The Meaning of a Hegemony

The Meaning of a Hegemony

. . .

Quinn met his end, ensnared in a web of deceit spun by Zai Qiu, and was executed on the spot. The grim executioners hailed from the formidable Core Faction of the Royal Sacred Sect.

Fan Miaoyu's eyes widened in sheer disbelief and horror. A chill ran down her spine, freezing her in place. Quinn's blade bore the evidence of a bloody confrontation, and his crimson weapon dripped with the lifeblood of a Core Faction member. He had severed another cultivator's arm in the chaotic struggle. But it was too late; Zai Qiu's relentless palm struck Quinn's heart, snuffing out his life in an instant. Simultaneously, Xia Sheng's fist pounded into Quinn's back, crushing his internal organs, while an unforgiving spear pierced through the center of his forehead, sealing his fate in a gruesome tableau of death.

Fan Miaoyu's breaths came in frantic gasps as the grim reality settled in. She had never fathomed that Zai Qiu and his cohorts would go to such lengths as to execute Quinn on the spot. It was a horrifying spectacle, and she found herself caught in the vortex of this ruthless betrayal. When Zai Qiu had proclaimed his surname as 'Zai,' it had been the signal for the brutal assault. Without warning, Quinn was surrounded, overwhelmed, and denied any opportunity for escape. Quinn had never wished for Sun Qing's death; he and Qin Wentian had been forced to make a dire choice, and they had chosen to save Fan Miaoyu.

This heart-wrenching decision had led to the blood-soaked scene that unfolded before her. The cruelty displayed by the Royal Sacred Sect was beyond her wildest nightmares, and Fan Miaoyu stood there, her trust shattered.

Siko's heart trembled violently as he witnessed Quinn's demise. His eyes welled up with tears, and he took a deep breath, struggling to maintain his composure. He had always been the patient one, believing that human hearts were unpredictable and full of treachery. He had warned Quinn of the potential dangers, but Quinn had not taken his caution seriously. Siko had underestimated the depths of Zai Qiu's resolve to avenge Sun Qing.

Siko was certain that Zai Qiu had not sought approval or reported his actions to the sect's higher-ups. He had acted recklessly, ignoring the consequences. The Royal Sacred Sect's leaders would never have sanctioned the ruthless execution of a Heaven Chosen from the Battle Sword Faction. This heinous act had unfolded solely because of Zai Qiu's determination to eliminate Quinn.

Zai Qiu withdrew his hand, crimson with Quinn's blood. Quinn's lifeless body crumpled to the ground, surrounded by the gruesome aftermath of his execution. A peak-tier Heavenly Dipper Sovereign of the Battle Sword Sect had met a tragic end, a victim of vendetta and treachery.

The onlookers couldn't help but shudder at the ruthlessness displayed by Zai Qiu. His chilling voice reverberated through the silence, leaving an icy imprint on everyone's soul. Fan Miaoyu, her heart turned to ice, couldn't help but reflect on the use of the word 'traitor' and the merciless execution that followed. Quinn had been framed, and Zai Qiu's surname, 'Zai,' had been the catalyst for this horrifying sequence of events.

Suddenly, a cold voice cut through the tension. It was evident that others had arrived on the scene, drawn by the commotion. Royal Sacred Sect experts materialized, demanding an explanation.

"Quinn defied Elder Li's command, resulting in the death of Junior Brother Sun Qing. Furthermore, he attempted to implicate Junior Sister Shang within the Immortal Palace," Zai Qiu declared boldly. At the mention of Elder Li, silence descended, and no one dared to protest.

Moments later, a commanding voice echoed, "Zai Qiu, Elder Li wishes to see you alone in his chamber. The rest may disperse."

"Understood." Zai Qiu's figure flickered as he cast one final cold glance at Quinn's lifeless form. As he departed, an ominous thought lingered in his mind: "One more to eliminate."

Xia Sheng and the others departed, leaving behind a somber and heavy atmosphere. Siko stepped forward, gently lifting Quinn's lifeless body, and then silently walked away. Fan Miaoyu trailed behind Siko, her eyes blank and distant. The shocking and abrupt loss of Quinn was a heavy weight on her heart, and she struggled to come to terms with his violent and unjust demise.

In a different corner of the Royal Sacred Sect, Zai Qiu entered the abode of Elder Li. As he met the elder's stern gaze, Zai Qiu couldn't muster the courage to look him in the eye. Siko's deduction had been correct; Zai Qiu had acted without seeking approval.

"Zai Qiu, what have you done?" Elder Li's voice carried a tone of severe reprimand. Killing a Heaven Chosen from the Battle Sword Faction was bound to have far-reaching consequences.

"Uncle-master, someone had to pay for Junior Brother Sun Qing's death," Zai Qiu responded honestly. He had acted primarily to avenge Sun Qing, and the blame placed on Quinn was merely a pretext for the others. But before his master's apprentice brother, he had no need for pretense.

"So, you chose to act without authorization and killed him alongside Xia Sheng and the others?" Elder Li's voice was frosty. "Who else was involved in this?"

"Qin Wentian," Zai Qiu replied. "That young man and Quinn both displayed arrogance. Qin Wentian even declined your invitation in the past. For someone like him, we needn't consider any further. Since he refused to join us, we should eliminate him!"

