Merry Christmas everyone! Alright, so this will probably be my last chapter in 2024. This year has been a lot of chaos for me. Highs and lows. Hopefully, 2025 will be a good year. I'll see you all then. Now, on with the chapter.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

A city stood out before the Phantasmal company. The chaos up north of it is seemingly untouched. The leader Daji turned over to her new second in command. "Hoenggu City, a port city for Phantasmals, Mages, and various powerful criminals."

Daji's second in command looked on at the city. Many of the buildings fit what she would consider skyscrapers made in a period before one would expect them. By the looks of things, each one was connected by bridges to each other. There was also something that seemed a bit worn about the buildings. Like that, they hadn't been maintained beyond the bare minimum.

"Criminals?" The Oni near Daji asked as the group made their way to the city.

"Pirates use it as harbor and bandits do like to come here for protection but that is not all," As they walked deeper into the outsider fishing villages and forts leading in they could see various Phantasmals about. "There are said to be two Criminal Lords, the two supposed masters of the city that were able to bring many of the local bandit groups into their gangs."

That sounded like a form of organized crime. Like a yakuza of some sort. The fact there were two of them made it clear that there was a rivalry between them both, if only informally so. Reaching into her outfit Sakura pulled out that card that they had gotten. Supposedly this was the place that made them after all.

"Is one of them a Mage or are they able to do Magecraft?"

"One of them is unknown as no one really has seen them, while the other is a dragon who took a humanoid form," The fox woman had a rather annoyed look on her face at this. "Honestly, I know this isn't her doing but that's the most I can say about her."

There were quite a few random shops within the place. Some of which were selling things that couldn't be found. From lands over the sea while others are more illegal. Drugs that were obviously outlawed, and goods that more than likely are stolen. Sakura saw what was told here was counterfeit Mystic Codes. Such things are sold to those who don't know any better. As they walked around a group of kids seemed to come up and bump into Sakura.

It didn't take her long to realize that they were pickpockets. Trying to find out if she had a coin purse or any pockets. 'Rather pointless given I keep everything in a pocket of Imaginary Numbers.'

Sakura didn't really need pockets for her current outfit after all. Everything she needed she just reached into the shadowy space. Carry weight wasn't much of an issue and in theory, the space expanded with everything in it. It made it rather convenient to store everything she needed and made theft seemingly impossible.

Looking around she saw a stand selling what looked like cards similar to the one she had. On the table were seven of them each dressed in arms and armor not found in the region of the world. "I see you checking out my cards."

The vendor seemed to look human at first but she was way too pale. Not nature or form lack of sunlight, nor was it due to albinism. There weren't any signs of him being a phantasmal either. To Sakura, he was probably a Mage or maybe some sort of flesh golem.

"Yes, I found one like this a bit up north," Sakura did hold out that she found it when they were contracted out to help raze a large town. "Are these three all that there are?"

"Oh no there are seven cards so far," The vendor reached under and pulled out the seven cards showing them each to Sakura.

Looking at each one Sakura could tell that the seven cards were the Seven Servant Classes. Saber, Archer, Lancer, Rider, Caster, Berserker, Caster, and Assassin. Sakura pulled out her own card to compare it. Her card had someone chained and tied up.

The vendor looked at her card in surprise. "I haven't seen that one before, where did you get it?"

Sakura put the card away. She had figured something was off about it when she felt that there was some sort of mystery within it. The cards before her had none of that. They are practically just cards in comparison. Something was going on here and Sakura felt like it was tied to these cards.

"Oh, someone told me it was a counterfeit or something." A lie but her tone and body language did not show any sign of it.

The vendor had a laugh at this. "If it was anyone else I would probably call you a liar but you Oni can be trusted for your word."

'I know which makes it easier to sell my words.'

Daji had committed that she could tell a lie and so utterly believed it that even those who were experts couldn't tell. Something that was surprising given how Oni had a sort of natural aversion for telling lies. It helped sell whatever she was saying to anyone who knew and was part of why she became the second in command during the last half-decade. Especially when they had a need to lie about something.

