The Sixteen guardians are all waiting for the leaders to came back from their respective Settlements area, as they talking amongst themselves waiting for the leaders not forget to sparing some dignity for elder Aadhi who was now little pale in the face but looking very embarrassed, no one going to make fun of him as he never the type to disagreement or feud with someone less someone of his status none of them here that kind of petty person so they pretend to not notice any of this.
Or that's how it should have been if it's not for certain someone who, scrutinized him with a teasing glint on his eyes, Aadhi who was sensitive became aware this in few seconds and his mood darkened when he, noticed who it was he was in the verge of snapping.
"Shorty, why are you also embarrassing us with you as well, you see I was trying to leave a better image to that lord about my self but did you must do something like this? " he talked in whisper the point everyone could hear it because of their enhanced senses.
"Sigh! I can't believe you are finally getting on with your age Aadhi, it's a pity I never thought someone as Clever, glibe and meticulous person like you go senile" his face was full of pity Aadhi look like he was about to go berserk with this taunts.
"Were you trying to picking fight with me?" he was gritting his teeth in frustration and annoyance he didn't seem very surprised, when seeing this fellow gleefully come to him as soon as possible and mocking him in provoking tone but it's still irritated to him no end it was expected.
Aadhi know about his character better than anyone else, as a fellow genius and guardian of the same rank who shared same status it wasn't an exaggeration to say something like this, Aadhi always had this inkling Balli was little disgruntled with his talent on forging and array formation and good fame among the tribe and he was always competitive with him.
So the petty Balli did all he can to disturb his peace and achievements, he even sometime skillfully dubbed him some of his famous jokes and find a way to glorify himself, knowing how shameless he could be it wasn't surprise for any of them but if it was anyone else they would have become Irreconcilable fight him to death it was Aadhi's introvert nature and mild personality something like this happened.
'Heavens! why was this petty ba***** has to always targetting me ' he tired of this lamented to himself from all this frustration he was feeling. 'Can't he leave me alone for some times this darn persistent scoundrel ' he grumbled to himself even if he know that Balli wouldn't let this Matter go he couldn't help but hopefull on such a situation might appear.
Of course he know what he did wrong in this matter, he should have remembered the Lord said other day he, wouldn't let the others know of his existence for sometime but asking such a nonsensical question was really embarrassing, he thought he was getting more and more forgetful lately.
Aadhi sighed in relief when he saw Balli was threatened and dragged away by his own student, he certainly didn't want to get nagged and teased by this fellow. he walked towards the nearby group joining their conversation with relief and it wasn't long before the leaders returned they were stunned by what they saw.
Some of them couldn't help but wonder what was going on, just before little more than half an hour this tent filled with tension and helplessness but on this little time they went to retrieve their things the atmosphere changed so drastically as if they gossiping about something rather than planning some last ditch escape plan 'Was every thing alright with the guardians, why can't they see the urgency and apprehension on their face anymore '
"Ummm! respectable sirs we are here?" one of the leaders spoke up as if they announcing their presence.
The leaders were more flustered when they noticed, the guardians turned to looked at them weirdly then turned to looked at one another as if they were communicating something between them in unusual manner.
The tall towering man take a step forward and asked the guardians about the matter unlike dragging this matter further or hesitating like his other comrades "Honorable guardians, has something happened shouldn't we get going? if we want to reach the other side of the dark forest before them it will take some time"
They all turned to look at the Old Man and Aadhi stimaltiously, the Old Man seemed come back to his thoughts as he nodded his head calmly he assured them in gratifying tone, "You guys come at right time, I was just about to talk what to do" he smiled at them amiably.
The leaders looked at one another taken aback by his reply 'Weren't you one order us to return here quickly in time' they were little nervous at first as they had to explain the situation roughly to the qi realm experts or the person they highly regarded so it took some time but they were left hurriedly as they couldn't even console them as they dropped such a shocking truth.
There was nothing can be done about this matter but they can't use excuses with this ruthless demon as he simply choose to attack anyone daring to overstep their boundary or his command especially at times like this.
"Yes!.... please forgive us for our tardiness honourable guardian our subordinate couldn't take the news well but considering the situation we had to make sure they had to get the grasp of our situation.... please punish us"
One of the leaders hurriedly spoke someone might trigger this demon with their stupid answers but the person also instantly regretted it, his back covered in cold sweat, it wasn't like he was the only sensible one here but thats obvious as more clever one already seemed that about the results if they rashly put themselves in the place.
Such a cleaver ones secretly mourned and thanked him for his sacrifice and big heart as they attentively waited for him to lashing out or they think like this to console themselves but their eyes almost popped out seeing and hearing the interaction headed in different way than they predicted.
"Hahaha, such a pure and consodirate heart! don't worry we weren't going to admonish you for that in fact I admire you little brother... hmm! this brother what is your name, you were newly promoted leader were you not? " the Old Man enquired in jovial tone.
The man gaped at the Old Man before stuttering out his name "I-it's Ezhil, honorable guardian this humble one grateful for your understanding" he immediately humbled himself seeing he, wasn't become target of the elderly's anger he decided to use this chance well.
