Spirit Hall Move (Part 4)
A day after the first battle. Spirit Hall forces.
"Assemble people, what about reinforcements?" – a man with an arrogant but somewhat capable expression on his face shouted out in the air standing near the abandoned campsite.
"Lord Meyers, they have caught up, but elite squad made a detour and Saintess is not here." – one of the people bowed in reply.
Meyers looked around and frowned, not satisfied with what he saw, never the less he was a bishop who will soon to be relocated to Gengxin City to assume the position of a branch leader. He already envisioned a bright future with money and beauties by his side when a sudden command came through to intercept some youth on the road.
He never paid much attention to this task and was very surprised when even these dogs from Beast Taming Sect got involved. Was there a need to create such a ruckus over some lowlife commoners of not even noble birth with no background whatsoever?
Still, by some stroke of fate, he let them slip through and even slaughter nearly thirty people. It is a good thing more lackeys have arrived.
"Don't waste time, do the search." – Meyers waved his hands impatiently.
"As you command." – subordinate bowed and excused himself. Later he planned pursuit on his own and divided all forces into three groups. One will remain here and will be the smallest, another two will go in different directions, separating in searching parties of three to five to not lose any escapees.
The hunt began.
* * *
At the same time. Aiden.
= Master, we can no longer hide. Caravan employees are mostly ordinary people. They are hindering the entire party down.
"I can tell." – Aiden furrowed his sword-like brows deeply. This place, where spirit masters clash, really is no place for normal humans. He sensed approaching the hunting squad of four. His party had three combatants excluding him and Na'er, but aside from this, another six are targets to protect.
It's time to make a decision.
"Markus, we need to split up." – Aiden was now almost one hundred percent sure that Spirit Hall instigated this damned hunt to get him. He changed to the mask and outfit he used in the arena, to which many widened their eyes. They never thought the person escorting them the entire time would be Dragon Sword Asura, a living legend of Suotuo Spirit Arena. – "Take everyone and go. I will draw their attention to me. In that direction, you will find a little village by the river. If you trade a couple of boats, there you will be able to directly travel on the water to Luoding Town, from there it's a one-day trip to Sky Water Academy."
Markus, a leader of the current little squad felt conflicted and just as he wanted to refuse, he met his eyes. The eyes of a person who already reached a decision and has something or someone to keep safe at any cost.
"I have a favor to ask." – he looked at Na'er, who now understood something and started slightly tremble, perhaps in rage. – "Take Na'er to…"
"No way!" – she didn't let him finish and directly pounced onto Aiden's body. – "You are not leaving me behind!"
"Na'er, don't be like that…"
"No!" – she looked at him with unquestionable firmness deep within her golden eyes. She stopped talking at that and Aiden understood her meaning.
"Okay, I will trust you at that." – he nodded eventually and a warlike smile emerged on his face. When all was said and done what left was to do some serious exercise. – "But don't bite more than you can chew. Let's go, we need to welcome them all properly."
A pair shifted through the forest approaching group of ten which Nexus pointed out as their pursuers.
"Now you look at that. You, kids, sure know how to act arrogant." – laughed one of the Spirit Hall enforcers. – "But don't take offense, I really admire your talent and guts." – surprisingly he never joked here. He was a man in his mid-twenties with the stoic appearance and unwavering belief hidden deep down the calculative gaze.
'I don't remember him in a novel. Neither the other one. They should be team captains and although only one is spirit king, both exude an air of strength and danger way higher than any I killed before.'
"Let me introduce myself first. Name Long Feng, Zealot Division 7, but that little cutie there can call me big brother Feng." – he winked at Na'er, earning a total disregard in return. Surprisingly, he didn't mind at all and only noticed with a smile an icy gaze of Aiden.
'He is terrifying. Worthy of being titled Unrivaled in the Suotuo arena. Looks like I can't brush through it without taking everything seriously.'
"Why do you talk so much, is it fun?" – an arrogant voice interrupted him. The second person was a short man with a goatee and apathetic eyes, which burned with lustful desire.
"Can you shut it, Alexian? We are here not to kill, but to offer for them an opportunity to join Spirit Hall in our one and the only correct path to greatness through the baptism of light!" – that stunned Aiden and Na'er. Offer? That's their way to extend an offer?
'Damn, I saw arrogant pricks, but this is something else alright! They send a force to exterminate a caravan. When was there any offers announced? Unless… speaking of which I could recognize Spirit Hall's involvement only because Nexus scanned their essence and found similarities to Spirit Hall methods of cultivation, but normally it is impossible to do something like this if you are not a domain user or have special martial spirit.'
'So that's the plan? Play a party saving victims to earn gratitude while being the orchestrator of attack? Well, it's really cliché but if not seen through it really works.'
"Join us!" – Long Feng said spiritedly. He seems to be a true zealot and very worthy of his affiliations with respectful division never mentioned in canon. – "Spirit Hall is fighting to improve life for all. We are an organization at the peak influence of Douluo Dalu! We can give you the best facilities and resources and nurture your talent. With the addition of you as my brother and sister, we can change this world to a better place."
"What about the people you killed recently?" – Aiden technically already saw the answer, but still asked it. Maybe out of indignation after witnessing so many pointless deaths, or, perhaps, he wanted to see how far his zealotry went into his brain.
Long Feng was a rare type of man who despite his high intellect and good abilities had very low wisdom and possessed a very narrow mind too focused on certain ideas. Such individuals were the best assets for a religious organization like Spirit Hall. It could be said that it was built on countless corpses not only of their victims but also their believers.
"Do not grieve about them. They were misled in this life and failed to see the face of God, but we let them be cleansed through the trial of fire, blood, and death so in their next life their souls will again be pure and untainted. They will again be loyal followers of the light."
'Fuck me… now that one is a twisted piece of crap alright.'
"And what if I refuse?"
"You can't be like all who are ignorant of the light, are you?" – Long Feng's face turned malevolent and dark this very instant. His eyes full of warning stared unblinkingly at Aiden and he felt inferior in front of platinum and purple irises and true calmness deep within them. Somehow the more Long Feng looked, the more irritated he became, to the point that even his spirit power went trembling, exuding an instinctive desire to kill.
And then it almost went ballistic!
'Demonic corruption!'
Aiden now was truly shocked. That changes everything!
"So, Spirit Hall is colluding with demons." – his voice was frosty and his eyes resolute to kill. No more hesitation.
"Demons? I dare you to desecrate the holiness of the light! This is ambrosia given by gods! If you can't comprehend this power of gods, it means you are the demon yourself!"
Aiden half-closed his eyes.
"No more meaning."
He shifted to sword stance, releasing vast and powerful war intent.
They clashed under the starting rain in cover of trees, sending dirt and fallen leaves flying. Na'er knew her opponent is very strong, but she never though she is weaker. Her body was very strong and long ago reached spirit king realm.