Ba Ma took in Jing Yang Palace’s scenery. He remembered several things about Lou Lan and sighed before he said, “His Highness, the Second Prince, can he do it?”
Mo Li smiled and said, “Among the five princes, His Second Highness is surely the most heartless and vicious. Back then, when the Third Prince was highly favored by His Majesty, and the palace nearly changed the heir to the throne, the Second Prince hatched a plan and burned down everyone and everything that were related to the Third Prince… Since he was successful in acting against the Third Prince, it would be easy for him to deal with the Fourth Prince who’s like a paper tiger.” Ba Ma nodded. “Junior brother…”
“Junior sister.” Mo Li corrected him.
“…” Ba Ma suppressed the goosebumps that were threatening to break out all over his skin and said in a deep voice, “I don’t care about anyone else, but Liu Bing must die!” Mo Li sneered and said, “Don’t worry, senior brother. I want him dead more than you do.”
The Fourth Prince, Liu Bing, had been at the borders for many years. He had led many expeditions against Lou Lan. Corpses were strewn everywhere, and there were many casualties. The most humiliating event was when Liu Bing led the Ten Great Generals of Great Yan and captured their king. In that battle, cultivators from both sides fought for three days and three nights. Nobody could keep up with the number of casualties. When it was recorded in the palace’s archives, it was written that there were no birds in the skies nor beasts on the ground. The only thing, as far as the eye could see, was dead men and bones.
A month later.
Lu Zhou finally regained his extraordinary power after meditating on the Heavenly Writing. He had also been instructing his disciples in their cultivation. Duanmu Sheng and Little Yuan’er had greatly improved their strength and cultivation bases during this time.
He walked up to the waterfall. He saw Duanmu Sheng training under the waterfall, letting the weight of the water rain upon his body. He stroked his beard and nodded at this sight.
Upon seeing Lu Zhou, Duanmu Sheng bowed under the waterfall. “Master…”
Lu Zhou saw Duanmu Sheng resisting the falling water with his energy alone without using any cultivation method. He said, “The waterfall can train the endurance of your Primal Qi and temper your spear skills.”
“I understand.” Duanmu Sheng raised a hand, and the Overlord Spear that was stabbed into the ground nearby dislodged itself from the ground and flew into his hand with a whistle. He began brandishing the Overlord Spear and swiping the water away. Lu Zhou frowned slightly. Duanmu Sheng was hardworking enough, and he was obedient. However, he was slightly dumb. If the Divine One Technique had not been suitable for Duanmu Sheng, it would have been difficult for Duanmu Sheng to reach this stage. In the end, he projected his voice and said, “If you can keep yourself dry without relying on your energy, it can be considered as a minor achievement.”
“Understood.” The waterfall was like a heavy downpour of rain. How was it possible for him to remain dry with his spear skills alone? Perhaps, he had to move his spears so quickly that it would form a barrier. He groaned inwardly, but he still did as he was told. Although his foundation was solid, they were still lacking. He needed good training.
“Ding! Instructed Duanmu Sheng. Reward: 300 merit points.”
Lu Zhou glanced at the interface. Recently, he had earned 3,200 merit points just by instructing his disciples. Apart from earning merit points, he truly wanted his disciples’ cultivation bases to improve as well.
At this moment, Little Yuan’er flew over. “Master…” She flitted to the left and right. A sparrow flitted here and there as she chased after it. It looked exhausted. When she finally caught the sparrow, she released it again. Then, she landed near Lu Zhou and said expectantly, “I’m now very familiar with the Seven Stars Cloud Treading Steps.” It was clear that she was waiting to be praised. Lu Zhou knocked her head. “Indeed, your Seven Stars Cloud Treading Steps has improved, but a sparrow isn’t a person. It won’t do you much good practicing with it.”
“Oh.”
“You should learn from your senior brother.” Lu Zhou pointed at Duanmu Sheng.
“Oh.” Little Yuan’er looked at the unending stream of waterfalls. She felt a chill run up her spine. She shuddered at the thought of standing under the cold water. She averted her eyes and said, “Master, can you teach me something else?”
