Chương 19: Still Here

"Hahaha! Damn right!" Booming laughter echoed around the room as Ren was pulled into a bear hug, his armor creaking in distress. Yan Yuze, broad-shouldered and sharp-eyed, with a face that carried a youthful shimmer and casual confidence, lifted Ren slightly off the floor.

"We are in the middle of an important Council Meeting," came Second Elder's chiding voice, gentle yet iron-edged, as his cane softly tapped at the floor, "if you haven't noticed, Master Yan. And I hope you stop calling us in such a tasteless way." Yan Yuze smirked, setting Ren down and clasping his hands behind his back with mock solemnity.

"That's just my way of showing my love to our venerable fossils, Second Elder. I merely wanted you to feel how deep my respect is for you." At his words, a few elders softly chuckled. Lady Dimitra raised a hand to hide her smirk, though her somber gaze remained on the lightning-covered man.

"I'd hardly call that loving," Second Elder said with a tight smile, "but perhaps… perspectives differ."

"Mm," Yan Yuze hummed, and the next moment, he plopped into his seat, kicking his feet onto the table and slouching comfortably. His message couldn't be clearer. Second Elder's lips curled into a faint smile.

"That said," he continued, stepping forward, "as we gather to question the acts of our Eldest Brother, your participation makes this old man happy. Yet I must remind everyone that the Supreme Judgment Sect is built on law, not sentiment. While his status grants him many freedoms, even those must be weighed under the sacred stone of consequence."

"And which crime do you weigh today?" Ren asked, not hiding the intrigue in his voice. He sat back again, but this time he lounged on the throne; it belonged to him all along.

"Taking in disciples? Teaching them what they needed just to… live?"

"No," Second Elder replied, maintaining his gentle smile, "not the act, child, but the method. A method sealed long ago for good reason. One that risks inviting dangers beyond our comprehension." He gestured with a single hand, and a scroll of red jade unrolled before him in the air.

"Section Eight. Frostveil Requiem Method. Tested on death-tinged and fully death-roots. Results are catastrophic. A total of four thousand users turned into fiends, thousands died before stepping into Foundation Establishment, and out of countless unlucky souls, only three gained success. Two of them attained Ascendant status, one turning demonic. Eldest Brother Ren," he paused, voice slow and booming, "you stepped into territory even the Great Elders fear to tread." A murmur swept through the hall.

Some elders frowned. Others scowled. Only a few looked to one another. Lady Dimitra clicked her tongue and started.

"You call it danger. I call it courage. Death-tinged roots are cursed to be short-lived, after all. What he gave her was a future. One none of you would ever offer."

"And yet we must think for the sect, not singular lives," Second Elder replied, clasping his hands.

"Your sentiment is noted, of course, Lady Dimitra. But passion has no place in front of precedents. We can't risk so many lives just to extend a single, newly joined life."

"To me, it says we might finally catch up to our ancestors," Yan Yuze chimed in lazily, drawing a few gasps.

"Fear of progress has never protected us, and our ancestors worked on that technique for thousands of years. Leaving it to collect dust? That's an insult to their lifelong efforts."

"Spoken like someone who's never slept at the frontlines." The voice came from across Lady Dimitra. It was quiet, but enough to freeze the room. Xue Tian hadn't stood. He didn't raise his voice. Heck, he was even sipping tea crackling with lightning. But the chilly air from his words felt like a guillotine being prepared. Yan Yuze opened his mouth, but Xue Tian just shot him a look as if saying, 'I'm not done yet, wait for your turn.' And Yan Yuze nodded furtively. Here comes the storm. Ren leaned forward.

Just a little, but it was enough to show his focus.

"My whole life passed in the battlefield, from the northern wastes to the Stormfront, where barbarians eat their dead to preserve lineage," Xue Tian said.

"I've seen the consequences of foolish ambition. Of giving power to the unworthy." He looked at Ren for the first time.

"Are you worthy, Eldest Brother?" Yan Yuze's foot shifted slightly. The temperature in the hall dropped. Lady Dimitra reached for her inner robe, but stopped herself as lightning rippled faintly around Xue Tian's coat. No threats. Just a warning.

"I'm not here to be weighed," Ren uttered, slow and relaxed.

"I don't need you or anyone here to decide whether I deserve this seat. I've already proved myself countless times." No, I didn't.

"I am worthy to be the Eldest Brother." No, I am not.

"And as the bearer of the Judgment, this young master decided to bear the weight of the Trial, just like I did years ago. The result? I secured precious resources for our sect. But this is exactly why you don't like me interfering again, do you?" The words rolling off his tongue left a foul taste in his mouth, yet he forced himself to channel his inner brat with amazing ambition.

