From the mountaintop, Clark saw the reinforcement armies. He laughed loudly, saying:
"Ah, the thrill! I love it when everything goes according to my plan."
He leaped down powerfully, pouncing on one of the summoners and killing him. By the time he landed, none were left standing. They had carried out their mission well in his absence.
Clark approached Bai Hu and Yi Lian, saying:
"Listen carefully: Don't let the Minister know I'm your master's disciple, and don't say he came. Leave the rest to me. Hehehe."
He laughed with a sinister chuckle. But Gene understood him best; he knew Clark didn't want the Minister to find out he was playing multiple sides, especially a faction like the Qin nation's.
They began moving toward the army from where Clark had seen them.
So far, Alisa hadn't spoken to Clark, and he hadn't cared either, his focus was on "Chahaya," the Spirit of Ice. She was truly important. But who was Ren Zu? This question stirred in Clark's mind.
They came face to face with the Minister and Clark.
Clark glanced at the men who had accompanied him, but not a single one was worth mentioning, not even the elderly ones hailed as the Three Venerables, despite having no real refinement foundation.
The Minister greeted Clark and Gene with an embrace, worried about them, saying:
"Did you encounter the Fallen One? The Venerable of the Mysterious Heaven Sect?"
Bai Hu wanted to strangle the Minister, him and Yi Lian, but Clark placed a hand on his shoulder, saying to the Minister:
"No, no. He didn't come. He only sent his disciples. They're good and well-mannered too. Let's avoid this talk for now. I have important matters."
But Clark was interrupted by a soldier's scream. A spectral shadow cast an ominous and irritating atmosphere. The smell of burning human flesh.
Soon, a soldier emerged from the shadows, his face disfigured by burns. His ear had melted, he was completely deformed. His eyes had turned yellow.
A single word echoed from the soldier's mouth before he tried to attack everyone: "She is coming! We will all die!"
Everyone understood the implication.
The Will of the Sun Venerable had begun to move!!!
Everyone grew tense. Clark didn't hide; he remained calm. He beheaded the soldier.
Brutus, who was beside the Minister, shouted: "How could you kill him? He was searching for you so we could rescue you!"
Clark took a terrifying step forward, his killing intent palpable.
Brutus's eyes met Clark's. Clark spoke in a hoarse voice, as if choking the heavens with his arrogance:
"Oh! Did I stir your grief for your comrade? He was looking for me? And did I care for the likes of him? He was merely a tail trailing behind the strong, so of course he would die. Like you! Yes! Do you think I fear you or those with you? I didn't request your presence, nor did I scream for help. So don't speak of what doesn't concern you. Understood?"
Clark didn't need to use his Authority of Will; that threat was enough.
The Venerables were furious. How could a mere child like this deny their favor? Was he trying to belittle them?
The Fire Venerable approached Clark, placing a hand forcefully on his shoulder, saying:
"Boy, don't be ungrateful."
Clark uttered a single word coldly:
"Your hand? Or you will regret it."
The Fire Venerable wanted to retort, but a flame suddenly erupted from Clark's shoulder. A simple flame that made the Venerable scream intensely.
Those who came with the Minister stared in shock: How was this possible?
Bai Hu said: "It's not about whether Clark possesses absolute power or not, but a person like this... I don't know... who gave him the title of Venerable without merit?! A man without refinement, how can he challenge someone with deep refinement and skill? The answer is simple: he can annihilate you all without effort."
Everyone was terrified, finally realizing they were powerless against him.
The Minister didn't want this to escalate, so he apologized to Clark, saying:
"I apologize, Clark. I didn't expect them to be so rude to you like this. My apologies."
"Don't worry. In the end, I don't care about ants. There's something more important. Let's set up camp here."
The battalion began preparing tents, everything, and lighting fires.
Alisa was still trying to avoid Clark. He approached her to provoke her, saying:
"Hahaha! Your eternal anger?! He tried to kill you! Nothing will change even if it's repeated a hundred times. Alisa, we didn't choose our fates. Some say it's unfair, others say: perhaps if I knew what would happen to me, I wouldn't grieve or get angry. Yes, ignorance strains the nerves: tension, fear of outcomes, schemes."
Alisa looked at him coldly: "Perhaps. But it's not fair for him to die like that."
Gene came beside them, sitting on the same log, saying:
"The strong devour the weak. The weak die by the decisions of the strong. But Alex's weakness was the cause of his death, not his lack of strength, no, but his spirit wavered at the first obstacle, so of course he was destined to die. Don't blame yourself."
"Let me ask you both this question: What is the answer to perseverance? What are its difficulties?"
Clark replied: "Some persevere for love, some for money, some for their duty, for their honor. But all those things die and fall through your arms, like your life which resembles an hourglass."
But Alisa said: "And what's the purpose if everything will die? Even if I lived an eternal life, I would keep repeating what I do, or those I love die. Will I repeat myself? Live among a generation different from mine? What is this?"
The forest breeze played with their emotions. Even though battle was imminent, Clark and Gene remained calm.
Clark left them, heading to the meeting tent.
(But Gene kept thinking: Go on, rejoice. In the end, you will die by my hand.)
Clark sat on one of the chairs, saying:
"So, your Emperor has begun to move! Meaning he wants to remove you from the path!!!"
To be continued!!!