Yu Zhenghai drank three cups of wine consecutively. Each time, the Tiger Ridge Gang’s member next to him would refill his cup. “If I didn’t leave the Evil Sky Pavilion, I would’ve died.”
Mingshi Yin and Zhu Honggong were stunned.
“It’s that bad?”
Yu Zhenghai nodded calmly and said, “Forget it. Let’s not talk about this. Come, let’s have a drink.”
“…” Mingshi Yin emptied another cup with a perplexed expression on his face.
“Another.”
“Uh…”
Everyone in the Evil Sky Pavilion knew that Yu Zhenghai loved to drink. He could care less about other matters, but he would insist on drinking to his heart’s content when it came to wine.
Mingshi Yin was starting to feel queasy after a few cups of strong wine. “Eldest Senior Brother, we’ve reminisced and drank. The box…”
“Old Fourth, if I were to say that I want to keep this box to myself, what would you do?” Yu Zhenghai put his wine cup down and looked at Mingshi Yin seriously.
“I can’t disobey master’s orders. You should know his temper, Eldest Senior Brother… I’m only acting on orders. If I don’t return with the box, master will definitely punish me,” Mingshi Yin replied.
Yu Zhenghai chuckled lightly and said, “You weren’t like this before. Junior Brother Wuya told me about your changes in his letter. He said you’re much more well-behaved now. Looks like he’s right.”
“Old Seventh sure likes to gossip…” Mingshi Yin muttered.
“He’s praising you. He wasn’t badmouthing you, there’s no need to take it to heart.”
“That’s fine, then.”
Yu Zhenghai glanced at Zhu Honggong, Old Eighth, before he shifted his eyes back to Mingshi Yin. Then, he said, “Master is getting old, and the Evil Sky Pavilion’s days of glory have passed. Master might be able to hold out this year, but what about next year, the year after, or 10 years later?”
“Eldest Senior Brother, I know what you mean… I know master is getting old and won’t be able to overcome his life limit. I’ve thought about that,” Mingshi Yin said, “However, master is still alive and well now. We shouldn’t talk about things that have yet to happen. We can only leave tomorrow’s worries for tomorrow.”
“Well said.” Yu Zhenghai clapped his hands when he heard Mingshi Yin’s words.
Zhu Honggong followed suit. “That was a great speech, Fourth Senior Brother!”
Mingshi Yin rolled his eyes at Zhu Honggong before he said chidingly, “Just keep eating…”
Zhu Honggong resumed working with his bowl and chopsticks. He would occasionally steal a glance at them. ‘Two big bosses whom I can’t offend are talking to each other. Why am I butting into their conversation?’
After Yu Zhenghai offered his praise, he turned solemn as he said, “Old Fourth, if you have nowhere else to turn to in the future, know that you have a place in my Nether Sect.”
Mingshi Yin cupped his fists together and said, “Thank you for the kind offer, Eldest Senior Brother. I heard that even the Nether Sect’s four great protectors possess cultivation bases of Six-leaf and above. However, I’ll definitely garner people’s hatred if I join your sect due to our connection.”
“I’m the one calling the shots in the Nether Sect.” Yu Zhenghai’s words were filled with confidence. When he saw that Mingshi Yin was about to say something again, he continued, “Don’t be in a hurry to reject my offer. The future is uncertain. It’s always better to leave yourself with an escape route than a dead end, don’t you think?”
Mingshi Yin was silent. He cupped his fists together again. Then, he raised his wine cup and emptied it.
Zhu Honggong asked shamelessly, “Eldest Senior Brother… won’t you take my Tiger Ridge Gang into the Nether Sect?”
Yu Zhenghai waved his hand and said, “Manage your gang well.”
“…” Zhu Honggong felt a scornful gaze.
There was a brief moment of silence.
Then, Mingshi Yin rose to his feet slowly. He cupped his fists at Yu Zhenghai and said, “Master has ordered me to bring the box back. Please hand over the box, Eldest Senior Brother.”
Rattle!
