Chapter 140: Long Time No See, Eighth Junior Brother
There were dozens of cultivators propping the flying chariot up on all sides. It seemed as though it was moving slowly, but in just a blink of an eye, it was already hovering above the Tiger Ridge.
A huge flag was raised on the flying chariot. The words on the flag read, ‘Nether Sect’. Under the words were the patterns of the Jasper Saber and the Dark Heaven Starlight.
Zhu Honggong who was napping was started away by his subordinates’ panicked cries.
“Gang Leader, an unidentified flying chariot is approaching the ridge!”
Zhu Honggong leaped to his feet immediately. He remembered his Seventh Senior Brother’s words. He wondered out loud, “Is the Righteous Sect here to seek revenge?”
“Gang Leader, if it’s really the Righteous Sect, I suggest that we… run away now.”
“Run away? Don’t be silly. I’m the great Evil King, why would I be afraid of the Righteous Sect?” Zhu Honggong sat back down. He appeared calm, however, his heart was in a mess.
“It’s said that Zhang Yuanshan, the Sect Master of the Righteous Sect, has a Seven-leaf Golden Lotus cultivation base!”
“He’s only a Seven-leaf… That’s nothing to me. However, we can consider your previous suggestion. Which is the fastest route for our escape?” Zhu Honggong asked.
“The back of the mountain.”
“Let’s go.” Zhu Honggong moved swiftly and decisively as he led his subordinates toward the back of the mountain.
However, when they exited their stronghold, four huge avatars descended upon them. The avatars covered the entire forest and the surrounding mountains. The colossal avatars and the golden lotuses under their feet were br.i.m.m.i.n.g with life. There were two Seven-leaf Golden Lotuses and two Six-leaf Golden Lotuses. They towered over everyone.
“Gang Leader! What’re you doing?!”
“Gang Leader, hold it! I didn’t bring an extra pair of pants!” Two of his subordinates quickly supported the trembling Zhu Honggong.
At this moment, a faint laughter could be heard somewhere above the four towering avatars.
“Long time no see, Eighth Junior Brother.”
Zhu Honggong was bewildered.
The ma.s.sive flying chariot stopped above the four avatars. A figure walked out from it, followed closely by four others. The five individuals were walking on air as though they were strolling in a park before they descended slowly.
The Tiger Ridge Gang’s members had never witnessed such a scene. Many of them had never even seen a Six-leaf expert their entire lives. And yet, four of these people suddenly appeared before them. How could they not be shocked and frightened?
“Eldest… Eldest Senior Brother?” Zhu Honggong hastily wiped the sweat from his face. He cleared his throat before he said to his subordinates, “Let me go. Look at all you, frightened just because of this.”
As soon as Zhu Honggong finished speaking, the four avatars vanished.
The five elites slowly landed before Zhu Honggong.
Yu Zhenghai, with his chiseled face and manly aura, stood before the other four. With his hands behind on his back, he said with a smile, “Eighth Junior Brother.”
“Eldest Senior Brother!”
Zhu Honggong smiled and said ingratiatingly, “It’s you! How nice of you to grace the Tiger Ridge Gang with your presence. I thought it was some scoundrel who came to seek death. I nearly unleashed all my strength to attack.”
“Forget it! Your skills might be able to scare others aways, but that’s all there is to it,” Yu Zhenghai said.
Zhu Honggong laughed before he said, “Eldest Senior Brother, you’re such a busy man. What brings you here?” Then, he looked left and right before he barked at his subordinate, “Stand down! Can’t you this person is my Eldest Senior Brother?”
“U-understood!” The subordinates said in unison.
Then, one of Zhu Honggong’s subordinates asked tentatively, “Uh… G-gang Leader, do you still want a change of pants?”
Bam!
Zhu Honggong instantly kicked his subordinate. Then, his expression turned solemn.
Yu Zhenghai did not answer his question. Instead, he looked at his four great protectors and instructed them, “Leave the box here. Return with the flying chariot.”
“Sect Master, aren’t you returning to Pingdu Mountain?”
“It’s been a long time since I’ve seen my Eighth Junior Brother, I’d like to reminisce with him for a bit. I’ll be staying in Tiger Ridge for a few days.” Yu Zhenghai said calmly, showing no disdain for this place.
