Chương 62: Continue

Ren slept. Time lost meaning for him, that part was true, but his dreams weren't kind enough to call it log-like either. Slippery little buggers escaped his memory's grasp, yet poked him with no rest, persistent enough to stir him. The usual, sir, he yawned, rubbing his unwilling eyelids.

"Slept well?" Demoness said. She stood by the door, utterly motionless, inspecting her red nails.

"You damn well know the answer to that," Ren answered, a low grumble mixed with his wry chuckle.

"Hope you got something to eat. I'm starving."

"Heh." She gave him an amused look.

"If you think you can use your state as an excuse to take a claim on my exquisite stash, nope. You've got no chance…" she suddenly pressed her lips into a thin line as Ren twirled his hand like a magician, and a cookie appeared.

"You know, I was planning to offer an equal trade," he said. But then he waved his other hand in front of the cookie, and it disappeared like it was all along a fever dream. He smirked.

"Your loss, then."

"You're a devil," she hissed.

"And I love being one," he countered. After a tense standoff, she turned out to be the first one to collapse. Her shoulders sagged forward, and she opened her pouch at her waist.

"I won't accept less than two," she said, taking out a plate of thinly sliced meat. Seeing steam curl off it, Ren didn't hesitate.

"Deal." He jumped straight to his feet, all the lethargy leaving his body. He snatched up the plate, shoved two cookies into her hand, and took a quick breath. The meat's fragrance washed over him like a wave. Ren lifted his head without thinking, eyes snapping shut in response. He smiled, then tentatively bit a slice, not even caring to get his hands dirty. His taste buds exploded immediately. The meat melted like butter over his tongue.

Small grains reminiscent of pistachios scattered from within, lending it an otherworldly sweetness. Yes. This must be heaven.

"You glutton," she complained on the surface, though Ren couldn't take her seriously when she nibbled on the cookie like an overgrown squirrel.

"Nothing beats a good meal after a…" he trailed off, frowning a little. Not missing it, Demoness's eyes gleamed with amusement.

"After what? A great beating? Or a thorough reprimand—""Yeah, yeah, whatever," Ren cut in smoothly.

"Now, may I eat in peace?"

"So you want the whole world to come to a halt?" She raised a brow.

"No shit," he answered, plopping onto the bed. He put another slice into his mouth and added, "Until my food is finished, at least."

"That's too bad, then, because there's a dire matter that needs Y our Excellency's attention. Also, the kids are worried since you slept for a whole day. If you don't want to see a stuffed pup prepped for breakfast, or the constant breakdown of your poor enforcers, you should show your face," she uttered, twirling her hair's tips and throwing the last part of her cookie into her mouth.

"But all can wait until you finish, if you wish so." She put her mask back on, but Ren caught just a hint of a smirk right on time. He mechanically lowered the plate. Even though Demoness had put on her most innocent look, he still regretted teasing her, as the meat he had chewed with joy a moment ago suddenly felt no different from plain straw. Baozhai… where are you? … No matter how much Ren hated to admit, Demoness was right. The world wouldn't stop just so he could adapt. It never did.

And although he had gotten used to this bitchy side of it, that didn't mean it wouldn't leave a sour taste in his mouth.

"Why can't I go and see my Senior Brother, huh?! What if he is injured grievously and needs our help? Can you take responsibility? We are his disciples, disciples— alright?! So stop blocking the way like a stubborn hag, and let us pass!" Wenhai was loud. He was always loud; that was clear, but this wasn't the mildly irritating kind of loud. Nope, this is definitely on the level of 'I wish I was deaf,' Ren thought, already feeling a headache. And what do you mean by 'what if he needs our help?'

What can you possibly do that they can't… However, the irritation never took hold. No. It was swallowed whole by a quiet, unexpected warmth. After all, someone was still trying to help, even though they knew there was probably nothing they could do. When was the last time someone did that for me?

"The Lady's order is clear, Junior Brother. We can't disturb the Leader," said the chef enforcer, his tone mechanical as if he were repeating this for the last twenty hours. And the slight twitch at his shoulders hinted that might be true. Hearing a snort, Ren could imagine the Pup's reddened face and decided to delay no longer. They hadn't noticed him yet, since the corridor to his room was L-shaped and they were standing in its shorter line, the enforcer blocking the turn with his body.

