“Pa…Patriarch! Something terrible has happened!” the guard panted. “Celestial Palace forces are here an entire detachment! They’ve surrounded the whole manor!”
Boom! The news detonated inside the hall like thunder. The words hit every person present as if the roof had collapsed.
Garrick’s skin drained of color until not a trace of blood remained. He lurched to his feet, the aura around him flickering despite his struggle to hold it down. The six elders exchanged stricken looks, the same sharp glint flashing in every eye.
The red-faced elder’s lips quivered, his voice wobbling on the edge of a sob. “The Celestial Palace… How did they arrive so fast? We were supposed to be ready!”
The white-haired elder slowly closed his eyes, exhaling a long breath. “What is fated always arrives. There’s no hiding and no escape.”
A stocky elder slammed a palm onto the table, teeth grinding. “It’s all Jared’s fault! If we hadn’t taken him in, hadn’t let him fight, hadn’t led him to the Dragonmere… Our family wouldn’t be staring at ruin. We should’ve handed him to the Palace the moment they asked!”
The red-faced elder shook his head, regret carving deep lines on his face. “No, Jared isn’t to blame. Greed blinded us and madness drove us! Had we not coveted his bloodline and treasure, had we not agreed to those Demon Dragon terms, had we not schemed to sell him out, would we stand where we are today? We severed our own road with our own hands!”
The white-haired elder let out a dry laugh, the curve of his mouth soaked in bitterness. “What good is talking about it now? The deed is done, and regret has shown up far too late.”
Another elder muttered, his voice gravelly and weighted with shame. “I said back then that fastening that Dragonbinder Collar on Jared was beneath us.”
He went on, words almost sticking in his throat. “Jared risked everything to help our family, resolved our crisis, passed every trial, and we still schemed against him behind his back. That tramples our ancestors’ teachings….. It violates Heavenly Law… Saying any of this now is pointless. It’s all too late… Everything is already too late… Patriarch, with things having reached this point, what are we supposed to do?”
Every gaze locked onto Garrick and refused to slide away.
Garrick drew in a long breath, forcing the storm inside him to settle for the moment. He reminded himself that he was the patriarch here; this was no time to lose his footing.
He spoke in a low, steady tone, “What must come can’t be dodged. Since the Celestial Palace has shown up, we will go out and face them… Remember, whatever unfolds in the next moments, no matter how hard they press, do not strike first. Endure when you can, withdraw when you must. Do not hand them an excuse. Clear?”
“Understood!” The six elders nodded together.
Fear still clung to their faces, yet they straightened and followed Garrick toward the exit.
Outside the Council Hall, the ancient gate that had symbolized the House of Chance’s authority for a thousand years lay blasted apart, shards of wood scattered everywhere.
Celestial Palace cultivators poured through the breach like a silver tide, filling the front courtyard from wall to wall, their robes caught the moonlight and stung the eyes.
At their head, the white-haired elder stood like the pole star among lesser lights. His gaze settled on Garrick and a faint curve tugged at his lips. “Patriarch Chance, your reputation precedes you.”
Striving for calm, Garrick clasped his fists. “I did not know the Elders of the Celestial Palace would grace my humble home. Forgive me for failing to welcome you sooner.”
The white-haired elder’s smile never reached his eyes. “Spare me the pleasantries. We are here for one reason and one person.”
A dull weight dropped in Garrick’s chest, yet his face stayed composed. “Oh? May I ask whom the Elder seeks?”
The elder’s pupils sharpened like blades as he delivered two crisp syllables. “Jared.”
The name struck Garrick’s chest like a hammer. He met the elder’s stare for a heartbeat, then forced himself to speak slowly, “Elder, to be frank, Jared did stay at our manor for a time. But after he returned from the Dragonmere, he left of his own accord. Where he went, I truly do not know.”
“Left?” The white-haired elder raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. The slight arch of that brow made the doubt in his mind plain for all to see.
Garrick gave a solemn nod. “Every word is true. The moment he emerged from the Primeval Dragonmere, he cut ties with us and disappeared… His movements are elusive, I have no idea where he is now.”
“Unaware?” A cold chuckle slid into the night. A sneer sounded from within the gathering. Dominic stepped forward from the Celestial Palace ranks, mockery and satisfaction shining in his eyes as he stared at Garrick. “Patriarch Chance, who are you trying to fool?”
“Jared won your martial marriage tournament and is your daughter’s acknowledged fiancée. You expect us to believe you don’t know where he is!?” Dominic laughed.
Garrick’s gaze locked onto Dominic, a clear chill and disdain flickering across his eyes.
House of Wagner… So it was House Wagner after all…
It was Dominic who had whispered the secret to the Celestial Palace. He was the one who had stabbed House of Chance Family in its most vital spot. If not for House of Wagner’s constant meddling, none of this would have reached today’s crisis.
“Lord Wagner,” Garrick’s voice remained level but carried ice. “Jared did leave in anger. As to why, I am not at liberty to elaborate.”
Dominic snorted, pressing forward a step. “Not at liberty? I say you hid him on purpose, maybe even helped him slip away!”
He darted a glance back at the white-haired elder, bowed, and spoke with deference. “Elder, House of Chance is lying. Jared must still be somewhere inside maybe a hidden room, the rear courtyard, a cellar. Let us search thoroughly, we will find him!”
The white-haired elder turned again, gaze crackling with dominance. “Patriarch Chance, do you dare allow us to search the manor?”
