Rise of The Demon General

Amon stopped. The others glanced between him and the clan master before resuming their way out.

"Bubai, you also leave," Lin Weida said.

"Yes, father," Lin Bubai replied and left.

Now there were only two people inside this large great hall. The two just stared at one another without any word. The silence went on for quite some while.

When Amon started to think that this was wasting time and was about to ask the clan master what he wanted, Lin Weida spoke, "Let me tell you, Lin Mo. I might seem harsh to you, but know that I am this way because I find you the most interesting among our young generation. Unfortunately, there are many people here who dislike you because Lin Xi has treated you as one of the Lin clan's inner family while in reality, you don't bear any of our blood. I, however, know that you possess great potential. I do not doubt that you will do well at the Royal Academy."

Amon wasn't sure where this conversation was leading. It almost sounds like the clan master was apologetic. "Thank you, clan master, for your kind words. I will try not to disappoint your hope."

Lin Weida laughed. He came down from his throne. "You can drop the pretense, kid," he said. "We both know my words don't mean squat to you. Throughout these years, I have known that you are different and you will achieve great heights if you are left alone. I have been trying to make up my mind whether you are a threat to the Lin clan or a boon."

"Have you come to a conclusion?" Amon asked.

Lin Weida smiled. He now stood in front of Amon. Amon maintained his calm but he was fully on alert.

"You are tense. But you are always tense. I have never seen you drop your guard," Lin Weida said. "It's as if you view everyone as your enemies. How do you become like this? I still can't believe you are a kid."

Amon didn't say anything.

"Someone like you, if there is a chance that I think that you will become an enemy to the Lin clan, I would have struck you here and now when you are still weak."

Amon was still silent.

"But after observing your time here. Even though you don't help the Lin clan, I believe you won't endanger it as well."

Amon raised his brows. "How did you come to that conclusion?" Amon asked.

"Because of Lin Xi," Lin Weida answered. "You might not have cared about anyone else in this clan, but I believe you won't endanger Lin Xi, who has always treated you as a real son."

'You are giving her too much credit,' Amon thought, but he didn't say anything. There was no need to antagonize a sleeping tiger.

Lin Weida continued, "Know that if you decide to return here after the royal academy, I will welcome you and give you a good post in this clan. If you don't, if you decide to join the royal kingdom's force. Well, I hope you can put in a good word on our behalf. If not for the Lin clan, then for Lin Xi."

Amon simply nodded.

Lin Weida put a hand on Amon's shoulder. Amon didn't know what to make of this gesture. The clan master then walked out the hall, leaving Amon alone.

*

During the one week waiting for the time to depart, aside from making his preparation, Amon spent it learning a new art. It was another movement art.

After the selection race, Amon understood the importance of a movement art that was meant for a long run, like the one exhibited by Lin Fen. The sudden speed burst provided by his Lingering Shade Stride might be useful for battle, but when it came to chasing and escaping, it was practically useless. He needed something that could give him constant speed for a long period.

He was about to leave the protective shell of a Lin clan. There was no telling what was out there waiting for him. The journey to Qishurg City might not be all that smooth. Even after he arrived, there was no telling if there would be a hindrance before he was accepted into the royal academy.

He needed this movement art that could provide him with an option to flee an unfavorable situation if needed.

After scouring through the library from the pyramid legacy, Amon finally decided on a movement art called Shadowless Sprint. This art aside from increasing his running speed, also gave him the tenacity to maintain his top speed for a long period of time by spending the minimum amount of aether.

This art when applied, would burn his aether at the start of the run, giving him a speed boost. Once he was at maximum speed, the aether consumption was slowly reduced and only spent on the required parts to maintain the current speed at constant, thus saving his energy consumption. It was similar to the cruise control of a car.

It took him just a few days to reach skilled mastery. At that time, he tested it by running around the Lin estate's training compound, which covered a large enough area. He ran its outer circle repeatedly. The other disciples were curious about his action at first, but after Amon circled the compound for the tenth time, they lost interest.

Amon was experimenting with how long he could continue running at the top speed. The speed boost from Shadowless Sprint allowed him to run three times his normal speed. He ran for the entire day and night while maintaining his speed. He only stopped the next morning before the disciples returned.

He could still go on but if he did, the fact that he didn't require sleep would be known. He returned to his housing complex and reviewed his capability.

He didn't feel tired during the run. He felt like his running movement was on autopilot after the initial sprint. This art was truly good for non-stop run. He checked the aether reserve in his energy core and found that he only spend around one-fifth. Which meant he could continue for another five days and nights before his aether was completely spent and he had to stop.

After knowing this limit, he should be able to make a better judgment in case there was a need to use this art. But he suspected that if anyone else used the same art, the endurance it provided should be much less. The reason he could run for five days straight with this art was also because of his special constitution body which continuously absorbed aether. This allowed his fuel to be refilled even when it was spent. But of course, the absorption was too small, it couldn't offset the consumption. Hence, after five days, he would still run out of aether.

During the few days that Amon was training the Shadowless Sprint, Madam Lin didn't come to visit.

Amon reckoned that this stepmother of his was still angry with him. Amon didn't bother about it too much. If she didn't come to see him until the day he departed, all the better, he didn't need to pretend it was difficult for him to leave her.

Amon didn't realize though, that every time before noon, he always glanced to the gazebo and his courtyard entrance. He did that in passing and thought nothing of those actions. He didn't realize the time when he did those was the time of the day when Madam Lin usually came to visit.

*

On the day before he departed with the others to Qishurg City, Madam Lin finally came. She just came in and sat inside the gazebo without a glance at Amon.

Amon, who was training at the time, stopped his training and instructed a maid to bring tea. He then came and sat opposite Madam Lin.

Madam Lin simply sat there with her eyes on the flower garden next to the gazebo. She didn't spare Amon a glance.

The silence went on for some time until the maid came bringing the tea for the two of them. The maid stood beside Amon's chair afterward. Amon poured the tea into the prepared cups and started talking, "I understand mother is still upset about my decision. I admit that I should have talked to you about it. I am simply too afraid that mother will reject my request. I'm truly sorry. Please, accept this tea as my apology."

Madam Lin just gave a long sigh. She neither turned to Amon nor accept the tea that was offered.

Amon also sighed. He placed the tea in front of Madam Lin, then said, "This is Siau Miu." Amon referred to the maid who stood beside him.

"She has a talent in the alchemical concoction. She is my assistant when I am doing alchemy work. I have taught her the recipe and technique for concocting the pain-inducing drug you need for your job. She will be able to continue making the drugs when I'm no longer here."

Madam Lin didn't answer. Amon noticed a slight frown on her forehead, though.

Amon took a small box and put it in front of Madam Lin. He opened it and revealed a pill that was emitting a soft warm light.

"This is a womb-strengthening pill. It is very rare. I managed to get its recipe in a lucky encounter. I've learned how to concoct this pill, and so does Siau Miu. She can provide you with a steady supply, I have left the required ingredients for one year worth of usage to her."