The Legend of Shushan
"Shushan?"
Matt Murdock's brows furrowed in confusion.
His mentor, Stick, was deeply familiar with Chinese martial arts and mysticism, and Matt himself had absorbed a fair amount of Longguo culture.
But Shushan Sword Immortals?
That was a myth.
"Is this real?"
---
[Exclamation Value from Matt Murdock +200]
---
Lu Xiaofeng's expression darkened, his usual playful demeanor giving way to solemnity.
He let out a quiet sigh before speaking.
"In the Demon Lock Tower of Shushan, powerful ancient demons are sealed away."
He paused, then continued in a low, measured tone.
"But Bai Yifei… was bewitched by the Gorefiend locked inside."
"He betrayed Shushan."
"He helped the Gorefiend escape from the Demon Lock Tower."
Matt listened carefully, processing the information.
After a moment, he spoke.
"I overheard Bai Yifei instructing Madame Gao to capture a group of vampires as sacrifices."
"Does that mean this 'Gorefiend' is connected to them?"
Lu Xiaofeng nodded gravely.
"That's very likely."
"The elders of Shushan once said—the Gorefiend is the source of Western vampires."
"It possesses monstrous power."
"Centuries ago, the Gorefiend attempted to invade the Dragon Kingdom but was defeated by the Immortals of Shushan and sealed away."
"But now, it has escaped."
"Bai Yifei is likely using the captured vampires as a sacrificial medium to fully resurrect it."
"If the Gorefiend revives, it will slaughter the people of New York to regain its power."
---
[Exclamation Value from Matt Murdock +300]
---
Matt's fists clenched.
"We have to stop him."
Lu Xiaofeng glanced at Matt's wound.
"You've been bleeding for a while. Let's get that treated first."
Matt shook his head.
"No time."
---
The Grand Deception
Meanwhile, in Madame Gao's factory, Lu Cheng slowly opened his eyes, grinning.
His connection with Lu Xiaofeng's shadow clone had just ended.
"Poor Daredevil… completely fooled."
---
Over the past few days, Lu Cheng had been testing his abilities.
He discovered that when cards were infused into Shadow Clones, they became completely independent, indistinguishable from real people.
And the best part?
He could control them remotely, reassign cards, or retrieve them at will.
"Things are getting more interesting."
"Now, let's make the whole world dance to my tune."
Because—
Everything he told Daredevil was a lie.
Shushan?
Only Lu Xiaofeng existed.
The Gorefiend?
Completely made up.
Lu Cheng planned to have Oya Castle Flame use his Blood Dragon Eye to pretend to be the Gorefiend.
But that didn't matter.
Because as long as he kept racking up Exclamation Points, he could eventually obtain real Immortals, real demonic threats, and make Shushan a reality.
"First… let's stir the pot a little more."
---
A Few Days Later – A Private Manor on the Outskirts of New York
Two vampires, dressed in black tactical robes, stood at the gated entrance of a lavish estate, armed with submachine guns.
One of them grumbled.
"This sucks."
"Tonight's a blood feast, and we're stuck on security duty?"
"Tell me about it," the other groaned. "I've been drinking plasma bags for a month now—I forgot what fresh blood even tastes like."
"Ha. You got it easy. The other night, I got lucky. Found a young girl—her blood was so sweet."
The second vampire closed his eyes in delight, reminiscing.
Then—
A silver dagger pierced his chest.
"Gah—!"
Before he could scream, a gloved hand covered his mouth.
His body erupted into ashes.
A Hand ninja silently lowered the body.
Not far away, Bai Yifei—the Blood-Robed Marquis—watched with an unfeeling expression.
"Begin."
At his command, Madame Gao and the others stormed the manor.
---
Inside the Manor – The Blood Feast
A grand ballroom, lavishly decorated.
Elegant gentlemen in suits, swirling wine glasses filled with dark red liquid.
Only… it wasn't wine.
It was blood.
Standing on stage, a tall man with sharp, aristocratic features surveyed the room.
"Ladies and gentlemen."
"Welcome to our monthly blood feast."
Baron Anhalt, a high-ranking pureblood vampire, clapped his hands.
Immediately, a dozen young girls, all Asian, were escorted onto the stage.
Terror filled their tear-streaked faces.
One of the vampires near the front chuckled.
"I love Oriental blood."
"It's sweet and rich—so much better than white girls. Their blood stinks."
"Agreed."
Excited whispers spread across the ballroom.
Baron Anhalt raised a hand, his fangs glinting under the chandelier light.
"Now, let us—"
BOOM!
The ballroom doors burst open.
Madame Gao and her forces stormed in.
Baron Anhalt's eyes narrowed.
"Madame Gao?"
His expression darkened as he saw Bai Yifei step in behind her.
"You idiots are courting death."
---
Chaos Ensues
"Kill all except the purebloods."
Bai Yifei's voice was cold.
His gaze flickered to the terrified girls.
His expression hardened.
"You filthy creatures dare prey on them?"
"Then I shall devour you instead."
Baron Anhalt's fangs extended fully.
"You dare—!"
He lunged at Bai Yifei—
But before he could even get close, Madame Gao struck first.
Her palm shot forward, sending a shockwave rippling through the air—
SMASH!
Baron Anhalt crashed into a table, shattering it on impact.
Madame Gao's lips curled into a smile.
"Baron Anhalt… why don't you have a little playdate with my dear Bai Yifei?"