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Lu Zhou felt like he had overestimated the dignity of a divine emperor at this moment. Looking at Shang Zhang’s sincere and solemn expression, he asked, “Just so you can look at her?”
Shang Zhang replied, “Yes. I’ve missed out on so much. If I can just watch from afar, I’ll be satisfied. Moreover, Xuanyi Palace isn’t very safe.”
“Hmm?” Lu Zhou was curious.
“I’m not doubting your strength, but fierce beasts have been mysteriously and frequently appearing in Xuanyi Palace over the past 100 years. Those two girls really like running around,” Shang Zhang said.
To put it bluntly, Shang Zhang only wanted to become his daughter’s super bodyguard. How could Lu Zhou not understand his intention?
“I can agree to your request, but you have to follow the rules. Conch doesn’t hate you, but she doesn’t want to see you,” Lu Zhou said.
A joyful expression appeared on Shang Zhang’s face as he hastily said, “Of course, I
 I’ll definitely be a good attendant!”
As Shang Zhang spoke, his appearance began to distort again, and he regained his previous appearance. With his cultivation, changing his appearance was as easy as a stroll through the park. He looked much more energetic now that his goal had been achieved.
At this moment, Little Yuan’er and Conch suddenly ran over. In front of Lu Zhou, the duo was not as well-behaved as his other disciples. They pushed the door open and entered the hall.
Little Yuan’er’s eyesight was very keen. When she saw the attendant sitting cross-legged in front of Lu Zhou, she could not help but get angry. She stepped forward and said, “Hey, hey, hey, who told you to sit in front of my master?”
The attendant raised his head to look at Little Yuan’er and Conch, dumbfounded.
‘Is this how you repay me after I treated you sincerely over the past 100 years?!’
However, when Shang Zhang saw Conch, he became listless again. In order to maintain his character, he hurriedly rose to his feet and said apologetically, “I, I’ve admired the old sir for a long time so I wanted to ask him questions about cultivation. I apologize for making a fool out of myself.”
“There are many people who want to seek advice from my master. Hurry up and leave,” Little Yuan’er said. She had a terrible impression of this attendant.
Lu Zhou asked, puzzled, “Why did you come back?”
Little Yuan’er pointed outside and said, “Master, Emperor Xuanyi has led a large number of Dark Guards to the southeastern region. He said there’s a Saint slayer and other fierce beasts that are disturbing the balance of Xuanyi Palace.”
“Saint slayer?” Lu Zhou asked.
“As expected
” Shang Zhang said with a frown.
“Huh? What did you say?” Little Yuan’er turned around and asked in confusion.
“Oh, I was just talking to myself
” Shang Zhang said as he lowered his head, “Emperor Xuanyi usually cultivates in seclusion and recently became a divine emperor. He doesn’t have a deep understanding of the imbalance. The imbalance has continued to worsen. The nine domains and the Unknown Land are teeming with fierce beasts. There are some divine beasts and Saint slayers that took the opportunity to sneak into the Great Void to avoid the disastrous effect of the imbalance. There are already so many vicious Saint slayers in the Great Void, to begin with. Their appearance will affect the balance in the Great Void. Emperor Xuanyi must be trying to get rid of the Saint slayer now that a chance has presented itself.”
Lu Zhou nodded. “Do you know what kind of vicious Saint slayers or divine beasts they are?”
There were strong and weak Saint slayers, after all. Divine emperors could deal with them, but the Dark Guards definitely would not be able to deal with the stronger Saint slayers.
Shang Zhang shook his head and said, “I don’t know. However, apart from Xuanyi Palace, I’m sure the other halls will also send people to get rid of the fierce beasts and Saint slayers.”
Little Yuan’er asked curiously, “Why? Aren’t the ten halls competing with one another? If it were me, I’d just stand aside and gloat.”
Shang Zhang, now an attendant, said with an unnatural expression on his face, “I think that Shang Zhang Hall will send people. Emperor Shang Zhang is the only divine emperor in the ten halls. He’s noble and magnanimous. I think he won’t stand aside and do nothing.”
Lu Zhou almost spat out tea in his mouth when he heard this. ‘You’re really great!
Little Yuan’er was displeased upon hearing this. She said, “Is there something wrong with you? You know I hate that old man, and yet, you’re still praising him?”
Shang Zhang calmly replied, “Miss, I think you have a deep misunderstanding about him.”
“I didn’t misunderstand him at all! If you praise him again, do you believe I’ll tear your mouth apart?” Little Yuan’er said, baring her fangs to look fierce.