Zhu Honggong’s chopsticks fell on the table. “Fourth Senior Brother, you’re too audacious. How can you speak to Eldest Senior Brother in that tone?” Inwardly, he thought to himself, ‘This is bad! If Eldest Senior Brother loses his temper, my stronghold is done for!’ He looked at Yu Zhenghai furtively from the corners of his eyes.
Yu Zhenghai was not angered. Instead, he seemed calm. He poured himself another cup of wine before drinking it. After that, he placed the wine cup down and nodded slightly. He said, “You may take the box… Send my regards to master. Tell him that Yu Zhenghai’s heart lies with the Evil Sky Pavilion although his body may be in the nine continents and four seas.”
Mingshi Yin replied, “Thank you, Eldest Senior Brother. I’ll convey your message.”
Yu Zhenghai waved his hand. The mysterious box in the corner floated toward Mingshi Yin.
Mingshi Yin caught it with a single hand. It seemed as light as a feather. “Old Eighth… I’m returning to the Evil Sky Pavilion. If I have time, I’ll come visit you often.”
“Huh? You don’t have to… There’s no need to be so courteous. I’d welcome you anytime!” Zhu Honggong said.
Mingshi Yin nodded. He turned around and walked out of the stronghold.
“Have a safe journey, Fourth Senior Brother,” Zhu Honggong said.
In just a blink of an eye, Mingshi Yin vanished.
Zhu Honggong wiped away the sweat from his face and said, “Eldest Senior Brother, that was rude of Fourth Senior Brother to talk to you like that. If he weren’t that scrawny, I would’ve given him a good beating!”
“Hm?”
“Uh, of course, you wouldn’t trouble yourself over such trivial matters, Eldest Senior Brother. However, it’s a shame about the box,” Zhu Honggong said.
“That box is made from a special material. Even the four great protectors couldn’t break it open. The final key to open it is in master’s hands. It’s useless for us to hold on to the box.”
“Really? If the box is that hardy, we can just use it as a weapon,” Zhu Honggong said flippantly.
Yu Zhenghai looked at Zhu Honggong again.
“E-eldest… Eldest Senior Brother, I’ve misspoken.”
“No, you have a point this time.”
“…”
A box that could not be broken by heaven-grade weapons was an indestructible treasure!
Zhu Honggong pinched his own thigh. He was filled with regret. Everyone’s attention had been focused on the content of the box and had forgotten the most basic fact.
…
Meanwhile, Mingshi Yin had returned to the Evil Sky Pavilion. He instantly made his way to the great hall.
“Little Junior Sister, where’s master?” Mingshi Yin walked in while carrying the box.
“Fourth Senior Brother, you’ve returned! Master didn’t think you’d returned so soon so he has gone into the hidden chamber.”
Mingshi Yin nodded and said, “I had bad luck. I ran into Eldest Senior Brother. Fortunately, I was firm enough, and I gave him a good talking-to. He knows he’s in the wrong and didn’t dare to talk back. After that, he handed the box over.”
Little Yuan’er clapped and said, “We can always count on you to get the job done, Fourth Senior Brother!”
Mingshi Yin nodded. The two of them passed by the great hall and walked toward the hidden chamber.
When they were outside the hidden chamber, Mingshi Yin bowed and said, “Master, I’m pleased to report to you that I have completed my mission. I have returned with the box.”
Lu Zhou heard Mingshi Yin’s voice inside the hidden chamber and opened his eyes. He sat cross-legged on the bed and asked through voice projection, “What’s the condition of the box?”
“Senior Brothers and Seventh Junior Brother didn’t give me a hard time. They had unlocked the box with their weapons. All that’s left is the Amorous Hoop, and the box will be unlocked,” Mingshi Yin replied.
Whizz!
The hidden chamber’s door slid open slowly.
Lu Zhou emerged with his hands on his back. His gaze fell on the box in Mingshi Yin’s hands immediately.
Mingshi Yin was secretly elated. ‘Since I’ve done a wonderful job this time, shouldn’t master offer me some sort of reward?’
Lu Zhou ignored Mingshi Yin as he appraised the box. Indeed. Only the Amorous Hoop’s pattern remained unchanged. ‘I hope the content of this mysterious box isn’t something useless.’
He mumbled to himself, “A red hand is needed to open the box.”
