Chương 40: The Report

The night was calm, the sky clear, not a cloud in sight. The full moon hung above, vast and pale, spilling its light across the peak in a silver veil. A gentle breeze slipped through the mountain ridge, brushing against Ren's damp hair as he swung the shovel, over and over. The soil at his feet was dark and heavy; each breath of his clouded faint in the chill, fading into the darkness. Beside the pit lay the old man, wrapped in plain white cloth. In truth, it was only a bedsheet, but it was all he could find.

He had learned that burial rites were a privilege of emperors and lofty figures, so getting hold of a proper shroud for a mortal turned out to be next to impossible. Thus, mortals had embraced cremation, a rite born of faith in the flame's cleansing power to purge their sins. Moreover, they feared that their bodies might be desecrated after burial— by beasts, by death energy, or worst of all, by evil cultivators.

"Since you're already pure, you can rest easy here, old man," Ren muttered, tossing the shovel from the pit. He wasn't sure if burial was the right choice, yet a tiny, stubborn part of him refused cremation. He had never liked the saying 'ashes to ashes, dust to dust' in his old life either. Ashes vanished, but a grave remained. Maybe it was insignificant, yet leaving a trace in the world felt sacred. And Ren wasn't about to deny the old man that, even if he didn't know what the old man himself had believed.

Call him selfish or ignorant, Ren didn't care. Heck, he still didn't know why he cared. Why had he taken this burden of resentment while he was already struggling? Because he felt empathy? No way. You won't risk yourself just for empathy. Nevertheless, Ren lowered the body into the pit with slow care. The shovel bit once more, then again, the wrapped figure sinking into the earth as if the mountain itself claimed him. He tamped it down with the flat of the blade, each strike slower, heavier than the other.

When he straightened, sweat and moonlight clung to him alike. A small mound rose where the man rested, with no name. He pressed his palm on the dirt, muttering the only blessing his soul brother knew, "May the heavens show mercy on your soul." After remaining silent for a minute, Ren turned without looking back, his footsteps carrying him down toward his manor. The calm of the night faded from his chest with each step, replaced by the gnawing itch of questions.

He had ignored this whole time, focusing on other matters, giving time. Not messing around with political games. And this had only gained him a rope and a lifeless body. Clenching the rope he had taken, Ren felt its coarse fibers bite into his palm as he deliberately avoided the kids who were only now stirring and gathered at the kitchen. He noticed Madam Zhang's furtive glance, sharp as if she noticed something wrong, but she bit her tongue and let him pass.

His token had already flashed once, then trembled just as he stepped into the backyard. The ghost-like figure greeted him from the shadows.

"Sentinel," Ren said, eyes narrowing.

"Why did an easy question take so much time for you to report?" The giant humanoid knelt immediately, the white void on its face pulsing faintly. Once. Twice. Then scenes were transmitted directly to Ren's head. His vision blurred, replaced by the faint echo of voices, the warmth of firelight, and the clink of cups. A group of men sat together around a table at Alchemy Peak's side pavilion, their laughter rolling into the night. Su Zhong was there— familiar posture, familiar crooked grin.

Every time that bastard had a sip of booze, his lips twisted on their own as if declaring independence. Beside him sat others Wang Ren had once called friends, even the elders of Alchemy Peak— those who had once stood behind him— were present. They drank and bantered like old times, as though he had returned from a successful mission and was ready to drink until they saw the sunlight. Except that his seat was taken by someone else.

Ren's jaw clenched as his gaze settled on the young man presenting a small lacquered box with a prideful tilt of his chin. He stood tall among them, a loose black tank top clung to his frame, showing off a bronze body honed by years at the battlefields. His face was sharp, angular yet balanced, the kind of features that screamed 'I'm a noble!' Emerald eyes glimmered in the firelight as he watched others fawning on him, gaze bright and energetic, narrowing whenever he got their praise.

"Xue Hu." Ren hissed the name between his teeth, his grip on the rope tightening until his knuckles turned white. Nephew of Xue Tian. Personal disciple. Once a candidate for the Eldest seat. The man who was beaten by Ren's predecessor so thoroughly that he had cried before the entire sect, humiliated thoroughly, and vanished with his uncle into the frontlines. Now he was back. And he seemed hungry.

