Elder Huan POV

He glanced back at the young boy, whom Poloma had taken over to a sitting area, and he would wait there until he got back. It was hard to tell his age. He was Tier 4, but he also looked like he couldn’t be older than Huan’s niece. It was probably safer to assume that he was older than he appeared.

He was currently on his way to Malric. He had already sent someone to notify him, but it would be faster to head over himself. Normally, would not even take the time to entertain such ridiculousness, but for some reason, his gut told him it would be smart to be thorough.

Plus, he hadn’t gone and seen Malric in a little while. They had been old friends for a long time, but Huan found himself venturing out of the inner court less and less. Sadly, Malric had decided the outer court was his permanent sanctuary.

Which, to be fair, it was, in more ways than one. The old man ran everything inside that court, and that was why it had been so successful over these many years. Some people even said that Elder Malric had more power than Cassandra or Kaelor within the outer court. That was how essential the old man’s work was to the sect.

Furthermore, by heading over, he would also be able to confirm if the young man’s words were true. As an honored guest, Huan was practically required to give him the benefit of the doubt. It was more probable that they were mistaking Elder Malric for someone else.

But there were some things that troubled him.

For one, the youth made it sound as if he were already acquainted with Cassandra. That was highly improbable, especially since the vice sect leader had been gone from the sect for over two months. However, the boy mentioned that he had only just arrived.

The news that the vice sect leader has returned wasn’t common knowledge. The word was still spreading from the outer court and wouldn’t reach everyone for another day or so. But this boy seemed to already know this, and the fact that the vice sect leader was at her residence.

He also didn’t seem to be lying at any point during the conversation. Of course, he could have simply been a great liar, but Huan found himself believing him.

He was more concerned if all that was true. If so, there were certainly some things to think about. Was Cassandra and this guest's arrival a coincidence? Or did they arrive together?

If that was the case, who was this boy? And why was he here as an honored guest? Being an honored guest typically meant you were from another sect or held some importance to the sect.

Luckily, he would hopefully find some answers with Malric. He let his mana weave around him as he activated his movement skill. He then found Malric exactly where he always was. He knocked on the door a single time.

“It’s me, Malric,” he said, his hand already on the doorknob.

“Come in.”

He didn’t hesitate and pushed the door open. He was greeted with the same plain office that had been here forever. The aged wood of the table spoke of its many years of use. The chair, which had been made with the hide of a Tier 5 beast, was showing signs of wear as well. It didn’t matter how strong the material was; there was bound to be some damage over the years with heavy use.

“Oh, Huan. I heard from one of my assistants that you were coming over. How’s little Luan?”

“She’s good. Still healthy as could be. I made sure to gift her a few treasures that will help her growth and foundation, should she decide to cultivate when she gets older. ”

Huan smiled at the fresh memory of his newborn niece. He didn’t have any family of his own, but his sister had just given birth to her third child. This one was even more adorable than the last.

“So what brings you to the outer court? You rarely come here anymore unless you need something,” Malric commented while he signed a form of some sort, placing it in the massive pile of papers to his right.

He decided to get straight to the point. “I had a particular issue with one of the sect’s honored guests. He claimed that he knew you and the vice sect leader.”

There was a flash of recognition on Malric’s face. It was clear that Malric knew exactly who he was talking about.

Malric nodded and placed down his pen. “Yes, I just met the boy in question not too long ago. What was the issue about?”

He told him about what happened inside the Mission Hall, and the frown on his old friend’s face turned larger. It worried him.

“Just accommodate him as best you can. You can direct him to the vice sect leader's place. She knows of his existence.” There was a sense of urgency to his tone, one that he took note of.

“How is it that he knows the vice sect leader?”

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“That is Lady Cassandra’s business. It’s not my place to offer information to you or to the other elders. Just know that the boy is indeed an honored guest, and one that you need to act accordingly with.”

Huan became even more suspicious. He had known Malric for a long time and knew that he didn’t act irrationally or without cause. The fact that he was placing such a big emphasis on the boy was already enough of a hint.

But now Huan was more curious than ever. It had been many years since he felt these strange stirrings within his chest. It was exciting. He spent so much of his time managing and delegating the Mission Hall that the only fun he got nowadays was playing with his niece.

“Don’t.”

“Don’t what?” He asked with a slight curling on his lips.

Malric sighed. “I’ve seen that look before.”

“I’m not going to do anything.”