On that note from the fact not many are staring at her it was obvious that Hoenggu had dealings with them. Oni traders and Pirates tended to be a sight in the coastal ports and Hoenggu being effectively independent probably made it the hub for Oni pirates. As Sakura walked through the almost maze-like city she thought about visiting the docks.

Looking up at the sky Sakura could tell that things were getting late. She had to head back to the company. 'Hopefully, no one got into any trouble.'

Within a secluded area, a large crystal stood floating with power. On the outside, it seemed clear and made of Jade while in the inside was a piece of stone. Around are the Seven Class Cards laid about in front of Terracotta statues.

"The cards started to react, as did the crystal, which means that the messing eighth card is back in the city."

"Strange the crystal is reacting far more violently than it ever has."

"Perhaps, there is something about the mud that was used? Remember that this was found in a cave in a mountain that supposedly had energy fluctuations."

Two figures looked over the large ritual before them. One a woman the other a man. As they spoke about the strange change to one another a new individual entered. As soon as they saw who it was both of them gave a short bow. The new figure looked up at the crystal despite his covered eyes.

"I take it that we can use the cards now?"

"Y-yes sir."

There was a joyful smile on the man's face at this. "Finally, you have no idea how annoying it is to have a cool toy and not use it!"

Hearing this seemed to take the other two aback. Neither of them hadn't gotten used to this strange personality. Especially from one of the two crime lords of Hoenggu. The reputation alone had created this idea of some super serious monster. An idea that always clashed with reality.

"Alright, first that dragon, and then I'll conquer all of China."

Every card was sent to the golem in front of which transformed into the images on the cards. The seven turned to their master who looked as on the back of hs hand a red tattoo of some sort formed. He looked at them and smirked at these. Command Seals which granted him power over these creations.

"Alright, go and cause a little chaos, find and kill the lieutenants of the Sun Yee On!"

Each one gave a nod before heading out. A laugh was heard on the mouth of the crime lord. "Alright, guess it's time I walk out and show the world who I am."

As he turned to walk out he stopped and turned over to the two of others. A questioning look on his face. "Wait, you said that without the eighth card none of this would work, so does that mean that the eighth card is back in the city?"

"Y-Yes sir, it has to be within at least ten miles which means it is in the city or close."

Now that does complicated things for him. While the eighth card wasn't seemingly useful for his plans, in fact, it seemed defective. Even with that the card did have power and seemed to hold some authority over the ritual.

"I guess we'll just have to hope the one that has it shows their face then."

Sakura, after an hour of walking and finding herself back at the same place, had to admit that she was lost. Eventually, she started to get annoyed by all of this. Deciding that it didn't matter she opened a shadow in front of her and entered into it. Imaginary number space, a thin line between the textures of the world. Sakura had learned she could enter into it and even move through the world with it.

The only issue was trying to navigate it. Something that she had to learn how to do so to a limited degree. Within the strange space, Sakura started to move around as everything to her at this level seemed like a ghost. Her mind is looking for a certain signature of Daji. Finally, she found her and walked back into normal space.

Within the middle of the room, a dark shadow formed as Sakura walked out. A pair of spears and swords greeted her from unfamiliar faces. "At ease, that's just my second in command."

On the other side of the room was Daji alongside another woman. One wearing a Chinese dress, antler horns on her head, and a long scaley dragon tail. "An Oni that just walks out of the shadows?" She laughed at this, finding the whole thing more funny than anything else. "Something tells me you aren't an ordinary Oni."

She waved off her guard as Sakura was motioned by Daji to come sit down next to them. "Sakura, this is that dragon I was talking to you about Akiza, she's a dragon from around Nippon who took over the Sun Yee On."

"Yes, around the same time, you decided to start your own bandit band as well."

"I prefer the term Opportunistic Mercenaries."

Sakura could tell that they were acting civil but there was an underlying hostility between them. Much the same whenever Daji has a conversation with those who hired them. A disdain that was hidden for what they did. Only this seemed less of a dislike for what they typically did and more a personal beef to the Oni. Likely something happened in their past but whatever it was Sakura didn't care to ask.

