Chapter 20: Into the Hall of Cleansing
I lay unconscious against Elder Yun's shoulder as she strode purposefully toward the Hall of Cleansing. As she moved, thoughts crossed her mind: "This boy is indeed strange." She reflected on the Devil Fist's words, marveling at the fragrance that seemed to emanate from my very soul. "The Heavenly Demon truly has an eye for treasures," she mused, a smile gracing her lips as she quickened her pace. Yet, as I lay cradled in her grasp, my thoughts drifted to my family.
"They must be worried sick," I pondered, recalling the newborn child—my little sister—whose name I did not even know" making a smile tug at my lips I remembered something I had taken from her soul, a scripture bound to her essence. What astonished me more was the myriad temptations this world offered.A land truly worthy of its name,Avalonia" I whispered to myself, but my fleeting moment of peace was abruptly shattered.
"Boy, if you have awakened, why don't you speak?" she said, her gaze unwavering as she marched forward. I opened my eyes and smiled, "Such a cold beauty." My grin widened as I added, "Forgive my rudeness; this venerable one has not rested in days." My eyes were fixed on her striking face.
"Foolish child, how dare you speak to me with such a gaze?" she shot back, but I interrupted her. "What gaze? You are a beautiful woman." But her expression remained impassive, unmoved by my flattery. "What does a child know of beauty? Allow me to advise you," she said, halting abruptly before a massive hall. With a swift motion, she flung me to the ground, the force knocking the breath from my lungs. "Keep your words to yourself; for they are meaningless to me. I won't hesitate to slit your throat," she said calmly, unsheathing a long sword that rested at her waist, her fingers caressing the blunt edge with a strange fondness.
I sensed the sword energy radiating from her being, as I crawled to my knees my eyes sparkled with intrigue. "The perfect blend of sword unity within one's soul," I thought, a smile creeping onto my face. "And when you kill me, what will you tell the Heavenly Demon?" I teased, invoking the name of that formidable figure. "That's not for you to worry about," she replied, her sword poised to sever my head from my shoulders. I met her gaze, my expression devoid of fear. "Then chop it off clean!," I challenged, laughter bubbling within me, drawing the attention of those residing within the hall.
"Is that not Elder Yun?" one onlooker remarked, pointing. "But who is that kneeling there?" they asked, confusion evident in their voices.
Normally, Elder Yun exuded calmness, but today, she seemed different—angry, perhaps. "Is that boy insane?" a youthful woman remarked, watching me stretch my neck in preparation for the inevitable. The crowd stared in bewilderment.
Elder Yun, lost in thought, mused, "This boy knows he holds leverage over me, taunting me with such audacity. Truly remarkable, what's worse is that I can't detect any trace of fear from him." She scrutinized me, her sword hovering mere inches from my neck. "Do it! Chop it off let my blood stain the ground!" I shouted, laughing inwardly, yet my head remained intact as she sheathed her sword. "This boy is insane!" Elder Yun thought, her gaze locked onto me as she tore a piece of cloth from her red scarf, attempting to bind my mouth while I playfully resisted.
She glared at me, and I returned her look with mischief, eliciting disgust from her as she used the other piece of the scarf to blindfold me. "Who is that kid?" the onlookers murmured, their eyes fixated on me. "Even the great Elder Yun cannot do anything to this child," some speculated, their whispers growing louder.
Suddenly, she turned to the crowd. "Scram!" she said calmly, sending them scattering in all directions. With renewed determination, she lifted me back into her arms and walked into the expansive hall. It was a vast space, and as she walked for what felt like an eternity, she finally halted and bowed.
With a resounding boom, the large doors swung open, revealing two figures emerging from within—one cloaked in black, the other in red. "Child, what brings you to the Hall of Cleansing?" the elder in the red robe asked, extending his hand, which Elder Yun took, laying a respectful kiss upon it.
"I have come with news from the Heavenly Demon, Blaire," she replied, her head still bowed in deference. "That rascal, what does he want from us this time?" the elder in black exclaimed, his voice laced with irritation. "Why does the fourth act this way?" he continued, but the elder in red placed a hand on his shoulder. "Hoho, that's alright. What does that child want this time?" he chuckled, stroking his beard thoughtfully.
I could sense that the men before me were far more intimidating than the Heavenly Demon. Suddenly, their gaze shifted to me. "And who is this young lad?" the elder in red asked, his eyes narrowing. "Why do you bind his eyes and mouth?" the elder in black demanded.
"My lord, this child was sent here by the Heavenly Demon. He wishes for him to be thrown into the Pit of Cleansing," she explained, maintaining her respectful demeanor.
"You have yet to answer my question—why bind him in such a manner?" His words sent chills down her spine. "Brother, calm your anger. The more I observe this child, the more I sense his nature is not unlike our own. He does not belong in the Pit of Cleansing," the elder in red remarked, still stroking his beard.
"You may be correct, but you understand the purpose of the Hall of Cleansing, do you not?" the elder in black replied, taking a deep breath. "The Pit of Cleansing is a fierce ground of constant battles, shaping one's mind along the demonic path. You may not have noticed, but I sense a darkness lurking within this boy's soul." Upon hearing his words, I smiled. "Oh boy, why do you smile?" the elder in red asked, pulling away the cloth that bound my eyes and lips.
As my vision returned, I was struck by the majestic beauty of the hall's doors and the intricate carvings upon them. But what captivated me most were the two men standing before me, their energy swirling around them like flames. "These men stand at the pinnacle of power," I realized, noting their youthful appearances contrasted with the ancient wisdom etched in their features.
"Greetings, venerable ones," I said, my smile unwavering as they regarded me with curiosity. "That pit you speak of? Throw me in!" I declared boldly, eliciting astonished looks from all present. The elder in black stepped forward, sharing a hearty laugh. "Hahaha, is this child insane?" he exclaimed, but the elder in red's expression turned serious. "Where did you find this boy?" he demanded of Elder Yun, who bowed her head in fear. "My Lord, the Heavenly Demon brought him back from his journey; his origins are unknown."
"Ha, that's good," the elder in black replied on behalf of his brother, grabbing me by the neck before I could react. He flung me into the open chamber, but to my astonishment, I did not crash to the ground; instead, I continued to fall. "Shall we go down even faster?" I thought, repositioning myself for a dive. "I can feel it—I'm about to hit the ground!" I exclaimed, exhilaration flooding my mind. What awaited me in this abyss? The thrill of the unknown consumed me.
Gradually, the darkness of the pit began to shift, revealing a vibrant red sky above me. "What on earth is this?!" I exclaimed, taking in my surroundings. It was as though I had slipped into an entirely different realm, one that transcended mere dimensions. As I descended, I caught glimpses of various creatures lurking in the forest, each one unique in shape and size—some towering like mammoths. "This is truly fascinating," I murmured, as I landed on the ground. My feet trembled from the impact, as clouds of dust swirled around me, marking my arrival in this strange new world.