Chapter 25: The Red Robe Elder
Which path to choose?
Linley frowned slightly.
Neither of these paths was a good one. The first path went without saying. The Bagshaw family had been able to establish Luluo Island and stand tall in the Infernal Realm for countless years. The depth of this ancient family's foundation was absolutely beyond imagination. Killing him would not be difficult!
The second path, serving as a Red Robe Elder for ten thousand years?
To ordinary experts, ten thousand years might not mean much. But to him, it was far too long. From birth until now, he hadn't even reached a thousand years.
"Linley. Still haven't thought it through?" Baukway was getting a bit angry. He felt that the conditions of this second path were already very generous—just a short ten thousand years. For a supreme expert, a single meditation session could last ten thousand years.
"Ten thousand years is too long. I still have matters to attend to in the Blood Peak Continent," Linley transmitted mentally.
Baukway immediately broke into a smile.
Ten thousand years, a hundred years—to an expert of Baukway's level, there wasn't much difference. If he truly wanted to punish Linley, he wouldn't have said ten thousand years; he would have said a hundred million years! After all, to a supreme expert...
Ten thousand years, a hundred years—neither counted as very long.
"That's easy to handle. Since you, Linley, are willing to serve as our family's Red Robe Elder, my Bagshaw family won't be too harsh. How about this—after all, regardless of the circumstances, you still need to show your sincerity in apologizing. So let's make it a hundred years," Baukway said.
Baukway actually didn't want to waste Sovereign power, nor did he want to lose experts from his family. If he could avoid battle, he would. As long as the other party gave his family face, that was enough.
Of course, this was also because the 'strength' Linley had displayed was too great.
If it were someone else, even a Seven Star Fiend, without Sovereign power, Baukway would probably have ordered them killed on the spot.
"There's no choice. It has to be this way," Linley understood clearly.
Although he had two drops of Sovereign power, the Bagshaw family also had Sovereign power. If they truly tore apart all pretense and fought a desperate battle, wasting two drops of Sovereign power would be the least of his worries. Whether he could safely take Delia, Bebe, and the others away was the most important thing.
Now, both sides were taking a step back.
He would just stay for a hundred years. This would save two drops of Sovereign power and also protect Delia and the others.
"I agree," Linley nodded.
Baukway immediately smiled.
"Linley, come with us," Baukway transmitted mentally.
Linley nodded and also transmitted to Bebe, Delia, and the others: "Bebe, Delia, Olivier... all of you follow me." Although Bebe, Delia, and the others were full of doubts, they still flew over.
"Return!" Baukway suddenly shouted loudly.
Immediately, Baukway, the three Red Robe Elders, Sekra, and Linley's group all flew directly toward the West Island. The hundred black-armored guards also followed, while the tens of thousands of island-protecting warriors scattered across the sky felt momentarily confused.
Not just them—countless people on Luluo Island who had been looking up to watch the battle were also puzzled. Why had that great one gone with the Bagshaw family?
"What's going on?"
"They were just fighting fiercely, and now that dragon warrior expert has left with the people of Luluo Island?"
"He's probably afraid of the people of Luluo Island. For countless years, no one has dared to truly oppose Luluo Island."
"I don't think so. I suspect that dragon warrior great one is looking out for his friends."
All over Luluo Island, countless outsiders were discussing the battle just now, either talking about Linley's strength or speculating about why he had left with the others. But without a doubt, everyone believed—
That dragon warrior was very strong.
He kicked a Red Robe expert flying with one leg and toyed with a large number of Highgods in the palm of his hand.
"Experts are as numerous as clouds. It seems I should accept the Bagshaw family's invitation. Let's take a good look... at what experts the Bagshaw family has!" Lomio & Polnorsen looked up, watching Linley and the others disappear into the western horizon.
Then, he indifferently turned around and vanished into the dense crowd, while the people in the crowd continued to talk excitedly.
...
While flying toward the West Island, where the Bagshaw family's territory was located, Olivier, O'Brien, Hisset, and the others were all transmitting mentally to ask Linley questions. They were full of doubts right now.
