Chapter 12: Sides of the World
Tap tap tap.
The tapping synchronized with the hearts of all who heard it.
Tap tap tap.
Badum badum badum.
All the people were silent as they could feel the impatience and anxiousness in the air.
"So... what did you say the Anaric Kingdom agreed on."
The deep and chilling voice was oppressive as it fell on everyone's ears.
"Imperial father, it seems the Anaric kingdom says there can be a truce until the demonic cultivators are taken care of. However, they still seem reluctant with our troops going into their borders."
The young man speaking had bright blonde hair with sweat coming down his brow. It was always an anxious time when he had to go before his Imperial father.
After hearing that, the palace became silent again as no one dared to look up.
"Very good; it seems they won't be total barbarians in this operation. Tell them that is fine and that if they need assistance, call for help immediately. We can not let the Demonic Sect take any more land."
After that statement, it fell silent again.
"Gunther, how is it with the facts surrounding our kingdom?"
An older man could be seen bowing as he began speaking.
"Your Imperial Majesty, it seems the sect's won't be taking much action unless it gets truly bad."
"Hmm, ok, keep trying, but don't push it as they aren't truly needed as much as they think in this operation."
Although the king said this, the oppressive aura that bore down on everyone told a different story.
"Yes, your Imperial Majesty."
The older man said his piece and was waiting for instructions.
"You may all leave now."
That weight lifted off everyone as they said farewells to the king.
The young prince who spoke before hurriedly went out.
'It seems what you said back then really helped out the situation. Not only did you somehow convince my father to do that, but the negotiations with the Anaric kingdom went very well.'
'So you finally believe in my skills!'
'Hmph, I am still not convinced about where you came from, but you did truly help my situation. Back then, I was only the 5th prince with no way to become crown prince, but with you here, it seems my chances rise by the day.'
'Haha, glad to hear! You still haven't forgotten your promise when you become king, right?'
'Of course, I didn't.'
'Good, good.'
If looking on from the outside, the young prince seems to have his expression changed multiple times. People only thought this was because he was thinking a lot. But on the contrary, it was something much more profound and a secret no one could know.
.....
Another discussion was going on the other side of the continent.
"Those damn humans think they can get into our territory that easily."
The man had a long white beard with white hair, making him look like a sage, but his angry attitude broke that illusion.
"To think they would use the excuse of Demonic cultivators in our area to bring troops into our lands is unthinkable. We must get rid of this truce and go to war now!"
"Trent! Cut it out! You are such an old man, yet you can't even think straight when humans come into the picture! Are you a child!"
Another man's voice could be heard shouting back at the white-haired man, Trent.
"Dior, so you are taking the side of the humans now! Don't you remember all the lives we have lost to those despicable humans!"
"Of course, I remember; they killed my son; why wouldn't I be! But you have to think logically now! You are a clan head, someone who could say the life or death of your clan with just a word. Don't you see mountains of evidence of Demonic cultivators all over the place!"
"I'm with Dior on this."
Another cold voice was heard in the hall. Trent saw a cold and collected woman looking at the two. Her deep green hair and indifferent eyes made her a sight to behold.
"Blanka, you gonna take his side?"
Trent's voice grew deeper as he looked at the calm women.
"With all of our reports of the Demonic Cultivators coming into our land, don't you think it's a little ignorant and naive to think that this is all a trap."
Her words were like needles as they hit a sore point in Trent.
After that, it turned silent. Then a melodic and alluring voice broke the silence.
"Well, now that everything is settled, let's vote. Who wants to go against the humans and not have a friendly truce."
Out of the ten people there, only three raised their hands.
Looking around, Trent's face darkened.
The women who announced the vote smiled before talking again.
"Raise your hand if you want to take the human's side and kill the demonic cultivators."
All of the other seven people raised their hands.
"Well, it seems we have made a decision. Everyone is dismissed."
As everyone left, the only people left in the room were the three who raised their hands to go against the humans.
"I am sorry, Lord Trent; I tried to convince the others, but no one listened."
One of the older men talked first.
Letting out a sigh, Trent shook his head.
"No, it's my fault, I know they are right, but it feels wrong to team up with those despicable humans. And now that I pointed it out, everyone will have their eyes on me when the situation starts."
The other two didn't know what to say, so they stayed silent.
"You all may leave; this has nothing to do with you anymore."
The three walked out, going their separate ways. The overtowering door to the palace slowly shut until light no longer shone in.
.....
Drip, drip drip.
The sound of rain could be heard hitting the roofs of many houses in the small village. As it was night, no one was on the streets. One man casually walked through the empty streets looking for something. He would glance at each of the houses with a calculative gaze.
Only rain could be heard as it drowned all other sounds.
The young man's clothes were drenched as he kept on walking. Slowly walking to the end of the street, he sees a mansion at the top of the hill. It had multiple lights on as if there was a party.
Seeing this, the young man frowned. The difference between houses was too drastic. The village houses looked to be built in a hurry, as they didnt even look complete. In contrast, this mansion looked to be one of luxury.
Walking up, the young man could see plenty of guards on the outside. Glancing at them, he continued walking.
"Hey! What do you think you are doing? If you get any closer, we will-!"
Before he had finished his sentence, a slight mark could be seen on his neck. Watching this play out, the other guard's face turned to horror.
Looking at the lifeless body, the young man continued walking inside the mansion. Opening the doors, the young man could see a small family having a party with multiple young women serving an old man in the middle of the table.
Hearing the door open, they all looked toward the young man.
"Hey, no one invited you here! Get out unless you wanna die."
The old man, who seemed to be the town's mayor, started shouting as the young man walked in. The guards all got into position and went to attack.
Swords, spears, and arrows all shot at the young man with quick speed. But as if he was never there, they all missed.
"Cough cough!"
All the swordsmen spit up blood as they fell lifelessly to the ground.
"It's a shame. If you hadn't attacked first, you would still be alive."
The young man shook his head as he walked past the dead bodies. After walking past the spearman behind the swordsman, they all coughed blood one after the other, falling to the ground.
The people at the table couldn't believe their eyes as they watched the scene.
"This-this..."
The old man couldn't believe what he saw.
'So many Qi Refining experts died in a second! Who the hell is this guy!'
Thankfully he was smart and quickly yelled instructions.
"Run, get out of here!"
Pushing the young woman serving him forward, he quickly ran to the back. The women were already petrified with fear. They had no resistance as they fell in front of the young man.
He only took a glance before walking past them.
The old man's family ran to the back of the house, where the old man was already lifting a secret door.
However, before lifting it completely, he heard a slicing sound before he felt some movement. His once shivering head stopped as if nothing had happened.
The old man sighed in relief, but as he looked more closely, he became pale with fear. His old body could be seen lying on the ground with no head. As he saw his own body, the old man could only watch as his life left his body.
'So, this is how it all ends.'
Seeing this, the whole family screamed in horror. Another head soon hit the ground before four bodies were lying on the ground. Only two little kids were shivering with fear as they held each other tightly. The older girl forcefully shut the little girl's eyes, forcing her not to watch.
The girl had eyes of helplessness as she stared at the bodies and the young man.
"The name is Wreath; your family deserved this after what they have caused. But if you still are mad… I await your revenge."
The young man still had no expression as he picked up the bodies and left the house.
'I got a lot of cultivating materials this time.'
The cold face of Wreath, the young man who had shown no emotions during the massacre he caused, finally gave a smile. But it wasn't a warm smile like the sun; it was one akin to a devil.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone