Chapter Twenty: Heartfelt Candor

As soon as the toxic gas dissipated, the Elder of the Staff sat up with a start, reacting by instinct. With a sudden backward somersault, he snatched up his cane and immediately assumed a defensive stance.

However, before he could do anything further, another figure acted faster, pressing down on his cane.

The familiar rhythm of a heartbeat echoed in his ears, and the awakened Elder regained his composure.

“Matt?” the Elder asked uncertainly.

Matt released his cane. “It’s me. Put down your staff. Sean means no harm. But you—after leaving so suddenly for so long, then coming back out of nowhere—why? And why did you go looking for trouble with Sean?”

Hearing the familiar voice, the Elder’s wariness eased somewhat. Yet with Gu Zhongyan’s heartbeat also thrumming nearby, his guard did not fully drop. After a pause, he answered Matt’s question.

“When I first found you, it was to train you into a worthy warrior.”

“But Matt, your heart is too soft. No matter how great your talent in battle, it cannot make up for that weakness. I believed you were beyond redemption, so I left.”

“If that’s the case, why have you come back?” Matt pressed.

“Because I realized I was wrong.” With a sigh, the Elder turned toward Matt.

Though neither man could see, at that moment it felt as if their gazes locked in silent confrontation.

“I discovered that despite your compassion, you remain a formidable warrior. I returned this time for an objective of utmost importance.”

“But on my own, it’s nearly impossible to accomplish. So—”

With a derisive laugh, Matt cut him off. “So you came to me? Then why did you mess with Sean?”

Gu Zhongyan interjected at the right moment. “Naturally, it’s because he found out you had me by your side and wanted another ally.”

“First, he gives me a lesson to show me my place, then he lectures me sincerely, hoping to win my approval—so I’ll follow him willingly.”

“Who would have thought, in the twenty-first century, someone would still use such outdated tricks? No wonder it backfired on him.”

Hearing the mockery, the Elder’s face darkened slightly. Yet, having lived so many years, he retained his composure.

He turned to Matt, speaking earnestly. “Yes, I did test you. That’s because what I need your help with is of tremendous importance—the lives of thousands hang in the balance.”

“This matter is too crucial for any error, thus I resorted to such measures.”

“In the end, I underestimated you. For that, I apologize. But please believe me, I mean you no harm.”

“So, you want us to help you find the Black Void?” Matt’s words made the Elder’s heartbeat accelerate at once.

The Elder’s face changed instantly; he gripped his staff tightly, his voice sharp as scraping metal.

“How do you know about the Black Void?”

Confronted with the Elder’s suddenly heightened vigilance, Matt grew even calmer.

“So you really did come for the Black Void.”

Matt’s reaction only further provoked the Elder. His face darkened, and a dangerous aura emanated from him.

“Matt, this isn’t a joke. Tell me—how do you know about the Black Void? Are you with the Hand? Tell me, Matt, this is important.”

“I told him,” Gu Zhongyan said.

At that, the Elder whipped his head around, like a beast poised to strike, ready to lunge at Gu Zhongyan at any moment.

“You?” The Elder narrowed his eyes, suspicion written across his face.

Gu Zhongyan replied, “Yes, it was me. Not only did I tell Matt about the Black Void, but my goal is also the Black Void.”

“You’re with the Hand?” The Elder gripped his cane so tightly it seemed he’d attack in a storm of fury at the slightest confirmation.

“No. I am a sorcerer,” Gu Zhongyan shook his head. “I know why you came to New York. The Hand smuggled the Black Void here; you want to kill him to prevent the arrival of the Beast.”

“But honestly, that’s only treating the symptoms, not the disease.”

“The Black Void is merely a vessel. Even if you kill him this time, there will be others. If you wish to prevent the Beast’s arrival, the only way is to slay the Beast itself.”

“So if you truly want to prevent the Beast’s coming and crush the Hand, you’d do better to work with me. Share the intelligence you’ve gathered and help me capture the Black Void. What do you say?”

At these words, the Elder let out a mocking laugh, as if he’d just heard a child’s tale. “A sorcerer, slaying the Beast? Kid, I don’t know where you heard about the Beast and the Black Void, but this isn’t some childish hero game.”

“If you really want to stop the Beast’s arrival, help me eliminate the Black Void. Then, perhaps, I’ll trust you a little more.”

Faced with the Elder’s skepticism, Gu Zhongyan simply spoke five words.

“I have met the Ancient One.”

At that, the Elder’s expression changed dramatically. Although sightless, Matt could hear the Elder’s heart racing at mention of the Ancient One’s name.

“Who is the Ancient One, and why did his name shake you even more than the Black Void?” Matt asked.

But the Elder, too stunned, ignored Matt, instead fixing his unseeing gaze squarely on Gu Zhongyan.

“That’s impossible. You could not have met the Sorcerer Supreme. You must have heard that name elsewhere.” The Elder denied Gu Zhongyan’s claim without hesitation.

A glimmer of understanding flashed in Gu Zhongyan’s eyes—so the Elder did know of the Ancient One.

Of course. Kamar-Taj and Kunlun both lay in the Himalayas, both wielding powers of dimensional space, both guardians of the world. It was unlikely that, over thousands of years, there had been no contact between them.

Ignoring the Elder’s agitation, Gu Zhongyan turned to the skeptical Matt and explained, “The Ancient One, also known as the Sorcerer Supreme, is one of the most powerful beings in this universe.”

“Remember when I told you that the magical world has many hidden guardians protecting us? Kamar-Taj, under the Ancient One, is one of them.”

“The Ancient One defends Earth from threats across the multiverse. It is thanks to their presence that we don’t lose our souls to demons one day, see angels descend the next, or encounter gods performing miracles the day after.”

With that, he looked back at the now impatient Elder. “Since you know of the Ancient One, you must understand how formidable her power is.”

“Do you really think I could impersonate the Ancient One for long without Kamar-Taj noticing?”