Novel Full Chapter 337: New Teachers
Chapter 337: New Teachers
Dong Zhen walked to the center of the Blood Core hall. The crimson light emanating from the great core pulsed faintly behind him, casting dancing shadows on the dark stone walls. All the disciples were silent, their eyes fixed on the leader of the Court.
"This mission is simpler than the previous one you carried out together." Dong Zhen began, his deep voice echoing through the hall.
"But no less important."
He paused, sweeping his gaze across the disciples’ faces.
"In the military branch of the Blood Court, several elders have gone out on a mission to eliminate a certain force that was threatening our borders. They took with them most of the experienced instructors from the branch."
"The military branch, at this moment, has dozens of new disciples without proper supervision. They are training on their own, without direction, without correction."
Dong Zhen crossed his arms.
"You will go to the military branch and become instructors for the new disciples for three weeks. Long enough until the elders return from their mission."
Kyrian said nothing. The mission was, indeed, simpler than the extermination mission they had carried out before. It would only be somewhat longer, three weeks was not much time.
He saw no problem in it. These would be his last moments with Bai Zhu, Mei Li, Li Fen, Kai, and Yan Ling before departing for the Central Territory. A gradual farewell, perhaps even a good one.
While Kyrian remained silent, the others exchanged glances among themselves.
Bai Zhu had an expression of surprise. Usually, they were the ones receiving instruction. Now, they would become the teachers.
Kyrian, however, was already accustomed to it. He had already taught Yanyu in the Verdant Sword sect. He had already taught Bai Zhu and the others during their training in the Court. Teaching new disciples would be no different.
"Prepare yourselves and depart as soon as possible," Dong Zhen concluded, before turning and leaving the Core hall. His footsteps echoed through the corridors until they disappeared completely.
Bai Zhu was the first to break the silence.
"Finally!" he exclaimed, his eyes shining.
"I’m going back home!"
He was originally from the military branch. Each of Dong Zhen’s direct disciples came from a different branch of the Blood Court, except Kyrian, who had entered directly into the main fortress.
For Bai Zhu, that mission was an opportunity to see old companions again, to walk through corridors he had known since childhood.
"I haven’t visited the military branch in years," Kai said, his voice low and calm. There was a different glint in his eyes.
"I’ve never been to the military branch," Yan Ling commented, tilting her head.
"I’ve heard it’s huge. Much bigger than the main fortress."
"It is," Bai Zhu confirmed, proudly.
"You’re going to be surprised."
Kai crossed his arms, a lazy smile on his face.
"Three weeks as a teacher... that’ll be a nice change of pace. Tired of just killing people or beasts."
Mei Li said nothing, but her eyes rested on Kyrian for a moment before drifting away.
"So it’s settled," Bai Zhu said, clapping his hands.
"We leave tomorrow morning. Prepare everything you need."
The disciples dispersed, each heading to their quarters.
...
The next day dawned with the sky still dark over the plain.
Kyrian was already ready before dawn. He put on his red Blood Court robe, placed his spatial ring on his finger, and left the dormitory.
At the stables, Arcon was already waiting for him. The black winged horse flapped its wings impatiently, as if it knew a journey was coming. Kyrian mounted its back and waited.
The others arrived shortly after.
Bai Zhu mounted a Crimson War Crow. Li Fen mounted another, as did Kai, Yan Ling, and Mei Li. The birds lined up beside Arcon, forming a small squad.
Bai Zhu was at the front, guiding the way.
"Follow me!" he shouted, snapping the reins.
The group took off.
The wind cut across the disciples’ faces as they gained altitude. The Blood Court fortress was left behind, shrinking until it became a dark point in the desolate landscape. The black clouds swirled above them, but they flew beneath them, following the rugged terrain.
Bai Zhu knew the way better than anyone. He had grown up in the military branch and trained there for years before being chosen by Dong Zhen as a direct disciple.
"The military branch is about two days of flight at maximum speed." He explained as they flew side by side.
"It’s the closest branch to the main fortress."
"Why so close?" Yan Ling asked.
"To protect the fortress in case something happens," Bai Zhu replied.
"The military branch is the Court’s sword. If the fortress is attacked, they are the first to arrive."
Kyrian listened in silence, but his thoughts were elsewhere. He doubted that anything could threaten the main fortress with Dong Zhen there.
The leader of the Blood Court was a powerful cultivator. Kyrian still did not know exactly his level of strength in battle, but he could feel that Dong Zhen could kill him effortlessly.
The journey was long but monotonous.
They flew throughout the first day, landing only briefly at night for the beasts to rest and feed. Kyrian fed Arcon with some spirit stones and meditated for a few hours before continuing the journey.
The second day was the same.
The terrain below them gradually changed. The desolate plain gave way to gentle hills, then to a forest of twisted, dark trees. The sky remained overcast, but the clouds were less dense than above the fortress.
Finally, at the end of the second day, Bai Zhu raised his hand.
"We’re here."
Kyrian narrowed his eyes. Ahead, there was nothing but a hill covered with dark trees. But his crimson eyes saw beyond the surface.
An illusion barrier covered the entire area, creating a false image of the landscape. Behind it, a massive structure rose, much larger than the Blood Court fortress.
The military branch was a fortress in itself.
Black stone walls stretched for hundreds of meters in every direction. Watchtowers dotted the walls at regular intervals, and at the center, a main building rose several stories high, with curved roofs and red flags fluttering in the wind.
Kyrian could see disciples training in the inner courtyards, servants carrying supplies, and other disciples walking through the corridors. There was life there, a lot of life, unlike the Court’s fortress.
The group passed through the illusion barrier without difficulty. As soon as they crossed, the true appearance of the military branch was revealed to all.
"Wow..." Yan Ling murmured, her eyes wide.
"It really is huge," Kai agreed, letting out a low whistle.
Bai Zhu smiled, proud.
"Welcome to the military branch of the Blood Court."
They landed in a large stone courtyard at the center of the fortress. Disciples nearby stopped what they were doing to look. Murmurs quickly spread.
"Who are they?"
"Look at the robes... they’re from the main fortress!"
"Bai Zhu is with them!"
"And that one over there? I’ve never seen him before. He looks... different."
Kyrian dismounted from Arcon and looked around. The gazes of the military branch disciples were curious but respectful. They knew that those who came from the main fortress were the best among the best, the direct disciples of Dong Zhen himself.
Bai Zhu took the lead.
"Take our beasts to the stables." He ordered a group of servants who approached at a run.
"And inform the branch leader that the envoys from the main fortress have arrived."
The servants hurried to obey.