Although Duanmu Sheng and Mingshi Yin disdained this tortoise technique, they would not dispute their master’s words. Moreover, the Evil Sky Pavilion was waning. With the injection of new blood, it might be restored to its former glory.
Mingshi Yin turned and looked at his master furtively. ‘He doesn’t look like his life is nearing its limit at all. In fact, he looks livelier day by day and is filled with vitality.’
Hua Wudao pondered about this but still could not make up his mind.
Lu Zhou said in a deep voice, “You have two choices, and you can only pick one. You’re the first person under the heavens to be given such a treatment by the Evil Sky Pavilion. My patience is limited. I want an answer after a count of ten.”
“And if I don’t have an answer?” Hua Wudao’s heart raced.
Before Lu Zhou could reply, Mingshi Yin said, “Then you’ll suffer the same fate as Fan Xiuwen. You’ll be imprisoned in the Evil Sky Pavilion until you’ve thought things through. However, since you’ve seen through life and death, I’m sure this won’t matter to you.”
“…”
“Also, the Evil Sky Pavilion doesn’t have much, but we have a lot of rooms for lodging. We have the north, south, east, and west pavilions. We have many dilapidated residences halfway up the mountain. We have the Cave of Reflection behind the mountain as well, it’s cold there. Also, don’t think you’ll be able to escape. Even if the ten great elites show up together, they won’t be able to break the Golden Court Mountain’s barrier!” Mingshi Yin prattled on with a smile on his face.
His words made Zhou Jifeng and Pan Zhong’s hearts race.
‘Mister Fourth’s words are truly devastating. This is even more terrifying than killing a person!’
Hua Wudao was a distinguished and accomplished person, and he would never cling abjectly to life. Otherwise, he would not have shown up here. However, someone like him would care about his pride and dignity.
“At that time, I’ll make sure every cultivator under the heavens knows that Yun Sect’s Hua Wudao is an untrustworthy person. He came to the Evil Sky Pavilion and lost a wager but would not pay up!”
“…” Hua Wudao felt even more speechless. There were many who knew about his visit to the Evil Sky Pavilion. Otherwise, he would not have had to resign from his position as Yun Sect’s elder. Everything started and ended with this knot in his heart. He would not have any regrets.
Little Yuan’er giggled and said, “I’ll start counting, then.” She was worried that Hua Wudao did not hear her so she repeated, “I’ll start counting… Ten. Nine. Eight. Seven. Six. Five. Four. Three. Two. One. Time’s up! What’s your decision?”
“…”
‘Who counts this fast?’
Before Hua Wudao even had time to think, the countdown had ended.
Everyone’s eyes in the Evil Sky Pavilion’s great hall, including Lu Zhou, were trained on Hua Wudao.
Silence descended on the great hall again.
Finally, Hua Wudao shook his head and heaved a long sigh. “Forget it!”
Upon seeing this, Hua Wudao’s disciples fell to his knees immediately. “Master, you shouldn’t…”
Hua Wudao looked at his disciples, but he did not chide him like before. Instead, he said, “You should return to Yun Sect.”
“Huh?”
“From this day onward, you’re no longer my disciple. There are many elders in the Yun Sect. I’m sure one of them will be willing to teach you. When you return, tell them that Hua Wudao is dead.”
“Master!”
“Get lost!”
The middle-aged man wanted to say something, but Hua Wudao raised his leg and kicked him. He reprimanded him, “I said, get lost!” His shout created a soundwave that pushed the middle-aged man away.
Helpless, the middle-aged man could only get to his feet and respectfully salute Hua Wudao.
Mingshi Yin said with a smile, “I’ll see you down the mountain… However, if you want to stay, I’m sure my master won’t object to it. After all, the Golden Court Mountain is huge. We don’t mind having another person here.”
The middle-aged man shuddered. “I want to leave the mountain. I want to leave now.”
Mingshi Yin clicked his tongue at the middle-aged man and motioned him over before leaving the great hall.
The two of them left the great hall.
Hua Wudao cupped his fists. “My disciple is slightly foolish, I hope you won’t hold it against him, Pavilion Master, and spare his life.”
