Zhu Honggong, Old Eighth, would be valuable to Lu Zhou. He would be able to gain merit points from Old Eighth before he disciplined him as well. Apart from that, Old Eighth rarely committed crimes on his own accord. Usually, it was Si Wuya, Old Seventh, who instigated Old Eighth into acting. It was rumored that Old Seventh’s Darknet was located at the Crouching Dragon, and yet, nobody had ever found it. All they knew was the Darknet was everywhere and their network of information was very wide. It would be difficult to catch Old Seventh.
Moreover, Lu Zhou had more pressing needs. He needed to improve his strength first and foremost. Rumor was rife that he was going to meet his end in ten years. Everyone was just waiting for him to die.
In fact, with humans’ greed, there would be people who would not even wait ten years. It was possible that someone would come and attempt to get their hands on the Evil Sky Pavilion’s treasures in five, seven, or eight years. After all, most people thought Lu Zhou’s cultivation base was deteriorating as well.
Therefore, it was of utmost importance for Lu Zhou to improve his strength. There was no doubt an endless stream of cultivators would be coming for him. At that time, just relying on the item cards would not be enough for him to deal with so many cultivators.
After a while, Lu Zhou glanced at Mingshi Yin and said, “He got lucky and escaped when we were at Green Jade Altar. I think Old Seventh is planning something by sending this letter. I want you to investigate this.”
When Mingshi Yin heard this, he beamed and said, “Yes, master! I’ll carry out this task perfectly.”
“Old Fourth, I think it’s better if I go with you. Old Eighth might seem stupid, but he’s really sly.”
“There’s no need to kill the chicken with a butcher’s knife. I’ll try and investigate Old Seventh’s plot for now… When the time is ripe, we’ll capture the two of them together,” Mingshi Yin said.
Duanmu Sheng seemed dejected as he said, “When you’re gone, I won’t have any sparring partners…” Elder Hua was wounded and still recuperating. He was in no condition to spar. Little Junior Sister was not in the Nascent Divinity Tribulation realm yet, and she did not possess a heaven-grade weapon so she was not a match for him. Similarly, Pan Zhong and Zhou Jifeng were also in the Divine Court realm. They were no match for him as well. The only person left was the latest addition to the Evil Sky Pavilion, Leng Luo, the former leader of the Black Knights. Alas, he was gravely injured at the moment.
Mingshi Yin rolled his eyes and said, “No one is as mad as you. All you know how to do is train! You should use your brain more often.”
It did not take long before the cloud-splitting chariot finally returned to the Evil Sky Pavilion.
Mingshi Yin left Golden Court Mountain on his master’s orders and made his way to the Tiger Ridge.
…
Inside the Tiger Ridge Gang’s stronghold.
Zhu Honggong was sound asleep on his chair.
Mingshi Yin was familiar with the area now after his previous visits. He appeared outside the stronghold and bellowed, “Old Eighth! I’m back!” His voice resounded through the mountain forest.
Zhu Honggong, who had been sound asleep, started awake, frightened. He almost fell off the chair.
“Who… Who is it? Is it my master? Is he here?” Zhu Honggong hurriedly rose to his feet as he looked around his surroundings.
His gang members stationed outside the stronghold swarmed in.
“Gang Leader!”
“Run, Gang Leader!”
The cultivation bases of Tiger Ridge Gang’s members were shallow. They were undoubtedly not a match for Mingshi Yin. However, those who recognized Mingshi Yin did not run away.
Mingshi Yin moved swiftly and appeared before everyone else. “Step aside.”
The small fries immediately gave way.
“Fourth Senior Brother?” Zhu Honggong rubbed his eyes. After regaining his senses, he said charmingly, “What brings you here?”
Mingshi Yin sauntered over.
Zhu Honggong hastily vacated the chair.
Mingshi Yin said, “Didn’t you say that you’ll welcome me as a guest at any time?”
“Those were just words of formalities…” Zhu Honggong muttered under his breath before he said with a smile, ‘I mean, yes, yes, of course, you’re welcome to visit whenever you want!”
Mingshi Yin was in no hurry. He surveyed his surroundings and said, “Your stronghold was nearly flattened by someone else previously. It seems like you’ve completely restored it.”
“Of course! My gang members are skilled in this regard,” Zhu Honggong said.
