Chapter 53: The Vengeance of a Slain Master—An Irreconcilable Hatred

A monstrous wave surged from Yang Xin’s mouth, scattering everyone in utter chaos. Yet, despite its imposing force, Yang Xin had held back; the towering wave was all spectacle and no real substance.

“Close ranks to me!” Fatty Wang instantly understood Yang Xin’s tactical intent; this was a way to distinguish friend from foe.

The sorcerers of Kamar-Taj had all trained in the ninja arts and water-walking; they deftly trod across the surface, riding the waves as they moved to cluster around Fatty Wang. The dark sorcerers, lacking such training, instinctively banded together, resorting to traditional magic to ward off Yang Xin’s Water Release—Great Waterfall Technique.

“Water Release—Water Prison!”

In an instant, the mighty wave transformed into a vast sphere of water, engulfing Kaecilius and the other dark sorcerers. To prevent them from using portals to escape, Yang Xin’s free right hand swiftly formed seals, while his left hand channeled chakra. With a sudden burst of force, the water sphere created by the Water Prison Technique exploded.

In that same heartbeat, Yang Xin unleashed the jutsu he had already prepared: “Lightning Release—Chidori.”

His right hand crackled with blinding lightning as he struck the ruptured water sphere.

Screams erupted from the dark sorcerers, their bodies convulsed and hair stood on end as they collapsed in spasms, twitching as if caught in a macabre dance.

“Is... is that all?” Fatty Wang stared in disbelief. “After all our desperate fighting, just two ninja spells finished them off...?”

“Water conducts electricity—it’s elementary physics. I can’t believe I didn’t think of it.” Doctor Stephen Strange covered his face in regret.

As everyone stared in astonishment, Yang Xin spoke: “Of course it’s not over. This isn’t the end!”

“What else do you intend?”

“Obviously, while they’re unconscious and powerless, we must capture them!” Yang Xin’s tone was one of impatient exasperation.

“And as for how to bind their magic, surely I don’t need to teach you that.” Again, Yang Xin’s words were directed at them as if they were children.

Had it been any other time, such a tone would have earned him a beating for sheer insolence. But now, all the sorcerers blushed with embarrassment, lowered their heads, and hurried forward, rounding up Kaecilius and the rest of the dark sorcerers, sealing their powers.

“Wake up!” Yang Xin slapped Kaecilius’s face.

Kaecilius’s eyes fluttered open—not to see Yang Xin’s face, but his blood-red Mangekyō Sharingan. Yang Xin wasted no time, casting a genjutsu.

“Why did you launch a surprise attack on Kamar-Taj?” Yang Xin asked.

“The command of the Lord of Darkness,” Kaecilius replied dully.

“The Lord of Darkness? Dormammu, I presume.” Yang Xin nodded, understanding now that these men had been abandoned. Dormammu had sworn by his true name never to set foot on Earth again, so his dark followers were now expendable.

“Where are the other sorcerers devoted to the Lord of Darkness hiding?” Yang Xin pressed—intent on eradicating the threat at its root.

“There are none left; we’re all here. The Lord of Darkness ordered a full assault on Kamar-Taj.”

So, it was an all-out attack. Yang Xin then questioned him in detail about the dark sorcerers’ secret bases and the ambush on the Ancient One. After hearing everything, Yang Xin’s suspicions were confirmed and his resolve strengthened.

“Do you realize your so-called Lord of Darkness, Dormammu, has been defeated and driven from Earth?” Yang Xin said suddenly.

“Impossible! The Lord of Darkness cannot lose! He is invincible!” Kaecilius shouted in madness, showing signs of breaking free from the genjutsu.

Yang Xin stopped the illusion and countered, “You may not know if Dormammu has departed, but as his most faithful follower, you should be able to sense it.”

“No! The Lord of Darkness cannot be defeated!” Kaecilius howled with rabid fury, thrashing about like a madwoman in a fit.

Yang Xin understood: Kaecilius was consumed by fear and grief, his faith shattered, his mind teetering on the edge of hysteria.

“Who defeated Dormammu?” Kaecilius asked hoarsely, after his rage had ebbed.

“In a sense, I forced Dormammu from Earth—though I did use a few clever tricks,” Yang Xin replied modestly, so Fatty Wang and the others wouldn’t think he was boasting.

“What will you do with me?” Facts spoke for themselves. Kaecilius had sensed, even as he accepted Dormammu’s command, that something was amiss—the dark power that once poured forth now felt rootless, diminished. But he had not dwelled on it. Instead, after receiving Dormammu’s blessing, he gathered his followers, launched a sudden assault on Kamar-Taj, and, through a series of accidents and surprises, managed to kill the Ancient One. Just as Kaecilius was about to claim victory, Yang Xin appeared, ruining everything.

“The murder of my master is an unforgivable crime. Amaterasu.” Yang Xin’s voice was icy as he spoke. At the focus of his Mangekyō’s right eye, a golden flame appeared and fell upon Kaecilius. No scream escaped him—he was consumed entirely by the sun’s true fire, leaving not even ash behind.

“Xin, what should we do with the rest of the dark sorcerers?” Seeing how cleanly Yang Xin had incinerated Kaecilius, Fatty Wang shuddered and asked instinctively.

“Handle them as Kamar-Taj’s custom dictates,” Yang Xin replied, uncertain himself. Killing Kaecilius had served to confirm the Ancient One’s death by ambush; as for the other dark sorcerers, he trusted Kamar-Taj’s established methods.

“By the way, has Master Mordo returned during this time?” Yang Xin asked suddenly.

“Master Mordo did return—he insisted that the Ancient One lift his seal. But...” Fatty Wang’s expression twisted in consternation and embarrassment before he continued, “...but the Ancient One told him he needed to prepare for the International Mathematical Olympiad, so she signed him up for winter and summer cram schools, then sent him away.”

“Damn! The Ancient One has no shame, that’s absolutely insane,” Yang Xin thought to himself, finally understanding Fatty Wang’s odd expression—only words like “damn” or “what the hell” could capture it.

Poor Mordo indeed—not only did he have to complete nine years of compulsory education, but now he also had to attend winter and summer cram schools and compete in the Mathematical Olympiad. He was in for a busy life.

“I’d like to spend some time in my master’s old meditation chamber. I’ll leave things here to you, Wang. Also, the Ancient One instructed that Stephen Strange is to inherit the title of Sorcerer Supreme. From now on, Kamar-Taj will take Stephen as its chief.” With that, Yang Xin strode toward the meditation chamber once used by the Ancient One.

Stephen Strange was about to speak, but Fatty Wang stopped him. “Let Xin be alone for a while. He’s only just returned and already had to face such terrible news. Sigh.”

Yang Xin entered the meditation chamber, carefully surveying the room to ensure he was alone. Satisfied, he used the sapling of the Divine Tree within him to sense the Ancient One’s location. Once he confirmed the coordinates, he swept his right hand through the air, conjuring a golden portal flickering with firelight.

Stepping forward, Yang Xin entered the portal. When he emerged on the other side, the scene before him made his heart suddenly lurch.