Blades and Sacred Pyre. (Epilogue)

When steel deliver life to heaven, and sacred pyre returns things to how it came to be. The people who see can do nothing but watch as the miracle of life does its chore. Hands trembling, lips smiling, muscles tensing, and excitement embracing all. They saw things that can only leave them speechless.

"What in the hell of a world is that...?"

Jinxi whose been staring blank at the whole event finally break the silence.

"Someone, that powerful chose to become a servant? No, maybe she's just scheming. But then again how did someone like her even exist? Not even the Dark Descendant or the Heaven Destroyers could pull off something like that even if we let them."

Xunyue replies but her answer didn't help a single bit but just give more questions.

"Does it matter what she is? What matters now is you explain why are you showing this to us, Lil Zhou."

Huan who's clenching his hands hard enough it bleeds can't help but feel the unrest and confusion ravaging his head. As a strategist, her existence ruins all kinds of strategy.

Zhouzhou replays back the crystals to the part where the girl is jumping through buildings and pause it there. He moves his panel at the centre where she is before saying:

"You must all be confused, I understand. This recording is just sent to me 2 hours ago. And as you can see, we have an anomaly in our hands... Something we really can't ignore even if we want to."

Huan folds his arms and looks up at the all-white field saying:

"Hmph, you really are wasting your seals. If you just copied that recording and sent it to all of us before using the seal. I can bet we would all be teleporting here the moment we saw her."

"Pfff, hahahaha!"

"What's so funny?"

Zhouzhou holds her stomach as she tries her best to hold her laughter in replying:

"I'm very grateful for your criticism and concern for me but even if I did. Would anyone look at a gift from a rat-kin and be like, "Oh my! A present." Well, enough of that. I want to know what the other two elders might be thinking. Would you mind sharing your thoughts Elder Han and Elder Baonu?"

Zhouzhou looked at the two silent figures whose only staring at the girl beside her as they stayed still like a statue. Only when Zhouzhou asks for their attention that they both start to speak.

"Hmph, at first I thought she was just a passing interest. But now, she has my full attention. I must make her marry my sons or adopt her myself as my daughter no matter what. And the fact she mastered even our Sec tiger techniques just makes this even better! It's been a while since I felt my soul burn with the will to hunt."

The first to answer was Baonu, with his qi bursting forth the immeasurable presence that could flatten any normal person to the ground.

"I only have two choices. Kill her or I can make her join the Golden Dragon family as my successor."

"What!?"

"Woah!"

"Are you serious!?"

"The s-s-successor!?"

"Hmph, you never cease to amaze me with your choices Han."

Everyone was taken aback, after all inheriting the Golden Dragon Throne is the same as taking over Central and most of the Confederation at large.

"Um... I don't know if this is just me but, don't you think you should explain why are the crusaders attacking a neutral district?"

Jinxi raises her hand as she is a student asking a question. And everyone's eyes soon fall to Zhouzhou once again. Zhouzhou responded with shaking his head and taking out a compass replying:

"We have received reports and confirmation that the second crusade is using this compass all of you cashed in to help them navigate the underpass of the city. And what do you know, it let them to that same district we all saw. So tell me, either all of you are actually at fault for giving us a defective product or we can say that... That place IS the Phoenix Sector."

The people in the room can't help but be silent at his reasoning. After all, they are the ones who approve of the crusade, they are the ones who supplied them, and they are also the ones who gave the final saying as the crusade launch and the rats are pawns for the slaughter.

"Yeah, yeah, we're wrong we get that and the other reason can wait. Now, why don't you TELL us why are we even called here in the first place? This place may have a 10:1 hour difference but that doesn't mean we're free with time. Every hour we spend here, they prepared a thousand to fight us."

Huan whose getting impatient starts to complain and speed this meeting up and Zhouzhou nods his head in agreement saying:

"Yes, you're right. Let me get this over quick. What I want this time is a bit different than the Crusade. I mean if you look closely near the end of the video, I think you can see the technique she used to grab the commander rat-kin no?"

The elders in the room can only nod and close their eyes as they look back to the past. Jinxi whose standing beside Xunyue can't help but look at her asking:

"What's wrong? Is it bad?"

Xunyue shakes her head replying:

"It's more than bad... It's the worst."

"Huh?"

"Lil Jinxi, have you ever heard a snake family in this Confederation?"

"Huh? Now that I think about it no... In fact, I don't think I ever heard anything resembling the word snake at history either. Is it related?"

"Very, and you must also hear the tale of the Green Witch before right?"

"Mhm! Wait... Don't tell me..."

Dots seem to connect to each other in her head as she starts to theorize saying:

"That the snake family is actually the Green Witch's Descendants. And that girl might be part of that family!?"

Xunyue nods and pat Jinxi saying:

"That's right."

