12 Warrior of the Aster Grounds

*Thump**Thump*

The halves of the spider collapsed on the ground either side to it. Even though it's body was split open to reveal all of its insides, continuous rivers of purple blood formed new puddles on the forest floor.

The protectors stood shock at the sudden appearance of the new comer.

She was a member of the Aster Grounds, that was pretty much all they knew. She had never given her name or position, they only allowed her in as she had a sealed document of the Aster Grounds stating she was the protector they had sent out. As for the leader of the group, everyone unanimously assumed that it was Haorun. Had there been someone even stronger then him, by rules, he or she would've been declared leader. That was the reason the protectors were confused by this.

Was a person within this convey important enough to send such a strong warrior? Or was there something within the convoy that the Aster Grounds sought for?

If that were the case, something of value that would peak the interest of the Aster Grounds surely would also be worth just as much to their own powers. As this was the most probable case, the moment they stepped into the City of the New Moon, they would inform their respective powers immediately. Not only would they receive a reward, but even a promotion. This was because most of the powers that resided within the City of the New Moon were well balanced in power, so any opportunity to surpass the other would be immediately pounced on by them.

But for the time being, they would need to find the item in question. Though, this would prove to be a hard task, as their were many carts filled to the brim with herbs and plants, an item that that person had hid would most definitely be trying to find a needle in a haystack.

*Ching!*

They were awakened out of their day dreams as the mysterious woman sheathed her two long blades on the scabbards that hung from her waist.

As she turned around to face them, the mask she always wore held a new meaning of dominance. It was black in color, tangent with the dark cloak she always wore. Reflecting her personality, without saying a word, she calmly walked over to the protectors carriage, silently walking inside.

Haorun still remained on the floor in shock. He had been close to death many times before, so this encounter had not been much of a surprise to him. But who was she? He had come to the same conclusion as the others. Such a powerful warrior was hidden by the Aster Grounds among them?

He was very surprised with her power, as not even he was able to see the blade. Instead, he saw a white light so pure, it temporarily made him cease his bodily functions. It truly was hypnotizing, as he felt his body naturally relax, not wanting anything more than to lay on the floor and fall to rest.

It was a strange phenomenon that he had never experienced before. Such a power was unheard of in the City of the New Moon.

'Must this be a faction from one of the major cities posing as the Aster Grounds protector?'

Haorun had many question but no one to answer, he would have to dive deeper into this once they reach the City of the New Moon.

***

"What was that technique?"

Jilun exclaimed in surprise as he watched the whole ordeal play out before him. As he possessed untrained eyes, everything was a blur for him, happening instantaneously. He was surprised that such a small body had the power to exert such speed!

Jia looked at the events that unfolded without batting an eye. Instead, her attention remained focused on the figure who entered the protectors carriage.

'It's her'

Jia suddenly started laughing.

Jilun looked over to the hysterically laughing Jia. She truly never failed to confuse him, though this time he felt a great unease.

"What's so funny?"

She fell back onto the bed holding her stomach. After her short episode, she got up, sitting upright on the bed. Her moist eyes seemed almost delighted as her eye lashes fluttered. Jilun was surprised by the unusual behavior that Jia suddenly portrayed. It was very much unlike her, adding to the growing felling of unease he had.

"It wouldn't be normal otherwise." Jia suddenly spoke out.

Jilun stared at Jia in confusion. She abruptly brought her hand from above her head down around his waist. She hugged him tightly.

"It doesn't matter though, you'll always be mine."

Jiluns thought process jumbled up as he tried to make sense of her prior statements, but gave up. Jia had always said things that make her seem to speak out of period, having no concept or prompt that the random spouts of words follow. This made it incredibly difficult to comprehend and just made Jilun resort to tossing the words out the ear. There is no sense in making attempts to comprehend things that don't make sense.

Though, they all made sense.

***

After the corpse of the Hade Spider that covered the road was removed, the convoy continued its journey. The wooden wheels of the hauling carts would occasionally slip, causing the chain or carriages to shake with them. But once over the hazardous part of the passage, the convoy returned to full speed.

Inside the protectors carriage, the other protectors maintained a silent atmosphere as they decided their next plans.

"I wonder why the city didn't make you an official leader?"

One of the younger in the group spoke, taking enough of the silence that pervaded the room.

"And why does that concern you, Chen?"

Chen borrowed his eyes brows as he responded. Waving his hand in the air like he was swatting away flies.

"Aren't you a being unpaid for an E grade protection mission with your level? Why would you apply? I didn't know our ranks housed cultivators, or did the Aster Grounds plan this as a discreet way of showing of your power?"

The other experienced protectors nearly lost control of their laughter at the horrible evaluation of the circumstance. Even if the Aster Grounds wanted to show off its members, what right do you have to stop them? Multiple variations of the same thought ran through the groups heads as they started at the young protector.

"Indeed I am, would you care to share some of your pay?"

Chen frowned, but as he recalled the figure under the cloak she possessed, his smile lightened up.

"Maybe I'll consider if you give me a night after this job"

The cloaked girl looked disappointedly at the man before closing her eyes, hiding their distain.

"I never knew the Muran Palace would resort to recruiting such sex maniacs"

Chen laughed.

"You don't even know what sex is! I've done it with more women then years you've lived! It is only you who is missing out!"

Chen bursted out laughing, his chest sticking out with pride. The other protectors also felt this boy unruly, he would definitely be the first to die.

As Haorun waited for the chirping bird to stop laughing, he eyed the mask of the girl. He had also never heard of an expert that wore a mask such as the black one she wore. It had no identifiable feature that an expert would normally have, as that would earn them a name that people could easily find. The Blue Saint, or the Stained Reaper, such names were easy representations of identifiable features.

But an expert at her level wearing a plain mask anyone else could wear? He would of course find it unusual.

"Our Sun Order could provide you double of whatever the Aster Grounds is offering you."

Haorun finally spoke out. Though it may seem as he was speaking sugar coated words, the Sun Order possessed much more resources than the Aster Grounds, though they lack military process when compared to their counterpart.

"You are not even able to make such a decision"

Haorun frowned. Surely there wasn't anything that the Aster Grounds could offer that his Muran Palace couldn't? Unless... she was from one of the major powers!? That was probable but so unimaginable at the same time. The major powers abided by no laws, if they wanted too, the City of the New Moon could be flattened with their name.

Haorun again thought.

'Though maybe they do this to avoid the prying eyes of the other powers'

Still, he couldn't allow himself to make such a bold assumption. Of course, if he disrupted the plans of a major power, he and his whole family and related bloodline could fall. But if he intercepted a plan of local power of the City of the New Moon, he would get rewarded and most certainly elevated from his position. The benefits outweighed the cons in his opinion. Though right as he was about to speak, the girl spoke again.

"I feel no need to continue conversing, we were hired for protection and not recruitment."

Haorun nodded, backing off from convincing.

Although his face on the surface seemed calm and collected, he inwardly sneered.

'Little girl, you have no idea what powerhouses will do for treasures. You may be strong, but you must remember there are stronger.'

Haorun also felt saddened at the soon loss of a talent. Although he bared no guilt, talents such as this girls were indeed rare to come by.

'Enjoy your last few days well, girl'