The King Of Warriors novel (Jared Chance) novel Chapter 6118

"Pa…Patriarch! Something terrible has happened!" the guard panted.

"Celestial Palace forces are here—an entire detachment! They've surrounded the whole manor!"

Boom—the news detonated inside the hall like thunder.

The words hit every person present as if the roof had collapsed.

Garrick's skin drained of color until not a trace of blood remained.

He lurched to his feet, the aura around him flickering despite his struggle to hold it down.

The six elders exchanged stricken looks, the same sharp glint flashing in every eye.

The red-faced elder's lips quivered, his voice wobbling on the edge of a sob. "The Celestial Palace… How did they arrive so fast? We were supposed to be ready!"

The white-haired elder slowly closed his eyes, exhaling a long breath. "What is fated always arrives. There's no hiding and no escape."

A stocky elder slammed a palm onto the table, teeth grinding. "It's all Jared's fault! If we hadn't taken him in—hadn't let him fight, hadn't led him to the Dragonmere—"

"—The Janis Family wouldn't be staring at ruin. We should've handed him to the Palace the moment they asked!"

The red-faced elder shook his head, regret carving deep lines on his face. "No, Jared isn't to blame. Greed blinded us and madness drove us!"

"Had we not coveted his bloodline and treasure, had we not agreed to those Demon Dragon terms, had we not schemed to sell him out, would we stand where we are today? We severed our own road with our own hands!"

The white-haired elder let out a dry laugh, the curve of his mouth soaked in bitterness.

"What good is talking about it now? The deed is done, and regret has shown up far too late."

Another elder muttered, his voice gravelly and weighted with shame.

"I said back then that fastening that Dragonbinder Collar on Jared was beneath us."

He went on, words almost sticking in his throat.

"Jared risked everything to help The Janis Family, resolved our crisis, passed every trial, and we still schemed against him behind his back. That tramples our ancestors' teachings… it violates Heavenly Law…"

"Saying any of this now is pointless. It's all too late… everything is already too late…"

"Patriarch, with things having reached this point, what are we supposed to do?"

Every gaze locked onto Garrick and refused to slide away.

Garrick drew in a long breath, forcing the storm inside him to settle for the moment.

He reminded himself that he was the patriarch here; this was no time to lose his footing.

He spoke in a low, steady tone.

"What must come can't be dodged. Since the Celestial Palace has shown up, we will go out and face them."

"Remember: whatever unfolds in the next moments, no matter how hard they press, do not strike first. Endure when you can, withdraw when you must. Do not hand them an excuse. Clear?"

"Understood!"

The six elders nodded together. Fear still clung to their faces, yet they straightened and followed Garrick toward the exit.

Outside the Council Hall, the ancient gate that had symbolized The Janis Family's authority for a thousand years lay blasted apart, shards of wood scattered everywhere.

Celestial Palace cultivators poured through the breach like a silver tide, filling the front courtyard from wall to wall; their robes caught the moonlight and stung the eyes.

At their head, the white-haired elder stood like the pole star among lesser lights. His gaze settled on Garrick and a faint curve tugged at his lips.

"Patriarch Janis, your reputation precedes you."

Striving for calm, Garrick clasped his fists.

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