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Note: Read After [Chapter: 13]
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[Hierarchy]
Keepers (the bloodline/family name):
| The overall term for those born with the Mark of Command
| All members of these special bloodlines were called "Keepers"
| They maintained the Covenant of Balance
Within the Keepers, there were different ranks/roles:
-> Wardens (most common):
| Could command demon obedience
| Supervised demon actions
| Ensured demons didn't exceed their bounds
[Hierarchy]
Keepers (the bloodline/family name):
| The overall term for those born with the Mark of Command
| All members of these special bloodlines were called "Keepers"
| They maintained the Covenant of Balance
Within the Keepers, there were different ranks/roles:
-> Wardens (most common):
| Could command demon obedience
|Supervised demon actions
|Ensured demons didn't exceed their bounds
-> Judges (less common):
| Could determine if demon actions served the greater good
| Had authority to punish or reward
-> Arbiters (extremely rare):
| The highest level of authority
| Could pass final judgment on existence itself
| Had power to grant redemption or complete erasure
| Only they could walk the Ninth Path
| Could determine if demon actions served the greater good
| Had authority to punish or reward
-> Arbiters (extremely rare):
| The highest level of authority
| Could pass final judgment on existence itself
| Had power to grant redemption or complete erasure
| Only they could walk the Ninth Path
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[History]
The Keepers' Fall from Grace:
| Initially Pure: Keepers genuinely served cosmic balance, using demons to protect and serve mortals
| Tchang Zu's Humiliation: Forced to be a "protector of villages" and "servant of farmers" instead of being worshipped
| Gradual Corruption: Power corrupted the Keepers - they began using demons for personal gain and empire-building
| Weakened Bonds: Their corruption weakened the divine authority that bound the demons
| Demon Exploitation: The demons found loopholes, turning the Keepers' corrupt commands against them
| Malicious Compliance: Demons followed orders technically but catastrophically (Dai Gui "removing obstacles" by destroying all mountains)
| Final Freedom: When corruption peaked, the divine bonds shattered completely
| Revenge: The demons made the fallen Keepers pay for every humiliation
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