Fated to Rule, Destined to Love: The Martial Emperor’s Curse

Chaos Unleashed

BOOM!

A violent explosion erupted in the distance, sending a pillar of fire into the night sky.

Ling Tian's eyes flickered toward the source—the main hall of the Ling Clan was in flames.

Screams echoed through the night as clan members rushed to contain the blaze. Disciples poured out of their quarters, some confused, others already preparing for battle.

"An attack?" someone shouted.

"The clan is under siege!"

Ling Tian smirked.

'Finally, something interesting.'

He turned back to the captured female assassin still locked in his grip. Her face was pale, but her eyes remained filled with defiance.

"This is just the beginning," she muttered.

Ling Tian's fingers tightened around her wrist.

"Oh? Then tell me—who started it?"

She spat on the ground.

"You'll find out soon enough."

Ling Tian sighed.

"I don't have time for riddles."

With a flick of his fingers—

CRACK!

Her body slumped, unconscious.

Not dead—just… temporarily broken.

"Now, let's see who's behind all this."

Ling Tian vanished, racing toward the chaos.

---

Battle in the Clan Grounds

The Ling Clan's main courtyard was a battlefield.

Masked figures in dark robes clashed against clan guards and disciples.

Weapons clashed, fists met flesh, and blood splattered across the pristine stone paths.

"Who are these people?!"

"They're moving too fast—watch out!"

Ling Tian landed on a nearby rooftop, surveying the fight. His gaze sharpened as he recognized a familiar black emblem on the attackers' robes.

The Snake Hall.

A group of clan elders stood at the center of the battle, holding the line against the masked warriors.

"Hold your ground!" an elder roared. "Protect the ancestral hall!"

Despite their experience, they were being pushed back.

Ling Tian shook his head.

'Weak. No strategy. No coordination.'

Then, his gaze landed on a specific figure.

A man in silver armor, standing in the middle of the chaos.

Unlike the others, he wasn't fighting. He was simply… watching.

Ling Tian narrowed his eyes.

'The real leader?'

Without hesitation, he moved.

---

The Silver Shadow

Ling Tian appeared behind the armored man in an instant, his aura hidden.

His fingers curled into a knife-hand strike, aiming for the man's neck.

But the moment his attack was about to land—

CLANG!

A sword blocked his strike at the last second.

The silver-armored man smirked.

"I was wondering when you'd show up."

Ling Tian's eyes gleamed.

"Someone's confident."

The man turned, lowering his sword slightly.

"You must be Ling Tian."

Ling Tian didn't answer.

The man chuckled.

"You're just as reckless as they said."

Ling Tian raised an eyebrow.

"They? Who's 'they'?"

The silver-armored man stepped back, tapping his blade against the ground.

"You'll find out soon enough. But right now…"

His eyes sharpened.

"I need to see if you live up to your reputation."

Then—

He attacked.

---

A Duel Under the Moon

Ling Tian dodged the first strike, barely shifting his body.

The next attack came faster—a downward slash aimed at his chest.

Ling Tian tilted his head, letting the blade graze past his cheek.

'Fast. Strong. But predictable.'

With a smirk, he countered.

His palm shot out, aiming for the man's ribs.

But the silver-armored warrior twisted, dodging at the last second.

Ling Tian's attack missed—but only slightly.

The man smirked.

"Good. You're not all talk."

Ling Tian licked the blood off his cheek.

"Neither are you."

The two warriors vanished, their figures becoming a blur as they clashed across the burning courtyard.

CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!

Sparks flew as their attacks met, neither gaining the upper hand.

The battle raged around them, but for these two—nothing else mattered.

---

A Sudden Shift

Then—Ling Tian saw it.

A tiny shift in the man's footing.

A half-second pause in his breath.

A single mistake.

Ling Tian exploited it instantly.

His knee shot forward—slamming into the warrior's stomach.

The silver-armored man coughed, stumbling back.

Before he could recover, Ling Tian was already above him.

A palm strike slammed into his chest, sending him crashing into the ground.

BOOM!

A crater formed beneath him.

Ling Tian landed softly, his foot pressing down on the man's chest.

"You're strong," he admitted. "But I'm stronger."

The man coughed, wiping blood from his mouth.

Then—he laughed.

Ling Tian frowned.

"What's so funny?"

The man smirked.

"You really don't get it, do you?"

Ling Tian's eyes narrowed.

Suddenly—a cold sensation prickled at the back of his neck.

A second presence.

A powerful aura.

Ling Tian spun around—but it was too late.

A black dagger descended toward his back.

He had walked right into a trap.

---