Inassea, Bodhi Auction House.
From the outside, it appeared to be a grand jade shop, but within, it was something far more elaborate.
Inside a pavilion of the auction house, the tranquil sound of a harp filled the air. Sitting before the harp was an elegant man with long flowing hair. His delicate hands plucked the strings, the movements fluid and precise, creating a melody that seemed almost otherworldly. His skin was so smooth and pale that it appeared softer than even a woman’s touch.
Beside him, a woman danced gracefully. She wore a flowing gown, her appearance adorned with the regal makeup of an empress. Her beauty was undeniable-both her figure and features were stunning, the kind of beauty that could captivate anyone.
Outside the pavilion, two tall figures stood like towering pine trees. They didn’t move, listening intently to the harp’s melody despite clearly not understanding its intricacies. Nonetheless, they stood patiently, enduring the performance.
Finally, as the harp’s final note faded, the woman stopped dancing, a smile lighting up her face.
“That was incredible!” she exclaimed. “I’ve never heard such beautiful harp music before.”
The delicate man gave a slight smile, his voice soft and soothing. “Is that so? I found your dance to be even more elegant.”
“Thank you, thank you!” she gushed, her face blooming with joy at his compliment.
The man nodded. “Alright, you may leave now.”
“Will I be able to come back tomorrow?” she asked hesitantly.
He shook his head. “No, I won’t be in Inassea tomorrow. I’m returning to Zlando.”
“Oh… I see.” Her disappointment was evident as she turned and walked away.
Once the woman had left, the man looked toward the two tall figures. “How did Cyrus Nightbane’s funeral go?” he asked.
One of the men, who had drooping eyes, a thick mustache, and wore a simple robe embroidered with cryptic symbols, nodded firmly. “It’s done.”
“Good.”
The other man, a round-faced, short-haired figure, interjected with urgency. “Duke Asher, that man destroyed the Venom Sect, but he’s gravely injured. I think it’s time to eliminate him.”
“Let me do it!” the round man continued, his voice filled with emotion. “Let me kill him and avenge Cyrus! He was like a brother to me. Now that Cyrus is dead, I want nothing more than to deal with his murderer myself.”
These two men were Juno Blackthorn and Sable Knightley. Juno, the man with the mustache and cryptic robe, exuded a calm intensity, while Sable, the round-faced man, seemed brimming with barely suppressed energy. The three of them had trained under the same master and later joined Hellblazer together. Cyrus Nightbane’s death was a heavy blow for both of them, and revenge consumed their thoughts.
Asher Voss, the harp-playing man, let out a cold laugh. “Cyrus’s death was something I expected. In fact, his death serves a greater purpose. Now, I can summon the Ten Cultivators of Seclela to hunt that man down.”
At these words, the expressions of Juno and Sable changed. They weren’t shocked by the mention of the Ten Cultivators but by the fact that Cyrus’s death had been foreseen by Asher. The implications of such knowledge were unsettling.
Could it be that Asher Voss had deliberately sent Cyrus to his death?
If so, what was this Duke Asher plotting? Was he really willing to sacrifice someone who had loyally followed him for years just to mobilize the Ten Cultivators?
As doubts swirled in their minds, Asher Voss continued, his tone calm but commanding. “Enough speculation. Cyrus’s death was not in vain. His death holds immense value-far greater than his life ever could.”
Juno and Sable exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with shock and unease. Inside, their thoughts churned like a raging storm.
“You seem confused,” Asher said, his voice dropping to a sharp edge. “Let me put it plainly. If one day I decide that your deaths would bring great benefits to the King, would you not willingly die for that cause?”
The two men immediately lowered their heads and responded in unison, “We are willing! We are always ready to give our lives for you and for the King!”
“To die for the King is an honor!” Asher declared, his voice suddenly fierce. “Your families, your children, even your ancestors should rejoice in your sacrifice! If the day comes when you’re no longer worth killing, that would be the true disgrace. To live without purpose is the ultimate humiliation.”
The once-soft voice had turned sharp and menacing, each word cutting deep. The message was clear: their lives were no longer their own. True powerlessness, Asher implied, was the inability to control even one’s own fate.
And yet, instead of despair, the two men seemed to feel an odd sense of determination. Asher’s words, harsh as they were, stirred a readiness in them to die at any moment.
“For the King!” they both declared, bowing deeply.
Asher’s gaze swept over them with approval. “Now then,” he said, his tone softening slightly, “there’s one task Cyrus left unfinished. I sent him to find a girl with Innate Spirits, but so far, there’s been no word.”
He turned to Juno Blackthorn. “Juno, go east and find that girl. Bring her to me, whether or not she possesses Innate Spirits. But remember-do not harm her.”
Juno nodded heavily. “Understood.”
Then Asher’s attention shifted to Sable Knightley. “Sable, make the announcement. Tell the Cultivator Association that I am summoning the Ten Cultivators to kill Kayden.”
The announcement was not for Hellblazer’s benefit but to ensure the Cultivator Association’s approval. Once they agreed, Asher could sit back and watch the chaos unfold. The Ten Cultivators were not Hellblazer’s allies but rather reclusive, independent practitioners from Seclela. Their movements were shrouded in mystery; even Hellblazer, with its vast reach, had struggled to track them down.
But the kill order would draw them out. Hellblazer’s true goal was not just Kayden’s death but the elimination of the Ten Cultivators, who posed an ever-present threat. As long as they existed, Hellblazer could never truly rest.
Of course, Asher hoped Kayden would hold his ground long enough to force at least half of the Ten Cultivators to reveal themselves.
Sable nodded firmly. “Understood.”
Before leaving, Sable looked up and asked, “Duke Asher, will you be returning to Zlando?”
Asher smirked. “Yes, I’ll return. I want to watch them tear each other apart.”