Chapter 36

  Drakkel woke to the shifting of a body in front of him. Rillian Adore was stirring in his sleep.

  “Drakkel…” he mumbled.

  After a few moments, his eyes slowly drifted open.

  “Drake?!” He asked, sounding slightly unnerved.

  He loosened his arms, letting go of Drakkel. Then, he quickly slid off the bed.

  By the time he stood up, Drakkel was already awoken by his movements.

  Noticing that both of their clothes were a bit disheveled, Rillian Adore rushed to fix his. Drakkel also picked up on this and made a move to fix his as well.

  “Did something happen last night?” Rillian Adore asked.

  Drakkel thought of what had happened last night and shook his head.

  “It seems you were drunk,” he said.

  “Oh,” Rillian Adore said, not even sounding surprised.

  His reaction was very mild, but Drakkel couldn’t decide if it was because most of his emotions were mild or because he had been through this before.

  Moving to the edge of the bed, he said, “I believe it was Madam Shila. She may be a member of the Hidden Desires clan too.”

  Drakkel dropped some important information, but even with this, Rillian Adore seemed unconcerned.

  Now Drakkel was almost convinced he had been here before.

  As he thought about it, Rillian Adore asked, “Did I do some…?” He shook his head and continued, “Are you ok?”

  Drakkel sat at the edge of the bed, continuing to straighten his appearance. “I’m fine and you just moved around in bed again. Don’t think too hard about it. Just be more careful around alcohol in the future.”

  Drakkel purposely held the truth from him. Who knew if he could live with himself after hearing what he had done? Even Drakkel wouldn’t want to know if the roles were switched.

  Rillian Adore nodded.

  Not wanting to dwell any more on the subject, Drakkel said, “By the way, What did you say to Wold yesterday?”

  Rillian Adore answered, “I just told him that if he continued on his insatiable undertaking, I would have the Golden Peak Swords Clan thoroughly investigate him and report their findings to the emperor. He might appear innocent on the surface, but who knows who he has dealings with and what sort of unsavory things he has been up to? Even if nothing is wrong with his business, just having him investigated would severely drop his support.”

  Drakkel nodded.

  Rillian Adore then asked him, “What did you find out while I was… preoccupied?”

  Drakkel, with his clothes now fixed, got up and faced him. “The one who I seek is on Earthly Mountain.”

  “Perilous Earthly Mountain?” Rillian Adore asked.

  Drakkel nodded. “I believe it isn’t too far from here. About a four day trip northwest on foot. Of course we’ll have to go through Auspicious Sign to get to it, so we can take a break there. If we leave now, we should at least be able to make it before nightfall. By then, we can stay for the night and be on our way.”

  Drakkel spoke calmly, but he actually wasn't fond of the idea of going to Auspicious Sign.

  Auspicious Sign was home to the High Mountain Glaive Swords Clan, one of the seven strongest clans and one of the clans that appeared on the list of clans that utilized the illegal meteoric mine in Shadowy Ridges.

  The High Mountain Glaive Clan didn't get along with The Sacred Sword Clan. Of course not many Swords clans got along, but at least those that didn't could be cordial to each other. However, for these two clans, even this was impossible. His master told him it was because they were jealous. Both clans were righteous but the way they went about it was different.

  The Sacred Sword Swords Clan chose to mingle with the common people and were a generally open and welcoming Sword's Clan while the High Mountain Glaive clan sealed themselves away behind a large manor; extending a hand, but keeping the people at arm's length.

  It didn't help that the founders of the clans were brothers who also didn't like each other. The High Mountain Glaive clan, founded by the older brother came first, yet it was the Sacred Sword Swords Clan created by the younger one that gained the most fame and renown.

  In conversation, one could only mention the High Mountain Glaive clan after first talking about the Sacred Swords clan.

  In the past, there were many feuds between them. Even he had been involved in some.

  He hadn't heard anything from his clanmates so he had hoped the bad relationship between them had gotten better, but after further speculation, it might have been that they just agreed to have nothing more to do with each other.

  Considering the fact that the High Mountain Glaive Sword's Clan appeared on the list of those collecting meteoric stone from Shadowy Ridges and that he wasn't currently very strong, he decided he would return to investigate once he regained his previous sword skills.

  After ending their conversation, Rillian Adore and Drakkel packed up their items and left the room.

  The brothel was mostly vacant during the early morning, so Shila took the time to offer them a meal before they set off. As she sat across from them while they ate in the empty dining hall, Drakkel suddenly stopped eating.

  “Are you a member of the Hidden Desires Swords Clan?” He asked abruptly.

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  Shila smiled and tilted her head. “What do you mean? I’m only the madam of a brothel.”

  “No need to pretend,” Rillian Adore said. “He has already figured it out.”

  Shila’s face all of a sudden grew serious. If looks could kill, Drakkel and Rillian Adore would be dead on the floor. The cheerful expression worn by the young girl turned into one leaking murderous intent in an instant.

  Drakkel sensed immediate danger.

  He prepared himself for an impending attack, putting his guard up. But Rillian Adore did not do the same. Instead, he did something that Drakkel hadn't seen him do often; he smiled. “Calm down, madam. I’m sure that by now, you’ve learned that Pisa Lorvent and I are previously acquainted. If I was going to tell people about the Hidden Desires clan, I would have already.”

  Drakkel was surprised. So Rillian Adore really had been here before?

  Like the blowing out of a candle, the murderous intent building in the air vanished in a second. Shila's cheerful personality again shined through.

  “I wasn’t here when you started to come to this brothel, but I know you will keep this promise because I heard of your reputation.”

  She gestured to Drakkel, “But can your friend over here do it?”

