Solflare: The Painter's Secret

Chapter 281: The Faceless Arrival

The ground at the front of the Council tower moved like waves as the Shards standing at its front slammed their blackened staffs on the ground.

Overlord Luo Fang, Lord Hayes of the Cobalt, and Lord Hei Yung lifted themselves off their feet and hovered in the air, but Leon did not.

He stood still with sweat dripping down his forehead to his chin and watched almost everyone standing on the ground levitate into the air. ’What was that?’

The moment Lord Hayes turned and saw Leon standing without falling, a flicker of fear lanced in his spine and caused his eyes to widen for just a second. ’Has he awakened the Destroyer part of him to its core?’

The Shards guarding the Council tower lifted their staffs and watched each member of Seol-Mujin enter. Just as Leon tried to enter, one of them placed a heavy hand on Leon’s shoulder and stopped him.

Overlord Luo Fang turned and quickly rushed to the entrance. "He has been summoned by the Council."

A red glow snaked through the blackness on the Shard’s face before lifting its hands from Leon.

’Why did I feel like I know him?’ Leon thought as he walked past them and entered, but kept on glancing at the eight-foot-tall black-robed being.

...

Water dripping sounds echoed as the early morning rain trailed down from leaves and dropped on the hospital ground.

Chilled air flew across the front of Bastion hospital while vehicles moved up and down.

At the iron entrance of the hospital, Zoe stood there with her arms folded at her chest. "Will Mr. Lee come since you will be gone for a long time?"

Sharp air flew from her pink lips while strands of her silver-grey hair whipped through the air like strings of destiny.

Feng smiled then placed a hand on Zoe’s right shoulder with a hiss. "Indeed, he has been busy, but since I am going for a while, he will come."

Zoe smiled back and lowered her gaze slightly. "Thank you, Uncle Feng, for all the support."

Feng shook his head and slowly tilted his gaze to the grey clouds slowly forming in the sky. "I should be the one to thank you. If it was not for you, Leon would disappear."

He paused and lowered his head when a faint red glow snaked through his eyeball. ’I need to leave now.’

He turned to Zoe with a nod. "If anything, I will try my best and see if I can get in touch with Leon before he comes and finds his family in this state."

A tiny bit of black smoke puffed from where Feng stood when Zoe turned and faced the hospital’s direction. ’What if Leon dies?’

Zoe’s eyes widened when she turned back and saw only leaves dancing where Feng stood seconds ago. ’Where did Uncle Feng go?’

She rushed out of the hospital grounds and stood at the pedestrian side of the road, yet she saw no sign of Feng. "This is strange."

...

Seats of a magnificent nature were arranged in the tower when Leon stopped a few meters away from the entrance.

’What are the colors for?’ He thought, glancing from one point to another. He watched how the white-robed people sat, wowed at the pink-robed beings that had the resemblance of the Serakels but in a higher and much more advanced state.

With every step he took forward, following Hei Yung, Leon’s bones screamed under the weight the room carried.

"Sit here." Lord Hei Yung said and directed Leon to the seat at the front of the blue-robed beings which were a mixture of humans and some like mutated animals.

Lord Hayes sneered. He kicked his boots against Leon’s when he passed at his front and sat a few distance away from him, folding his arms to his chest.

Hei Yung crouched down on Leon and placed a hand on Leon’s shoulder, then leaned on his left ear. "Whatever happens, just say the truth."

A flicker of fear lanced through Leon’s eyes when he saw the head of the pink-robed beings staring at him with hatred.

"Hhhew..." He closed his eyes and took in a deep breath before cracking them open. ’I will say only the truth.’

...

At the front of the Shardspire, a black vortex appeared and began sucking in all the black leaves inside.

Feng stepped out of the vortex wearing a black coat and jeans. Just as he took in a quick breath, his body began transforming.

The black coat vanished and transformed into a long red robe that covered him from his head to his feet. Red glows snaked through the blackness of where there should have been a face when he raised his blackened right arm upward.

With a single step, he vanished through the thick walls of the Shardspire as if time and gravity were below him.

The mystical creatures all lowered their heads when the Faceless Monarch appeared inside the Shard city.

Harmonious cries seeped through the air while birds with chains on their necks and eyes of snakes leaped into the air, flapping their wings like a caged animal finally freed.

Tree branches shook sideways as if a thunderstorm were approaching when the Faceless Monarch moved past them like sound.

The Shards guarding the Council tower slammed their staffs on the ground and increased their standing pressure when the Faceless Monarch appeared at their front.

"Welcome, Master." They had no mouth but said in one voice and lowered their heads.

Sharp air flew inside their hollow bodies when the Faceless Monarch dashed through the closed gate without even opening it.

All murmuring ceased the moment the presence of the Faceless Monarch was felt inside the tower.

The blades of the Hi-no-Kami trembled at Leon’s back the moment he felt something pass by his side. Everyone, including the Monarchs of all the sects, stood on their feet when the Faceless Monarch materialized at the center of the gathering.

Overlord Luo Fang’s eyes glowed with joy when he glanced slightly and saw Leon shaking. ’Your end is here, Leon Storm.’