Chapter 26 : Truth Spoken Without Ceremony
Zade carried Valerius to the nearest physician.
After a long while, the healer emerged.
"He has lost much blood," the man said, "but the wounds themselves are precise. None of the vital vessels were severed. With rest, he will live."
Zade listened in silence.
Slowly, he rose from the bench, covering his face with one hand.
"…So this is the one," he murmured, voice low, "the monster our leader has been waiting for."
He turned to leave, pausing only to say,
"See that he survives."
Then Zade returned to the inn.
"Where is the man who came with the boy?" he asked.
The innkeeper hesitated.
"He left… toward the Sovereign Bone Citadel Sect."
Zade froze.
Then he ran.
At the sect gates—
Rudravaan stood before the guards.
One disciple blocked his path.
"This is not a place for wanderers," the man said coldly. "Leave at once."
Rudravaan took another step forward.
"Oh?" he replied calmly. "Let us see."
The disciple's hand tightened on his weapon.
"This is your final warning."
Rudravaan rubbed his temple and looked at him.
"I am only here to ask questions."
"That is no excuse," the disciple snapped.
He lowered into a combat stance.
The moment he lunged—
"Enough!"
Zade's voice thundered across the courtyard.
"You fool—stop at once."
The disciple froze mid-step.
Zade stepped forward, eyes sharp, breath steady.
Rudravaan turned his head and looked at Zade.
"What are you doing here?" he asked calmly.
Zade let out a short breath.
"That is my question."
He walked toward Rudravaan, his gaze sharp.
"What are you doing in the Sovereign Bone Citadel Sect?"
Rudravaan replied evenly,
"I have a few matters I wish to ask about."
Zade frowned.
"That is exactly what you said before."
Rudravaan's eyes narrowed slightly.
"This time is different."
Zade stopped a few steps away.
"I do not care," he said. "But if you intend to lay a hand on our disciples, do not expect me to remain silent."
Rudravaan sighed quietly.
"Why," he murmured, "does no one ever believe me?"
Rudravaan turned his head and looked at Zade.
"What are you doing here?" he asked calmly.
Zade let out a short breath.
"That is my question."
He walked toward Rudravaan, his gaze sharp.
"What are you doing in the Sovereign Bone Citadel Sect?"
Rudravaan replied evenly,
"I have a few matters I wish to ask about."
Zade frowned.
"That is exactly what you said before."
Rudravaan's eyes narrowed slightly.
"This time is different."
Zade stopped a few steps away.
"I do not care," he said. "But if you intend to lay a hand on our disciples, do not expect me to remain silent."
Rudravaan sighed quietly.
"Why," he murmured, "does no one ever believe me?"
If you want the next scene to shift into sect elders gathering or Aurelius Vane stepping in, say the word.
Rudravaan said " then I promise that I will not lay a finger on you're sect discipline " zade said " ahh I believe you just for this once " then zade show them the way around then they enter a sect leader room they sat on chair rudravaan asked " I through you're sect leader will be here where is he " zade said " well even I don't know where he went "
Here is the clean, era-fitting rewrite, with natural dialogue and restrained authority:
Rudravaan spoke again, his tone even.
"Then I give you my word," he said. "I will not lay a finger on your sect's disciples."
Zade studied him for a moment.
"…Very well," he said at last. "I will believe you—this once."
He turned and gestured forward.
"Follow me."
Zade led them through the inner grounds of the sect. Stone paths wound between training halls and silent courtyards, until they reached a tall chamber carved into the citadel's heart.
They entered the sect leader's hall.
The room was austere—polished stone, ancient banners, and a single long table at its center.
They took their seats.
Rudravaan looked around.
"I was under the impression," he said calmly, "that your sect leader would be present. Where is he?"
Zade shook his head.
"…Even I do not know," he replied.
Zade gestured toward the table.
"Would you care for tea?" he asked.
Rudravaan shook his head.
"No."
Zade turned to Henry.
Henry nodded at once. "I would."
Zade signaled to a nearby disciple.
"Bring tea."
Once they were alone again, Zade studied Rudravaan carefully.
"There is something I have been wondering," he said. "I asked you before who you are, and you avoided the matter."
His gaze hardened slightly.
"But now I am more curious about something else. What did you ask Valerius—and what did he tell you?"
Rudravaan met his eyes.
"As for Valerius," he said calmly, "he confessed that he trades in forbidden powders… and sells people."
Zade stiffened.
"To fund your sect," Rudravaan added.
The words struck like a hammer.
Zade's hands clenched, his knuckles whitening as anger surged through him.
"…Is what you are saying true?" he asked, voice tight.
Rudravaan's expression did not change.
"Why not ask him yourself," he replied, "once he wakes?"
Zade exhaled slowly, forcing his fist to relax.
The disciple returned and placed cups of tea on the table.
Henry lifted his cup and took a careful sip.
Zade looked back at Rudravaan.
"You still have not answered my question," he said. "Who are you?"
Rudravaan let out a quiet breath.
"I am Rudravaan," he said.
"Emperor of SOUTHEASTBLADE ."
The room fell silent.
Zade froze.
His hand jerked, knocking his cup.
Tea spilled as he coughed violently.
"—Cough—!"
He stared at Rudravaan, eyes wide.
"…Are you serious?"