Chapter 358 Destined to be Alone
Zhou Jifeng noticed Hua Yuexing’s reaction and looked at her. “What’s wrong?”
Hua Yuexing said, “It’s nothing… I… I’m alright…”
There were only so many people inside the great hall. Everyone’s movements could be clearly seen. It was impossible for Lu Zhou to miss the change in Hua Yuexing’s expression.
“The names on this list belong to the people who bear ill intentions toward the Evil Sky Pavilion… There are many sects on the n.o.ble Path, but have you ever wondered why they’re the only ones on the kill list?” Lu Zhou asked. Initially, he did not plan to explain his reasons to these people. However, the current Evil Sky Pavilion was different from the past. There were others who came from other sects after all.
Before Lu Zhou began to explain, Pan Zhong interjected, “The names that Pavilion Master and Mister Second wrote down deserve to die. When they attacked Evil Sky Pavilion back then, they should’ve expected this day to come.”
The others nodded.
“Hua Yuexing.” Lu Zhou looked at Hua Yuexing. Hua Yuexing immediately bowed and said, “Pavilion Master.”
“Shan Yunzheng is Luo Sect’s Second Elder… Do you have a problem with me killing him?” Lu Zhou asked. He noticed that when Shan Yunzheng’s name was mentioned, Hua Yuexing did not seem to be in a good mood.
Hua Yuexing said, “I don’t dare to have an opinion on someone Mister Second intends to kill. I’m just a little emotional.”
“Hm?”
“Shan Yunzheng was my master… However, when I left the Yun Sect, I’ve severed all ties with her…” Hua Yuexing explained.
The others nodded in understanding. No wonder she had reacted so strongly when she heard the name. It was only natural. After all, even if she had become cold-blooded, it would be difficult for her to remain indifferent to her former master.
Lu Zhou stroked his beard and nodded, “Shan Yunzheng?”
Hua Yuexing nodded and said, “That’s right.”
Lu Zhou looked at Yu Shangrong. After all, Yu Shangrong was the one who added the name.
Yu Shangrong said, “In that case, I’ll leave her for last… If she’s willing to repent before her time, I’ll spare her.” His words were directed to Hua Yuexing. Hua Yuexing said, “Thank you, Pavilion Master. Thank you, Mister Second.” At the end of the day, her master had taught her everything she knew. It could be considered as her fulfilling her obligations by doing this. Lu Zhou had no objections since he did not have much of an impression of this Shan Yunzheng character. There were many elites from the ten great sects who laid siege to Golden Court Mountain. Aside from the ten great elites, he could only remember a handful of the other names. After all, with his status, it’s impossible for him to notice and remember every Tom, d.i.c.k, or Harry.
With no more objections, Yu Shangrong put the list away. Then, he said, “Please tell me about the second mission, master.”
Lu Zhou waved his hand again. Another paper flew from the table.
Yu Shangrong caught the paper and looked at it. It was filled with wriggly scripts and symbols. He could not understand it.
Little Yuan’er stood on her tiptoes and hopped before she finally saw the symbols on the paper. She was baffled.
Lu Zhou said, “For the second mission, head to Brackish Mountain and find a book with these symbols.
Yu Shangrong looked at the paper again as a question formed in his mind. Brackish Mountain was his hometown. He did not know what these mind-boggling symbols meant. However, he guessed that his master was trying to be considerate by sending him to Brackish Mountain. Now that he thought about it, he had, indeed, been away from his hometown for a long time. The second iron rule of the Evil Sky Pavilion was for those who joined the pavilion to sever all ties to the past. He could not possibly reject this kind offer from his master. In the end, he said, “As you wish, master… However, it’s not easy to locate all the elites of the ten great sects. This mission will take some time.”
“Do what you must,” Lu Zhou said.
Not only did Yu Shangrong have to locate them, but he had to kill them as well. There were cultivators who were extremely afraid of death so they would hide themselves behind barriers and Formations. It would take a lot of effort to locate them. For this reason, although Yu Shangrong had a profound cultivation base, it was not a mission he could complete overnight. In the end, he said, “Yes, master!”
Then, Lu Zhou lowered his head to Yu Shangrong’s ear and said in a soft voice, “If you run into a powerful opponent, you can just avoid them and leave them to me.”
