Chapter 5521

“What-what kind of force is this?” one guard rasped, terror whitening his knuckles around his spear.

Even Marcus’ practiced poise was shattered. His eyes went wide, pupils shrinking to pinpoints of disbelief.

All his rigorous drills and all the coin spent forging an elite retinue were undone by a single breath from the stranger who now owned the room.

Jared advanced. Each step was a hammerblow. The marble beneath him shivered, fine cracks blooming in his wake.

Marcus staggered backward, palms flying up as though to hold his approach at bay.

“D-Don’t come any closer!” he stammered, voice quaking. “The Celestial Palace protects me. Harm me and they will hunt you to the ends of the sky!”

Jared’s answering smile was thin and grim. “The Celestial Palace? Good. I intend to settle accounts with them soon enough. You and that Sixth Hall have spilled more innocent blood than I care to count. Today, your ledger closes.”