“Quite a sight, isn’t it?” Alex said to a heaving Tong gazing at Alex in speechless horror as the wild mile-high winds whipped both their hair and ruffled their clothes. By some miracle, Fong hadn’t attacked him in his moment of weakness, though Alex suspected that the man’s broken wrists had something to do with his good behavior.

“I always loved the sea.”

“You killed them!” The Tong sobbed. “All those hundreds of men, clawing at the walls, desperate to survive… and you drowned them. You drowned everyone!”

“Pretty much,” Alex agreed. “Although I honestly don’t know if I drowned anyone.” He flashed a wicked smile. “Falling from a mile height, hitting that water should be like hitting concrete. I’d be surprised if even Silvers could survive that unscathed. But considering that they’d still be a thousand miles from shore according to my interface, I guess they will have drowned if not simply perished on impact. But either way, dead is dead. So it’s kind of a moot point, don’t you think?”

Tong just gazed at him in speechless horror.

Alex gave the man his most winning smile. As if he wasn’t about to kill him. “Say, I don’t suppose you know where any of my friends are? Liu Li, though you might know her as Cui Li, or Cheng Lei, otherwise known as The Blue Prince, or Xian Hong, Dongfang Hong’s sister, and the true heir of YanTu nation? Any idea where any of them might be?” Alex patted the trembling man’s shoulder. “You’ll earn yourself a fat purse full of spirit pearls and a second chance to start over, if you happen to know and care to share, and that’s a promise.” Alex winked and revealed just such a bag of spirit pearls now in the palm of his hand. “Even one of their locations is good enough for me.”

The squad commander sobbed and shook his head. “No, I don’t. Forgive me, dread lord, but I’m far too low in the chain of command to know anything about that.”

“Alright, fair enough. Maybe you know someone who does know?”

The man flinched and trembled. “Only the Red Prince himself. But please don’t—”

Whatever else he was going to say was lost in a desperate shriek as Alex tossed him like yesterday’s garbage out the massive gate that had already claimed hundreds of his fellows, a gate he kept well away from himself while remaining firmly braced against the corridor, before sealing shut the portal once Fong’s desperate shrieks became one with the howling wind. Alex then released his too tight grip against the stone corridor wall and turned around to stare thoughtfully at the door that held so many dark secrets he was determined to face.

Perhaps it was monstrous, what he had done. Or cowardice, gating hundreds of foes to fall thousands of miles away, so he didn’t have to witness all of their deaths. Or the wisest move he could have possibly made, without simply releasing his hold on the portals and desperately lashing out at Captain Tong in a panicked attempt to force the powerful Silver to break off his mental assault. Which was exactly what the man had wanted, and who knew what other tricks that clever bastard had had up his sleeve? The hell with Alex playing his enemy’s game. An enemy who probably had decades of experience dispatching countless opponents racing into his arms in a panicked bid to do exactly what Alex had been so desperate to do, the clever monster only daring to show the true extent of his power with his final command to Alex, when he was truly desperate.

No doubt Captain Tong was only tolerated by the powerful because he was careful, and showed only the faintest whisper of his gift to his superiors, allowing his masters the conceit that they were strong enough to resist his abilities effortlessly, and it was only the unworthy, the weak, the despised, that Tong could bend to his will. Because sure as hell, that’s what Alex would have done in Tong’s shoes, if he had ever dared to reveal such a gift at all.

Alex had been a fool not to have taken the man seriously upon feeling the first whispers of Tong’s psyche attempting to influence his own. He shuddered in memory of that awful pressure before glaring at his own clenched fists that he refused to let tremble even a second longer.

What mattered, all that mattered, was that those five hundred battle-forged Silvers were no longer a threat that could send Baidushi crashing to its knees the minute Dongfang Hong stopped playing nice and showed 10 million citizens just how monstrously vindictive he truly was. And if Alex had held even a shred of hope that the Red Prince might have the slightest redeeming trait, that maybe Alex had just been in the wrong place at the wrong time when crossing the man, the horrific acts of torture suffered by Crown Princess Cui Zhe and her own children, acts of sadism and brutality the five hundred monsters down here had been damned well aware of, made it clear that Dongfang Hong and his lackeys were beyond forgiveness.

Hell, Tong himself had admitted to trying to crush Cui Zhe’s mind. And considering how badly Alex had struggled… just how strong did that make a Gold Tier Wujen? Alex shook his head, humbled by just how small and fragile a piece on the board of fate he was even now, realizing he still had so much farther to go before he could ever feel truly safe.

So Alex refused to feel even a lick of guilt about slaughtering the absolute cream of YanTu nation’s Silver Tier cultivation crop. Because if they were willing to torture to death innocent children in front of their own mother, they would stop at nothing to make Baidushian lives a nightmare of horror and suffering. Because this was conquest in its ugliest, most brutal form. And if it was within Alex’s power to do anything that would save Baidushi from the depredations of the Red Prince, then it was a price he was more than willing to pay. Even if it meant getting his hands absolutely dripping wet with his enemy’s blood.

Before washing it all away with the waters of the deepest lakes and the wildest seas.

Alex took a deep, shuddering breath before forcing himself to take a second look at the room where so much torment and cruelty had been inflicted. This time he didn’t let his eyes flinch past the visceral horror of blood-covered tables and cruel looking instruments of bronze and steel that filled him with disgust, now forcing himself to carefully examine the various corners of this chamber of horrors.

He found no clues that might lead him to his missing friends, but he was almost dismayed by how easily he found a second entrance, and hardly hidden at all.

He had just been so caught up in securing the room, forcing his enemies out and doing it all without triggering retributive wards that would have obliterated his friends if not himself that he had hardly been paying attention to any back entrances at all.

Which was pretty damn stupid, considering that anyone could have snuck up on him and killed him at any time. Even if he had been smart enough to close the door behind him before confronting Dongfang Hong’s elite troops.

Just in case.

Qi Perception check made.

His lips curled into a grin as he spun around, left arm covered in shimmering Water Qi, Right hand about to strike with such force and fury that even a Gold would feel his blow… before stopping cold at the sight of a young kitsune girl with a dagger in her hand and an iron collar around her neck, her gaze caught between horror, fury, and desperate hope.

And before Alex could do or say anything, she crashed to her knees and began to sob.

His eyes widened when he sensed her sudden horrific pain.

Qi Perception check made!

Before isensing the source, an instant before it could kill her.

Dark Qi successfully saturates Slave Collar!

You have successfully neutralized Slave Collar!

The girl stumbled back with a cry when Alex tore off her slave collar...before wincing when his quick rip took off skin as well as steel, wincing at the sight of inflamed flesh that had grown around the too tight instrument of iron and pain.

Her eyes widened in awed disbelief. “You freed me,” she said, her voice little more than a husky whisper.

Alex gazed into her soft violet orbs and nodded.

“You are. And if you like, I can show you the entrance to a magical fairy tale palace where you can live free of pain or abuse, have access to all the delicious food you like, a safe place to rest your head every night, and friends who understand what you’ve been through.”

The girl blanched, her gaze caught between hope and despair. “So you’re Death, come to take me back to grandmother’s garden.”

Alex blinked, thrown off by the words, but he could figure it out well enough. He smirked. “Not exactly.”

He closed his eyes, summoning a golden gate on the other side of the chamber, careful as always to make damn sure he was in no risk of touching it.

The girl’s eyes lit with impossible hope.

“What’s your name, child?”

“Eva.”

Alex smiled, before speaking aloud. “Seneschal, can you summon Xun Hu to the gate?”

“At once, my lord.”

Eva flinched at the melodious notes of the voice that seemed to fill the entire chamber. Alex smirked. Clearly his seneschal wasn’t holding back, now that he was speaking aloud. He then swallowed. “I have sort of a problem. I don’t suppose the council would mind meeting me here?”

“I will do my best to make that a reality, my lord.”

Alex smiled, got on his knees and passed the too thin Ava a water flask and a bright red apple he had last picked ages ago, still filled with luscious spiritual energy.

The girl’s eyes widened, not hesitating to devour the apple with pleased moans before drinking the entire flask with a smile.

She flashed Alex a grateful smile through her bruises. He winced at the sight of broken teeth.

“Thank you, hero. I was sort of hungry.”

“Then you should swear the oath and step through the gate. Then you can eat all the food you like!”

Eva’s eyes widened when Xun Hu slipped free of shadows to give Alex an unexpected hug. “Thank you for saving another one of my sisters, hero.”

Eva paled, before falling into a kowtow, only to earn a hard look from Xun Hu.

“No. None of that. The past is dead.” She flashed a bemused smile, thankfully restored in the time she had called the palace her own. “Besides, someone higher up the ladder has arrived, so I guess we now both defer to her.”

Alex smirked. “Jidihu? She a guest, and a friend. And all my friends are equal.”

Xun Hu chuckled, her eyes twinkling. “Say that to your wives.”

Alex flushed at the curious look this earned from Eva, though her ears and tail both perked with attention when Xun Hu glanced back her way.

“Did you pluck off the infernal bindings yet?”

The girl nodded. “The moment your Ruidian tore off my collar, the bindings went with it. I linked them together long ago, but despaired of ever getting that damned thing off my neck.”

She turned to kowtow before Alex. “Thank you again for my life… hero.”

Xun Hu claimed her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. “Good, now swear you won’t be stealing or killing or poisoning anyone, and no fighting, save in agreed upon sparring matches if you feel like living the cultivator lifestyle. And no telling secrets, either.” She winked. “Basically, it’s just like home.”

Eva rapidly nodded her head. “I agree.” She gazed curiously at Alex. “Is he yours?”

Xun Hu smiled and shook her head. “No. He follows an odd path. Has to be chaste for some reason. Besides, another fox has her eyes on him. So once his crooked path straightens…” she shrugged. “Yinzi’s the sharing type, so time will tell.”

She chuckled throatily at Alex’s blush. “He’s also fun to tease.”

Eva nodded, immediately understanding. “He blushes, he doesn’t strike or rage. So you know he’s safe.”

