Chapter 87 - Roping in the Dao-Seeking Sect

n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

When he first found out that the Sword God had come out of seclusion, Zou Hao indeed wanted to run.

However, later on, Lin Ran sent a message with the Mount Sword Sect token, threatening to chase him to the ends of the earth if he ran. Zou Hao had no choice but to stay.

Therefore, after seeing the invitation from the palace, although Zou Hao did not dare to attend the banquet, he immediately ordered his disciples to hang yellow flags all over the mountain gate to show his loyalty.

邹浩After that, Huo Qiyun came with the Ten Miles Dragon Roar. Zou Hao also treated him with hospitality. However, he did not expect that all his efforts would be in vain. The Ten Miles Sword God still wanted to exterminate his entire Dao Seeking Sect!

The more he thought about it, the more aggrieved he felt. He didn’t care about his status as the sect master of the Dao-Seeking Sect and immediately broke down crying.

“Sword God, I admit that I did something wrong in the past, but I was also deceived by King Zhao!”

“The moment Elder Sun broke through to the Grandmaster Realm, he was beaten into a cripple by that mountain guardian surnamed Lin. He’s still lying in bed in a coma. I have to use all kinds of spiritual pills to keep him alive every day!”

“I spent the most effort and money during the rebellion, and lots of my disciples died. In the end, I did not obtain anything. It’s unfair!”

A huge grievance welled up in his heart. Zou Hao was like a resentful woman who had suffered a lot. He did not care if he could say anything or not. In any case, he spilled the beans.

Lin Ran and Huo Qiyun were dumbfounded looking at Zou Hao. If they hadn’t seen it with their own eyes, who would believe that the sect master of the Dao-Seeking Sect had such a side to him?

The surrounding Dao Seeking Sect disciples also looked ashamed. When Lin Ran saw their gazes, he knew that some of them definitely wanted to leave the sect.

However, Lin Ran couldn’t bear to see Zou Hao in such a miserable state. He just wanted to scare him and see how he would react, but he didn’t expect him to be so weak and fragile.

Lin Ran explained that he wouldn’t resort to violence, but Zou Hao refused to listen.

In the end, someone invited the elders of the Dao Seeking Sect over. After they consoled him for a long time, Zou Hao finally calmed down.

Then, both parties came to the living room.

After taking their seats, Lin Ran said, “Let’s not beat around the bush. I’m here today to settle scores with your sect on behalf of His Majesty.”

When Zou Hao heard that, he was about to cry again. Lin Ran hurriedly said, “But after I came here, I can feel that you’re really repenting, so I want to give you a chance to make amends. I wonder if you’re willing?”

The elders looked at each other and then at Zou Hao.

Zou Hao wiped his tears and asked tentatively, “Sword God, can you tell me what chance it is first?”

“Join the army.”

Lin Ran said bluntly, “Form an elite army of disciples who are above the first level Martial Master Realm and below the ninth level Senior Martial Master Realm in your sect. When we attack, you’ll charge in front. When we retreat, you’ll cover us.”

At the side, Huo Qiyun widened his eyes in surprise and questioning, as if to say, “Are you supposed to tell them this so early?”

Lin Ran blinked, indicating that he knew what he was doing.

Zou Hao lowered his head and pondered for a moment. With a strange expression, he asked, “Sword God, why does this ‘elite army’ you mentioned sound like a shield?”

“You could say that.”

Lin Ran nodded and placed his hand on the hilt of his sword. “Or you can refuse.”

“No, no, no! We won’t refuse!”

Zou Hao hurriedly waved his hand when he saw Lin Ran’s actions. He paused and said awkwardly, “But Sword God, can I make a request?”

Zou Hao looked back at the elders and suddenly knelt down in front of Lin Ran.

“Sword God, it was my decision to participate in King Zhao’s rebellion. You and His Majesty can punish me however you want, but the disciples are innocent.”

Zou Hao knelt on the ground and looked straight at Lin Ran. “I don’t want any disciple of the sect to die in vain because of my decision.”

“That’s why I want to make a request. Let me gather the disciples of the sect and tell them this. If any disciple wants to leave the sect, I won’t force him to stay, and you can’t force him to join the army either!”

“We pledge our lives to follow the sect master! Sword God, please agree to this request.”

An elder knelt down and said. Then, the remaining elders knelt down as well. “We pledge our lives to follow the sect master! Sword God, please agree to this request.”.”

Lin Ran and Huo Qiyun looked at each other in surprise.

After a moment, Huo Qiyun nodded. Lin Ran said, “Since Sect Master Zou cherishes his disciples so much, I’ll agree to your request. However, you have to tell me about the people who participated in the rebellion first.”

“Thank you for your understanding, Sword God!”

Zou Hao kowtowed to thank him. Then, he took out a bamboo slip and held it above his head with both hands. “This is the list of all the sects that participated in the rebellion. Some individual cultivators are also recorded.”

“Oh? You seem to be well prepared.”

Lin Ran chuckled and took the bamboo slip. He realized that it was quite detailed.

Lin Ran had long known about a few of the sects, such as Mount Qianyuan and Silver Cave. However, he didn’t find the Eight Directional Mountain.

“From this, it seems that the Eight Directional Mountain is just used by the demon.”

Lin Ran thought to himself. Then, he waved the bamboo slip in his hand. “Although none of the sects are famous, there are a lot of them. It seems that Sect Master Zou does have a lot of friends.”

Zou Hao smiled awkwardly. Lin Ran continued, “I have something to ask of you. Can you help me?”

“I will do my best!”

“There’s an agreement between the dynasties that those above the Grandmaster Realm are not allowed to participate in the battle. Do you know about this?”

Seeing Zou Hao nod, Lin Ran continued, “So as the sect master, you definitely can’t go to the battlefield, but don’t be idle. Help me investigate where strange murders have happened recently.”

“Strange murder?”

Zou Hao looked confused. “May I ask what do you mean by strange?”

“The kind where a lot of people die at once, or a person becomes a pile of bones as soon as they are dead.”

Lin Ran thought for a moment and explained. After talking to the demon at the Eight Directional Mountain, he was already certain that the demon was using human flesh and blood to heal his injuries.

He couldn’t save those who had died, but he could find the demon to prevent more people from dying!