Paragon of Destruction

"You killed them…" Magistrate Huang looked at the two bodies with an expression of sheer terror.

"It would seem that way." Lord Jiang brushed some of Elder Redstone's blood off his hand. Turning to Magistrate Huang, he said, "I want you to spread word that any members of the Redstone branch left in the city by sundown will be hanged."

Magistrate Huang gaped in shock. "What if they cause trouble?" he said in a small voice.

"If any of them cause trouble for your men," Lord Jiang said, "they will face a fate far worse than hanging."

"Yes, Lord Jiang," the old man said, his voice thick with anxiety. After a deep bow to Lord Jiang he left quickly, seeming anxious to be away from the violent scene in the hall.

"We should leave as well," Lord Jiang said. "There are matters to discuss, but we had best do so at the estate, far away from prying ears."

When they left the City Hall, Arran saw that a large crowd had gathered outside. They must have found out that Lord Jiang had left the estate, he thought. From what he knew, catching even a glimpse of Lord Jiang was a rare occasion for most of the townsfolk.

Upon seeing Lord Jiang emerge from the building, most of the people in the crowd fell to their knees, pressing their heads to the ground in veneration. Lord Jiang nodded in acknowledgment, but Arran could see that he was uncomfortable.

They made their way back to the estate, bystanders bowing and kneeling wherever Lord Jiang passed.

Previously Arran had known that Lord Jiang held a sacred position in the Jiang Clan, but he had not truly understood what it meant. Now that he saw the treatment the man received, he could not help but feel sympathy for him — it was clear that Lord Jiang did not enjoy the attention in the least. No wonder that he chose to spend most of his time locked away, hiding from the masses.

It did not take them long to reach the estate, and as soon as they entered, Lord Jiang breathed a sigh of relief.

"I don't think I'll ever get used to that," he said, shaking his head. "Come, let's have a meal. We will talk while we eat." He gestured for Arran and Jiang Fei to follow him.

"That sword of yours," Lord Jiang said to Arran as they walked toward the dining hall. "Where did you get it?"

"I found it at a small store in the city," Arran replied honestly.

"You got a starmetal sword from a store?! Here in Silvermere?!" Lord Jiang stared at Arran in disbelief. Then, he burst into laughter. "Young man, you may have used up several lifetimes worth of luck, just with that."

A short while later they were sitting in the dining hall, a dozen plates filled with freshly cooked meat, fruits, and vegetables in front of them. It seemed the morning's violence had not diminished Lord Jiang's appetite in the slightest.

"Now, there are matters for us to discuss," Lord Jiang announced. "Two weeks from today, I will travel to the Council of Elders."

"You're leaving us behind?!" The words took Arran by surprise. Although he knew that Lord Jiang would be visiting the Council of Elders, he had not expected that the man would leave so soon.

Lord Jiang shook his head, then gave Arran a somber look. "Little Fei will be traveling with me," he said. "As for you… you must leave for the Shadowflame Society."

"What?!" Arran was stunned at what he heard. "Why?!"

"When I arrive at the Council, I intend to seize control and remove those Elders who have allowed the clan to sink to its current state," Lord Jiang said. "Once they are gone, it will fall on me to prepare a new generation to lead the clan."

Lord Jiang looked toward Jiang Fei, and a smile appeared on his lips. "Little Fei will be part of that new generation of leaders."

While Lord Jiang's words astonished Arran, what truly baffled him was that Jiang Fei did not seem shocked in the least.

"You don't seem surprised," he said, frowning in thought. Did she already know about this?

"I'm not," she replied. "Not much, anyway. In the clan, the Body Refinement techniques are only taught to future leaders. When Uncle Bear decided to teach me, I had some idea of what he intended."

"But you taught me those techniques as well," Arran said with a look at Lord Jiang. "If only the future leaders of the clan can learn them, then why did you teach them to me?"

"After your battle with the Academy mages, it was the only way I could help you survive your own power," Lord Jiang said. "And I had promised a friend to lend you my help on your way to the Shadowflame Society, if you needed it."

"That friend… was it Master Fireheart?" Jiang Fei asked.

"He goes by many names," Lord Jiang said, "but yes, he is the one who made the request. About a week before your big battle, he visited and said his apprentice would pass through the region, asking me to provide help if needed." With a laugh, he added, "Although I doubt he knew just how much help would be needed."

"So it was true, then…" Jiang Fei looked as if she had just learned the answer to a question that had long bothered her.

"What was true?" Arran asked. He was starting to feel annoyed at being the only one who didn't know what was going on.

"Master Fireheart promised to introduce me to Uncle Bear if I protected you at the Shadowflame Society," she replied. "That was why I joined you. At least, at first." An uncomfortable look crossed her face at the last part.

"It looks like I'll have to do without your protection," Arran said bitterly. While he could not blame Jiang Fei for joining Lord Jiang in his travels, it still felt as if he was being abandoned.

"You don't need her protection anymore," Lord Jiang cut in. "I will unseal your Realms tomorrow. After that, you should be able to hold your own against most adepts, and even defeat some outright."

Hearing this, Arran instantly felt less gloomy. "I'll be able to defeat adepts?" He could not help but feel a touch of excitement at the thought.

"Your body is on par with that of a Master, and although you still lack control, you should have more Essence than even the strongest adepts," Lord Jiang said. With a broad grin, he added, "Among the other initiates at the Shadowflame Society, you'll be an absolute monster."

Just as Arran felt his spirits lift, he glanced at Jiang Fei, and immediately his mood fell once more. With a start, he realized that he was going to miss her.

"No need to be dejected," Lord Jiang said, looking at Arran. "The two of you will meet again soon enough. Your training at the Shadowflame Society should take a few decades at most."

Arran's face fell, and he let out a deep sigh.