But someone else acted faster than him.

"That's enough, Wenhai."

"Iceberg! Why aren't you in bed—""That's because you don't know how to stay put," Liuxue said, voice cold.

"Go back. Don't waste your breath anymore." Ren raised a brow. He expected the usual 'huffing and puffing', but instead he got steps leaving, although with a little dragging and stomping. Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon. That's quite a surprise…

"Sorry, Junior Sister, but I can't let you past, too."

"I know. Where's Demoness?" But the real surprise followed a moment later. Ren quickly turned around and shot a questioning glance: 'When did you become so familiar?' She just smirked.

"Coming," she said, pushing him forward. The enforcer stepped back, and Liuxue appeared around the corner, both raising their brows as soon as they noticed Ren.

"Leader, My Lady," said the enforcer, bowing.

"At ease." Ren nodded, a faint smile settling on his lips.

"I apologize for the trouble my disciples caused. They can be quite… handful. Especially Wenhai."

"Their intentions were good," the enforcer said, shaking his head.

"If there are no further orders, I'll keep the kitchen on standby."

"That will be all," Ren said lightly, then turned to Liuxue. Her eyes were puffy, face still pale.

"Come, unless you're planning to talk here." She didn't move.

"Here is fine."

"Tell me, then," Ren muttered, lowering his foot.

"I'll be blunt, if you let me," she asked, continuing only when Ren nodded.

"I know that fight was intense, and things probably didn't go well, but you can't ignore us like this," she said.

"We are too weak to help. We know that too." He brushed a hand through his hair, sighing deeply. Yeah, of course.

"But you can at least let us check on you instead of making us wait in worry and fear. Or we will feel like mere ornaments standing beside the great Eldest Brother," she went on, her eyes suddenly feeling more piercing than usual.

"I never—""I know you don't see us like that, Senior Brother," she cut in.

"They don't know that or your plans for us, however. They might keep silent for now, but only for now. Especially Ruolan. You know how sharp she is. That was all I wanted to say. Thank you for listening." She bowed and turned around without hesitation, steps steady. Yet it didn't last long as the ship suddenly shook a little, probably stopping in the air. Her hand immediately snapped to her mouth and she buckled up. Still, she forced herself to move. Remaining silent, Ren just watched her back.

His mouth opened and closed a few times, only for him to sigh deeply. Fuuu, I think facing that figure was easier. I don't have to think so much, at least…

"Wow," Demoness said, smirking and putting her hand on his shoulder.

"That was harsh. I think I like her."

"Ha-ha, funny. Show me the way before I decide otherwise." He rolled his eyes and shrugged free of her hold. She gave him a deep look— which strangely sent a shudder down Ren's spine— before she went ahead. He searched for words in the spot to defuse the bad feeling he got or tease her back, but he failed. He didn't know what was the matter 'urgent' enough to hold him back from even eating. And if what he knew about her didn't do him wrong, he was about to greet a very, very fucked-up situation. Alright, alright.

One thing at a time. Let me see what it is first— then I'll consider how to fix it. Or break it, whatever bloody thing it needs. Ren fastened his steps to catch up with her. It didn't take long for him to realize they were going to the prison, this time using the proper route. The crystals along the corridor walls flickered as they passed, a muted yellow glow tracing patterns. For a second, he thought about his mask. Followed by the changes to his armor. It's Cinderborn now…

He felt it tremble faintly, as though it noticed his affection. Its desire to appear hit him, his stomach twisting.

"The problem shouldn't lie in the way," he murmured to himself, recalling the other time he went to the prison.

"The place must be cursed or something."

"What?" Demoness threw him a glance, confusion written in her face.

"Nothing." But Ren didn't explain. And as two enforcers standing on guard came into view, she didn't pressure. One of them opened the door for them. Inside, Ren saw a black coffin standing in the center. Its corners were uneven, and it seemed unpolished, like someone had remembered at the last minute and slapped together some cheap wood into a rough shape. But what caught his attention were the shiny runes carved on it. The first layer was rippling, its golden shimmer almost sacred.

