"When will the Dharma Seal be given?"
"In a couple of days!" Yas joked.
"Brother Carl, once you get the Dharma Seal, you’ll be one of the brotherhood. You can’t back out then."
"Of course not," Carl shook his head.
Upon returning to the Scythe Brotherhood’s base, Yas could hardly conceal his excitement.
Carl had left a good impression on him; strong in combat, yet more like a knowledgeable scholar, without the usual harshness of knights, making conversations with him quite comfortable.
The fact that he was a Pharmacist was an added bonus.
Moreover, as word of the events in Black City spread, the refugees who had fled to their city felt grateful towards Carl, and his joining would likely attract these people as well.
It was like killing several birds with one stone!
Pushing open a door, Yas strode in, "Father!"
He began anxiously, "Carl has agreed to join the Scythe Brotherhood. Just send over the Dark Walker Dharma Seal, and he’s one of us."
"Hmm..." The Scythe Brotherhood’s Fourth Elder, Henry, known as the Eagle, opened his eyes. His expression was complex as he said slowly, "Yas, if... I mean, if we don’t have the Dark Walker Dharma Seal, will he still agree?"
"Huh?" Yas was taken aback, sensing something was amiss, as he hesitantly asked, "Father, what do you mean?"
"Alas!" Henry sighed, slowly stood up from his seat, and started pacing back and forth in the room with his hands behind his back. "Not long after you left, people from the Second Elder came looking. Their Little Helene wants the Dark Walker Dharma Seal."
"But..." Yas frowned. "We’ve already settled that."
"Settled, yes, but it hasn’t been given yet, has it?" Henry waved his hand. "You know the Second Elder’s temperament. If we don’t give the Dharma Seal to him, there will be trouble later on. And Little Helene is that type of person... Let’s offer a different Dharma Seal!"
"Father!" Yas stamped his foot in frustration. "How can we change something ? Didn’t you tell them the Dharma Seal was already promised to someone else?"
"I did," Henry sighed. "But do you think it mattered?"
"This..." Yas paused, well aware of the Second Elder’s personality. He gritted his teeth in anger, saying, "Father, you are also an Elder of the Brotherhood!"
"I am old," Henry’s face showed a bitter smile. "One has to accept their age!"
"I will go to the Guild Master," Yas stated gravely. "Carl is young, with great prospects of becoming a Great Knight. There are many benefits to him joining us. And... how can I face anyone if things are settled and then changed?"
He was a man who valued his reputation; he couldn’t do something so demeaning.
"The Guild Master?" Henry shook his head. "The Guild Master’s son is pursuing Little Helene. Besides, do you think the Guild Master would be willing to reject the Second Elder’s proposal?"
In recent years, the Guild Master had spent most of his time in seclusion, striving to become Legendary. The Scythe Brotherhood’s affairs, both large and small, were mostly managed by several Elders, among whom the Second Elder was the most assertive. Henry had suffered a severe injury in his early years and had already stepped back from the front lines, only dealing with some business matters. Gradually, he found himself on the fringes of power. He and his son held little sway within the Scythe Brotherhood.
"What can we do then?" Yas looked down. "Am I supposed to tell Carl that the promised Dharma Seal is gone?"
"Alas!" Henry sighed lightly. "It seems we have no other choice."
He was told to wait two days, but those days passed, and there was no further word.
However, Jacqueline did come once during that time, behaving rather oddly, stammering without divulging any concrete information.
"Hmph..." Carl was no fool and could clearly see the problem. He shook his head. It seems this isn’t going to work out.
"Uncle." Ayala walked in. "Susan is here."
"Invite her in!" Carl stood up.
Susan was, as always, dressed in a way that caught the eye, her light and cool attire beneath her cloak fully revealing her figure.
"I’ve managed to get some information." Her white, slender legs crossed one over the other, she began with a smile, "The Scythe Brotherhood has produced a new Dark Walker Dharma Seal, and this seal ultimately went to the Second Elder’s daughter, Little Helene."
"I know Little Helene. She can’t endure the hardships of cultivation at all. Even relying on High-quality Beast Pills daily, she’s only a Knight’s Attendant. It’s unlikely she’ll ever become a Knight. The Second Elder probably gave her the Dharma Seal because he was worried about her lack of strength."
"Is that so?" Carl picked up his glass of wine, took a small sip, his facial expression unchanged. "She has a good father."
No wonder there’s been no word. The Dharma Seal already has an owner. Is Yas too ashamed to face me? This feels intentional. If he’d just explained the reason, I wouldn’t have blamed him. It just shows Yas couldn’t swallow his pride. But he doesn’t get it. The more he avoids this, the more it breeds ill will. The important thing is to face difficulties head-on and find solutions. Constant evasion only shows weakness and ultimately accomplishes nothing.
"Yes!" Susan flicked her golden wavy hair. "A good father can indeed make one envious. Actually, our Dragon King Chamber of Commerce isn’t too shabby either, especially when it comes to sourcing various materials, which is very convenient."
"Hmm..." Carl was noncommittal. "Is that so?"
"Join us, and the Chamber will provide you with two free High-quality Beast Pills each month, plus the priority to purchase another two." Susan sat up straight, her eyes gleaming. "Furthermore... we’ll add a Steel Body Dharma Seal!"
She had come several times before, so there was no need to repeat the prior conditions; this time, the main addition was another Dharma Seal.
A Steel Body Dharma Seal? Dharma Seals themselves might not be prohibitively expensive, but they are incredibly scarce. Especially high-quality ones; they’re valuable but rarely available on the market. I’ve heard of this Dharma Seal for a long time. I’ve personally killed several people who possessed this very Dharma Seal.