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Chapter 193: She’s Not a Child Anymore
Lu Zhou was speechless. Kneeling must have been ingrained into Zhou Jifeng that it had turned into a reflex. He must have been bullied all the time. He said in a slightly displeased tone, “Yuan’er, on your knees.”
Little Yuan’er shuddered and kneeled.
Zhou Jifeng blushed from embarrassment when he realized what had happened. He quickly shuffled to the side on his knees.
Lu Zhou chided, “Now that you’re 16 and is coming of age, you’re no longer a child. How can you treat your seniors with such disrespect?”
Little Yuan’er pouted.
Teaching another person had always been a great problem since ancient times. Jia Tiandao had neglected this. Perhaps, he had his reasons for taking in all these rascals. However, Lu Zhou would not allow himself to repeat Ji Tiandao’s mistakes. He said sternly, “Apologize.”
Little Yuan’er turned around obediently and said, “I’m sorry, senior brother…”
Duanmu Sheng merely waved his hand and said, “It’s alright. I wasn’t hurt anyway. It’s one of my duties to instruct you, little junior sister.”
An unnatural expression could be seen on Zhu Honggong’s, Old Eighth, face, as he said, “Master, little junior sister wasn’t harsh…”
Mingshi Yin turned to glare at him.
Zhu Honggong immediately clamped his hands over his mouth… Did his words not contradict his master’s words?
Lu Zhou did not mind this. After all, it was good for Little Yuan’er’s seniors to teach her and look after her.
After she apologized, Lu Zhou said again, “Your punishment is to copy the Great Purity Jade Slip 200 times and face the wall inside the Cave of Reflection for three days…”
“…”
The others were shocked.
‘Master is going all out.’
‘He has never punished little junior sister before.”
‘What’s gotten into him today?’
Little Yuan’er was taken aback as well. She was akin to a child who had never received a beating all her life and was suddenly dealt a heavy punishment. It was only natural for her to feel aggrieved. However, she replied obediently, “I… accept the punishment.” She rose to her feet and left the great hall for the south pavilion.
Lu Zhou looked up and saw everyone’s unnatural expressions. He asked, “Any problems?”
“Master, little junior sister is still young…”
“She’s not a child anymore.” Lu Zhou raised a hand and cut Mingshi Yin’s words short.
A 16-year-old could no longer be considered a child no matter which era they were in.
When the others saw that Lu Zhou had made up his mind, they no longer dared to plead for Little Yuan’er.
Lu Zhou swept his gaze across them and asked, “Where’s Elder Hua?”
“I’ll go and get him.” Mingshi Yin fled the hall. He intended to discuss their celebration plans for Little Yuan’er. By the looks of things, he decided to forget about it.
A short while later, Mingshi Yin and Hua Wudao arrived in the great hall.
Hua Wudao bowed at Lu Zhou and asked, “What is it that you’ve summoned me for, Pavilion Master?”
Lu Zhou casually waved his hand and the Sky Fragment appeared. “Do you recognize this?”
“A Sky Fragment?” Hua Wudao said with a smile, “This is yours, to begin with, Pavilion Master… It’s said that the Evil Sky Pavilion’s barrier had gone down one day, and it was stolen by the Pickpocket Sect’s Yanzi Yunsan. However, I have no idea if that’s true or not.” A curious expression could be seen on his face. He clearly wanted to verify this with Lu Zhou. It was also clear that he found it amusing that a petty thief had stolen something from the great Evil Sky Pavilion.
Lu Zhou said honestly, “I’ve never cared about it and have tossed it away without much thought. It’s only natural that it was stolen.
“…” Hua Wudao opened his mouth but chose to shut it in the end.
Treasures that everyone else raced to obtain were just trash that he tossed away without a second thought. Perhaps, the Master of the Evil Sky Pavilion Master was the only one who could talk like this.
“Why are you asking about this, Pavilion Master?” Hua Wudao was curious.
“I’m looking for them.”
