Chapter 564 - This Old Man Was Once Called Demon Mountain

The founding of the Golem Sect alliance was a complete success. It was so smooth it felt like sailing with the current.

Cassius's strength, second only to a Holy Fist, combined with the sect's club-like structure and its library of nearly a hundred Covert Martial Arts, created an irresistible lure. When those three factors were put together, the resistance they met was negligible. The trove of almost one hundred Secret Techniques was particularly attractive for many sects.

Minor sects, obscure sects, even one-member sects all found themselves yearning to join such an organization. Given the momentum, other medium and large sects were unlikely to remain aloof and would be swept along.

In short, the council held at Kafka Hall was concluded to everyone's satisfaction. The Secret Techniques retrieved from the Eternal Archipelago's ruins were fairly allocated over the next few days. Overall, each party took what it needed, with more effort earning a larger share.

Though a few frictions arose, mediation quickly resolved them. One by one, the heads and elders left with the arts they desired and hearts content. For example, Elder Qiao, the white-haired patriarch of the third-rate Arm-Blade Sect had thrown his full support behind Cassius when the latter had convened the sects after the exchange tournament.

He had answered every call, believing he had seized a pivotal chance. The Arm-Blade Covert Martial Art was potent, yet its peak was brief. After a while, a flaw caused a steep decline in the user's condition. Its side effect was severe skeletal fragility.

Moreover, at the tournament, Qiao's grandson had dazzled the ring, displaying fine talent. Thus, the elder nursed a fervent wish to replace their Covert Martial Art. After half a month of staunch support and another half month of peril on the island, his perseverance had finally borne fruit.

A day earlier, he had obtained exactly what he wanted. He secured a solid second-rate ancient Covert Martial Art plus two unique Secret Techniques. The new art surpassed the original Arm-Blade in every aspect. It trained faster, was easier to learn, capped higher, and hit harder than the old style. Most importantly, it had no crippling side effects.

Future disciples would no longer fear the post-peak plunge into weakness and pain. The same applied to Qiao's grandson. Still young and unshaped, the boy could readily retrain. With his fine gifts, once he mastered the new path, he would surpass even Qiao and lead Arm-Blade Sect to new heights.

Or so the elder had thought weeks ago. But after the talks at Kafka Hall, his mind stirred anew. The Golem Sect was not a traditional sect but a loose organization. If Qiao joined, he would remain sect master of Arm-Blade Sect while also bearing the title of Golem Sect member. The two roles did not clash. Such a model had never existed before. No one knew whether its future would prove good or ill.

However, one thing was clear: members could consult nearly a hundred Secret Techniques inside the sect. Cassius had retained the richest slice of the armory's spoils. There were sure to be true masterpieces amid so many inheritances. Reading them all would not merely add to knowledge, it would solidify one's foundation.

Training would soar; bottlenecks would shatter; and one could dismantle any trick in combat by plucking strange moves at will. In short, it promised a practitioner all-round advancement. Its benefits could bless one's entire martial life.

With that thought, Qiao made another decision. He intended to have his grandson enter the Golem Sect and study there first. If the boy drew attention and grooming, he might soar. He could soon shine in the world and fulfill his potential.

If not, he could still learn free arts. He would broaden his view and accurately gauge the gap between him and those he wanted to surpass. Meanwhile, the second-rate ancient Covert Martial Art would shore up his foundations and ensure he outshone his elders. Elder Qiao had planned a fine gambit.

Many minor sects thought likewise and were already itching to act. Once the council adjourned, they hurried toward the Golem Sect headquarters. Clearly they wished to advance beyond mere cooperation to prove their sincerity.

***

Five days passed while Cassius and the Treatment Ward members rested in East Sea City. The visits from many sects had delayed them considerably. It was now September and summer’s scorch ebbed through the air.

On September 2, a convoy rolled down the avenue past East Sea City's north gate heading for the empire's north.

Cassius and the Treatment Ward were heading out together. Some ward members had stayed behind to hold the sect's frame and liaise with the Covert Martial Arts community.

The convoy also carried elders of several great sects, who intended to introduce themselves to the Dark Hunter Organization through Cassius's aid. At minimum, they would establish some form of contact.

After several time-travels, Cassius vaguely understood that he himself was the era's greatest variable. An unseen force had kept the Covert Martial Arts realm and other supernatural powers apart. It also likely sealed Xiadu.

Cassius alone was unaffected and could serve as a bridge between them. According to the legendary antique's first owner, the Hongli Empire would face a cataclysm in just over two years and be destroyed. He would not sit back and watch that happen.

𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

Cassius meant to unite Black Rain Manor, the Covert Martial Arts Realm, and the Dark Hunter Organization. Then he would see just how "cataclysmic" that disaster really was. Time-traveling was a cycle of trials and experiments to glean secrets. Only by learning what truly transpired in history could he end it all in the real world.

"Steering the tide and saving the day—this too is a way to temper one's Qi..." Inside the carriage, Cassius's thoughts were clearer than ever.

They reached Florence on September 7. The party entered the city and moved toward the Treatment Ward’s base in District Seven.

By midday, news of Cassius, the Treatment Ward Director and Number Two Shadow Hunter, returning spread through Florence. Many hunters at headquarters caught the rumor.

