/
The Fiend Temple’s Zuo Xinchan was killed by Lu Zhou. It was only natural that Ren Buping wanted to avenge Zuo Xinchan. However, Lu Zhou did not expect Ren Buping would work with the Righteous Sect for the sake of revenge.
The Noble and Fiend Paths had never worked together since time immemorial. After all, the Fiend Temple was not far behind in committing crimes compared to the Evil Sky Pavilion. Zuo Xinchan alone was ranked third on the blacklist.
The Fiend Temple had absorbed many smaller factions over the years and had become a force to reckon with. When their elite, whom they had gone through much trouble to train, died in the Evil Sky Pavilion’s hands, it was only natural that they felt discontented.
Lu Zhou said with no inflection in his tone, “Since they want to deal with me, I should just head to the Green Jade Altar directly.”
Upon hearing Lu Zhou’s words, Mingshi Yin said in a voice that lacked confidence, “Master, the Green Jade Altar is the Righteous Sect’s territory. I’m afraid…”
Lu Zhou glanced at Mingshi Yin and said, “Mingshi Yin.”
“Yes, master.” Minghshi Yin’s heart hammered against his ribcage. Having one’s full name spoken was not a pleasant feeling.
“Are you afraid?” Lu Zhou asked.
Many years ago, when Mingshi Yin had not entered the Nascent Divinity Tribulation realm, he had run into Zhang Qiuchu, an elite from the Righteous Sect, when he was roaming the lands and causing trouble. Mingshi Yin was defeated, and he had been traumatized by that incident since then. However, his trauma was not as severe as Yun Sect’s Hua Wudao’s trauma that created a knot in his heart and caused his cultivation base to stagnate.
“Why would I be afraid?” Mingshi Yin asked.
“That’s good, then.” Lu Zhou nodded indifferently.
Based on their perception in regard to cultivation, Mingshi Yin was, in fact, more talented than Duanmu Sheng. Duanmu Sheng had joined the pavilion much earlier than Mingshi Yin. However, Duanmu Sheng was currently not much stronger than Mingshi Yin. Mingshi Yin had too many distracting thoughts and his intentions were not pure, therefore, his avatar did not sprout any leaves yet ever since he entered the Nascent Divinity Tribulation realm. Although they were both in the Nascent Divinity Tribulation realm, if one’s avatar had no leaves, one was not regarded as a genuine cultivator in the Nascent Divinity Tribulation realm. With the addition of every leaf, a cultivator’s strength would improve dramatically.
“Junior Brother, this is a great opportunity. Your 20-feet avatar is truly embarrassing.” Duanmu Sheng patted Mingshi Yin’s shoulder.
Mingshi Yin seemed to wither instantly. He muttered, “That’s unfair…”
Little Yuan’er waved her fist and said, “Master, there’s also that Zhang Yuanshan! You should kill him! I can’t stand that man for cursing you every single day!”
Lu Zhou glanced at Little Yuan’er. He wanted to reprimand her, but when he recalled Zhang Yuanshan’s face, indeed, he found Zhang Yuanshan’s face despicable.
When Ji Tiandao’s battle with the 10 great elites ended in a draw, he had returned to the Evil Sky Pavilion, wounded. The second attack on Golden Court Mountain was led by Zhang Yuanshan. That person was extremely cunning! If Luo Changfeng, the Sect Master of Heavenly Sword Sect, was not so ostentatious, the one who had died would be Zhang Yuanshan. When Luo Changfeng died, Zhang Yuanshan was the first to flee. When the incident was blown over, he came out again and publicly slandered Ji Tiandao.
Lu Zhou was certain Zhang Yuanshan was somehow involved in this secret meeting at the Green Jade Altar. After a while, he turned his attention back to Ding Fanqiu. “Do you know who’s behind the destruction of Fish Dragon Village?”
Ding Fanqiu was puzzled. ‘Weren’t you the one who destroyed the village, old senior?’ This information was given to him by the Yun Sect. He had even sent someone to investigate the palace. In the end, he confirmed that the culprit of the Fish Dragon Village’s destruction was none other than the old man standing before him. Therefore, he was confused when he heard Lu Zhou’s question. He did not know how he should reply to Lu Zhou.
Lu Zhou said, “Do you think I’m the culprit as well?”
“I… I don’t dare!”
At this point, Lu Zhou knew there was nothing left to learn from Ding Fanqiu. It was apparent that Ding Fanqiu did not know who the mastermind of this plot was.
‘If they’re capable of keeping these things a secret for a decade, they must be very skilled. They’re definitely not ordinary people.’ After a while, Lu Zhou waved his hand and said, “Take him away.”
