Fated | Fangs Of Fortune [ZhuYi]

Chapter 10 : Eight Years Later

Tiandu City had grown more vulnerable with each passing year. Demon attacks came more frequently, each one more ferocious than the last. Once a thriving hub of culture and power, the city was now a battleground. And the Demon Hunting Bureau, the city's last line of defense, was all but extinct.

Eight years ago, the Bureau had been wiped out in a single night. On that fateful day, the streets of Tiandu were supposed to be bustling with joy, filled with celebrations. Instead, the Bureau was drowned in blood. Every last member perished, except for one, The youngest of the Zhuo family. He had been found unconscious among the bodies of his fallen comrades, lying beside his older brother and his father, who had not survived.

That day, the Demon Hunting Bureau was obliterated, and with it, the hopes of Tiandu. The streets that should have been filled with life were instead soaked with the blood of those who had dedicated their lives to protecting the city.

In the wake of the Bureau's destruction, a new power emerged, ChongWu Camp. They appeared out of nowhere, like a storm from the shadows, and began hunting demons with ruthless efficiency. Their warriors, fierce and unrelenting, drove back the monsters that plagued the city. With each victory, they gained more ground, their influence spreading quickly. Soon, ChongWu Camp was in control of Tiandu, trusted by the emperor himself.

What had once been a city of hope now stood under the iron grip of the camp, its streets safe, but its soul twisted. The Demon Hunting Bureau was all but forgotten, its legacy lost in the bloodshed of that fateful day.

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In the garden of the Demon Hunting Bureau, a figure in a midnight blue robe practiced sword fighting with fluid precision. The robe bore a golden phoenix embroidered on its surface, glinting as he moved. His dark hair was tied back with a golden ornament, small streaks braided with tiny bells hanging from their ends. A black headband rested on his forehead, adding to his disciplined appearance. Each swift, calculated movement exuded both grace and quiet strength, the golden phoenix catching the light with every turn.

"Yi Chen" A male voice interrupted his practice.

Yi Chen stopped his practice with one final graceful move, the sword still poised in his hand. Turning, he made his way inside the roofed section of the bureau, coming face to face with an older man.

"Mr. Fan" Yi Chen greeted politely.

"The reestablishment of the Demon Hunting Bureau has been approved by the Emperor this afternoon" Mr. Fan announced, handing over an official document.

Yi Chen quickly scanned the contents. "Finally, Mr. Fan. Your hard work has paid off" he said with a small smile.

"Our hard work" Mr. Fan corrected. "If Young Master hadn't been hunting demons and spreading your name, this day wouldn't have come."

Yi Chen let out a light laugh. "If Mr. Fan hadn't come to the Demon Hunting Bureau eight years ago, this place would already be under the control of the Chongwu Camp."

Both shared a bittersweet laugh before Mr. Fan's tone grew serious. "But we must form a team, an elite team for demon hunting" he said, his brow furrowed. "Right now, we have no one but you."

"I already have a team in mind, Mr. Fan" Yi Chen replied confidently.

"And I'm part of that team, aren't I, Xiao Zhuo?" a woman's voice interrupted their conversation. She walked toward them, dressed in a white and pink hanfu, her braided hair framing an elegant face and a warm smile.

"No, you're not, Wen Xiao" Yi Chen replied quickly.

"I'm your aunt. I get to decide whether I join or not" Wen Xiao said in a scolding tone. "Besides, I'm the Baize Goddess."