"The emperor would offer you the chance to join his Scarlet Jade Dragon Sect."

  Murmurs could be heard from the crowd as the translator finished, ladies and men at the sides of the room were covering their mouths as they quietly talked amongst each other. But Jack hardly noticed that with the slack-jawed expression on his face, something that all noticed.

  "I-I, don't know what to say, genuinely, I'm lost for words."

  The emperor looked rather amused at his face, saying something in response.

  "The emperor understands that someone of your status would, should, never get this opportunity, but the great lord is feeling magnanimous this evening, and you are owed a small form of repayment. This is how he has decided to satisfy his mood and the debt owed to you."

  "I, uh, graciously accept then! I give my thanks to him for this opportunity."

  The emperor nodded, standing along with his followers and guards, leaving through the same door they entered from. Once all but a few were gone, his two tormentors from the prison unshackled him, taking the manacles as the minister and translator approached him, one with a neutral expression and the other with annoyance.

  "Be grateful, my brother was in a good mood, barbarian, else I would have you whipped and shipped to Gongin in chains. For one such as yourself to be given this opportunity is unprecedented and will draw ire to you."

  Guess Jim's more of a dick than I guessed initially, surprise surprise. Still, I assume he's telling the truth about the ire part, everyone looked pissed back there from what I could tell, and depending on how faithful this place was to the tropes, I was likely on a one-way street to many 'accidents'. Not saying anything in response, though, he took the moment to make a rather disgusted noise before turning to leave, the translator staying behind.

  "I have been tasked with showing you to a room you will be staying in for the time before leaving for the sect."

  "About that, what exactly does that entail?"

  Her face scrunched in confusion for a moment.

  "Surely even the westmen know the sects, few there may be in that region, their presence should still be known to all, even those who sin against the empire."

  "Let's just assume I grew up under a rock."

  She became unreadable for a second before motioning to walk.

  "I will explain as we move."

  A guard took up our rear as we walked through a door opposite the ones the emperor entered from, exiting into a breathtaking koi pond. It was small and contained but well cared for; the stones were smooth and perfectly oval-shaped, the water was like clear crystal, and the fish reflected an almost magical light through the pond. Excluding any magical influence, it would cost a pretty penny to make something like this, assuming the ambiance wouldn't be ruined by the running of the machines to keep it this perfect.

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  "The sects are the emperors' chosen, each given the immense responsibility to administer a region and train imperial sages, ones who cultivate immortality and power for the empire."

  Mostly on point so far, minus perhaps the nationalistic approach.

  "Each of them varies in strength and size, but all are important to the empire. That being said, and you will not repeat this if you wish to keep your head, some are of a lesser station, fit to turn dirt farmers into soldiers alone."

  We entered a long walkway that passed by a large stone gate covered in dozens, if not hundreds, of lines and symbols. The gates were open at the moment, letting him see a sprawling city almost reaching the horizon, with the edges looking less orderly, but they were too far to tell. He wasn't sure if he'd seen such a big city all at once, but after a stiff breeze, he didn't want to.

  "Urh, the stench mainly comes from the lower city, and for all our effort in eliminating waste, there is little that can be done for the smell, let us hurry so we no longer have to defile our senses."

  The trio sped through the walkway much faster, not quite a run but close, a popular choice given how other servants and soldiers were meeting or passing them. Making it to the other side He found he was much more winded from a fast walk than he should have been, something he cursed his starved body for.

  "Ahem, each sect is in charge of its organization and recruitment so long as they meet their levied quota, which changes depending on the sect; with the only exception to this is the Imperial Sect, which you will soon be a part of. On which, the Imperial Sect is the most prestigious of them all, but also the most dangerous, should you fail to impress those within, I imagine death would be a pleasant reprieve for you."

  Way to bring down the atmosphere, lady. That being said, it would be best to take her advice on the matter, for all the strangeness and absurdity cultivators tend to bring in their stories, the one consistent thing is that they were bloodthirsty, even the so-called 'righteous' ones. After a few awkward moments of walking, they went through a simpler light green and grey gate to several single residences. Stepping into one of them, he saw that it was a simple domicile, a single-person bed, a small table, and a water basin, likely where things were cleaned, or maybe it was drinking water.

  "For the time being, this shall be your home. This area's curfew begins just after sunset, so be here or be left outside. Any crimes seen must be reported to the guard, and if the guard suspects you of wrongdoing, they may enter whenever they wish unless ordered not to. Am I clear?"

  "Crystal."

  With that, she left, heading back through the gate and towards who knows where. As for our follower, the guard closed the door when Jack got back in, standing in front of it for now. Looking around, it was an incredibly humble place, but after months of near-torture and (sometimes wet) stone beds, this place was heaven on Earth to Jack. Using the basin to wash his face and only towel to dry his face, he almost instantly started falling asleep on the bed, wondering why his face was still wet as he drifted into slumber.

  Touching his face, he found tears pouring from his eyes, and months of compressed fear and exhaustion unraveled, traveling through his body as he sobbed himself to sleep.

  He knew not why he came here, and he knew not how he would leave here; all he knew was that he could finally take a moment and rest.

  Rest up, Jack, for deep down you know nothing in this world stays still for long, not even an outsider like you.