Faiser returned to the Heavenly Phoenix Sect as sunset approached.
The sky was painted in sharp shades of orange, and the final rays of the sun struck the tall stone walls, making the sect look like an ancient fortress hiding dormant fire in its depths.
Faiser entered with calm, steady steps, without haste.
As if the man who had sent a spy's head in a box only hours ago… had merely returned from a short walk.
At the main gate, two guards stood holding spears. The moment he approached, their expressions changed quickly.
One immediately straightened his back, while the other swallowed nervously before bowing slightly.
The first guard said with tense respect:
"Sir Faiser… you have returned."
Faiser raised an eyebrow slightly, then said calmly:
"How do you know my name?"
The two guards exchanged a brief glance, then the second one said:
"The whole sect knows you now, sir."
He paused for a moment, then added:
"Prince Shin's guest… and the person who challenged the Sixth Elder."
The first guard quickly added:
"And some disciples are already calling you one of the new third-generation disciples."
Faiser looked at them for a moment, then said coldly:
"Events move quickly."
The second guard gave an awkward smile and said:
"People love trouble more than training."
Inside Faiser's mind, the book burst into laughter and said happily:
"Hahahahaha! I like this guard! Wise, and he understands human nature."
Faiser said internally:
"Be quiet."
The book immediately replied:
"No. I want to adopt him."
Faiser entered without another comment.
The inner corridors of the sect were more active than usual.
Servants moved quickly, disciples stood in corners, small groups spoke in hushed voices, and many gazes rose toward him before quickly fleeing.
The rumor was no longer words.
It had become a presence.
The book said theatrically:
"Ah… look at them."
Then it continued mockingly:
"Some are afraid, some are curious, and some hate you without knowing you."
It paused for a moment before laughing.
"You have officially become an important person."
Faiser said internally:
"You have officially become annoying."
The book replied proudly:
"I was that from the beginning."
Faiser continued walking.
Then the book suddenly said:
"By the way, if you want my advice… pass by the Sixth Elder now and wave at him."
Faiser said:
"I will not."
The book said in displeasure:
"Why?"
Faiser replied:
"Because I am not a child."
The book sighed and said:
"Unfortunate. Sometimes you lack artistic spirit."
At that moment, Faiser raised his gaze forward.
Someone was walking from the opposite direction, with balanced steps, neat clothes, and a calm dignity that did not need to announce itself.
Shin.
The two approached until only a few steps remained between them.
Shin smiled faintly, then said:
"You finally returned."
Faiser said calmly:
"It appears so."
Shin looked at him for a longer moment than usual, then said:
"You are fine."
Faiser replied:
"Was something else expected?"
Shin laughed lightly and said:
"With you? Yes."
Some disciples passed nearby with deliberate slowness, as if searching for any word to overhear.
Shin noticed, but did not turn toward them.
Then he said in a low voice:
"I heard the rumors reached you."
Faiser said:
"They did."
Shin said:
"Did they bother you?"
Faiser said:
"No."
Shin said:
"Did they annoy you?"
Faiser said:
"No."
Shin looked at him and smiled.
"Then why do you look like you are thinking?"
Faiser immediately replied:
"Because I am thinking."
Shin smiled despite himself.
Then he said:
"The Sixth Elder is behind what is being said. I know that."
He continued in a more serious tone:
"But I do not want to turn this matter into an open conflict right now."
Then he looked directly at Faiser and said:
"I only want you to be careful of him."
Faiser said:
"I am careful."
Shin shook his head and said:
"No… I mean more than that."
His voice changed slightly, becoming heavier.
Shin said:
"People look at him and see a fat man quick to anger… and that is a mistake. He is not only strong… he is intelligent."
Shin raised his gaze toward the long corridor before them, as though remembering something old.
Then he said:
"There is a secret only my father and I know. The Sixth Elder was not born great here. He was rejected from one of the higher sects."
