Kimons Heirs of the previous and present generations gathered in a way that had never happened before. Asava stood next to Sila as he thought deeply about sothing. anwhile, Vlad rushed to Poluk and kneeled down. He kowtowed three tis to show his respect.
Poluk smiled as he stroked his main disciples head.
You havent changed at all, he continued, We are technically dead people. There is no need to pay us respect anymore.
What is the story behind this? Sila asked. His question caused everyone to fall silent as they werent sure where to start.
After a short while, Divine broke the silence. I have to say the story starts with your teacher, and heir to the Demon God, Mora.
Teacher Mora?
Poluk interrupted, Dont you think thats too far in the past? This will take so ti.
Mn. We have to even if it will take a while. The ti has co for Sila to be aware... Divine stopped briefly before continuing, ...about the existence of the enemy.
The enemy? Sila wondered. Whose enemy? Mine?
Divine shook his head. You got it wrong. I an the associations enemy.
The association? You an the Wulin Masters Association? Do we have an enemy?
Asava interrupted, I have never heard anything about our association having enemies aside from small conflicts with so trivial groups. However, based on the fact that the three of you had to resort to faking your deaths... that ans this so-called enemy is extrely formidable.
You got it right. This enemy is so strong and shrewd, possessing great strength, influence, and wealth. Moreover, they always stay in the shadows, so very few people know about them.
Asava imdiately asked, May I ask whether this enemy has a na?
Divine nodded. They do, but I cant tell you even that. Thats how scary they are.
You cant even tell us their na? Sila wondered. How could there be such a mysterious foe?
Divine drew a picture of a dead tree on the floor, its roots looking just like electronic circuits. Presently, our world relies heavily on technology. You can find electronic equipnt anywhere in the world no matter where you look. The enemy has a lot of influence in this regard. As soon as their na is ntioned, their nearest agent will be alerted. If they have even the slightest suspicion that you are aware of their existence, youalong with the people you were recently in contact withwill be eliminated.
...The most efficient way to keep a secret, muttered Asava. However, to think that 'the enemy' would eliminate all suspicious people and recent contacts... that was too much. Even the Hells Gate Islands had a policy stating that they would assassinate only the target if possible.
Talking about them in the ga is too dangerous. If you want to know more about them, lets talk later when everything is finished. We will have to logout and et in a place devoid of electronic equipnt, Viola added.
The story Im about to tell you is what I listened from Mora. Rember that it may not be accurate since the only witness of the event is Mora, Divine said before starting his explanation. One day in the past, the previous Wulin LordMoras teacher, the Demon God Zengasecretly obtained a letter of challenge. The contents of the letter both described in great detail the existence of the association and threatened to reduce it to rubble. By the way, this event occurred after the Demon Gods three disciples had gone their separate ways. Only Mora stayed with his teacher and accompanied him.
Mora told us that the sender appointed the Demon God to duel in a certain deserted wasteland. Once the two arrived at the destination, the person awaiting them was only an ordinary-looking man around in his early twenties. He didnt possess any inner force at all, or at least it was undetectable. This characteristic caused the Demon God to have great doubt. The surprising thing was that this man could fight equally against Zenga.
A person without inner force could go up against the Demon God without being disadvantaged? That sounds unreal. Flaming Cloud Qi is hot, intense, and incredibly flexible. The Demon God Zenga was said to be extrely proficient at using the Fla Part. Ordinary people would feel their blood boil and die from a re touch of his hand, Asava strongly expressed his doubt.
Divine nodded. What you said was correct. However, based on what Mora told us, that man could really fight without showing any profound arts. The battle lasted two hours before the mysterious man made a mistake and eventually fled.
Why did the Demon God let him go? asked Asava.
Because he was incapable of following the man. He maintained his peak form by stimulating Flaming Cloud Qi for two whole hours. Soon after the man left, the Demon Gods body was engulfed in flas and he died despite the battle ending with his victory. Sensing that his end was approaching, he imparted so dying words to Morathe only person who knows everything Zenga said. Still, one thing was certainthere is a traitor in the association. Thus, Mora concealed his teachers cause of death, claiming that it was an accident, to prevent internal conflict.
A traitor?
Yes. The Demon God said that the man had prepared counterasures against Flaming Cloud Qi in advance. His fla couldnt penetrate the mans cloak at all. It must be clothing especially designed for blocking his attacks. Furthermore, the mans reaction speed was several tis greater than normal people, and his ability to predict the Demon Gods moves was too keen. He was sure that soone must have leaked his personal martial arts to the man beforehand. Although Flaming Cloud Qi was famous, only a few close allies knew the Demon Gods fighting style. It implied that the traitor must be soone very close to him.
