The forest exploded into chaos.
From the shadows poured Ji Woo's army, witches twisted by corrupted magic and vampires whose eyes burned with hunger.
Their arrival shattered the silence like thunder.
Before fear could take hold, Tian Yu was already moving.
He launched himself forward, his strength overwhelming, every strike of his fists and blade sending bodies crashing into the trees. Bones snapped. Vampires fell at his feet, unable to withstand his fury.
Behind him, Yuyan was also fighting in another direction. The air bending around her. Her magic rose with her heartbeat.
Wind tore through the enemy ranks, lifting witches from the ground and throwing them
against the forest. Roots burst from the earth, trapping those who tried to flee. Fire followed, burning the enemy.
Leng Yue did not stand idle.
He charged beside them, his body fast and strong, his movements precise. Though he could not cast spells, his strength was undeniable. His strikes were deadly.
At the same time, his eyes never stopped watching the field.
"Behind you, Tian Yu!"
"Left — now!"
"Three coming from the ridge!"
His voice guided them, saving lives even as he fought.
Mimi's father roared and rushed into the fray, his power terrifying. With the strength of ten men in his blood, he became an unstoppable force, tearing through Ji Woo's soldiers, protecting the space behind him where his family stood.
Yu Wing fought beside him, his heart pounding, his hands shaking, yet he never stepped back. He fought for his mother, for Grandma.
Yun Qing who has been standing with the women, In case an enemy cross Yu Wing, also hold himself, he also join the fight, for the baby, for Jai Yu , for the only family heaven has blessed him with.
Spells cracked through the air.
Vampires leapt from the darkness.
Fire and steel met them.
The earth beneath them darkened with blood. The smell of smoke and magic filled the forest. Trees trembled. The night itself seemed to recoil from the violence.
Behind the warriors, Grandma gasped when she saw the creatures for the first time — the glowing eyes, the inhuman speed, the twisted magic tearing through the night. Her knees nearly gave way.
Mei's mother also froze in terror not hearing cry of the baby.
Jai Yu reaction was not different from the other women. their breaths caught in their throats. They had never seen witches or vampires before in real life.
The more they killed them, the more they appeared — as if the forest itself was giving birth to the them.
Far away, in Ji Woo's palace, she stood before her crystal mirror, watching the battle unfold. Seeing how fiercely Yuyan fought only made her smile.
"You think you can fight me, little princess?" She said coldly.
"I existed before you. I taught your mother what she herself did not know."
A dry laugh escaped her lips, loud and dry, as she continued watching the battle on the surface of the mirror.
Then, in the forest, as the warriors cut down the last of the attackers — before more could rush in again — Princess Yuyan slowly raised her hands.
Her lips moved, speaking in a forgotten tongue.
The air shifted.
A transparent wind rose from the ground, spinning in a widening circle around her. The world seemed to bend, the space between realms thinning — and suddenly, as Yuyan was standing before her.
Then, she froze.
Before Ji Woo could react, Yuyan's voice deepened, filled with ancient power. She lifted her hands higher — then brought them down with force.
A violent wave of energy burst forward.
Ji Woo was thrown across the room as if struck by an invisible giant. Her back slammed against the wall. She crashed to the floor, blood spilling from her mouth.
"What—?" Ji Woo gasped, turning toward the crystal in disbelief.
On its surface, Yuyan stood in the forest, a slow smirk tugging at her lips.
At that very moment the doors flew open.
Fang Leng rushed inside and knelt before he, helping her up, scanning her for wounds.
"The princess is not one to be taken lightly," he said quietly. "If you wish to challenge her again, your dragon must grow stronger. Otherwise… you may lose this battle."
Ji Woo wiped the blood from her lips, her eyes burning.
"I will never lose," she said, her voice hard.
"Not to a little girl I once taught."
She turned and stormed out of the chamber.
When the battle finally ended and the forest fell into an uneasy silence, Wu Zhen walked straight to his wife and his mother. He took both their hands, his grip firm, his voice steady despite the storm in his chest.
"I am not leaving you here," he said staring at his son. "I am taking you to Lianhua."
Grandma looked at him, startled. His wife's eyes filled with tears.
"Yes," Leng Yue said, stepping closer to them. "You cannot leave them here. Lianhua will be honored to shelter the woman who gave birth to the man with the strength of ten."
A small smile touched his lips as he spoke.
Grandma's gaze shifted — and stopped on Tian Yu.
She had seen how he fought. His speed and
strength.
Nothing about him was human.
"Who is this man?" she finally asked quietly, pointing at him.
Mei's father smiled, as he began the introductions.
"This is Leng Yue, the Seer spoke of in the prophecy, he is the prince of Lianhua.
And this is his sister, Princess Yuyan, the witch princess.
And this," he said, turning to Tian Yu, "is Tian Yu — the vampire prince of the forgotten bloodline."
Soft gasps excaped grandma lips, as she slowly walked toward him.
"I never thought I would live long enough to see the one for whose sake my son came into this world," she said, her voice breaking. Tears gathered in her eyes.
Tian Yu lowered his head slightly in respect.
Mei's mother, who had been standing quietly at his side, suddenly reached up and tapped Wu Zhen's arm. Her shoulders were a bit shaking, her eyes red from all the tears she had been holding back.
"You… you didn't mention Mei," she whispered. "Is she alive? Were you able to save her?"
Wu Zhen turned to her at once. He pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly.
"I'm sorry," he said softly. "I should have told you earlier "
He pulled back just enough to look at her. "Mei is alive. She grew up in the palace. And soon… she will be marrying Prince Leng Yue."
Prince Leng Yue quickly turned around walking away, as if he has know ideas of what they were talking about, making others laughed.
For a moment, Mei's mother could only stare at him.
Then her hand flew to her mouth.
As a soft sob escaped her, half laughter, half crying. "My daughter… alive… in the palace…"