What Is Your Dao
Inspecting the ring Edward sliding his fingers across the grooves of its ruby [the space inside is larger than these chambers, magnificent]
"What is the name of this ring, my Lord?"
"This ring doesn't have a name in the way you're thinking. Only maybe five people know its an artifact. Me, You, his Highness, the Grand Elder, and obviously Lord Kayce. It is a guarded secret of the family. The world knows it as Lions right, proof that one succeeded this family." waving his hands in explanation Lord Gregor saying no one can know of its ability
"That makes things simple. Wearing a treasure, one that nobody knows the significance, makes me less of a target."
"Correct, your ancestor had thought the same. This artifact not having offensive and defensive abilities, it serves as support. Support unlike anything you could believe, living beings can enter that ring, so maybe it does have defensive capabilities. Haha"
"Really... tell me of the artifacts you know of my Lord."
"I know of many but know only few. The Turnan Royal family, has a scroll capable of bringing drawings infused with Chi to life. A great offensive artifact, the stronger the wielders Chi the greater power it can unleash. This scroll hailed as the Infinite Realities Ornament. To the southeast, Count Raintree dawns the Hide of Spirits. The Hide of Spirits, can house the essence of slain spirit beasts, unleashing their ghosts in attack, one time per spirit. This artifact had given your and the royal families ancestors, great trouble in their conquest of the land."
"Sounds like a soul lantern." unimpressed by either of the artifacts as Edward had seen things similar throughout the realms
"Forgive me young master, what is a soul lantern?"
[soul lanterns are truly vile instruments that consume the souls of its owners victims. Turning them into wrathful spirits and using them as a weapon]
"Nothing My lord, just thinking aloud. Again, I thank you for this. Can I assume the previous ring is my resources?"
"Oh my, I forgotten. Yes everything you asked for is inside it!"
Crr Crrrr
The sound off anticline doors, creaks throughout a hallway long and wide, filled with carved appearances of former kings into the walls themselves. On the other side a throne room like a canyon, wide could house a thousand. White, grey-swirled marble floors with a black marble stripe from the door a to staircase, a landing eight steps high sits two wooden thrones. Thrones that aren't eye catching compared the columns of solid cold steel and its rafters. Simple at first sight, a closer look would reveal the wood radiates aura hard to describe, fashioned with fur cushions of extinct spirit beasts. Standing on the platform behind the sways, a man with no crown but clothes fair and a green cloak covering his back all the way and hanging on the floor, the front side exposed.
Tap Tap Tap
The White Lion and men walk over the black marble path deep inside off the throne room
"Your majesty, my friend! It's been a while huh?" hands open arms to his side Kayce Albert enjoying the moment
"My friend, its been too long!" King Eugene Turnan stepping from his thrones shadow, pulling a teenage boy by his shoulder along with him
"Your majesty, Terran Hall being so naked, where is all the people?"
"Well, literally everyone in the palace wanted to see you friend. So many people in here its hard to hear ourselves think. Besides this is the day our families finally join together, something so overdue its best with just us for now." King Eugene stepping down from the landing arms under his cloak and behind his back, a stunning sword on his hip
"I cannot argue with that, friend. Ah, crown prince how are you son?"
[Son? Just cause your smug daughter is my betrothed you dare ignore our difference in status] "Yes, Lion of The North I have been well." annoyed Prince Harold does not properly exchange greetings
"Boy, where have your damn manners gone? Properly greet the Duke!" the king embarrassed by his son
"Apologies, Lord Kayce. I am a little beside myself that Lady Rhea did not join you today. I meant no disrespect, I am just a little absent minded right now."
"Fret not son, no disrespect taken." stepping past King Eugene and up the steps Lord Kayce, pats the prince on the back causing no harm or pain but discomfort in his flow of Chi
"Aha. Thank you, Lord Kayce." forcing out an awkward smile
A clap of his hand King Eugene demands the attention of the room "Chamberlan Hugh, show these northern warriors to a dining table, provide or finest wines and meats, they must be hungry after their journey."
"Yes, your majesty!"
As the crowd steps away, the three remain in Dragons Nest, throne room and place of court for the capital.
"My friend lets speak of your daughter."
"Nothing much to say. She is no lion, but a hyena. Rallying numbers and scheming in the night, she has little pride."
"Here we call that intelligence, my friend." Smirking King Eugene thinks highly of his daughter in law
"Sure, if you can succeed in the things that you lower yourself to achieve." Lord Kayce's tone shifts which makes the prince and king alert
"My friend, I have two legitimate children, I don't know if I have any bastards. I have two successors, one a male despite his short comings is the natural heir, but what if something happens to him? This marriage between our houses would be annulled by me, as I would have no choice but to appoint Rhea as my heir. Rhea knows this well."
"My friend are you saying what I think you are?"
"Thats correct my friend, I put off coming to see you and discussing the engagement. Watching my children fight to see if Edward is my successor."
"Haha, how cruel. Now that you are here my friend, you have made a decision?"
"No. I just couldn't keep putting you off, your majesty."
[I thought Edward Albert is crippled? If he is able to withstand against the politics of this country without protection, he must be incredibly intelligent. If he survives in the end, I will definitely want to meet him.] Prince Harold smiles turning and walking as far away as possible, knowing his presence unwanted
"Young master dont forget the cauldron is in the silver ring!" Lord Gregor one foot out the door, says his goodbye to Edward
With slight manipulation of his left hand Edward activates the sound restraining array in full effect.
