"The King of the Black Plain?" That guard looked at Minos, knowing who such a person was, not only from the stories circulating in the Empire but because such a name was always associated with his organization.
Few disciples or low-level members of that sect knew of the hierarchy of the highest echelons in that organization. Many even knew who the sect master and other important elders were, but knowing which families they belonged to was more challenging.
The Miles family case was different since this house had no governing powers in this sect and no high-ranking members. So there was not much secrecy about that family.
But the Coleman family and others in this sect were quite mysterious. Generally, they did not get involved in ordinary matters, which protected their noble name from ending up on the lips of the many members of this sect.
Because of this, few knew why Minos Stuart was associated with this sect, as with this guard.
He knew who Minos was for the northern region but did not know that such a person was the son of the successor to the sect master, Oswald's grandson. As such, he could not help but find it strange that this fellow was there to deal with family matters.
"That's me..." Minos said as he looked at that individual, making him shiver with fear. "So, will you let us in, or will we have to cause trouble?"
Gulp!
"Cause trouble?" Such a guard did not like to hear that and was cautious because he already knew how slippery Minos was.
Even news of Minos plotting against Vogel had reached the ears of ordinary people in that sect. So it would not be this guard, a mere Spiritual King, who would doubt the power of King Stuart!
As he moved into a defensive position, several other guards in the surrounding area looked in the direction of Minos' group, with some even beginning to move.
Spiritual Emperors soon appeared there, sensing that trouble was about to appear in this place today.
"What's going on here? Why is our man on the defensive against you?" A level 64 Spiritual Emperor asked Minos' group, looking mainly at the woman dressed all in black, an Archbishop of the Spiritual Church.
'What does someone from the Church want here?' He wondered in incomprehension.
Minos looked at the dozen or so guards in their surroundings and smiled at Ruth. "Your sect is not receptive, dear... And so many people still want to associate me with this place just because I share blood ties with some individuals here."
"Chief, that's Minos Stuart. He said he will cause trouble if we don't let them pass." The guard shouted to the strongest Spiritual Emperor in their group, pointing in the direction of King Stuart.
When they heard such a thing, the people surrounding them put their hands on their weapons, knowing that Minos was a talented warrior.
Minos had no power to cause chaos within this sect, but their duty as guards was to prevent trouble from entering the headquarters. Hence, they were taking this threat seriously.
The disciples in the area noticed the tension in the air rising; some were afraid, but many were curious to see blood being spilled.
"Minos Stuart..." The level 64 Spiritual Emperor muttered this person's name, looking at the level 62 brown-haired, tall, muscular young man. 'So young and so strong... And he did it all by living in the northern region.'
Gulp!
"Minos Stuart, what is your purpose here?" He finally asked while Abby and Gloria quietly looked at the surroundings and Ruth felt embarrassed by it all.
Minos looked at that person and said. "I am here to visit an old man named Oswald, the one you call the sect master. Tell him I'm here."
"What?" The people there asked at the same time, identifying the name of the sect master.
They might not know Oswald's last name, but they knew his first name. Moreover, Minos had done them the favor of pointing out that such a person was the sect master, so there was no way there could be any confusion there!
"He called the sect master an old man?"
"How disrespectful!"
"Yes, no matter who he is or how talented he is, he can't talk about the sect master like that! Our leader is a glorious high-level Spiritual Saint!"
People argued, even though none of them knew what Oswald's cultivation level was.
Meanwhile, the guards were startled by Minos' disrespect. "Minos Stuart, are you offending our sect? How do you have the nerve to call our leader an old man?"
Minos smiled as he closed his eyes. "He is old... Anyway, I'm not going to waste my time with you. Get out of the way and let him know I'm here."
Minos stepped forward as all those people removed their weapons from their spatial rings or belts.
They all prepared to fight in defense of this place, but when they least expected it, they were pressed against the ground until they were on their knees.
Then Minos gave one of his hands to Ruth, indicating her to continue leading them toward their goal.
He and his wives passed through the entrance gates of this headquarters simultaneously as hundreds of guards and disciples in the area were on their knees on the outskirts.
"What is it?"
"How can it be? I didn't even see him activate a technique!"
"Not for nothing! The wretch is a monster!"
"But still, his courage to talk about the sect master is ridiculous..."
The people sweating from the pressure on their bodies exchanged comments as Minos, and his wives walked away from the area, heading towards Ruth's family residence.
'Damn it!'
'What a humiliation!' The level 64 guard clenched his hands, feeling that he should do something against Minos as soon as possible.
...
Meanwhile, Minos and his wives flew toward their first stop at this place.
"Minos, isn't your behavior going to cause trouble here?" Abby asked her husband.
"No, why would it? Aren't I supposed to be the heir to this sect? Then everything will be fine. Punishing guards for standing in the way of the 'future' sect master is not a strange thing to happen." He joked about the rumors circulating among the leaders of the major organizations in the Empire and those four states.
Abby then said. "I'm not talking about that. I'm talking about this attitude causing problems for us because the elders of this sect will have a negative opinion of you."
Gloria nodded in agreement. "We have a business to do here, after all..."
As Ruth also looked at him, Minos sighed and said. "It's not as if we're here to ask for favors. We'll do business with them, so there will be advantages for people interested in making deals with us."
"Anyway, forget about it. I'll deal with any problems that arise... Now let's focus on Ruth's family. Time to meet my other in-laws." He smiled as he winked at her.
With that, as the guards from earlier ran to call for reinforcements after Minos left that area, he and his wives quickly reached a particular area of that sect.
...
