Unsealing Emptiness

Chapter 482: Surrender

Back in Phoenix City, Ember along with Rai and Ozul arrived in front of the City Lord’s Hall.

The guards rushed inside to inform Ryujin after recognizing Ember.

"Why do I need to be here?" Ozul asked in a tired tone. He was dragged here against his will.

Ember did not answer him. She had learned not to argue with him as there was no winning in that.

Fortunately, it did not take long for the gates of the City Lord’s Hall to open and they proceeded to enter. They could have just flown above the high walls, but Ember had a reason for everything.

The crimson obelisk, the door to Celestial Phoenix’s personal Realm, was placed right in the center of this estate.

Ryujin, his only son, and two other Transcendents stood near the obelisk as they bitterly watched someone they had a blood feud with walk into their home unbridled and without fear.

And they could do nothing but let them in as they stood near the only hope they had the Celestial Phoenix.

’I knew this day would come sooner or later...’ Ryujin thought, having already given up any hope of making it out alive from here.

He had told his son to leave the estate, but that brat didn’t listen and insisted on staying with him till death.

Ryujin’s heart was warmed for a second before the cold reality came crushing that feeling. Nothing mattered anymore if they were going to die anyway. Only, there was still some hope that the Phoenix might save them.

"Why are you here?" He asked, acting confident while trying to convince himself that it was still the old Ember and not an Empyrean.

His eyes darted to the two men following behind her. He recognized both of them.

One of them was the Dragon Hatchling and had some unknown relation with the Phoenix while the other was Rai, who had also become a Sage.

’Just my fucking luck,’ Ryujin cursed himself.

Even her subordinate was almost as strong as he was. His dreams of taking revenge were just that. Dreams.

"To give you a choice."

"A choice of what?" Ryujin calmed his nerves and replied with a straightened back.

Behind him, he could feel his son’s frustration. He shared his sentiments of not wanting to be at someone else’s mercy.

"As you might have already guessed from yesterday’s commotion," Ember explained, "A war has started. The Realm of Abezan is now divided between choosing God’s Son or the Demonic Emperor.

I have made my choice. Now it is time to make yours."

"The waves of Spiritual Essence yesterday was your causing? And why are you here to ask of me my choice?" Ryujin asked, a little flustered. Gone was his pride and his cold persona.

The waves of Spiritual Essence were felt even to the ends of the continent, much less here. He also received several reports on what had happened to the mountain range where the fight took place. His anxiousness couldn’t be helped.

"My Lord and the Phoenix have sided with the Demonic Emperor," Rai spoke up this time.

Only then did everything fall into place for Ryujin.

He took a deep breath, knowing full well that his life was on the line here.

"So that means the Immortal Sect and the Wilderness have sided with this... God’s Son?"

"As you have been the Phoenix’s attendant for so long, she has decided to show you mercy," Ember suddenly interrupted his train of thoughts.

Rai and Ozul both gave her puzzling looks, but in his hubris, Ryujin failed to notice anything amiss.

"If you wish to remain and side with us, you will listen to my commands. And if you wish to leave, you will be allowed to have your lives only. Leave everything else."

Ember said it with such a straight face that there was no way for Ryujin to suspect anything.

’What does she gain by lying?’ Ozul questioned, and after sensing her emotions, confirmed that she was indeed lying.

"And you won’t take revenge? We will be allowed to go, just like that?" Ryujin asked, looking directly into her eyes to confirm if there was any falsity at play here.

Ember shrugged, "The Phoenix asked me to spare you and I have already killed enough of your men."

Ryujin sighed in relief, convincing himself that she had no reason to lie to him.

Everything was stated right beside the obelisk and the Phoenix hadn’t once spoken up. He didn’t need any more confirmation that everything Ember had said was agreed upon by her.

"But don’t think for a second that I will spare you again in the battle if I ever spot you on the other side."

Rai didn’t like where this conversation was going, but since Ember was talking, he didn’t interrupt.

"Make your choice now."

Ryujin glanced back at his son and felt confident again.

He wasn’t stupid. It was clear that the Immortal Sect and the Wilderness had a clear advantage in terms of power and resources. Maybe the Phoenix was stronger than an Empyrean, but there were many Sages and hundreds of Transcendents on the opposite side.

However, in a war, anything could happen. And he would rather stick with someone he could trust.

He knew with his years of dealings with the Elders of the Sect that they could sacrifice their own children for their greed. On the other side, the Wilderness had a bone to pick with him. He hated them and vice versa.

If he were on their side, he would have to suffer continuously, he imagined.

On the other hand, the Phoenix even gave him an opportunity to leave. That alone was enough to gain his trust.

"I will be under your command," Ryujin finally answered, bowing his head a little. Following him, his son and the two other subordinates also bowed.

It stung his heart to bow in front of a person he vowed to kill with his own hands once, but such was fate.

"Very well. If you have any Transcendents sent out of the city, call them back. Report to me by tomorrow."

"... I will."

Ryujin, once an arrogant and proud Human, had surrendered his will to a Beastkin.

Having settled everything, Ember turned and left the City Lord’s estate.

...

Back in the estate, Rai quickly spoke up, "You were going to let him leave just like that?"

She looked back at him, "You think I would?"

Rai smirked as he shook his head. There was a reason why he worked for her. She wasn’t any less ruthless than him.

"I needed another Sage and not by force. If he chose to leave, I would have let you have your fun. Too bad for you he is smart~"

Meanwhile, Ozul ignored their conversation. He finally realized why he was asked to come along.

’I guess I still haven’t gotten used to this ability,’ he thought, sighing once again.

If Ryujin had chosen the other option, then he would have died along with his subordinates, and it would have allowed him to absorb their life force freely.

’If I had known earlier, I would have told him that he was being manipulated.’

"Tch!" He clicked his tongue, before walking under a shade.

Rai turned his head, "What’s his problem?"

Ozul now had a permanent chair under the shade where he could watch the trio train their asses off all day while he slept with Jinx on his lap.

Raven and Blaze had complained multiple times that they wanted some action, but Ember denied them every time. On the other hand, Zier was content with his little lab where he could tinker with poisons for refreshment.

Ozul had his face covered with a pointed hat made from Purity as he leaned back on his chair, taking a nap in the middle of the day.

And suddenly, a gust of wind blew. It was nothing out of the ordinary.

Yet, there now stood a man of tall stature right in front of Ozul.

"Huh? That’s odd. You definitely do not have Spiritual Essence. Yet, you feel... strong somehow?"

Ozul jerked, removing the pointed hat and placing it to the side as he observed the unknown man who had appeared in an Empyrean’s estate without notice.

On his lap, Jinx stood up, hissing at the intruder who was observing her with keen interest.

"Who are you?" Ozul asked.

The man chuckled, running his hands through his hair, he replied,

"You wouldn’t understand, kid. Tell me about this cat, though. Do you know what it is?"

Meanwhile, Ozul stared at him silently. He had a familiar feeling from this man, something he hadn’t experienced too long ago.

’From that man Jitu...? or something?’ He had already forgotten his name, but one thing was certain, "You are one of the Virtues."

The man raised his brows, surprised that this unremarkable kid with only an attractive appearance could figure out his identity.

"Well, since you are so smart. Can you tell me about this cat? What is she?"

"You wouldn’t understand."