Chapter 487: Turn Tail and Run
Shen Liangshou was stunned. ‘How did his appearance change? What’s this? What happened?’
Si Wuya shuddered as he looked at Lu Zhou. It was not surprising if the other could not recognize Lu Zhou, but it was impossible for him not to recognize his master. How else could it be but his master standing in front of him? He stammered in a hoa.r.s.e voice with an incredulous expression on his face, “Ma… Master?” In hindsight, everything was clear. After all, how could there be so many Nine-leaf elites showing up all of a sudden? Who else could easily use the Celestial Masters Sect’s talismans? He should have realized this sooner and could not help but lament his stupidity. In fact, the thought that ‘Senior Lu’ was his master did cross his mind for a fleeting moment, but he quickly dismissed that thought since the old man did not resemble his master at all.
Huang s.h.i.+ Jie who was in shock quickly bowed. “Brother Ji, it’s you! Well met, well met!”
“You changed!” Conch smiled.
Hua Chongyang’s reaction was similar to Shen Liangshou. He stumbled back and fell on his b.u.t.t. He was inwardly beating himself for bringing a wolf into the sheeps’ den earlier. Even worse, now he found out he had brought the Patriach of the Evil Sky Pavilion here?!
What was happening? Everyone was stunned. They felt as though they were having a mental breakdown.
Lu Zhou could tell he had reverted to his true appearance. His beard had grown longer. He did not pay attention to everyone’s shocked expressions. He only said indifferently, “It’s only an insignificant skill.”
Out of everyone present, the person who was most shocked was none other than Yu Zhenghai who was standing behind Lu Zhou. His eyes widened in shock, and he felt as though he had been slapped a few times. His eyelids twitched uncontrollably. He asked in a tentative and respectful tone, “Master, it’s you?!” A hint of reluctance and incredulity could be heard in his voice as well. Before Lu Zhou replied, he turned tail and ran without saying another word. ‘I should run.’
Swoos.h.!.+
Yu Zhenghai sped toward the forest. It was exhausting to run without Primal Qi. He was physically tired, but more than that, he was mentally tired! ‘To think that old geezer even knows how to alter his appearance! Why didn’t I think of that?’ He vanished among the trees in just a blink of an eye.
The others were dumbfounded.
Hua Chongyang and his subordinates were stunned as well. Was this still their majestic and impressive sect master?
Everything happened too quickly. The others could not keep up with the turn of events.
Lu Zhou did not pursue Yu Zhenghai. Instead, he beckoned at Miss Conch. “Conch. The song.”
“Mhm.” Miss Conch seemed to enjoy the feeling of being useful. She brought the flute to her lips at once. The melodious and familiar tune filled the air.
Sound was, naturally, faster than a human running.
Without or without his cultivation base, Yu Zhenghai could not have outrun sound even though his physique was superior to ordinary humans.
Deep within the dark forest, many pairs of glowing green eyes appeared.
Yu Zhenghai immediately stopped in his tracks. Even without his Primal Qi and cultivation base, he did not think much of these vicious beasts. He said in a deep voice, “Get lost.”
Some of the weaker beasts did not dare to approach him. On the contrary, the strongest beasts continued to advance on him.
Beasts were beasts, after all. In their eyes, humans were one of the most delicious food in the world.
The beasts pounced at Yu Zhenghai!
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Yu Zhenghai swung his fists wildly as fought the wild beasts.
…
Lu Zhou and the others heard the sounds of fighting from the forest. However, he did not seem bothered by it. He looked at everyone and said, “He deserves it.”
Shen Liangshou was close to tears. He prostrated himself on the ground at once and said, “Old senior Ji… You… Why do you have to do this…”
This was not funny at all! Shen Liangshou wanted to cry, but no tears came out. He was in much pain. If Old senior Ji could alter his appearance, why did he spend so much effort to memorize the appearances of the features of the members of the Evil Sky Pavilion? How meaningless!
“You’re moved?” Lu Zhou looked down at Shen Liangshou.
How could Shen Liangshou not be moved? He was so moved that he nearly cried!
Smack! Smack!
Shen Liangshou began to slap himself.
The others sighed inwardly at the sight. This served as a reminder for them not to judge someone by their appearances in the future.
Meanwhile, the melodious sound of the flute did not stop.
The moonlight was getting brighter.
Si Wuya glanced at the dark and thick forest. He suppressed the shock in his heart and said, “Master, I’m worried Eldest Senior Brother’s life will be in danger if we don’t rescue him soon.”
“It doesn’t matter.” Lu Zhou shook his head. “You underestimate him.” Inwardly, he thought to himself, ‘He’s tougher than a bull when he fought me earlier.’
If Yu Zhenghai could not even withstand the attacks of these wild beasts, it would be the biggest joke ever.
Si Wuya gulped before he said, “Master, you could’ve just come if you have business with him. W-why?”
Lu Zhou felt it was a waste of time to answer this question. The answer was obvious; if he did not alter his appearance, Yu Zhenghai would have run off at the get-go before he even came knocking. If he could meet Yu Zhenghai, how was he supposed to capture him?
Si Wuya realized his question was redundant, therefore, he no onger asked.
Lu Zhou raised his hand and said, “Conch.”
“Oh.” Conch stopped playing.
Lu Zhou gave Conch an admiring look. It was a shame this young girl could not control her own talents. However, there was no rush. He could slowly nurture her if she decided to cultivate in the future.
‘If she’s someone the Taixu Academy and Hengqu Branch want as a disciple, should I accept her as my disciple as well?’ Prior to this, Lu Zhou had never thought about accepting any more disciples. However, now that he thought about it, it did not seem like a bad idea.
At this moment, Huang s.h.i.+jie cupped his fists and said, “I didn’t expect this young girl to be this gifted. She’ll certainly become someone great if she’s taught well in the future.”
Huang s.h.i.+jie thought about the nine disciples of the Evil Sky Pavilion. They were already outrageously talented. Now, another genius was likely to join the Evil Sky Pavilion. He lamented the unfairness of the heavens and wondered when the Penglai Sect be graced with some quality disciples. Nevertheless, he could only grumble inwardly. How would he dare to verbalize his thoughts?
Lu Zhou looked at Conch with a satisfied expression. In any case, this matter was not important now. He had to deal with the matter at hand first.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The sound of fighting resonated from the forest before it abruptly stopped.
Lu Zhou looked at Si Wuya and pushed with his palm out before a palm seal shot toward Si Wuya.
In just an instant, Si Wuya felt the mantra on him had been lifted, Overjoyed, he said, “Thank you, Master.” He rose to his feet immediately, preparing to help Yu Zhenghai.
“Wait.”
“Master?”
“Do you remember what I’ve said?” Lu Zhou asked.
“I do.”
“In that case, have no regrets.”
“I won’t.” Si Wuya bowed at Lu Zhou.
Lu Zhou waved his sleeve.
Si Wuya understood what Lu Zhou meant. He turned around and flew into the forest.
In truth, Lu Zhou had long known the decision Si Wuya would make. At the end of the day, as their master, he would have to let them go out to the world and learn on their own. Children needed to be given the independence to explore once they come of age. What would the consequences be? n.o.body knew… Whether they would succeed or fail, it was all a part of life.
Shortly after, Si Wuya returned with Yu Zhenghai on his back.
Yu Zhenghai was covered in bruises and b.u.mps, unconscious.