"What Divine Tree Seed? I have no idea what you're talking about."

Hey now, this was no time for jokes. "Princess Royal, don’t you remember? I gave you the Divine Tree Seed in place of the Elven heart."

"You must be mistaken. You never gave me anything."

Desmona stuck to her story.

There’s a saying: *A thief’s theft is less dangerous than a thief’s attention*. That was precisely why Desmona denied everything. Though a princess, she couldn’t risk scheming eyes fixating on her. Better to dump this mess entirely on Wenwu. To outsiders, their friendly rapport made her denial believable—though the truth was far darker. No need to drag herself into Black Street’s power struggles for his sake.

Wenwu stared at Desmona’s "innocent" face, words failing him. This betrayal cut deeper than any he’d ever known.

"Anything else, everyone?" Desmona asked lightly.

"No further trouble, Princess Royal," Auston replied, bowing. Even Black Street’s heavyweights performed the required courtesies for royalty.

With no further demands, Desmona vanished into a teleportation circle—utterly indifferent to Wenwu’s turmoil.

"Brother Wu," Amia smiled sweetly, "surely you’ll hand over the Elvenfolk’s treasure now?"

Betrayal from behind always stung deepest.

"Hey! I’m talking to you, bastard!" Greg snapped.

Wenwu remained lost in thought, unresponsive even as Silver called his name.

Greg’s patience snapped. Even Auston’s elegant brow furrowed.

"Damn it!" Greg stormed toward Wenwu.

Black Scorpion blocked his path.

"Scorpion, what’s this mean?" Greg growled.

"My turf. Take your fight outside. And honestly? I couldn’t care less about some Elven treasure. Keep the brat—I want the silver fox."

"Fine. Whatever." Greg shoved past Black Scorpion’s arm and advanced.

Wenwu finally snapped back to reality. Reasoning with these wolves was pointless. Only one option remained.

"Formless wind, cling to my form—swifter than Jade Star’s light!"

This time, the chant worked. A breeze stirred the sealed room. No gale-force winds, but enough for Jade Star to manifest.

Jade Star materialized beside Wenwu. "Hey," Wenwu whispered, "besides speed, what else can you do?"

"Short bursts of levitation," came the telepathic reply.

"Perfect. Let’s go."

Jade Star shifted into an emerald short sword. Wenwu seized Silver’s collar, kicked through a window, and glanced back—surprised none pursued him.

He landed safely using Jade Star’s levitation. Then he understood their calm: assassins from the Assassins Union and Gray Church surrounded him completely.

"Running again, kid?" Greg leaned out the broken window. With a thunderous *CRASH*, he landed heavily below—proof of a body built to withstand such impacts. This Assassins Union leader wouldn’t be easy to handle.

Auston and Black Scorpion exited calmly through the door.

"Auston," Black Scorpion called, "be a dear and fetch that silver fox for me?"

"Of course, Sister Scorpion. Your wish is my command." Auston clasped his hands, murmuring incomprehensible incantations. Trapped, Wenwu dared not move.

"*Open!*" Auston roared.

"Ahh!" Silver cried out behind Wenwu. When he turned, only a dark void remained where she’d stood.

"*Master!*" Silver’s voice echoed as Black Scorpion hoisted her over her shoulder. The assassin pinned Silver’s limp tail with one hand, dagger aimed at Wenwu with the other. "This fox is mine now."

"Let her go!" Wenwu lunged, Jade Star flashing. Greg stepped aside without resistance—proof these "Black Street brothers" were allies in name only.

Black Scorpion didn’t flinch.

*CLANG!* Her dagger blocked Wenwu’s strike.

*CLANG! CLANG! CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!* She parried every blow of his storm-like assault.

"Is this all you’ve got, kid?" Her voice dripped with boredom. Wenwu had expected to outspeed her with Jade Star’s power. Instead, she matched him effortlessly—clearly holding back.

Wenwu disengaged, putting distance between them.

"Given up? Then I’ll take my prize." Black Scorpion licked Silver’s pale thigh.

"M...aster... run..." Silver whispered weakly.

"Next time you see this little fox," Black Scorpion chuckled, "she’ll be begging for more. *If* you survive that long." She turned to leave, Silver slung over her shoulder.

"Stop!" Wenwu roared.

Black Scorpion ignored him, stroking Silver’s fur as she walked away.

"Worry about yourself first, kid," Greg called.

"Yeah, Brother Wu," Amia added sweetly, "just hand over the Elven treasure. We’ve no real quarrel with you. But stall much longer, and you’ll never catch Sister Scorpion."

If he had the Divine Tree Seed, he’d surrender it instantly. But he didn’t. A dead end.

Watching Black Scorpion fade into the distance, Wenwu charged past Greg—surely he could outpace this brute.

His target now: Greg.