Reaper of the Martial World

Book 8: Chapter 24: EQ (3)

There were many intelligent individuals in the world. In fact, there were likely a good handful of individuals who could match Dyon in this regard. However, Dyon had something almost none of them had: emotional intelligence.

The mistake intelligent people often made was breaking down things in a matter of fact and falsehood. However, the human world wasn’t so black and white, it was filled with innumerous shades of grey.

Madeleine was a smart individual. In fact, she didn’t lose to Aritzia by much at all. This was simply something those with high grade Sapientia genes had. And though Dyon didn’t know exactly where Madeleine’s parents were now or where they came from, he knew that they were some of the best talents the Sapientia had to offer!

Yet, despite being so intelligent, Madeleine never doubted Yandevere even once. In fact, she was so certain in herself that she clashed with her own husband about it. Madeleine rarely disagreed with Dyon about anything, yet that one time, she had.

Was Madeleine stupid? Of course not. She was just as intelligent as Dyon was. However, she lacked an understanding of humans.

The reason behind Dyon’s ability to read the situation so well, why he could weasel his way out of seemingly impossible situations, wasn’t just because he was smart, it was because he understood people, types of people, and how those different individuals acted in different situations. For this, Dyon had no one else to thank but his mother.

Dyon’s father had always been a stoic and silent man, but he was highly intelligent. Still, he lacked in emotional intelligence, something Dyon’s mother seemed to have an endless amount of. Dyon’s mother was the Head of the Logistics&Intelligence division of the American government. It was her job to coordinate not just information, but people as well. She always taught Dyon the importance of understanding the person before formulating a plan around them.

[Author’s Note: This portion of Dyon’s mom’s past was touched upon long ago in a chapter titled ‘Frontier’.]

When Dyon fought Head Void, he knew he was a vein individual who let his anger get the better of him. As such, he understood that Head Void would go after his family members after Dyon “died”. So, he was already prepared for what would happen as soon as Clara approached.

When Dyon fought Loki he knew he was trickster, and as such was moved by his fake outcries of pain and remorse.

When Dyon fought the Daiyu Ancestor, when it looked like he would die without a corpse, it was his understanding of the fact this Ancestor wanted the Daiyu to rise that got him out of his situation.

Time and time again, Dyon relied on his understanding of people to succeed. This was the part of his intelligence that set him aside from others. It was a talent far more subtle that True Empathy, but it existed nonetheless.

So, when Dyon saw Aritzia, he didn’t come in with a ready-made plan. He was already prepared to adjust on the fly as he saw fit. This was the absolute confidence Dyon had in himself, this was what it meant for him to dance upon death’s blade.

If he made a single mistake, no matter how minor, Aritzia would grasp it and expose him. If this happened, what remained of Dyon’s fledgling empire would come crashing down before it had even begun.

These matters were what would decide everything. Would Dyon succeed? Or fail miserably?

So right here and now, while Aritzia chin was being lightly lifted by Dyon’s hand, the scales of fate were teetering, preparing to pass judgement.

**

While Dyon’s clone was playing a game of life and death, Dyon himself stood upon Linlin’s beautiful black shell. His figure was clearly battered and beaten, but he still stood tall with a long black bow in his left hand.

The Presence of four menacing beasts, each over two hundred meters in length, was truly a sight to behold. It was too bad for the armies that marched below they were here to reap their lives.

True God Anak, Falkor and Titus all looked up to see Dyon. While Anak and Falkor had ugly expressions, Titus seemed to be calm. In truth, Anak and Falkor wanted to retreat, but they couldn’t take the hit to their prestige. They had so boldly marched upon Low Gold City, how could they return with nothing in hand?

What happened to the Star Force and Heavenly Sword Guild? Weren’t they meant to be pressuring Dyon, how was he here and seemingly fine then?

“I didn’t ban any of your Clans, but it seemed you were all sad at being left out.” Dyon spoke coldly. “That’s fine then. From now until 60 years from now, the Hydra, Emperor Giant and Tatsuya Clans are all banned.”

“You …” True God Anak snarled. This True God Sacharro was actually so vicious, directly doubling the time for them.

It was even worse for the True Gods here, though. Unlike Dyon who might look down on the lower tier danger zones, they were still incredibly useful for them. After all, they were mere lower celestials as well.

60 years in the life of a genius was too long! Dyon might as well be saying that he planned to cripple the three of them!

Suddenly, True God Tatsuya chuckled. “Your personality hasn’t changed one bit Dyon but… I wonder. Has your loving wife contacted you yet?”

The temperature plummeted. Considering the scorching heat of the desert danger zone they stood in, such a matter was inconceivable.

“I couldn’t help but notice that you like to fight alone a lot.” Titus said lightly. “That’s a shame… But unlike you, our Clans have individuals on every tier. It should be the case that in no more than a few hours, the Flaming Lily Sect won’t have any more territory to speak of. I’d say that if you rush to the middle tier, you might get there in time to save them. You should probably hurry along, no?”

Anak and Falkor looked at each other stunned. They knew quite well what Dyon going to the middle tier would mean. Afterward, the rewards he earned on the lower tier would become null, becoming useless. Then, Low Gold City could easily be claimed after the protection was gone!

The two True Gods smiled, a hint of relief playing their features.

Dyon suddenly began to laugh, a laugh that seemed to originate from the depths of hell.

“Using my wife to threaten me leaves you only one path. Since you’ve chosen death, let me send you on your way.”