The Appearance of the Night King

Back to the present.

Long Tianyuan, not yet fallen, slowly began to speak.

His deep voice reached everyone’s ears through the television.

"Greetings to all citizens of the nation. I am Long Tianyuan, the head of the Martial Arts Department."

"I believe everyone is very curious—curious about why we’ve only now decided to declassify information about martial artists."

At this point, Long Tianyuan took a deep breath, his gaze piercing through the screen as if looking at each and every one of them.

"The reason is... the world is about to undergo a great upheaval!"

"In places unknown to the public, we martial artists have fought countless battles."

"Our warriors have been silently battling demonic creatures to maintain social stability. That’s how it should have remained."

"But... unfortunately."

"Where there is light, there is darkness."

"The enemy’s strength has far exceeded our expectations. With our current power, we cannot stand against the hidden foes."

"Therefore... we have decided to make martial arts knowledge public!"

"We will officially implement a nationwide martial arts awakening policy!"

As his words fell, those watching the live broadcast were stunned.

What?

Judging by the head’s words, this was essentially... catapulting modern society straight into the martial arts era?

Online, comments exploded in chaos.

[I knew it! Everyone’s going to become a martial artist!]

[Damn... does this mean there’ll be talent assessments, just like in the novels?]

[Of course. Those with strong innate talent will be recruited by the authorities. As for those who can’t cultivate... who knows what’ll happen to them.]

[Question—what if I don’t want to join any faction and just want to awaken my talent and train alone?]

[Same here. I just want to become a martial artist without being tied to any organization. Sounds like too much trouble.]

Meanwhile, Long Tianyuan seemed to be receiving a message through his earpiece.

On screen, he listened briefly before continuing.

"We have decided to release all martial arts information in January. Over the next month, those interested in becoming martial artists can study the materials published on the official martial arts website."

"At the same time, we will establish martial arts training facilities across the nation, including talent assessment equipment. Construction is expected to be fully completed by the end of February."

"In March, we will officially begin the nationwide martial arts talent assessment and awakening process! At that time, everyone can visit their nearest designated government facility for testing!"

"Additionally, all participants will be registered in the system."

"Each person will receive a new identity token."

"Those who wish to join official departments must pass a series of examinations."

"If... someone prefers not to join the government, they may instead join civilian martial arts organizations."

"All relevant details can be found on the martial arts website."

Here, Long Tianyuan’s tone grew solemn.

"Finally, I must remind everyone—becoming a martial artist is no trivial matter."

"It will shape your future. You may face life-threatening dangers and bear the responsibility of safeguarding world peace!"

"Moreover... you will be subject to departmental regulations. You cannot endanger civilians or disrupt society."

"You cannot simply act as a free-spirited martial artist."

"Because martial artists are special beings. Their power exists to protect peace, not to harm the world!"

"If anyone, after becoming a martial artist, dares to harbor malicious intentions against society... then..."

"Our department’s enforcers will deliver judgment! Given the unpredictability of combat, targets will be dealt with—dead or alive!"

As he uttered those last words, everyone watching the broadcast could almost feel the overwhelming killing intent radiating from him.

[Damn! I just checked the martial arts website. If we undergo the talent assessment and become martial artists, we’ll face a ton of restrictions!]

[Right, you have to join either a government department or a civilian martial arts group. Otherwise, you’ll be labeled a rogue and dealt with separately!]

[Wait, you didn’t read carefully. That rule only applies to the secular world. If you leave for the Ancient Martial World, it doesn’t matter.]

[Tch. The Ancient Martial World sounds dangerous as hell. Only an idiot would go there.]

[Ha! Clearly, you haven’t read enough. The Ancient Martial World may be dangerous, but it doesn’t restrict personal freedom!]

[Yeah, but you might lose your life. I’m not going. Huh... why is there an Ancient Martial World sect recruitment portal on the website?]

[Let me see... Oh! So that’s it. If you don’t want to join the government or civilian factions in the secular world, you have two other choices—become a rogue martial artist in the Ancient Martial World or join one of its sects. That way, you can move freely between both worlds.]

[Makes sense. But joining a sect probably has strict conditions. If your talent’s weak, they won’t take you.]

[Hey, hey, hey... I was just starting to think I could quit my job and become the chosen one. Why does this suddenly feel like I’m just swapping one NPC role for another?]

[Same here.]

[Same. And this one might get me killed.]

[LOL, just don’t take the test and skip being a martial artist.]

[Exactly. I don’t want any part of this. Sounds like a hassle.]

[Didn’t you hear? There are terrifying enemies lurking in the shadows. What if you can’t even defend yourself?]

[Pfft. Come on. There are so many of us—what enemy could possibly take us all on?]

At the Leng Family residence.

Leng Qingqiu listened to the broadcast, her mind already made up.

She was certain—the future world would be one where martial artists reigned supreme.

Even with government oversight, the gap between ordinary people and martial artists would only widen in both ability and status.

The civilian martial arts groups might sound appealing, but in reality, they were still under the department’s control.

Given that, having Ling'er join the department was the best choice.

Besides... Gu Yan seemed to want her to join as well.

Was it... because it was safer there?

Leng Qingqiu sighed inwardly.

Gu Yan... just what are you planning?

And then—

Bzzzt! Screech—!

Screech—!

Across the nation, the live broadcast suddenly distorted, the image tearing apart as an ear-piercing static noise erupted.

At the broadcast site.

A panicked voice burst through Long Tianyuan’s earpiece.

"Sir! Emergency! Our broadcast has been hacked! The feed’s been overridden!"

"The tech team can’t fix it!"

No sooner had the words been spoken than—

BANG!

Long Tianyuan’s earpiece exploded into dust.

"Sir!"

His bodyguards leapt to their feet in alarm.

Long Tianyuan’s face darkened, but he raised a hand to signal that he was unharmed.

Without hesitation, he immediately ordered, "Bring up the live feed, now!"

Upon hearing this,

a member of the technical team swiftly pulled up the footage and projected it into the air before the crowd.

And in an instant,

everyone around the world watching the broadcast was stunned.

On the screen,

a vast black-and-gold palace appeared, with eerie fragments of stone floating ominously around the hall.

At the center of the grand hall, seated upon a throne, was a masked figure clad in black.

Though his face remained hidden, the arrogance and malice radiating from him were palpable to all.

A moment later,

just as the audience began to wonder who this person was, his cold, disdainful voice

echoed through the feed, reaching every listener.

["Darkness... endless darkness."]

["The world has rotted, and sin has festered deep."]

["But rejoice, for we of the 'Night' shall eradicate all corruption."]

["From this day forth, sin... shall cease to exist!"]

As his words faded,

the camera slowly zoomed out, revealing a horrifying sight.

Bzzzzzz!!!

Shadowy figures began emerging from every corner of the hall—

the ceiling, the walls, the floor.

Their grotesque, shifting forms crawled forth, sending chills down the spines of all who watched.

Then,

dozens of figures clad in identical, eerie luminescent robes stood in formation on either side of the throne.

The surface of their attire seemed to ripple like liquid, an unsettling sight.

With reverence, they stood by the throne

and declared in unison:

["We of the 'Night' shall eradicate all corruption!"]

"!!!!"

Long Tianyuan's face darkened as he watched the scene unfold.

Through gritted teeth, he uttered the name of the man on screen: "Night... King!!!"

This was the first time the entire Night organization had appeared before the world.

It was an official declaration—

the return of the Night.

After lying dormant since the Jianghai incident, vanishing without a trace...

Night King, you’ve finally shown yourself again!!

This time... I will make sure you die by my hand!!!