Trouble

"Then tell me first—since you're both from Spirit Hall, why were they hunting you down?"

This was what Zhao Xuan was most curious about. From their earlier conversation, it seemed Spirit Hall was divided into many different factions.

They were not exactly on good terms with one another.

Mu Shiyi's expression darkened. "Although we all belong to Spirit Hall, there are major differences between us."

"Mu Shi'er and I are soul masters of the Ascetic Hall, which is under the Spirit Hall. They, meanwhile, belong to the Papal Palace under Her Majesty the Empress."

A flicker of surprise crossed Zhao Xuan's eyes. "So you really were being hunted by the Empress of your own Spirit Hall?"

"Yes." Mu Shiyi nodded with a bitter smile. Being hunted by his own people was laughable when one thought about it.

"Why?"

Zhao Xuan could not understand. Even if there were factional differences, at most they might scheme against each other in ordinary times. There was no need to go this far.

Mu Shiyi took a deep breath, then sighed. "Because we refused to submit to her."

"Aren't you all soul masters of Spirit Hall? As I recall, the Spirit Hall is beneath the Papal Palace. Aren't you her subordinates?"

Zhao Xuan was rather confused. Although the Ascetic Hall was not directly under the Empress, it should still have counted as her subordinate. Why had things come to this?

"Could it be that you refused to obey her orders?" Zhao Xuan asked.

Mu Shiyi nodded. "That's right. Although she is the Empress, her ideals differ from ours."

"The soul masters of our Ascetic Hall have always traveled the continent, upholding benevolence and compassion as we aided the people. But the new Empress is more like an unfathomable tyrant, completely at odds with the ideals