Shang Zhang, the attendant, could only nod. “You’re right, Miss. Emperor Shang Zhang is a bast*rd!”
Little Yuan’er said, appeased, “That’s more like it!”
At this moment, Lu Zhou said, “Conch, you came at the right time. I have two things for you.”
Upon hearing this, the eyes of Shang Zhang, the attendant, lit up with gratitude.
Conch walked over and bowed. She asked curiously, “What is it, master?”
Lu Zhou waved his sleeve.
The rectangular brocade box behind flipped open, revealing the Ten-Stringed Zither. It flew out and hovered half a foot in front of Conch, emitting a mysterious and profound aura. Even without Primal Qi, it was still outstanding.
“It’s called a Ten-Stringed Zither. I’ll give this to you. Since you’re gifted with music, this is most suitable for you,” Lu Zhou said. In his opinion, it did not matter who the things were from as long as it was beneficial. However, he knew Conch might not be able to overcome her psychological barrier so he did not plan to tell her.
“Master, you also have the Ten-Stringed Zither?” Conch asked, puzzled.
“Hm? Who else has it?” Lu Zhou asked.
Little Yuan’er muttered, “Who else could it be? That old geezer, Shang Zhang, said he wanted to give junior sister a Ten-Stringed Zither, but I didn’t see it. In any case, she said likes the Nine-Stringed Zither
”
“This Ten-Stringed Zither was obtained from an ancient ruin,” Lu Zhou said.
Little Yuan’er lowered her head and observed the Ten-Stringed Zither. She could not help but feel a little envious as she said, “The Ten-Stringed Zither given by master has to be the best. Fortunately, you didn’t accept the zither from that old bones, Shang Zhang. It’s highly likely that it was a fake made to fool Junior Sister Conch.”
Conch nodded, revealing a happy expression. She said, “This Ten-Stringed Zither is so beautiful.”
As Conch spoke, her jade-like fingers danced across the zither.
The melody was the tide; it was graceful and melodious. When it spread out, it made people feel calm and relaxed.
Lu Zhou nodded and asked, “Do you like it?”
“Yes, I like it!” Conch replied.
“I have a set of music scores here. I came up with it 70 years ago,” Lu Zhou said as he tossed a piece of paper over to Conch.
Conch took a look and said excitedly, “The Returning Ballad?”
Outside, white birds flew around the setting sun near the mountain.
Conch felt that The Returning Ballad matched her emotions and thoughts when she returned to her master’s side.
Everything in the world had a beginning and an end, separation and meeting, and departure and return.
After a moment, Lu Zhou took the divine secret stone out from the second compartment of the box and said, “This is called the divine secret stone. Your cultivation is lagging behind so you can refine the power in this stone.”
Little Yuan’er grew even more envious when she heard this. She could not help but say, “Master, I want one too!”
Lu Zhou said, “There’s only one divine secret stone. You’re the senior sister, and your talent is far higher than Conch’s. You should let her have it.”
“Oh.” Little Yuan’er pouted and nodded obediently.
Conch said, “Ninth Senior Sister, if you like it, I’ll give it to you.”
Then, Conch handed the divine secret stone to Little Yuan’er.
Little Yuan’er waved her hand and said, “No, it’s for you.”
“I already have the zither,” Conch said.
“I can’t take your things.” Little Yuan’er resolutely refused Conch.
At this moment, Shang Zhang, the attendant, coughed violently again.
Little Yuan’er turned around and asked suspiciously, “Do you have a problem?”
“N-no, no, no problem
 I’m just puzzled,” Shang Zhang, the attendant, said.
“What are you puzzled about? What does this have to do with you? How annoying!” Little Yuan’er said.
The attendant muttered, “I just wonder why the old sir is so biased
” His voice grew smaller and smaller as he continued to say, “I just think the old sir should be fair
”
Lu Zhou frowned. ‘Is he trying to make a fool out of me?’
Lu Zhou said, “Let Conch have the divine secret stone. I heard that there are better things in Shang Zhang Hall. I’ll look for two treasures for you.”
In fact, Little Yuan’er did not have any strange thoughts about her master giving Conch two items. She was just envious. Nonetheless, she was still delighted by her master’s words. “Really?!”
“Thank you, master!” Little Yuan’er was overjoyed.
Shang Zhang, the attendant: “
”
At this moment, Li Chun appeared outside the Dao hall. “Li Chun is here to seek an audience with Pavilion Master Lu.”
“His Majesty found a Saint slayer in the southeastern region of Xuanyi Palace. Pavilion Master Lu, please join hands with His Majesty to take it down,” Li Chun said.