Chapter 219 Slender West Lake, A Person of the Evil Sky Pavilion
‘What’s that supposed to mean? I think I won’t be able to escape from this…’ Pan Litian raised his arms helplessly and gave Lu Zhou a thumbs-up. “The older, the wiser. I’ll admit defeat.’
Little Yuan’er was baffled by this.
Pan Litian coughed. It seemed like he had just remembered something as he looked up and said, “Will there be enough wine for me?”
“There’s more than enough wine for you.”
“Century-old wine?”
“Century-old wine.” “Good.”
Brewing wine was not a difficult task.
A few centuries ago, Ji Tiandao was someone who loved wine. He would order wine to be brewed every year. The older the wine, the tastier it was. Whether it was brewed from five crops, glutinous rice, or yeast, the best of brewing methods required time.
The Evil Sky Pavilion was in no short supply of century-old wine. Moreover, the stock could be replenished if needed.
Pan Litian’s reply made his stance clear. Lu Zhou nodded in satisfaction. He turned to face Little Yuan’er and asked, “Any word from your Fourth Senior Brother?”
Little Yuan’er pouted and said, “Master! Fourth Senior Brother hasn’t been back until now. I’m sure he’s having a lot of fun outside and has forgotten to come back! He should be harshly punished when he returns!”
“You talk too much.” Lu Zhou chided her softly.
It was good for Mings.h.i.+ Yin to investigate Si Wuya’s whereabouts. Moreover, Mings.h.i.+ Yin’s loyalty had always been stable. Lu Zhou was not worried Mings.h.i.+ Yin would do anything out of character. Mings.h.i.+ Yin was more cunning compared to the others. He had extremely good survival instincts and skills. He would have no problem fleeing from an elite.
Since Mings.h.i.+ Yin, Old Fourth, was not around, he could only get Duanmu Sheng and Hua Wudao to accompany him to Slender West Lake.
The Clarity Sect was currently hanging on its last thread and was putting up its last struggle. If they successfully escaped to Slender West Lake, they might have some means of survival.
In truth, Duanmu Sheng and Hua Wudao could have taken care of things. However, Lu Zhou’s thoughts did not end there. If the Nether Sect planned to hunt down the Clarity Sect and annihilate the elite, You Hongyi, Yu Zhenghai might make an appearance at Slender West Lake as well. This was a good opportunity for Lu Zhou. He had been saving the strengthened Binding Cage Cards for these rascals.
“Summon Elder Hua. Tell him we’re leaving for Slender West Lake,” Lu Zhou said apathetically.
“Yes, master.” Little Yuan’er had just turned to leave when a figure in black appeared like a phantom.
The person stood with a straight back and was shrouded in black.
“There’s no need for Elder Hua to go… I want to go.”
“Fan Xiuwen?” Little Yuan’er was stunned. She had always found this man eccentric. In fact, she was slightly fearful of him. If her master was not around to keep him in check, she would have stayed away from him.
Fan Xiuwen wore a simple and hideous mask that made his eyes seem more piercing and fierce. He stood straight with his hands resting on his back. Although he had not fully recovered his cultivation base, he had held a high position for a long time. Moreover, with his years of experience, he exuded an aura that others simply could not compare to.
Lu Zhou’s aura was the only one that could suppress Fan Xiuwen’s aura.
Fan Xiuwen shook his head and said, “Fan Xiuwen is dead. There’s only Leng Luo in this world.”
“Sure…” Little Yuan’er stuck her tongue out and stood obediently at the side.
When the name Leng Luo was mentioned, Pan Litian who was standing at the side widened his eyes. He looked at Leng Luo in disbelief as he exclaimed in shock, “You’re Leng Luo, the person who was on top of the blacklist 300 years ago?”
Leng Luo remained silent, neither denying nor confirming Pan Litian’s question. The mask hid his expression, but his stance seemed to say, ‘Old geezer, now you know who’s the brat…’
Pan Li Tian slowly rose to his feet. He swayed for a few moments before he finally steadied himself. He said, “Not bad, not bad.” His words sounded unnatural. It was hard to tell if his words were a compliment or an insult.