The 'Oh So clever ones' were dying of jealousy why is this suddenly turned out to be like this they couldn't see the sight of lucky fellow and also that amiable face of old demon, the more they thought the more they felt violated and cheated by this Old Man 'Old thing what is with that generous and kind face weren't you the one who break the all four limbs couple of years back when one leader was trying to tell you why he was late to the meeting' if it's not for the fear for him kept their rationality they would have beat him to pulp.
One woman bit her lips hard enough to draw lot of blood when she notice that old thing give him a high quality panacea, one of the leader decided to ask first before few agitated fellow would burst out in envy and anger "Honoured guardian should we proceed with the matter?" 'Can't you notice everyone expression please don't agitate them any further'
The Old Man smiled sheepishly "Ah, I completely get sidetracked about this matter... we just received another missive from our people monitoring them well... we decided that it wasn't necessary for you guys to come along with us" boooom they felt like the world collapsing around them, they thought they were hearing things their mind thought up all sort of scenery and imagine conjured up in their mind for the guardians to be this leisure.
"WHAT?"
"Elder what you saying is true!? "
"I can't quite believe that "
"What's going on?"
"Could it be the previous information false they don't marching towards our ancestral land " one of them wondered his subordinate replied "It's quite possible leader"
" Are you guys dumb, don't talk nonsensically if they aren't moving why would our patrol send such a message"
"Yeah, they were attacked our patrol from what I heard" another one agreed with the previous person while discreetly glance at the guardians secretly gauging their expression.
"Who are you calling dumb, you guys think they don't have a better thing to do then sitting around all day they might coincidently meet with our patrol" few others also agree with him supporting him.
It's not because they agree with him no one want or like the feeling of facing off such a undying powerful abomination in their lifetime. "I also think this brother is right" few other agreed with him as well.
The Old Man cleared his throat and sagely explained "Hahaha, alright Don't fight over this matter, you guys can relax we have our reason for taking such measures besides its good this way if... suppose if things went wrong we were hoping you guys could help out our people continue our status as an overlord races" although no one would think them if they chased out of their ancestral land lacking any peak realm experts.
But they were became so touched by the guardians' selflessness their face was showed how emotional they become as they looking at the sixteen calm pair of eyes staring back at them leisurely, few of them broke into tears.
It was especially for the person, who received high level panacea from old demon he emotionally said even forgone the require respect "Elder.... how can anything happened to you please allow me to accompany you in this mission I'll gladly die in your stead" his eyes were red with emotion
The Old Man patted his shoulder with some appreciation "Haha, what a pure person don't worry nothing happened to us if everything goes as planned " he patted "You were such a selfless guy it's a pity if I found you sooner I would have taken you as my student " he said with some gratitude.
Behind them Balli rolled his eyes at his friend's performance, he took a step forward and called out everyone attention to him "Alright, I'm delighted to watch such a heartwarming performance their isn't much of a time for us we have to depart as soon as possible " he mock gesture them all as he pretended be elegant "I trust you guys take good care of our tribe in my absence I know you guys have miss me an-"
Aadhi interjected with his narcestic speech in the middle "Everyone be alert and wait for any news and be ready if something really dangerous happened you should evacuated as soon as possible"
After hearing his instruction everyone nodded their heads and bid them farewell said some nice words with a short prayer to Mother Nature they returned to where their tribe settle down the sixteen guardians also relaxed from the stress.
"Well! this was somewhat nice isn't it " Ima commented as she looked at her seniors who all turned to looked at her with blank eyes before nodding continuesly agreeing with her.
Aadhi remind the Old Man once again "We should get going if we wanted to reach the other side of the dark forest before them"
"Agreed" he started to walking "Alright, we should get going"
They started out of the tent in fast pace not caring about the curios gazes, once they left their field of vision they started to running with their full speed. with in few hours they were out of the plain which previously take them half a day of travel then they skillfully rushing through the woods.
The monsters and ferocious beasts didn't dare to obstruct their path sensing the oppressive aura and the impressive speed they were going be it pack or strong ferocious beast not even berserk abomination could obstruct them.
When they reached the other end it was hour and half to consider it was a whole day, it was still take sometime before the abominations reach here they were little excited how the Lord going to deal with these undying annoying things.
They were sitting under the trees taking short rest calm their mind and body, in just few hours after they come here they noticed the rock demons in their field of view they couldn't help but gulped little as they noticed the large line up of qi realm experts this alone was intimidating.
Indeed it was an Intimidating sight even for them, their totall headcount would be less than thousand it seems but their combat strength still gave them the pressure but when they thought of the Lord's words they relaxed little.
They slowly get up as they felt a sudden chilling feeling they quickly understand the rock demons noticed them but they didn't rushed up they continued their pace like before.
"It's look like they didn't seem to put us in their eyes huh? " Kada said few others snorted in anger
"Let them be" Inaam said leisurely
Then all of them suddenly felt the space near them ripples and someone appeared besides them casually the guardians jaw fell open in shock and surprise.
"Are you guys prepared to receive our 'guests' ? Oh there they are!" an smooth but majestic voice rang in their ears.