"And that's not all."

"Hmm?"

Xunyue can't help but look at Jinxi with curiosity as she continues explaining:

"Combining her might knowledge about how she managed to learn multiple arts at once, and how she has a ronin by her side... Means she must have a backer. And a very dangerous if not, immensely powerful one at that. But who or what?"

"Hmph, is that all you can gather Lil one?"

"Huh?"

Huan asks Jinxi as she explains and starts to explain in her stead saying:

"If you look at how the way she fights you can easily tell and analyze which school did she come from. Let's start by the way she stands, her lower body and upper body is pretty balanced which means she manages to combine the training of the turtle and the goat to her body. Next, the way she dashes at Gorbachev proves how she trains her feet and legs move like the rabbit while dashing like a horse. The way she uses her small posture to navigate and jump from building to building by crouching and changing the centre of her gravity means she learns how to control the centre of gravity and the urban way of the rat.

Her pure strength as she manages to make that Special Rank Hunter release his weapon from sheer might speaks volumes on how powerful she is like the tiger and the ox. And the way she flings into the air like a crane and that tremendous qi she releases can only be done if she trains to cultivate her qi like a dragon and finally how she exploits the weakness of the human body by strangling them like a snake... Now, tell me. If that much technique was stored into her, who is backing her up?"

Everyone can't help but notice how much this person aghast the representative of this meeting by now. Counting all the things she learns by now, means there are at least 8 techniques she learned from all the major factions of this Confederation. Not counting the Phoenix, the Rooster, the Pig, the bear, and the Wolf.

If such a person exists, he/she would be the most famous person alive in this Confederation. Even the successor of the current Heaven's General can only inherit 5 out of 30 his Master could teach him. And how she can even learn the Calamity Dragon's qi while simultaneously learn the opposite qi of the tigers as well means that she could definitely learn all that they can give her... A talent among a thousand- no, a talent among a million years has appeared but...

Who's her backer? After all, if someone could nurture her to this state and hide her this long must mean she must have a very powerful backer if they could infiltrate most of the major Sectors and even steal the Dragon's technique. Maybe the symbol on that Ronin's armour may be a clue? But that just might be his trademark mercenary logo. And the other most important question is...

Are they ally or foe?

"All those analyses is all well and good. But here's what I want to do."

Zhouzhou stops everyone's thought as he proposes an idea.

"The rat sector is willing to pay back all the failures and reparation and forgive all past sins and mistakes. Only, if we form a coalition army."

"A coalition..."

"A coalition huh? Well, that's a word I never thought I will hear. For someone so young, you sure do know a lot."

"Thank you for the praise, Elder Baonu."

Han and Baonu begin to comment as her proposal begs their minds to consider the option.

"A c-c-c-coalition!? Wait, isn't the only coalition ever form in this Confederation is during the World Invasion!?"

"That's right, Lil Jinxi. And even I might have to agree to this proposal. After all, if there's an unknown enemy with that much might. Even a coalition among the 13 might not be enough. And If worse come to worse, she might just be one of the lower echelons of the group and there might be someone even stronger. And if she really is the descendant of the Green Witch... I think we might have to fight the Eclipse Empire too. So the God Slayer Army of the 5th floor might even make a move, and none of us wants that."

"W-w-w-what! What does the Eclipse Empire have to do in this!?"

Xunyue begins to form her thoughts on this while Jinxi is forced to think such an important choice and unknowns.

"Hmph, even if we form it, tell me, Lil Zhou. Who are we going to send it against? And whose going to lead it? I doubt it'll be the Heavens General?"

Zhouzhou smile at his question and begin to explain saying:

"Thank you for asking esteem senior. As for that, I was thinking why don't we first form a coalition of intelligence? And figure out whose backing her? And when that's all and done and ready to go. I suggest we let the new Empress of the Phoenix Sector lead the coalition."

"Yuwei!? You want her to lead!?"

Jinxi shouts in shock as one of her friends who's the same age as she will be given the position that will go down in history to come.

"Hmm? What's so special about her? She may be able to destroy your Sector's major settlements in her territory but leading a coalition is another different story on its own. And besides, I'm surprised you want her to lead after what she did and what you propose."

Zhouzhou nod at Huan's criticism again replying:

"That's true, but like I said. Right now, there's is a threat that can destroy our home. And I am willing to convince those prophets if I have to. And besides, I never tell all of you how she did it right?"

"Spare me the tactics I have enough."

"I dare say she might be better than you."

"What makes you say that, Lil Zhou?"

"Did I ever tell you that she destroyed all 12 settlements simultaneously? Each settlement was besieged by a mix of different armies from different countries too."

"Hmm? Continue."

"You may be able to lead hundred millions of man under a banner, but can you lead hundreds of millions of men from a different country with a different culture, language, tradition, and core?"