With that, Zai Qiu's words carried a chilling resolve. Elder Li's gaze bore into him, but Zai Qiu couldn't discern his master's intentions. He had no insight into Elder Li's thoughts.

After a prolonged silence, Elder Li finally spoke in a low voice, "Qin Wentian, what a pity. He's an incredibly rare genius. I don't wish to be involved in this matter. Handle it yourself."

Zai Qiu felt a surge of elation. It seemed that his master had tacitly approved of his actions. This was the result of acting first and seeking approval afterward. Since the deed was done and history could not be undone, Zai Qiu knew his master wanted him to resolve the situation smoothly, without leaving any loose ends.

Once Zai Qiu departed, Elder Li's eyes glinted with a hint of sharpness. "Qin Wentian, I've given you a chance. Since you chose not to join the Core Faction, disappear from the Royal Sacred Region forever."

Back at the Battle Sword Faction's entrance, everyone grieved as they gathered around Quinn's lifeless body.

"Quinn..." A wise-looking figure tenderly closed Quinn's lifeless eyes. This elderly man was none other than Quinn's master. His face bore the weight of age and grief. He had cherished his disciple deeply, for Quinn possessed remarkable talent, a warm-hearted personality, and a straightforward nature that mirrored his sword style. Quinn had been a promising swordsman.

However, this exceptional disciple had met a brutal end. What was more painful was that Quinn had perished at the hands of fellow sect members from the Royal Sacred Sect itself.

The leader of the Battle Sword Faction, known as the vice-leader within the Royal Sacred Sect, arrived on the scene. He, like the leaders of other factions, was tasked with governing his respective faction. However, this incident was a grave humiliation. A disciple from their faction had been ruthlessly slain in public, a glaring affront.

"Ancestor," Quinn's master addressed the vice-leader. The elderly man was the former leader of the Battle Sword Sect, and those from the Battle Sword Faction in the Royal Sacred Sect hailed from their sect.

"Explain everything to me," the vice-leader ordered. Siko nodded and began recounting the events that had led to Sun Qing's death. Fan Miaoyu added details about the female surnamed Shang's actions and how Zai Qiu had framed Quinn.

As the witnesses spoke, the listeners' expressions darkened. Some among them even contemplated rushing to the Core Faction to demand Zai Qiu's surrender.

"Wentian is in grave danger," the vice-leader remarked somberly, sending shivers down everyone's spine. Zai Qiu had publicly executed Quinn, a clear indication that he harbored murderous intent toward Qin Wentian as well.

"Ancestor, should we demand Zai Qiu's extradition?" Quinn's master questioned with a heavy heart.

"Demand Zai Qiu's extradition? Do you think they would acquiesce?" The vice-leader's tone was devoid of the earlier humor he had displayed during his conversations with Qin Wentian. His presence now exuded solemnity.

"But shall we let them go unpunished, permitting such audacity?" Quinn's master protested vehemently.

"In the Royal Sacred Region, the Royal Sacred Sect reigns supreme, but have you ever wondered why?" The old man's voice held a sense of contemplation as he gazed at the gathering of Battle Sword Faction disciples.

"Strength," replied Quinn's master with a solemn nod. "It all boils down to the existence of those legendary immortals."

The old man leaned forward, his eyes locking onto Quinn's master. "You see it too. The Royal Sacred Sect's dominance in this region, their control over everything, their subjects—all of it isn't due to kindness or benevolence. It's power. True strength. But what does strength really mean? Imagine if, one day, our Battle Sword Sect produced a character capable of transcending to that legendary realm. We could stand independently, separate from the Royal Sacred Sect, and even consider ourselves their equals. We could gather followers and grow in power. Every faction here understands this unwritten rule. But without an immortal to back us, do you think the Royal Sacred Sect would care about our faction? If we were to rebel, they wouldn't even need to lift a finger. A single command, and other factions would eagerly obliterate us. There's no shortage of major powers eager to seize our position and become the next faction in the Royal Sacred Sect."

The old man's words hung heavy in the air, rendering everyone speechless. The implications were clear—if they rebelled, they would face immediate suppression. Even without the Battle Sword Sect, the Royal Sacred Sect could elevate another major power and invite them to take their place.

In this region, the Royal Sacred Sect reigned supreme as the ultimate hegemon.

A chill coursed through Fan Miaoyu's body, sending shivers down her spine. While they had previously suspected some of these truths, hearing a vice-leader of the Royal Sacred Sect lay them out so bluntly made their hearts tremble. This was the harsh reality of a strength-oriented world—cruel and unforgiving. To speak of justice, one had to first possess the strength to defend it. In this realm, might made right, and strength dictated everything.

Their comprehension of the word 'hegemony' deepened further as the old man continued his candid exposition. He had no fear of his words being spread; this was a truth that everyone tacitly understood. The Royal Sacred Sect wouldn't arbitrarily suppress factions that didn't rebel, and the Battle Sword Faction wouldn't be punished over mere words. The upper echelons of the Royal Sacred Sect had more pressing matters to attend to.

As for ambition, among the countless powers in the Royal Sacred Region, who didn't harbor dreams of toppling the Royal Sacred Sect from its throne of hegemony? It was a universal aspiration, but the prerequisite was having an immortal backing. Without an existence of legendary prowess, no matter how grand their ambitions, could they ever hope to achieve them?