Chapter 36

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Maximus stands atop the ruined balcony, overlooking his gathered followers. The flickering torches cast eerie shadows across their faces, reflecting their unwavering devotion. He spreads his arms, his voice a deep, commanding echo against the cold night air.

"They treat Tang Su Yan as a minor inconvenience—fools, all of them! Those elders They fail to see the storm brewing, the threat she poses to everything we have built. But I see it. I see the danger she represents, the fire in her heart that will one day become an inferno strong enough to burn our empire to ashes."

His followers remain still, eyes gleaming with reverence and bloodlust.

"She is no mere survivor; she is an anomaly. A woman who defies fate itself, who rises from the brink of death time and time again, growing stronger with each battle. But that strength, that defiance, will be her downfall."

Maximus clenches his fist, dark energy crackling at his fingertips.

"We will not wait for her to become a true threat. We strike now, before she gathers her forces, before she becomes an unstoppable force standing in the way of our Lord Hades' return! This world has rotted under the hands of weak, selfish humans, clinging to their fleeting hopes. They believe in survival, but they do not understand the truth—destruction is the only path to salvation. From the ruins, we will forge a new world, ruled by absolute power."

The air vibrates with his conviction, his presence suffocating with raw intensity. His followers lower their heads in solemn devotion.

"The Overseer's body has already begun to resonate with the void. Soon, the ritual will be complete. The core's power must be claimed, and for that, Tang Su Yan must be eliminated. Her fortress, her allies, her dreams of a safe haven—they will crumble before our might."

Maximus turns, his cloak billowing as he raises his arm high.

"Let the world tremble! We march at dawn—erase her from existence!"

A deafening roar of allegiance fills the night. The hunt begins.

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Elder Tang stands in the dimly lit chamber, his aged fingers tapping lightly against the wooden armrest of his chair. His expression remains unreadable, but the flicker in his eyes betrays a deep, calculating thought. The council members before him shift uneasily, waiting for his response.

"So, Maximus moves without the sanction of the other elders," Elder Tang murmurs, his voice calm yet heavy with the weight of centuries of wisdom. "As expected. He has always been impatient, blinded by his own ambitions."

One of the council members steps forward, lowering his voice. "Elder Tang, if we do not intervene, Tang Su Yan will be in danger. But if we make a move now, we risk exposing our allegiance. The moment the other elders realize we are protecting her, all our efforts over the past century will be for nothing."

Elder Tang exhales slowly, the tension in the room growing thick. He closes his eyes for a brief moment, recalling the countless years of preparation, the sacrifices made in silence, all for this moment—the awakening of the Eminence of Shadow. Who would have thought… that power, that destiny, resided within his own great-granddaughter?

"This is not the time to reveal ourselves," he finally says, his voice firm. "Maximus is a rabid dog. Let him run wild for now. If we show our hand too soon, we will lose the opportunity to strike when it truly matters."

"But, Elder Tang—"

He raises a hand, silencing the protest. His gaze sharpens, and for a moment, the weight of his centuries-old presence presses upon the room.

"There is no need for panic. Tang Su Yan is no fragile flower. If she truly carries the Eminence of Shadow within her, she will survive. And if she does—" He leans forward slightly, a knowing smirk playing at the corner of his lips. "—then Maximus will regret underestimating her."

The council members exchange glances, understanding settling over them like a heavy shroud. They bow their heads in acknowledgment.

"As you command, Elder Tang."

Elder Tang turns toward the window, watching the night stretch endlessly beyond the mountains.

The final war is coming. And soon, the world will bear witness to the rise of the true sovereign.

The Scarlet Shadow, an enigmatic and elusive organization, has remained hidden from the world for centuries. No kingdom, no empire, not even the most powerful factions know of their existence. They have never sought recognition, never interfered in mortal affairs—until now.

Lurking in the unseen corners of history, they have watched, waited, and prepared for the arrival of the prophesied child—the one who will wield the power of the Shadow Eminence. A being not of destruction, but of balance. A beacon of hope in a world teetering on the edge of ruin.

While the rest of humanity scrambles in chaos, the Scarlet Shadow moves with purpose. Their blades remain hidden, their whispers unheard, their influence unseen. Every war, every kingdom's rise and fall, every calamity has only been a part of their long vigil.

Now, as the final war looms on the horizon, the time for secrecy draws to an end. Their forces are gathered, their plans set in motion.

For when the Eminence of Shadow awakens, the Scarlet Shadow will rise from the abyss to stand at their side—not as rulers, not as heroes, but as the silent guardians who have awaited this moment for generations.

As the leader of the Scarlet Shadow, Elder Tang feels a deep sense of gratitude and pride that the one chosen to wield the power of the Shadow Eminence comes from his own bloodline. For centuries, his family has upheld the prophecy, ensuring their lineage remained strong in preparation for this moment.

However, fate has played a cruel twist. The chosen one did not emerge from the main branch—the direct line of prestigious elders and warriors—but from a lower branch, one long overshadowed and disregarded.

To the other elders, this is an insult to their long-standing legacy. How could the beacon of hope come from those they deemed unworthy? How could the wielder of the Eminence's power be a descendant they had overlooked?

But Elder Tang knows better than to question destiny. Power does not bow to bloodlines. Strength does not follow status. The child has awakened, and the final war approaches.

Whether the others accept it or not, Tang Su Yan is the one chosen. And as leader of the Scarlet Shadow, Elder Tang will ensure that she is prepared for the battle ahead—no matter the cost.