Chapter 171


    The Order of Ny-Nine Stars was aware that times of change wereing. Trying to resist change only ever resulted in those who refused to be flexible, shattering under the force of the world. While ultimately they would prefer to avoid conflicts with other sects, that was only possible if they were willing to capitte to their demands. And even then conflicts would arise, even if they were mere puppets. Of course, as cultivators they wouldnt ept that.


    Having individuals who would catalyze changing times within a sect was both a blessing and a curse. Some would prefer to just endure through hard times, and those who precipitated changes were not helpful for that. Though personally Elder Kseniya was all in favor of those that actually <em>did</em> things.


    She continued to fire Spirit Arrows even as she elerated her boat. Did that old fart Lakatos really think a tower was going to stand in the way of her arrows? Because he was right. But she didnt need to let him know that. Her current shots were cleverly disguised as lethal, but not particrly dangerous- or draining. Once she was closer the tower wouldnt be a problem, but after the first few kilometers precise control really went downhill sharply.


    She wasnt the only one approaching. Everyone had taken notice, though some sects werent interested in showing up merely to spectate. The Frostmirror Sect, for example, wouldnt involve themselves if things didnt involve their own disciples. It wasnt as if they had an alliance with either side, so there was no need for them to get involved.


    It seemed she managed to convince the members of the Heavenly Lion Sect that she would be able to lock onto them from where she was, as none approached while she was getting to the ind. She certainly had no intention to inform them that if someone below Life Transformation had attacked- with a smaller energy signature- she couldnt so easily have targeted them. Then again, they would be less able to avoid her attacks.


    Either way, she arrived without anyone she cared about dying. Though it looked like it was damn close. Antons heart was barely functioning as one. As for some other dying people now that she was close she was able to look them over. An interesting collection of foes.


    Elder Lakatos, Kseniya said as she leaped onto the ind. You wille out and exin why you thought it was allowed to attack my disciple. When he didnt immediately move, she shot five arrows- one circling around the tower towards him, and four others that stopped immediately in front of the disciples of the Heavenly Lion Sect. He moved out, though mostly to avoid the shot circling the tower.


    Your disciple broke the truce-


    The arrows stabbed into the disciples, though only as deep as a knuckle. Elder Kseniya drew another arrow and aimed directly at the mans disciple, who used the same punching daggers as weapons. Without lying.


    You dare use me of lying? He glowered at her, taking a stance. I may have little choice but to hide when you arent on the ind, but with you here


    Elder Kseniya, spoke one of those surrounding Anton. Catarina, his great-granddaughter, if she recalled correctly. I can give you the urate information. It didnt take long- it seemed their group had much practice going over the detailstely.


    Thank you. Now that weve heard that, Elder Lakatos of the Heavenly Lion Sect. Do you deny that your sect has been working directly with ving criminals that your own Sect expelled?


    Of course I deny it, he said. Its nonsense! He stepped forward, ring his energy.


    Wrong answer. Elder Kseniya released her arrow, sending it straight into the heart of his disciple. She had considered stopping it at the same level of wound Anton had received, but that was not a mercy on the mans part. Hed fully intended to kill. Elder Lakatos tried to reach his disciple, but only got halfway there before the arrow was all the way out of his back. I personally witnessed your fraternization at thetest of Everhearts Tombs. You should have thought before you spoke.


    Of course, Elder Lakatos didnt just stand around doing nothing. But as she spoke a constant hail of arrows keeping him on his toes prevented him from reaching her- or any of the weaker disciples.


    You would really be better served by helping that boy out. Its just a hole in his heart. I didnt evenpletely annihte it or turn his brain into a sieve. Take him and leave. That includes every member of the Heavenly Lion Sect.


    You wish to make us give up on this tower? he frowned. Fine. Hand over Zvonko and we shall consider it done.


    It seems you misinterpreted what I meant. My apologies. Elder Kseniya waved her hand at him. You cane witness his execution if you wish, but he will not be leaving with you. And the entire Heavenly Lion Sect will be leaving the Secret Realm, not just this ind.


    You have no right to do that, he said- bolstered somewhat by the members of his sect and allies around him. Nor can you take captive one of our disciples.


    You, Kseniya waved her hand, Law woman. Come forward.


    Kohar stepped out of the crowd. Its Kohar.


    Hmm. If you take up the bow Ill consider remembering it. Tell him what rules they vited and how nice Im being letting anyone live.


    There are a number of things. Firstly, it is impossible to justify his attack because they werent done with personal witness or a proper investigation. There are several sections of the rules that cover that specifically. Kohar obediently began to recite them. It could only be justified if lives werent immediately threatened, and each of the captives were properly treated. In such a case, the party who initially brought usations gains the responsibility for the lives of the captives, but is allowed to retain control until a proper investigation ispleted.


    Shes just making stuff up, Elder Lakatos said. He gestured to the members of the Heavenly Lion Sect and their allies around him. Come! Let us stop these miscreants hiding behind the veil of a righteous sect.


