Chapter 341: Map of the North

The sun, or what passed for the sun beneath the dark clouds of the Northern Territory, was already high in the sky when Kyrian, Bai Zhu, and the others decided to stay one more day in the military branch.

There was no rush to return. The mission had been completed. The new disciples were trained. The competition had been a success. One more day would make no difference.

Kyrian spent the morning walking through the corridors of the military branch, observing the disciples train. Some recognized him and bowed. Others simply waved, shyly. He didn’t care.

At the beginning of the afternoon, the disciples from his group approached.

Lian, the boy who could barely hold a sword three weeks earlier, stood at the front. He held his blade firmly now, his eyes shining with a confidence that hadn’t existed before.

“Professor Kyrian,” he said, bowing. The other disciples imitated him.

Kyrian observed them in silence.

“You have improved,” he said finally.

“But do not stop now. The basics you learned are only the beginning. Keep training. Keep correcting your mistakes. One day, you will be strong.”

The disciples exchanged glances. Some smiled. Others had determined eyes.

“We will not forget what you taught us,” said Yu, the girl who had overcome her fear of physical contact.

“We promise.”

Kyrian nodded.

…

At the end of the afternoon, the elders of the military branch returned.

Kyrian was in the central arena when the flying beasts appeared on the horizon, a formation of crimson crows and war eagles, all carrying elders in red robes with tired expressions. The elimination mission had been long and difficult, but it seemed successful.

The leader went out to receive them. There were greetings, quick reports, questions, and answers. The elders noticed the presence of the direct disciples in the fortress, and some of them approached to talk.

Kyrian stayed at a distance, observing.

“Aren’t you going to greet them?” Mei Li asked, appearing at his side.

“I have nothing to say to them, nor do I know them,” Kyrian replied.

Mei Li did not insist.

…

The next day, at dawn, the group departed.

The flying beasts took off from the central platform of the military branch, gaining altitude quickly. Below, the new disciples gathered to watch. Some waved. Others simply watched in silence.

Kyrian did not look back.

The journey back to the Blood Court fortress would take two days, just like the trip there. But something was different now. The air seemed heavier. The silence between them was deeper.

They flew in formation, Arcon in front, the crimson crows behind. The wind cut across their faces. The dark clouds swirled above.

Bai Zhu tried to start a conversation at first.

“That Feng, from Kyrian’s group… he improved a lot. Remember when he could barely hit a dummy properly?”

“I noticed that too.” Kai replied.

“Kyrian’s group was one of the weakest at the beginning, was that on purpose? Bai Zhu? But in the end, they were the strongest.”

“That’s because Kyrian doesn’t waste time on nonsense, and he’s an excellent teacher,” Yan Ling said.

“He can see countless mistakes even in us, so imagine in those disciples.”

Li Fen said nothing, but his eyes were fixed on Kyrian.

Mei Li was also silent.

As they approached the fortress, the atmosphere between them grew even colder.

Everyone had their own thoughts. No one wanted to be the first to say what everyone already knew.

Kyrian was leaving.

During the three weeks in the military branch, they had talked about it. About the future. About the Central Territory. About how Kyrian could not stay in the Court forever. But one thing was to talk about the departure, abstracting the moment.

Another was to feel the moment approaching, each wingbeat bringing the end closer.

When the Blood Court fortress finally appeared on the horizon, hidden behind the illusion barrier, visible only to their eyes, the group accelerated.

They passed through the barrier.

They landed in the central courtyard of the fortress.

Servants ran to take care of the beasts. The disciples dismounted in silence.

Dong Zhen was already waiting for them in the Blood Core hall. He stood in the center of the room, his hands clasped behind his back, as always.

Bai Zhu stepped forward.

“Leader Dong Zhen,” he said, bowing.

“The mission in the military branch has been completed. The new disciples were trained. The elders returned and resumed command. There were no incidents.”

Dong Zhen nodded.

“Good work.”

His eyes scanned the group, resting for a moment on each of them. When they reached Kyrian, he stopped.

“Kyrian,” he said.

“Stay.”

The others understood the message. Bai Zhu, Kai, Yan Ling, Li Fen, and Mei Li bowed and withdrew, leaving Kyrian and Dong Zhen alone in the hall.

Silence settled.

“You’ve already decided?” Dong Zhen said.

Kyrian nodded.

“I’m leaving.”

“When?”

“Tomorrow morning.”

Dong Zhen remained silent for a moment. His eyes traveled over Kyrian from head to toe, as if memorizing every detail.

“I thought you would stay a few more months,” he said finally.

“But you are right. Staying here will not increase your strength. You need greater challenges. Greater places.”

Kyrian did not respond. He didn’t need to.

Dong Zhen sighed.

“You have done more for this Court than many disciples who have been here for years. You taught the others. You shared your experience with them and made them improve greatly. You fought alongside them. I will not forget that.”

He raised his hand and touched his spatial ring.

A large scroll appeared in his hand, so large that Kyrian needed both hands to hold it.

“What is this?” Kyrian asked.

“Open it.”

Kyrian unrolled the scroll.

It was a map.

It was not an ordinary map, it was detailed, carefully drawn, with annotations in firm handwriting along the edges. Kyrian recognized the handwriting. It was Dong Zhen’s.

“This is a map of the Northern Territory,” Dong Zhen said.

“At least half of it. I bought it when I traveled through the Northern Territory, before I became the leader of the Blood Court.”

He stepped closer and pointed to different points on the map.

“Here, are some important cities that you can pass through if you need certain things during your journey.”

Dong Zhen’s finger moved to other areas.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep