The Cunning Treasure Hunter

Chapter 115 The Weight of Vengeance

The Reception Hall.

Inside the room given to Vera and Aiden, Vera sat alone.

Aiden, Edwin, Crescent, and Galen had all gone to meet with the people of Celestial Sword Sect.

Vera had quietly excused herself.

She had said she would stay in the room, and Aiden had permitted it.

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Sitting cross-legged on the floor, Vera found herself overwhelmed by her thoughts.

Dark Emperor, the internal strife of the Everstone Clan, the conflict with the Celestial Sword Sect...@@@@

Death.

And death.

And more death.

"...Haa."

To be honest, it was exhausting.

When she resolved to seek revenge, she had known that it would be burdensome. She had braced herself for it.

But even knowing it in advance...

It was hard.

It was like bracing yourself for the pain of heated iron searing your skin. That foreknowledge didn't mean you could suppress the scream.

It was the same now.

She was tired, utterly drained.

"I haven't practiced energy Circulation for quite some time now."

She forced her exhausted body to rise and began clearing her mind.

Drawing energy from her core, she circulated it evenly through her meridians, letting her thoughts sink deep into her inner consciousness.

It was always the same.

A surface she could touch with her hands and feet, like water.

And the Black dragon, gazing down at her.

Vera glanced at the place where the enormous black snake had once been.

Nothing was there.

As if it had never existed.

"...Come here."

She beckoned to the Black dragon, and it lowered its head into her embrace, nudging her with childlike persistence.

It rubbed its face against hers, poked her with its horns, and demanded attention.

"Alright, alright. I'll pet you as much as you like..."

Back then, she had felt both gratitude and guilt.

Its weakness was her weakness.

She had realized that when she faced a vast, shadowy force she couldn't comprehend.

When the snake had struck the Black dragon down in one overwhelming blow.

It was then she understood how powerless she truly was.

"Rrrr..."

Their thoughts intertwined.

Sharing a mind was like that.

Vera hugged the Black dragon tighter.

Its tough, resilient skin.

The rhythmic pulse of muscle and bone beneath it.

The warmth that radiated through her whole body.

And the profound kindness she felt deep in its heart.

Why was the Black dragon, a divine beast born of the Soul Harmony Realm, given such a distinct personality?

If it had merely been a tool of strength, it might have been closer to the true essence of martial arts.

But for someone like Vera, that wouldn't have sufficed.

She needed someone who could provide her with warmth at any time.

Someone who would stay by her side, no matter how often.

Someone who would embrace her as many times as she needed.

A person might be imperfect and unpredictable, but...

A divine beast with a shared mind allowed her to form a bond without hesitation.

Even if she had lost her parents at a young age, left hollow and sorrowful.

Both Master of the Void Fist Clear Peace and Celestial Sword Sect Fist Disciple Dominic turned their attention to him, as did Edwin, Crescent, and Galen.

"...is not ours to decide."

Aiden stood up as well, though his movements were far more measured than Aria's.

The chair slid back quietly as he rose and clasped his hands in a martial salute to the room.

"I am aware that there are wise and brilliant elders present here, but..."

Aria could not guess what he intended to say.

If they didn't make the decision, who would? Surely not someone who wasn't even present.

'Ah.'

She realized the answer at that moment.

Aiden glanced briefly at her, silently confirming her realization. Then he spoke aloud what she had just understood.

"This is Vera's decision to make."

Whether she would allow herself to be used as bait.

Whether she would risk her life.

If outsiders made this decision for her, it would be nothing more than arrogant benevolence.

It was her life, her choice, her decision.

Moreover, she was now recognized by Aria, the leader of Reverse Heaven Unity, as one of their martial artists.

Not only that—she was a peak master, having reached the threshold of peak mastery.

"Your disciple has already surpassed the initial stage of peak mastery?"

The question came from the Void Fist Clear Peace.

Aiden responded respectfully.

"Yes, Elder. That is correct."

"And she is fourteen years old?"

"That is correct."

"Has she ever taken a life?"

It was an unusual question for a Daoist master, his lips curling into a faint smirk.

But it was a crucial point.

To offer one's life without ever having taken another's—such a choice could be seen as external coercion.

But for someone who had already killed, it was different.

For someone who had taken lives, such a decision carried the weight of a true martial artist.

"She has taken three lives."

"That is sufficient. I am in favor."

"And you, Dominic?"

The burly man known as Celestial Sword Sect Fist Disciple nodded.

"Three is more than enough, Master."

Aria watched this exchange in stunned silence.

What did it matter that she was only fourteen?

She had already been chosen as the blade to slay the Sword Master, and that choice had been made by none other than Aria herself.

She had already killed three people and walked the path of a martial artist.

Now, Vera was beginning to claim the responsibilities and rights that came with her actions—age be damned.

"What does the leader of the Everstone Clan think?"

"My opinion aligns with that of Elder of the Void Fist. One who wields a blade, who has taken lives, and who has reached such a level of mastery is no ordinary individual."

Aria slumped into her seat, her hands pressing against her temples.

Aiden also sat down slowly, the discussion at an end.

Now, it was time to bring Vera into the conversation.

Edwin raised a hand, calling to his sons.

"Crescent, Galen."

"Yes, Father."

"Speak, Father."

"Bring Vera here."

The two brothers stood, offering a martial salute before leaving the room and closing the door behind them.

At the table, Aria pressed her temples harder.

"...She will say yes, Aiden."

"I know."

"And yet, you're still going through with this?"

"There is a vast difference between being commanded and choosing for oneself. Surely you understand that?"