Chapter 164: Harbinger of Evil Intent
In the depth gray-white limbo of the Hanz Clan Ancestral Shrine, the air was heavy with an eerie stillness, as if the world itself had been drained of vitality, leaving only a desolate void. The crimson threads binding Krogh Hanz pulsed with an unnatural glow, their rhythmic throbbing a stark contrast to the monochrome haze, as though they siphoned life from the very fabric of reality. The beaded curtain swayed faintly, its soft clinking a haunting counterpoint to the oppressive silence.
Donovan Valdez stood resolute before Krogh, his gaze unwavering despite the chilling weight of the bound cultivator’s presence.
Krogh’s voice was steady, weathered with wisdom yet softened by years of patience. "The Ju-On has taken my cultivation aura, mirrored my spirit energy, and even stolen the will of my sword," he explained, his words measured but kind. "Now, my Soulbound Artifact, the Sword of Red Run, no longer recognizes me as its true master." He sighed, the weight of the situation lingering in the air before he continued, his gaze firm but not unkind.
"Your task is to find my sword and remind it of our bond. Speak to its spirit—help it remember who I am." Though his eyes held the sharpness of a seasoned warrior, his tone remained warm, like an elder guiding a trusted disciple. "This is no small thing, but I have faith in you."
Donovan’s brow furrowed, his mind racing with suspicion. "Aye, Senior Brother! But would you let us know? Where exactly is the Hanz Clan Treasury House located? My squad companions and I have already visited the Clan Chief Royal Study Libaraary and this Ancestral Shrine. If we waste time searching blindly, we risk delaying your plans." His voice was steady but laced with caution, a subtle probe into Krogh’s intentions, wary of the manor’s lurking dangers.
Krogh’s face was calm, his voice smooth like aged wine—soft on the surface, yet carrying the quiet strength of a master who had weathered countless storms.
"The Treasure House rests deep beneath Driftdream Loch, where the water lilies bloom," he explained, his tone patient but firm. "It reveals itself only beneath the highest moon of the night. And there, at the heart of the lake, my sword stands vigil."
A faint warmth softened his words as he continued, "When the treasury opens, get to the lake pavilion. My Sword of Red Run will be waiting. Speak to it—not as a stranger, but as one who understands its duty."
Though his instructions were exact, there was no harshness in them—only the steady guidance of a mentor entrusting a sacred task.
Donovan’s heart quickened, his instincts screaming of hidden motives. "Since Senior Brother you know its exact location, why not retrieve the sword yourself?" he asked, his tone respectful but edged with skepticism, probing for any crack in Krogh’s enigmatic facade.