Eternal Emerald Dragon

Chapter 1095 - 1094 - Dark Ambition

"Have I ever told you that you are a terrifying man, Master?" Oz was smoking an old wooden pipe in the workshop inside the wagon. Lind was observing the city as they got ready to leave.

The old man could not feel a thing but Lind had told him what was going on.

The children and adults they had revealed as potential experts if trained were already being separated from the population.

"The chaos of leaving is a good cover that could be exploited so as not to cause a ruckus." Lind's tone was dark but then his eyes narrowed. The Countess was sitting with Gilgamesh the entire time as things were packed up.

The head guard was with her but several of the ministers brought with her were already acting. Lind had stayed up and confirmed it was not at her orders they moved nor his. It was the next step down.

"Politics are a dirty business. Makes my old assassination days look downright honest whenever I compare them." A puff of smoke left the pipe but Lind could only nod.

Politicians were the worst in his opinion.

"What will you do, Master?" They were leaving that day so it was not like a subtle campaign or a nudge would work. Slamming people into the ground would also not work.

Lind smiled as he now had a lot of experience to pull on.

"The minister clearly has ambitions so let's let his superiors know of his good work." Oz was disappointed but then Lind vanished!

A smile crossed his face as he realized what his Master was up to at that moment!

He almost pitied them, almost.

Lind appeared in the city but few noticed as he made his presence practically nothing. He saw officials consulting jade slips while separating people into carts. He frowned deeply but hopped into one.

Chu already knew he was keeping an eye on things but the group seemed nervous as the officials sent them to areas far from their families.

Cultivators had to leave their families behind quite often but that was by choice usually. The current setup was by force!

As Gilgamesh had told him, he had to take responsibility for his actions. The children were weeping which made him angry but he waited. His time would come.

The wagons traveled just outside the city to a warehouse that was supposed to hold food but now held the future experts of various fields he had tested.

Lind looked around and saw about 50% of the number he had tested.

"Wise but far too obvious." He openly commented when the doors were swept open by an older man with rail thin limbs. He had no signs of ever working hard a day in his life but he smiled wide as if the people around him were his own accomplishment.

"Good, my future seedlings have been gathered. You will start by taking pills to improve your realms. It will take too long.." A very self serving speech followed that Lind felt tired just hearing.

The man simply wanted to raise his rank as quickly as possible and use the people in the warehouse to do it.

He let the man lay out his plans and requirements before a young girl stepped forward. She had curly blonde hair and dark eyes as she moved in front of the group.

"Mister, I want to go back to my mama and papa. I want to be with them." Lind saw a dark sneer cross the man's face before he nodded.

"Of course, You can go back to their graves if you try to leave my service!" He sneered as the girl cried but Lind sighed as he moved forward.

The guards and the man suddenly became aware of him but continued to sneer as they did not recognize him.

Ignorance was bliss, it seemed.

"A bit pretentious for a commoner to wear such fine robes. Strip him of his treasures and we will see what we can use." The guard calmly approached him but Lind just calmly summoned a jade communication stone.

"I am here." He spoke the 3 words but made the pair pause. He looked at them before the guard hefted his sword and resumed coming at him. The crowd recognized him and tried to actually intervene but he carefully kept them back.

There was no need for people to get hurt. He appreciated the effort still.

"Commoner filth will hand over–" The wooden gate was smashed open by Chu as the Countess and Gilgamesh followed behind her. The minister froze in shock at the grim faces confronting him.

"My lady, I was merely preparing the commoners for you–" She slapped him into the ground with her fist. Gilgamesh merely looked on as the minister was killed by a blade to the heart after that.

The look of shock on his face was replaced only by the blankness of death.

"You could have stopped this, Emerald Immortal?" Her voice was cold but Chu had her hands spread to attack. Lind waved her off.

"I am not a member of your kingdom nor am I empowered to act willfully. I did not know this would happen but I observed his actions. There were times I could have simply stopped it but would you have believed me?" Surprise crossed both their faces before the Countess took a calming breath.

Lind saw the children rush to him and he reassured them. The adults also gathered on his side. Gilgamesh slowly nodded. Countess Zel looked frustrated at him.

"Will you be taking all of these people with you?" He smiled at her as he shook his head.

"It was Lord Gilgamesh, himself, that said I need to take responsibility. I healed and taught your people, Countess. I saw the care you have as well and fully approve. The fact you are here is good, but I have a question. Why did you kill that man?" The room became still but Chu and Gilgamesh were confused.

Countess Zel with her 2 colors of eyes looked firm at him.

"He threatened his Majesty's special guest. His death was sealed the moment I arrived." Lind nodded but did not smile. He looked at her coldly.

"What about what he was doing? What punishment would he have faced for that?" She paled as she realized her error. The commoners did not seem surprised but he hugged the kids as he looked around at them.

"A good ruler needs one thing. They need to know their power is in service to the people. The people are the lifeblood of a country no matter how weak they may seem. It is not about talent but about fulfilling the bargain. The powerful nobles are to be the shield against the world and the sword when needed." Lind then knelt down as one little boy was still teary eyed.

"It is the goal but the reality is rarely that, Lord Emerald Immortal. You know this." Gilgamesh spoke up and Lind nodded at his words.

"Reality is cruel but it need not be excessive. The true power of a noble is information. In that, Countess Zel, you took the transition for granted and forgot the most basic rule about politics. Naked greed is easily dealt with but dark ambitions are subtle. There are ways to work around the rules that crush the commoners beneath them. If you were ready, I could leave with a smile but I would not abandon the people I helped so easily." Lind finally stood up and moved to the Countess.

"The truth is I know this was not a plum assignment but it will become one soon. These people will grow strong for their families, friends, and home. Please value them more!" Lind then bowed low and Countess Zel panicked as Chu began to giggle. Gilgamesh actually was sweating as Lind bowed.

"Please, Lord Emerald Immortal, you are far above–" Countess Zel tried to get him to rise but Chu finally spoke up.

"Husband is not above you. Not in authority, he said it himself. He is taking responsibility because these are not followers or disciples. They are his friends. He can do what you can't. He is truly soft that way!" Chu's words made the kids object and rush to pat Lind on the back of his legs and back.

It was almost comical that their small forms were trying to comfort him as Chu began to laugh heartily. Both Gilgamesh and Countess Zel now grasped his point.

"I would have put it a bit better, but Chu is right. I am not here as an Immortal. I am just here to protect people I care about after helping them. I have that luxury and I can teach a fine Countess to be more on guard for her people. I am entrusting the future of this place to you and want you to understand that many others will come for the treasure you have been handed." Her eyes lit up in understanding as she bowed low to the adults behind him.

"I swear to Heaven and Earth to do better! I will keep you all safe!" The skies rumbled and all the people stared in shock at her as Lind finally smiled.

A jade slip appeared in his hand that he offered to Countess Zel.

"I have no disciples anymore but I have trained some in my time. Here are the basics to start people on the journey. They may leave for the guilds one day but if you give them a home to be proud of, they will always remember it. I assure you." His warm voice made her blush as Chu suddenly became serious.

Lind rolled his eyes as his wife and then turned to the people.

"The nobles are strong but they are not infallible nor everywhere. If you have a good one, they will allow you to grow strong so you may decide your own fate. Strength is the decider of your fate in the cultivation world. Never forget that and tell your friends." He bowed low to them and the adults teared up as they understood.

He was leaving them forever. It was his final lesson.

""Thank you for everything Emerald Immortal!""

Their voices boomed as the children cheered in the confined space. He waved and smiled as he left the warehouse and all returned home safely. It was time to move on and get some clues about their destination.