Jeong Jeong — a name that resounded like thunder — was once a Fire Nation Admiral, a Firebending Master, and now the most powerful rebel commander.
The moment his name was spoken, the Royal Guards' expressions instantly turned grim, while the prisoners' faces lit up with hope.
Jeong Jeong's strength and elusive movements had repeatedly caused the Fire Nation's encirclement attempts to end in failure.
No one expected such a figure to appear here of all places.
Kahn had faint memories of him. Iroh had been genuinely pleased when he first heard of Jeong Jeong's defection.
Iroh and Jeong Jeong shared many similarities, hinting at a deeper past. But whether Jeong Jeong was also part of the White Lotus remained unknown.
Kahn observed him closely — messy white hair, a worn brown cloak, and a gloom that clung to him like a second skin.
He looked like a man crushed beneath the weight of the world.
"Royal Guards… it really is Princess Azula. And Iroh's disciple as well."
Jeong Jeong calmly swept his gaze across the group until his eyes settled on Kahn, filled with deep disappointment.
"You too have lost your way in the flames. Is it also in pursuit of so-called power?"
"...?"
Kahn was stunned. What was this old man even talking about? Losing one's way in the flames? What did that even mean?
How was he supposed to respond to that?
After a brief pause, he straightened his face and replied with a deliberately cryptic tone.
"I am merely pursuing what I pursue."
Jeong Jeong's expression twisted in even more sadness. With a long, helpless sigh, he said nothing further.
Kahn secretly breathed a sigh of relief. If that philosophical mumbling continued, he really would have no idea how to respond.
Azula then stepped forward.
"I was wondering what Devon's so-called secret weapon was. Turns out his trump card is still just a traitor."
Her voice dripped with contempt.
"If I capture you too and bring you back, Father will be thrilled, don't you think?"
Azula showed not a trace of fear before him — instead choosing to provoke him directly.
"But seriously, what value does this useless worm have that made the Fire Nation's greatest traitor personally show up?"
The repeated word "traitor" made Jeong Jeong's face tighten, but he still replied:
"Unlike you, I do not measure human lives by value. Nor do I divide people into ranks of superiority or inferiority."
"—!"
Before he even finished, an intense burst of azure fire exploded from Azula's hand and shot straight for his face — as if she intended to incinerate him on the spot.
Strike first!
Though ambushed, Jeong Jeong reacted swiftly.
He raised his arm, summoning a blazing wall of fire that clashed with Azula's flames before both vanished into the air.
The fight erupted instantly.
Azula's sudden strike startled everyone.
Kahn was the first to react, ordering the Royal Guards to hold off the rest while he rushed to support Azula. A righteous two-on-one began without hesitation.
Kahn wasn't worried about Jeong Jeong's followers; the Royal Guards could handle ordinary Firebenders.
The only real threat here was Jeong Jeong himself.
The battlefield raged as Azula and Jeong Jeong clashed fiercely.
Azula's eerie blue flames and fierce aggression left Jeong Jeong secretly astonished.
He had never expected the young princess to possess such overwhelming power.
But Jeong Jeong was a true Firebending Master. Calm and steady, he neutralized each of Azula's attacks with surgical precision.
Despite Azula's relentless assault, it felt like she was throwing stones into the sea — nothing made it through.
Even though she was on the offensive, she was clearly at a disadvantage.
This subtle feeling of helplessness — like struggling in a quagmire — infuriated Azula, making her strikes even fiercer. But the more she attacked, the more the gulf widened.
Jeong Jeong lifted his hand again, unleashing a massive wave of fire to suppress her completely.
But the moment he released it, something strange occurred — the fire wave suddenly weakened, while Azula's counterattack ballooned in power, turning into a massive blazing sphere.
With the change in momentum, Jeong Jeong's flames were swept aside, and the enormous fireball smashed toward him like a falling meteor.
His expression darkened as he barely dodged it.
His eyes snapped toward Kahn in surprise.
"Heatbending? With such power?"
Even with his vast experience, he had never seen Heatbending manipulated to such extremes. It was simply unbelievable.
Kahn didn't bother explaining anything to an enemy mid-battle.
He simply stepped beside Azula and asked.
"You alright?"
"I'm fine." Azula wiped away a bead of sweat, confidence rekindled by Kahn's arrival.
With a wicked grin, she glared at Jeong Jeong.
"Now it's our turn to teach this old man a lesson."
Round two. Begin.
Once Kahn joined the fight, the tide shifted instantly.
Though they had never formally trained together, their years of living and battling side-by-side made their cooperation seamless.
Their combined assault produced a synergy far stronger than either could achieve alone.
Azula's strength was already monstrous — but Kahn wasn't merely her equal. In some aspects, he surpassed her.
Azula's fire was fierce, overwhelming, ruthless.
Kahn's fire was precise, calculated, razor-sharp. Every movement showed the beginnings of a true master's form.
The two together were overwhelming.
Jeong Jeong's calm expression finally collapsed into one of alarm as he struggled under the pressure.
And Kahn's unpredictable Heatbending — the natural enemy of all Firebenders — made things even worse.
Truly worthy of his self-declared title: Phantom God of Internal Conflict.
The balance of power tipped heavily toward the two young prodigies.
Seeing Jeong Jeong losing ground, his men panicked.
Meanwhile, the Royal Guards' morale surged, and they began counterattacking, even attempting to capture the rebels.
Realizing how bad the situation had become, Jeong Jeong's expression darkened. The rescue operation had failed, and even his own men were at risk.
Who could have predicted Azula and Kahn would be such terrifying monsters?
Helpless, he unleashed a powerful burst to force the two back, then turned sharply and shouted:
"Retreat!"
Azula clicked her tongue and immediately shifted into a Lightningbending stance, intending to finish him — but Kahn grabbed her wrist.
"Hey!"
Jeong Jeong was almost certainly part of their future faction. Killing him would basically be… friendly fire.
"Tsk."
Azula reluctantly lowered her hand — then immediately turned and captured every single rebel that Jeong Jeong had brought.
You dared to offend her? You don't just walk away.
Jeong Jeong's face darkened even further, but he had no choice. With a sorrowful, helpless expression, he retreated alone in disgrace.
Thus, the encounter with the Firebending Master ended — with Azula and Kahn securing a decisive and overwhelming victory.
...
Author's Note:
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