Chapter 128: Chapter 126 – Provocation

When the Skyshark finally touched down and Aerthus walked out, he was followed by Dermitos, then Ren, Frenir and Leinor. After they lined up, the disciples quickly formed a column behind their masters, while the trio of inner disciples took their places behind Dermitos. Watching eachother, it was like the group of the Heaven’s Gate cultivators were the mirror opposites of the Immortal Wonders Sect’s, wearing a white uniforms with purple decorations.

 

“Long time no see.” Zelig said as he stepped forward, smiling with a friendly expression, extending his towards Aerthus. He just nodded, returning the gesture, grabbing onto it.

 

“Yes. I was preoccupied and needed a long time to process things.” Aerthus said.

 

“I can totally understand that. Sometimes I wondered if you were truly gone or not.” Zelig chuckled but it was clearly a jab at him.

 

“I was.” He answered and Zelig took it only as a joke.

 

“And these are your… disciples?” He asked as he let go of his hand, diverting his violet eyes towards the rest, stopping at Ren in the end.

 

“They are.” Aerthus nodded. “These two are under my personal tutelage, Ren and Frenir.” He said, introducing them as they stepped forward, respectfully cupping their hands, greeting the other side’s leader. 

 

“Oh, so you must be my offspring that I heard so much about!” Zelig laughed, looking into Ren’s eyes.

 

“Sorry, but my line was disowned before I was even born.” She shook her head with a soft smile. “I have no connection to the Naulin family besides the hair and eye color.”

 

“Nonsense!” Zelig laughed, snapping his fingers and Rudrick quickly stepped out, greeting everyone calmly. “Was she really exiled from the family, Sect Leader Rudrick?” 

 

“No, Sect Master.” He shook his head, answering politely. “Her mother was stripped from the family’s inheritance for insubordination, that is true. But a daughter shall not bear her mother’s sin, so she is still considered a part of the bloodline.”

 

“I see.” Zelig nodded, looking back at Ren. “You are still my offspring and your achievements bring glory to us!” He reached out, patting her shoulders. 

 

“Oh? Really?” She tilted her head, looking up at him like an innocent child. “Even if I killed…” Ren said slowly, switching her gaze to Rudrick, looking deep into his eyes with a little, provocative smirk, “Your father?” 

 

Before anyone could answer from the rest of the “welcoming” entourage, Rudrick already opened his mouth and his voice was calm. It sounded as if he was even approving her words.

 

“My father was chased out of the Kingdom. It was I who took over him after he left. He was always a tyrannical person, intruding on our allies' powers and territories. He was adept at using his gift of subterfuge so we lost track of his whereabouts after he fled the Kingdom. It is relieving to hear he is no longer a threat! Neither to you nor to us.”

 

“Is that so…?” Ren asked while she slowly looked back at Zelig who just nodded, backing up Rudrick’s words.

 

“He was completely unhinged.” Zelig said. “And dead set on sparking a war between the Empire and the Kingdom. He never gave up on that so he was a danger to the peace of our realm! It is good that he is gone. We should thank you and praise your talent to achieve such a feat!” He sighed with great admiration in his voice.

 

“Ahh… I see, I see, so the assassination attempt on my mother’s and my disciples’ lives were his plans!” Ren chuckled, clapping with a relieved look in her eyes.

 

“Assassinations? Huh… We knew he was mad, so it wouldn't surprise us!” Rudrick sighed loudly, shaking his head.

 

“Even so… we captured one of the assassins who is from the Nervadask Kingdom and he confessed. He was ordered by them to carry out the attempt on their lives.” 

 

Pressed on Ren, while the rest just stood there, watching the people behind Zelig. Aerthus’s expression was calm, standing there with crossed arms, clearly showcasing that everything his disciple was asking was the same as if he would do the questioning. The only nervous people were the rest of the disciples, standing behind them, constantly exchanging worried looks. They were fearing to even speak amongst themselves with voice transmission. 

