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Shortly after, Si Wuya left the back of the mountain with a Derived Moon Palace’s female disciple and made his way to the eastern pavilion. During the journey, he looked at the female cultivator and asked, “Where’s your palace master now?”
The female cultivator hastily bowed and said, “Mister Seventh… there is no palace master or the Derived Moon Palace in the Evil Sky Pavilion. Miss Sixth has been banished by the pavilion master a long time ago and hasn’t been heard of since. The last we heard of her was when she killed the Five Mice of Upper Prime City and sent the zen tunic here. After that, we’ve not heard from her.”
“Haven’t been heard from her since?” Si Wuya stopped in his tracks. As he recalled the information he received before this, he discovered he had arrived outside the eastern pavilion. He wanted to ask about the Evil Sky Pavilion’s recent situation but since he was already outside the eastern pavilion, he could only push that question aside for now.
The female cultivator bowed and said, “I’ll take my leave.”
Si Wuya surveyed the surroundings of the eastern pavilion. It had been a long time, but nothing seemed to have changed. It seemed that he was the only one who had changed. He had grown up, no longer the little boy he was before. His master was also no longer the master he knew from before.
Si Wuya entered before he came to half outside Lu Zhou’s room. He bowed. “Greetings, master.”
There was no reply from the room.
Swoosh!
The door was opened by a blast of energy.
SI Wuya understood what this meant. He entered the room. Once inside, he found himself in a spacious and comfortable hall with a scenic view of the mountains. There was a small desk in the center of the hall. An incense burner with no incense at the moment was placed on the table. He saw the Four Treasures of the Study, a bookshelf, and a calligraphy work on the wall…
“Out of the sea, the bright moon rises. Though miles apart, the same moment is shared.” For some unknown reason, Si Wuya felt his heart race when he read this poem. Clever as he was, he, naturally, knew what it meant. He was shocked but did not dare to say anything. He gulped as he looked at Lu Zhou who was sitting cross-legged with his eyes closed. After a moment of silence, he called out, “Master.”
Lu Zhou opened his eyes slowly. His gaze fell on Si Wuya as he said, “Aren’t you ashamed to call me master?”
“…” Si Wuya felt apprehensive. He was starting to feel nervous. After giving it some thought, he chose to kneel obediently.
Lu Zhou asked with an apathetic expression, “Tell me… why did you leave the Evil Sky Pavilion?”
Si Wuya replied solemnly, “I can only realize my true potential outside of the Evil Sky Pavilion.”
“With that ingenuity of yours?” Lu Zhou asked.
“…” Si Wuya said, “I think that I can.”
“You think?”
Si Wuya said, “Now that the nine provinces of Great Yan are in chaos… All I need is more time to make them fall completely. The Imperial family will surely be in disarray. Even the Ten Terminal Formation will be of no use to the Divine Capital when the time comes. With the nine provinces surrounding it, the Divine Capital will be isolated and without help. Its defeat is only a matter of time! One year… One more year is all I need!”
Whoosh!
Lu Zhou suddenly launched a palm seal!
Smack!
It struck Si Wuya across the face.
“Ding! Punished Si Wuya. Reward: 200 merit points.”
This was a rascal who should have been properly educated.
Si Wuya was cut short by this sudden slap.
Lu Zhou snorted and said, “You overestimate yourself. When I made an acquaintance out of Emperor Yong Shou, you were still in your mother’s womb! Do you think the Divine Capital is all Yong Qing has?”
SI Wuya looked up to meet Lu Zhou’s gaze and said, “With Eldest Senior Brother, I know all about the weaknesses of the Eight-leaf stage… Whether it’s the eight chiefs or the Imperial guards, they can’t leave the Divine Capital.”
“So you think you understand the Imperial family?” Lu Zhou asked.
Si Wuya’s voice was softer now as he said, “After I left the Evil Sky Pavilion, I entered the palace, and with a stroke of luck, I became a grand tutor.”
Lu Zhou said mercilessly, “That’s not all. You left such a good impression on Yong Ning so that you use her to obtain information in the palace.”
“I did not use her!” Si Wuya said vehemently.
Lu Zhou regarded Si Wuya silently. ‘Didn’t you? Surely, you know the answer to that.’
Such was the nature of man. The more one spoke, the harder the other party would deny and refute it. It was better to disengage and not debate the matter.
Si Wuya fell silent.
After some time, Lu Zhou stroked his beard and said, “You knew what happened with Yu Shangrong. I won’t recount it to you again.”
When Si Wuya heard the name, his heart skipped a beat.
“Where’s my memory crystal now?” Lu Zhou continued to ask.
Si Wuya had expected this question. With wide eyes, he hastily shook his head and said, “I don’t know.”
“So Old Second lied to me?”
“Uh…”
“You won’t tell me?” Lu Zhou rose to his feet. He placed his hands on his back as he stared down at Si Wuya.
Lu Zhou’s aura pressed down on Si Wuya, making it difficult for him to breathe. He said, “Master… believe me. You were the one who sealed the crystal. You didn’t want anyone to find out about it. You don’t even want to know about it yourself. Why would you look for it again when you went through so much trouble to seal it?”
“I’ve changed my mind,” Lu Zhou said.
“That’s because you don’t have your memories. If… If you find it and restore your memories, you’ll… you’ll definitely regret it. Moreover…” Si Wuya paused briefly before he gritted his teeth and soldiered on. “Moreover, you should remain on the mountain and spend the next few years peacefully. I promise to be filial to you…” After that, he kowtowed.
“You’re saying that my judgments are incorrect, and seeing that I’m going to die soon anyway, I should… let all of you do whatever you want?” Lu Zhou asked.
Si Wuya was taken aback. However, he quickly replied, “If that’s the way you wish to interpret my words, master, then, so be it!”
“Impudent!” Lu Zhou waved his sleeve.
An energy seal struck Si Wuya, and he reeled back before crashing through the door.
Boom!
Si Wuya landed in the eastern pavilion’s hall.
Lu Zhou waved his sleeve again. Another palm seal sailed in the air.
Bam!
Si Wuya fell down the stairs.
Lu Zhou was in no mood to entertain the system rewards he earned from punishing Si Wuya. He felt his emotions stirring; it was something very close to rage. After striking a few times, he finally stopped.
He suddenly wondered… Did Ji Tiandao’s memories affect him, or did he successfully assimilate with Ji Tiandao? Lu Zhou was still Lu Zhou, but Ji Tiandao was no longer the Ji Tiandao of old.
Lu Zhou had no choice. He was already in this position. He had to establish a new path for himself.
After a moment, Lu Zhou walked to the edge of the steps with his hands on his back. He looked down at Si Wuya from above. “You’re an unfilial rascal!”
Si Wuya grunted and spat out a mouthful of blood. He did not defend himself and he did not speak. He only supported himself and adjusted his posture, kneeling on the ground. Lu Zhou was his master no matter what. Even if one had justified reasons, it was still not acceptable to curse at one’s master.