Chapter 30: Contract of Death

"...Heavenly Expulsion."

There are many unexplainable things in the world that even someone like Lucian can't explain—no. There were, in fact, a lot of things that Lucian wouldn't be able to explain at all. After all, one could say that the average man actually knows more than Lucian… because Lucian doesn't really bother at all with things that do not interest him — his mind is completely closed.

Heavenly Expulsion, however, was something that he could truly never understand. It is real, and it happens, but how it happens is a mystery.

When a cultivator reaches the Immortal rank, they are forcefully evicted to the Demon Continent to prevent them from mingling with normal people — a divine intervention devoid of any logic, a divine law that surpasses the history of men itself.

Some say that it was a law passed down by a Cultivator that has transcended beyond the realm of True Immortality, someone who lives beyond the Demon Continent and perhaps even beyond that.

The world of men and immortals was separated into 3 continents — The Shielded Cities, where normal humans and young cultivators live in fragile harmony. And as its name suggests, the continent is protected by some sort of heavenly barrier that prevents anything and anyone of Immortal realm from entering it… and risk perishing if they try to do so.

The Demon Continent, where the laws of civil men are no longer found and only the law of strength matters. A very dangerous place for those who have recently only broken through to the Immortal realm.

Contact is still possible within the two continents as those of the Spirit realm could come and enter as they please between the two — of course, at the risk of their life. Monsters usually roam outside the border for the sole reason that those passing the border are easy targets.

And finally, beyond the Demon Continent is the place called the Void. And very much like the divine border between the Shielded Cities and the Demon Continent, the Demon Continent and the Void are separated by another border — and as its name suggests, one could not see through it. And no one truly knows what is on the other side…

…because no one who dared venture returned.

"...You forced the Elders to go through Heavenly Expulsion?" Charlotte repeated her words as she looked Lucian in the eyes.

"Yes," Lucian just casually nodded in response, "And then I timed for the poison to work for the other members of the sect as soon as they were gone."

"I've… heard of that," Charlotte's breaths turned heavy, "The… the Infinite Coiling Dragon sect just disappeared overnight. To think… that was you? And the Elders and the sect master did not die… but are currently on the Demon Continent?"

"Yes," Lucian nodded.

"This… this is a lot to take in," Charlotte could really only clasp her head with what she just heard, "But… that still doesn't explain how you were able to just leave and return to… well, a normal life."

"We were found and helped by someone from the Heaven's Judgment sect, Ms. Hall Master," Lucian stood up and just started walking to the kitchen.

"What…? You were helped by someone?"

"Yes. It was the very same man who brought the Infinite Coiling Dragon sect into our house."

"...Do you have a name? Why… did he do that?"

"No," Lucian shook his head as he opened his refrigerator, "Malenia told me that he probably did it out of guilt. Do you want something to drink, Ms. Hall Master? Perhaps some juice?"

"I… sure," Charlotte blinked a couple of times as she started to calm down with her questions, "We… should try to find the one who helped you, he might become trouble later on."

"I only have water, Ms. Hall Master."

"...Then why did you—then I'll just have water," Charlotte let out a small but very deep sigh as she followed Lucian to the kitchen and stood by the counter; her eyes, once again looking around the barren house.

"Do you want something to eat, Ms. Hall Master?"

"I'll… just have whatever you have there," Charlotte could really only let out a sigh while shaking her head.

"Okay," Lucian then focused on his refrigerator, and aside from bottles of water… he really only had Waldo's frozen meat, "I am afraid you can not have the only thing I have, Ms. Hall Master."

"Then why are you even asking!?" Charlotte could no longer help herself and raised her voice, "Agh… It's fine. I'm still digesting all of the information you gave me anyway. But, since you told me all of that…

…can I assume that you are willing to work with me?"

"As long as you can ensure that my identity is not leaked, Ms. Hall Master — then okay," Lucian nodded as he just finally closed his refrigerator.

"G… Great!" Charlotte almost screamed in excitement there and then. She then held out her hand toward Lucian, "Since we already have an existing contract, I'll just improve our current one with what we have discussed."

"...Why are you holding out your hand, Ms. Hall Master?"

"...You need to shake it so we can summon the contract," Charlotte explained.

"Can I do it with my gloves on?"

"...No," Charlotte squinted, "We need to be in contact."

"What about those who do not have arms? Does that mean they can never create or be bound by a contract?"

"Then just let me touch the back of your hand."

"Hm," Lucian then nodded as he placed the back of his hand on Charlotte's palm. And as soon as he did so, the contract they stamped with their blood earlier just suddenly materialized in front of them.

The signing was the same as before — except Charlotte just stated the new terms they discussed before the two of them stamped the contract with their blood again.

"And with that, Dr. Lucian — we are officially partners. You are now free to use our lab in the sect, and I can also provide you a new lab all for yourself if you wish," Charlotte nodded several times, "We will also be transferring your wife to a much better facility, and I will have someone I trust to watch over her."

"I would much rather prefer we stay here, Ms. Hall Master," Lucian shook his head.

"But you are not safe here — in the sect, I can provide everything for you," Charlotte then looked at the door of Malenia's room, "It will be a much better living situation. Completely sterile, and I will have someone I fully trust to check on her 24/7."

"You sect has that much money, Ms. Hall Master?"

"W…well, no…" Charlotte cleared her throat, "But with the money we will be gaining from your pills, my sect could spend everything to just accomodate you and make you feel comfortable — you don't even have to spend any of your shares. And… my father and I will also be able to help you with the tests and trials for the cure of the Rot."

"I created the pill your father could not in a few hours, Ms. Hall Master," Lucian blinked a couple of times, "How will he be of help to me?"

"T…that… that's true," Charlotte once again cleared her throat, "But more hands… are better?"

"I much rather prefer to stay here."

"...You are not safe here," Charlotte repeated her words, but this time, the tone of her voice turned serious as she looked Lucian in the eyes, "Do you know that you are currently catching the eyes of some people? The job you took on the other day…

…all of the emergency response members died, all except you."

"They died?" Lucian blinked, "But they were healthy before we separated."

"Apparently, the monster was a Poison Muscle Frog and they all just died a few hours later," Charlotte shook her head, "The Immortal Police actually went to the association to ask for you…

…but the receptionist refused to give them your name."

"Hm."

"You are not safe here — my part of the deal is to help keep your identity hidden and safe, bringing you to my sect is how I'll do that," Charlotte looked Lucian in the eyes, "Please."

"...Okay, but you have to bring my daughter too."

"That is no—wait, you also have a daughter!?" Charlotte then looked at the other door, "That… I promise, Dr. Lucian… And I put my life on it, I will protect your family."

"Okay," Lucian nodded. 

"There's…" Charlotte's confident gaze then faltered as she looked to the side, "There's actually one more thing…

…I need you to attend the Academy."

"You just put your life that you will protect my identity moments ago, Ms. Hall Master."

"It's… it's necessary! The people in the sect will be asking questions so… Don't… don't worry! We'll register you in a completely different name!"

"I see...

...you must not like your life that much, Ms. Hall Master."