 

“It’s sad how deep one’s claws can reach, even after running away! Don’t forget it…” Rudrick explained, shaking his head with a patient voice, just as a grandparent would teach his granddaughter. “He was King, had a lot of followers and confidants! It is no wonder he could still move people to act on his behalf! Of course, this is no excuse, we are going to launch a thorough investigation on the matter, you can rest assured about it! But you need to be careful, Little Ren.” He said with care in his voice. “He had great talent in using the family gift. The pawns he set up could not be even aware of their purpose or have knowledge of their connections! Or even have fake memories! You can see why we couldn’t track him down!”

 

“Then I can expect that, if results are presented of your investigation, I’ll be informed about it?” Ren asked with a little smile.

 

“Of course!” Rudrick nodded heavily, promising immediately.

 

“Let’s end it here!” Zelig clapped. “This is a topic we should not discuss here! Let us head inside, we already prepared a feast for our guests in the Sect’s main building! The first night is about the celebration of the opening of our Heaven’s Gate! This kind of heavy topic can wait for tomorrow! Don’t you agree, old friend?” 

 

“Sure.” Aerthus smiled and as they followed Zelig and Rudrick. Walking past the rest of the white clothed people of Heaven’s Gate, Leinor’s eyes met with Astair’s, who was standing amongst them.

 

“I saw an old acquaintance of ours.” Leinor transmitted his voice to Ren. 

 

“Astair? Yeah. He was looking at you all along. I thought he would watch me…” She replied with a chuckle. “You should watch your sexy bottom, my dear husband~ I think he likes you! Of course if you want to spice up our bedroom times, don’t go look for others! Just ask your lovely and willing wife! I can wear extra stuff, if you want to try it out! Everything for your pleasure, my dear hubby~” 

 

“Damn. I should have kept my mouth shut. I’m not Reignar.” Leinor answered as he rolled his eyes multiple times, “Between us two, you are the one who likes to use the backdoor anyway, so don’t project your fetishes onto me, my dear, little wife!”

 

“Touché! I have nothing~ Ding-ding-ding, 10/10  my dear hubby~ You got good through the years, LeiLei!” Ren laughed out, not holding back, drawing attention to herself but she just ignored them. She simply grabbed into Leinor’s hand, pulling him close, further increasing the furrowing of brows by the following disciples of Heaven’s Gate.

 

“I think Master just wants to step on as many toes as possible.” Lulu sent over her voice to Yanda and Ariana, who simultaneously nodded. “But I can’t deny it, watching her do it is funny as hell.” She smiled before looking back, watching Kitten and Eisen who were following them at the back. They were silent for now and while the former was carefree and happy, the latter was clearly annoyed and mumbling under her nose, who knows what. “I just hope…” continued Lulu “Those two are going to watch themselves.”

 

“Don’t bet on it.” Yanda replied, expanding his voice so the rest of the disciples could hear it too “I bet that the dinner is going to have some trouble ahead. Everyone should watch what you eat and drink and how you respond to provocation. Stay clear of Eisen. Her mouth is a liability. Now I kinda see what Master is going for. If she can’t provoke a response Eisen will.” 

 

“Yes, Elder Brother!” The rest of the disciples answered who looked on Yanda as their leader, if the elders were not present or keeping silent.

 

…

….

…..

 

The celebratory dinner party was held in the old palace of the City Lord, now converted to the main building of Heaven’s Gate. It was an extensive and beautifully decorated place on a 1000 acre land. Inside the main hall, giant paintings and carved statues covered the ceiling and walls, while live music played softly in the background. Tables were placed all around as they got seated and servants brought food for them, replicating how the high nobility usually hosted their parties.

 

“This… feels off.” Toobu murmured, sitting down with the rest of the disciples. They were seated at a different table than their masters, who sat alongside the leaders of Heaven’s Gate. 

 

“I never saw anything more luxurious than this…” Ariana murmured, gulping loudly, watching the different, expensive foods on the table, finally taking a slice of red meat and trying it out.