Xun Hu nodded. “I’d bet my life on it. Come to think of it, I already have.” She grinned when she turned back to the door. “And I think two more of our counselors are about to arrive.” She tilted her head curiously. “Just how safe is it down here, Alex?”

Alex shrugged. “Five hundred Silvers just got washed out to see, and Dongfang Hong might get a clue and raise an alarm any second now.”

Xun Hu’s eyes widened. “And you think that’s safe?”

Alex smirked. “Not safe at all, actually. That’s why I’m breaking my own rule and opening a portal a bit closer to me than I should to make sure Eva has a safe place to be.”

His friend frowned. “Is that why your hand is gripping that slab of stone so hard it’s crumbling under your grip?”

Alex smirked. “You’ll find handholds like that all over the corridor. Just in case any odd currents of air try to sweep me through portals I have no business crossing till I hit Gold.”

Xun Hu’s eyes bulged. “Have you really grown so strong as to effortlessly crush stone since Duo Ku came so close to killing you?”

Alex’s smile grew, no longer hiding his potency.

Eva cried out and stumbled back. Xun Hu blanched.

“You absolute monster! How did you hit Gold so quickly?”

Alex grinned. “Remember that hammer wielding bastard...”

“Whose heart you ripped out and devoured? Damn right I do. Blood of dragons pounding through your veins, right?”

Alex nodded. “As a Bronze, it tipped my build to Silver Strength. Now as a Rank 5 Silver...”

Xun Hu chuckled softly. “Gold tier Strength. Pure madness. WiFu must be proud.”

Alex winked. Eva’s eyes grew as wide as saucers. “Wait, why do I feel like I’m in the middle of a fairy… wait. No. It can’t be. Your hair and eyes are Silver! Not the blue of the ocean and the spun gold of mischief!”

“I know, right? I’m totally breaking with tradition. Anyway, Dongfang Hong is now short all his Silver tier crack troops, and it couldn’t have happened to a nicer asshole.” Alex’s gaze turned sympathetic. “If any of them hurt you, Eva, I hope you can rest a little easier knowing they’ll never be bothering you, or anyone else, ever again.”

Eva paled and lowered her head. “All of Sudong’s servants...” she blanched and shook her head. “It was bad.”

“Oh, Sudong Li’s wujen lackeys?” Alex flashed a fierce smile. “Well I’m sure they’re all feeling right damned sorry about it now, those who haven’t yet drowned to death in the Sea of Ghosts, along with 500 of their closest friends.”

This earned a smirk. “That’s over a thousand miles away.”

“I know.”

Xun Hu blanched. “Wait, the asshole who claimed this chamber that smells of blood and death is also a member of the Sudong clan?”

Alex grinned. “I now, right? Small fucking world. Turns out it’s the former headmaster’s twin brother and they’ve been working for who knows how long to bring the Cui clan, the true rulers of CuiJing Province, to their knees. Hateful spiteful fucks, the Sudong clan, as you and I already know.” He waved his hand, as if to dispel the very memory of their foul existance. “Anyway, enough about that! Take a good look at Xun Hu’s pad, Eva. If you like what you see? Step on through and enjoy.”

Eva gasped. Her tail stiffening with surprise as she truly took in the sight before her. “Your apartment is a miniature palace in its own right! Those doors are covered in gold! And the chambers beyond… there’s a table full of food! All the food I can imagine!” The girl’s eyes were wide with disbelief. “We’re really allowed to live there?”

Xun Hu grinned Alex’s way. “You know some of his stories actually have happy endings, right? Well, it looks like this might be one of them.”

Eva’s eyes filled with tears. Despite her tremble she darted over to give Alex a fierce hug. “From the bottom of my heart, thank you, hero!” Before darting through the shimmering golden gate with Xun Hu by her side, both waving excitedly his way as he swallowed the lump in his throat and closed the portal, returning all his focus to getting getting back to the performance as quickly as possible, before countless alarm bells were rung, assuming they hadn’t been already.

But first, to check on his still-linked disciples, beyond grateful that the party function of his interface actually allowed him to do so.

“Hao Chan?”

“All is well here, my love… oh wait, someone just stepped from the shadows to speak to our host… and I’m getting shivers by the way they’re now looking at us.”

Alex’s heart sped up. “I’m coming, Chan. Keep acting cool and unconcerned! If anyone so much as steps toward you, you two run for the moat! I can meet with Panheu if the bridge is blocked.” Even as he said the words, he darted for the only exit available to him if he didn’t want to alarm all of Dongfang Hong’s lackeys anymore than he already had, darting for Sudong Li’s personal exit, though not without keeping a careful eye out for any possible traps.

Qi Perception check successful!

Fortunately, the discrete doorway used by the young kitsune Eva appeared completely unwarded, which made sense, as there had to be a way for servants to cross over, unless their collars also served as a key of sorts.

It was that thought that froze Alex’s hand before the innocuous seeming door.

A door belonging to a Gold just as paranoid and malicious as the headmaster whose core he had claimed.

“Shit.”