Like a Ray in My Night (Part 4)

768 Too Long To Explain

Having said what needed to be said, Zhi Guan and Long Shu Fen took their leave, going to Elder Baili's valley instead. Due to only having taken in four disciples, it definitely wasn't big but, thankfully, the number of disciples they had to return here wasn't big either.

Zhi Guan thought for a moment and then led Blue Butterfly to his own house. Anyway, they could hardly leave the people outside and nobody should accidentally enter his residence these days.

Long Shu Fen didn't care which building they picked and simply nodded as soon as he pointed at it, bringing the dreamscape over and helping Zhi Guan carry the bodies outside. As soon as they were done, she sighed. "Well, one sect down. Let's go to the Zhen Yan Sect next."

While dealing with the other sects wasn't easy, she still preferred that over having to deal with her own sect. After all, the other sects at least wouldn't ask her why she had left her post. They'd just assume she had been sent by her Sect Master to quickly deliver this message as time was tight.

Zhi Guan quietly followed her, not having an opinion on any of this. The other three great righteous sects were all the same to him.

When they reached the place, the situation they found in front of them was a lot more normal. At the very least, two sets of disciples guarded the gate, looking somewhat bored.

Long Shu Fen pursed her lips and motioned further inside. "Let's go and see Yan Jian Hong. I really don't know how to explain any of this to disciples."

Zhi Guan nodded again and the two of them moved toward the Red Priest's position.

Who knew whether it was because the four guardians themselves were so different or if it was due to the sects' attitude toward them, but the places where Blue Butterfly, the Black Warrior, and the Red Priest lived could hardly be compared.

The former had her small island in the middle of a pond with only that pavilion and some oddities around. No matter how you looked at it, it seemed desolate as if she had closed herself off to the world and only kept the little that still brought her joy, the remnants of a life long past.

Meanwhile, the Black Warrior seemed to have no ties to the world at all. There was no beautiful scenery around, no pavilion, not even a simple roof over his head. He simply sat on that platform, cultivating every day and probably practicing his sword every now and then.

The Red Priest's living environment wasn't anything like that. While there was indeed the same platform beneath him, a beautiful building rose up behind him, the eaves shielding him from the wind and rain. If he wanted to, it seemed that he could simply retire into the rooms, taking a break to leisurely read a book or simply take a nap.

Zhi Guan was not the type of person who needed much to live contentedly but if you had asked him what he thought the guardians lived like, this would have been much closer to his imagination than what he had seen in the Jian Chu Sect and the Teng Yong Sect. After all, the guardians were important people for their sects so they should be treated well. Since most of the Elders had big courtyards or even palaces, then surely, the treatment of the guardians should only be better and never worse, right? To think that the dwellings of two of them were this humble ... it had truly refreshed his mind!

When Yan Jian Hong saw them appear, he faintly raised his brows but then immediately got to his feet. "Shu Fen, Disciple Zhi. What brings the two of you here? Are there any issues in the border region?"

Long Shu Fen sighed, feeling that it would have been so much easier if she could just gather everyone in one spot to do this. In fact ... Her gaze roamed about and she finally reached up and slapped Zhi Guan's shoulder. "I'll leave this to you and go and see Shang Qiang!" With that, she already opened her dreamscape and escaped.

Yan Jian Hong watched her disappear and turned to Zhi Guan, sighing faintly. "Why not come in and talk?" Anyway, he was used to Long Shu Fen's behavior and since there was at least another person to tell him what was happening, it shouldn't be an issue.

Zhi Guan also glanced at the dreamscape that disappeared, wondering if Blue Butterfly had forgotten about the disciples. Now, even if she went to the Li Ren Sect, she'd have to move all of them by herself and then still come back here. It didn't seem like such a good idea. Still, since she had already left, it was better to use the time.

Turning back to the Red Priest, he quietly followed him inside and then told him about the latest developments in the border region, as well as their ideas for the follow-up plans.

Yan Jian Hong listened without interrupting him but his brows furrowed slightly. This matter ... it didn't seem that easy.

When Zhi Guan finished his report, he looked at him, patiently waiting for his response.

Yan Jian Hong sighed. "I'll naturally ask the Sect Master to send help. I'm just worried ... will it even help? Your little junior is in such a state and Disciple Mei ..." He shook his head. "We prepared so much but, in the end, it seems as if all was for naught. Even winning now ... it might not help in the end."

Zhi Guan inclined his head. "But if it can save even a few people, it'll have been worth it. Either way, as righteous cultivators, this is our duty. As those in charge of others ... it is even more so."

Yan Jian Hong nodded and rose to his feet. "Then I will speak to the Sect Master first. Do you ... want to come along?" In any case, he still had to explain how he knew of these things.