Chapter 123: Chapter 123: Ashen Veil Clan

His eyes remained on the map, but his thoughts shifted elsewhere.

Qi Sense Stage…

That wasn’t what he had. What he held wasn’t part of their system at all. No meridians, no traditional cultivation. He wasn’t a Body Tempering practitioner.

And he definitely wasn’t a Qi Sense master.

He was something else entirely.

Silence stretched just a little longer than it should have.

Then Aiden finally moved.

He straightened and turned his head slightly, just enough to glance at Caelus.

“…What do you think?” he asked.

The answer caught them off guard.

Caelus didn’t respond right away.

“I…” he started, then stopped, choosing his words more carefully. “Your strength is beyond a normal Body Tempering practitioner. That much is certain.”

He paused again.

“But… I cannot say for sure.”

Aiden gave a faint smile.

“Then leave it at that.”

It wasn’t a denial.

But it wasn’t an answer either.

Just enough to keep them guessing.

One of the elders frowned slightly, clearly unsatisfied, but he didn’t dare push further.

Caelus, on the other hand, lowered his head.

“I understand.”

Aiden turned back to the map, as if the question had already lost its importance.

But the atmosphere had changed.

The uncertainty lingered.

Because now, they weren’t just dealing with someone strong.

They were dealing with someone they couldn’t understand.

And that made him far more dangerous.

Aiden didn’t leave right away.

Even after everything was settled, he stayed the night inside the Zephyr Clan’s estate. Not out of courtesy, and not because he needed rest.

He simply chose to.

The halls were quiet compared to before. Servants moved carefully, keeping their distance. Guards stood straighter whenever he passed, their eyes following him for a second too long before dropping.

No one relaxed.

Not with him still inside the city.

—-

The next morning, the sky was still pale when Aiden stepped out.

His undead beast was already waiting at the entrance, its massive form crouched low, unmoving like a statue. Carrion stood beside it, silent as ever, while Graveknit lingered further back, its stitched frame faintly rattling with every small shift.

Caelus was there too.

Waiting.

He stepped forward the moment Aiden approached, lowering his head slightly.

“My lord.”

Aiden gave a small nod, then climbed onto his beast in one smooth motion.

For a moment, it seemed like he would leave without another word.

But then he paused.

“Before I go,” Aiden said, glancing down at Caelus, “tell me what you know about Breim City.”

Caelus straightened slightly.

“I don’t know everything,” he admitted. “But there is one thing that matters.”

Aiden waited.

Caelus’ expression grew more serious.

“They’re backed by one of the top five forces on this continent.”

That got Aiden’s attention.

“Oh?”

Caelus continued, his voice steady.

“The Ashen Veil Clan.”

The name alone carried weight.

“An old clan,” he added. “Powerful. Secretive. They rarely move openly, but when they do… the whole continent will be in chaos.”

Aiden’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“And they’re backing Breim.”

“Yes.”

A brief silence followed.

The wind passed through the courtyard, carrying a faint chill with it.

Then Aiden let out a quiet breath.

“…That makes things more interesting.”

There was no fear in his voice.

If anything, there was a hint of amusement.

Caelus hesitated for a moment, then spoke again.

“My lord… if you plan to move against Breim, you should be careful.”

Aiden held his gaze for a second.

Then he smiled faintly.

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

He reached into his robe.

When his hand came out, he was holding something small.

A black pill.

Almost pitch black, with a faint, unnatural sheen on its surface.

“Before I leave,” Aiden said casually, “take this.”

Caelus looked at it, just for a moment.

“What is it?” he asked.

“A precaution,” Aiden replied. “For you.”

Caelus hesitated.

Only for a second.

Then he stepped forward and took it with both hands.

“If it is from you, my lord, then I will accept it.”

Aiden watched him closely.

“Good,” he said. “Then take it now.”

There was a brief pause. The guards nearby shifted slightly, unsure. But Caelus didn’t question it.

He raised the pill and swallowed it without another word.

For a second, nothing happened. Then he frowned slightly.

“…What does it do?”

Aiden’s smile didn’t change.

“Nothing,” he said lightly. “As long as you don’t think about betraying me.”

The words settled slowly.

Caelus’ expression stiffened.

“…I see.”

Aiden tilted his head slightly.

“If you ever have ill thoughts about me, even for a moment,” he continued calmly, “it will trigger.”

A faint chill ran through the air.

“And when it does,” Aiden added, “you’ll know.”

Caelus stood there, the meaning of it sinking in.

Then, slowly, he lowered his head.

“…Understood, my lord.”

No anger or resistance, just acceptance.

Aiden watched him for a second longer, then nodded.

“Good.”

He tapped the side of his beast lightly.

“Let’s go.”

The creature moved instantly.

It rose, its massive frame shifting as it turned toward the open gates.

Carrion followed without a word. Graveknit moved after them, its uneven steps quiet against the ground.

As Aiden passed by, he didn’t look back.

Not once.

Behind him, Caelus remained where he stood, head lowered, unmoving even after Aiden had already left the courtyard.

The mist slowly swallowed their figures as they disappeared into the distance.

Only when they were completely gone did Caelus lift his head.

His expression was calm.

But his hand clenched slightly at his side.

From this moment on… there was no turning back.

—-

By the time Aiden returned, the sky was already turning orange.

His town stood quiet in the distance.

Not lifeless.

Just… still.

Figures moved along the streets, slow and steady. People carrying things, some talking, some simply walking with purpose.

But none of them breathed. None of them blinked unless they chose to.

Undead, yet not mindless.

They worked, they organized, they understood. The town moved like a machine that no longer needed a heartbeat.

At the gates, the guards stood in place.

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