After settling all household affairs, Ethan Lockwood departed Stellar Ascent Sect alongside Master Unrestrained.
Ethan now strongly suspected Sect Leader Thorne didn't owe the monk any favors—rather, the eccentric cleric likely had some compromising information about him.
That would explain the sect leader's uncharacteristic deference in the monk's presence.
Indeed, Master Unrestrained was quite the character.
His tattered robes made him resemble the legendary Mad Monk Ji Gong, though considerably rounder—give him a palm-leaf fan and he'd be the folk saint's portly doppelgänger.
Yet surprisingly, no foul odor accompanied his disheveled appearance—only a subtle lotus fragrance.
"Master Unrestrained! Must you always go barefoot? At least wear sandals!" Ethan chided. "Footwear matters m