"There… he was weak. What is considered weakness there… is considered strength here."
He paused for a moment, then continued:
"You know that after the Heavenly Phoenix Sect split from the Red Bear Sect, it came to be treated as a lower sect. Because of that… a man with his experience and strength is considered an important gain for us."
Then he fixed his gaze on Faiser and said clearly:
"Even if I know his evils, still… I ask you, please do not create a bigger problem with him than what already happened. Please, for the sake of the sect."
Inside Faiser's mind, the book laughed slyly.
It said:
"Poor man…"
Then burst into laughter.
"He does not know the stage of small problems ended with the head box!"
Faiser's face remained expressionless.
Then he said calmly:
"Shin."
Shin said:
"Yes?"
Faiser said:
"You think of your sect's interests… through one man."
Shin's smile paused slightly.
He said:
"What do you mean?"
Faiser said:
"I mean you are building stability upon a man."
Then he took a slow step and continued:
"So what if he dies? What if he betrays you? What if he finds a better offer and leaves?"
He fixed his eyes on Shin and said:
"Will the sect collapse with him?"
Silence followed.
Some passersby felt the heaviness in the air and unconsciously moved away.
Shin did not grow angry.
Instead, he calmly said:
"Then what is the solution in your opinion?"
Inside Faiser's mind, the book said excitedly:
"Oh…"
Then laughed.
"Now the beautiful part begins."
Faiser spoke in a calm, clear voice:
"A weak ruler seeks strong men to hide behind."
"But a true ruler… makes strong men seek a place beneath his banner."
Shin's eyes narrowed slightly.
Faiser continued:
"As heir to this sect, you should not ask: who will protect me?"
"You should ask: why do the strong need to stay with me?"
"Build a system that makes staying profitable."
"Build prestige that makes betrayal costly."
"Build opportunity that makes the talented come on their own."
Then he raised his gaze slightly and said:
"Then if one Elder leaves… a better one comes."
"If one leader dies… a stronger one appears."
"If one man betrays you… ten more will be waiting for his place."
"But to cling to one man because you fear emptiness…"
He paused for a moment.
Then said coldly:
"That is an admission you possess nothing with which to fill it."
Silence fell.
Even the book remained silent this time.
Shin looked at the ground for a moment, then slowly raised his head.
He said:
"Your words are beautiful."
Then he smiled faintly.
"And harsh."
He added:
"And true… partially."
Faiser said:
"Truth does not need to be gentle."
Shin smiled wider this time, then said:
"You speak as though you ruled cities and toppled kingdoms."
Faiser replied without hesitation:
"And you listen as though you wish to do so one day."
Shin's smile truly widened.
Then he said:
"Perhaps."
He stepped closer and said:
"But ruling is not only words."
Faiser said:
"I know."
Shin said:
"And men are not always easily replaced."
Faiser said:
"I know."
Shin said:
"And strength does not come when we ask for it."
Faiser said calmly:
"That is why I told you… become the strength first."
Shin remained silent for a long moment.
Then he let out a light breath and said:
"Every time I speak with you… I feel as though I receive advice and a threat at the same time."
Inside Faiser's mind, the book shouted:
"Very accurate!"
Faiser said:
"That is because you are intelligent enough to understand both."
This time Shin laughed honestly.
Then he straightened himself and said:
"Very well… I will not ask you to leave the Sixth Elder alone. I know you will not."
Then he looked at him seriously and said:
"But try not to burn the sect with him."
Faiser replied as he passed by him:
"That depends on how much wood already exists."
Shin froze for a moment.
Then turned and called:
"Faiser."
Faiser stopped without turning and said:
"Yes?"
Shin said calmly:
"If you were my enemy… that would concern me."
A faint smile appeared on Faiser's face.
Then he said:
"Then be intelligent… and do not become one."
And continued walking.
Shin stood there for a long time, looking at Faiser's distant back.
Then said to himself:
"Is that a man I met…"
He looked toward the corridor where Faiser had disappeared.
