novelraw Chapter 161 - - 160 - Meeting Master Frey
Chapter 161 - - 160 - Meeting Master Frey
Usually after the once in a century competition and associated auction, Cimmeria actually became a bit lethargic. There had been many parties, meetings, and general exhaustion for all businesses being completely tapped out of stock due to the massive influx of people.
The departing competitors would disperse in a discrete manner to not overload the streets, teleportation arrays, and gates with far more flow of bodies than could be possibly regulated. Those that had close ties to the Stardust Emporium were given special exemption to fly out directly with their large artifacts but those were so rare it was hardly noticed.
The current competition had a different result. Rather than lethargy, it was as if a massive tournament had taken place and all were discussing the best combat moments. Instead, however, they were discussing 1 man.
Master Lind Frey had finally been revealed and he had not disappointed. His demonstration had left a massive impression with the highest of powers but had not left the minor ones without hope.
Information brokers were giddy at the requests for his history as it was fairly easy to find and now it was essentially common knowledge. The fact he used his display of skill to reward those that had stood by him spoke a message to all cultivators.
The selfish nature of many made such an act stand out like a beacon of hope. Smaller powers had never offended him and it was clear that he valued loyalty over benefits. It was also confirmed that Lind Frey and Taren Cord were the same person.
The great contribution of elemental relationships had touched many powers before but after what was revealed in the contest, doubters began to seriously look at the updated Soul Arts Lind had released.
Darkmoor Kingdom had been stunned when something similar made its way to them. The similarities were too great to be ignored and their faces burned with shame. They had wronged Lind Frey and he still had not abandoned them.
The man himself was moving unimpeded back to the Heavenly Maiden Sect. He had gifted some more elixirs to Lady Estelle for covering for his troubles during the auction. The old woman had smiled wide at finding some Heaven grade 1 elixirs inside. They were all the same Meridian Cleansing Elixir but it showed he was working on improving.
He had made more than enough money on just his elixirs alone and then bought a massive amount of materials right after that she was more than happy to overlook whatever occurred during the auction. She did not even ask about it!
Now he was making plans as he made his way back to his quarters. His robes were like a flare on a moonless night but as red was not an uncommon color, most did not recognize him until he passed them.
Lind knew if anyone tried to stop him because he was only in tier 9 of the Soul Realm would suddenly find several Maidens materializing around them. He did not want to be stopped as he was heading to a particular meeting.
He was never so glad as to finally make his way to the golden gates of the sect. The guards at either side were currently at the peak of the Diamond Tier unlike normal. It would stay that way until things settled down.
Many stared as peak Diamond Tiers bowed respectfully to a tier 9 Soul Realm. After the last few months, all knew instantly who he was before he swept inside the sect as he looked grim passing the guards.
Acolytes and out sect disciples all bowed out of his way but Lind at least slowed enough to smile at them. Guards likely knew where he was going, but there was no need to scare people on his way.
He kept all greetings short and left giggling women in his wake. All the Maidens felt special knowing the now legendary Master Frey was still treating all normally compared to before. He still looked at each person and greeted them respectfully. He had already had a good reputation before but now the truth was out and all realized who they had been completing missions for.
Lind finally smiled for real as he saw Annabelle and Qing waiting for him outside his quarters. He noticed several formations active that would normally be disabled. The sound canceling and isolation wards were at full strength.
"I take it you heard?" Annabelle nodded while Qing looked grim.
"You understand what you have done?" Qing was being serious but he nodded at her just as seriously. He then related the full details as well as what he pulled off to save Fey. Annabelle held his hand which calmed his temper quite a bit while Qing needed Lind to calm her down.
They had heard of Fey before but knowing she had nearly died by intentional attack infuriated the gentle healer. Lind still did not know the who, but he truly did not care. What mattered was he was done hiding behind the sect. They had protected him and he knew it was time to strike a chord of his outlook for all to know.
He hugged both women and then broke the wards on the door before entering. It allowed whoever was inside to know he had come. Lind closed the door before the wards were reactivated by Qing as they followed him in.
Lind was not surprised to find Shoti standing inside his quarters but he had rarely seen her so enraged. Likely the elder he summoned had relayed the message to all the elders specialized in combat and containment.
Shoti was one of the best in the Stone Tier.
Lind looked over to find 2 Sky Realm Elders standing over a huddled man that was happily familiar. He had only heard of him by description but the sandy blonde hair was sweat slicked as his cultivation had been sealed.
The well muscled man was hardly injured but a few bruises were apparent on his arms and face. Lind waved back the 2 elders and approached the whimpering man.
"Y-you can't do this to me! I am a Anoit–" The man was stuttering as saliva dribbled from his swollen face, but Lind only sneered down at him.
"Anointed Representative of Altair, Merrick. I am Master Frey. I must say it is a pleasure to meet you under these circumstances." Lind felt Qing stir at the dark tone of his voice but he had kept in his rage long enough. A heart demon formed when a cultivator gave in to their emotions but Lind would have killed the man on sight before marching on Altair if he had lost himself.
The man froze on the ground before slowly looking up in shock. What little blood was still in his face drained away.
"Y-your High–" Lind's hand moved faster than even he realized. He was standing over Merrick and then his hand ached. Despite a sealed cultivation, the man had clearly tempered his body which was still in full effect. Even so, Merrick reeled as he was in no way able to stop from being hit.