He was met with a blank stare, and eventually Malric returned his attention to the stack of paperwork. “Fine, but don’t come running to me if you get in trouble with her.”

Huan grinned. “Why would you ever say something like that?”

“Because I know you.”

“Your lack of faith is disturbing.”

Malric shooed him away. “Get out. I have work to do, and you are distracting me.”

“Fine, fine. Although I might come and visit you again. I realized that I have been stuck inside the hall for too long. Perhaps the two of us could take a short mission to stretch our legs. Like old times' sake, yeah?”

Malric let out a tiny smirk. “That might not be a bad idea. I could have one of my assistants cover me for a couple of days. I have trained them well, and they should be able to handle things. Just let me know, and we can work things out.”

Huan nodded. “Sounds good. But if you excuse me, I have to get back and deal with the special guest.”

“Don’t go too far,” his old friend advised.

“Would never dream of it.”

He closed the door while Malric was scoffing at him.

***

He spotted the boy playing with a string of pure life mana in the same spot he had left him. He took a few moments to examine the boy’s usage of mana. It was certainly noteworthy. Even for Tier 4 standards, but nothing outwardly too remarkable. There were several bursts of unruly mana leaching out that showed a lack of control.

It seemed more like an experiment than an actual training method. He also took note of the weird fluctuations within the mana.

What is this boy’s importance? Is he from one of the other great sects? Is he perhaps from one of the big three?

He didn’t have enough information yet, and until he did, he would just be speculating. He spent a few more moments examining the boy before he went over to him.

The boy didn’t seem the least bit surprised by his appearance. He simply stood up and greeted Huan with a short bow.

Huan nodded, satisfied. “Okay, come with me. I talked with Elder Malric, and he verified your claims. I can take you to the vice sect leader's residence. But I can’t assure you that she will let you inside,” he informed the boy.

“That’s fine.”

The two of them exited the hall and walked down the street. “What’s your name again?”

The boy was a little distracted as he took in the sect’s beauty, but still responded. “It’s Julius.”

“Well, Julius, my name is Elder Huan. I am one of the managing elders of the Mission Hall,” he said with a gentle smile.

“It’s nice to meet you, sir,” Julius said with another short bow of his head.

“So where are you from?”

“Just a small little village,” the boy answered smoothly. Huan didn’t sense any fluctuations of aura, but the response was a bit too smooth. But perhaps it was the truth. If he had arrived with Cassandra, then it was entirely possible that he had met her on their way back from the Empire.

“Any reason why you need to talk with the vice sect leader?”

“I just need to ask her a question.”

Seeing that he wasn’t going to be more forthcoming, Huan didn’t press any further. He might not get direct answers, but he could eliminate some of the possibilities that explained the boy’s origins.

For the next several minutes, he asked innocent questions that prodded the boy’s identity. He was sure that the boy realized this, but Huan’s questions were too innocuous to be offensive.

Eventually, they passed through the deeper parts of the sect where many of the elders’ residences were located. Several enchantments passed over them, and to his surprise, the badge on the boy’s person didn’t react. That meant he had permission to enter this area, which was slightly unnerving.

That meant that someone had given the boy special authorization to enter this area.

“Here it is,” he finally said when they arrived at one of the largest residences in the sect. It was opulent and everything you would expect from one of the sect's leaders.

One of the residence’s head servants was already approaching them. Elder Huan recognized the man. He was a former inner disciple who had been injured on a mission for the sect and had been given this post as a reward, but also because he was too injured to advance any further.

“Is there something I can do for you, Elder Huan?”

“Yes, this young man here wishes to speak with the vice sect leader,” he said with a gesture toward Julius.

Strangely, the servant nodded as if it was within expectations. “Of course, Julius, if you would be so kind as to follow me, I can take you to the lady.”

Elder Huan narrowed his eyes. He hadn’t told the man Julius’s name, yet he still knew it. That meant Cassandra had already told her servants about him. Another hint of the boy’s importance.

“Thank you for showing me the way here, Elder Huan,” the boy said with a polite bow, drawing him out of his thoughts.

Elder Huan smiled. “It’s no problem. I apologize that it took me so long.”

Julius smiled at him and followed the servant into the residence. As for Elder Huan, he stood there contemplating the potential meaning of this development. Just who was this boy? And more importantly, why was it that one of the most powerful people in the sect seemed to treat him with such importance?

Huan smiled. Oh, how he loved a good mystery.