657: Truth of the Heavens

Truth of the Heavens

In due time, news of these deaths echoed throughout the continent, even making their way to the other continents as well. And other rumors had begun to spread, evolving and manifesting as it spread from one ear to the next.  1

It all culminated in one sentence. 

Someone was hunting down members of Redmist Sanctuary. 

If it wasn't apparent before, it was obvious now. 

The sudden disappearances were strange enough but with so many infamous criminals vanishing, it was hard to ignore. People popped up bit by bit, speaking of the glimpses they saw, recounting the battles they watched from afar. Some spoke of a hidden blade, others talked about a hero who did not want to be known. 

It didn't take long for the speculation to grow and the focus on this person's identity. 

With only three members of the Fourteen Evils remained and there was no news of their movement. Even when it was revealed that the Witch had died, they stayed quiet. 

It was the topic of many conversations from government officials to powerful cultivators and even common folk. It didn't matter if it was behind closed doors or out in the middle of a busy inn, everyone seemed to be speculating. 

Dishes were laid about but barely touched as people just talked and gossiped with one another. 

"What do you think is going to happen? With the Witch and the Ogre dead, the only ones left are the Hound and Ascetic."

"Don't forget about Luan Ren, he's not as strong as the others but he's still quite powerful."

"Right but he's not even in the top four, maybe he could've contended with Yao Lu but that madman is dead. Luan Ren doesn't have much of a chance. I'd wager only the Ascetic can do something about it but who knows if they will make a move or not."

"Still, is there really someone hunting them down? What about the Misty Blood Tomb? What's going on with that?" 

"Who knows but after that last massacre, I doubt anyone would dare come for it."

"Maybe that's it, what if it's some evil spirit coming for them? Anyone that dares come for that Cursed Land will become its victim!"

"Evil spirit? Didn't they say that it was Heaven itself that destroyed the first branch of Redmist Sanctuary? How could it be an evil spirit? Besides what kind of evil spirit goes after criminals? Shouldn't they be good instead of evil?" 

"But didn't you hear about the Butcher of An Le?"

"Him? What happened? Wasn't he headed for the tomb as well?"

"He's dead, killed by someone. One of his pursuers, an elder of the Thousand Knives Sect, apparently returned after several years of chasing. Apparently, he returned with broken pieces of a sword and told everyone that the Butcher was dead."

"Is that it? There's more to it, isn't there?" 

"Of course, he said that he wasn't the one that killed him. In fact, the elder was about to die when someone came to his aid, killing the Butcher and even dressing his wounds. Although he kept going in and out of consciousness, the man was certain that he had a close look at who it was. You'll never guess." 

"Who?"

"He says that it was Ming Yue, from the war?"

"Her? How can that be?! Wasn't she said to have died sacrificing herself in the final battle? How could she still be alive?!"

"Right, that's what others say but he was certain that it was her. Told everyone that he had seen what she looked like during his time in the war and would never forget it."

"But if that's the case, is she really alive or is it a vengeful spirit?" 

"Who knows, some say that in her death, she returned to her home in Red Lotus, becoming it'a guardian spirit."

"So rather than, an evil spirit... it's a guardian spirit... Is it like that then?" 

"It's hard to tell. It's not like any of us know for sure, it's all just rumors after all. Perhaps the truth is much different than we think. In any case, the food's getting cold! Let's not leave it to waste!"

As this particular table of people quickly got to eating, there were plenty of others who were still talking. At another table, there was a single person sitting there, eating nothing more than a bowl of rice and a plate of sliced lotus root. 

It was a man whose countenance could be said as calm and rather plain in fact. His hair was a bit long and somewhat shaggy while his clothes were incredibly simple. All that he wore were white robes. He was quiet, picking up one slice and eating it with some of that rice. 

One by one, he finished everything before placing his chopsticks down. 

He looked over at the table that had been talking all this time, watching them eat for a moment before turning away. His face seemed expressionless, difficult to tell what he was thinking exactly. Aside from the average features, there was a small stubble on his chin. 

Staring down at his empty bowl and plate, he muttered under his breath. 

"Both Jinguo and Yingba are dead, what to do..."

Standing up, the man was lost in thought as he walked out of the inn without anyone noticing him. A minute later, a waiter came by and noticed the empty table with a confused expression. 

"Hm, wasn't there a customer here? Where did they go?"

The waiter scratched his head, trying to understand but nothing seemed to make sense to him. 

"Did I seat someone here even? Was it empty this entire time? Did I forget to clean it? Strange, I'm sure that someone was here."

"Hey what are you standing there for?! Go help the customers!"

There was an angry voice from the kitchen and the waiter realized where he was. 

"Yes, I'm on it!" 

He quickly forgot about the table, cleaning it up before going about the rest of his day. 

Far removed from all of this, there was the floating castle in the sky where the High Council resided. Instead of the eight thrones from before, there were only seven now, each one was occupied by a hooded figure.

There was nothing but silence between them all. 

Maybe they were resting, meditating, or watching the world from above. It was hard to tell but then one of them spoke. 

"There is a disturbance in the world, a murmuring, you could say."

"Yes, I sensed it too."

"As did all of us." 

It was hard to discern who was speaking. None of them moved in the slightest and their voices echoed throughout the halls. Old and wizened, there was a certain tone to their voices, a bit of interest but also a lack of concern. It was unsettling, to say the least. 

"All three continents have been reconnected, things are now set in stone."

"Mm, despite even the efforts of Dai Mian, it seems that the cycle will continue. But things seem different, this is said to be the ninth one. It could be the last or things may start anew."

"We can only hope that things do not go as we think they will. If not, there will be no more hope us all."

"Indeed, the realms will collide and it will not be a war that comes... but cataclysm."

At the sound of that word, there was a grim atmosphere surrounding the High Council as they all turned quiet. Moments later, one of them sighed. 

"Hah, to learn the truths of the Heavens is a frightening thing. It is a veil around our world, both a cage and a protector", they said. 

What was it that they were afraid of? What was beyond Heaven itself? What mysteries did it hold? What truth does it carry?

Only those who have reached the Heaven Realm and gone beyond it knew.

But for now, it is yet to be revealed. 

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