"I sincerely apologise for this inconvenience," said Kenji Huang,lowering his head in a graceful bow. "Destruction tends to follow wherever I go ….and this time it seems you two bore the brunt. I would like to compensate later but for now,please accept my deepest regrets."
Shen stepped forward , clearing his throat , " Your honour Kenji Huang,there is something that Superior Gaurdian Emperor instructed me to inform you after the grand assembly."
Kenji raises his head slightly , his gaze steady.
"She wishes for you to return to your former position and oversee the godly territory you once ruled,resume control over your divine courts and...begin investigating the first case that has arisen in the emperor's west territory. Chao Xing and I have been appointed to assist you."
"You mean I am to take command of my old kingdom and the gods who once served under me? Who was in command in my absence ?" Kenji asked lifting his brows slightly.
"Yes, Your Honour. Superior Gaurdian herself took control over your kingdom in your absence, your honour." Shen affirmed.
Chao Xing clapped her hands together lightly and her eyes were gleaming with excitement, " And we will be assisting you for a case. How delightful !"
"Yes silly !" Shen muttered as he forced a smile to hide his irritated expression which was caused due to Chao Xing's over excited state.
"Waaaaaaah! I'm so excited !" Chao Xing beamed. "I already wanted to be your friend,the moment I ascended and read about you in scroll and now I get to assist your honour for a mission…this is so thrilling,it's like destiny."
Kenji's eyes softened,though his lips remained hidden under the veil which covered his lower face. The subtle gleam in his gaze betrayed a smile.
Shen clasped his hands together and gave a deep bow, "I am Shen, gaurdian of gods of agriculture and rain, ruling the Northeastern territory."
"I believe I introduced myself in the assembly but for the formality— I am Kenji Huang." Kenji returned the gesture.
"So…..what exactly is the incident we must investigate?" Kenji asked.
Shen's expression grew serious, " A village called Hao Ran has been afflicted by strange occurrence. We have been ordered to begin inspection from tomorrow once you've officially reclaimed your territory."
"Understood. Thankyou….. your honour Shen , your honour Chao Xing" Kenji clasped his hand and bowed to both of them , " Now, I'd have to retreat to my territory."
"Take back your throne with pride your Honour." Chao Xing cheered.
They parted ways.
Kenji Huang did not return to the assembly, instead he turned towards his former kingdom. A melancholic stillness settled in his chest as he walked the worn paths of the kingdom that once bore his name.
Much was unchanged, the grandeur was intact but subtle signs of new structures were visible. The roads had become more worn and polished at the same time.
As he walked past the once-familiar palaces, his gaze flickered to the new additions.
"So many new gods….I wonder if any of the old ones remain." He murmured
The main palace still stood tall and magnificently, shining in its brightest golden light. But just as he approached the entrance,
CLANG. CLANG. CLASH.
Wild sounds of metal colliding tore through the air.
Kenji's eyes sharpened. Flashes of intense spiritual energy flickered from a nearby place. Sword light danced violently,roaring like lightening. Kenji paused, glancing at the light to detect its origin. Then without any hesitation he turned towards the chaos.
He knocked three times on the grand gate. Startled,the gaurds on duty sprang to alert.
"M-My Lord,may we ask who you are?" One of them stammered.
"I am Kenji Huang, the former gaurdian of this territory. Now, if I may enter."
The name struck them like thunder.
One gaurd immediately ran inside and the rest stared at Kenji, in disbelief and frozen.
Then, instinct overtook uncertainty. Swords were drawn— blades gleaming and trembling slightly.
"You're a stranger claiming to be our gaurdian, our gaurdian was banished. We cannot trust you!" One of them barked.
Kenji exhaled, almost amused.
The sight was nostalgic, glinting swords aimed at him,just as they had been centuries ago.
He raised his right hand with elegant poise,fingers curling like the start of a spell.
"Ah! I see you all are new recruits. Recent arrivals I presume ? A day or two at most.
You haven't yet read the scrolls of the history of gaurdian's?"
"What?" One gaurd blinked.
The others exchanged confused glances, their grips tightening on the sword.
Kenji's voice turned colder,"Knowledge my friends, is free but ignorance always has a cost."
A sharp glimmer flashed in his eyes.
And then- fireflies.
From his hand, a swarm of luminescent creatures emerged—delicate,radiant and mesmerising.
They danced through the air towards the swords.
CLASH. CRACK. CRUMBLE.
In an instant, every blade pointed at Kenji was shattered. Metal fell in heaps,broken and useless.
The gaurds stared,mouth agape,still gripping the hilts of now—blade less weapons.
"Sorcery!" One of them cried—but was swiftly silenced by a voice from within.
"My lord….is it truly you? I could not believe when I heard the news of your arrival." From within strode a tall man,his eyes filled with disbelief and joy. He bore a black robe,his hair tied in a sharp ponytail and a gleaming sword in his hand. Behind him followed the gaurd who had rushed in earlier.
The other gaurds stepped back instinctively, clearing the path.
Kenji's eyes softened , "Kai. It's been a long time. You've grown so taller since I last you…" under the veil,his lips curled into a smile,as if a father was admiring his son.
"Your territory missed you, my lord and so did I." Kai replied, lowering his blade in reverence. "I deeply apologise for the behaviour of the gaurds. They're new—they've started yesterday. They haven't even started their history lectures yet, most of them were assigned randomly so they don't know much about our realm,my lord."
Kenji offered a subtle nod.
The gaurds whispered frantically amongst themselves.
"He's really the gaurdian ?"
"We pointed swords at him…."
"Did you see those fireflies—they shattered our swords like glass."
"We're done for if he's angry…"
"It's alright! They're doing their job." Kenji said. "I only remounted today. The news probably hasn't spread yet."
"Oh, but it will!" Kai smiled,"Give it three lights and entire heavens will know,my lord!"
Kenji's gaze drifted towards the building behind him. Kai gestured him to head inside his place. "Please grace me with your presence at my place,my lord!" Kai said.
"I was heading to the palace but saw flashes of spiritual light from your place,was there any trouble?" Kenji asked as he stepped forward with Kai.