Rivers of the Night

Theron sat in a cell in silence, his thoughts drifting as he scanned everything around him.

Though he called this a "cell," it wasn't exactly that. It was more like a glass box, beaming down with golden lights that seemed to want to sink into his pores and into his very soul.

It was the sort of place where it felt like sleep was impossible, and maybe that was exactly the goal here to begin with. Was this supposed to be torture for daring to stand against these people?

The Mandate Guild was quite arrogant in its own right, but maybe it was only right to treat a prisoner who had stolen something so valuable in this way—especially if you were a guild with great prestige.

If there was one thing Theron had learned after being in this world for so long, it was that the greatest power you could wield was actually deterrence. Why fight when you didn't have to, by virtue of your prestige and face?

And the best way to keep that prestige and face?

Punish those who dared to cross you in the harshest ways imaginable.

'It seems like this mark is supposed to cripple me. That seems to be the only logical conclusion for their fierce reactions. In fact, if I break it, what would that cause?'

There was a flicker in Theron's eyes.

There was little to do in these last few days but think, since he wasn't trying to escape, and for someone as intelligent as Theron, it was impossible not to think something was wrong after all he had seen.

So the question was… how best to take advantage of this?

'There's still no certainty. But I should know soon. If someone powerful or of high rank comes to see me, then I'm correct. If not, then I'm wrong and I'll find another method.'

Almost the instant Theron had the thought, there was a flash and the bright golden lights opened up like a curtain. Usually, a curtain would be blocking light itself, but in this case, it was the opposite.

The beaming lights opened up into the shadows to reveal a familiar white ninja and a middle-aged man dressed in a white aikido hakama, a golden belt tightly wound around his waist and what looked like a Mandate Badge carved of gold and violet hanging from his hips.

Theron's expression didn't change, but he knew that he had gotten his answer.

Elder Pipen stepped forward, the rush he was in earlier seemingly having been replaced by a calm. However, Theron noticed the beads of sweat on the Gold White Veil's head and his unsteady breathing.

As a cultivator, the young man should have recovered long ago. The only reason he wouldn't have is if he had rushed here again, forcing him into another state of recovery.

The older man might be quite good at hiding his intentions, but his subordinate?

Not so much.

Elder Pipen himself was so focused on Theron, though, that he didn't even notice—and that was just yet another clue for Theron.

"Name," Elder Pipen commanded.

Theron looked at him silently for a moment before answering.

"Theron Galethunder."

"Are you aware of your crimes?"

"Yes, Elder."

Elder Pipen blinked. Wasn't this Theron arrogant? That was the case according to the reports, was it not? Why was he suddenly so cooperative?

"State them."

"I took what wasn't mine. Honestly, this junior wasn't aware of the prestige of the Mandate Guild. I was only made aware after my battle with Raan Tyre of the Tyre Imperial Clan. I came from Black Clan territory, but not of the Black Clan. Instead, I was born in a small village of a subordinate clan to the Black Clan—the Nightingales.

"My master took me in recently and led me here, but I seem to have gotten myself into a lot of trouble before he could stop me…"

Elder Pipen blinked.

The Black Clan, he knew. The Nightingales…?

It was vaguely familiar, but only so. It wasn't a name he would commit to memory, as it wasn't worth such a thing.

"Is that so?" Elder Pipen asked, his expression still not changing.

"I speak the truth, respected Elder."

The gentleness and candor in Theron's expression made him too likable. Honestly speaking, Elder Pipen was quite close to letting his hand slip, but he knew he couldn't do so yet.

"Break the Mandate Mark."

The words were abrupt and almost caught even Theron off guard.

Instantly, Theron's mind went through several possibilities.

Was he wrong? Why would this man ask him to break the mark? What was he trying to do?

If this was something meant to cripple you forever, it couldn't just be broken—or else they wouldn't have reacted like they had.

