It seems some of you guys feel resentful. Yet some of your guys feel confused. If you have any issues, let me know so I can fix anything!
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While He Zhi was preparing, Richard Marshall was on his way to his father.
“Dad! I need to speak to you!”
“Ahh, Young Master! The Master is currently meeting with someone!”
“Get out of my way, Marcus! I need to see Father! He needs to know what happened so he can help me find the person who killed He Zhi’s family!”
"You may enter."
An elderly voice called from the other side of the massive double doors that had the image of a lion set in gold plastered onto it. The scene depicted the lion striking a large snake.
Richard walked into the luxurious hall but completely ignored the tapestries and murals along the wall, heading straight to the two thrones at the far end. Upon these two seats, an elderly man and woman sat.
Master and Duke of the Savage Moon City, Herald Marshall was an old man of nearly fifty years. He married only twice, four kids per wife. Herald had shockingly blond hair that was evident in all but two of his children, both his first born son and his fifth born child. These two both had the hair colors of their respective mothers.
Tracing his reign over the city back to when he first appeared, striking fear into all of the people’s hearts with his powerful Nemean Night Cat bloodline. All who saw him would bow, just so they could keep breathing.
The Nemean Night Cat was a subspecies of the Midnight Leopard that crossed with a New Moon Lion. He had a dangerous aura and could easily squash any person below the 7th Level.
That’s right, Herald Marshall is a Sage.
Not only does he control a large area, containing several cities and land, he even has the ability to intimidate a 3rd Rank Sect.
“Dad! I need to find out who killed my friend’s family!”
“Young Master, I don’t think he counts as a friend…”
“Hush, Marcus! Dad! Are you listening?!”
“Yes. I can hear you just fine, you brat.”
The green haired woman sitting next to him slowly stroked his arm, trying to comfort him.
“Now darling, don’t take it out on poor Richard.”
“I’m sorry. So you want to find out who attacked your little frog buddies who helped you win the Tournament?”
“Huh? Uh…yes.”
“What, didn’t think I would know? I do ask Marcus and his colleagues to report to me on anything that might be important. For example, learning a new way to use magic, perhaps?”
“Marcus!”
“My apologies, Young Master, but I had to.”
“So…show me. Show me your new power.”
“Will you help me?”
“Hahaha, good! Always try and get something out of it! Maybe.”
“Hmph.”
Clearly a little unhappy with the answer, Richard just created a small flicker of flame and then put it out.
“What was that?! Come on, more! That was amazing! You didn’t even need an incantation!”
“Honey, calm down. He did as you asked. Now you have to give something in return, remember?”
“Ahem, my bad. Okay, I’ll look into who did it.”
“Harry,” the woman warned.
“Uhh…then I will let you know who did it.”
“Fine, good enough, Dad.”
Richard conjured a flame ball about as big as a piece of fruit before he made it dance around. Unfortunately, he wasn’t really good at controlling it, so it burst into sparks, almost catching the expensive rug on fire. While Marcus was busy making sure none of the sparks started anything, the Marshalls continued their discussion.
“The one known as He Zhi is an adopted member of the Misty Turtle Tribe along with his brother He Wu, and they both helped me win the Tournament. They also taught me a new way to use magic and increased my Talent.”
If Herald was surprised before, now he was plain shocked. Of course, he had heard of this from Marcus, but it was another thing entirely when his own son said it right in front of him. Unable to contain the broad grin on his face, Herald knew he needed this frog. However…
In the next moment, Herald’s smile vanished, switched for a more somber expression.
“Unfortunately, we have no idea if what he says and does is good for you. For all we know, he made you curse yourself.”
“What?! I can still perform magic, which I actually have more power than before, and I am in better condition than when I left! Plus, He Zhi was helping me learn how to deal with people.”
“And do you not feel suspicious that a little frog knows that much? How could it do such things?”
“I heard from Marcus, He Zhi is someone with a past life!”
At this time, Marcus was finished cleaning the carpet. But, as soon as he heard the topic switch to him, he busied himself once more to dispel any chance of bringing him into the conversation.
It didn’t work.
“Marcus. What did I tell you of speaking of things that don’t concern them?”
“Master, I must remind you that the Young Master is above me in Level. If I disobey too much, I would not be a subordinate of the Marshall Family.”
“Yeah, Dad! I asked him to!”
“Er…”
“Asked, he says. So he didn’t order you to? Hmm…”
“Heheheh…”
“Oops, sorry Marcus.”
“Anyways, yes. I know some stories of those that remember their past lives. However, it has always been a powerful Immortal or Deity. Never have I heard of a mortal being remembering their past.”
“Then he lied!”
“Then what else has he lied about?!”
“Doesn’t matter! He taught me what I know and I promised him I would take care of his family! I FAILED!”
Richard couldn’t take the surge of emotions and dropped to the floor, failing to keep his tears back.
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“Son, what did I say abou”
“Now dear…leave him be. This meant a lot to him.”
