The southern quadrant of Dark City was the capital’s center of commerce. Filled with shops and vendors, it thronged with boisterous crowds. Nearly half of the capital’s shops were concentrated in the southern quadrant; it was also the commercial hub for Darklake Empire as a whole.

Apart from the Lu Clan, the other six major families all had storefronts in the quadrant.

Bam!

A muffled explosion rang from a magnificent pagoda that seemed more like an abode for fairies than a shop. Its lavish doors blew out in an explosion of shards as a person sailed through them, shocking the passersby on the streets.

“Ah, isn’t that the general manager of the Ouyang trading company? Who’s beat him up like this?” someone gasped when they recognized the man.

“As much as the Ouyangs have suffered over the past few days, they still possess deep foundations and are one of the seven great families of the empire. Who dares stir up trouble in their storefront and cripple their general...