
The non-human presence of the uninvited guest filled Master Chen with immense shock, fear, and confusion.
A robot? Why would a robot appear at the Xie family's birthday banquet?
And—wait! That weapon! Isn't it far too advanced? I may only be a minor official under the Empire, but I've attended several military parades up close.
There's no way that thing in his hand has ever appeared in any public demonstration of the Empire's arsenal. Is this some sort of experimental weapon?
As Master Chen's mind spiraled into chaos, he turned his head with difficulty toward Master Feng, who sat beside him.
Perhaps this newly acquainted senior friend could help clarify the situation.
In a trembling voice almost drowned out by the rain, Master Chen addressed Master Feng:
"Master Feng…"
But as his gaze landed on Master Feng, he was met with an expression of overwhelming shock, confusion, and disbelief twisted across Feng's face.
"Who… Who is that?"
Master Feng's quivering lips barely managed to utter the question.
Seeing this, Master Chen could only shake his head and sigh. He concluded that his new friend was likely of little use in the current crisis.
However, as he glanced downward, something unexpected caught Master Chen's eye—a standard-issue Empire Police Force laser pistol holstered at Feng's waist. Feng's hand gripped the holster's clasp tightly.
As an Empire official, Master Chen had interacted with law enforcement numerous times and immediately recognized the iconic design of the standard laser pistol.
"Master Feng, are you…?"
Before he could finish his sentence, the courtyard's power supply began to recover, likely switching to backup energy.
Although the light remained dim due to unstable voltage, Master Chen barely had time to address Feng further before the intruder at the archway spoke.
"The Empire…"
?
"I am here on behalf of the Empire's Seventh Division for Judicial Enforcement. All irrelevant individuals in this courtyard, raise your hands above your heads and proceed through the gate behind me for inspection."
?!
Seventh Division? What? I've never even heard of such a department…
Master Chen was filled with suspicion and astonishment at the heavy, metallic voice.
Then, under the crimson glow of the plasma lightsaber, the intruder slowly reached into his cloak and raised an object high above his head.
With the same heavy, metallic voice, he continued:
"By order of the Emperor! I am a Black Armored Centurion from the Empire's Seventh Division for Judicial Enforcement. All individuals not involved in the Xie family's criminal activities, raise your hands above your heads and proceed through the gate behind me for inspection!"
This time, the Centurion's voice was amplified severalfold, as if a speaker was embedded within the black armor.
The cold, emotionless metallic tone resonated in the ears of everyone present.
"An imperial order…"
"What's going on with the Xie family?"
"Let's move away from the Xie family and keep our distance…"
The display of the imperial decree left every guest in shock and unease. The murmurs of alarm spread rapidly among the crowd.
Even if they doubted the Centurion's words, none dared to risk their lives to challenge the authenticity of the decree. The decree's authority alone was enough to compel these so-called "friends" of Old Master Xie to rise from their seats, raise their hands above their heads, and cautiously move toward the outer courtyard.
"Master Feng, it's time to go."
As Master Chen carefully stepped away from the table, he called to Master Feng, who remained frozen in his seat.
"Yes… It's time to go. If we don't, we might soon be escorted to the afterlife…"
"Pardon? What did you just say, Master Feng?"
"Nothing, Master Chen. Let's go quickly."
And so, the two raised their hands and cautiously walked past the sizzling crimson lightsaber. As they exited the Xie family's mansion and reached its perimeter, they discovered that the entire estate—no, the entire Mingling Mountain—was surrounded by officers of the Empire's Southern Capital Police Department.
The moment Master Feng stepped out, two officers approached him urgently and asked:
"Master Feng, what's the situation inside?"
"Who authorized this operation?! Why wasn't I informed of such a large-scale action?"
"Master Feng, actually, we…"
Before the stammering officer could explain further, the other officer, seemingly more composed, continued in his stead.
"Master Feng, this isn't actually a capture operation as instructed from above..."
"What? Then what is it?"
"We were called here to wait for the cleanup."
This conversation left Master Chen, who was standing nearby, utterly stunned. However, when Master Feng saw him behind, his face turned serious, and he switched his tone, saying to Master Chen:
"Brother Chen, this isn't the place to explain. Let's leave the mountain first."
"Ah, yes, alright."
With that, Master Chen hurriedly left the Mingling Mountain, using the convenient path arranged by Master Feng...
Meanwhile, the black-armored centurion still blocking the entrance of the Xie Family Estate appeared unconcerned about the potential danger in the crowd, not realizing that some might be trying to harm him...
Just as a robed wanderer from the back of the guest procession approached him, the man suddenly shouted "Ah!" and swung his longsword at the black-armored centurion's head.
"Buzz—Splatter—"
Without even turning his head, the black-armored centurion easily flicked aside the attack. A crimson glow flashed through the dim light, accompanied by the sound of a plasma sword clashing...
The would-be attacker, a Jianghu Taoist, was instantly bisected by the crimson blade, his body falling lifelessly to the ground.
"Now... huff..."
In the inner courtyard, there were still some people left, mostly Xie Family servants and other Jianghu figures who had not been called up...
Among them was the elderly Master Xie, seated in the middle of the main room.
"Now... all the culprits are present. Time for their execution..."
"Fire! Fire! Don't be intimidated by that fearsome appearance. If we all attack together, we can kill him!"
A Jianghu figure, sitting at the main table, yelled as he raised a long knife. He then turned to Master Xie and shouted in agreement.
"That's right! Someone, shoot that guy full of holes!"
"Yes!"
The servants standing on either side of the inner courtyard gathered in front of Master Xie. They pulled out laser pistols and aimed them at the black-armored centurion. Meanwhile, the remaining Jianghu figures, still at the banquet, weren't idle...
