Even Emo was stunned for a moment by the unexpected outcome. The performance had ended, and the audience slowly dispersed, leaving only a lingering, dreamlike memory echoing between the stone walls.
After seeing off the nobles, Emo, accompanied by Luo Yi, made his way toward the dungeons beneath the Bloodrage Arena. Luo Yi remained silent, while Emo's face was dark with thought.
"Ah Chu, so you're here." Emo's voice broke the quiet as he spotted Ah Chu, supervising the cleanup.
"Boss." Ah Chu nodded, finishing his instructions to the crew before approaching Emo.
"That guy… who is he? What was that technique? And that nickname—what's going on? Did you arrange this? I want answers." Emo's tone was sharp, his expression serious.
"I… I don't really know. According to the purchase records, he was just an ordinary bandit. But how an ordinary bandit could wield such a strange skill… I have no idea. And the technique itself, I can't explain. The slaves who fought him—they all died. I had someone check, but the cause is unknown. The nickname was probably just the announcer improvising—under those circumstances, it's not strange. This… all went beyond my arrangements. I accept my fault. Please, boss… punish me." Ah Chu's usually rigid posture bent slightly as he bowed deeply, unable to meet Emo's gaze for the first time in years.
"Forget it. This isn't entirely your fault. I was the one who bought him; my lack of diligence led to today's result. Responsibility lies with me. And the show itself? Still a success. Maybe not the usual thunderous applause, but the lingering impression will boost Bloodrage's fame. Consider it done. Handle the remaining tasks, and start preparing for the grand performance. Observe that guy closely." Emo sighed and patted Ah Chu on the shoulder.
"Yes, boss." Ah Chu nodded and returned to his subordinates.
"Luo Yi, keep eyes on him twenty-four hours a day, quietly. What's his name? Sinner! Who's truly innocent in this world? Divine punishment… if heaven really punished, no one would survive. And who enforces it anyway—the Supreme God? Ridiculous." Emo's voice carried both frustration and anger.
"Boss, observing him is fine, but with the skills he just displayed… there's no way he won't notice." Luo Yi said calmly.
"Doesn't matter. Let him notice if he wants. We just do our part. By the way, Yan, check this guy's background." Emo glanced around, noticing no one else was present.
Back at his mansion, Phiso's anger erupted. "Damn Emo! One Celestial isn't enough—he has to summon a Punishment Celestial too? Is he mocking me?" His scantily clad attendants trembled.
"Where's Gangjie? Bring him. I have business!" Phiso snapped, slapping one woman until blood trickled from her mouth.
"Yes, boss!" A subordinate scrambled to fetch Gangjie. Soon, a small, shriveled man crept in, bowing. His lecherous gaze scanned the women before returning to Phiso.
"My dear Gangjie, tell me… how many underlings do I have?" Phiso waddled forward, smiling like a greedy pig.
"About five hundred subordinates, and three thousand enforcers, boss. May I ask why you're asking?" Gangjie replied cautiously.
"Oh, I trust you completely, right?" Phiso's smile remained.
"Yes, boss. Absolutely. My loyalty is unwavering… at least for now," Gangjie thought.
"Good. Now, tell me about Emo—how many men does he command?" Phiso's smile hid a dangerous glint in his eyes.
"Boss! You're planning to clash with Emo?" Gangjie was alarmed. "Though he's a bastard, his men are ruthless. What could drive you to this?"
"Relax. I haven't decided anything yet. I just want to know his strength. How many gladiators do we have?" Phiso asked, lighting a cigar in Emo's style.
"Three hundred fifty gladiators, roughly a hundred beasts. Many are weak or injured, so overall strength isn't great," Gangjie replied immediately.
"Damn it! That bastard Emo brought in so many troops at once… Is he trying to swallow my Lion's Fangs?" Phiso erupted, buttons popping.
"Should we buy more slaves, boss?" Gangjie asked cautiously.
"Yes… perhaps. Contact all sellers on the Bermuda Plains. I need a hundred premium slaves, two hundred ordinary. And stock up on valuables; I might have to make a move soon."
"Yes, boss."
Phiso adjusted his clothes and noticed another button missing. "Which tailor made this? Bring him—and his daughter, if he has one, and if she's not too ugly."
