Chapter 11: Once Moon City's Greatest Prodigy, He Would Return in Overwhelming Glory

Moon City! In the midst of the chaos, the city's residents were jolted awake. "What happened? I just saw the gates get sealed up." "You seriously haven't heard? Something huge went down." "How huge?" "The Santee family's young master was killed." "Hiss… what? How? Who did it?" "Who else? The Santee family's castoff, Benson Santee. I heard a Tenji Sword Sect inner sect disciple died with him, too." "Hell… Tenji Sword Sect won't let that slide." "Tenji Sword Sect's fury won't even have time to arrive. Tonight, the Santee family is going to flay that castoff alive and tear him down to the bone." "…" Across every street and alley in Moon City, the Santee family's guards surged back and forth like a racing dragon boat team. Even the narrow, lightless lanes swarmed with men carrying torches, sweeping every shadow. At the west gate- "Keep your eyes peeled. The family head gave the order. Even if we have to dig three feet into the ground, we're dragging the murderer out tonight." "Yes, sir!" "Lock down every gate. Do not let him slip out." "…" About five hundred yards from the west gate, behind a pavilion, Benson Santee eased back into the darkness. The Santee family moved fast. They had sealed every exit the moment the news broke. After killing Jude Looske and Luca Santee, Benson had meant to leave Moon City immediately. But two legs could not outrun four. The Santee family kept plenty of spirit beasts and spirit steeds. Calvin Santee had sent riders out at once, mounting spirit horses and driving spirit beasts to block every road leading out of the city. *So I'll have to carve my way through…* A hard glint flashed at the corner of Benson's eye. His hand settled on the saber hilt at his back, and he was about to make a straight run for the west gate when a hand suddenly landed on his shoulder. Benson's heart clenched. He twisted, drawing to strike. "Benson, brother, it's me!" the man hissed, voice low and urgent. Clang! Star Soul's blade flared cold light across a middle-aged face. Benson stared, startled. "You? What are you doing here?" It was Avery Yeates, the manager from Feros Tower, the one who had traded him the Swiftshadow Technique two days ago. "Too damn close." Avery glanced at the demonic saber in Benson's grip and wiped at the sweat on his brow. If Benson had not checked his hand in time, Avery would have been dead on the spot. Benson kept his gaze sharp. "Why are you here?" "Shh." Avery raised a finger. "Someone's coming. Leave with me, first." With that, Avery turned and slipped into the dark. Benson frowned. He had only met the man once. What did Avery want? He did not have time to think. A dozen torches were already bobbing toward them in the distance. After a brief hesitation, Benson followed. Not long after… Under Avery's lead, Benson arrived at a secluded residence. It was far from the bustling districts and nowhere near the main roads. The location was unremarkable, but the interior decorations were lavish enough to make it feel like a noble's private estate. Benson stopped in the front courtyard, unwilling to go farther. "What do you want?" Avery turned back. "Someone wants to see you." "Who?" Benson's guard rose another notch. "You'll know when you go in." Avery gestured politely, then waited outside the hall doors. The way he stood there, shoulders slightly bowed, made it clear he held whoever was inside in genuine respect. Half suspicious, half curious, Benson stepped into the hall. The room was brightly lit, opulent to the point of excess. Deeper inside stood a figure with her back to him. A woman. She wore a long blue dress. A delicate hairpin nestled in her ink-black hair. Her figure was slender, her skin pale as snow. When she heard him enter, she turned. A breathtaking face came into view. Fine features, a small, elegant jawline, and the kind of beauty people spent their whole lives chasing without ever finding. "It's you…" Benson recognized her at once and spoke her name. "Cecelia Gosden." Cecelia Gosden, eldest daughter of the Gosden family, one of Moon City's great clans. She was the Gosden family head's only child. In Moon City, Cecelia Gosden and Rosalyn Santee were both famed beauties. Feros Tower belonged to the Goldpine Chamber of Commerce, and behind the Goldpine Chamber of Commerce stood the Gosden family. Benson had grown up in Moon City, so of course he knew Cecelia. They had never crossed paths, though, and he had never imagined she would seek him out at a time like this. "As expected of Moon City's once-greatest prodigy." Cecelia's eyes curved with amusement. "Even without Heavenly Phoenix Blood, you still carry yourself like you belong at the top." She pointed to two freshly brewed cups of tea on the table, inviting him to sit. Benson did not move. "Say what you came to say. I don't like games." Cecelia's gaze rippled, more curious than offended. "Did your Heavenly Phoenix Blood come back?" "That doesn't concern you." Benson angled his body away. "I'm just curious. That's all." Benson gave no answer. Cecelia pouted slightly, then continued, "The Santee family has locked down all of Moon City. You won't escape, not even with wings. Even if you get out, they'll hunt you without end." "And what does that have to do with you?" "I can help you," Cecelia said. Benson blinked, genuinely surprised. He looked back at her. Her eyes were bright and clear, carrying a strange pull. "Why?" "Because I want to." "I told you," Benson said, voice steady, "I don't like games. If you have something to say, say it." "Fine." Cecelia dropped the pretense. "I think helping you will be useful." "Useful how?" "The Santee family has been growing too quickly these past few years. If no one