The Phoenix of the Slums

The group emerged from the tomb’s side tunnel just as the first light of dawn stained the misty sky in hues of ash and gold Tianming’s legs were stiff from the battle and the vision but his eyes were sharper than ever beside him.

Fang adjusted her dagger holsters her face calm but alert behind them Xu Liang and Zhao scanned the tree line Dr Jin was murmuring to himself tracing notes on a cracked tablet muttering about bloodlines seals and a forgotten empire.

Song Rui limped forward until he collapsed against a tree trunk panting “I need answers” he growled “What did you see in there Tianming What the hell are you”

Tianming didn’t answer immediately his fingers pressed against the mark on his chest though now invisible he could feel it pulsing deep within his core not on the skin but beneath it like something ancient had etched itself onto his very soul the memories from the Seal hadn’t faded they whispered in the back of his mind like shadows in water too blurred to fully grasp yet sharp enough to draw blood.

“I saw a war,” Tianming finally said his voice low

“A war older than any dynasty fought not with armies but with names power bloodlines symbols The clans were once gods and devils pretending to be men”

Xu Liang narrowed his eyes “You’re talking about the Eight Sealed Clans That’s mythology”

“No it’s history” Dr Jin interjected his voice trembling with awe.

“The Seal just confirmed it The Lotus Clan isn’t the root they’re a branch The trunk… might be you Tianming”

Zhao rubbed his temples “What do we do now Hide Wait for them to come again with more blades and fire”

Tianming stood up straight the exhaustion burning off his body like steam “No We strike first”

They moved swiftly through the forest taking an unmarked trail that curved around the hills avoiding the main roads.

Fang had stolen a map from the tomb’s inner chamber a layout not just of the tomb but of several known Lotus Clan safehouses one of which was located in a remote section of Denghai’s eastern district disguised as a wellness retreat for high society the location reeked of secrecy.

Tianming’s gut told him that was their next target

By nightfall they reached the outskirts of the district Fang used her connections to acquire forged IDs and uniforms passing themselves off as a security audit team they slipped through the outer gates with little resistance inside the facility everything looked normal too normal bodies moved with polite discipline the kind that only came from violent fear.

Tianming’s eyes scanned every corner every hallway until they came to a steel door guarded by two men in suits their jackets were tailored over armor and their eyes didn’t blink like regular muscle these were Lotus Clan elites.

Tianming took point his tone calm “We’re from the Provincial Commission Need to inspect the biometric data vault”.

One guard scoffed “Didn’t get any alert”.

Tianming didn’t blink “Try denying us and you’ll get a full audit by dawn”.

The guard hesitated then slowly stepped aside the steel door groaned open revealing a stark white hallway at the end of which sat another locked chamber.

Tianming led the way and as soon as they stepped inside he spun around and slammed the override panel Fang sealed the door with her lock tool.

“We’ve got ten minutes max” she said.

Xu Liang moved to the console while Zhao kept watch Tianming walked to the far wall a digital archive pulsed on the screen files with names he didn’t recognize and then he saw it.

“Lu Qingshan Archive” his breath caught.

He opened the file video footage played an old man’s face appeared worn eyes haunted.

“If this is being watched I am likely dead My son Tianming… they will come for you.

You were never supposed to be ordinary.

The blood of the Origin Line flows through you.

The Seal is not just a memory it is a map The Lotus Clan… they were once protectors now they are enslaved by greed and shadow I failed to protect your mother but you… you must rise”.

Tianming stood frozen heart thudding.

“Who’s Lu Qingshan” Song Rui asked behind him.

“My father” Tianming whispered.

Suddenly alarms blared red lights flashed throughout the facility.

“They found us" Zhao cursed “Time to go”.

As they turned to run the steel door burst open with a shockwave a tall man in silver robes entered his face was marked with a curved tattoo across his left cheek the symbol of the First Lotus.

“I am Liang Feihong Captain of the Root Guard” he said his voice smooth.

“You’ve stolen sacred truths Prepare to pay with pain”.

Without waiting he lunged his palm glowing with golden energy.

Xu Liang rushed forward sword drawn Liang Feihong deflected with a single motion rotating his wrist and striking Xu Liang’s blade at an angle that knocked it loose before driving his elbow into Xu’s ribs sending him crashing into the wall.

Tianming ducked a sweeping strike from Liang’s leg grabbed his wrist and twisted but Liang moved with fluid grace flipping through the air landing on Tianming’s back and slamming him forward Tianming rolled letting the momentum carry him breaking free and launching a roundhouse kick Liang blocked it with his forearm the force still pushing him back.

Fang appeared from the side slashing with both daggers Liang parried one ducked the second but her knee shot upward catching him in the stomach Zhao followed with a flying shoulder tackle but Liang pivoted on one heel grabbing Zhao mid-air and spinning him into a cabinet shattering glass.

Tianming’s blood burned the mark on his chest glowed faintly again and suddenly everything slowed his breath deepened his vision sharpened he moved again this time reading Liang’s next attack ducking under the punch and countering with a palm to the throat then a sweep at the knees Liang fell back but smiled.

“You’re beginning to awaken It’s too soon But you’re already dangerous”.

Liang vanished in a blur of motion retreating down the hallway as guards began to swarm Tianming grabbed the backup drive and shouted “Move”.

They burst through the rear hall Fang disabling the outer locks with seconds to spare before gunfire rang through the corridor they leapt through a ventilation shaft and dropped into the back alley running full tilt into the cover of night.

Only once they reached their safehouse in the abandoned district did they pause.

Dr Jin looked at Tianming “Your father… he knew everything”.

Tianming sat on the floor the drive in his hands the words echoing in his mind again and again.

“The Seal is a map The Origin Line must rise again”.