Core Elder Limick

After having tea with Pon, Shui left the garden and headed back to his residence. Unfortunately, the advice Pon gave him was timed far too well. 

Waiting at his door was a young man in the silk coat of the manor, but unlike Shui's, the coat was white with black edges. This was the coat given to assistants of core elders who were in training to be core elders themselves. Core Elder Ren's assistant, Teo, wore black robes, but that was because he was already a core elder. The coat alone gave no indication of which core elder he served, but Shui was almost certain of the answer.

"I seem to be more popular than I anticipated. How can I help you?"

"I am Reo, an assistant to Core Elder Limick, here to escort you to the elder's office."

Shui wished he was in his residence so that he could pretend to be in seclusion, but the assistant's timing was too good. The manor's rules clearly stated that core disciples had to obey core elders, provided that they had no other pressing obligations, meaning refusing this request would be a blatant breach of the rules. Though he had memorised them, Shui usually didn't pay much attention to these rules, but the core section was Mater's territory, so screwing up here would create more problems than he wanted to deal with. Furthermore, if the elder wanted to talk about Nathan, then he might turn up in person if he refused this time.

'What will come will come, I suppose.'

"I see. Well, lead the way."

After that, Shui didn't try to continue the conversation, and neither did Reo. Instead, Reo led Shui to Elder Limick's office in silence. The offices of core elders were near the center of Storm Court and were frequently visited by core disciples, so it wasn't very far from the disciples' courtyards. A couple of minutes later, Shui arrived at the entrance of the War Department's administrative building, where Limick's office was located. It was a solemn black pagoda with a simple design but a domineering atmosphere. 

'I guess I'll have to go through here first. I hope there's no trouble.'

Elder Limick was an elder of the War Department, but his position wasn't as high as his cultivation. Being in the late Sky Realm, he should be at least a senior elder of the War Department, but his decision to stay neutral cost him the opportunity to rise. He was strong enough to stand his ground without having to worry about backlash, but the same couldn't be said of those under him.

Once they arrived at the War Department, Reo unconsciously increased his pace, and though flummoxed, Shui followed. Limick's office was on the first floor, so Reo hoped that they could reach it without incident, but soon after they entered, boisterous laughter echoed from above them.

"Hahaha! Is that Limick's poor assistant I see?"

Levitating from the second floor was a man who seemed more like a wall than a person. He was almost a cale in height, and his chest was over three feet in width. His muscular limbs seemed tougher than iron, and his hands looked like they could crush bones with a gentle pinch. Shui even wondered if he had giants' blood and used his Sage God Eyes, but he appeared to be human for the most part.

"Storm Commander Gerald..."

Upon seeing the massive man landing on the floor, Reo apprehensively addressed him. Storm Commander was one of the highest ranks inside the War Department, being only two levels below Deputy Head. As Shui wondered why someone like that would be bothering them, Gerald spoke.

"Are you going to see that sad teacher of yours?"

"Yes. It's urgent, so I would appreciate it if you could let us pass."

"Sure, go on ahead."

Gerald then stepped aside and urged them forward, but neither Reo nor Shui thought it would be so simple. Still, Reo led the way, but as soon as he made it past Gerald, the hulking man unleashed his aura pressure. The two were instantly locked in place, but while Shui could break out if he wanted to, Reo struggled to stand up straight. The gap between Reo and Gerald wasn't so much that he could crush him to death with just his aura, but it was enough to give him internal injuries if it went on for too long.

"Storm, Commander, what is the meaning, of this?"

"What are you talking about, little Reo? Don't you have to go see your teacher?"

"Kuh!"

Shui didn't think much of the pressure, but the other two might become suspicious if he was able to resist for too long without a groan. As he considered what his next move should be, the pressure suddenly disappeared.

"Gerald, as Storm Commander, don't you have more important things to do?"

A well-built figure approached from the direction that Reo was heading in. Compared to Gerald, everyone seemed small and fragile, but this figure exuded a firm presence like a boulder unweathered by wind or rain. Gerald's expression became grave as he faced him, but he didn't make any careless moves.

"You call me Storm Commander, but I don't sense any respect in your tone, Limick."

Shui had already guessed, but it was good to get confirmation that this was the elder he was brought to meet. As if nothing had happened, Reo led Shui to Elder Limick's side. The elder took a glance at Reo and then gave him a healing pill.

"Take this and recover. Return once you've absorbed the medicinal effects."

"Yes, Elder."

Once Reo left, Limick responded to Gerald.

"Respect is for those who've earned it. I don't respect cowards who lick the boots of their superiors and then try to make their subordinates do the same to them."

"Limick!"

Like an erupting volcano, Gerald's aura exploded before he charged at Limick with his fists wrapped in ice. Seeing him approach, Limick sighed and raised both hands. Without actually touching him, he invited Gerald's attack, spun him around, and then threw him towards the entrance accompanied by a gust of wind. He wouldn't take much damage, but there was now a bit of time before he could return.

"Gah!"

"That should settle him for now. Let's head to my office before he comes back."

Impressed by Limick's technique, Shui agreed.

"Yes."

Limick's office was only a few doors away. Besides a desk with stationery and two chairs, there was nothing else inside the room. It was smaller than Core Elder Ren's office, but the sparseness made the room seem bigger than it actually was.

After entering, Limick took the seat behind the desk and gestured for Shui to take the chair in front of the desk. Once they were both seated, Limick spoke plainly.

"I should probably apologise that you had to go through that trouble with Gerald, but let's start with the main topic first. Did you kill my disciple Nathan?"

Since being invited by Limick's assistant, Shui imagined countless ways in which this question would be asked, but this was much more straightforward than he expected. His first thought was to firmly deny it, but as he looked into Limick's eyes, he changed his mind. Within those eyes he found an eerie calm, like still waters before a storm. However, he didn't see the rage or hatred that he expected. Curious, Shui adjusted his answer.

"I don't know where you heard that from, but all I can confirm is that Nathan is indeed dead."