"Linley, what did you promise the Bagshaw family?" Hisset asked repeatedly. He was filled with guilt—all of this was because of him.
"Boss, what does the Bagshaw family want us to do?" Bebe inquired.
"Linley, are you a Highgod or a Demigod?" O'Brien also asked.
The continuous barrage of questions left Linley momentarily unsure who to answer.
"My strength... it's hard to explain clearly right now. I'll go into detail later. For now, just think of me as a Six Star Fiend," Linley replied to O'Brien. A Six Star Fiend only represented a level.
It didn't necessarily mean one had to be a Highgod.
"Bebe, Delia. They just want me to serve as a Red Robe Elder for a hundred years. We'll take a step back too," Linley responded.
Only then did Delia feel relieved. Delia herself wasn't in a hurry to go to the Azure Prefecture. She just hoped Linley wouldn't take too many risks. The battle just now had been on the verge of breaking out, keeping her heart suspended in the air.
Fortunately, the crisis had passed.
The Bagshaw family's territory was extremely vast, with various mansions and courtyards scattered everywhere.
"Linley, from today onward, you'll live in this mansion," Baukway said with a faint smile. "Our agreement is only for a hundred years. A short hundred years—there's no need to make a formal oath."
Baukway flipped his hand, and a set of red robes and a green token appeared.
"This is the standard attire of a Red Robe Elder. The defensive power of this robe reaches the level of a Highgod artifact. This token is the 'Green Luluo Token.' On Luluo Island... come find me if you need anything."
Linley couldn't press further.
He could only watch as Baukway, along with Sekra and the three Red Robe Elders, left.
"Creak!" The door closed.
Inside the hall, only Baukway and Sekra remained.
"Father, letting that Linley live comfortably here for a hundred years is far too easy on him. He killed so many of ours?" Sekra had been holding back for a long time and immediately spoke up.
"Hmph!"
A cold snort, like a heavy hammer striking Sekra's heart, immediately cut off his words.
Baukway turned his head and coldly glared at Sekra: "This matter, at its root, is about that slut Sesily. A woman—is it worth losing several Seven Star Fiend experts from my Bagshaw family, wasting one or two drops of Sovereign power, and offending the Four Divine Beasts clan? Is it worth it?"
Killing Linley, they could do it.
But the cost was too high.
"Isn't it just the Four Divine Beasts clan?" Sekra muttered softly.
"Hmph, even a starving dragon is still massive. Although the Four Divine Beasts clan suffered a great upheaval ten thousand years ago and lost much strength, the Four Divine Beasts clan has dominated the Infernal Realm for countless years. Its foundation is extremely deep."
Baukway said in a low voice: "Our Bagshaw family is stronger than the Four Divine Beasts clan, but only by a hair's breadth."
Sekra didn't dare to say another word.
...
On the West Island of Luluo Island, in the Bagshaw family's territory, at Linley's mansion.
"Elder!" The two guards at the mansion's entrance respectfully saluted Linley.
At this moment, Linley was wearing a set of red robes. Every island-protecting warrior on patrol who saw Linley showed great respect. Linley ordered the person beside him: "Go to the island-protecting warrior area, residence 306, and bring Talosha, Dylin, and the others here."
"Yes, Elder." One of the guards respectfully acknowledged.
Linley turned around and went back into the mansion. At this moment, Delia, Bebe, Hisset, O'Brien, and Olivier were all living here. In a few steps, Linley arrived at the back garden.
O'Brien, Olivier, Bebe, and the others were chatting casually, but Hisset was sitting foolishly in a corner of the garden, lost in thought.
"Linley." Delia walked up beside Linley from behind.
Delia also noticed Hisset in the distance and sighed: "I think Hisset is still thinking about Sesily."
"Mm." Linley nodded slightly. It would probably take a long time for Hisset to climb out of this low point.
"Ah, Boss, you're here!" Bebe immediately rushed over, even deliberately clicking his tongue in admiration. "Boss, I have to say, wearing that Red Robe Elder outfit really makes you look handsome."
Linley couldn't help but smile.
The sound of Linley and the others talking caught Hisset's attention. As soon as Hisset saw Linley, his eyes lit up, and he immediately ran over, saying urgently: "Linley, I want to ask you for a favor."
