These Tables Are A Little Expensive, You See.

"Oh my god… t-that's elder Tom!" (Alright guys, listen here. I am dumb and so are my naming skills, so I won't use my already smol brain on naming side characters who don't have any roles at all. SO BEAR WITH THE NAMES@$#%)@#(E*@)

:)

"T-That's Elder Jerry!"

"H-How is that possible…?"

"Isn't he Elder Goku from the Holy Dragon Sect?"

"Why are all these elders from the big clans attacking us?"

The disciples muttered in disbelief. Waves and waves of terrified gasps could be heard every time a disciple unmasks a dead masked man. Even Sect Master Kalm had a pale face.

"D-Doomed… we are doomed…" when the identities of all the attackers were revealed, an Elder muttered in despair.

Holy Dragon Sect, Heavenly Phoenix Sect, and Vicious Snake Sect, the attackers had a lot of members from these sects. If these three sects attack again with full force, there was no guarantee that they could survive the attack even if they do have Elder Ace among their ranks.

"What the hell are you guys lazing around for? It's already past midnight, I have to sleep so don't waste my time and tie them all up. Elders, you all help them as well."

Completely oblivious to their fears, Ace ordered.

"As you command, Great Elder Ace"

Hearing his casual but 'I don't want no as an answer' tone, the Elders and disciples perked up and did what they were told.

"Mr. Kalm, I want you to invite certain guests to the sect tomorrow. I'll meet them at noon. I'll be going now, take care of things here." Ace ordered.

"It will be done" Sect Leader Kalm was about to bow but controlled the urge and nodded. He didn't even realize that he was already acting like a loyal attendant despite being the leader of the sect and Ace's superior.

"A-Are you seriously going to ignore me!?" Elder Payn, who was watching everything with a tensed and solemn expression finally shouted in rage.

What kind of treatment was this? Though his plan failed, wasn't he still the leader of the attackers? Why is he being ignored like a side character? That is too insulting!

Hearing him shout, Ace turned towards him and smiled.

"Don't worry, I have already thought of how to deal with you.

You will have a good time, I promise"

Saying that, Ace's smile grew broader and Payn regretted opening his mouth. Suddenly, Payn's vision turned blurry and he lost consciousness. Though he didn't know how long after will he wake up, he knew one thing for sure, he shouldn't have come here today.

…

The next day, at noon.

*Knock* *Knock*

Ace knocked on the door and waited patiently. Not long after, the door was opened and little Gracie appeared.

"Papa? What are you doing here?" Gracie questioned.

Ace smiled brightly as he brought out the jar he was hiding underneath his robes. Seeing the jar, Gracie's expression changed as she exclaimed.

"Cookie-"

"Shushhhh~ Your mama will hear you!" Ace crouched a little and placed his finger on his lips as he shushed the little girl and looked around cautiously as if seeing that if someone heard her.

"Shushh~ Shushh~ Ehehe~" Gracie placed her little finger on her lips as she giggled cutely.

"Where did you get this from?" Gracie whispered.

"I stole it from the kitchen. Don't tell mommy okay? Or she will beat me."

"Ehehe~ Okay, Okay. " With a giggle, and after looking around with her big golden eyes, she invited her father in before closing the door.

"Papa! You are the best!"

"Shusshh~"

"Shushh~" Gracie quickly placed a finger on her mouth again before she walked towards her father.

Ace picked her up before he sat on the bed and placed Gracie on his lap. Gracie quickly opened the jar before taking a deep breath.

"Hmmm~ This smells so good~"

She then took out a cookie and stretched her arm towards Ace, "Papa, here. Say ahh~"

"Aaah"

…

The two continued munching on the cookies for a while before Gracie questioned.

"Papa, but what if Mama learns about it?"

"Heh, there's no chance! She's not even home" Ace replied with a smirk while wiping Gracie's face with a handkerchief.

"Hmm? What is she doing then?"

"Nothing much, just earning some money, I guess." Ace replied casually.

…

At the same time, at the Sect Leader Kalm's courtyard, 6 people were seated in the garden that still had marks that proved that the last night wasn't a dream. Of course, the people here ignored the burnt grass and withered flowers as they stared at each other with different expressions. Some had a bitter smile on their face, some amused, some expressionless, and some had frowns.

"Well, don't mind me, I just heard that everyone was gathering here, I didn't want to feel left out so I came as well" Sect Master of the Gracious Flower Sect, Fianna spoke casually. She looked especially amused about whatever was happening around.

"Why have you called us here, Sect Leader Kalm" Sect Master of the Holy Dragon Clan, Haste, questioned.

Sect Leader Kalm, smiled bitterly as he turned towards a beautiful lady sitting beside him, sipping on the tea with a calm demeanor. Her every moved emitted grace and holiness, the word 'noble' fell short to describe her refined and dignified moves.

Feeling his gaze, Maeve placed the cup on the table before she glanced at Sect Leader Haste and smiled.

"You already know why you are called here, don't you, Mr. Haste?"

With slow and graceful movements, she clapped her hands and two disciples came in carrying a half-burnt corpse with nervous faces. Maeve nodded and one of the disciples unmasked the corpse with trembling hands and as soon as the mask was unmasked,

*Bam*

Sect Leader Haste smashed his hand on the table. This small action was enough for already trembling disciples to pale in fear and the moment Maeve nodded, the two ran out of the courtyard.

"Now, now, Mr. Haste, some of your subordinates have already broken one of our tables, you won't repeat that again, would you? These tables are a little expensive, you see."