“…”
‘Why is he looking for something he had tossed away?’ Hua Wudao, naturally, did not dare to verbalize his thought. Instead, he said, “It’s said that there are eight Sky Fragments. I’m not entirely sure where they are right now. I’m afraid that it’ll be difficult to look for them.”
Lu Zhou nodded. He was not surprised. It was normal for Hua Wudao to not know about this.
“Rather than fishing for a needle in the ocean, it may be quicker to locate the thief who stole them in the first place.”
“Yanzi Yunsan?”
“That’s right. The Sky Fragments are precious items in the outside world. They wouldn’t have disappeared without good reason,” Hua Wudao said, “However… The Pickpocket Sect has vanished from the cultivation world. It won’t be easy trying to locate Yanzi Yunsan.”
After pondering about it for a while, Lu Zhou said, “Mingshi Yin…”
“Yes, master.”
“Old Seventh’s information network is everywhere. Tell him to find Yunsan,” Lu Zhou said.
“Uh…” Mingshi Yin felt slightly nervous. Si Wuya, Old Seventh, had left the Evil Sky Pavilion. On all accounts, he was also a traitor. Was it not inappropriate to solicit a traitor’s help?
“Master… What if Old Seventh refuses to help?”
“He’s an intelligent person.”
“The problem is… I can’t even find him.” Mingshi Yin scratched his head.
Zhu Honggong raised his hand, “I know…”
“…”
“Seventh Senior Brother’s Darknet is spread out in all corners of Great Yan… They have a base in Anyang as well,” Zhu Honggong said.
Si Wuya was a cunning person. There was no need to ask, the others knew he only told Zhu Honggong about one of the bases.
Mingshi Yin said, “I’ll send a letter now.” Then, he turned to Zhu Honggong and said, “Old Eighth, what are you standing around for?”
Hua Wudao smiled brightly and said, “I heard that the Evil Sky Pavilion’s seventh disciple is treacherous and cunn… resourceful. Looks like the rumors are true. If Mingshi Yin can’t find him, no one can.”
“Indeed, Old Seventh is cunning,” Lu Zhou said with a nod.
“I’ve always been curious… Based on my recent observations, you aren’t someone who would commit all kinds of evils, Pavilion Master, contrary to the rumors. Although there are certain things that I don’t agree with, I’d still support them wholeheartedly with a clear conscience. Why did you drive your disciples out of the Evil Sky Pavilion in the first place?” Hua Wudao asked.
Lu Zhou’s expression was calm.
As soon as Hua Wudao finished speaking, the others shifted their attention to Lu Zhou as well.
Duanmu Sheng and Zhao Yue looked especially eager to hear the answer.
“Elder Hua, you’re exceptionally talkative today,” Lu Zhou commented.
Hua Wudao noticed that he had overstepped his bounds. He hastily cupped his fists and stepped back.
When Lu Zhou saw that Hua Wudao had left the great hall, he said, “Send word to Jiang Aijian… Tell him to investigate Yunsan’s whereabouts.”
“Master… There’s a letter from Jiang Aijian.”
Mingshi Yin and Zhu Honggong returned.
Lu Zhou was suspicious. ‘How does that fellow manage to appear at the right time, every time?’
“Read it.”
Mingshi Yin unfolded the letter and read, “Old Senior Ji, I’ve missed you since we last parted. I’m impressed by your methods of stealing a rafter and replacing it with a column. I can’t help but applaud what you’ve done…”
Pa! Pa! Pa!
Mingshi Yin held the letter with one hand and clapped with his other hand.
The others looked at him as though he was a fool.
‘It’s one thing to read it, what gave you the courage to actually clap your hands?’
Lu Zhou did not mind this. Instead, he said, “Continue.”
“Three days ago, Wei Zhuoyan was ordered to quell the disturbance in Anyang. Mo Li and Consort Yi want to meddle in this affair using their influence… The stars are lining up, and there are many things that cannot be conveyed through writing. I wish to meet you… Looking forward to your reply.”
When he finished reading, Mingshi Yin said, “This Jiang Aijian thinks too highly of himself… Master isn’t someone he can meet just because he wants to.”