Emperor's Reckoning

With his hands behind his back the old man's bare feet gradually leaving the ground without any hassle. Despite the enemies that couldn't be count by two hands and more, he was relaxed before he stood against the old patriarch whose hands were jittering. 

"S-S-Senior!"

Tusak opened his eyes wide before his old master suddenly came up to the old man and slightly bowed his head. (W-What?).

"Hmm?" the old man turned around and took a glance at the face that which he furrowed his eyebrows against. There was a certain doubt on his face before the old master immediately introduced himself.

"It's me! It's me, Han Raki!"

"Oh... OH! Little Rookie, hohoho, can't believe I would see you here!"

"It's Raki, though, but the most unbelievable thing is actually seeing you here. I thought you decide to wander off the world."

"I did! I did then I meet the young boy... hahaha, I can't believe I was actually taking my own son-in-law to his wife. I felt cheated but I don't mind, I don't mind at all."

"Then... is it really true?"

The onlookers clenched their hearts before the old man rubbed his chin, "Yeah, I hope so. I mean, hahaha! I don't even know the details of their relationship."

Yunesi's hope of prying further won't be stopped, her curiosity was above everyone else, not even Sophia could hold a candle against her. Seeing the empress and her lover flew toward the west without hindrance made her clicked her tongue. She immediately left Madoku before calling her falcon once more. Leaving the younger sister without a tinge of worry she landed her boots on top of the strong back of the falcon. In the attempt to follow the Empress, Yunesia spared no seconds before her eyes suddenly opened wide as she felt a presence right behind her.

"Keep going."

Yunesia couldn't believe someone was brazen enough to hitch ride her falcon in such a way. She didn't recall anyone that had the audacity to do such an act, not to mention her fame and status. She was still the Throne winner, sitting above all else amongst her generation. However, just from the presence alone, she knew that it won't be easy to shake it off.

"Curious, curious, I wonder why would you dare to do such a thing?"

Her jade hair was fluttering against the wind as her menacing silver pupils only looked toward the empress that held the young man she had been waiting for a long time. The falcon that they rode was trembling in fear as its bloodline was challenged by the presence of a dragon.

"Because she got my man in her arms."

Yunesia opened her eyes wide before her mouth pointed upward. Things immediately getting more and more interesting. To think that the woman behind her was actually Lyon's woman. (Ah will there be a quarrel between the two? Will there be a fight between women for one man? Oh my oh my) thought Yunesia as her falcon screeched along with the mood.

"And where do you think you are going?"

A patch of army tried to stop the pair's advance before Yunesia furrowed her eyebrows. They were not some ordinary cultivator, they were the cream of the top if they could float freely. Their cultivation level might be a lot lower than the sect leaders but the armors and weapons that they wore were of quality. Backed by the Treas family, there was no way they came out of a cheap sweatshop with no skills.

"Oh my, oh my, I don't think that would be the wise choice for you lot to do, you know. Even the Treas family wanted my service."

"That is correct," the army's captain suddenly joined in with a crossed arm and a cheeky smile. Standing in front of his men, there was nothing that could stop him from being smug. 

"Lady Yunesia, your fame has reached far and wide. Every notable kingdom, powerful family, powerful cultivator, wanted your service. However, I'm here to make sure that you are not against our objectives. Even better, if you can join our cause. There is an abundance of knowledge from mysterious artifacts that Treas possessed! You must join us, it will surely satiate your hunger for knowledge."

The gullible guard knight smiled. He knew Yunesia prefer knowledge since she already had a lot of beads. One doesn't entice a true genius with money, one must entice them with foreboding new knowledge.

"Hmm.... yes.. yes.. it is true. There are quite interesting kinds of stuff that Treas possessed. However, what makes you think that joining under your banner would be beneficial in the long run?" asked Yunesia.

"Of course it would be beneficial, Nistan will inherit the treasury and you can satisfy your curiosity to the fullest."

Yunesia smiled before asking, "What makes you think that you have the authority to let me have a share of my gain?"

The army's captain was taken back, "D-don't worry Lady Yunesia, everyone will agree once you present yourself. There is no need to doubt that the Nistan would not welcome you, let alone give you the artifacts that you desire."

"Hmm... You have your ways with words I give you that."

The army's captain smiled before his pupils suddenly shrunken in disbelief as a hand was clawing its way against his neck.

"Kh!"

The beautiful hand grabbed him by the neck to which his face couldn't help but facing the stars. His eyes glance down before he saw the menacing silver pupils along with big magnificent wings spread out from her back. Under the watchful eyes of his own army, he was choked by one hand.

There was no shred of mercy behind that menacing gaze, not even the presence of the army deterred her hands or profused her sweat. He was struggling with both of his hands grabbed her wrist, however it won't budge. Realizing the horror that he was in he couldn't blink as he muttered.

"W-Who are..."

*Crack!

The nasty crack was heard by the army who just got ready to draw their weapons. The atmosphere froze before they saw their captain's arm slowly dropped down and lose its energy, His entire body turned limp like a noodle. However, before they could utter their warcry, Lumina raised him up and punctured his heart with her other hands. It penetrated through his back under the gaping mouths of his subordinates.

The blood immediately splurted out the moment she pulled out her arm from his chest. There was indifference from her expressions. The lady was colder than ice and chilling with the wind. The army rattled their armors in fear before Lumina threw the corpse of their leader to the nearest knight.

Lumina didn't even take an account toward their face that was indulged in fear. She flapped her wings before landing behind Yunesia who was still in control of her falcon.

"Brutal, brutal, I never thought you would be that cold."

"Shut up and go, I don't have time to waste for this nonsense."

Yunesia didn't get mad but instead, she smiled (My, Lyon Torga, Young Emperor indeed. You even made a woman like this to be head over heels for you. You are walking on a thin ice young man, and would I dare to enter the group too? Hehe).

The army immediately made way for the duo without any hassle. They were stricken by the looming death. Not even a single finger was moved when they passed by them. The strength that Lumina showed further intensified the atmosphere. The balance in power was in question now. Who exactly had the upper hand?

"Fuoh! Look at that, that's why I never try anything funny."

The old man shook his head with a wry smile. Even though the enemy was right behind him. He dared to turn around without fear of a surprise attack from the eight sect leaders. 

(Do it! Do it!) the old patriarch from Loh Sect was looking at the back of the old man. The latter was in no stance of defending himself. It was an open chance, a clear chance to strike and inflicted a fatal wound.

(But why! Why none of us could even move our fingers!) thought the other seven people.

(What is it! What makes this man so strong?! What kind of cultivation level is he at?!) they didn't dare to probe but the presence alone was enough to make a rough guess. There was no way that you could have done it without much hassle.

"The Nistan is really aggressive this time huh. Are your preparations complete? To think that you would attack the world where my daughter governed. Though, I doubt that she become an empress because she likes it hahaha."

The old man laughed before he turned around.

"Heed my advice, go back to your alliance or something. Your son is dead, but the boy won't kill him without a reason. You might want to look around for information. Besides, in your eyes that I currently see, you don't value him as much."

The old man chuckle before his voice turned serious, "Trust me, you don't want a third banner to join in the fight for the inheritance."

The killing intent was a direct hit toward their unprepared souls.