Ch. 48 - Divine Sun Sacred Ground

This new group had three members, two men and one woman, all wearing light gold robes and riding blazing flame steeds. “They’re disciples of the Divine Sun Sacred Ground,” Little Gui said, narrowing his eyes. The Divine Sun Sacred Ground was also an imperial-lineage from the Western Region. It had been founded by Grand Emperor Shen Ri. However, compared to the True Martial Sacred Ground, which had produced four emperors in its history, the Divine Sun Sacred Ground had only produced one. Its heritage and power were far inferior. The three disciples from the Divine Sun Sacred Ground also noticed Xu Zimo’s group. The leading male disciple, with a sword at his waist, snorted coldly and arrogantly rode past without acknowledging them. The relationship between the Divine Sun Sacred Ground and the True Martial Sacred Ground was strained, mostly because the True Martial Sacred Ground was simply too dominant. It was the unquestioned ruler of the Western Region. Even other imperial-lineages like the Divine Sun Sacred Ground had to bow before it. “What’s he so smug about?” Little Gui muttered in annoyance. “If they annoy you, just beat them up. Why hold back?” Xu Zimo said with a smile. “I’ve got your back, what are you afraid of?” “Senior Brother, I’ve been waiting for you to say that,” Little Gui grinned. Seeing the three figures ahead, he gathered spiritual energy in his palm. Then, with a sweep of his right hand, he sent a blade-shaped burst of spiritforce slashing toward the lead disciple. It struck the leg of the disciple’s flame steed, which let out a painful whinny and collapsed. The disciple was caught off guard and thrown to the ground in a disheveled heap. “What do you think you’re doing?!” the disciple shouted as he stood and drew the sword at his waist, glaring at Xu Zimo’s group. “I don’t like your face. Got a problem with that?” Little Gui sneered, pulling out his iron staff and charging without another word. As the two began exchanging blows, Xu Zimo rode his flame steed straight toward the female disciple of the Divine Sun Sacred Ground. Another male disciple, seeing this, quickly drew his curved blade and stepped in front of the woman, frowning at Xu Zimo. “Kid, don’t mess with Brother Zimo while he’s trying to flirt,” Lin Ruhuo shouted, launching himself into the air from his saddle and striking toward the blade-wielding disciple with both fists. The male disciple met him with his blade, and the two began to clash fiercely. The female disciple watched Xu Zimo warily, her right hand resting on the hilt of her sword. “What’s your name, miss?” Xu Zimo asked with a playful smile. “What do you want?” she asked cautiously, steering her horse a couple of steps back. Xu Zimo whistled flirtatiously and clicked his tongue. “Nice figure.” “None of your business,” she snapped, covering her chest with her arms, clearly disgusted. “What brings you to Ten Mile Town?” Xu Zimo asked. “Why should I tell you?” she countered. Xu Zimo didn’t press. She suddenly saw a flash of white light, so fast it was barely visible. Sword-Drawing Technique, a white arc of sword energy struck the wrist of the male disciple who was dueling Little Gui. A sharp pain shot through the man’s arm, and his sword dropped from his hand. Little Gui’s iron staff stopped just three inches from the man’s forehead. “If you don’t talk,” Xu Zimo said calmly, “he might just die.” “Are you trying to start a war with the Divine Sun Sacred Ground?” the female disciple snapped, her face darkening. “Then let’s go to war,” Xu Zimo replied with a chuckle. “You think the True Martial Sacred Ground would be afraid of you? But the real question is, would your Divine Sun Sacred Ground really start a war over a few nobodies like you?” The woman’s expression shifted. Her chest rose and fell rapidly as she struggled with the implications. After a moment of silence, she said, “Fine. I’ll tell you. But let my senior brother go first.” “You’re in no position to bargain,” Xu Zimo said, shaking his head. Little Gui retracted his staff, then kicked the male disciple squarely in the chest. The man cried out in pain and fell to the ground, face twisted with rage and fear as he glared at Xu Zimo. “Don’t hurt him, I’ll talk!” the female disciple cried. “There are rumors of ghosts at the home of Master Hu, the wealthiest man in Ten Mile Town. We received a mission to come exorcise them.” Xu Zimo paused, so they were here for the same mission. He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Interesting. Looks like Master Hu didn’t just post the mission with the True Martial Sacred Ground, he must’ve sent requests to other sects too.” In his previous life, Xu Zimo had taken this mission and never ran into anyone from the Divine Sun Sacred Ground. Apparently, he’d arrived too late that time. These disciples must have died before he got there. Xu Zimo smiled, waved to Lin Ruhuo and the others, and said, “Let’s go.” ... As Xu Zimo’s group rode away, the male disciple from the Divine Sun Sacred Ground stood silent, expression shifting as he watched them disappear. No one knew what he was thinking. Master Hu was head of the largest family in Ten Mile Town and reportedly its wealthiest resident. Xu Zimo and his group arrived at the Hu residence. After a servant informed the household, a middle-aged man dressed in a gaudy mix of blue, green, and yellow robes came out. He wore a light green sun hat. His complexion was sallow, and his eyes were swollen, probably from many sleepless nights. He looked utterly exhausted. “You’ve finally come, honored heroes,” he said, rushing forward with excitement. “I’ve been living in fear every day, I thought I’d never see help arrive.” He led the group into the main hall. Xu Zimo smiled slightly and said, “You’re too kind, Master Hu.” “I’ve prepared food for you travelers,” Master Hu said with a weary smile. “Let’s eat and talk.” Xu Zimo nodded. Just as they were about to eat, a servant came in and announced that the Divine Sun Sacred Ground disciples had arrived as well. “Perfect,” Master Hu said. “Fate has brought you all here at once, now I feel much more at ease.” He had them brought in. The Divine Sun Sacred Ground disciples’ expressions darkened the moment they saw Xu Zimo and his group. “What are you doing here?” asked the sword-carrying male disciple. “You all know each other?” Master Hu asked, trying to smooth things over. He then led everyone to a side hall, where they sat down and introduced themselves. From the Divine Sun Sacred Ground: the sword-wielding disciple was named Wang Tao, the one with the curved blade was Xing Lin, and the female disciple was Xiao Yu. “Tell us what’s going on. Your mission brief wasn’t very detailed,” Xing Lin asked calmly, turning to Master Hu.