Anyone carrying a weapon quickly drew it and began to fire wildly at the black-armored centurion, who stood motionless in front of the archway.
"Fire!"
In an instant, the laser bullets fired from all directions became the primary light source in the darkened courtyard... But after several shots, they quickly realized a grim reality.
None of the laser bullets had any effect.
Except for those with poor aim, all the shots directed at the black-armored centurion were casually deflected by his crimson sword. The laser bullets ricocheted off and struck the walls and the ground... In short, after a round of wild shooting, not a single bullet got close to—no, not even near—the black-armored centurion.
The ricocheted laser bullets seemed to have a mind of their own...
Nearly half of them, as if guided, were sent back toward the shooters, hitting them squarely in the chest.
The black-armored centurion continued to deflect laser bullets effortlessly with his plasma sword while leisurely approaching the main building of the Xie Family Estate.
Before he had even covered half the distance, most of the servants holding guns had been struck dead by the laser bullets he deflected. One servant, unable to control his fear, screamed and tried to scale the high wall of the Xie Family Estate. But the black-armored centurion simply raised his empty left hand slightly. The servant was yanked into the air, as if held by an invisible hand, and pulled toward the black-armored centurion, who casually decapitated him with a downward slash of his crimson sword.
"Ah... you truly disappoint me."
At this moment, those so-called Jianghu figures, like vicious outlaws, charged forward, screaming as they attacked the black-armored centurion from either side.
"Honestly... I really overestimated you."
In the blink of an eye, the black-armored centurion effortlessly crushed the blade of the long sword in one hand...
With a swift motion, his plasma sword slashed cleanly through the neck of the other attacker.
Simultaneously, before the shattered sword pieces could even hit the ground, the black-armored centurion used his other hand to push...
The broken sword shards flew through the air like shotgun pellets, piercing through the body of the attacker.
The black-armored centurion then reached out, and the plasma sword he had thrown smoothly circled back, cutting down more of the Jianghu figures before returning to his hand.
In a single sweep, not only did he clear the remaining Jianghu figures, but he also severed some of the umbrella posts, causing the pouring rain to rush into the courtyard.
"This is why I cannot tolerate you living in this world. It is not only a humiliation to the Empire but to my own dignity."
After the swift killing, only a few people remained in the inner courtyard, including Master Xie and his adopted son, along with several Jianghu figures.
"Now... let us end all of this..."
"Fight back! Fight back now!"
Master Xie's adopted son shouted, raising his gun. But despite several laser pistols firing at the black-armored centurion, they couldn't halt his steady advance.
A large round table blocked his path, but with a single sword strike, it was sliced in half like paper. The two halves of the table flew outward, smashing into two Jianghu figures, snapping their necks.
In the chaos, the black-armored centurion remained calm. However, his adopted son was struck by one of the laser bullets, deflected by the black-armored centurion's plasma sword, and was instantly killed.
"Burn in hell, you monster!"
An elderly man in a red robe threw two fiery serpents from his sleeves, aiming them at the black-armored centurion's mask...
But the black-armored centurion simply raised his hand to block them. The fiery serpents crashed into an invisible wall and dissipated.
"What?!"
"You... should try tasting the flames yourself..."
With a tight squeeze of his hand, the red-robed man let out two loud cracks, and the intense heat and flames consumed him in an instant...
Even though he ran into the rain, the fire didn't stop. Soon, the man fell silent, his body completely consumed by the flames.
"Master Xie, you must leave! We will hold them off!"
The remaining Jianghu figures brandished their weapons, but before Master Xie could say anything, they screamed and charged at the black-armored centurion.
The outcome was clear. These brash martial artists, whose voices were as loud as the sky, were now facing the silent Black-armored Captain…
It was as if a group of monkeys with wooden sticks had encountered a fully armored warrior. In the midst of the buzzing and clashing sounds of plasma lightsabers…
The remaining martial artists fell to their knees at the feet of the Black-armored Captain, completely ending their foolish lives.
"Who... who are you?!"
At this moment, only Old Master Xie and the Black-armored Captain were left in the courtyard...
As Old Master Xie attempted to get up, his fear caused him to accidentally fall to the ground.
The Black-armored Captain effortlessly flicked aside the birthday table that was in his way…
Having sheathed his lightsaber, he slowly walked toward Old Master Xie, who was lying on the ground.
"Who... Hoo... Who... Hoo..."
The heavy, mechanical, metallic breathing caused Old Master Xie to hesitate and not dare to lift his head to face the Black-armored Captain. Yet, in his extreme fear and rage, he still resorted to the most cowardly act.
His fear and anger had clouded his judgment. He drew the retractable sword hidden behind his back, thinking it was a surprise attack, and stabbed toward the Black-armored Captain.
It hit…
"Ding! Crack!"
The crisp sound of metal breaking froze Old Master Xie in place.
The retractable sword struck the Black-armored Captain's dark armor, but it was as if a thin stick had been thrust at solid stone, breaking instantly.
"You truly are... the lowest form of villain…"
The Black-armored Captain drew and activated his lightsaber with a swift motion, severing Old Master Xie's sword-wielding hand in one clean strike.
"Ahhh!"
As Old Master Xie screamed, clutching his wrist, the Black-armored Captain raised a finger and levitated him into the air.
He first pointed to his right hand, then to his head.
"You really should have shot for my head back then."
"You... you... who are you?!"
"This is the ending."
With a crash of thunder in the pouring rain, the Black-armored Captain raised his plasma lightsaber high and swung it down with all his might…
Crack!