“Understood.” The four great protectors placed the box on the ground and bowed slightly before they returned to the flying chariot.
Shortly after, the flying chariot left the Tiger Ridge and vanished from sight.
Yu Zhenghai pointed at the box beside him and said calmly, “A difficult task given by your Seventh Senior Brother…”
Zhu Honggong glanced at the mysterious box and said with a smile, “So, Seventh Senior Brother actually went to look for you, Eldest Senior Brother… If you ask me, this box shouldn’t be opened at all! Why should we open it? If we b.u.t.t heads and spill blood over its contents in the future, it’d be such a shame…”
“The content of the box doesn’t attract me. The only thing that attracts me under the heavens is the great rivers and mountains.” Yu Zhenghai did not enter the stronghold. Instead, he walked to the edge of the cliff and looked down. He liked this feeling of looking down. He could see the living beings below, and they appeared like insignificant insects in his eyes.
“Eldest Senior Brother… I’m not as ambitious as you are. All I want is just to live a good life,” Zhu Honggong said with a grin.
“Eighth Junior Brother, if this box contains a heaven-grade weapon, and it’s the kind of weapon that you like, what would you do?” Yu Zhenghai asked.
“A heaven-grade weapon?” Zhu Honggong’s eyes brightened. He scratched his head and walked up to the box. He appraised it from various angles. “Oh, so this box contains a heaven-grade weapon! Then, it should be opened! A heaven-grade weapon shouldn’t be sealed.”
“You’re just echoing Seventh Junior Brother’s words…” Yu Zhenghai said, “You should work harder in cultivating in your free time. Your current cultivation base is far from enough to handle a heaven-grade weapon. Only those in the Nascent Divinity Tribulation realm can wield a heaven-grade weapon.”
“Well, I understand what you’re trying to say, Eldest Senior Brother. However, the Nine Tribulations Thunderblast that master taught me only contains seven stages. With two stages missing, I think it’s commendable that I can even cultivate to my current level,” Zhu Honggong muttered.
Yu Zhenghai nodded and said, “Let’s put the Nine Tribulations Thunderblast aside for now. There are many cultivation tomes from various notable sects under the heavens. You can cultivate those in the meantime.”
“I’m not used to them. The tomes from the so-called notable sects give me a strange feeling after I tried cultivating them. They’re not suitable for me at all. I like this Nine Tribulations Thunderblast the most!” Zhu Honggong said pitifully.
Yu Zhenghai turned to face Zhu Honggong. “Forget it.” He sauntered toward the stronghold.
“Eldest Senior Brother, what about the box?”
Unfortunately, Yu Zhenghai ignored him.
Zhu Honggong waved his right hand, and the box flew toward him. He carried the box and ran after Yu Zhenghai.
Yu Zhenghai behaved as if he was in his own home. He sat on the throne.
“Eighth Junior Brother… Have you been doing Seventh Junior Brother’s bidding this whole time?”
“No way. We’re just helping each other out as brothers…” Zhu Honggong said.
“You’re an Evil Sky Pavilion’s disciple after all. This little stronghold isn’t befitting of the t.i.tle ‘Evil King’,” Yu Zhenghai said calmly.
“Eldest Senior Brother, this isn’t what I want either. I live my days in fear. I ran into master near the Green Jade Altar the other day. If I weren’t quick-witted, I don’t think we’ll be able to meet today, Eldest Senior Brother,” Zhu Honggong said.
“Master is advanced in age, why would he be at the Green Jade Altar?”
“How would I know?”
“The Green Jade Altar is the Righteous Sect’s territory. Weren’t you afraid that Zhang Yuanshan might kill you?” Yu Zhenghai said with a smile.
“Me, afraid of him?”
The moment Zhu Honggong spoke, one of his subordinates ran into the stronghold and said, “G-gang Leader, tt-there’s another flying chariot approaching the ridge. This one is smaller than the previous one. It looks like it’s from the Righteous Sect!”
Zhu Honggong was stunned, and he nearly lost his footing.
Yu Zhenghai spoke slowly, “Old Eighth, show me how much you’ve improved over the years. I won’t interfere.”
“…” Zhu Honggong wanted to cry. ‘Big Senior Brother, if you weren’t here, I would’ve run away. What should I do now?’