"When?" Ren asked.

'Now.' Eerie, almost alien writing showed up in his mind without a warning. Sentinel looked up, the void trembling as different scenes of Xue Hu in Alchemy Peak appeared in his mind, though everything had already clicked into their place in Ren's mind. The silence of Xue Tian, the support he gave in the council, then people turning their backs on Ren without reason— the picture drew itself. Ren's eyes darkened, his chest rising and falling with a slow, deliberate rhythm.

There was only one more remaining question, and as if waiting for this moment, he felt a change in the air. Demoness stepped out from his shadow, her wailing mask already on, eyes glimmering crimson.

"I checked," she said, throwing an idle glance at Sentinel, before turning back to him.

"Only one person visited the old man, saying he was there for the process of evidence gathering. He—""Xue Tian," Ren muttered, words emerging easier than he expected. Of course, the old bastard was there while the little bastard mingled with Ren's old supporters. This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. Demoness stiffened, nodding heavily. Her mouth opened and closed, seeing his clenched teeth, her relaxed manner evaporated.

She shifted uneasily, rocking on her toes, her weight swaying from foot to foot as if she wasn't sure how to put the situation into words. Ren waited for her to spill the beans, already expecting the worst since she wouldn't act like… this otherwise.

"Leader… there's something you need to know, but promise me you won't just storm off in anger, alright…?" she trailed off, lowering her head. Passing a hand through his hair, Ren heaved out another huge sigh.

"Just say it, Demoness. I really don't have time."

"It's about… Xue Tian… he…" Squirming under his piercing gaze, Demoness's mouth plopped like a fish. However, before her, Sentinel raised its head, the void pulsing as though asking for permission to speak.

"Wait a minute," Ren waved a hand at her and turned to the Sentinel. Xue Tian could wait, for in the end, they were bound to settle things one way or another. Adding another 'problem' of his wouldn't be too late then. Sentinel transmitted a few more scenes of Xue Hu sighted on another peaks, but never on the Heavenly Master Peak. The alien words flashed in Ren's mind again:'No involvement with Master Xue Tian found. Core Disciple Xue Hu appears to be acting independently. Further verification required.'

"Hehe, hehehe." Ren couldn't help but break into a wry chuckle. Xue Hu and acting independently? Bullshit.

"Learn everything." Ren shook his head, put the rope into his ring, and turned solemn, his voice dropping deeper.

"What about All-seer? Has he made it to the Azure Sky Sect?" Demoness flinched at the name, but he paid it no mind. Sentinel pulsed once more, the void on its face dimming before a jade token without any emblem slowly materialized into form in its open palm, floating gently. As soon as Ren waved a hand and the token floated toward him, the humanoid 'thing' nodded, dissolving into the air.

"Ugh, fucking creep." Ren heard Demoness's whisper, though his attention was somewhere else. A scene had reflected in front of him from the token.

"Where the fuck did you hide your stash, you little bastard?!" A white-haired boy showed up on the screen, scratching his head and lifting the quilts. He seemed to be no older than fourteen, but the strange, deep gaze he had carried a grace unbefitting of his age. The jade token emitted a beeping sound, and the boy finally noticed the screen.

"Ugh, greetings, Bearer," said the boy, with a mock-bow.

"I'm already inside the Azure Sky Sect, having possessed one of their inner sect disciples. I hope you have solid reasons for my… relocation."

"Cut the crap, All-seer," Ren said flatly. The boy shrugged and tossed away the quilt, his smile stretching too long.

"Eh, you can't blame me. I was about to sneak into a Dawn beast's lair when your 'urgent' orders came. So, what happened? Which unlucky bastard disciple of Azure has stepped onto your toe, dear Bearer?"

"If it were a disciple, I'd take care of it myself," Ren answered, his gaze sharpening with a glimmer.

"You've gotten older, All-seer. An inner disciple? Heh, what am I gonna do with a mere insect from Azure?" This finally got a reaction from the boy. Arching a brow, he snorted, "You impudent boy! Always belittling this old man's myriad ways! Tell me, which elder? Which higher-up? I— the almighty All-seer— can take care of everyone with no problem!"