Leng Luo scoffed and said, “A junior who has eyes but does not see. I won’t hold it against
you.”
Little Yuan’er giggled and said, “He’s not young as well… He’s Pan Zhong’s grandfather, the first elite of Clarity Sect.”
‘The first elite of the Clarity Sect?’ Leng Luo raised his eyebrows slightly. He looked at the old beggar who had completely lost his cultivation base. Regardless if Pan Litian was truly Pan Zhong’s grandfather or not, the first elite of Clarity Sect was a cultivation genius who was renowned in the cultivation world. They were from the same generation. He clapped twice. “Pan Litian?”
This time, Pan Litian did not deny it. He appeared old and had a slightly hunched back. However, those things were unimportant. Based on the way he carried himself, it showed how glorious his earlier years were.
Tweedledum and Tweedledee. It was like the pot calling the kettle black. None of them were much younger than the other.
Lu Zhou said, “Leng Luo, you’re not completely healed yet. Your injuries are only 40% healed. Do you still want to go to Slender West Lake?”
On the contrary, Hua Wudao was in the pink of health. Moreover, an elite who specialized in tortoisesh.e.l.l technique could protect the cloud-splitting chariot if the occasion arose.
Although Leng Luo was powerful, he was severely injured. He would not be of much help on the trip. In fact, he might even be a burden.
“Please grant me permission to come along, Pavilion Master. Although I’m wounded, I can still defend myself,” Leng Luo said confidently.
‘Sure, you can defend yourself, but who’s going to defend me?’ Lu Zhou retorted inwardly with no changes in his expression. He maintained the air of an elite despite his inner thoughts. He asked, “You want to see Mo Qi?”
Leng Luo cupped his fists but did not answer.
Anyone with half a brain could tell what the relations.h.i.+p was between Mo Qi and Mo Li.
Leng Luo’s hatred for Mo Li was clear for everyone to see. This was only natural. After all, he was controlled like a puppet for so many years. Most people would find this difficult to accept. Moreover, he was Leng Luo whose name once shocked the lands.
Pan Litian chuckled and said, “I can only sit back and enjoy the show…” He had lost his cultivation base so he could only watch the battle unfold like a useless person.
When the sun was high up in the skies, they departed from the Evil Sky Pavilion.
Duanmu Sheng manned the helm of the cloud-splitting chariot.
The cloud-splitting chariot was slightly unstable and swaying. Occasionally, it would even pull some high-level stunts.
Little Yuan’er muttered under her breath, “Third Senior Brother, take… take it slow.”
The flying chariot rose and fell in the air.
Duanmu Sheng scratched his head awkwardly. “This… This is my first time. Please bear with me, junior sister.”
Leng Luo had to hold onto the chariot to support himself. He shook his head.
The cloud-splitting chariot gradually stabilized after a while.
“Thank you, Senior Leng.”
Lu Zhou turned to look at Leng Luo.
Leng Luo’s cultivation base was not completely restored after all, and yet, he was helping to maneuver the flying chariot while Duanmu Sheng manned the helm. It was for this reason that the cloud-splitting chariot gradually stabilized. Pan Litian did not mind this. He found a random corner and lay down. He smiled lazily and said, “I’ve never ridden in such a fancy flying chariot… This is nice, very nice…”
The cloud-splitting chariot flew past several mountains, rivers, and the boundless sea of clouds. A streak of light could be seen in its wake.
Lu Zhou glanced at Leng Luo again. He noticed that Leng Luo’s forehead was breaking out in sweat. He s.h.i.+fted his gaze to Duanmu Sheng and said, “Channel your Primal Qi steadily at a uniform pace… Don’t move the helm too much. Look straight ahead and adjust your rhythm.”
“Understood.” Duanmu Sheng’s comprehension ability was much weaker compared to Mings.h.i.+ Yin. Although the flying chariot had stabilized somewhat after Lu Zhou’s instructions, it was still not flying smoothly. Well, there was no forcing this matter. Some people were just not born for this.