"That's..."

"This may be me boasting my enemy, but how long do you think it would take you to destroy all 5 settlements in your Sector?"

"Fine, I'll play along. I wager it's at least 1 year and the fastest 5 months for me."

"Yes, do you know how long she destroyed it?"

Zhouzhou stares at Huan before lifting a finger saying:

"1 month. And this isn't the same settlements in your Sectors. We depend on 48% of all our food income on those 13 settlements at the Phoenix Sector so the defence and might of that Sector are more than quadruple of the 5 ones in yours combine. And I heard she's the same age as Jinxi over there. So tell me, is she not qualified enough, Grand Strategist of the Heavens?"

"Hmph, very well. If she is that capable then I'll gladly recede my title to her if I have to."

Zhouzhou nods at his confession and raises her voice saying:

"Now if all of you have heard, I hope you can reconsider this. And if you can, please share this to the other Representatives as well. The meetings until now are nothing but our personal interest, but this is different, I hope I can have your full cooperation in this."

Han nods replying:

"Very well, this will finally wake the sleeping dragons in Central. But, my descendants, the current head of the family shall have the final say in this."

"As you wish Elder Han."

Baonu stretches his muscles as he finishes his preparation to return saying:

"Well, even with all of that. I still hope I can bring her in. I'll gladly inform my descendants about this. And if she's the descendant of that witch... Even better! After we defeat this mysterious group, I'll take her in as a reward!"

"I see, that might be an interesting topic itself for a gentleman."

Huan looks at the empty white space above replying:

"It seems this young ones generation will finally shake the Confederation to the core. Who knows? We might change the name of this country? And I'm glad I'm part of it. I'll inform this to all my Segmentums and maybe parley with the Yellow Roosters. The more manpower we have, the better chance we get to defeat this power in the shadows."

"I'm glad you can understand the graveness of this situation."

*clop* *clop*

The heavy steps made by Xunyue echoes this empty hall.

"If this mysterious threat is real... It's best we start to call in the exiles as well as visiting the Forbidden West. I'll try my best to form an alliance with them."

"I-I'll do my best too! I'll look up the old and forbidden archives of the Turtles to find clues of this mysterious entity. We may not provide soldiers, but we provide the best knowledge and information there is. I'll try my best to inform this to Yuwei too."

Jinxi enthusiastically declares with her spirit riped up. Zhouzhou bows down saying:

"Thank you, everyone. May you all be blessed by the spirits and have a nice day.

*************************************

Someone with the lower half of a horse and the upper body of human walks alongside a hooded figure with her face covered by a mask. It is none other than Xunyue and Jinxi respectively. Jinxi looks down at the pearl and marble crafted floor as they travel to their designated portals.

"A mysterious threat under our noses this whole time... I can't help but question what?"

"We can think of that later. Why don't you enjoy the festival you're going to open soon?"

"Eh?"

"Don't eh me. You still got at least 2 hours before it starts."

Xunyue hands Jinxi a box of mango biscuits saying:

"Give this to my grandson after his play okay? And since your role is pretty much holed up in your school, you can do this right? It would really make him happy if you gave it to him."

Jinxi nods at her request replying:

"Of course! If that's the case then you can leave it to me!"

"I really hope I have a granddaughter like you. I won't be in this city for at least a month or so. I hope you take care of yourself okay?"

"Mhm! Don't worry Elder Xunyue. If it's just to guard then I'm the expert!"

"Sheesh, if only you're this brave during the gathering..."

*grab*

"Lil Jinxi..."

Xunyue holds her shoulders. Thanks to the sheer difference in their size, Jinxi shoulders seems minuscule compared to Xunyue's hands.

"Y-Yes, Elder?"

"I'm glad you're honest in that gathering."

"Huh? What's wrong Elder Xunyue?"

"Do you actually think that rat would actually "help" the Confederation? or us in general?"

"What's the matter? Didn't we all agree?"

"Oh, your youth brings envy to me, lil Jinxi. Listen to me, Don't trust any of the people at the gathering for now. Especially Han and Baonu. Just ready yourself for the coming storm. I doubt the Coalition army is actually for fighting this so called Shadow group."

"Umm... Then who?"

"Do you think they don't know? The emblem that Ronin is using, it's the Phoenix Emblem belonging to Lil Yu's new phantom troupe. How could you not know? They're just playing dumb so that they could have a reason and that girl is nothing but icing on the cake."

"W-wait! So-So-So... So you're saying Yuwei's is part of that mess!?"

"Very likely. And I have a high chance Lil Zhou will blame it all on her. Giving her that position just gives her the limelight so that the blame will become even heavier."

"I-I have to tell this to Yuwei quickly! Oh, please be at the festival Yuwei. Or anyone close to her... If not I really do have to travel down there. Wait what are you going to do Elder?"

