Chapter 115: The Reaper's Scythe and the Empire's Economy
I. The Return to the Capital
The Void Herald did not land in a hidden cave, but on the black jade platform of the Morningstar Citadel. From above, the city shimmered under the moonlight. It was no longer the makeshift camp of old; it was a fortified metropolis. Twenty-meter walls engraved with defensive runes, watchtowers where dragon and phoenix banners billowed, and a constant flow of Qi nourishing the spiritual crops in the outer districts.
Samael descended from the vessel, his cloak fluttering in the night breeze. The city guards—mid-rank disciples equipped with standardized armor—struck their spears against the ground in unison.
—"Glory to the Patriarch!" The shout resonated across the main plaza.
Samael gave a slight nod. The mask of "Dorian Vylos" was gone. Here, he was the Emperor. —"Unload the loot from the Bronze Citadel," he ordered Kael. —"I want the resources classified before dawn. Half to the treasury vaults, the other half... shall be for the people."
Violeta and Elara walked behind him, looking at their home with relief. —"Nothing like home air," Violeta whispered, dissipating the frost from her armor. —"That Bronze Citadel smelled of rust and greed. Here, it smells of..."
—"Of power," Eris finished, joining them with a tired smile.
II. The Reaper in the Prison Tower
While the city celebrated the return of its leaders, a silent procession headed toward the Tower of Penitence, an isolated structure on the city's northern edge.
Malak, now fully manifested as the Reaper of Silence, floated behind the twelve survivors of the Silver Ash Clan and the stretcher-bearer carrying an unconscious Altair. Malak's scythe, materialized in an alloy of shadows and spiritual steel, dripped a liquid darkness that hissed upon touching the floor. His presence was terrifying, a reminder that the peace of the Morningstar Citadel was protected by monsters.
—"This shall be your temporary lodging," Malak's voice resonated from his hollow hood, where only two red dots glowed. —"You are not prisoners, but until the Patriarch decides your role, you shall not leave this district."
One of the Silver Ash members, an old man with burns on his face, looked at Malak with reverent fear. —"What is this place? Heaven or hell?"
—"It is the Morningstar Realm," Malak replied. —"For our allies, it is paradise. For our enemies... well, you have already seen what we do."
Malak turned toward the high-security cell where Altair had been placed. The ash-haired boy breathed heavily, his body greedily absorbing the ambient Qi. —"Rest, little king of ash. Tomorrow, your personal hell begins."
III. The Hall of Meritocracy
The next day, Samael headed to the newest building in the central plaza: the Imperial Mission Pavilion. It was an imposing structure of white stone and dark wood. Until now, the clan had functioned with a simple hierarchy: Samael provided resources, and they trained. But with an entire city and hundreds of disciples, that was no longer sustainable. He needed an internal economy.
Samael stood before the massive Jade Wall in the lobby. —"System," he thought. —"Connect the city inventory and expansion needs to the Mission Board. Activate the Contribution Points (CP) system."
[System: Imperial Management Module Activated.] [Generating Missions based on current city status...]
Samael raised his hand, and the jade shimmered. Golden letters began to appear, visible to all who entered.
[MORTAL RANK MISSIONS (Citizens and Outer Disciples)]
Agriculture: Harvest 100 stalks of Spiritual Rice in the southern fields. | Reward: 5 CP.
Maintenance: Reinforce the runes of the West Wall (Requires Transcendence Stage 1). | Reward: 10 CP.
[EARTH RANK MISSIONS (Inner Disciples and Guards)]
Hunting: Clear the Crystal Spider nest in the nearby abandoned mines. | Reward: 150 CP + Materials.
Escort: Protect the supply caravan from the Oasis to the North Gate. | Reward: 200 CP.
[HEAVEN RANK MISSIONS (Sequences and Captains)]
Investigation: Track the origin of the corrupt energy detected in the Thunder Valley. | Reward: 1,000 CP + Access to the Secret Armory.
Recruitment: Find hidden talents in the vassal villages.
Beside the board, the Imperial Exchange Shop was displayed:
Qi Condensation Pill: 50 CP.
Sword Technique (Mid Earth Grade): 500 CP.
Beast Scale Armor (Customized): 1,200 CP.
Private Audience with the Patriarch (Cultivation Guidance): 10,000 CP.
—"If they want power, let them work for it," Samael murmured, satisfied. Although the missions came from the System, to the clan, it was the Emperor's will organizing their growth.
IV. The Gold Rush (Points)
The news spread like wildfire. Within an hour, the Pavilion was packed. —"Look at that!" shouted a young disciple. —"If I complete three hunting missions, I can buy the Tiger Bone Pill!"
Lys and Tamsin (Sequences 12 and 11) were analyzing the board seriously. —"I need that Earth-Grade healing technique," Lys said, biting her lip. —"But it costs 800 points." —"We can do the Crystal Spider mission together," Tamsin suggested. —"If we split the loot and the points, we'll get there in a week."
From a corner, Cedric watched, taking notes on a scroll. —"Brilliant," he said to himself. —"This doesn't just motivate training; it automates the city's maintenance. The Patriarch has turned ambition into fuel."
Kael entered, munching on a spiritual apple, and looked at the board. —"Wow, there are even missions for me," he laughed, pointing to one at the top reserved for 'Elites.'
[Unique Mission: Combat Training with Subject "Altair." Reward: 500 CP per session.]
—"Looks like I'm going to get paid to hit the rookie. I love this system."
V. The Awakening of the Candidate
In the infirmary of the Tower of Penitence, Altair opened his eyes. His body, once broken and burned, felt strange. Heavy, but solid. His meridians, which had been destroyed by slavery, had been repaired roughly but effectively by Samael's medicine.
He sat up abruptly. In front of him, floating in the air cross-legged (or appearing so beneath the shadow robes), was Malak. The scythe rested on his spectral knees.
—"Welcome to the world of the living, Ash," Malak said. Altair looked around. There were no bars, but he felt the pressure of a Saint Qi at the door. —"Where am I?" —"In the Morningstar Citadel. Your new home... or your grave, depending on how useful you are."
The door opened, and Samael entered. He wore imperial robes of dark violet. He brought no medicine this time, but a scroll. —"You woke up quickly. Your Ash Monarch constitution is impressive." Altair tried to get up to bow (a slave's instinct), but Samael stopped him with a gesture. —"Here, we do not kneel out of fear. We kneel out of respect. And you do not respect me yet; you only fear me."
Samael tossed the scroll onto the bed. —"That is your first mission. It is on the Clan Board."
Altair opened it.
[Mission: The Iron Rebirth.] [Objective: Survive 3 days in Elder Marcus's Blacksmith Forge, assisting in meteorite smelting.] [Reward: A new custom-forged sword and the right to be considered a "Disciple on Trial."]
—"Marcus is a perfectionist and a grumpy Semi-Saint," Samael said, smiling. —"His forge reaches temperatures that would melt a normal cultivator. But you... you eat fire, don't you?"
Altair read the mission. His hands trembled—not from fear, but from opportunity. —"I will do it."
—"Good," Samael turned to leave. —"Oh, and Altair... welcome to the family. Try not to die on your first day of work."
[END OF CHAPTER 115]