“Yes, master.” Mingshi Yin was the first to reply.
“What about them?” Little Yuan’er pointed at the two counterfeits who were lying limply on the ground. They were the two young men who had impersonated Mingshi Yin and Duanmu Sheng. When she pointed at them, they were once again frightened. They shrunk backward immediately.
Mingshi Yin’s lips curled upward as he said, “It’s alright to impersonate me, but it’ll be difficult for you to escape death after defaming my master!”
“So, do we kill them?” Little Yuan’er asked.
“Mhm, I agree to have them killed. Cut them in half, that’s the best way!” Duanmu Sheng chimed in with a nod.
“I don’t think that’s enough. Let’s cut them into eight pieces. Some elite cultivators are especially cunning. They’ll only die when you’ve cut them up thoroughly.”
“…” Ding Fanqiu was rendered speechless from the shock. ‘These are the real villains!’ After all these years, they had only been impersonating their appearances. They had failed to master the essence of these villains. Every word that came out from the devils’ mouths made them shudder in fear!
Ding Fanqiu’s expression was grim as he mustered up his courage to say, “Impersonating the Evil Sky Pavilion is my sin and mine alone. Please let them go, senior.”
Mingshi Yin said with a smile, “I see that you’re willing to own up to your actions. Alas… Even if my master spares them, do you think they can continue living? They’ve been afflicted by the witchcraft trap. Their cultivation bases will deteriorate sooner or later. This spell is very difficult to break, unless… you’re thinking of begging my master for help?”
“Uh…” Ding Fanqiu’s heart sank. There was no way he would be bold enough to beg this grand patriarch of the Fiend Path.
Lu Zhou did not concern himself with these two small fries. His fourth disciple, Mingshi Yin, was right. These two counterfeits would most likely die. He glanced at the sky. ‘It’s almost time…’
Lu Zhou was about to call out to Bi An when he saw a messenger bird flying toward him from the horizons.
Little Yuan’er recognized it right away. She raised her hand, and the messenger bird obediently placed a letter in her hand. She said, “Master, it’s a letter from that shameless guy again.
Lu Zhou, naturally, knew who Little Yuan’er was referring to when she said, ‘that shameless guy’. He said, “Read it.”
Little Yuan’er opened the letter and read aloud, “Old senior, you told me to investigate the Fish Dragon Village, but this will take time. However, I can provide you with the latest information; it’s best if you don’t go to the Green Jade Altar. The Evil King, your eighth disciple, is lying in wait outside the Green Jade Altar. Finally, how amazing is the sword that you promised me?”
After Little Yuan’er finished reading the letter, Mingshi Yin and Duanmu Sheng’s expressions turned sour.
“I think Old Eighth hasn’t had enough the last time! How dare he lie in wait to attack master with his cultivation base?”
“That master-deceiving, patriarch-destroying scum. I’ll head over there and skin him alive right now!”
Lu Zhou raised a hand, interrupting his two disciples’ tirade. He said calmly, “Old Eighth has always been one to bully the weak and fear the strong. With his abilities, I don’t think he’s bold enough to try and ambush me.”
Mingshi Yin asked in confusion, “Then, what’s he doing, lying in wait at the Green Jade Altar?”
“The Righteous Sect has always regarded itself as a member of the Noble Path. Although Old Eighth has left the Evil Sky Pavilion, the Noble Path won’t share the same opinion. The Nether Sect, the Crouching Dragon Darknet, and even Old Eighth’s Tiger Ridge Gang are their targets. I reckon Old Eighth is trying to get revenge with this opportunity.” Duanmu Sheng analyzed the matter confidently.
“You have a point, but… I still think that Old Eighth doesn’t have the balls for this. Seventh Junior Brother must be the one behind this,” Mingshi Yin said.
Lu Zhou stroked his beard and said, “How powerful is Old Eighth’s organization?”
Mingshi Yin nodded and said, “Old Eighth’s personal strength is nothing much to speak of, but he has a group of trusted subordinates who listens to him. They’re everywhere in the streets. The truly terrifying thing in this world aren’t cultivators with profound cultivation bases, but the hearts of the people. War is what is truly terrifying!”
This had been the case since ancient times. Although fights between cultivators resulted in casualties, the lives lost were a far cry from the pain that war brought to the civilians.
Little Yuan’er interjected, “Eighth Senior Brother is trying to start a war?”
Lu Zhou shook his head. He waved his arm and said, “All of you, come with me to the Green Jade Altar!”
“Yes, master!” Duanmu Sheng, Mingshi Yin, and Little Yuan’er answered in unison.