Duanmu Sheng felt slightly embarra.s.sed throughout the journey. Under the watchful eyes of the few seniors, he could not help but feel nervous. He muttered under his breath, “Fourth Junior Brother, how I miss you so…”
Two hours later.
At the Slender West Lake in Slender West Park.
Mo Qi, the Sect Master of Clarity Sect, sat cross-legged on the ground. He looked extremely exhausted. The wrinkles on his face made him look old. Faint Primal Qi could be seen around him. After he circulated his Primal Qi for a moment, he finally opened his eyes. “Who’s it?”
A disciple appeared at the door. Mo Qi asked coldly, “Has Pan Zhong been captured?”
“That traitor, Pan Zhong, is too cunning. We’ve been tailing him for a long time, but we couldn’t catch him. On top of that, the Nether Sect is hot on our heels… We… We dare not recklessly search the area as well.”
A hint of rage flashed past Mo Qi’s face. “Yu Zhenghai… You insufferable bully!”
The Nether Sect’s appearance during the rebellion in Anyang City had foiled his plans. He had been caught off-guard now that Yu Zhenghai was attacking the Clarity Sect as well. The Seven Peaks of Clarity Sect were destroyed. Apart from him, the only people left of the sect were a dozen or so of his direct disciples.
“Stay your anger, Sect Master! Lady Mo Li has laid a Formation in Slender West Lake. No matter how powerful Yu Zhenghai is, he wouldn’t recklessly charge in here… Moreover, the Nether Sect is unaware that we’ve fled to this place,” the disciple said with a bow.
Mo Qi sighed and shook his head as he said, “Are there any letters from the palace?”
“Lady Mo Li has said that there would be a turning point soon. His Highness, the Second Prince, is like a fish in water inside the palace…”
“Good.” Mo Qi stood up slowly, enduring the pain from his injuries.
“Sect master, please be careful.” The disciple rushed up to support Mo Qi. “It’s fine.” Mo Qi shook his head. “If my internal organs weren’t injured by the grand sound technique in Anyang City, I wouldn’t be in this sorry state now.”
“Sect Master, you’re saying that Yu Zhenghai was lucky he had help from a powerful person?”
At that time, Mo Qi had been looking down at the battle in Anyang City. The grand technique, Scram, had pushed everyone away He had borne the brunt of the attack and was the most heavily injured out of everyone present at that time. It was unfortunate that he had to quickly flee before he could see the elite who was capable of unleas.h.i.+ng such a powerful sound technique.
Mo Qi walked to the park and looked at the surface of the lake. He felt much more at ease now.
“Sect Master, since Pan Zhong is now a member of the Evil Sky Pavilion, isn’t it inappropriate for us to capture him?”
Before Mo Qi could say anything, another disciple interjected, “The Evil Sky Pavilion’s first disciple, Yu Zhenghai, has killed countless of our men. We’re only capturing Pan Zhong, that’s far from enough! Moreover, Pan Zhong is a traitor from the Clarity Sect to begin with! He deserves to die!”
At this moment, more than ten Clarity Sect disciples rushed to the park.
“Sect Master, the people from the Nether Sect are here!”
True to their words, in the south of the sky above Slender West Park, the Nether Sect’s flying chariot was slowly approaching. The Nether Sect’s flag on top of the flying chariot fluttered in the wind. The First Seat of White Tiger Hall, Bai Yuqing, was standing on the flying chariot and looking down at the park. Soon after, his voice resounded in the park. “Those who are with me will prosper. Those who are against me will die! Mo Qi, surrender now!”
The soundwave from Bai Yuqing’s voice caused the surface of Slender West Lake to ripple.
Mo Qi said in a deep voice, “Ignore him. The Grand Beclouding Formation will keep the Nether Sect at bay.”
The disciples nodded.
Bai Yuqing said again, “Mo Qi, since the day the Clarity Sect turned into the Imperial court’s lackeys, you should’ve expected this outcome. If you surrender now, perhaps, our sect master will show you mercy and spare your life!”