"Will I take it that this meeting is not for old time's sake?"

"Perspective, yes I was talking to Daji about wanting to get you to help me with something," Akiza looked at the fox girl. "She doesn't want to take the job."

Dali's expression was almost perfectly emotionless as she looked back at Akiza. "It's not that I don't want to take the job, it's that there doesn't seem to be any benefit to it."

Sakura turned over to Akiza as now she had to know. Daji, according to what she saw, didn't turn down work. "What exactly did you ask of us?"

"I just wanted you to help me when I confronted Bo Feng."

"Bo Feng?"

"The Mage that controls the other criminal organization that rules Hoenggu," Akiza pilled up a cup to her lips. "I have been meaning to put an end to him and now I know where his workshop is in the city."

Powerplay. This was a power play between rivals. If Akiza succeeds she becomes the de facto ruler of the city, alongside possibly any assets that would bring her. "Why aren't we doing this though?"

"Because it's just not worth it," Daji's words seemed like a weak attempt at justification. Especially thanks to Sakura being a part of the group.

Sakura had given them all a small ball of shadow. In case something was too much they would be sent to Imaginary Number Storage. From there Sakura could pull them back out or keep them in a state of suspended animation if need be. As such Daji was more willing to go for far more risky. No, this had to be something personal.

"Not worth it?" Akiza seemed utterly insulted by this. "I am offering you a good sum, even a ship in case you decide to do raiding beyond China."

Work had been getting slower as China was starting to be united. Part of why they came down south was because up north was becoming united. The South was pretty much only having trouble with bandits and power struggles with the higher Phantasmal population. It was enviable that once the North was united the South would be invaded. Going off to sea had been tossed around before by part of the men under Daji's command.

Before anything else could be said a monkey man came into the meeting. One Sakura had recognized as being under her and Daji's command. "Daji, Sakura, and Lady Akiza the city is seemingly under attack!"

Chaos ripped through the city as suddenly it looked like a war had broken out. Without warning it seemed that the two families were at war with each other. Soon afterward explosions could be seen as something else. Seven weirdly armed and dressed fighters seemed to join in on the attack targeting certain individuals.

Looking on Bo Feng watched as everything seemed to be going as he expected. There were a few hiccups. "Years of waiting and now it's everything I had thought it to be."

Suddenly he looked down as one of his Command Seals faded away. Bo Feng was confused by what this meant. On a nearby building, he watched as Archer Terracotta was shot by an arrow. That at first looked like a lucky shot only for another arrow to strike it in its head. A second Command Seal disappeared which explained to him what happened.

"So, two of my new weapons are gone?" Bo Feng shrugged at this. "Well, it's not like…" His words are cut off as a third of the Command Seals disappear.

Three of his special weapons had been destroyed. Removing his eyewear he freed his eyes and headed for the source of the arrows. "Well, let's see who that could be."

Sakura let loose another arrow taking out another of Bo Feng's men. As she pulled back another arrow something caught the corner of her eyes. A shadowy tendril shot up from her shadow and blocked the blast. The air seemed to be blown away and Sakura had to be held in place. Around Sakura, Shadow her independent defense and offense familiar, formed taking a defensive stance behind her as its tendrils coiled all around her body.

"I must admit I didn't see your little creation there," Walking up slowly was a man with silver eyes and white hair. He looked at Shadow as if trying to figure it out. "A high-level bounded field, and some traits of a familiar?"

Bo Feng was confused by the makeup of the thing. He could see the flow of mana, how it moved in the air and through everyone's bodies. With Shadow though it was almost like there was something within its makeup that didn't work under the correct flow of space.

Sakura, however, was quick to act figuring that he was one of Bo Feng's men. A single arrow was shot only for it to seemingly stop its momentum stalled. "What?"

"Oh, yeah that's not going to work," Bo Feng started to walk forward as the arrow seemed to be pushed back with him. "A simple attack like this isn't going to cut it."