Lu Zhou stroked his beard as he sat down and said, “We choose to walk on different paths. Please sit.”
Lu Zhou said ‘Please’! This had never happened in the Evil Sky Pavilion. It could be seen that he valued Hua Wudao.
Hua Wudao took a seat.
Lu Zhou regarded him with a curious look before he said calmly, “You rather join the Evil Sky Pavilion than tell me who the mastermind behind the Fish Dragon Village incident is…”
“Please forgive me, Pavilion Master.”
“Aren’t you afraid that I’ll use torture to interrogate you in the future?” Lu Zhou asked calmly.
This was the Evil Sky Pavilion, after all. They were all great villains. No matter how evil an act was, it would not be surprising to see it here.
Hua Wudao shook his head and sighed. “If it comes to that, I can only ask for death.”
“You’re different from Fan Xiuwen. He was controlled and doesn’t fear death. You’re much luckier than him,” Lu Zhou said.
Hua Wudao remained silent.
At this point, Hua Wudao’s choice was clear.
“Ding! Recruited a subordinate. Nascent Divinity Tribulation realm cultivator, Hua Wudao. Loyalty: 5%”
Zhou Jifeng and Pan Zhong were courteous. They cupped their fists toward Hua Wudao and said, “Greetings, Elder Hua.”
Hua Wudao’s old face flushed red. He did not know if he should respond to the greeting or not. He felt awkward.
At this moment, Mingshi Yin had returned from the foot of the mountain. When he saw the extremely awkward Hua Wudao, he said, “You’re just worried about the ridicule from the world. That’s an easy problem to solve. You should change your name. The old Hua Wudao has died in the Evil Sky Pavilion.”
“…”
The others nodded.
Mingshi Yin had a point.
“How about the name Huawu or Wuhua?” Mingshi Yin said teasingly.
“…”
Hua Wudao’s name slightly conflicted with Ji Tiandao’s name, after all.
“It’s but a name. I won’t mind being called anything…” Hua Wudao’s mind was a mess right now. All he wanted now was to be left alone in a corner. He was not in the mood to fret upon such matters at the moment.
Little Yuan’er walked over and said, “Master, a letter from Jiang Aijian.”
“Bring it here.” Lu Zhou had a feeling that this letter contained important messages that should not be read out loud.
Little Yuan’er passed him the letter respectfully.
Lu Zhou opened it casually. He read the letter.
“The mastermind behind the Fish Dragon Village incident is the Second Prince. The main culprit of the battle at Measure Heaven River is General Wei Zhuoyan of Changning. His accomplice is the leader of the Black Knights, Fan Xiuwen. Old senior, I’ve paid a huge price to obtain this piece of information… To be honest, if you don’t compensate me with a nice sword, I’ll be very sad.”
With this information, everything was clear now. However, nary a ripple could be seen on Lu Zhou’s face. In truth, he had his guesses about the matters which Fan Xiuwen and Hua Wudao would not talk about. Jiang Aijian’s letter merely confirmed his suspicions. He waved his hand. The letter was reduced to dust immediately.
“Master, what did it say?” Little Yuan’er inquired.
“The mastermind behind the battle at Measure Heaven River…” Lu Zhou answered honestly.
When he heard this, Hua Wudao fell from his seat. His face was ghastly pale, and his eyes were wide open.
Lu Zhou said indifferently, “Bring Elder Hua away, and let him rest.”
“Understood.”
Little Yuan’er was puzzled. “It’s only the mastermind, why are you so nervous? Aren’t you being too dramatic?”
Lu Zhou nodded. If it had been a mortal or a great cultivator, things would have been simple. He could just deal with it according to the cultivation world’s rules. However, he did not expect that a prince was involved in this. The prince’s disputes should not have involved the civilians.
Lu Zhou would not underestimate the Imperial Family’s power. After all, the Imperial Family was what kept Great Yan stable all these years. The soldiers and officers who guarded the corners of the empire and the great cultivators who operated in the open and in the dark formed the foundation of Great Yan’s stability. It was no wonder Hua Wudao was reluctant to divulge that information.
Lu Zhou finally said, “Tell Jiang Aijian that I’ve prepared a nice sword for him. He’s to come here and collect it.”
