Adam could feel the man’s convictions from those words alone.
"The Shadow Sect," he murmured.
Everyone in that room lived true to the ideals of this secret organization: to walk in the dark, so that the world may bask in the light.
Adam lowered his head, deep in thought.
The Brotherhood never could enter the lands of Yen-Lu, he wondered.
They had deed it too difficult to operate in a clandestine manner here, given how xenophobic the people of this continent were.
But it turns out... Yen-Lu has always had its own secret order, the Shadow Sect.
They’re very much like the Twilight Brotherhood.
However, soon, his expression darkened under the mask.
But even an organization as influential and powerful as the Brotherhood was infiltrated by the Cult spies. Half of the upper echelon turned out to be loyal dogs of the Cult!
He couldn’t help but wonder...
Is Shadow Sect the sa?
I have to be careful. They already know my real na.
"Grand Elder Li," Adam began, his tone polite. "I would first like to inform you that you shouldn’t place much faith in that prophecy."
Li Shuren chuckled. "Whatever you say, young warrior."
Adam’s lips twitched.
These guys are adamant about making the Ghost. Are they crazy?
He shook his head and sighed, "Anyway, tell everything you know about the Cult."
His expression turned solemn, and he added. "And I an everything."
"We were hoping you’d tell us." Grand Elder Li gently smiled. "After all, they are an organization from the lands beyond Yen-Lu."
Adam remained silent for a long ti. At last, he said, "Before I begin, I wish to know sothing."
"Go on."
Adam’s voice turned solemn. "You’ve planted spies across the Nine Great Sects and Clans. How certain are you that others, more specifically, the Cult, hasn’t done the sa to your organization?"
Grand Elder Li chuckled. "Rest assured, young warrior."
He paused for a mont, then added. "The mbers of the Shadow Sect excel not in combat, but in information. Since the founding of our organizations, all our Sect Leaders have been Diviners. You know what these Magi specialize in, don’t you, young warrior?"
Adam nodded. "To glimpse the heavenly secrets."
"Indeed." The elderly man nodded. "I dare say with utmost certainty, when it cos to the School of Divination, the Shadow Sect stands at the forefront. There is nothing we do not know. Our eyes and ears reach all across Yen-Lu."
Adam scoffed. "Yet, you want to tell you about the Cult of Bones?"
"Yes." Grand Elder Li didn’t take offence. "After all, you’ve faced them more tis than we have. You know more about them than we do."
Adam burst into a crazed fit of laughter.
Hisaki’s lips twitched. He quickly said to the elderly man, "He, uh... he’s like that. He’s not laughing at you. Please don’t mind him."
"Most fascinating." Grand Elder Li chuckled.
Adam’s laughter ca to an abrupt halt, and the next mont, his behaviour did a complete one-eighty.
"Forgive ," he said coldly. "But I don’t trust you enough to share important details with you yet."
He then turned to Hisaki and added, "Let’s not forget, your people haven’t been very forthright with ."
"I hope you can forgive Hisaki," Grand Elder Li said with a faint smile. "He was only doing what he thought was right."
"So what do you know about the Cult?" Adam asked in a flat voice, getting back to the point.
"We know that they’ve been distributing evil techniques to the Magi of the unorthodox faction," Grand Elder Li began.
"These techniques are foul and evil. They can bring people back from the dead and make them do their bidding."
"Necromancy," Adam muttered in a cold voice. "That’s them, alright. Just like how you guys stand at the forefront of the School of Divination, the bastards from the Cult of Bones are experts in the School of Necromancy."
He paused for a mont, then added, "So, that’s it? The Cult has been secretly helping the unorthodox faction? And what? You’re expecting a war?"
"That’s not all," Grand Elder Li muttered in a solemn voice. "Through our spies in the Arcane Alliance, we’ve learned that the Cult has close ties with the hidden ruler of Yen-Lu."
"Wait a minute." Adam frowned.
"Hidden ruler? I thought this continent was divided into the orthodox and the unorthodox factions. The orthodox faction was governed by the Arcane Alliance, which is made up of the Nine Great Sects and Clans. Whereas the unorthodox faction was governed by six great organizations. Where did this hidden ruler co from?"
"We deal with information, Adam." Hisaki chid in. "So we know better than most. I’m afraid even the leaders of the Nine Great Sects and Clans are not fully aware of this hidden ruler. They may suspect, but they aren’t certain."
A terrible foreboding feeling welled up in Adam’s heart. "So you’re telling the Arcane Alliance isn’t governed by the Nine Great Sects and Clans, but secretly controlled by this hidden ruler?"
"Not just the Arcane Alliance," Grand Elder Li said in a solemn voice. "This man... he secretly controls even the unorthodox faction. That is why we refer to him as the hidden ruler of Yen-Lu."
For one man to be in control of an entire continent, that too the biggest continent on this planet... Adam couldn’t even begin to fathom just how powerful this person was!
He was stunned for a long ti. At last, he couldn’t help but ask:
"This hidden ruler... who is he?"
***
Arcane Alliance Headquarters, Inner Ring.
Hidden deep within this grand building lay a secret throne room. It was vast, silent, and bathed in dim azure light.
On a raised platform at one end of this chamber, a lone figure sat languidly upon an ornate throne, his posture relaxed yet commanding.
Shadows clung to his figure, concealing his features, but the faint gleam of his dark eyes hinted at sothing ancient and powerful, sothing that watched and ruled over everything in the darkness.
The hidden ruler of Yen-Lu!
Currently, his gaze rested upon the lone visitor who had just stepped into his throne room.
The visitor was a tall man, wearing Magus robes prevalent in the West. His black hair had a vibrant sheen to it, and his striking brown eyes flickered with vile and cunning.
This man was none other than...
Marden Benton!!
"It is a great honor to et you." Marden pressed his hand against his chest and gave a light bow.
Inwardly, he thought to himself:
This is the true ruler of Yen-Lu? His presence is... overwhelming! So this is the man designated as one of the special threats by the Lord!
The hidden ruler observed Marden with boredom. Then, he spoke in an emotionless voice:
"Your head is raised too high."
Marden’s eyes narrowed. "Excuse —"
The words got caught in his throat, and suddenly he found himself in a world of pain. The next mont, he collapsed to the ground, blood pooling underneath him.
Much to his shock and horror, he realized... that his legs had been severed from below his knees! And now, he lay prostrated on the ground.
In an instant, terror gripped his heart, and he was covered in cold sweat.
When did he...
Right at that mont, the hidden ruler’s voice echoed in the throne room:
"Much better."
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