My Players Are So Fierce

“Can you take us to see the ruins of Cardman City in the Astral Plane? Mannis said there are still a hundred thousand living people there, or to the place where the Lord of Darkness was banished. I’d like to see if poor Hether is doing okay lately.”

“I don’t know where the ruins of Cardman City are.”

Cui Tan answered honestly:

“Although I’m called ‘Wanderer,’ I can only quickly traverse the regions of the Astral Plane I’ve already explored. Only a bold guy like Mannis, who can twist time, dares to roam freely through dangerous chaotic streams. Those places are extremely dangerous for us demigods, as they are death vortices formed by the power of the subspace within the Astral Plane.

So if Mannis told you about it, it’s very likely to be its own secret.

Let me tell you, that serpent is absolutely rotten! It’s collected a lot of dirt on others, just waiting to use it at critical moments. After learning it provoked Ao and was sealed, all the demigods are ready to teach it a lesson.

But that guy always has a way to escape from others, sigh. The world of demigods is also very cruel; those scoundrels aren’t as benevolent as I am.

As for the place where the Lord of Darkness is banished…sorry, such a dangerous place is not for me. If the Silver Wolf had to relocate its tribe, then a lonely old turtle like me should best stay away from the chaos.

But don’t worry, the Astral Plane is full of strange creatures and oddities, missing one sealed Old Evil God isn’t a big deal.”

“Um, who just threatened to throw us two vampires into the chaotic stream?”

Triss complained:

“You call this benevolence? You demigods have such a twisted sense of value.”

“Look at our world, Triss; it’s become this way because of you vampires. You’ve destroyed the beautiful future of your own world, and there’s a reason why nobody likes vampires! Perhaps you should be a bit more humble.”

Cui Tan responded:

“But Murphy is an exception. Although you’ve never ventured into the sea, Leviathan is actually watching you. Not just my lord, all Divine Spirits are watching you; it’s truly a strange thing.

That’s why I agreed to Mannis’s request to help out today, just to get a close-up look at you, this miraculous chap.”

“Did you figure anything out?”

Murphy asked. The old turtle let out a hoarse laugh which made it slow down, and in line with its sluggish demeanor, it drew out its words:

“I saw just a tiny bit, but it’s enough. Mannis is blessed. It’s already latched onto real power, but luckily, you have two legs, so can I hitch a ride too?

I’m not bragging, but I do have some influence in the material world, and when you head to the Misty Sea, I can offer some help.”

“Sure, I could use some friends right now.”

Murphy was open to Cui Tan’s ‘friendship invitation.’ Just as he was about to make some requests, he heard Cui Tan say:

“You’ve arrived! The space reflection here corresponds to the Vampire Port on the Misty Coast, but hurry, in five minutes the spatial reflection will be disrupted. If you don’t want to end up in the eternal icebergs of the material world’s South Pole, you should disembark now.

Murphy, call my name if you need my help. You already bear the mark of the Endless One, so I can’t leave a mark on you too, but I will strive to listen to your pleas.

It’s been a pleasure meeting you, you enigmatic sir.”

The next instant, the old turtle flipped over, tossing Triss and Murphy into the astral rift it tore open.

They fell as if into water, experiencing a moment of suffocation, but the next second they plunged into the material world, descending from the murky sky. When Murphy opened his eyes, he saw a port ablaze.

“Hmm? Did we come to the wrong place?”

Murphy spread his wings to start gliding, looking down at the half-burnt port city, he said to the Triss beside him:

“Why is there fighting here as well? Isn’t this the headquarters of the Blood Fear Clan?”

“NONONO, Blood Plunder Bay is the largest pirate city on the Vampire Coast. The Blood Fear Clan has great influence here, but they’re not the only rulers of this city.”

Having traveled the world, Triss explained to Murphy:

“Perhaps the local pirates are throwing another party. I remember the last time I came, those bastards got the city aflame from drunken revelry, it’s their regular show.”

“But I heard cannon fire. Partying usually doesn’t involve firing cannons, does it?”

Murphy said with a peculiar expression:

“Something is definitely wrong down there. Let’s go and check it out!”

He intended to fold his wings mid-air and make a hellish dive. Before he could, Triss grabbed his wrist, the Crimson Witch rather annoyed, pointed to a small bay nearby, saying:

“Shani, that foxy lady is there. Let’s go see her first.”

“She’s already here? How can she be so fast?”

Murphy raised his eyebrows, following Triss as they shifted direction to land in Shani’s area.

A temporary camp had been set up, and as the two descended, they found themselves surrounded by high-ranking Night Walkers of the Thorn Clan. While Shani stood on a hill holding binoculars to view the distant blaze, she waved her hand, not turning her head, and said:

“The Blood Fear Clan has experienced a rebellion; Babro and his loyalists were ambushed and imprisoned by a group of rebellious vampires.”

“Huh? Isn’t he the Duke of Blood Fear? How could vampires beneath him rebel?”

“Those traitors seized the Blood Fear Clan’s Sacred Blood Pool. They’ve drunk the Origin Blood and are now uncontrollable, the rebellion occurred after that. Where do you think this rebellion got its inspiration?

Murphy!

Take a good look at this burning city before you.

This is the fate your Blood Vulture Clan is destined to face in the future. Freedom… it’s never been something vampires should pursue.”