Asava raised a question, Isnt that jumping to conclusions? Its too soon to be certain that there is a traitor with just that.
Good question, Asava. Listen on, Divine complinted his disciple for being skeptical. Mora then secretly approached us three and begged us to disappear for the sake of becoming the associations secret force while investigating the traitors existence. As everything was agreed on, we spent so years preparing our second personas while imparting our arts to our disciples. We then faked our deaths and disappeared from the world at the previously agreed upon ti.
So, who was the traitor, sir? Sila asked. He was sure that people at Kimons caliber would have already found out the truth.
Contrary to Silas expectations, Divine shook his head. We dont know that even today. Well, Sanon is the most suspicious one since he is the Demon Gods last disciple who learned the least from Zenga. Furthermore, he often had conflicts with people in the association due to his different point of view and opinion. Thus, there was a ti when we sent Saya to approach him. Still, we are not certain he is the traitor.
Eh? But I heard that Sanon is aware that his wife... Sila shot a side glance at Viola. ...belongs to Kimon, isnt he?
Viola said to no one in particular, True is False. False is True. The more he thought he knew , the more he would lower his guard.
So? We got nothing in the end? asked Asava.
Divine smiled. Thats not it, Asava. At the very least, we have confird that the traitor truly exists. There was a certain event that happened six years ago. Saya pretended to leak the fact that she was aware of the traitor, and the news did reach the organization. On that night, the organization sent an Executive, whose authority is only second to the vice leaders, to take care of this matter personally.
Executive? Sila repeated the word. He felt this organization sounded like a company.
Thats right. We used to be clueless about this enemy, but we later learned their structure from Saya. The organization consists of one Boss, one Right-Hand Man, one Left-Hand Man, and six Executives. Each of them is a wanted criminal in the present era being pursued by all countries. They possess different kinds of talents and fortes. The person sent that night was Faceless Viola, the master of forgeries.
Viola continued the story, She was indeed skilled. Unfortunately for her, I laid a trap in advance. Otherwise, I would have been the one to die that night. After I killed her, I used Corpse-Disposing Powder then disguised myself as her, entering the organization. Viola had never revealed her real face to others and the Executives rarely communicated, so this plan worked.
Divine added, On that day, Saya requested the associations help through the Three Elders in order to probe their reactions. However, no help arrived. Worse off, the place that the association led her to was full of the organizations traps. That ans the traitor must be soone with the authority to influence an Elders orders... or one of the Elders themselves.
Silence filled the palace and remained there for a long ti.
To break the awkward atmosphere, Sila opened his mouth, Then... why did you co to Monster Soul?
For two reasons: taking a break, and work, Poluk replied as he shifted his gaze to the Sli King, One of our tasks is gathering comrades to stand against the organization.
The Sli King quickly dashed their hopes. Im an outsider, not related to any of this. I will just pretend I didnt hear anything. By the way, Im not the one you are looking for.
The Sli King had known for a while that the Three Sli Guardians sought sothing from him. In any case, since the three didnt request anything, the Sli King decided to remain silent. On the other hand, the three Guardians had long since realized that the Sli King was keeping a close eye on them, so they hoped for him to initiate the conversation. As it turned out, the two sides rarely talked to each other. They only managed to beco closer when Sila entered the Sli Kingdom.
We are aware that you are not the one we are looking for. However, you surely know his whereabouts and where the thing he hid is, Viola said calmly.
Despite being indirectly forced to answer, the Sli King didnt feel angry at all. Its pointless. My older brother died a long ti ago, and only he knew where the thing you are seeking is. Even Im clueless.
Divine frowned as he spoke, How could he have died when we still heard rumors about him making an appearance in the ga, not that many years ago. In fact, that was the reason we decided to beco Independent NPCs. Aside from Monster Soul, he has never appeared elsewhere.
I t the Tiger God, by the way. Silas sudden words drew everyones attention to him, making him feel uncomfortable. Eh... Did I say sothing wrong?
Sila, do you know the Tiger God? Divine asked. They avoided ntioning the na to prevent Sila from learning too much. Unexpectedly, Sila had already been aware of the Tiger Gods existence.
The Sli King shrugged. In the Dragon Kingdom, right? How was he?
I didnt get to see him, sir. But, based on his voice, I think he seed to be a bit unwell.
