Chapter 90: Swords Have Two Blades, People Have Two Sides

Seeing how serious Lin Ran was, Huo Qiyun could only put aside his personal grudge for the time being and look at the training ground.

Someone in the crowd raised his hand, but there were too many people. Huo Qiyun couldn’t see the person who raised his hand at all. He could only hear a trembling voice say, “Sect Master! My parents still need to be taken care of. Sect Master, please allow me to quit!”

“Granted.”

Zou Hao nodded. Then, he took out a golden leaf from his belt and threw it in that direction. “You’ve been on the mountain for three years, but you haven’t made any progress. Take this money back and start a small business.”

“Thank you, Sect Master!”

After that person thanked him loudly, the crowd burst into an uproar.

A moment later, an honest-looking young man walked out of the crowd and took off his hat. He placed it on the ground respectfully and kowtowed three times before turning around and walking down the mountain.

“Sect Master, I’ve only been married for less than a month…”

“Granted.”

“Sect Master, I’m the only son of my family…”

“Granted.”

“Sect Master, I…”

“Granted.”

…

In the following period of time, more than 200 people left the Dao Seeking Sect. No matter what reason they gave, or if there was no reason, Zou Hao’s answer was always “granted” and a golden leaf.

Fifteen minutes later, the training ground fell silent again. At this moment, there were only about 1,300 people left.

Zou Hao looked around for a moment. “Those below the Martial Master Realm, leave.”

As soon as he finished speaking, another four to five hundred people left. Zou Hao treated everyone equally and gave each of them a golden leaf.

After nearly half of the disciples left, the training ground was finally less crowded.

Tears appeared in Zou Hao’s eyes once again. “From today onwards, the Dao-Seeking Sect is officially disbanded. I, Zou Hao, thank you, fellow Daoists!”

As soon as he finished speaking, Zou Hao knelt on the ground with his hands folded on his forehead and bowed deeply to the remaining disciples below the stage.

This time, no one bowed back. Since the sect was disbanded, the rules of the sect were naturally gone.

Zou Hao knelt on the ground, his shoulders trembling.

As the breeze blew the training ground, sobs were heard. Gradually, it became louder and louder. No one knew what they were crying about. Perhaps even they themselves did not know.

The air was filled with suppressed sadness. Even Huo Qiyun couldn’t help but be moved, but his eyes were still filled with confusion. “Why are there so many people loyal to a person like Zou Hao?”

“746 golden leaves is almost 30 years’ worth of salary for a first-rank official.”

Lin Ran rubbed the corners of his eyes and put on a casual smile. “There are two sides to a sword. Perhaps he’s not a good person, but he’s indeed a good sect master.”

Huo Qiyun didn’t say anything. He just looked at the grieving Zou Hao on the platform, his eyes flickering as he pondered about something.

At night, in the main building of the Dao Seeking Sect.

Lin Ran and Huo Qiyun sat at a round table that was ten feet wide. Beside them were Zou Hao and the elders of the Dao Seeking Sect.

On the dining table that was big enough to roll on, there were only a dozen simple dishes. Most of them were something black that didn’t look edible at all.

“Sword God, the disciples working in the kitchen left the mountain today. This is cooked by me and the elders. If you don’t mind…”

Zou Hao couldn’t continue. The awkward expression on his face even made Huo Qiyun’s heart ache.

“Sect Master Zou, you don’t have to be so polite. Although the dishes don’t look good…”

Lin Ran chuckled, picked up his chopsticks, and put a piece of meat into his mouth. Then, he silently spat it out on the ground. “We’re not here to eat. Let’s get down to business.”

“Yes, yes, yes. Let’s get down to business.”

Zou Hao nodded and waved his hand. Immediately, two elders stood up and shouted, “Arise.” Then, they carried the table and ran out.

There were only chairs left in the huge dining room. Lin Ran pinched his thigh to hold back his laughter as he took out a bamboo slip.

“This technique is called ‘Sword Flight’. Only Senior Martial Masters can cultivate it. However, after mastering it, you can travel 800 miles a day on the sword. Sect Master Zou, make sure your disciples can master it as soon as possible.”

Zou Hao hurriedly knelt on the ground when he heard that. “Sword God! I’m already grateful that you gave me this chance! I can’t take anything from you anymore!”

“It’s fine. This is also to let them serve the Heavenly Saint Dynasty better!”

Lin Ran chuckled and said, “Although you’re going to the battlefield, you’re not enlisted soldiers after all, so the Heavenly Saint Dynasty won’t provide you with anything. This sect will be your future base.”

“This place is very far from the border. With this technique, you can rush to the battlefield as soon as the battle starts. Otherwise, what’s the use of having you?”

Zou Hao kowtowed respectfully and took the bamboo slip with both hands.

“From today onwards, you are a special force of the Heavenly Saint Dynasty!”

historical

Lin Ran stood up and said in a deep voice, “All of you have to cultivate on Tianjue Peak. If the war starts, you have to rush to the battlefield immediately. Don’t delay for no reason!”

“Sword God, don’t worry!”

Zou Hao replied in a deep voice. He raised the bamboo slip with both hands as if he was holding an imperial edict. “The sinners of Tianjue Peak will do their best to serve His Majesty!”

“Hmm… good. I should get going now!”

As soon as Lin Ran finished speaking, he flashed out of the door.

Caught off guard, Huo Qiyun got up and chased after him until he reached the entrance of the mountain. Only then did he see Lin Ran by the roadside.

“What’s wrong with you? Why are you running so fast?”

Huo Qiyun glared at Lin Ran. He was completely unprepared just now. He suddenly activated his internal energy and sped up, almost causing internal injuries.

Lin Ran held his stomach helplessly. “Do you think I want to? I’ve been out for a day and I’m already starving! If I don’t leave now, how can I go on impersonating when my stomach rumbles?”

As if afraid that Huo Qiyun wouldn’t believe him, Lin Ran’s stomach rumbled.

Seeing this, Huo Qiyun could not say anything else. He looked around to determine the direction and suggested, “This place is not far from the palace. If we move faster, we might be able to make it in time for dinner.”

“It’s too late.”

Lin Ran waved his hand and picked a fruit from the tree beside him. He took a bite and said, “We have to rush to the next sect that participated in the rebellion as soon as possible.”

Huo Qiyun frowned slightly. “Although time is tight, it’s not that tight, right?”

“Didn’t you say that I can only wear this mask for three days?”

Lin Ran finished one fruit in a few bites and picked another one. His eyes flashed cunningly in the darkness. “I just thought of a brilliant plan…”