Weapon seller in the world of magic

He leaned forward, placing both hands on the stone table of the Pavilion's council ring, taking back the ore.

The Sky Pavilion Sect Leader studied Mark with a gaze that had seen centuries.

Then he smiled faintly with a nod.

"Very well. You have your permit. You may sell within our territories. No restrictions. But," he said, raising a single finger, "you are also under our protection now. And our laws. However, I need you to submit to us the clean records of your sale. What did you sell to whom, and for how much… Is that acceptable?"

Mark replied. "Then, I ask the Sky Sect pavilion to be the middleman. My plan is to open a firearm store across all territories of the Sky Sect Pavilion, where your branches are located. You can directly take the orders from the customers and record them in your accounts, then relay those orders to me through the store I open here at this main branch. This way, we both get what we want."

The moment felt quiet, but it had shifted the mountain.

As the elders murmured again, some in disapproval, others in grudging acceptance, the Sect leader nodded. "That is acceptable."

He then glanced at the servant standing beside him. "Roulan…"

The servant immediately nodded and walked toward Mark, taking out a polished wooden box bound in silver thread.

Without a word, the servant held the box out with both hands.

Mark looked at it for a moment, then opened it.

Inside was a round medallion, forged from black soulsteel with a golden inlay of a roaring beast engulfed in flames, encircled by the word Vice Commander in ancient characters.

As his fingers closed around it, a faint pulse traveled through his palm. He felt it imprint into his ether like a seal.

The Sect Leader regarded Mark with calm eyes. "In regard to your achievements at Outpost 47 and your future collaboration with the sect, I appoint you as Vice Commander of the 52nd Legion," he announced. His voice wasn't loud, but it carried across the platform like thunder wrapped in silk.

Mark said nothing.

The Sect Leader gestured to the medallion. "With that, you may recruit any cultivator below the Transcendent Realm into your direct command, without requiring permission. You are also granted one direct line to your commander and the command center at the sect headquarters, through it."

A pause.

"And once per year, the medallion will activate a soulbound defense seal if your life is in true danger. But only once. After that, it must recharge through celestial time flow."

Mark rotated the medallion in his hand. It gleamed under the lantern light, reflecting his unreadable eyes.

"Who's the current commander of the 52nd? And where should I report to him?" he asked.

The Sect Leader's expression remained steady. "Commander Jien. A veteran of sixty-seven wars. You'll report to him at Outpost 2."

Mark nodded once. "Understood."

A flicker of a smile touched the Sect Leader's lips. "At the moment, Legion 52 was in the middle of a battle with the Feline Empire's elite force, commanded by General Leon—the White Lion King. His forces have broken through three lines already. You'll be sent where the cracks run deepest. You know what that means… I'm expecting great things from you, Lu Zhen."

Mark clipped the medallion to his belt and nodded.

Later that evening;

Inside the vice commander's quarters, Mark stood alone by the wide window, watching the lanterns flicker beyond the training fields. Even in peace, the air felt tense. Like something was holding its breath.

Behind him, the room was richly furnished. Polished blackwood furniture, a silken bedding suite, and a hot water kettle that never ran cold. Everything befitting the rank of a vice commander. Yet none of it made the place feel like home.

Mark exhaled softly and turned away from the window.

The conversation with his subordinates earlier replayed in his mind.

Yuan Feng, leaning back with his arms crossed, had chuckled. "You already knew we'd follow you. No need for the drama."

Reva had just nodded, her golden eyes unwavering. "My path's tied to yours now."

Ryder, shadow-wrapped and smiling faintly, had said, "Just make sure it's a bloody good battlefield. I'm tired of waiting."

Three answers. Three lives bound to his command by their own will.

And yet…

As Mark lay down on the massive bed, the silence grew heavier.

He stared up at the ornate carvings on the ceiling—scenes of old battles frozen in wood and shadow. His eyes slowly drifted away from the present.

His thoughts wandered to faces he hadn't seen in years. Song Yue, the love of his life, and Shen Ling, his second wife and the Empress of the Genesis Federation.

Before he left, he appointed Shen Ling as the acting monarch and he wondered how she was ruling the empire now that the power is in her hands.

He also missed his children. He wanted to finish this quest as fast as possible and return to them. He doesn't want to miss their childhood.

Then, his thoughts drifted to Sylvandria, the demigod elven, former priestess who gave up her life and followed him to his world because he had violated her chastity. He wouldn't mind marrying her too but no one knows what happened between them. For Shen Ling, he had an excuse that it is a political marriage, but for Sylvandria, there isn't. Because he doesn't exactly love her and neither she wants to bring up their past either.

And unexpectedly, another face emerged from the haze of memory, belonging to Chang'e.

The memories of him as Houyi from his past life and the Moon Goddess. Her silver eyes, her silence, her sad smiles. Mark got a strong urge to meet her, but he quickly shook away his thoughts and thought about his children again.

"Just a little longer," he whispered into the empty room.

"Let me win this one… Then I'll come home."

Sleep finally took him, slow and dreamless.

Meanwhile, back at Lan Sect;

The grand hall of Lan Sect was steeped in silence.

At the head of the long table, seated on a raised jade throne, was Lan Yujin, the Sect Leader. His expression was calm, but the faint furrow between his brows betrayed the thoughts circling in his mind.

He swept his gaze across the room.

"Any word from Lan Xia or… Lan Zhen?" he asked evenly.

Silence followed.

Elder Yang, the oldest among them, adjusted his sleeves and shook his head. "None, Pavilion Master."

Elder Qiao frowned. "It's been weeks. Are we certain they weren't taken?"

Grand Elder Lan Yuxuan quickly added, "Lan Xia's soul crystal still shines in the Hall of Heart. Bright and steady. If she had been harmed, the crystal would have dimmed. Whatever she's doing, she's alive and well."

A small murmur moved through the elders like wind across dry leaves.

Elder Shan, who was known more for his wine than wisdom, chuckled lightly and said, "Perhaps the two are off on a secret honeymoon?" His eyes twinkled mischievously. "Wouldn't be the first time sect lovebirds caused a stir."

A few chuckles rippled around the table.

Lan Yujin did not laugh.

His fingers, resting on the jade throne, tapped once, soft, deliberate.

The room fell silent again.

"Enough," Lan Yujin said, voice calm, but laced with steel. "Speculation is a game for bored cultivators. We don't play that in this hall."

The elders straightened.

He leaned forward slightly, voice lowering. "Besides… I did not summon you all just for idle talk."

A heavy pause.

"The Imperial Palace sent word."

That got their attention. Eyebrows rose. Sleeves rustled.

Lan Yujin continued, "The Emperor has been… stirring. I've received notice through the Grand Envoy that he is considering reviving the grand expedition of the Chaos Realm."

"Chaos Realm?" The elders couldn't help but exchange glances.

Lan Yujin continued. "We haven't received a formal invitation yet, as it is still in talks. But our envoy at the palace said that the decision will likely take place. If the Emperor makes the announcement, we have to bring back all of our talents to the sect, especially Lan Xia and Lan Zhen. As you all know, Chaos Realm is a land of opportunities for the youngsters. As long as you are below 100 heavenly years of age, you can enter this place. And below such age, we have many prodigies who could benefit from this."