"Hisset, just say it directly." Linley had always felt grateful to Hisset.
Hisset said worriedly: "That Sekra suddenly attacked me. I'm worried that maybe Lily had a major conflict with Sekra. Otherwise, why would Sekra be so furious as to come after me? After all, Lily and I had already formally separated the day before her wedding. From that day on, we haven't seen each other even once."
Up until now, Hisset still didn't know that Sesily was carrying his child.
"Linley, I want to ask you to investigate and find out how Lily is doing now," Hisset pleaded.
Linley nodded: "Alright, don't worry. I'll investigate thoroughly."
Linley had also heard about the matter between Hisset and Sesily.
Hisset and Sesily had truly loved each other. But unfortunately, the young master Sekra had taken a liking to Sesily. The Gilead family immediately demanded that Sesily marry Sekra to curry favor with the Bagshaw family!
How could Sesily dare to defy her family's orders?
She could only painfully separate from Hisset, cruelly telling him the day before the wedding that they would never see each other again.
"Alas, Hisset is really unlucky," Linley sighed inwardly. "Luluo Island is said to have five major families, but the true master is the Bagshaw family. The other four families are just vassals."
He could fully imagine the process of the Gilead family forcing Sesily to please Sekra.
...
Underground, in a dim secret passage.
Sekra walked coldly through it. On both sides of the passage were rows of prison cells, each with its own special features, specifically designed to trap divine-level experts. Every ten meters along the passage, a black-armored warrior stood guard.
"Slut!"
The thought that his wife Sesily was carrying another man's child and had happily come to tell him it was his filled Sekra with humiliation. Today, he hadn't been able to kill Hisset because Linley had popped up.
"Linley! He's everywhere." Sekra hated Linley deeply. He was at Freedom Castle, and he was here too.
"Let's end this." Sekra took a deep breath. Sesily, as a disgrace to the family, absolutely could not be allowed to live. If word got out, it would be a joke for the Bagshaw family.
He had come here to kill Sesily. This wasn't his request—it was his father's order!
He arrived at a certain spot.
"Open it." Sekra said coldly, simultaneously showing the Blood Luluo Token.
"Yes." The black-armored warrior immediately opened the sealed prison door.
Inside the damp prison cell, Sesily was leaning against the wall, her long hair slightly disheveled. Hearing the door open, she looked up. Seeing Sekra, her face slightly changed.
"You... you killed Hisset?" Sesily said in a low voice.
"Yes, I killed him." Sekra said coldly, looking at Sesily coldly. He was looking forward to seeing the pain and despair on her face.
He got what he wanted!
Sesily's face instantly turned pale. Silently, tears began to flow. In the few short hours she had been locked in the prison, she had been constantly worried about Hisset. She knew Sekra had gone to take revenge, and she also knew that Hisset couldn't possibly withstand it.
But still, she had clung to a sliver of hope. Hearing Sekra's answer, she was crushed.
"Hisset..."
Sesily's mind recalled scene after scene. The days she had spent with Hisset were the happiest, freest, most unrestrained by family, and most carefree days of her life. But...
Sekra had taken a liking to her.
And so, her fate had changed. Before her family, she had bowed her head. Even after marrying into the Bagshaw family, she had to force a smile.
"Sekra!" Sesily suddenly raised her head, staring fixedly at Sekra. "If it weren't for the fact that you're a member of the Bagshaw family, you'd be nothing at all. Do you know that? When I go to bed with you, I'm pretending you're Hisset!"
Sekra's face turned red with rage. "Slut!" With a furious roar, he immediately struck out with his palm, slamming it viciously against Sesily's head. "Bang!" Sesily's entire body trembled, then slowly collapsed to the ground. A strange smile appeared on Sesily's face.
She had said those words precisely because she wanted to die.
In death, she would be free.
No longer would she have to force a smile every day. No longer would she have to endure the longing for Hisset every day.
"Slut, slut, slut!!!" Even after killing Sesily, Sekra was still furious. The words echoed in his mind: "Do you know that? When I go to bed with you, I'm pretending you're Hisset!"