"I have a name that actually commands influence now. While I am still undecided about what martial art I will cultivate first, training right now is not the best use of my time. Lord Gregors support of my legitimacy is great, pretty much ensuring my appointment, but he isnt the only voice with power over this. Only three people hold the right to even show blatant support to an unofficial heir, Lord Gregor, the Grand Elder, and this vessels father."
[Its time to meet this family's sage] holding a jade slip and inscribing his true feelings upon it
"Moon pale and bright
A ruby shines in its light
My right is born tonight"
WOOSH the slip begins a 20 mile hike
"A response will take time, lets organizes my belongings. I now have over 7 storage rings and a moving vault, ill put the cauldron directly into Lions right and the herbs into its own ring. Jade slips into their own ring, all the pills into their own ring with half of my spirit stones, I will wear this ring and put all the others in the lion. Liams sword, fine for my current body, I will keep it in the lion as it can be summoned almost instantly. With a storage ring on the finger next to my artifact, nobody should realize."
Sitting in silence Edward has no thoughts inside his mind, completely still he sits in his chair. Breathing shallow Edward was patient to the utmost degree when it came to politics, knowing he would be invited to Beast Pavillon he empties himself. Not intimidated in the least, he focuses solely on his objective, preparing himself in three ways, most importantly spiritually.
Sensing a speeding object headed straight at his chamber windows [Finally] Edward having felt his emotions purely, is excited
Gripping the jade slip he reads
"Wine set for two
Drinking alone
My location, known"
"Haha" [I will drink on your coin then]
In three steps of his divine art Edward had arrived at the foot of Soaring Lion peak
Another step he was at the steps leading to the first story porch of Beast Pavillon, a mortal servant boy greets him with a bow "Young master! Master Hao is expecting you, on the top floors terrace!" [Master just sent the jade slip, was he already on the way here?]
With out saying a word Edward leaps to the fourth story, the pressure from his ascend cracked the wooden landing beneath him. Gracefully standing on the railing of the highest porch, he gazes upon a circle stone table with a chest board made upon its top.
"Master Hao, thank you for the wine" Edward arrogantly announces
"Young master, was there a need to scare the boy. Damaging my house upon arrival, im sure there is reason for your actions, I wish to hear them. Come sit."
Taking the seat not directly across from Master Hao, indicating he does now wish to play chess
"You wont humor me young master?"
"I didnt come here to play, but I am not opposed to it."
"Then take the seat, young master."
"I can play, but every piece we take, we may ask a question that the other must answer truthfully. Deal Master Hao?" Edward drinks his wine to prevent himself from smiling, amused with himself
"Haha, interesting. Deal! Haha" Master Hao, confident and also amused, moves first
Multiple moves later and Master Hao takes a pawn knowing it will be taken back
"Young master, how have you advanced with your martial arts? Its hard to believe you are now tier 7 of your realm."
"Honestly, poison. Breaking my body repeatedly, all to widen my spirit veins. Then training until my bones crumble. I have climbed to his level by being ruthless." [these words are not a complete lie, but now its my turn]
"Who is my sisters backing?"
"Haha, kid you come on strong. The person behind your sister is the Seventh Elder."
Neither party responds to the answers they are given, only reflecting upon them, playing for their next capture, then the Grand Elder takes another piece
"Sword or body?"
"Body. No question."
Edward lets off the gas allowing Master Hao to capture a piece
"What happens when beasts meet?"
"The order of their hearts get reaffirmed, or it changes."
Allowing another piece up, Master Haos turn again
"What is your goal, young master?" Master Haos eyes narrow looking upon Edward
"My goal... is to become the owner of this realm." Edward having said the words in his heart, uncaring of how arrogant he sounded, states his intentions proudly
"Young master, the words you say are dangerous. You seek to crusade against the world, against humanity? How can you say this so calmly?" Master Hao not angered only slightly surprised remains poised
"Thats two questions Master Hao. Forget the game I will satisfy your curiosity of me, in exchange for a favor. This favor is my complete propagative and you cannot say no."
"I will not kill anyone for you. If you agree then deal."
"Then ask away Grand Elder"
"You do not seem like a lion who is content with dominating a territory. You want to roam free with authority, the authority to live freely and however you like. So tell me, what is your dao young master."
With no hesitation Edward who was incapable of hiding himself and his ideals
"My dao is beautiful. It is be unshackled by what others chase. It is remaining true to what I feel and acting accordingly. I am unrestrained by honor, my morals differ heavily from a normal person. I have no intentions to suppress my desires, I do anything to achieve my goals. I live unburdened by the unnatural need to act like I am content. I Indulge my all, I fight with my own life laid bare and behind my own web of plot. I will live true to myself, and I will conquer all that meets my eye, or die trying."
[most would say he is demonic, I would only say he is the most self responsible person alive] it is all cultivators dream to climb the martial path, and gain from it for their effort
[Edwards dream just happens to be large. To dream such things and confidently believe you can achieve them, is not regular human emotion. It is the providence of a person that gives them that confidence. The young master is not demonic, he simply acts his truth regardless of circumstance.]
"Young master, my curiosity is satisfied. Now tell me what wish from me."
"When my father returns to the estate, call for court. Call for mine and Rhea's appearance, then agree and back up whatever I say." Keeping such a large ask simple, Edward has already made calculations to end the current intrigue surrounding him
"I have the power to do this, but if you do not make your self heir despite the ring on your finger, and my support. You have no right to dream your current dream."
"My dream is not just a dream. My desire will take shape, Master Hao. Watch me as I constantly lay my life down in my pursuits, witness my resolve and after even 10 years if you can deny my dao, I will offer you my head!"