“Old Seventh sent a letter to master. He said the Clarity Sect is coming to look for trouble with you. Aren’t you afraid at all?”
Zhu Honggong was startled. He said, “No way! They’re coming for me?”
“Why are you surprised? You killed Zhang Chunlai, the Righteous Sect’s elder. Do you think they’ll let the matter go?”
“Didn’t you kill the Righteous Sect’s elder, Zhang Qiuchi, as well?”
“You and your glib tongue!” Mingshi Yin kicked Zhu Honggong.
Zhu Honggong did not avoid the kick neither did he retaliate. He fell to his knees obediently.
…
Meanwhile, in the Evil Sky Pavilion.
“Ding! Disciplining the eighth disciple, Zhu Honggong. Reward: 100 merit points.”
Lu Zhou nodded with a pleased expression on his face when he heard the notification.
…
Back in the Tiger Ridge.
“They can’t do anything to me even if I annihilate the entire Righteous Sect… Who are you going to count on to protect you? Eldest Senior Brother? Second Senior Brother? Or is it Old Seventh who spends his days hiding away in some part of the world?” Mingshi Yin unleashed a barrage of questions at Zhu Honggong.
Zhu Honggong’s face fell. When he thought about this, he was filled with sadness. He wanted a backer as well. The problem was everyone regarded him with scorn.
Mingshi Yin shook his head and said, “Old Eighth, tell me the truth… What are you and Old Seventh planning this time?”
“Nothing! Absolutely nothing! I swear to the heavens,” Zhu Honggong said hastily.
Why did this scene seem familiar?
‘This is exactly how he swore the last time.’
“Eighth Junior Brother, this is for your own good. Your current situation is extremely perilous… Old Seventh could help you deal with the small fries before this. However, this time, we’re talking about the Clarity Sect. Apart from the Evil Sky Pavilion, nobody will be able to help you. Listen to my advice, disband your gang and obediently return to the Evil Sky Pavilion with me and repent,” Mingshi Yin said.
“Repent?” Zhu Honggong shuddered. His expression was one of incredulity as he said, “With master’s temper, wouldn’t he flay my skin and pull out my tendons?”
Mingshi Yin placed his hands on his back and said, “That’s possible. Who knows what goes through master’s mind these days. It depends on your luck. If master’s not in a good mood when you return, there’s nothing you can do about it…”
Mingshi Yin recalled the scene where Zuo Xinchan and Li Qing, one of the Three Godly Archers who was also a member of the Black Knights, were killed with just a single palm strike.
“Uh… Knowing that, you’re still trying to convince me to return to the Evil Sky Pavilion and repent?”
“You don’t have a say in this!” Mingshi Yin said with a smile. “You shouldn’t wait for master to personally make a move… Ren Buping, the Master of Fiend Temple Master, was killed by master with just a single palm strike.”
“What?!” Zhu Honggong was even more frightened when he heard this. If he returned, would he not be turned into a meat pie?
Mingshi Yin continued to study Zhu Honggong. He did not expect Old Eighth would be so stubborn. It seemed like Old Seventh had successfully brainwashed him.
“It’s fine if you don’t want to return with me. Tell me where the Crouching Dragon where the Darknet is located…”
“Yi Province.”
“You dumb pig, be more specific! You might as well say it’s in Great Yan,” Mingshi Yin said irritably as he gave Zhu Honggong another kick.
“How would I know? Seventh Senior Brother has always been secretive with his movements. If I can easily find him, would I need to fear the Clarity Sect?” Zhu Honggong said with an aggrieved expression.
“Dream on. Do you think that Old Seventh is omnipotent?”
Mingshi Yin’s voice had barely faded when a figure slowly entered the stronghold.
The small fries instantly made way for him.
At this moment, silence descended on the stronghold.
Mingshi Yin and Zhu Honggong looked at the newcomer.
“Old Seventh?”
“Seventh Senior Brother?”
Speak of the devil.
Si Wuya was smiling as he walked. He wore long robes and a brocade crown on his head. It seemed like he was dressed for an official ceremony. He cupped his fists at Mingshi Yin and said, “Greetings, Fourth Senior Brother…”
Mingshi Yin did not like Si Wuya very much. He looked away and sat down without paying much attention to Si Wuya. He said, “You dare show your face here?”
“If master had come here, I wouldn’t show myself. Since it’s you, it’s fine if I show myself…”
