Emperor's Reckoning

The ring that the old man wore looked similar to the one Lyon received from the seductive woman that played as an overseer in The Crown. The one he won from 'destroying' the unnamed stone that kept regenerating. The VVIP ring as a symbol of the most revered guest in Treas's auction.

However, the one on his finger was slightly different from the one he had. It had more aesthetic yet it looked a lot simpler at the same time. Lyon knew it was most possibly more valuable than his.

"Oh? This old ring? It's my wedding ring, my wife gave it to me."

Lyon raised his eyebrows, he could see the tinge of longing inside both of his weary eyes. (It seemed I touched a really personal matter, better apologize before—).

"My wife and I, we are born from a really different class, a toad and a swan people called us,"

(Shit! Too late!) thought Lyon as blacklines appeared all over his face.

The old man took a deep breath as nostalgia basked his lone soul. The weary eyes looked a bit more bright as he continued his story.

"There were two, me and the beautiful woman. She was the oldest of three from a family that the name alone could call heroes from all over the multi-worlds while my name was just a couple of alphabets put together. Not a thing to mention alongside hers."

Lyon closed his eyes and crossed his arms as he listened to his story.

"Our meeting was the work of a miracle, a work of fate. I must say, I always blushed whenever I remember the first time I saw her. Blessed by the moonlight, there I was, fishing on a lake where a beautiful woman was staring at the reflection of her own on the clear water. Can you believe it? The fish that took my bait actually dragged this little boat to the beautiful woman and the next thing I know we were staring at each other like a fool.

"We shared our smiles before it blossomed into a friendship. However, our class was different, society wouldn't accept even our friendship. But that's where I go you know, the more they say I can't the more I will do it. You're a man too, you know what I'm talking about."

"Absolutely," nodded Lyon and his two grandfathers.

"Hahaha, that's where I trained like a possessed demon. Made my own way, beating other heroes just for a chance to see her again. Which I did, and hahaha! I was blushing a lot when I confessed my feelings toward her. Do you know what her answer was? She slapped me so hard I swear a could feel the pain even now."

Lyon was surprised by the outcome of his story.

The old man suddenly turned a smile, "She said, 'What took you so long!'"

Lyon smiled wryly. Though most old stories were boring, some of them were quite worth listening to. It couldn't help but made him wonder about his love stories with his three wives. Was it more exciting? Was it an arranged marriage? There were so many possibilities.

"Young one, I can see your demeanor that you are also having such stories, however, I don't know at what stage you are."

"That's what I want to know too."

The old man was confused by his answer but he dare not to delve further deep into the matter. Just from his eyes, he knew his experience couldn't do anything to the young man in front of him.

"But things get more complicated as you live. The family to this very day still demanded our separation."

(The story is not over?!).

"Her father is now quite terminally ill and the wealth that he owns is becoming a huge problem. Her little brothers are quite adamant about having the treasure and so is my wife. However, that old set of bones is not stupid either. He said that the future is more important so he would judge the inheritors by his grandchildren instead."

"Really? That's a first. Never thought that he would skip a generation ahead."

"I know right? I mean, it's not that I don't want the wealth, but, the amount is so ridiculous that even could make a monk sinned."

"Hmm, there is this family name that kept appearing in my adventure, it was said that this family had wealth that could bury a single world alone. I wonder if your wife comes from this family, it's called—"

"Treas, yes, she comes from that family," the old man smiled, "What's wrong, young man? Are you feeling tensed hearing the name?"

Lyon shook his head, "No, not at all. In fact, I want to see with my own eyes, the sum of wealth that could bury a world by the sheer quantity."

"Well, to be honest, I want to see it by myself too. Even when I'm, no, maybe especially because I'm his son-in-law that he won't show me, but my wife said it does indeed a massive land on its own."

"Then, I could only wish you luck old man."

The old man sighed, "You know, I need another miracle to even win that inheritance."

"Huh? What do you mean?"

The old man slowly got up as he was facing the sea. The sun already passed the dawn moment and was about to reach its peak. The gentle wind bellowed the sand and the smell of the endless water was enhanced,

"Through many years of trying, the gods gave me a single daughter. However, she is not quite normal, unique I must say. Her face is beautiful, to the point that, and I can vouch for this, her own mother couldn't recognize her because of the difference in their faces. They are both beautiful but, they are different as if they are not mother and daughter. She has a birthmark that appeared on her nape, the shape of a sword pointing upward and as she matured, the sword actually increased in numbers."

Shen and Sun immediately opened their eyes wide after hearing his words.

"Looks like the world has forgotten, eh, catfish."

"Hmm, it is, after all, a very rare occurrence to happen dear monkey."

"Hahaha! Looks like this generation lacks such knowledge."

"So his daughter is the successor of 'his' ultimate physique."

"Indeed, the War God Physique. No doubt about it."