Eternal Emerald Dragon

Chapter 1530 - 1529 - Taim

Lind looked at the ensnared mercenaries. They had no defenses against Celestial Qi at all. It told him that the Divine Lands had no idea about Celestials just like the lower realms.

How long had it been since the Great Bastard caused the fall of the Celestials?

The dark cube fascinated him but it was deeply flawed. It was meant to drain a foe but because it was based on the flawed elemental basis, it could not take in his powers. Still, it gave him ideas.

He also noted the golden disc and that it had a short arm pointing directly at him. He studied it and was shocked that it could trace Authority!

Why would anyone need to do that?

He took it and then moved back to the area he emerged from. He gently extracted the aether child who was now trembling in fear. He looked like a pre-teen. Lind wondered why when Annabelle and other aether children manifested as adults.

He had heard of actual children manifesting but they were rare.

He had yet to meet one but he always treated them kindly. Newly manifested aether children were no different from babies in his mind.

Yet, the one in front of him felt more like an actual child than just a manifested being.

"My name is Lind Frey, what is yours?" His voice made the boy jump but he slowly looked up. His crimson and black hair parted to reveal tear stained eyes looking at the mercenaries bound in golden chains.

Lind glanced back at them and then back at the aether child.

"I did not kill any of them, yet, but they have committed heinous crimes. They will face justice." Technically, Lind was empowered to do that at the moment but he wanted the Under Lands to do it. It would give them legitimacy.

"They won't!" The young child looked despondent. "They killed my big brother and sister. They were from a powerful sect but nothing happened! I was abandoned!"

Lind restrained his anger. It was an old story. It meant the people bound by him had connections and power to do what they wished.

He had to prove his words.

[Awaken.] His command made the leader snap wake but emerald chains bound him. He struggled but nothing worked. His shock was clear. [Speak only truth.]

That command actually took a large tool on him. Lind had barely scratched his vitality until that one. Apparently the truth was expensive.

"Did you kill this child's siblings?" The man tried to keep his mouth closed but it was clear he could not do so.

"They had things we needed for Sel. They refused to let me buy them so I took them. I gained a pet as profit too." Shock was on the man's face but Lind felt his harmony flare. It wanted to burn the man to ash!

"Why were you not punished?" The boy perked up at the question and the man was clearly trying very hard to resist but Authority had the backing of Heaven and Earth.

"W–w–we had in–in–information and leverage on Elder Horan!" The name meant nothing to Lind but the aether child shot to his feet at it.

"IMPOSSIBLE! The master would not betray big brother and sister!" Lind did not even speak as he looked at the man who was actually squirming. Was it that bad?

"Damn it! He made us kill his rival for the elder seat! We were able to advance half the band to peak Sovereign Tier!" Lind sighed. It was an old tale.

Righteous powers like to think their elders were beyond reproach but power often hid dark shadows. He was no different. His stint in the Endless Peaks showed he was just as capable of dark choices as anyone.

The boy was weeping anew but anger flowed off him like a cloak.

"Do you know what I am?" Lind asked him but the boy shook his head. Lind knelt down so he was at eye level and patted his head. "I am the True Lord of Dragons. I am the chosen representative of my race and backed by Heaven and Earth. What do you want me to do?"

He had never done it before. He had used his Authority and power for his own ends but he had never asked to administer justice for others. The boy looked at the bound man and his mercenaries with pure anger.

Something flashed in his eyes and he looked up at Lind.

"Can–can you bring them back?" Lind smiled sadly and shook his head.

"Life and death are beyond me. I lost my wife recently and could only ensure she entered samsara. I could not save her." He thought it would hurt to speak of Cyntilla but instead he felt like something fell into place in his heart.

He had not been able to prevent her death but he had saved her soul from dissolution. He should be happier about that. Somewhere, sometime in the future, she would get to live again. She would not remember him but she was not gone forever.

A sort of peace settled over his heart but the boy had nodded long ago and was thinking.

"Can–can Heaven and Earth be fair?" Lind nodded. It seemed like it wasn't most of the time but he knew from harsh experience that it was. It just did not act in a fashion their short lives could accept.

Instant judgment did not happen but karma would await all at the end of their lives. He had seen it in the spirit world. Some souls were ripped apart to forge many new souls while others were kept intact to start anew in a new life.

Still, that was far too late for many that had to suffer through life.

"Then I would like them to be judged by that." Lind smiled and then thought of something.

"Could I have your name, please?" The boy looked nervous before he mumbled and Lind kindly waited.

"T–Taim! Big Sister named me Taim!" Lind smiled wide and then his aura shifted as he turned back to the bound mercenaries.

[As evoked by aether child Taim, I request the judgment of Heaven and Earth on those that have taken from him.] Lind felt something odd. His expectation of vitality was not drained, but instead, he felt pressure from above.

Taim glowed to his eyes but did not seem to suffer any ill effects. Lind then felt like he too was examined before black clouds began to gather.

Gold and black lightning flared as he was shocked to see the result. A Karmic Tribulation?

He was not sure but the man bound in emerald chains paled instantly.

"NO! I am Kang! I forge my own–" Whatever he was about to say was negated by black lightning with gold traces in it. His body was not harmed but he was killed instantly.

Many of the mercenaries joined him but not all of them. The bulky man that had watched over Taim was not killed but his cultivation was stripped away. Lind knew it was not like restitution or retribution like he was used to.

It was as if he had invoked something like a verdict and the Heavens agreed with him!

The sky then tore asunder as 2 figures faintly appeared.

A man and a woman smiled warmly at Taim as he ran toward them. Lind needed no introductions but he was confused.

They had died long ago, so how could they be there now?

The man of the pair bowed low to him.

[True Lord, we died long ago but the spirits exist differently from us. They knew Taim would find you and ask for this. Please take care of him for us.] Lind smiled warmly and cupped his hands.

"I will do so happily. Go in peace." The man smiled before returning to Taim.

The trio wept and hugged for a time before the pair had to leave. Taim was crying hard but Lind moved forward and embraced him.

[Spirits of Heaven and Earth, I entrust these 2 souls to samsara and offer up my karma to give them good lives.] Surprise bloomed as golden energy flowed from Lind into them.

It was gentle and not dramatic at all but he knew he was back to neutral if he was lucky.

The souls glowed with golden light as the Heavens took them back. Taim waved and they waved back at him.

The restraints were all gone as they were no longer needed but Lind took Taim away. There was no more to be done with the survivors.

He had no doubt some would seek vengeance but they were effectively mortals now. They might rebuild their foundations but the odds of them returning to the Divine Lands were now moot.

The pair returned to the Hollow Lands as he looked for his next targets. He had to nip them in the bud but the boy had passed out.

Lind also was fascinated that his current action had not cost him a thing! What was that? Had he always had the ability to invoke that kind of event?

It would require asking his contemporaries but for the moment, he had a promise to fulfill. Taim would grow stronger under his guidance, but he wanted to do more for the boy.

A heart demon was forming for certain in him and he had to help with that before correcting his foundation.

Lind began his own hunt.