The cultivation master

In a grand mansion

The sound of musical instruments echoed from the wooden stage in the corner of the hall. Many guests from various families were present at this event. In this banquet, large tables were arranged parallel to each other in a corner, with a variety of foods on them; and although the smell of spices and cooked meat was intoxicating, few people approached the dining table.

Using glasses, the servants had built a glass tower. Each glass contained a bit of drink for the guests to enjoy.

The servants, dressed in pressed uniforms, moved stiffly among the scattered conversations, occasionally offering drinks but mostly gathering bits of information from various people. However, away from the hustle and bustle, in a long corridor two floors above the banquet hall, two people sat on a wooden bench, enjoying the view of the vineyard at sunset.

With a "pop," the cork of the bottle flew out, and the strong smell of alcohol filled the air.

Two small glasses were filled halfway with the drink, then raised and clinked with a "ding."

"It's a fine wine, one of those exquisite kinds you can't find in every household," Sargon sipped the drink. He smiled and continued, "But it's too aged for this conversation."

The Duke smirked. "It's a tradition. Each of us stores several bottles in the cellar so our children can use them in important meetings."

Sargon, gently swirling the glass, enjoyed the aroma of the wine. "That's why I said it's not worth using for this simple conversation."

"In this world, there's no such thing as a simple conversation."

Sargon leaned on his cane. "Hmm, maybe it seems that way on the surface, but in the end, a conversation is just ideals spoken aloud, nothing more."

The Duke nodded and pointed to the hills beyond the vineyard. "From that area, the world will no longer see peace… The reactionary Murim Alliance is advancing on various fronts. Their progress is so significant that it can't be denied there's a traitor in our ranks."

Sargon paused for a moment. "There are many forces that haven't chosen their side yet."

The Duke asked, "Do you mean the Zombie Alliance?"

Sargon continued, "Beyond that… many of these groups might have become pawns without actually intending to."

The Duke stroked his chin. "So we're dealing with a cunning bastard."

Sargon laughed and took a sip. "Maybe cunning bastards."

The Duke glanced at Sargon from the corner of his eye. He took on a serious expression and asked, "You know more, don't you?"

"I know a lot, but that doesn't mean I'm aware of many truths."

The Duke refilled their glasses and continued, "Sometimes blind guesses become clues to finding unexpected answers."

This time, it was Sargon's turn to take on a serious expression.

"If I say that maybe all these events are part of a grand conspiracy thousands of years old, would you laugh at me?"

The Duke laughed and said, "Ha ha ha, what an imagination you have, boy!!!"

Sargon smirked and took another sip. "Didn't they rise once during the creation of the anomaly? What makes you think they can't do it again?"

The Duke laughed, "If they were involved, do you think the immortals would sit idly by?"

Sargon thought to himself, "That's exactly why I can't understand what they're thinking."

"Understanding the Heavenly Kings is not easy for us mortals." The Duke glanced at Sargon's cane. "But there's something I really can't understand. Who are you really? No group or sect knows you. The great families aren't willing to say they have any relation to you, but your influence and power can't be denied. You know, it really tickles one's curiosity."

"Sometimes you pose as a detective, sometimes as a politician. You have the appearance of nobility and live in guesthouses. I've searched a lot for your true identity, but you're like a shadow without a body."

"Ha ha ha! What good does knowing my identity do? Isn't it enough that I'm on your side to know I'm a friend and not an enemy?" Sargon laughed.

"Maybe, maybe not. Friendship with a shadow might be appealing to many, but I know better than anyone that relying on a shadow is no different from falling."

"Ha ha ha… That's what they call deep insight and shallow understanding. The relationship between humans and shadows doesn't work that way, Duke. We don't rely on each other; we use each other to achieve our own interests. Even if we want to help each other, we can't interfere directly; we live in two separate worlds!"

The Duke laughed and shook his head. He had assessed the situation well and expected such a response.

[He's a shadow. But how can one use a shadow? To cover up? This man is very mysterious; you can't even read what he's thinking from his face. The eyes… usually, you can read the truth from the eyes, but this man has no eyes to read the truth from.]

After a moment of contemplation, the Duke sighed and stared at the bottle in his hand.

"So, what's going to happen now?"

Sargon stood up and went to the window.

"The world is plunging into darkness, but I'm sure of one thing; where there is a shadow, there will be those who want to light the way."

"Ha ha… I hope so…"