"Is there a crime about accepting this bounty in your city?"

  “A crime? No. We would like him gone just as much as you do. That bastard is ruining trade routes and well… other things. But when is anything ever so simple?

  “A Nascent Soul Realm cultivator resorting to banditry? Something about that doesn’t smell fishy to you? Think about it. Just let that swim around in your mind for a moment. Usually cultivator bandits are all Body Tempering or maybe Qi Refinement. Sometimes if you are in some odd place, you might find a bandit at the Core Formation Realm.

  “But above that? Unheard of, at least around here. And if the guy really was such a problem, his own sect would have long since handled him.

  “Look, at the end of the day, outside of the city I can’t tell you what to do, but a war between what’s left of your clan, which seems like a lot by the way, and the High Flame Sect would probably affect our little city here… and trust me, there are plenty of people who wouldn’t be too happy at that prospect. All I’m saying is to think about it. Just think about it.”

  It did not look like he cared for a response since he was already turning to leave right after his little spiel, but I had a question for him.

  “If and when we complete this bounty, do we collect the reward from you, or would we have to go find the sect?”

  The man looked at me, and I could see stress slowly building in his features, as if he could see a bunch of problems coming his way in the future. I don’t get his problem though. I will handle it. I just need him to answer my questions.

  “No, you are gonna have to go find the sect and tell them you killed one of their people and they gotta pay for it.”

  “And where are they located, if you don’t mind me asking?”

  “Far in the northwest, of course. Way past those Ember Fields you seem to have business with… and well into the Ashlands.”

  “Thank you for your time, sir.”

  He did not bother with a response and simply waved dismissively in my direction before turning around and walking back to his post. And I wondered, for someone who clearly did not want me to get rid of a bandit, he seemed more than willing to hand over information about said bandit.

  Though, well, I can’t say I’m one for political intrigue. It does seem odd that such a powerful individual would resort to something as low as banditry. Not that I’m judging of course, but something about that situation did not seem right. Hm, I suppose it is good I sent Lidaz with the members of the Black Dawn.

  It was later at night, the sky settling all around us, and only the light of the city before me illuminated the immediate area. My people began to return, first of which was Lirian, who was followed by Frian, and lastly Lidaz, who appeared out of nowhere.

  “So, how was it?”

  The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  “Patriarch. It has been handled. Quite easily at that. The resistance we faced was futile.”

  “Was there anything of note, anything out of the ordinary, something that caught you guys’ attention?”

  “No, Patriarch. The only odd thing was that they were living underground in basically lightly decorated holes. Unfortunately, they were destroyed in the process.”

  Huh… I heard what he said, but what was the guard worried about then? Hm… well, I will cross that bridge when I get there.

  “All right, time to go build. Lirian and Frian, hopefully you both got plenty of materials.”

  “Actually, Patriarch, I did not buy any materials.”

  “What? Really? Did the folks in that kingdom stop you?”

  “No. Instead, I came across a shop in the first city I reached that was selling prebuilt construction. From small homes to entire sects, all prebuilt.

  “I brought back some brochures.”

  Oh… I did not know this kind of… wait… is that what Jrino did for the city they built for us? Or perhaps something similar? Hm, but to think it could just be purchased like this.

  “Alright, I’m assuming that place is likely closed right now so we’ll go back in the morning. For let’s start heading towards our new home, no need to rush let’s walk.”

  While walking to the Ember fields I was looking through the brochures with Sendoira.

  Frian brought back 8 different brochures and we’ve narrowed it down to three options.

  “Well which one do you like the most?”

  As always she tilted her head this way and that as she thought deeply about the question.

  “This is not so simple. The first one, The Clearstone Enclave is extremely pleasing to the eye. With an emphasis on architecture, and serenity at its core, I think it would be quite nice to live in a place like that. I don’t I’ve ever had such a place to call home.

  “Though, it doesn’t really have any other outstanding features…I’m surprised you let me add it to the final count.”

  Of course I had no plans to select this option, but its important to allow her a few small wins, without making it seem that way. This isn’t my first rodeo.

  Thankfully she moved past that option and continued focusing on the other two, and even I was struggling to decide between them.

  The Blazewood Citadel and the Crimsonhearth Stronghold.

  Both of which were centered around all things fire but the approach of that fire is where things different slightly.

  The Blazewood Citadel was focused a bit more on the aggressive nature of fire and the materials, formations, and everything that went into building the Citadel reflected that. For example, the entire property was covered in a formation that sought to attack rather than to defend.

  Meanwhile the Crimsonhearth too had a Stronghold wide formation, but its focus was on defending and repelling attackers. It also came with a lot more quality of life features like making sure every home and building on the property came with formations to lower or raise heat levels.

  All so every place would always be according to the user’s preference. Of course Blazewood was the opposite and everything would be blazing on 10 all the time without breaks.

  Now, none of that actually mattered to me or my people, ordinary flames didn’t do anything to us, whether it was blazing, or mild it was literally the same feeling. The question then would be for Sendoira, and if we have guests.

  I know she didn’t mind a little heat, but perhaps the Blazewood Citadel would be a bit too much, and it’s not like I need the place I live to attack an enemy for me. My Infernals and I would much rather do that ourselves.

  It was then that Sendoira looked up at me, a questioning gaze in her eyes.

  “You appear more calm than usual. Have you already come to an answer regarding our new abode?”

  No idea what she meant about appearing more calm than usual since I think I’m always like this, but she wasn’t wrong.

  “Yeah I think I’m leaning towards the Crimsonhearth Stronghold, any objections?”

  “None. I was struggling to choose myself, so I do not mind.”

  I then passed the brochure around to everyone and by the time we reached the Ember fields, everyone had taken a look, and no one had any objections regarding choosing the Crimsonhearth Stronghold.

  Just had to spent one night under stars and then we’ll go shopping tomorrow.