Lu Zhou was surprised. Little Yuan’er rarely made such requests. Usually, she was quite passive. Hence, he asked, “What do you want to learn?”
“What about calligraphy? Your works have always been nice to look at! I want to learn that!” Little Yuan’er said.
“Don’t fool around,” Lu Zhou said with a stern expression on his face, “It’s true that calligraphy can nurture a person’s temperament, but you’re cultivating the Daoist Supreme Purity Jade Slip. Calligraphy is more suited to cultivators of the Expansive Heavenly Energy from the Confucian branch.”
“Oh.” Little Yuan’er seemed dejected.
Lu Zhou looked up at the sun. It was still early. He stroked his beard and said, “Demonstrate your fist techniques. I’d like to see your progress.”
“Mhm.” Little Yuan’er nodded. Then, she began her demonstration under a huge tree at the side.
After a month of training, Little Yuan’er did not make much progress in her fist techniques, but her temperament was much better than before. Her movements were not rushed nor slow. It was a definite improvement. After a while, she finished her demonstration.
Lu Zhou nodded. It was a good demonstration even though it had some flaws. “Not bad.”
“Thank you for the compliment, master.” Little Yuan’er grinned widely when Lu Zhou complimented her.
‘This little girl’s heart needs some work. It can’t be rushed. Looks like I’ll have to guide her by hand in the future.’
At this moment, Zhou Jifeng ran over, bowed, and said, “Pavilion Master, a letter from Jiang Aijian.”
“Read it.”
Zhou Jifeng opened the letter and read aloud, “Thank you for stopping Si Wuya, old senior… Not only did he not interfere with my investigations, but he gave me a few pieces of information as well.”
Upon hearing this, Lu Zhou was baffled. When did he do anything to that rascal?
Zhou Jifeng continued reading, “The Empress Dowager will travel to Rubei to rest. Your disciple, Zhao Yue, will most likely follow her. Coincidentally, the Second Prince, Liu Huan, has invited Liu Bing to a hunt at the enclosure in Rubei in two months. Mo Li is aided by an elite, and I suspect that they’re on the move… I’ll send more letters once I have new information.”
This time, there was no ‘hahaha’ in Jiang Aijian’s letter.
Lu Zhou frowned. Zhao Yue was not a fool. Why would she proceed when she clearly knew that it was a trap? Also, Jiang Aijian did not mention Mingshi Yin in his letter. What was Mingshi Yin doing then? When he recalled the grand witchcraft spell on the Lotus Dais, he felt slightly angered. “How dare you touch my disciple.”
Since Zhao Yue was an orphan of Princess Yun Zhao, she could be considered as a member of the Imperial family. To think that Mo Li was so audacious. Fortunately, they were in the Imperial city, and Mo Li had to refrain from openly making a move…
“Bring Qin Jun here.”
“Understood.”
Shortly after, Zhou Jifeng brought Qin Jun over.
Lu Zhou looked at Qin Jun and said, “I’m giving you a mission.”
Qin Jun was overjoyed. He bowed and said, “Anything, old mister!”
“Return to the Divine Capital and be my source of information…”
“Huh?”
“You’re not willing?”
“Of course, I am… I’m glad to be of service to you, old mister!” Qin Jun stammered, “It’s just that… Mister First…”
Little Yuan’er glared at him and said, “Are you stupid? Who do you think you’re talking to?”
Qin Jun shuddered and hastily said, “You’re right, Miss Ninth! I’m a fool!”
“How much do you know about the Empress Dowager?”
“All I know is that she has an illness and has always been recuperating. I’d have to ask Li Yunzhao about the others,” Qin Yun replied honestly.
“Very well…” Lu Zhou stroked his beard and nodded. “Tell Li Yunzhao to look after my disciples, Zhao Yue and Mingshi Yin. I’ll hold him accountable should anything happen to them. Also, if he sees that rascal, Yu Zhenghai, tell him to inform me at once.” “If I see him, I’ll send the swiftest messenger bird to the Evil Sky Pavilion’s way.” Qin Jun bowed.