checks them, one day they'll be standing on the other Four Great Families' necks." "You want me to help you deal with the Santee family." Benson's tone turned cool. He understood her angle. Cecelia did not deny it. Her red lips parted as she spoke on, "It's not exactly that I need you to help me. I just want to leave the Santee family with a problem they can't solve. Something I can use later, if I have to." Benson let out a quiet laugh. "With the Gosden family's strength, you need to stoop to tricks like this?" In Benson's memory, the Gosden family was powerful. The Goldpine Chamber of Commerce they had built was deep-rooted, their business spread across multiple kingdoms and empires, and they even had ties with sects. No matter how fast the Santee family rose by clinging to Tenji Sword Sect, they could not surpass the Gosden family in a short time. "Planning ahead matters," Cecelia replied. "Oh?" "Our people heard this," Cecelia said. "The Santee family's eldest son has been making waves in Tenji Sword Sect. Rumor says he's tempered a Jade Sword Body, and he's even been promoted to a first-rank disciple." Evan Santee. The moment Benson heard "the Santee family's eldest son," a chill seeped into his eyes. Evan was Calvin Santee's eldest, and the greatest beneficiary after Benson's Heavenly Phoenix Blood had been taken. In the first year after Tenji Sword Sect and the Santee family completed their deal, Evan entered the sect to cultivate. Three years had passed. He was no longer the same man. Benson's fists tightened. After the Santee family latched onto Tenji Sword Sect, everyone in the household rose with them. Everyone but Benson, who had been forced to swallow every sneer and cold stare alone. Rage churned in him, but he stayed clear-headed. "You're afraid Evan's growth won't be something you can rein in." "Yes." Cecelia studied him, her expression turning solemn. "Evan's rise has been so fast that the other Four Great Families can't ignore it anymore. And Rosalyn Santee is close with Tenji Sword Sect's young sect master. If Evan and Rosalyn both climb into the sect's upper ranks, Moon City will end up in the Santee family's palm." She voiced what she truly feared. Soft light gathered in her eyes as she continued, "You're a thorn in the Santee family's side. An eyesore they can't pull out. People say the enemy of my enemy is my friend, so…" "How are you going to help me?" Benson brought it back to the point. "You said it yourself. Even if I leave Moon City, I'll be hunted endlessly. Do you have somewhere you can keep me safe?" "I do." "Oh?" "This is a letter of recommendation to Pentos Sect." Cecelia picked up a sealed letter from the table behind her and handed it to Benson. "Pentos Sect…" Benson murmured. Like Tenji Sword Sect, Pentos Sect was one of Eastos's seven sacred cultivation grounds. In the eyes of the world, it was a towering giant. "Pentos Sect and Tenji Sword Sect are rival forces," Cecelia explained. "Once you enter Pentos Sect, you'll be under their protection." Benson took the letter, his gaze lowering as if weighing the future inside that thin sheet of paper. Cecelia continued, "In a few days, Pentos Sect will be recruiting new disciples. With that letter, you won't need to test. You'll become an outer sect disciple directly. As for getting you out of Moon City, that's easy. Tomorrow morning, my family's caravan leaves the city. You can hide among the goods. The Santee family still has to show the Gosden family some respect, so they won't search too thoroughly." Benson nodded faintly. The woman had thought through every detail. Even the next steps had been laid out. Still, a question lingered in his mind. "Aren't you afraid this will come back on you?" he asked. "If you offend Tenji Sword Sect, the consequences won't be light." "Relax." Cecelia's voice stayed calm. "As long as you don't talk, they won't know. And even if they find out, we'll have a way to cut ties and deny involvement." Benson said nothing. Cecelia added a final warning, "Pentos Sect and Tenji Sword Sect have been clashing more fiercely these past few years. If you enter Pentos Sect, you'll probably run into Tenji Sword Sect people often. Be careful." "Thanks for the warning," Benson replied, flat and controlled. Cecelia smiled. "Rest here for the night. Leave with the caravan in the morning. Avery Yeates will arrange everything." Benson nodded. He clasped his hands briefly in thanks. Her help had its motives, but he still felt gratitude. After Benson left, Cecelia let out a long breath. She watched the boy's retreating back through the doorway, her eyes complicated. Then a hoarse voice spoke from behind her. "Risking Tenji Sword Sect's anger for him… isn't that a little too much?" The voice belonged to an elderly man in black. He leaned on a cane, his age evident in every line of his posture. He was an elder of the Gosden family, and Cecelia's personal guardian. Cecelia's brows lifted. She smiled. "Scott Heskins, do you know what he was like three years ago?" "What was he like?" the old man asked, puzzled. "Three years ago, he was all fire and arrogance. He walked like the world owed him a crown." Her gaze softened, but her tone remained certain. "These three years, he fell into ruin. He suffered. But I believe the Moon City prodigy from back then will return in overwhelming glory." The old man narrowed his eyes. "You're gambling." "I am." Cecelia spoke each word clearly. "I'm betting that in a few years, he'll cross paths with Tenji Sword Sect's young sect master." She looked up at the star-filled sky beyond the eaves, as if she could already see it. Not long from then, beneath that vast and endless heaven, two peerless geniuses, proud and untamed, would stand opposite each other and clash.