Rivers of the Night

Theron could feel a tension in the air. As he moved, he listened to conversations from time to time. But it was difficult to pick up most when his presence was like a magnet.

Every time he passed by a group, their conversations would lag, their gazes falling to him either subtly or not so subtly.

By now, most in the Sect knew what his face looked like. Unlike Tenn, who hadn’t been aware at the start, there wasn’t a single soul that didn’t know that he was the very same Theron who killed their number one ranked outer disciple.

Yet, before they could even mourn that, he had suddenly leapfrogged over all of their heads, becoming the first Chosen.

This blow was lessened considerably thanks to Thessa and Ironvale, but it wasn’t something that they would easily get over nonetheless.

At some point, Theron coincidentally ran into the young woman that helped him out on his first day, but she quickly looked away.

Theron didn’t blame her. It was only natural.

If others found out that she was partly responsible for what happened, allowing him to know of the tower ahead of time, how would she react?

’The Patriarch is quite clever Theron thought to himself.

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That said, this wasn’t Theron’s main concern right now. His involvement with the Outer Sect Elder on his recommendation letter was, though.

Theron had only just had this thought when he felt the atmosphere shift again.

His head calmly turned, only for him to find a group of law enforcement disciples making their way toward him.

Unfortunately, he hadn’t had any time to do a deep dive on the disciples of the Sect. Outside of the Core Disciples, he was in the dark about most of the others.

But much the same… the greatest threats were also just those five. As for those beneath them, while there were many Theron couldn’t defeat, there were none he feared.

Especially not as a Chosen.

There weren’t a small number of them. It must have been a formation of eight, their singular pauldrons shimmering beneath the sunlight.

Disciples surrounding the region split seamlessly to give them a path through.

The group of eight came to a stop just three meters from Theron, just a single one of them taking a step forward and tossing two pairs of thick cuffs at him. One had a much longer chain between their links, so they must have been for his ankles.

"Disciple Theron Galethunder, there’ve been tips from several disciples that you have been involved in Elder Harlo’s misdeeds. You will be detained for the time being as investigations are ongoing. This is to prevent you from running from your responsibility."

Theron’s eyes didn’t leave the chains for a while. Then he looked up, blinking as though slightly confused.

"Elder Harlo? Who’s that?"

The question stunned the young man.

Baun was quite burly. His blades, compared to the others of the sect, were also much closer to great swords than the swift, thin swords disciples of their Sect tended to use.

This was to say that surprise wasn’t a usual expression for him at all.

How could a person be so shameless?

"Are you trying to say that you have no recollection of the Elder that recommended you? If you are found in contempt of judgment, or in obstruction of justice, you will be punished separately first before your other charges come down," Baun said coldly.

"Other charges?" Theron blinked again. "Sounds like you’ve already decided that I’m guilty. Odd thing for a law enforcement disciple to say."

Baun’s gaze flickered, but he didn’t reply. Or rather, he didn’t get a chance to because Theron had already spoken again.

"The old man I met never gave me his name, and my recommendation letter was sealed. I have no familiarity with him at all. I only knew him as someone who attempted to poach me from the Imperial Academy. When would I even have time to participate in his "misdeeds," whatever they are?"

"Sealed—?"

"Yes, sealed. It wasn’t me who opened up the letter, it was your people."

Of course, that was a lie. But the ones that had done it were dead now. Who would confirm that?

Though, it also didn’t matter even if they could refute, because that wasn’t what Theron was relying on.

Baun’s gaze flickered again, but he steeled himself. It didn’t matter what Theron said today, they had enough to take him in.

The treatment of disciples and elders were very different. Elder Harlo was being investigated, but he hadn’t been detained yet. Theron, however, seemed to be about to suffer such a fate.

Unfortunately, Baun was interrupted again.

"Also, your lack of professionalism in accusing me of crimes you’ve apparently yet to investigate aside... have you even read your Sect’s handbook before?"

Theron tilted his head to the side as though he was truly curious about the answer.

Baun froze. What was that supposed to mean?

"The Chosen of the Luminescent Moon Sect. Are you aware of where their seniority lies? No?"

Theron’s gaze swept over them all.

"The voting power of a Chosen is the equivalent of a Core Elder and only beneath that of the Great Elders and the Patriarch. What possessed you to think that you had the right to detain me? You’d have a better chance at detaining that Elder Harlo you mentioned than me."

Theron kicked the chains back to Baun’s feet.

"If you’re all upset because I killed your former number one ranked disciple, I’d ask you all to consider what you would do if someone came to shed blood on your wedding day.

"Am I not allowed to be confident in my abilities? Did I not prove myself properly?

"I’ve grown to have great respect for the camaraderie of the Luminescent Moon Sect, and I’m willing to become one of you all and uphold the honor of our name. But do not make me look down on you.

"If you want to test your meddle, my blade can take on anything at the First Silver Resonance and below. If you’d like to challenge me, be upfront.

"Use these petty tricks again, and next time I’ll just abuse my Chosen Title to take your head like you seem to think you can abuse your law enforcement position."

Baun’s face turned a fierce shade of red, staring down at the chains as though they were the only things in the world.

It wasn’t just him, but several others looked away, finding themselves wondering why it was they were so mad.

"Is that so?"

A voice that could only be described as gruff echoed, a young man dressed in black robes strolling forth, an equally as black sword hovering to his back.

Ironvale.

Theron looked over, raising an internal eyebrow. Why was this number one ranked Core Disciple here?

No… he too was now a Chosen.

"I’m very curious. Can you really fight someone at First Silver Resonance?"