"A forbidden technique? Dangerous roots? Heh," he chuckled in disgust, his voice rising.

"Don't make me laugh! You're just being greedy. The first time I intervened, I didn't let anyone enter with me, foiling all your carefully crafted plans. In return, I gained an opportunity; the sect took the resources, but you? You gained nothing. That's what makes you mad." His gaze swept the frowning elders.

"You don't want to lose such a 'glamorous' way to abuse your power for your benefit." His voice fell to a whisper, yet it still echoed in everyone's ears.

"Just spare me the bullshit, and just say what you really want." Ren leaned back, tapping with his finger on the armrest, this time with more frustration. Nobody noticed the sharp glint in his eyes. The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. I'm not giving you what you desire, now, what are you gonna do? Second Elder remained silent, his face still serene. Some elders' frowns deepened, expressions getting ugly with the harsh truth spat on their faces.

Others nodded, agreeing quietly. But some seemed nonchalant, their faces not betraying any emotion. Master Gao stared at him, deep in thought. While Yan Yuze smirked, Lady Dimitra pressed her temples. At last, Ren's eyes settled on the one who stirred his curiosity the most. Master Xue Tian. He was someone truly hard to understand. An enigma, even. His attire defied sect norms: not the usual robe-centered traditions, but a meticulously tailored ensemble in the style of the Thronebound dynasties.

A high-collared, silver-black coat rested across his shoulders like a mantle, its inner lining etched with faintly glowing lightning sigils. Beneath the draped coat, a jet-black three-piece suit clung to his frame with sharpness. Every button was fastened. Every crease was crisp. A silver-threaded tie knotted tight beneath his throat. His slightly curly hair, gunmetal gray with glints of white at the temples, was combed back with surgical precision.

Not a strand out of place, even the ones falling on his shoulder seemed… neat. His beard was no different, obviously trimmed by careful hands. Immaculate might be the best description. But behind his silver-gray eyes, there was no warmth. Cold, relentless, unflinching. Only calculating. Definitely villain material. He could have taken the Oscar home if he had played in The Godfather. Ren held himself back from chuckling. He had to admit the man had quite an aura. Yet his composed expression didn't give reassurance.

"Our only concern is to safeguard the future of the sect," Second Elder said, breaking the heavy silence.

"And you, young master… you're quite young after all, and power like yours might eclipse your age—" Someone chuckled. Second Elder just glared, yet his delight couldn't be more obvious, and then continued, "It falls on us to make sure that power has not begun to poison the well within. Especially after your…" He paused just for a moment, he plastered a fake, sorrowful smile across his lips, "not so-graceful fall." A few elders exchanged sharp glances. One from Hidden Secrets Peak coughed softly, then muttered.

"Eldest Brother… needs to symbolize our sect's might and resources… but a powerless one…"

"Permission given under the understanding that risks would be minimized," another elder barked.

"We can't take such a risk just to indulge someone's newfound desire to foster a stray kid."

"Some clans urgently requested the Trial resources, and even sent more than ten disciples. All those resources we promised…" said an elder.

"Are you really questioning Eldest Brother's power? You've gone mad!" another elder— from Mundane Peak— shouted with exasperation.

"Ah, sweetheart, you're forgetting the foundation of this world— only might makes right," Elder Jia snickered, licking her lips with lust.

"And our beloved young master just lost that privilege." The elder gulped.

"You aren't the one deciding this, Elder Jia. Only disciples can determine the Eldest Brother's fate," Lady Dimitra intervened, wanting to continue. But it only took one look from Master Xue to shut her down. She fidgeted, then let out a deep sigh. Some elders turned to Ren with concern, others with disappointment. But instead of the expected distressed face, they found him smiling lightly.

"Heh," Ren let out a quiet chuckle. Waving his armored hand in reverence, he bowed with grace.

"Power, ah, the magical word. I'm honored that you're being honest."

"A broken Eldest Brother… isn't fitting for us," Elder Ye muttered, waving a feather in his hand. Other elders started to echo his words, most of them part of the Hidden Secrets Peak or Heavenly Master Peak. Others? They remained silent, but the concern in their gaze deepened. Ren stared at them, then at his armored hand. Thinking now, there's a real difference between the past me and the current me. Before, I had no power to resist, and the struggle I put up was no different than a worm squirming.