"I have heard one side of the story, so I came to hear yours. Exactly 2 days ago, before the auction began, you were beating an aether child near the slaver's market. A young boy of darkness and earth." The twitch in Merrick's pale blue eyes made Lind narrow his dark green ones. A denial was rising but then one of the Sky Realm elders produced a jade slip.
Lind sunk his senses into it before turning to the cowering representative of Altair.
"We have the receipt and testimony of the slaver. You bought the boy because your previous servant was no longer able to service you. A female servant." The anger in his voice made all in the room tremble with their own rage, but Lind leaned down and was now staring at Merrick.
"Explain, now. If you deviate from the statements on this slip, know I will go for a walk and let the imaginative elders have a discussion with you." It was a bluff. An attack on his disciple could move them, but using them in that way was beyond his power, but Merrick did not know that.
The Sky Realms and Shoti happily lent credence to his words as they looked contemplatively at their weapons and some other artifacts even Lind was unsure what they were for. The effect was immediate. Merrick swallowed but feared the truth would end him.
"I-I did lose a servant. It was an accident. IT WAS!" Merrick was desperate and Lind was stunned to find he believed his words. He motioned for the man to continue. "She was with me at Valery Hall but she could not withstand the room we were assigned."
Lind's face was blank but inside he seethed. He immediately put his hand behind his back and summoned a dark blue jade. He then imprinted information on it but made sure Merrick saw nothing. The elders were surprised that Lind could so precisely control his Qi without looking at it.
"Go on." Lind was proud that he had not gotten darker in tone but it was only just. Merrick happily nodded as he was believed!
"I needed a new servant and Cimmeria has some annoying rules. Since Altair has no treaty with Stardust Emporium, I could only accept a servant that met my needs professionally." Lind almost went to find whatever functionary had made that rule and buy them drinks forever. "So they sold me that useless aether child and he spoke back to me when I gave him some simple orders."
Lind was confused. A slave collar would prevent defiance of the master. He knew that very well, sadly, but he looked at the elders to see them confused as well while Shoti looked incensed. He thought she was angry about something else spoken earlier but she whispered in his ear and his hand was crushing the dark blue jade hard afterwards.
"What order?" Merrick's pale face suddenly became sickly. The man instantly knew he had slipped up but he could not avoid answering the question or he would be handed over to the already terrifying Maidens.
"I–I asked him to bring a woman to my quarters that we ran into. He was stronger than her so it should not have been a problem!!!" Lind felt a vein in his temple pulse with rage. There was a restriction on Cimmerian slaves. It could be removed but only by another slaver. Cimmeria would not allow the orders of a slave master perform crimes knowingly. It did not mean it did not happen, but it certainly prevented idiots like this one keeping his hands clean and allowing the slave to take the fall.
"What happened next?" Merrick has been expecting an explosion or rages but instead he saw them all waiting patiently so he kept going.
"W-well I was punishing him appropriately with my whip when this little whelp got in the way. She somehow used her elements to distort its trajectory away from him. She then began yelling but I noticed she was at the peak of the Soul Realm." Merrick stopped as he thought that was enough but the burning stare of the dark green eyes made him shiver.
"She was not wearing any important colors but it was an affront for a girl to be so young and powerful. I may have snapped at her to leave but she refused to budge. I had already warned her off, so I just crippled her." He had not lied. Fey was indeed crippled, but that was not all he did.
"How were her internal organs damaged if you only crippled her?" Lind's question made the temperature of the room drop several degrees. Merrick stared at Lind as understanding dawned on him. He could not figure out why he was being targeted or hurt but it was because of that little girl?
"She was not a Heavenly Maiden brat! I know their colors! She has nothing to do with them!!" Merrick looked insane but this little fact was his lifeline. Lind sneered inside but outside he nodded yet his face became cold.
"You are right, she was not a Maiden. She is, however, my first disciple." Merrick fell bonelessly to the ground. Even if Lind denied it, he was royalty to Altair. Merrick had attacked the disciple of his prince. His life was over one way or the other. "Answer me, how did she get that hurt?"
Lind's voice was cold and commanding. For a brief moment, all there could see a bearing in him they had never seen before. Merrick wept as he recognized the bloodline of the royal family in the youth in front of him. The Regent was a fool. They were all fools.
"She did not deserve to be so strong. I worked hard all my life but I only barely made it into the World Realm! Why should she–" Lind moved before anyone could stop him. His fist smashed into Merrick's face. His dark green eyes blazed as his cultivation finally reached the peak of the Soul Realm.
It was only with that strength he could harm Merrick's tempered body.
"Deserve?! She worked hard! She worked honestly! She never gave up no matter what challenge I put her through! She did not deserve the power, she earned it!" Lind whipped away from Merrick as he could not trust himself to not start whaling on him. The blue jade flared and confirmed what he wanted to know. Midnight even had evidence ready.
"Take him to the Emporium Guards. He committed murder in Valery House and tried to cover it up. Midnight has already sent the evidence." The Sky Realm elders' eyes widened but nodded in respect to him. He could have let his temper go and they certainly would not have stopped him.
He showed restraint where he should and gave face to the Stardust Emporium authority over its capital city, Cimmeria. Merrick was pleading and begging as he was escorted out, but Lind ignored the man.
His fist was shaking as tears fell down his eyes. Gentle arms embraced him and soothed his rage. He had nearly lost Fey without knowing. How much more could that kingdom threaten? How much more would they try to take?
His face firmed as he made a resolution that he would not allow it. He would not allow any more to come from that pathetic power.