There were all sorts of surprises in the world. Lu Zhou knew Yu Shangrong should not look down on everyone just because he was an Eight-leaf elite.
Yu Shangrong was initially stunned. Then, he nodded. He turned around and left the Evil Sky Pavilion’s great hall.
The others looked on as he left. They were filled with emotion. Yu Shangrong had just returned to the Evil Sky Pavilion, but he was already given such important missions. Could he successfully complete the missions he was given? Moreover, Lu Zhou had given him the liberty to act as he saw fit.
Yu Shangrong liked missions like these as well… He could travel alone and challenge elites from other parts of the world while he went about completing his missions. This mission, in a way, allowed him to return to his original lifestyle.
After two days, Yu Shangrong left the Evil Sky Pavilion.
The missions were entrusted to Yu Shangrong because he was the best person for the job. This was also the kind of a.s.signment that would put his abilities to use.
Lu Zhou considered asking Yu Shangrong to capture Si Wuya, Old Seventh, as well. However, Si Wuya was certainly with Yu Zhenghai. Yu Zhenghai and Yu Shangrong were evenly matched. It was practically impossible to bring Si Wuya back. Moreover, the Nether Sect had many branches spread across the lands. It was difficult to locate Yu Zhenghai as well.
Meanwhile, the news of Jiang Aijian’s death spread throughout the cultivation world.
Great Yan’s imperial family was surprised by this as well.
During the morning a.s.sembly. The court officials had a heated debate over this matter. However, the matter was put on hold when the evergreen Emperor did not show up at the imperial court for several days.
Seven days later, there was a disturbance in Yi Province.
The Imperial court and Imperial family had no choice but to s.h.i.+ft their attention to Yi Province. n.o.body brought the matter of the Second Prince, Liu Huan, up.
Inside the study of the Evergreen Palace.
One of the attendants walked into the study tremblingly. He kneeled on the ground and said, “Your Majesty, a report from the frontlines says that Yi Province is in disarray.”
A 60-years old man stood beside the long table. He had a foot-long beard and deep-set eyes. He was the current emperor, Liu Gu. Liu Gu kept writing with his brush, immersed in calligraphy, seemingly unbothered by the news he just received.
After an unknown span of time had pa.s.sed, Liu Gu put his brush down and said, “Send word to Wei Zhuoyan. Tell him to quell the disturbance.”
The attendant was slightly stunned. He was about to inquire if such an important matter should be brought to the court. However, when he saw the emperor’s expression, he swallowed his words and said, “Yes, Your Majesty.”
“How’s the situation with the Empress Dowager?” Liu Gu asked with his hands on his back.
“The Empress Dowager has recovered from her illness after her trip to the Evil Sky Pavilion… However, Bodyguard Jiang, who escorted the Empress Dowager to the Evil Sky Pavilion, is dead. Jiang Aijian, who a.s.sa.s.sinated the Second Prince, has been brought to justice.”
Liu Gu nodded slightly and said, “Here’s my decree. The Crown Prince shall be grounded for three months. Also, find a replacement for Han Yuyuan as quickly as you can. Tell the officials to come up with a list of names and present them to me.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” The attendant left the study respectfully.
It was now quiet inside the study.
Liu Gu raised his right hand slightly. Red veins could be seen on his palm. He muttered to himself, “When I’m at the Nine-leaf stage, not only the nine provinces, all nations will be mine!”
Seven days later.
In Duanlin Branch’s headquarters on Great Ring Mountain.
The Duanlin Branch was a minor affiliate of the Confucian Sects. It was also one of the ten great sects that attacked Golden Court Mountain back then. It was the smallest of them all and was the only branch that was not protected by any barriers of Formations.
It was situated in a remote location, and the path to reach it was winding.
Once the traveler pa.s.sed Great Ring Mountain, he would have to cross a valley that was infested with beasts and wild birds. Hence, the canyons and moats became the natural protectors of the Duanlin Branch.
It was high noon, and the disciples were reading on the plaza.
At this moment, a green-clad figure appeared in the air.
“Who goes there?!” The disciples immediately gathered and looked at the green-clad figure. They did not dare to insult the stranger. After all, someone who was capable of reaching this place without their permission had to be in the Nascent Divinity Tribulation realm at least.