    Yeah! A voice boomed from afar, Do it! A ming book struck the ground in front of him, cracking the stone. Though I should probably tell you to read the stupid book before you do it. A man with wrinkled skin, bald except for hair made of fire rising from his head, stood at the edge of the ind. He was Elder Medved, of the Glorious me Pce- and there were others with him. Its a lot of pages, but you should be able to find them with thew wo- with Kohars references. Elder Lakatos stooped down to pick up the tome- then cursed as his fingers were singed. Ah, my bad. Medved smiled and let the mes fade away. It was just for show.


    As he read, Kohar continued. Punishment for breaking the treaty can result in the death of all members involved. Previous actions merited that threshold but were generously deferred. However, in such a case when another vition ismitted in a short timeframe- usually one to five years on the short end- the more severe vition decides the punishment.


    I dispute your reading of thew! Elder Medved said.


    That is allowable, Kohar admitted, However, that must be done properly and not through attacking for <em>perceived</em> faults. You did not, in fact, <em>see</em> any vitions by the Order of Ny-Nine Stars, did you?


    Theyre holding our disciple! And that bitch shot another one!


    After hundreds of people witnessed your attack, Kohar pointed out. But I see I will not get a rational discussion with you. Perhaps you would prefer to bring it up with Elder? she turned towards the man from the Heavenly Lion Sect.


    Medved, young Kohar. And I would be d to. He stepped forward, fire spiraling up and around him as he did so.


    Things were a mere centimeter from exploding into chaos, but while the Heavenly Lion Sect and their allies might be able to handle the Order, they couldnt deal with them <em>and</em> the Glorious me Pce. Plus whatever bystanders might join in for a chance to loot some of them. The Flying Blood Cult wasnt necessarily on their side. You havent heard thest of this. He picked up the fallen disciple, who was breathing weakly, and began to walk towards the shore.


    Neither have you, Kohar reminded. Dont forget to wear something nice to the execution.


    -----


    For most of his life, Anton thought that a heart just had to get blood flowing through the body to function. In most cases, that was a sufficient definition. However, when he had to push his own blood into his arteries the differences between proper pulses and continual flow began to emerge. He barely kept himself conscious, and the powerful cultivators around him didnt help with that. Though the pressure of their auras on him wasnt quite so restrictive, just because he wasnt <em>physically</em> oppressed didnt mean there wasnt mental baggage there.


    Hed have to thank Elder Kseniya again. After he talked to Devon and reminded him that he <em>knew</em> he could be injured. Just because it was his grandsons idea didnt mean it wasnt something he would have done. Bringing people in for a proper sentencing and execution while it was vaguely tyrannicalparing it to just killing people all over the ce it was quite reasonable. Though theyd still killed everyone unimportant.


    He looked up to Elder Kseniya. What do you think might happen from this?


    Lots of things, she said. A bit of justice. War. A shifting of the bnce of power in nearby regions.


    Which is most likely? Anton asked.


    She looked down at him and smiled. All of them together. You <em>do</em> manage to attract a lot of trouble, dont you?


    He shrugged. What was he supposed to say? Though he hadnt started this conflict, it wasnt as if he hadnt been looking for revenge on several of the individuals involved. He would have just done it in a different context. The results would have been the same if he died along with the others, because covering it up entirely would have been impossible.


    Hey uh, Chikere spoke up next to Anton, Wanna see how I stitch de wounds with energy?


    One of the elders from the Order scurried over as she was talking. Why are you just standing there with an open wound and not saying anything? The woman took out a box full of different needles, straight and curved. I didnt even realize you were injured.


    Anton shrugged, Fuzzy head.


    She sighed. Thats good, actually. Now, this might hurt a little bit. Shouldnt wait for anesthetic.


    If askedter whether having his heart stitched up was painful, Anton would have said yes. But inparison to having a bone set, it wasnt really that bad. Her energy from the Ny-Nine Stars synchronized well with his own, not disturbing him as she floated needles inside his chest to stitch him up. Her work was quick and urate, so he could hardly say it was one of the most painful things he experienced. And it was just physical pain.


    There you go. Anton, right?


    He nodded. Sorry, I dont believe weve talked. Your name?


    You may call me Elder Peric. Though it seems you donte to the medical ward ever.


    I was there after The Hunt, he said.


    Really? I dont remember you. Then she frowned, Wait, you were in Body Tempering, werent you.


    Sixth star or so, he nodded.


    But now youre at the eighteenth. Yes, I see. I thought perhaps there was just someone with the same name.


    There might be others, Hoyt spoke up. But if its an Anton youve been hearing about around the Order, its him.


    Ah. Hoyt, she inclined her head. Id heard you were in the same team. She looked around- people had dispersed significantly, but most of the elders of the Order were still standing around defensively. Missed you in the crowd. She looked at the others standing nearby, specifically Catarina and Devon. Two members of your family, as well.


    And another, Catarina said, but shes still a bit young.


    Yes. She looked at the three chained cultivators next to them. I heard about what happened. Not in great detail but hes the one responsible? she gestured to Van Hassel.


    Anton nodded, Directly, its him. But based on other information its more than just that. It should have been done with the blessing of the Heavenly Lion Sect.


    Sounds like them. Its just usually hard to pin anything down on that sort. Good on ya. How are you feeling, by the way?


    Anton looked down. Hed <em>almost</em> forgotten the wound already. Though he was still missing some blood. Thank you.


    Good thing to thank me now. Itll ache like hellter.


    And it did. Almost as bad as his joints had in winter.