At two o'clock, the sky was bright and blue with soft clouds. Though sunny, it was a mild twenty degrees. Autumn had come early and the northern chill was evident. The sun warmed rather than scorched.

Florence's streets were broad and orderly with symmetrical houses. Roof tiles flashed brightly in the sunlight, dazzling passers-by. Autumn blooms blossomed in second-story planters in clusters of yellow and crimson, leaving a lingering delicate scent in the air.

In District Seven, five figures passed a circular garden with a white-stone fountain and entered a quiet street. They reached the Dark Hunter Organization's gate and strode straight in without pausing.

A guard hurried up to them. The tall leader flicked out a gleaming metal badge engraved with a "2".

Number Two Shadow Hunter!

The guard saluted and returned the badge. "Sir, please proceed."

Cassius led his four companions inside. Their destination was the Chief Mechanist's office, so they had to cross the plaza and mission hall. Hunters of the association inevitably recognized Cassius but none dared greet him; they watched from afar and whispered.

As Number Two Shadow Hunter and Treatment Ward Director, Cassius was now a top figure inside the organization. He stood only a step below the very highest brass.

At the hall entrance, Lion-King Soss stepped out and drew a deep breath. His past month had been dreadful and disappointing.

First, he and Cassius had attended Duke Augustus's banquet, where an upstart noble mocked him. There, Princess Angela, who had previously been flirting with him, turned and flattered Cassius. Soss felt as though cuckold horns had sprouted on his head. They were bright green and very festive.

Rumors had continued to spread over the next month. Word had gone around in noble circles that the royal family had dropped the Lion King, that his potential had waned, and he had offended the Treatment Ward Director.

All sorts of wild tales flew and could not be stopped. Some even claimed the director would lock Soss in the Savage Beast Den to try out the new torture methods of the Ghetto Four. They promised Soss an "unimaginable surprise—

fufu!

"

Some of these stories were true, but others were blatantly false. At the very least, the royal family had indeed stopped investing in him and now pushed him to take more Dark Gold hunter missions, as though to recoup costs.

Soss had accepted ten such quests in a single month. He hadn't wanted to, but could not refuse. Their grip on him ran too deep. He had just accepted another job and was planning on half a day's rest at headquarters. After that, he would head out.

But as luck would have it, the moment he left the hall, he ran into Cassius's party striding toward the tower. Soss froze, shuddered, and felt an inexplicable fear rise within. His eyes darted away; he dared not meet Cassius's gaze. He behaved like a man with post-war trauma.

He was triggered by Cassius. He dreaded Cassius might take an interest and toy with him. Once a mighty lion, he was fast becoming a kitten. Soss both hated and feared Cassius. He feared their past enmity, his failed assassination, and the Treatment Ward's new interrogation squad, the Ghetto Four.

Though loath to admit it, Cassius now soared beyond him. One was in the heavens, the other in the dirt. Thus, Soss quaked where he stood. Only when Cassius ignored him and passed did he unfreeze. He gulped down air and hurried away.

Victory crowned and defeat condemned—one second in the clouds, the next in a pit. Burdened with tangled feelings, Soss left headquarters.

The scene replayed in his head while he wondered. Who were those four elders behind Cassius? They did not look easy...

Five minutes later, Number One Shadow Hunter, "Colossus" Kaiser, thought the same.

A minute earlier, Cassius had gone up to confer with the Chief Mechanist while the four elders waited outside. They bore no hunter insignia, after all. It was better to greet the Chief Mechanist first before bringing them in.

Yet something unexpected occurred in that brief interval. Word of Cassius's return had spread. The Chief Mechanist then called the Shadow Hunters back for discussions. Hunters across and beyond Florence all made their way home.

Kaiser was among them. He hurried to headquarters and reached the tower gate. There, he met four elders whose restrained aura still hinted at explosive strength.

Closer inspection showed they wore no insignia. They were neither hunters nor members of the royal family or council. Yet they stood in the organization's core, the tower itself where no outsiders were permitted.

Kaiser tensed, his powerful aura flaring and causing his black cloak to whip around. His steps grew heavy as he advanced on the elders, voice booming like a great bell. "Who are you? State your names!"

The words echoed like a cathedral bell.

"

Heheh

, young man. Size and muscle aren't everything. You look huge, yet in truth you're thinner than this dried-up old fellow..." The smallest elder with snow-white hair shook his head.

He sensed Kaiser's mounting hostility. Thus his tone, though not confrontational, held little kindness. It even carried a hidden barb.

"

Oh?

Weak? You call me weak!?

Hahaha!

"

Colossus Kaiser laughed, fury kindling in his eyes. The elder's offhanded words had touched an old sore.

"Since you say I'm weaker than you, let me see whether you, you scrawny rack of bones, can take a single punch!" Kaiser strode forward, his body swelling. In a blink, he loomed over three meters tall.

"

Heheh

, I'm no scrawny rack. My sect's Covert Martial Arts simply binds and compresses my muscles... If you wish to fight, then behold what a true mountain of muscle looks like!" The white-haired elder trembled with barely checked excitement.

Back in the Covert Martial Arts community, they had called him Demon Mountain.

A mountain of muscle!!!