  Rillian Adore suddenly stood up. Then he did something unexpected. He dropped to his knees next to the table and bowed deeply.

  Drakkel wanted to stop him, but it happened too quickly. Rillian Adore sat up and crossed a line over his heart.

  “I promise that this man will tell no one of what he knows about this place.”

  Shila's eyebrows shot up in surprise.

  Drakkel couldn’t believe what Rillian Adore was doing either.

  “A Sword Fighter's promise from the Golden Blade? You would really risk your own cultivation? Who is he to deserve such a service?”

  As Rillian Adore stood up, he answered, “Just a good friend.”

  “Only a friend, hmm?”

  A smile played on Shila’s lips before she broke out into full laughter. “Yes, it seems you have guessed it. This whole brothel is controlled by the Hidden Desires clan. Those who know only a little would assume Pisa Lorvent is the only member of the Hidden Desires clan that works within these walls.”

  “Since this is the case, why continue to be bullied by that merchant?” Drakkel asked.

  Shila laid her arms on the table and used them to support her chin. With a smile, she said, “What, did you think we had no means to stop him? I was going to give him one last chance. He has been targeted by so many already, but we refused because he was so rich and by extension, powerful. We were waiting for his reputation to fall a bit more before it would be justified to kill him. But now that you've intervened, Rillian Adore, he shouldn't come after us anymore. There’s no need for us to take any chances. But you… Well, you should be more careful in the future”

  Rillian Adore who had returned to his seat nodded.

  Another question was gnawing on Drakkel’'s mind. He wasn't sure if he should ask, but he needed to get to the bottom of it. He would take whatever consequences came. “Madam Shila… Do you know if your swords clan has recently acquired meteoric stone through unsav…” a gust of wind accompanied by a whizzing sound breezed past Drakkel's ear. He heard a soft thud from the wall behind him.

  If he had been leaning just a tiny bit more to the left, he was afraid he wouldn't be alive right now.

  Shila’s murderous energy had returned, however her expression was unchanged. “Just because I act friendly towards you now, it doesn’t give you the right to pry into my sword clan’s matters. You should learn to keep your mouth shut and be thankful for whatever information is given to you.”

  Drakkel had tried, but of course she didn't answer. The Hidden Desires clan was embroiled in illegal and sketchy activities. Why would such a secretive clan tell an outsider anything that could majorly incriminate them?

  Yes, they didn't have a reputation to uphold like other clans, but benefitting from an illegal mine and harming the ordinary citizens of the capital could warrant the emperor's attention.

  Drakkel bowed his head, “I apologize. Thank you for taking care of us.”

  Shila again returned to her normal self. “No problem. Your patronage is appreciated.”

  She got up from the table and said, “I won't be seeing you off. I have work to do.”

  She walked away and Rillian Adore and Drakkel were left sitting at the table.

  Now that they were left by themselves, Drakkel decided to confirm what he had learned. “So, you’ve been here before, Rillian?”

  But Rillian Adore ignored his question and got up from his seat, heading towards the exit of the brothel.

  Drakkel sighed.

  He was starting to get used to his avoidance in answering his questions, but the fact that he refused to answer still bothered him.

  Suppressing the thought, he stood up and followed Rillian Adore out.

  As they headed towards the North exit of Towering Heights, a carriage suddenly stopped in front of them. The carriage was lavish, like one a member of the royal family might use. A man’s hand stuck out of the window and he gestured for them to come near.

  The two initially ignored it, but then they heard someone direct a message at them with Sword energy.

  “Rillian Adore. Surely you don't want to announce your presence. I would like to see you. Please come over.”

  Rillian Adore’s eyebrows furrowed as he clenched his fists.

  He pivoted over to the carriage and Drakkel followed behind him.

  When he got to it he crossed his arms. At this point he seemed rather irritable. He didn’t even show respect to the person in the carriage who could have been a noble or high ranking merchant. Instead he asked, “Who are you? What do you want from me?”

  The man opened the curtains and revealed himself. He seemed similar in appearance to a certain someone.

  “I apologize.” He said. “I’m not trying to start a fight. It’s me, Clan Leader Fieren’s second son, Firo Fieren. I heard you met with my father and I saw you walking here so I thought it would be good to greet you.”

  Oh. Drakkel thought. So that’s who he was.

  The man paused to glance at Drakkel then looked back at Rillian Adore who seemed to be avoiding his gaze. “Are you two heading to Auspicious Sign?”

  Rillian Adore relaxed his body a bit, but he still seemed slightly on guard.

  In response to Firo Fieren’s question, he shook his head while Drakkel nodded at the same time.

  Firo Fieren excitedly said, “Then why not travel with me!? The trip will be long without a carriage. Besides, I heard some people are after you. No one would guess that you're traveling with my accompaniment. Even if they did, they wouldn't dare to stop me.”

  “No,” Rillian Adore answered quickly. “We’re fine…”

  “Yes,” Drakkel added. “We wouldn’t want to intrude.”

  Firo Fieren didn’t get the hint.

  “You wouldn't be! On account of the good relationship between our sword clan leaders and the fact that you made my father happy, I would like it if you rode with me.”

  Rillian Adore’s mouth was forming a grimace, but he still glanced at Drakkel. It was as if he was waiting for him to decide.

  Drakkel was stuck for a moment. He couldn’t help but think that Firo Fieren was right. If they took this path on foot, who was to say if other Swords Clan disciples would attack them later? Yes, Rillian Adore said he could handle it, but Drakkel didn’t want to inconvenience him. There was an easier path before them so why wouldn't they take it?

  Drakkel nodded.

  Rillian Adore tsked and returned his attention to Firo Fieren.

  “Then, I’m afraid we'll have to bother you,” he said coldly.