Chapter 121 — All Things Perish

"The truth is just the opposite. Not only did they survive, they became one of the mightiest of the Xuanming sects," Hedy said, her voice low and grave. "Druids are by nature a profession skilled at surviving in harsh conditions, and the Assembly of All Things Perish is extremely secretive in its organization. Their methods of transmission are obscure and rigorous, and they seldom show themselves before the world—but whenever they act, it is inevitably a most terrible and merciless attack..."

Gao Yang's eyes flickered. "For instance, tossing a living bomb into the newly founded Cecil Territory?"

As he spoke, he could not help glancing at the carbonized fragments strewn across the ground, and anger and sorrow surged up in him together.

Utterly inhuman.

Pi Yun stood and looked around at the soldiers braced as if before a great enemy, every one on full alert, and shook his head slightly. "No. If this really were the Assembly of All Things Perish, it would not be such a small-scale, aimless operation. They are always very clear about their goals, and their attacks come link after link..."

Amber scratched at her hair vigorously. "Why does every one of you seem to know this Perish Assembly so well? Am I the only one who doesn't?"

Pi Yun gave the half-elf an exasperated look. "Because every time anyone tried to teach you history when you were little, you fell asleep!"

"Nonsense! I can take in a lesson even while asleep—it must be that neither you nor my father ever told me any of this!"

Gao Yang pushed Amber back into place and fixed Pi Yun with a stern look. "You can identify the magic reaction of All Things Perish, correct?"

"Strictly speaking, I can distinguish the traces of druidic magic," Pi Yun nodded. "You're worried there are more living bombs hidden among the slaves just brought in?"

Gao Yang gave a slight nod. "I can't help but worry."

"Such vigilance is warranted."

Soon the slaves who had already passed their physical examinations and finished registering were brought back to undergo Pi Yun's magical sensing test, and the riverboats that had unloaded their "cargo" and were preparing to depart were stopped as well. The slavers traveling aboard were all detained for interrogation, and the original owner of the "living bomb" was quickly identified.

Gao Yang handled the matter directly in a wooden shed beside the docks, beginning with the documents Hedy provided on the places of origin of the serfs and slave laborers delivered this time.

The one who had exploded was a mine slave laborer from Tamsan Town, named Sam.

"This batch of slaves was purchased from various places, including Viscount Leslie's territory and, farther north, Viscount Kant's and Viscount Carol's. They were first gathered and sent to Tamsan Town, where Knight Byron set up a collection point; once enough slaves from the various places had been assembled to fill several boats, they were brought here by their respective slavers leading the way," Hedy explained the situation. "The deceased was a local slave laborer from Tamsan Town. His original owner was a slaver nicknamed 'Golden-eyelid Ger,' who has already been taken into custody."

At that moment Pi Yun stepped into the shed as well. "I've examined them all. There are no traces of evil arts on anyone else. They're safe."

"All of them safe?" Gao Yang confirmed with relief.

"Safe," Pi Yun answered with complete confidence. "I do have a measure of confidence in my sense for magic."

Gao Yang rubbed the space between his brows. "An organization like the Fellowship of All Ends, which rarely makes a move... sending a live bomb straight into my territory—what sort of thinking is that?"

Then he lifted his head. "Bring that 'Golden Eye' here. And find out whether the dead serf still has family, friends, or acquaintances—bring them too. I want to understand the situation."