Then, when those initial two stones were completely dried out and turned to dry grey ashes, Zareth shifted his hands effortlessly, maintaining his razor-sharp concentration deep within his inner sea. The way he perceived the Aether Stones arranged around his knees was akin to observing concentrated, glowing pockets of dense Aether Qi amidst a vast, dark sea. He simply picked up two more stones, placing them firmly in his open palms. Because the liquid sphere floating in his lower abdomen was currently only half-full, he immediately drew upon their energy, absorbing the incoming streams instantly."How on earth is this possible?!" Gao thought in absolute, thunderstruck shock as he witnessed the terrifying sight. "He just completely drained four Aether Stones in under two minutes! What kind of technique is he actually using?! What is going on here? It seems this kid really does possess deep, unbelievable secrets!"To Gao's understanding, even as a seasoned practitioner sitting firmly

After sharing the meal with Gao, Zareth didn't waste any more time. Completely hollowed out from the physical and mental strain of his month-long ordeal, he fell into a deep, uninterrupted sleep. The brute, equally exhausted, lay down on the floor nearby upon a folded pile of coarse linen, snoring heavily into the quiet night.Next Morning...Bang!! Bang!!A heavy, sudden knock echoed sharp and loud against the wooden door of Zareth’s room.Gao, who was already awake and sitting on the floor, jumped at the noise. He didn't waste a second, stepping hastily across the floorboards to slightly crack the door open. Standing in the hallway was a breathless runner sent directly from the Red Panda. The gang leader had reached the absolute limit of his patience. He demanded an immediate audience, insisting on inspecting the progress of the detailed strategic map and territory analysis Gao had claimed Zareth was working on for the past weeks. After all, Zareth was one of his most valuable as

After dozens of minutes following Zareth’s intense audience with the Red Panda and his skillful manipulation of the gang leader, he departed the private chamber with Gao.The hulking thug picked Zareth up in his arms, continuing to carry him through the streets and narrow alleys of the Eastern Region. As they moved through the district, other members of the gang scoffed and erupted into mocking laughter at the sight. Several gang members cast intense, burning glares of hatred toward Zareth, furious that an invalid was receiving all the lucrative privileges and status of a Blackhand without having done a single day of physical fighting to earn the position. Others hurled insults directly at Gao, taunting him relentlessly for sinking so low as to become a glorified babysitter and personal pack mule for a crippled boy. Zareth remained entirely indifferent to their insults, his dark eyes staring straight ahead as he tuned out the ambient noise of the street.After navigating deep into

Zareth ended up taking the blade, which was a fine, light shortsword, a weapon of vastly superior craftsmanship compared to the crude, chipped iron sword that Gao carried at his waist. Sir Ivory had absolutely insisted on it, no longer willing to allow Zareth to wander through the brutal streets without a proper weapon to defend himself should any danger arise. He had forced the boy to accept it as his official Blackhand right, and after wrapping the sheath securely, Zareth and Gao departed the forge, returning straight to the Divine Damsel Pleasure House where Zareth was currently residing.Upon returning to his quarters, Zareth immediately set his mind on resolving the lie regarding the territory map. Realizing he had no choice but to produce a finished masterwork to keep the Red Panda at bay, he sent Gao straight out to the bustling market district to procure several large, high-grade sheets of parchment, fine inks, and drafting tools.Once the supplies were laid out across his

As Zareth was busy with his training in the eastern region of Blackwater, a meeting elsewhere was taking place in the central region that night.Within the grand, imposing residence of the Town Lord of Blackwater town, a secret meeting was underway deep inside a spacious, stone-walled hall. The chamber was dimly lit, illuminated only by the flickering glow of tall candles mounted on iron sconces along the walls and the low, crackling embers of iron braziers placed at the corners. The dancing shadows cast a gloomy, ominous atmosphere across the room, where four distinct figures were present for this high-stakes gathering."Are you certain about whatever you are saying at this point, and will you truly keep your words?" a stern man spoke, addressing the others from where he stood beside the grand, velvet-lined main chair of the Town Lord.This was Raymond Bornface, the High Steward of Blackwater Town and the second-in-command to the ruler himself. He towered over the room with a cold,