In the city of Bednom a few days after the dark lords escape from the immortal inheritance site. A slightly shorter Nox could be seen walking through town with a certain great lord clinging to her robes as he was being dragged across the dirty road.
What Nox did to that lecherous woman was not normal regeneration. A cultivator of the nascent soul stage can manipulate their qi in a way that drastically speeds up their body's recovery rate, while an immortal can regenerate entire limbs from their qi alone, but what Nox did was something completely outside my understanding of recovery techniques. For one, healing another cultivator using elemental energy is rather difficult as their bodies can vary greatly based on their cultivation method, physique, and qi type, making it hard for an external factor to aid in their recovery. This is why when seeking external help, a cultivator would usually just ingest a medicinal pill made from materials with the corresponding elements to boost their qi flow and consequently, their recovery rate. But what Nox did was different. She somehow managed to reverse the damage to that woman's body and transformed the natural elements in the surrounding area to fill in the rest. This method is completely unknown to me, and I can't even begin to imagine how she did it. Even the mightiest of immortal or even a martial god for that matter can't control the surrounding elements with such precision.
"I just used magic. Now lay off me you creep!"
That was a lie. I may not be a mage myself, but I have had enough talks with a certain rowdy mage and his uncle to know that no normal spell could have done what she did. Not to mention that she didn't make any magic circles or pull out any magic items when she healed that woman or herself for that matter. Whoever this woman is, I want her.
"Miss Nox. Your skills are truly astounding, only rivaled by your elegant figure."
"Quit it. Your gross flattery is sending shivers down my spine."
"And your elegant speech. Such refined grace can only be fully appreciated in the lands ruled by a great lord such as I."
Powerful magic items that are both convenient and practical. Mysterious methods outside the realm of common sense. Expensive and high-quality works of art complete with powerful servants and creatures at her beck and call. Whoever this woman is, or where she is from. There is no doubt in my mind, having her as a subordinate would greatly increase the power of the Dark Empire.
"NO MEANS NO! NOW GET OFF!"
"Just name your price. Honor, glory, status, resources, wealth, men…! women?"
*pow*
Nox finally had enough of his pestering and bonked him on the head. Still, the dark lord refused to let go of the hem of her robe.
Seeing I wasn't giving up. Nox sighed and came close to my ear and whispered.
"Look. If you let go now, I'll deal with that nasty curse of yours."
"How do you know about that?" I said as I stood staring wide eyed at her.
Just then, a group of black armored soldiers led by a man sporting a rather flashy looking armor surrounded the two of us. The soldiers knelt down as the flashy armored guy approached me. Concentrating the black qi in his hand, he slapped Nox in the mask, knocking her away from me as some of the soldiers moved to restrain her.
"Your lordship, we have come to retrieve you. I beg your forgiveness for our delay." The man said as he knelt down to show respect to his superior.
"Ah, well… ehem." I cleared my throat and raised myself from the ground, as I was not expecting to meet any of my commanders right here and now.
"If memory serves you are commander Wang, correct?"
"Yes, my liege. Apologies for the wait. We shall execute this criminal for her transgression at once, then we will depart as soon as tomorrow, if you find it acceptable."
"Criminal? Oh, that!"
I just realized what I looked like from an outside perspective. I was laid in the dirt while some woman was bringing her face close to mine. To my followers it would look like some woman who lost control of her lust had knocked me down before going in for a kiss.
I hurriedly moved to stop them as I saw one of them pull out his sword as he was getting ready to behead her.
"Sheath your blade. None of you are to harm this woman without my permission. Have I made myself clear."
All the soldiers seemed confused at my words, except from the mister Wang who seemed to suddenly have an epiphany as he said.
"I have grasped his lordships intent. You wish to punish this criminal yourself."
"Uh…Well, sure." Too tired from praising Nox over the past couple of days, I struggled to formulate a proper explanation and just decided to go with it. At least this way I can make her come to the Dark Palace without much fuss. As strong as she is, she can't outmuscle all the nascent soul cultivators stationed there, seeing as just these four golden cores can pin her down.
After taking me to the most luxurious inn in the city of Bednom, the soldiers took Nox away somewhere. Sir Wang went arrange for tomorrow's trip while leaving two soldiers to guard my room. Even if they think she is a criminal, if they know I want her to myself they wouldn't dare lay a finger on Nox until we get to the Dark Palace. Those were my thoughts as I drifted off to sleep on the first thing I could consider to be a bed in what feels like an eternity.
…
Somewhere between Latnos and Bednom. A large group of soldiers could be seen riding on horseback. At the head of this group, a man wearing a plane black armor was surfing on a flying sword with a furious expression.
"That bastard dares. Just you wait until I get my hands on him." He said as he increased his speed leaving his entourage in the dust, while clutching a note in his hand so hard he nearly tore the paper.