Each strange character moved in sync, creating a flowing chain image in his mind. Underneath it stood four more layers, stacked, remaining deadly still, except when they intersected with the chain. Four-Elements Lifeless Lock? He blinked as at every intersection, a different element moved in a loop. Water rising and falling in endless waves; flames roaring with might; earth splitting apart and reforming itself; and the air warping into a whirlwind.

"So," Demoness snorted and perched on the table's edge. She truly had a weird habit of preferring tables.

"Do you get it now?" Ren scratched his nape. Here we fucking go again.

"That figure's target… managed to stay alive?" he asked, eyes searching for Ashthorn. But that daring bugger was nowhere in sight. Besides, neither the cages nor the jackals they'd captured were here either.

"Yes and no."

"Explanation, please?"

"You might want to sit," she muttered, her hand caressing her mask.

"And maybe put on your mask. We… need to be very strategic." Raising a brow, Ren searched her face for a hint of teasing or mockery. But no. She was serious. Restless, even. She is afraid of me acting emotional? He cast another look at the coffin, wondering who might lie in there for her to act this way. Though there's no need for my mask. I'm already too tired to act emotional. Still, he chose to listen to her— partly— and plopped into the chair.

"First, Guardian Elder…" Demoness paused, her eyes wandering on his face. But seeing him remain expressionless, she continued, clearing her throat.

"Ahem, did he mention anything about that thing's identity?"

"Yeah," Ren rubbed his chin.

"He asked what makes him daring enough to call himself 'this god' while being a mere Primal King. Though I don't know what it means."

"Primal King, huh," she said, then continued after giving him a look.

"If even you don't know, then it must be some great secret. But what could such a being be after coming all this way? It can't be just to kill someone…" He hadn't thought about it at that time, but thinking now, that being definitely had to have a goal. And if he wanted to understand that, he first needed to know what they were.

"There are only two options," Ren muttered in confusion, since his memories gave away nothing— which was another anomaly.

"One, that thing is related to Fiend-side. Two, Ascendants…"

"Both are out of our reach," Demoness concluded, pinching the bridge of her nose.

"So there's no way to know its goal nor why it was here. Eh, we don't even know what happened to it after the fight, thanks to you distracting Guardian Elder."

"I don't think it's dead. No matter how good they are at concealing the fight's ripples, we'd feel it if it were a deadly battle. That being is definitely close to or at the peak of Soul Transformation," he continued analyzing, ignoring her jab.

"Open the coffin. Let me see who could compel such a figure to take action personally."

"Sneaky bastard," she whispered under her breath. Still, she raised her hand toward the coffin. Ren noticed four small cut marks on her fingertips that peeled open. Threads of blood slid out and stretched through the air, weaving themselves into runes. The coffin lid creaked, then slowly slid to the side. The Four-Elements Lifeless Lock trembled and stretched, seeming to be on the verge of breaking apart. Demoness quickly pressed her palm on the air.

The runes of blood rushed at the formation, filling the gaps and reinforcing the chain long enough for a brief glance at the pale body lying beneath it. A hook nose. A twisted expression with bloodshot but blank-looking eyes. A budding flower tattoo in the shape of a half-star over his eyebrows. An azure cloud token was placed over his chest. And a terrifying, deep pressure unique to powerhouses. The lid slid back sharply in the next second, sealing all the pressure.

Demoness took a deep breath, her shoulders dropping low.

"Understand now?" she said, wiping her sweat. Ren didn't answer, his focus wasn't on her. I don't know this face. He stood frozen, a tremor shaking his skull. I don't know this person.

"Azure… Sky…?" A muffled whisper hissed through his clenched teeth as the words his soul brother left trembled. Then burned with never-before-seen intensity, as though they were trying to sear their way out of his body. They fueled, and a terrifying Killing Intent erupted, covering the ship and beyond. Demoness shot to his feet and shouted something he couldn't hear. Couldn't grasp. His ears were ringing, and he could only hear a broken laughter. Angry. Wounded. Unwilling. And bitter!

A memory he hadn't had awakened at that moment.