 

“I won’t lie, I kinda missed this.” Lulu sighed softly, helping herself out.

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“I-i-i a-a-always h-h-hated a-a-anything l-l-like t-t-this…” Wyland grumbled, holding back himself as the food on the table was almost hypnotizing him and he was salivating all over himself.

 

“I also prefer the atmosphere in the Sect more.” Heldi added. 

 

“I feel you.” Kirch moaned a little, fidgeting on his chair, looking around at the dozens of faces at the other tables. They were the disciples and teachers of Heaven’s Gate, subtly watching the group of theirs. “This is so… unnerving. Can I disappear? Or will it cause more… trouble?”

 

“Endure it. Don’t bring shame to the Elders! But I get it… we are like bumpkins in the city now, aren’t we?” Sylvett chuckled. “Few of us come from this high on the social ladder so… Just let it go! Enjoy it! If they serve up good food why refuse it?” She said while grabbing a plate and filling it up completely.

 

“She is right.” Yanda grinned, silencing the rest. “If you show weakness and nervousness they are going to jump on that like sharks! So don’t! We are of the Immortal Wonders Sect. How does it portray us if we act like nervous kids in a grown ups’ party?” He explained as he looked over at them. “I can only repeat what Master always told us; Grow a backbone already!” He smiled before pouring wine into his own cup as the rest finally relaxed a little and started to enjoy the food they were given.

 

Seeing their faces relax, Ren, who was watching them from the corner of her eyes, smiled approvingly. When she was sure Yanda could handle the others she turned towards her cup, swirling the wine in it. Eisen was standing behind her with a bored face, while Kitten did the same, standing like a smiling statue behind Dermitos. They were introduced as subordinates, in the Kingdom’s terms; slaves. They had no right to sit down with them. 

 

“I never had a chance to try things like these out!” Frenir said happily, like a little kid, putting every kind of meat on his plate, gobbling it up one after another.

 

“Of course.” Leinor nodded as he looked over the table. “We are at the Storm Coast, most food here is from the sea. The Capital is too far away from any big body of water to serve this kind of variety of seafood up, every day.”

 

“I meant… never mind!” He shook his head.

 

“I am happy to hear we can please you like this, prince.” Astair smiled, breaking the silence of the Heaven’s Gate side of the table. 

 

“I am no longer a prince.” Leinor answered calmly. “When I joined the Sect I forwent any and all connections to the powers and resources of the Empire.”

 

“Yet your elder brother is still the Emperor. Your new leader is the forefather of the Empire. The elders are your relatives. The connection is there, no matter how hard you try and deny it.” Astair explained with a small smirk and no elder from their side tried to hold him back.

 

“We won’t ask any member of our Sect to cut familial ties, whatever they may be.” Leinor responded calmly.

 

“I heard some families who had their offspring join your Sect, suddenly got pretty famous or powerful inside the Empire. Pressuring others under them, who were less… blessed.” Astair continued , not letting it go.

 

“No disciples of ours can use our name or our resources to pressure others into doing something they don’t want to.” Leinor replied as he looked into his eyes. “If someone is caught doing it, he or she is going to be severely punished. We forbid our disciples to interfere with other nations. Not with the Empire. Not with the Kingdom. Not with the small kingdoms along the Shert River. We are here to cultivate and explore the nature of the realm and not to govern the people.”

 

“Sure, that is why you accept contracts from the outside and do missions for different political powers. How did the assassinations of nobles of the Empire went? Those poor bastards who were dissatisfied with the current decisions of Aerthus X, your dear brother? Did it feel good? Helping your dear elder brother out?” He chuckled, taking a sip from his goblet, still watching Leinor, who just slowly put down his cup.