Coming across Silas information, the Three Guardians understood that the Sli King had lied to conceal his older brothers whereabouts.
The Sli King showed a dry smile. I didnt lie though. He did die. I buried his body with my own hands.
He instructed to tell you sothing, Your Majesty, Sila said. The atmosphere seed to be extrely serious. All eyes were drawn to him, making him feel tense. It was like their gazes had locked on to his lips, waiting for him to speak holy words.
Um... he said Joshua broke a promise he made with him. Soone has practiced his Grand Deitys Breathing. Please help him stop that person before they reach the last stage.
The Sli Kings indifferent expression crumpled, and he suddenly looked serious. Grand Deitys Breathing is not a combat art. No one should ever practice it.
Did the Tiger God tell you anything else, Sila? asked Divine.
Sila shook his head. No, sir. That was all.
Grand Deitys Breathing? I have never heard of it before. Well, since its the Tiger Gods profound art, it must be an unequaled, matchless art. No doubt about it, Poluk expressed his opinion.
The Sli King shook his head. No, it isnt an excellent art as you imagine. The reason why my brother invented it was so absurd that you would struggle to believe it. Even I, the one closest to him, still found it unbelievable. I can tell you later if you really want to know more about it.
He turned to Sila, asking, My brother must have wanted to reward you in his place, right? What did he say?
Actually, Sila wasnt so shaless as to demand a reward by claiming that the Tiger God had promised him. Still, the Sli King was his blood-related younger brother. He naturally knew his older brothers character. Hu Xian was the kind of person who absolutely refused to be indebted to anyone, no matter how small the debt.
Sila said in a soft voice, He said I can have his old item. Though... honestly, you dont have to give a reward for sothing like this.
The Sli King explained, Well, in fact, your reward for completing the sli quest is none other than his old item. With it, I guarantee you that no dragon will be your match. It was exactly because of this item that he was hailed as the Chaos Emperor Dragon. Wait just a mont.
Yes, sir... Sila nodded.
The Sli King left his throne and exited the room. As the room now only consisted of people of the association, Sila and Asava explained their intentions and the reason why they ca to visit the Island of Beginnings.
Hearing Sila and Asavas plan, the Three Sli Guardians gave strong nods in satisfaction.
Its a good plan. You can put the matter regarding the associations enemy aside for now. They aim to strike us when we are weak, so our first priority is to quickly handle the internal conflicts. The later we crown the Wulin Lord, the riskier. We should take care of the selection quickly then unite our people. We will be ready to fight the enemy once the association is strong and stable.
Its decided then. Quickly eliminate the Heavenly Dragon Guild, so that we can prepare to fight the organization, Asava summarized.
Is that okay with you, Miss Viola...? About Montra... Sila asked in a soft voice.
Viola imdiately replied, The association cos first. In any case, he thinks that Im dead, so there is no problem.
As everyone was discussing details about their next course of action, the Sli King ca back into the room, holding a black tal box in his hand. He then handed it to Sila.
Take it. The Tiger Gods old weaponthe weapon that once shook the world of Monster Soul.
Sila received the box with anticipation, feeling thrilled. His mind wandered as he predicted what inside the box. What would he do if it wasnt a sword? What if it was a strange kind of weapon he had never seen before?
However, once he opened the box, he couldnt sense any power from the thing inside at all.
Could it be that it was so powerful to the point that his senses were unable to comprehend its strength? Just thinking about it gave Sila a sense of soul-stirring excitent. He gently held the item up in order to inspect it.
A black feather? Sila blankly looked at the bird feather in his hand. He span it around to find out how special it was. Was this the Chaos Emperor Dragons old weapon?
Silence temporarily filled the room until the King and his three Guardians burst into laughter simultaneously, making Sila confused.
Poluk was the first to speak, Even when the four of us were here, he still managed to pull it off. This guy truly deserves my respect.
The Sli Kings lips curled slightly upward. I admit I am clueless as to when it went missing. It could have been years ago.
What happened? Sila asked.
Divine explained, A certain burglar has broken into our ho. He is pretty famous, even. Asava should know about him as well, right?
Asava nodded. I cant say I dont know him. He is the martial worlds number one thief. No matter how modern the world has beco, he still relies only on his two hands and his profound art to steal. More importantly, his personality is said to be mischievous as he often robbed from the rich and gave to the poor. Unexpectedly, he also plays this ga.
Asava took the black feather in Silas hand and spun it around. His habit is leaving behind a black feather in place of whatever he stole. His na is Crow, the Sky Thief.
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