"Oh me? Well, I have to follow my words to ignore suspicion and avoid the charade. So, as I said, I won't be in the city for a month at least. May the spirits bless you Lil Jinxi."

"May the spirit bless you to Elder Xunyue!"

Xunyue enters the portal prepared for them while Jinxi looks at the box of treats in her hands wondering,

(Oh, please spirit king above. Don't let me get in trouble! This is too much for the shut-in me!)

"Though... It would be pretty crazy if I met that girl right? Hahaha!"

Jinxi left without knowing what awaits her fate.

*************************************

It is said that in the western peninsula just west of the mighty city of Rucina, lies an ancient forest with trees so big it might be rumoured that it is part of the World's tree family. The thick logs made by the trees there are thicker than the feet of a behemoth class monsters where not even the best weapons made by a master smith could even leave a scratch on their bark. Their size alone could easily cover the sun and sometimes, reach the heavens if nurtured well, and so, these trees are given the name Heaven's Roof.

*cleave* *crash* *crash* *crash* *crash* *crash* *crash* *crash*

But with a single swing of a rusty glaive. Hundreds of the ancient and mighty trees fall under its might. With a single swing, all the legends and tales of the trees was simply overwritten by a single cleave.

"This will give sunlight to my house for a few days. Now tell me, what brings you to visit an old man like me Little Yu? But whatever the case, come, follow me. Would you like some tea?"

The one who begins the conversation beneath heaven's roof is an old man whose size can easily hop over a mansion's wall. No one would blame you if you mistook him for the mythical giant race. With only a rusty glaive on one arm and a sack of twigs the size of pillars on his other, he only has a giant robe for his garment. Even with his entire face covered by his messy hair invites the lady in purple to his humble abode. She clasps her hands and bow saying:

"Thank you, Elder Seo Yong. Pardon my intrusion. Oh, and I brought you some gifts."

"Oho! you're too kind. Besides, you're an empress now. No need to bow down before me when I already lost my job."

The one visiting was none other than Yuwei wearing light armoured clothing so she can easily navigate the forest. As she enters his home, what greeted her was furniture too big for her to use. From the bed, chair and even the plate.

"I'm sorry I can't convince your son to visit alongside me, Elder Seo Yong."

"Hohoho! It's fine. Let that kid do whatever he wants. Now, please sit down lil Yu. I'll prepare the treats. You can place the gifts beside the door."

"Thank you Elder."

"Hohoho! Stop being so polite. You're going to give this old man a hard time after all the help you give."

"Forgive me, I'm just doing it out of a habit of mine."

The old man takes a mug the size of a tub with a long straw inside and a plate filled with treats the size of a truck's wheel and hands it over to her.

"A habit to be polite, haah, I hope my son could have learned that already."

"I'm sure he will. And thank you for the meal."

"Oh, yes, please eat."

Yuwei grabs the giant treat and breaks it off little by little so it could at least fit her mouth before using the straw to drink. The old man takes a sit in front of her saying:

"Heh, you sure still eat like a champ."

Yuwei takes another big bite replying:

"Hmph, if you can why not? It's a fool's restraint to not accept what's given to you."

Seo Yong laughs at her remarks replying:

"Ohoho, I wish my son can also eat as much, I don't understand why he insist having a skinny body. Can't he see that ladies love muscles!"

"Fufufu, I think your son wants to follow the trends his peers make. It's said girls this day and age loves cute and pretty boys than the muscle bound like old times."

"Oh, times sure has change... Besides that, so he has friends now? That's good news. What about you, Lil Yu? You seem pretty old fashioned. Aren't you interested in someone as of late?"

"Me? Fufufu, Oh guess I do have someone I'm interested."

"Really? Oh, who might he be to capture the attention of this empress? Now you're getting this old man to gossip too. Oh, I'm excited! I wonder if this is how my wife feels when she talks to her friends?"

"I'm sure it does. Take it from me. As for the guy... Well, for one, I recently heard he defeated your son with only skill alone. No qi or magic."

"Woah ho ho! He defeated my son huh? Say, what's your relation with him?"

"He's... Someone I know for a long time, and very special man to me. I'm sure you'll meet him since he's going on a new mission for you later on."

"Ohoho! You know how to press my buttons. And pray do tell, what new mission? Is the preparation ready?"

"More than ready thanks to his arrival. It won't be long before you return to your birthplace Elder Seo Yong."

"Ohohoho, so it seems I'll be dispatched soon. My brothers in the northern peninsula will be in a huge surprise."

"Yes, and Central is finally starting to move thanks to his appearance. And I'm going to need your help in this matter, previous Heaven's General, God of War, Seo Yong."

"Hohoho, don't tease me, Lil Yu. Just assign me to any position you want and I'll lead all your men to victory."