The green-clad figure smiled. “I’m sorry for intruding. Is this the Duanlin Branch?” “This is the Duanlin Branch. Do you have business here, senior?” one of the bolder disciples asked.
“Is the sect master, Chang Jian, here?” the green-clad figure asked instead of responding to the question.
The disciples exchanged glances when they heard this.
At this moment, an imposing rang from the great hall that was located halfway up the mountain. “Who wants to meet me?”
A Nascent Divinity Tribulation realm expert with flas.h.i.+ng energy surrounding him shot into the air above the great hall.
“The sect master has achieved a breakthrough!”
“That’s great! The sect master has achieved a breakthrough!”
The disciples leaped and cheered. This meant the Duanlin Branch has grown stronger. Surely its standing in the cultivation world would rise as well.
When the green-clad figure saw the newcomer, he did not make any move. He was not in a hurry. Instead, he took a piece of paper out from his pocket.
Upon seeing this, the disciples of Duanlin Branch were baffled and at loss over what to do. They had no idea what the green-clad figure was doing.
The green-robed figure produced a black piece of something from his pocket before he crossed Chang Jian’s name off the list.
Although the disciples could not see the content of the paper, the green-clad figure’s simple movement caught their attention.
At this moment, Chang Jian who was hovering above the headquarters unleashed a grand technique. His energy rippled into the surroundings, clearly showing he had had a breakthrough. Since he had a breakthrough, he, naturally, wanted to flaunt his newly-improved strength.
Chang Jiang looked at the green-clad figure. He knew the newcomer was not a pushover so he had no intention of underestimating his opponent. He cupped his fists and asked, “What business do you have in Duanlin Branch, dear sir?” “Are you Chang Jian?” the green-robed figure asked with a smile.
It was rude to address someone by their full name. Moreover, Chang Jian was the master of the sect. However, he suppressed his annoyance and replied, “I am.”
“There’s no mistake, then.” The green-robed figure put the list back into his pocket.
“What’s that?”
“Forgive me, dear sir. I don’t have a good memory so I have to consult the list,” the green-robed man said politely. “A list of names?”
The green-clad figure looked at the others and said rea.s.suringly, “Everyone else has no need to worry.” After all, he was only here for the name on that list.
“…” Chang Jiang frowned deeply. He stared at the green-clad figure with a fiery gaze. He suddenly remembered the t.i.tle that shocked the heavens. His heart skipped a beat as he said, “You’re here to kill me?”
“I’m sorry.” The green-robed figure raised his right hand slightly.
The Longevity Sword flew into his palm.
“I know who you are… May I have a few more words with you?” Chang Jian’s brows were tightly knitted together. The haughtiness and confidence he had before had vanished without a trace when he saw the Longevity Sword.
“Sure,” the green-clad figure curtly said.
“I’ve just entered the peak Seven-leaf stage… Grant me three days, and I’ll surely own up to my crimes,” Chang Jian said.
The green-robed swordsman smiled faintly. “No.”
“…” As the saying went, ‘A cornered dog would jump over the wall.’ This was the case with Chang Jian.
“Elders, to me!” Chang Jian shouted.
Many cultivators dived from halfway up the mountain. Their numbers increased. In addition to the disciples on the plaza, there were nearly 1,000 people. However, the green-robed swordsman remained calm. His grip on the Longevity Sword tightened.
The Longevity Sword buzzed as it sensed its owner’s battle intent. The sword that had been deprived of blood for a long time was much more terrifying now. “… Everyone on this list will lose their lives to my sword. I would ask the others to keep out of this. I, Yu Shangrong, offer my thanks in advance.”
The words ‘Yu Shangrong’ caused everyone to freeze, striking fear into their hearts.
The reinforcements that Chang Jian called were at a loss over what to do as well as they looked at Yu Shangrong with widened eyes.
Finally, Yu Shangrong made his move. Three figures appeared before they merged into one again as he flew toward Chang Jian like a meteor.
Inside the great hall of the Evil Sky Pavilion.
Lu Zhou was thinking about the Nine-leaf stage when he heard a notification. “Ding! Killed a target. Reward: 1,500 merit points.”