He couldn't help but remember a line from one of the books he read in his youth— a scene where an angry, lost character finds his resolve inside a temple, standing before a goddess's statue. [A feather can only cause a small ripple.] The goddess's voice had started out calm at first… Ren was nothing but a feather in his past life. No matter how much he struggled, no matter how much he bled, he couldn't change the outcome. But in this life, in this life— [But a titan can raise a tsunami with a simple step…!] …

then her voice suddenly grew fierce. In this life, I've become that titan. No matter how much I refused it, it's the reality. The blood flowing through his veins turned hot. He clenched his hand, black eyes flickering darkly. His Master's sorrowful gaze came to his mind, then the soft smile of Ancestor. [You fell once, then so be it— our hands will lift you back up. If doing this costs my entire wealth, then let it be spent.] Ren felt the armor covering his shoulder tremble with excitement.

I've had enough of walking on eggshells. Enough of weighing every step. Of giving up pieces of myself just to please others. Just like he would've done. It's time to flip the damn table and watch their faces when the masks fall. The slumbering titan… weakened and broken deep inside… trembled. The crust of rock and soil wrapped around it shook, cracks spread like spiderwebs, sensing its stirring. Activate skill, Primordial's Wra—"Enough!" Ren flinched as an overwhelming aura erupted.

He turned and saw Master Gao rise. The old man's eyes were burning with fury.

"I've listened to your bullshit long enough, Wen Zian," he said, glaring at Second Elder.

"You're going too far—" Second Elder's aura erupted too, clashing with subtle supremacy.

"What do you mean by this, Brother Gao?" he asked, his smile getting twisted.

"He is saying you're getting senile, old fart." As if waiting for this moment, Yan Yuze's aura flared to life and crushed onto Second Elder. Lady Dimitra nodded, her ice-cold aura surfaced.

"You don't have the authority to judge Eldest Brother in any form, Second Elder." The burly man nodded too, participating in the aura clash silently.

"Can't you all see?!" Second Elder shouted. His smile faded into nothing, his shoulders trembling faintly.

"Heavens forsake the blind! Think of the terrific consequences of your actions. You forgot the calamity I warned you against? What if that death-tinged trash turns out to be that? Are you ready to shoulder the blame?! Tell me, Eldest Brother!" He tried to turn to Ren but froze in place as Yan Yuze's aura sharpened in an instant. Ren opened his mouth, yet Master Gao gestured for him to remain silent.

"This old man bears witness to Eldest Brother's resolve. Any further objections?"

"Thousands of death-tinged roots have already used this technique, and not even one of them shook the foundations of the sect." Yan Yuze gave a lazy grin, spinning a small blade between his fingers.

"I second the Eldest Brother's resolve."

"When the Judgment Sect saved me, and my daughter, more than three sects wanted my life," Lady Dimitra started, her voice tender.

"At that time, they offered a wealth of resources in exchange for handing me over. But the old sect master, Ancestor Li, refused by saying, 'You don't measure a life with mere worldly wealth.' I am— and will be— always grateful for that life-saving grace." She threw a fleeting glance at the silent Xue Tian, and added, "That's why I'm supporting Eldest Brother."

Elder Ye and Elder Jia, along with some elders from Hidden Secrets Peak, opened their mouths as if to object, but under the four Masters' suppression, they could only glare pleadingly at Master Xue.

"Haha… hahaha! Of all of them, I expected only you to understand my worries, Master Gao!" Second Elder's face twisted, yet his gaze remained sharp.

"I always thought age might grant wisdom, but it has made you senile, old friend!"

"And you've lost your pure belief, old friend," Master Gao muttered, shaking his head in pity.

"On suspicion of attempting to dethrone the Eldest Brother and of breaking the unity of the sect, I hereby request this Council to summon a disciplinary tribunal for the Great Elder Wen Zian, known as Second Elder." Everyone except Xue Tian flinched at the formal declaration. Even Yan Yuze lowered his legs from the table. Ren stared at Master Gao as the realization slowly settled in. I'm not a titan, not even here… he thought, yet the fire burning inside only grew stronger.

But I'm standing over the shoulders of the titans, carrying their hopes— so I can shoulder them one day when they fall. [Bring back my corpse to the Ancestor Tomb when I die. That ought to cover what you owe, don't you think?] Ancestor Li's words, which he hadn't understood until now… suddenly became crystal clear. And never had the weight of responsibility felt heavier.

"You've all gone mad! Mad!" Second Elder trembled from head to toe.

"Xue Tian! Say something!" The hall froze in a heartbeat, an aura wrapping every elder in breathless silence.

"Very well," Xue Tian said, his magnetic voice echoing through the silence as he set his teacup on the table.

"I think I listened enough."