After taking a bath, Kaal sat comfortably in his chair, sipping the tea Jane had prepared. The aroma was rich and soothing. A soft chuckle escaped him as he watched Mia from the corner of his eye, pretending not to notice how she kept stealing glances at the plate of cookies. Her subtle movements couldn't escape his newly enhanced senses.
Knock... Knock...
The gentle knock at the door broke the peaceful air.
"Come in," Kaal said calmly, taking another sip.
The door creaked open, and General Ruke entered. His eyes landed on Kaal's relaxed posture and the tranquil atmosphere of the room. The contrast between that and the chaos they'd just experienced unsettled him.
Without another word, the General stepped forward and dropped to his knees.
"This slave deserves punishment for his failure to protect the Young Master!" General Ruke said, his voice heavy with guilt as he bowed and slammed his head onto the floor.
Despite the bizarre scene of an Opening Realm expert kneeling before a Rank 3 warrior, Jane and Mia remained unfazed. This was the status of Kaal Kilvish, the Young Master of the Kilvish Clan. And behind that title, there was another identity, one just as powerful, perhaps even more.
"Your sin isn't mine to judge," Kaal said, rising slowly from his chair. His steps were calm, yet carried the weight of someone with absolute authority. "It will be Elder Alvin's judgment that matters... since it was his grandson who died because of your negligence in guarding Mist Valley."
"This slave knows his life is not enough to atone..." General Ruke said, producing a ruined scroll and handing it to Jane, who stepped forward.
Jane unfurled the scroll and read aloud:
"This guilty Emperor seeks forgiveness from the Young Master. It was my fault that you experienced such a calamity within the bounds of my kingdom. As an offering of sincerity, I present our family treasure—the Jewel of the Night, one hundred and fifty maids, and ten thousand Superior Spirit Stones..."
She rolled the scroll shut. It crumbled and reverted into a ruined piece of marble, its enchantment complete.
"Oh?" Kaal said with a mild smile. "The Jewel of the Night... and Superior Spirit Stones?"
In the cultivation world, Spirit Stones were formed by condensed Heaven Qi. They were both a form of currency and a vital cultivation resource, divided into low, mid, high, and superior grades.
General Ruke then added, "The Emperor himself will arrive tomorrow to personally offer his apology."
Kaal's smile vanished, replaced by a storm of killing intent.
"I DON'T CARE ABOUT YOUR PUNY EMPEROR OR HIS OFFERINGS!" he roared, his aura surging. "I only want to know who is responsible?!"
The weight of Kaal's presence descended like an Asura. General Ruke, despite his strength, trembled before it. The pressure made the room feel suffocating.
"The assassin escaped, Young Master... but the traces we found... they point to" General Ruke stopped abruptly.
Kaal's azure Qi surged outward, laced with killing intent. His eyes gleamed with fury as he reached forward and grabbed General Ruke by the throat.
"SPEAK!"
The General didn't resist. After a moment of silence, he managed to say, "The traces match a martial art known only to the Jeral Clan..."
Kaal released him. His lips curled into a bitter smile. He clenched his fists, drawing blood from his palms.
"Good... Good. The Jeral Clan." His voice was low and dangerous. "You had one chance to kill me... and you failed. You'll regret that mistake."
He waved his hand. "You may leave."
General Ruke bowed low before quickly retreating, thanking his ancestors for sparing his life. He silently swore to burn incense on their graves in gratitude.
Jane and Mia quickly moved to restore the room, rearranging the spilled tea and cookies caused by Kaal's outburst.
Kaal sat back down, closing his eyes.
In the vast Azure Sky Continent, power was balanced by nine ancient forces:
■ The Five Great Clans
Kilvish Clan
Jeral Clan
Storm Clan
Agni Clan
Aushadhi Clan
■ The Four Supreme Sects
Thunder Spear Sect
Spirit Beast Hall
Jade Ice Sect
Poison Soul Sect
Among these giants, countless rivalries festered. The Kilvish Clan and Jeral Clan were bitter enemies. Just like the Storm Clan and Thunder Spear Sect, or the Poison Soul Sect and Aushadhi Clan. Only the Jade Ice Sect, Agni Clan, and Spirit Beast Hall maintained neutral stances.
Opening his eyes, a gleam of ice-cold clarity shone within them.
A terrifying plan had begun to take shape.
"Jane," he said. "Inform my mother that I'll be coming to visit her soon."
Jane froze. Everyone knew the complicated story behind Kaal's parents. His mother—a Holy Maiden of the Jade Ice Sect. His father is the patriarch of the Kilvish Clan. Their relationship was like oil and water.
Still, Jane composed herself and nodded. "Yes, Young Master."
She bowed and left.
Mia stood there, still stunned. Kaal's mother? The Holy Maiden?
"Mia, call Lauren for me," Kaal said.
"Yes, Young Master." Mia also bowed and departed.
Now alone, Kaal's thoughts turned inward.
"I always admired Father. I wanted to be like him... strong, respected, powerful," Kaal said, resting his hand on the chair.
"But as I grew older, I saw the hunger in others' eyes. They all coveted the position he held as Clan Leader. Yet no one dared to move... because of his power."
He gripped the chair tightly.
"That's when I decided I wouldn't just inherit power. I'd claim it. I'd surpass my father and prove myself worthy of more than just his shadow."
But then his voice dropped to a whisper.
"Yet... after seeing that giant red demon... I realized what true power is. The Clan Leader's seat is nothing. I want more. I want to surpass that demon. Even become a demon if I must..."
With that declaration, Kaal crushed the chair beneath him, splinters flying.