The return of the underestimated imperial master

“It’s the demon” The male prisoners all said at once as fear enveloped them while they walked past the man who sat in a lotus position with his hands clasped together as if he was praying.

However, he wasn't. He was simply communicating with the deities just the same way the old hag, Xavier had taught him in the past three years of being in prison.

That moment, Xavier walked in with his head lowered and sat across from him.

With his hands folded, he looked at Reed Twist whose expression he could not decipher.

“How does it feel to leave the prison tomorrow?” He asked respectfully while Reed’s heart suddenly felt heavy as he clenched his fist.

All his mind screamed was revenge against what they had done to him.

The thought of the reason he was in jail came running in his mind as he stared into space, trying his best not to let his anger get the best part of him because things could go downhill.

Three years ago, he was about to get married to his fiancée, Sharon of seven years, having sold the family acres of land and had gotten himself into loads of debt since she wanted a big wedding after promising to pay for a part of what would be needed in which she did.

However, she betrayed him that day by running off with her lover who turned out to be the CEO of where he worked and even had him beaten to a pulp after Sharon made sure to forge his signature, enslaving him into loads of debts from loan sharks all indirectly led by his boss.

Just because he couldn't afford the debts, he found himself in the most dangerous prison which was said to host the most rebellious prisoners.

That didn't seem like the end as the prisoners would not stop bullying him at each passing minute just because he seemed fragile and scared.

Then, he met the old hag, Xavier whom everyone avoided because he was strange.

However, the moment Xavier met him, he almost stumbled while Reed looked at him in confusion.

“Master…” Xavier muttered. “Master?”

“Of course. It's because you haven't activated your powers yet. I've been waiting for you! You are the reason I am in jail and now, it's fulfilled” He almost screamed in excitement and brought out a dragon-like ring which almost frightened the fragile Reed because it seemed rusty, dirty and old.

“It's all yours. Master of the 365th province of the imperial world!” The man continued again and placed it on his palms before Reed could protest.

Only then did Reed feel something rise inside of him as his eyeballs changed. Powers emitted from inside of him causing him to be hot from outside.

That moment, the prisoners who had always bullied him almost pushed him but before they could touch him and he could react, their bodies collided with the wall which left them with broken bones. They looked at each other in shock and when Reed, whose powers were still being activated, turned towards them, all they could see was a powerful demon.

“He has turned to a demon!” They all screamed out as they rushed out of the tiny yard. From then, they saw him as an untouchable one because whenever they saw him, they saw fire emit from his body even though it was an illusion.

Then, the old hag used the opportunity to teach him martial arts, healing techniques, meditation and innermost whispers.

“Have this” The old hag said which jolted Reed back to reality as he looked at his teacher who handed him a black shawl and a leather backpack. It contained a black card with his name imprinted on it.

“Make sure you get to Northern Samsara by the 31st of the following month before fall.

Someone will pick you up the moment he sights the shawl on your neck. He will tell you what next to do”

The man said while Reed nodded. However, the thought of Sharon and what her lover had done still made his heart ache.

The next morning, he found himself outside the prison walls as the air slowly breathed into his lungs after the prisoners had bade him farewell while he looked at them with a cold smile that terrified them.

Now, he was free.

A cold grin crept slowly on his lips as he stared into space while the fresh air oozed across his ears causing a light sensation.

Immediately, he flagged down the first cab that passed and got in.

“Take me to Jelly street” He said coldly as he had his gaze fixed on the busy road that did not seem to change even though three years had passed.

Jelly street was where he used to live alongside his brother, Vincent who he adored. At the thought of Vincent, Reed wondered how he fared.

It's been three years and he must have gotten married with probably two children now while managing the family dry cleaning business he never engaged in because it embarrassed Sharon.

A cold breeze suddenly blew past his ears that somehow sent a cold shiver down the spine of the driver who trembled.

Icily, he muttered, “I am back”