"My 850 years of cultivation are so...fragile," Gulseni whispered and broke into a self-deprecating laugh. She came from the Vermilion Bird clan, a once noble lineage of Heaven that degenerated into vassals of the True Dragon clan during the Second Emperor's reign. Based in the Second Heaven, the Vermilion Birds, who specialized in healing arts, couldn't resist their neighbors' covetous gaze, and turned into one of the Dragons' "spouse providers." Believing that the great clans' ongoing strife served his house's interest, the Second Emperor turned a blind eye to the practice. Agiri stopped it in a blood storm, but his death left those he sheltered at the mercy of the strongest clans.
When the dragons came knocking, to preserve the many at the expense of the few, Gulseni's house didn't hesitate to give her up—boasting of her cultivation speed with fawning looks while parading her like livestock. Never did she expect that on her "wedding day," Dilnaz's vengeance would drop on the True Dragon clan, exterminating them to the last soul. Without hesitation, Gulseni abandoned her relatives to join the Saint-Empress Court, embracing Dilnaz's utopia of matriarchal hegemony.
Just like Silav worshipped and wished to emulate his grandfather, the Serpent Emperor, Gulseni worshipped Dilnaz and lived to fulfill her mistress' aspirations. To that end, she created arts meant to bewitch and enslave the opposite gender, rejected the position of inner disciple of the Saint Empress Court to descend on the Mountain Edge World, and assist Dilnaz from below. A pity that before that masked monk, her loyalty and cultivation proved worthless. The whole sect, crushed within five minutes, how pathetic.
Gulseni didn't understand why her sect's 2,000 artifacts became inert before Harun. Didn't understand why his golden fist could outright ignore her body's defenses. Didn't understand why he attacked her sect, why the Emissary Bull turned coat, and so many other facts. But above all, she couldn't understand why her mind so easily surrendered to his words.
Her willpower...wasn't that low.
But as her thoughts, regrets and resentment intertwined, Harun subdued the last of the 12 Ladies, and swept the Vermilion Brides' half-destroyed headquarters. At his back, a towering redwood tree stood, invisible to all but himself. Around that tree's branches, 148 white leaves swayed, with 13 more taking shape. Each leaf represented a person of Harun's Karmic Tree. But unlike the 148 others, those 13 new leaves took a gray hue, proof of a Forced Attachment.
The creator of the Six Incarnations Bridge didn't care for right or wrong, but believed in cause and effect. In the Human Realm, Harun could force Attachment on mortals and, thanks to his Mythical Idol, could do the same to the celestials he defeated. In the Monstrous Realm, Monstrous Beasts would join the list of preys, and so on.
By adding someone to his Karmic Tree, Harun held absolute control of their destiny, and could command them as he pleased. However, he couldn't alter their personality and, with Forced Attachment, would reach his cap faster. It also increased the difficulty of his future breakthroughs. For those reasons, Harun didn't plan to convert Gulseni's 800 disciples. As long as he controlled the head, the body would follow. Those 13 were more than enough.
From the start, Harun never planned to slaughter the Vermilion Brides. On the one hand, he'd lose valuable assets—and on the other, breed disasters. The Vermilion Brides served the Saint-Empress Court's interests and controlled many countries. Destroying them would prompt relentless investigations, overrunning the First Range with legions of celestials and several God-level experts. Harun's disguise was a small precaution against a potential failure, not a get-away-with-murder card.
On the contrary, by subduing them, Harun got himself over 800 Celestial-level subordinates, indirect control of 19 countries, a reliable information network and a supplier of cultivation resources. At the same time, he could control the information they gave the Saint-Empress Court. The benefits spoke for themselves. But as he swept the Vermilion Brides' ruined headquarters, Harun heaved a sigh.
"I'm really in it, aren't I? This is nothing compared to the battles to come. How many will I knowingly lead into fatal dangers to win this war-game and save my neck? Almost makes me miss my rogue cultivator days," Harun inwardly said and turned toward Gulseni.
"Until further notice, the 12 Ladies will handle all administrative tasks and focus on rebuilding the sect. Gulseni will follow me to the new headquarters and communicate with you from a distance. For the next 15 years, the Vermilion Brides must pay 60% of their income as tributes and donate all requested resources to the headquarters.
Focus on information gathering, minimize overt interactions with the outside world, and notify the Barbaric Demon Stronghold that you received the message. The Stronghold Master must expect you to beg him for assistance against the Soul Refining Hall, ignore him." Harun gave the new directive, and like all brigands worth the name, hauled Gulseni onto his shoulder.
Speechless, the 12 Ladies stared slack-jawed, but couldn't resist Harun's command.
"Unscrupulous scoundrel, let go of me!" Gulseni barked. Yet, her body remained obedient, not showing Harun any resistance. Unlike Mukri, who only had access to common-celestial knowledge, Gulseni knew much about the world's warring forces. How could Harun not milk her dry? The World-Devouring Serpent turned into a green orb and flew back into Harun's back.
Ambling toward Harun, Mukri bowed, offering his muscular back to his new boss, "Master, you've just exhausted yourself against those criminals and should rest. Please do me the honor of riding me," Mukri offered with fawning eyes that gave Harun waves of goosebumps. At first, despite Harun's assurance, Mukri believed this clash would most likely end in a pyrrhic victory. But after witnessing this part of his boss' skill-set, his thoughts underwent a 180 turn. A man that understood the times, Mukri didn't doubt that Harun would soon rise to prominence—establishing a dreadful force. This was the best time to ingratiate himself with him!
But as Mukri pictured all the benefits he'd receive, Harun took three steps back, and in a serious tone, said:
"Sorry, I do not ride horses and bulls—a matter of principles." At first tricked by Harun's serious tone, Mukri didn't connect the dots until he saw the odd grimace twisting Gulseni's face. His eyes widened, but before he could clear his name, Harun fled back to the Birusk village.
"Wait, Master wait! My intentions are pure!" Mukri pledged, but Harun only ran faster.
…
Back to the Evergreen village, Harun summoned his devotees and made a surprising announcement:
"Bring the wine, bring the fruits, bring the pies, and let's start a banquet...to welcome our new member!" Harun proclaimed, but as his clansmen got to work, Mukri and Gulseni's eyes narrowed at him.
"What stunt are you trying to pull?" Gulseni probed. Although by now she could guess that Harun didn't belong to the Liberation Temple, she didn't believe that this fake monk had any kindness to offer her, either.
"Hum...previously, we were enemies. But now that you're my subordinate, I naturally must treat you well." Harun casually replied. How could he tell Gulseni that he just wanted to feast, but needed an excuse to still look professional?
Yeah, she didn't have to know that.