But then why would…

'I see. He's suspicious because I'm not reacting like someone else would. Maybe I am supposed to be in a crippling state of fear, or maybe I'm supposed to be in a perpetual state of pain. Regardless of what it is, he's already suspicious that I can break the mark. But I still don't know what that means. In that case…'

"Elder, this…"

Elder Pipen's brow furrowed. "What is the problem?"

"Honestly, I'm a bit worried."

"What are you worried about? When I tell you to do something, you do it. Are you not as sorry as you claim to be?"

"That isn't it, Elder. It's just that I've already made one life-altering mistake, and I wouldn't want to make another—not to mention the fact that I don't have any confidence in doing what you've asked of me.

"The reason I came without fighting was in hopes of finding a middle ground and some peace. It makes me happy that you've asked this of me, because it means that I probably won't be crippled for life. But I also don't want to offend the Mandate Guild further…

"I'm sorry, Elder, but unless I can speak to someone capable of forgiving my transgressions, I don't want to do anything that might make my situation worse."

Elder Pipen's eyes narrowed.

"You mean to say that you believe I am of too low a rank?"

"I don't wish to offend the Elder. I do not know anything about the Mandate Guild. However, considering how lowly this junior is, I doubt that a guild so powerful would easily send the very best. I have no doubt that Elder is strong in your own right, but you are still young. Unless you are an unprecedented genius of several generations and can confirm this for me, I cannot in good conscience leave my future up to Fate again.

"I've already made the mistake of allowing my arrogance to get ahead of myself once. I cannot do it again."

Theron's words were almost demure in their tone. He truly was completely different from the reports.

And now that the Elder thought about it… it wasn't as though he had spoken boastfully and then lost. He won his battles against several Gold Mancers on his own as a Silver Mancer. Was it arrogance if he had lived up to his words?

Who was to say this child had an overblown sense of worth?

Plus, Theron was correct. Elder Pipen had no ability to make such decisions. And from Theron's perspective, if he really did come from such an inferior background, there was no way he would know about the Mandate Marks and how they worked.

Unfortunately, Elder Pipen couldn't possibly call an Ancestor Veil down without solid proof.

Unless…

Elder Pipen's eyes narrowed. He was personally witnessing Theron's calmness right now. Even if Theron wasn't who he thought he was, that would be reason enough, right? In that case, should he call an Ancestor Veil down?

It would be a risk. But…

What was cultivation if there was no risk? As the people closest to the Mandate, they were more intimately aware of this than anyone else.

The only way to move forward was to face the Heavens directly. The true Mandate of a cultivator was to control the Mandate of the Heavens.

To control… it was to become one with the Heavens. However, unless you could show the Heavens that you were worthy, you would never receive such acknowledgment.

It was a delicate balance of partnership and angst.

Elder Pipen made his decision.

Turning away, he left. Soon, the white ninja regained his bearings and rushed after him.

After they were gone, Theron's eyes narrowed.

'Interesting.'

Elder Pipen hadn't confirmed what he was going to do—likely on purpose—but Theron could feel it. The man was about to go and take a risk, one that would require calling down someone with true power.

It seemed that he had gotten himself stuck in quite a sticky situation this time.

Theron's mind raced, trying to decide what to do. He had all but confirmed the most important parts, but the details?

Looking down at the mark on his hand, Theron realized that he was in the most danger—but he also held all the cards at the same time.

Now this… this was interesting.

How could you defeat someone who knew everything about you? Someone who knew every move you made?

Well, the best scheme was the one that an opponent had no choice but to walk into—a scheme that was an open secret, and yet it didn't matter.

Very quickly, Theron's status was becoming an open secret. But what was beautiful about all of it was that there were numerous players of the game right now who thought they were the only ones aware.

Another person would have smiled right now.

Theron, though?

His eyes became frighteningly cold.

He had said that his revenge would be closer than anyone thought, and he had meant that.

Slowly, he stood from the one bench in his glass cage.