Emperor’s Domination

Old Pact Strike included ancient progenitors and ended up in failure. The details of this secretive attack eluded future generations.

“What makes you think there were two ghosts among that group?” Six-style murmured.

“It’s interesting, their nature and motive, or maybe there’s a third ghost too.” Li Qiye stroked his chin.

“...” She didn’t know how to respond: “Isn’t that too many considering the tight-knit nature of the progenitors’ group?”

“There are a few possibilities. Ghosts who weren’t ghosts then, ghosts but unknown to the others, or ghosts who became living people afterward.” He elaborated.

“That only makes it more confusing.” She smiled wryly after hearing him go in a circle.

“The ghosts have to answer, but they might not want to.” He said.

“Because they’re potential traitors, right?” She said.

“The traitor could still be a living person, that’s not settled yet.” He shook his head and sighed.

“So you think there were at least two ghosts involved.” She said: “And not everyone was killed in the battle.”

“Yes, at least two survivors, either ghosts or progenitors.” He responded.

“Correct me if I’m wrong, one survivor is Baihui.” She said.

“With him taking into account, then there might be three ghosts.” He smiled: “Maybe some outside ghosts too.”

“So we know there were survivors, why did no news of the battle come out or any progenitor showing up again?” She had a bad feeling.

“To answer that, we must first ask why did someone sweep the battlefield clean?” He said.

“Hmm, perhaps to keep that ultimate weapon from the mecha a secret?” She speculated.

“I’m afraid that’s unlikely, the ghosts had different goals. One of them hid their identity, another certainly harbored malice and most likely wanted to kill and potentially devour the progenitors.” He said.

“No wonder why Old Pact Strike failed.” She took a deep breath.

There were at least two bad actors so the strongest group still had no chance.

“You spoke of a third, Young Noble, what was this third ghost’s aim?” She asked.

“A person who turned into a ghost.” He said.

“You’re talking about Fog Emissary!” She blurted: “Assuming this is correct, then he was one of the progenitors, a lucky survivor. How did he become an emissary after the battle?”

She pondered for a bit before adding: “Then he was lying and didn’t hide, following the rules of the market like the other ghosts.”

“Not quite, he was him but not him. He was talking about him but not himself.” He chuckled in response.

“...” She asked for clarity: “What makes you say that, Young Noble?”

“He forgot his past life’s memories but someone else remembers them, so his current memories might not be his.” He said.

“Hmm, so why is he alive when the other progenitors are dead? He must have been the traitor or had help from another ghost.” She said.

“Which do you think is right?” He smiled.

“A traitor would have had a better plan and wouldn’t end up losing his memories.” She said: “Then he had help from either a ghost in the group or someone from the market. If this is the case, then someone didn’t obey the rules.”

“Maybe a fourth ghost comes into play as well. ” He said.

“Yes, from the market.” She said.

“The market used to be Soulcast Land, a ghost took advantage of loopholes in its rules.” He smiled.

“Just like Baihui who came up with a loophole.” She said.

“Not necessarily Baihui.” He responded.

“So Jiao Heng?” She continued.

“That was my initial conjecture but I came up with something better.” Li Qiye said: “Not Jiao Heng but the first ghost.”

“The first ghost, who is it?” She asked.

“Only one or two know the answer. They must have imitated this first ghost.” He said.

“Jiao Heng and Baihui.” She understood.

The two must have figured out something and started the plan of selling Baihui. The latter was able to escape due to the existing loophole.

“So another transaction took place first and the merchandise escaped.” She said.

“Might just be one for the first, not necessarily two.” He shook his head.

“I wonder who it is.” She was curious because the person must have been stronger than an ordinary progenitor.

“It’s amusing. Whoever it was must have done an incredible transaction beyond the reach of a progenitor after finding out this loophole before escaping.” He said.