When Mo Qi heard this, he replied, “Bai Yuqing, you’re nothing but Yu Zhenghai’s dog. The Nether Sect struck us while we’re weak, and yet, you have the gall to declare that you’ll take me down?”.
“A loser’s only redeeming quality is in his cheek! Even if the Emperor himself is here, you won’t be able to survive!” Bai Yuqing’s voice was laden with indignance.
Mo Qi did not reply to this. Instead, he looked at the remaining Clarity Sect’s disciples. “Is there any news from the Seven Clarity Sons?”
“In reply to your question, sect master, the seven Master Uncles and Elder You have yet to catch up to us. I’m afraid things don’t bode well…”
Mo Qi felt his chest tighten. He said through clenched teeth, “When will the reinforcements from the palace arrive?”
“We’ve sent word to the palace, but there’s no reply as of now.”
At this moment, one of the disciples mustered up his courage and said, “Sect master, although Yu Zhenghai is powerful, he has a weak point as well. Instead of waiting for our deaths, why don’t we…”
Mo Qi cut him off mid-sentence and coldly said, “You want to join the Evil Sky Pavilion?”
“I dare not!”
Another disciple said, “Do you think the Evil Sky Pavilion is capable of dealing with Yu Zhenghai? That traitor founded the Nether Sect turned it into the greatest cult under the heavens. If the old villain of the Evil Sky Pavilion is truly capable, he wouldn’t have allowed Yu Zhenghai to get to where he is now.”
The others sighed and shook their heads.
“Looks like we can only wait for the reinforcements from the palace… Even if we capture Pan Zhong, I don’t think the Evil Sky Pavilion places much value on him.”
At this moment, the Clarity Sect’s disciples noticed a strange sight.
On the southern side of the skies above the park, the cultivators who hovered above Slender West Lake were turning around and running away!
The others were puzzled by this.
“Sect Master, the Nether Sect is retreating!”
“That’s wonderful! You’re truly wise, sect master! Bai Yuqing is only using his position to bully others!”
“They seem afraid!”
Mo Qi frowned slightly. He looked at the flying chariot.
Bai Yuqing did not seem arrogant right now. Instead, he seemed to have transformed into another person. He scurried into the flying chariot and turned it around and fled southward!
“You old geezer, Mo Qi, pulling a stunt like this. I’ll admit defeat. Farewell!” A wise man knew when to advance and when to retreat. Under such circ.u.mstances, the wise thing to do was retreat. Bai Yuqing said as he gave the Slender West Lake a final glance,
“Run!”
“First Seat, what do you mean by run?” Bai Yuqing said, “Oh, I mean, depart!”
In just a blink of an eye, the cultivators of the Nether Sect vanished along with their flying chariot.
No matter how powerful the Grand Beclouding Formation was, it was immobile. Surely there was no need to fear it to this extent?
At this moment, one of the disciples pointed north and cried out, “Wait! What’s that?”
To the north of Slender West Lake, in the skies above the boundary between the forest and mountain, a meteor-like flying chariot was fast approaching. “The Evil Sky Pavilion?” Mo Qi’s chest tightened, an ominous feeling rose in his heart. He staggered backward. He looked miserable at this moment. No wonder the Nether Sect had turned tail and ran away. The Evil Sky Pavilion’s chariot was here!
“Sect master!”
When the cloud-splitting chariot was above Slender West Lake, it suddenly pitched forward before it slowly stabilized. It was moving very slowly at this moment.
“What does the Evil Sky Pavilion mean by this?”
“Is that a warning?”
Mo Qi gritted his teeth. He pressed a palm against his chest and said, “This is too much!”
Meanwhile, on the cloud-splitting chariot.
Duanmu Sheng gave the sorry-looking Pan Litian and Leng Luo a sheepish look and said, “I didn’t decelerate well enough. Sorry about that.”
Lu Zhou had his cultivation base so he was not affected. It was easy to maintain his balance with his Divine Court realm cultivation base.
“Master, Slender West Park is up ahead.”