“At best we can think of the frog as some sort of pet, but I am not taking responsibility for it. It has caused too much trouble already.”
“HE! His name is He Zhi! He has a name! Stop treating me like a kid!”
“THAN STOP ACTING LIKE ONE!”
The room was filled with a dark pressure that immediately stopped Richard’s tears. He quickly leaped up and ran out the door, hiding his face in his arms, not letting anyone see his unfortunate appearance.
When Herald sat back down with a sigh, he shuddered at the words that flew into his ears.
“None for you tonight. You failed again.”
“But, honey! He needs to grow up!”
“He’s only ten and at the Advanced Level! He needs a childhood! Let him have experiences and learn from them!”
“But he came here to have me do it for him!”
“No, he didn’t! He wanted your help. You were supposed to guide him! He can’t interfere with those Sects and you know it. He came to you only because he was already at the end of his rope. And now look at you, forcing him away!”
“I…I’m sorry.”
“Not good enough.”
The beautiful green haired woman silently got up and left the room, not even her clothes swished, for she was a Master Mage.
Isabella Lockheart is the country’s top beauty of her age group. Every year, people try so hard to even talk to her. However, when Herald managed to woo her, many men took their lives. This woman could cause wars if she so wanted.
But she desired wonderful children and a happy life. She not only helped her kids but also helped her rowdy husband make heads and tails of troublesome issues.
Issues like the Immortal Cauldron Sect blaming him for the death of their students. When Herald had gotten the letter, he had luckily already read Marcus’ report. But he still didn’t know what to do!
It was his second eldest, Derik, who caused the whole thing! Not only that but the creatures the other Sects took were already apparently giving those little Sects a lot to think about!
Of course, if he could get his hand on that one frog, he would be able to bolster his forces that much more. If he could give the chance to make all the children awake their utmost potential, His country would have the strongest soldiers once they became of age!
While he was lost in thought, Marcus interrupted.
“Master, if I may?”
“What is it, Marcus? I’m sorry you had to deal with the kid again. I know how he threatens you.”
“No, there was no problem with the Young Master, but I was referring to the frog man known as He Zhi.”
“Why call them frogmen? We discovered them, we should name them!”
“But they are their own people. We call ourselves humans, so why don’t we let them name themselves?”
“No matter what Richard said, they are but animals. Beasts, at best, if they can kill a measly Intermediate Mage.”
“That’s just the thing, Master. The one known as He Zhi was unconscious and was able to use a spell that would be normally used by an Adept Mage!”
“So?”
“Well…If we were to think of him as a human since he was reincarnated, he will be distraught over the loss of his family!”
“Who cares? Even if he actually used to be one of the strongest people before, right now he’s a weakling. We could just send an experienced Adept Mage or two. Heck, why not just send that idiot Derik? He’s the one who got us into this mess!”
“…If that is your wish, I cannot dissuade you.”
“Of course. Now then, call in Derik.”
“Yes, Master.”
The butler bowed his way out, a sad look on his face.
Shortly after that, the middle-aged man with a small scar on his cheek walked in, his curly blond hair bouncing as he quickly reached the thrones.
“Father, I must apologize for my actions.”
“Oh?”
“Yes, if I had known that one of my men had snuck a weapon into”
“No, not that! Well, that was uncalled for, but I want to talk about your little stunt you pulled on your brother Richard!”
“Huh? I have no idea what you mean!”
“You are my son, aren’t you? Ha! Your acting is not that bad! But.”
Herald went from a cheeky grin to a furious smirk as he looked at his bullshit eating second son.
“F-Father! I meant no harm! I just thought the others would want to know about the strange creatures! If Brother Richard is upset with the outcome, I can easily pay him for the damages.”
“NO! You will pay me! Because of you, the Immortal Cauldron Sect wants reparations!”
“What?! What happened?!”
“That little freak you wanted dead just so happened to be an Adept Mage! They think I sent you to lie to them, so they would lose one of their Inner members!”
“Never! That wasn’t my intention at all! Believe me, Father!”
“Pipe down! Everything that has been happening recently has given me a headache! What I want you to do is bring me that damn frog! Once we get all he knows, then we can hand his dead body to the Sect as an apology.”
“…Yes, Father. Do I have permission to go all out?”
“If you have to. Just don’t blow up that mountain. We still have a need for it. Oh, and as punishment for the ‘nefarious’ actions of your men, you are not to participate in the Tournament for ten years!”
“But Father!”
“Shut it! It’s not that you cheated, it’s that you cheated, lost, and got found out! Pathetic. Go get to work.”
“Yes, Father.”
Soon, Herald was all alone in his throne room.
“We need that Ancestral Bloodline at any cost. Even if I have to flip that mountain upside down. Thankfully, it’s like it practically fell in my lap!”
The Duke of Savage Moon City was too busy laughing like a maniac to notice the little figure of a child run away.