"And you kidnapped me," Duncan stated, finally calming his mind down, and looked at the man in front of him.
He knew panicking over his actions was not important at this moment. He needed to know why this man saved him and also kidnapped him. It was the most important thing to find out at this moment. The rest can wait.
"I wouldn't call it kidnapping," the man said nonchalantly. "I merely ensured your safety. You were too weak and that was the only way I could protect you."
"Why would you protect me? I am sure I haven't seen you before this morning," Duncan asked warily.
"I took a liking to you," the man stated simply causing Duncan to feel dumbfounded.
Duncan was prepared for some evasive answers or even outright refusal, but such a blaze answer truly stumped him. He didn't know how to react to that, to be honest.
"Who are you?"
Duncan decided to put the other questions to rest and decided to know about the man first.
"My name is Liang Tianye. I am the Vice-Sect Master of the Heavenly Demon Sect," the man stated curtly causing Duncan's mind to once again enter into turmoil.
"Heavenly Demon Sect? Like those sects with cultivators?" Duncan asked to confirm.
"Not exactly, but, in essence, you are right there," the man replied.
"What do you mean?"
"We are not your regular sect. We are a demonic sect. In fact, we are the strongest demonic sect on this continent. As a matter of fact, you are also a part of this sect since you arrived here. I have taken a liking to you and I will be your Master from now on," the man explained plainly.
"What?" Duncan asked in confusion.
"I do not like to repeat myself, boy. You are now a member of the Heavenly Demon Sect, the premiere demonic sect on this continent," the man said a little irritatedly.
"Can I opt out?" Duncan blurted without thinking at all.
The man eyed Duncan for a bit and then smiled sinisterly.
"Sure, you can," the man said sweetly causing Duncan's hair to stand up, "however, I feel that I need to remind you of one thing. The only way you stop being a member of the Heavenly Demon Sect is when you die. Do you want to stop being a member of our sect?"
"No, no, I am fine with it," Duncan replied in haste.
"Good, then from now on, you will refer to me as Master. Rest, for now, I will be back in an hour. Meanwhile, a servant will provide you with food and other necessities. Once I return, I will take you to your new dwelling," the man said turning around and walking away.
Duncan sat numbly on his bed unable to believe what was happening to him. He felt as if he had jumped from the frying pot into the fire. He didn't know what to do now as he was sure he didn't have any option but to join this sect.
"What in the hell have I gotten myself into now?"
*****
"This is where you will be staying from now on, get used to it. If you are used to luxury, then get stronger. In our sect, there is no room for weaklings. As you are currently, you are not even a match for servant disciples in the sect," Liang Tianye said nonchalantly as he introduced Duncan to his new dwelling.
"I am used to living in a small place. Luxury is not something I am used to," Duncan said looking around his new dwelling.
If he had to describe it, the only word that came to his mind was small but adequate. His new dwelling had a small hall, which was enough to seat three to four people comfortably. There was another room adjacent to it that had futons, which Duncan figured to be his bedroom.
And there was a small kitchen area as well, but it didn't have any utensils in it. Duncan saw a door leading to the back. He reckoned that there was a backyard as well.
It was more than adequate for him to live by.
"I would caution you to be careful when dealing with your fellow disciples. The members of our sect are not best known for their… let's say tempers. They are mercurial in nature and can become hostile in the time it takes you to breathe," Liang Tianye said not focusing much on it.
"Oh," Duncan said stupidly not knowing how to react to such a statement.
His stay in the Heavenly Demon Sect has so far been pleasant enough. He knew he couldn't escape this place. Not that he wanted to anyway. He had been searching for a cultivation method for the past few months and here he was in a cultivation sect all of a sudden.
This was like his wildest dreams coming true. Despite the manner in which he was brought here, Duncan didn't mind staying here. Sure, he would have liked to see Granny Jiao once before coming here for the rest of his life. If he had the gold he left the Starmist City in hand with him now, that desire would have been even bigger.
But, now that he had lost all his gold, he wasn't keen on returning to the Starsinger Town as a beggar. He had way more pride in him to allow that. Duncan figured it would be better if he became a cultivator and later visited Granny Jiao.
And Bessa too…
Surely she would love to be with a cultivator more than a mortal, wouldn't she? Just thinking about it had brought a smile to his lips. Hence, he had been in a relatively happy mood since he calmed down and analyzed his situation.
Even the servants who brought him food looked far more beautiful than Bessa. And they were respectful towards him as well. With great hospitality, a good future waiting for him, and no life threat hanging above him, Duncan was happier than when he had been staying in the Wang Clan compound.
As far as his material possessions went, he merely had the clothes he wore on his back and his sword with him. Whoever that person that knocked him out had been, he was at least considerate enough to bring his sword along with him.
Not that he minded it much. He wasn't someone who got fixated on material things. The only issue was that they didn't serve him wine with the meal. It was a bummer, but he could manage not drinking any wine for a while.
So, all in all, his experience in the Heavenly Demon Sect so far has only been positive. And now, to hear that his fellow disciples might not be amicable fellows stumped Duncan a bit.
"We are a demonic sect boy. There are only three rules in this sect. Obey the sect's orders, respect your elders and seniors, and do not kill your fellow disciples. Apart from that, here, might make right. No one will take pity on you and hold your hand. If you want something, you need to be able to fight for it," Liang Tianye said seeing Duncan's expression.
Duncan turned thoughtful upon hearing that statement. It wasn't as if he didn't know about the policy of might makes right. He was familiar with it. But, for an entire cultivation sect to operate based on that was something he wasn't prepared for.
"Anyway, you don't need to worry about it. I have plans for your training and you will be occupied with it to even worry about these petty issues. By the way, what is your name?"
"Duncan,"
"Duncan what?"
"Just Duncan. I am an orphan, I don't have a family name. Never even knew who my mother or father was."
"You don't know who your parents are then?"
"No, ever since I could remember, I was brought up with other kids in the town orphanage."
"Hmmm, which town?"
"Starsinger Town."
Liang Tianye paused and turned to look at Duncan seriously.
"You are from the Starsinger Town?"
"Yes, is anything the matter?"
"Boy, you are one lucky kid. Until now I have been thinking that you should have tremendous bad luck to get stuck in Grasslands during a beast tide. But, it seems that you are the one with actual luck," Liang Tianye said shaking his head.
"What do you mean?" Duncan asked anxiously.
"Starsinger Town is no more, boy. The entire town got razed in the fight between the two Nascent Soul cultivators from the Seven Clouds Sect and the Level 7 Beast. The mine blew up into cinders unable to withstand their powers leveling the entire town down," Liang Tianye said looking away.
Duncan paled hearing that. He felt something in his heart crack hearing that statement. His mind went back to his earlier thoughts of going back to meet Granny Jiao and Bessa. He felt his legs lose strength as he felt a little faint.
*****
A/N: Hey folks!
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