 

Eisen behind Ren was ready to explode, just because of his tone alone. The words he spoke did not matter to Eisen, she just wanted to have some fun already, but Ren kept her in check. Ren was sitting calmly in her place, leaning back on her chair, letting her husband deal with it. Dermitos, with Aerthus in tow, completely ignored the exchange, only focusing on Rudrick and Zelig. They were clearly waiting to step in if Aerthus or Dermitos also tried to voice their opinions on the matter. Frenir, who was sitting beside Leinor just watched on excitedly, with a stuffed mouth, looking like a hamster. He was still tasting anything that he could reach, having the time of his life.

 

“Assassin missions, huh?” Leinor licked his lips. “I don’t know where you got your sources from but I think you should replace them. Or just ask your daddy for more money next time, because being a cheapskate gets you incorrect details.” He shook his head. “We accept missions that benefit both sides and can be used to train our disciples. We are not a sword for hire or a group of thugs, assassins or soldiers. Not like some family I know, who executes branches of their own for failing at something.”  Leinor jabbed back at him.

 

“A tree can only stay strong and healthy if you prune the sick branches.” Astair replied with a cold voice.

 

“But it is only a selected few who decide which branch is sick or not, no?” Leinor smiled, not backing down at all, sitting up straight in his chair. “Who knows, maybe you are one but you don’t know it yet.” 

 

“Nonsense!” Astair slapped on the table, standing up, drawing attention from the other tables too. “You dare to insult me in my own home? This is how your Sect acts as guests?”

 

“Why are you so angry if I am wrong?” Leinor sighed as he shook his head which further fanned the flames in Astair.

 

“I won’t take this!” Astair turned towards Rudrick and Zelig, bowing to them. “Sect Leader, Sect Master! I wish to challenge him for his shameful words thrown at an Elder of our Sect!”

 

Zelig just sipped on his wine, looking at Aerthus with a half smile.

 

“What do you say, old friend?” He asked as his violet eyes shone with a provoking light.

 

“Youngsters are full of energy.” Aerthus nodded. “Also, it can be a good demonstration of our sects prowess.”

 

“I completely agree.” Rudrick seconded the notion, turning towards Leinor. “Of course the guests can refuse, we are not brutes here.”

 

“I’m fine with it.” Leinor replied, wiping his hands with a napkin. “The question is, what is allowed and what is not?”

 

“I’m not against going all out.” Astair said, unafraid.

 

“We are not here to kill each other.” Rudrick interjected before anyone else. Clear authority was resonating from his voice, making Astair cup his hands quickly, bowing towards him. “You two may fight outside, in the garden. It is going to be a friendly spar. Causing deathly injury is forbidden.”

 

“Yes, Sect Leader.” Astair  acknowledged, already going ahead, towards the door while Leinor just chuckled, lazily following him.

 

The rest of the disciples from the two sides were eager to stand up and follow them but they waited for their elder’s decision… but before any elder could speak up, Eisen’s voice traveled far and wide amongst them.

 

“Fuck him up like the bitch he is!” Her voice echoed in the room, making even Astair stop in his steps, looking back with fury in his eyes. “What are you looking at, bitch?” Eisen spat on the floor. “If you want, I can fight you too! I’ll turn you into my forever virgin boytoy!”

 

“Relax.” Ren said smilingly as she stood up, patting her face, grabbing onto her head from the back, pushing her into a bow. “Sorry, she is a bit wild, I picked her up from the streets. I am still in the middle of correcting her. Just ignore her foul mouth… and LeiLei?”

 

“Yes?” He smiled, not fazed at all.

 

“Make him cry.” She chuckled, further enraging the already offended disciples around them. On the other hand, Ren’s disciples finally laughed out, unable to hold it back and even Eisen was grinning, still held in a bowing pose towards the rest.

 

“I’ll try.” Leinor nodded, cracking his neck as he turned towards Astair, walking past him. “Come, we don’t want to keep the leaders of our sects from eating for too long… The food gets cold way too quickly.”

 

As soon as he pushed open the door and the rest of the elders stood up, following them, the disciples hurriedly ran after the group. They were scrambling to get a good place to spectate, not wanting to miss a second of the upcoming battle.

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