"The tailor was killed last week by Duke Louis. His daughter is gone," Gangjie replied.
"Oh? And the wife?"
"She was sold to a brothel two months ago to pay debts."
"Forget it." Phiso waved, then picked up a prized crystal cup filled with wine, drinking it in one gulp.
"Thud… thud…" Footsteps approached.
"Who's bothering me now?" Emo frowned, cigarette dangling.
Luo Yi moved to the door, opening it for the approaching figure.
"Let's see what he wants," Emo sighed.
The same reckless man burst in.
"Why you again? Can't you fix your bad habit?" Emo frowned.
"N-no, boss! This time, it's urgent! Ah Chu sent me—he's… the Celestial… the Celestial…"
"The Celestial? What about him?" Emo stiffened, even Luo Yi's calm was shaken.
"The Celestial awakened today—and took a disciple!"
"What…" Even Emo was startled.
"Is this confirmed?" Luo Yi asked, grabbing the man by the collar.
"I—I don't know. Ah Chu sent me. He's already gone to confirm. The results should be known."
"Alright, Luo Yi, release him. We don't have time. Let's see for ourselves," Emo said, heading out.
"Oh, tonight's sky… quite enticing," an aged voice murmured from the shadows.
"Oh? Wizard, you're here." Emo blinked in surprise. "Why didn't you come in?"
"A mere old woman—what right do I have? Besides, I dislike indoor lights." The wizard stepped forward, silhouette faintly moonlit.
Her tattered black cloak enveloped her; a hat hid her face.
"Wizard, any business?" Emo asked, steadying himself.
"Nothing much. Just came to watch. Impressive, though the wind muffled the last words."
"So you watched too." Emo raised an eyebrow. "Do you know anything about him?"
"No, never seen him before." The wizard's laugh was eerie, unreadable.
"And the Celestial?" Emo asked.
"Yes, I heard a bit."
"Then let's go see for ourselves," Emo suggested.
"Good idea." The wizard walked first; Emo and Luo Yi followed.
"Wizard, how's… that thing?" Emo asked softly.
"Working fine. Principles unknown. Origin unknown," she replied.
"And research?"
"Still ongoing. Not promising… but not hopeless," she said.
"After all these years, patience is honed. A little longer won't matter," Emo sighed.
"Don't worry. Solutions will appear this year, even if that thing fails," she said quietly.
Emo was surprised; she had never promised anything so clearly.
"With the wizard here, I feel at ease," Emo smiled, quickening his pace to the dungeon.
"Any news?" At the entrance, Emo saw Ah Chu.
Ah Chu nodded, pointing inside. "The boy made the Celestial act. The disciple accepted is him. Incredible child—unfazed seeing beasts eat humans. The Celestial chose him. His name is Ya—like 'tooth.'"
"Incredible," Emo muttered.
"That's the chosen? A strange child… like ice in the desert," the wizard said, seeing Ya's gaze streaked with a hint of blood.
"Can he come see me?" she asked.
"Ah… of course," Emo replied. "I like him, but don't know why he's special. You'll see."
"I'll be careful," she said, smiling ominously, and left.
"This is getting more interesting," Emo muttered.
"Rest. Tomorrow we handle the rest. Bring the boy—Ya—to the wizard," Emo instructed.
Ya was led to a strange, windowless room. He blinked in darkness.
A flickering green flame illuminated a table where a black-robed figure knelt. Bones formed devilish faces on the walls. Nearby lay a black-haired boy, eyes wide yet empty.
"Come, child," the wizard said, her voice gentle. Ya sat, noticing the unconscious boy, eyes filled with terror.
"It's okay. He's just sleeping. In a few days, he'll be fine," the wizard said, placing a crystal orb before Ya.
Ya hesitated, then placed his hand on it. A flash of light made him frown.
"Oh? What a mysterious little fellow," the wizard murmured, placing her withered hand on the orb.
"Alright, little one, you may go. Don't get lost," she said.
Ya left without hesitation, sensing a strange anger from the wizard rather than disgust.
After he left, darkness returned. The wizard muttered, "By the Demon God… who is that boy? Why can't I see through him? His life… so strange… cold blood, lifeless yet calm. Unknown lineage? Soul tribe? Savage clan? Or… the Mad tribe? Fascinating—an unknown life indeed."