Ren stared at him for a moment, then broke the news: "I want everything about their Eldest," he paused, the words feeling heavy in his tongue, "And by everything, I want to know every step. Every breath. Every damn thought in her head. I don't care who you fuck up— servant, kin, even lover, it makes no difference. The Azure's Eldest is too dangerous to be allowed to move unchecked."

"Eh," the boy blanked.

"What?" Demoness took a step forward covertly, hands clenching at her robe's hems. Yet her narrowed eyes gave her away.

"Reny… the last time you spoke like this… you…"

"I know," Ren muttered, nodding slowly.

"H-Hey! What do you mean by that, you brat?! You trying to get me killed by the Celestial Court or what?!" the boy suddenly shouted, grabbing his frizzly air.

"I just hope it won't come down to that…" Ren answered, rubbing his chin.

"You hope?!" The boy raised both hands, his face twisted.

"I refuse! There's no way in hell I'll amuse your reckless madness, you hear me? You'll drag us all down! Sect Master would kill me if he ever learned I helped you! I—""Don't exaggerate that much, old fool," Demoness cut in, sprawling out from Ren's back, shoving her head almost into the screen.

"It's not like he hadn't killed their Eldest before. Did a war break out? No. Just a simple surveillance shouldn't be a problem."

"Look at this gall! You…" Of course, her involvement didn't help in the slightest. Instead, two of them started to bicker like grumpy children. Ren watched them a little, though bored in seconds. He was too preoccupied to make fun of them. So he lowered his head, staring at the token in his hand, fingers clenching on it. All-seer was right about the Court's involvement. Especially after what his soul brother did years ago. However, ignoring a threat he already saw coming? That was not Ren.

Even though he might not protect everyone— just like the old man's fate— he would never and ever let anybody hurt those he cared about. I'm caring about them, right? His heart thundered within him, a resounding beat as though crying out in approval.

"All-seer." Ren's tone turned flat. Relaxed, even. He raised his head, silencing them. Under their bewildered gazes, he snapped his fingers, a token appearing between them.

"I'm not asking for a favor, I'm giving you an order. Even if it results in the Court's involvement, that's my problem, not yours." All-seer's swagger collapsed at once under the weight of Bearer's symbol. His hands fell to his lap as he slumped onto the bed. Dozens of emotions flashed across his face in seconds, but eventually, he just gritted his teeth.

"Fffu— fine… fine! I'll do it." The boy dragged both hands down his face in sheer frustration, grumbling.

"Fucking brats, always have crazy thoughts. No wonder Ancestors left two freaking books for teaching them… Ugh, I hate this job. Why didn't I retire like others and just enjoy the life…" Ren remained silent, letting him vent his grievances. Deep down, he felt sorry for using such a tone. He had never gotten used to throwing his weight around, and he never would. He even shot a warning glance at the gloating Demoness.

All-seer continued without stopping, his complaints felt like coming out more to himself than them, "Ugh… I knew I shouldn't answer when that eerie bastard called. Nothing good ever comes from it… Thankfully, you called at a good time, kid. The Eldest of Azure isn't here, so I can at least find someone close to her. I heard her maid was a beauty in making… I wonder how comfy her skin is—" Just as Ren was about to close the 'call', he froze in place. She isn't in the sect? Why?

Compared to his soul brother, the Eldest of Azure was much younger, so she wouldn't leave the sect unless something happened. A dark foreboding stirred in his chest.

"All-seer, where is she?" Ren asked quickly, leaning a little. He felt Demoness's head over his shoulder tremble like a rabbit encountering an apex predator.

"Oh, you didn't know?" All-seer said, his grumbling face smoothing away in an instant, his eyes narrowing with sudden clarity. He waited just for a second, smiling sinisterly as he opened his mouth as if in slow-motion, "She is—""Renny! It's not like that—" Demoness tried to cut in…

"Young Master! Lady Ruolan fainted!" But at the same time, Madam Zhang barged into the backyard, shouting. Amidst the chaos, Ren's breath caught. Chest hollowed, he froze on the spot, the foreboding erupting and spreading into all parts of his body. S-She is… here… And Ruolan? A drop of darkness bloomed in his gray eyes. Madam Zhang's hunch… was right.