"…or a storm that entered through the gate?"
Inside Faiser's mind, the book burst into laughter and said happily:
"Hahahahaha!"
"You won a political round… without even owning a room here!"
Then its laughter softened, and its voice became more dangerous.
"But the Sixth Elder will not like that the heir of the sect has begun thinking through your words."
Faiser's steps paused briefly.
Then he said calmly:
"Good."
And continued walking.
"Let him begin choking early."
Shin remained standing after Faiser left, his eyes still fixed on the corridor where he vanished.
The movement around him gradually returned.
Disciples continued walking, servants hurried past, voices returned to normal… but inside him, things were no longer the same as they had been minutes earlier.
Shin lowered his gaze slightly, then said to himself:
"A weak ruler seeks strong men to hide behind…"
He repeated the words slowly, as if testing their weight.
"But a true ruler… makes strong men seek a place beneath his banner."
He sighed lightly.
"This man…"
He raised a hand to his forehead.
"Every time I think he is merely a rude person who causes chaos…"
Then he smiled slightly.
"He leaves me thinking far too much afterward."
He took two slow steps, then suddenly stopped.
His eyes widened slightly.
"Wait…"
He turned quickly.
"Damn!"
Then he rushed through the corridor with swift steps, passing disciples who stared at him in shock.
"Prince Shin is running?!"
"What happened?!"
"Did a fight break out?!"
Elsewhere, Faiser was walking calmly while the book's voice filled his mind.
The book said excitedly:
"You know? If you ruled a sect, it would become an excellent place for disasters."
Faiser said:
"And if you were silent for one minute, life would improve."
"Impossible. I am a necessary spirit."
Suddenly—
"Faiser!"
Faiser stopped immediately and turned quickly.
He saw Shin approaching in haste, his breathing slightly heavier than usual.
Faiser raised an eyebrow in clear surprise, then said:
"What is wrong with you, Shin?"
"Has the sect already collapsed?"
Shin stopped before him, took a breath, then said:
"No… but I forgot something important."
Faiser looked at him expressionlessly and said:
"And what is this thing that makes you run after me in the corridors as if chasing a thief?"
Shin sighed, then said seriously:
"The first and second generation disciples… and the Elders currently outside the sect will return in only two days."
He paused for a moment, then continued:
"I thought they would return after a week, but I received a message earlier and forgot to mention it to you before."
Faiser's eyes narrowed slightly.
Shin continued:
"So be careful of the Sixth Elder's disciples. Some of them are not merely ordinary trainees."
"Some have fought real battles, some trained in harsh lands, and some… are far stronger than you expect."
Inside Faiser's mind, the book said mockingly:
"A brief translation: a group of fools arriving with large muscles and even larger confidence."
Faiser sighed in clear boredom, then said:
"All this…"
He looked at Shin.
"Because of such a trivial matter, you run after me to warn me about some cockroaches?"
Shin froze for a moment.
"Cockroaches…?"
Faiser said coldly:
"Yes. They move a lot, make noise, and think themselves important."
Then he continued as he turned away:
"But… thank you."
Shin raised an eyebrow.
"You thank me?"
Faiser said while continuing to walk:
"You gave me an early idea of what will happen. That saves time."
Shin said with concern:
"Faiser… what do you mean?"
A faint smile appeared on Faiser's face.
A smile Shin did not like at all.
Without turning back, Faiser said:
"I was only wondering…"
He paused for a moment.
"How many of them I need to crush…"
Then continued walking.
"…before the Sixth Elder understands the message."
Silence filled the corridor.
Shin remained where he was, while his pupils shrank.
Inside Faiser's mind, the book burst into insane laughter.
"Hahahahaha!"
"I have already begun loving the first generation disciples before they even arrive!"
Then its voice lowered and became more dangerous.
"In two days… the sect will not only welcome returnees…"
"It will welcome a catastrophe as well."