At this Shadow strikes its tendrils like blades. Much like with the arrow they stalled but until the arrow, Sakura was made aware as to why. Shadow's tendrils weren't being stopped but were instead still moving. It was as if the space in front of them was being compressed to prevent them from reaching their target. Sakura pulled them back as she knew she was going to need to update Shadow to counter this.

There was a small pause but the tendrils did come back causing Bo Feng to react with genuine surprise. "That's rare."

Now that he looked at her there was something more to this Oni than just the normal feeling. There was a weight about her existence that typically was only seen with Nature Spirits. 'She's not one of them so perhaps a Divided Spirit?'

There was some excitement at this fact. High-level Nature Spirits practically cheat thanks to the powers and Authority granted to them by the World. The same was so for Divine Spirits even if those are much, much rarer to find. This would be a fun test to see how far he had come. Laughter came from Bo Feng's mouth at this thought.

"What's so funny?"

"Oh, nothing I just didn't expect to fight someone like you," Bo Feng moved the arrowhead out of the way as it went flying into a wall. "Allow me to introduce myself, I'm Bo Feng and this little night is a power grab so I can rule Hoenggu."

Daji and Akiza looked over the now defeated Saber Terracotta. As it was cut in half a card fell out that Akiza picked up. "I saw these things all over Hoenggu but never thought anything about it."

"That one reminds me of the card that Sakura has, it has some sort of actual mystery about it," Daji looked at the card commenting on it. Her eyes hardened as she started to realize that this was all connected to it.

"Really what exactly did it look like?"

"A person in chains."

Akiza had seen all the cards. That did not match any of them. It had to be an eighth card and from what Akiza could guess Bo Feng didn't act until the eighth card had come to Hoenggu City. A card that was with Sakura.

Turning around they looked like the sounds of an explosion coming from the other side of the city. Daji recognized it as the part of the city that Sakura went in the direction of. For a moment Akiza turned to her wondering if Daji would go off to her subordinate.

"I'm not worried if that's what you're thinking, " Daji turned over as she watched as flashes started to pick up an other side. "Sakura is just like me, a Divided Spirit of a god, and has tricks of her own."

Daji didn't say anymore as she thought about the Oni that had come into her fold. For five years she proved to have far more potential than she even knew. a deadly accuracy, the ability to lie to the point anyone believed it, knowledge of Magecraft that was impressive, and finally a will that was rarely seen. In many ways, Daji knew eventually Sakura would leave on her own journey, that she was going to accomplish great things.

"Hopefully she doesn't come across Bo Feng then." Akiza held her dao sword ready at the thought of that man. "He can be a bit difficult to face."

A tendril of the shadow pulled Sakura up as she ran her hand through her hair. Pulling out a single strain of hair Sakura fed the piece of hair to Shadow. Her construct turned into a bird at before covering her back and chest while its newly made wings grew and now gave Sakura her own. Flying upwards she was able to ignore as a spell, one pulling things in tried to pull her in.

Sakura readied another new arrow this one covered in a new modified shadow. Bo Feng didn't seem to care to defend as the arrow cut through his spell. Then cut into his right arm before impaling itself into the ground. Bo Feng looked at his bleeding arm stunned that the arrow was even able to do that.

"What the hell?" Another arrow was let loose and Bo Feng moved his head out of the way as it glazed his cheek.

Sakura swooped down as Shadow sent tendrils towards him. Bo Feng got out of the way of most but one came close to his face. Close enough to enter into his field. As this close, he saw that the tendril was pulling itself inwards to him. At least that was what he was able to read. Somehow it was countering his field's ability to repeal by constantly dividing the distance the object had to move.

Back flipping to get distance Bo Feng touched his face as he looked at the blood. "You're not even using Authority, nor some broken technique, and you're already countering me."

The power of Mystery was such a funny thing to him. One could have a seemingly broken spell that meant nothing if someone figured it out enough to counter it. Countering was probably above most people's ability to do but every now one would show up who could.

Sakura landed as Shadow formed a blade in her hands. The two looked down at each other. Bo Feng gave a wild smile as he cracked his neck. The real fight it seems began now.