No one dared to disobey the ‘Unholy One’.
The three Cult Leaders of the Nihilist Congregation obediently descended to the ground.
Cult Leader Chu patted Yan Guichen’s cheeks a few times before Yan Guichen finally regained consciousness.
When Yan Guichen opened his eyes, he took in his surroundings before he looked at Lu Zhou who had reverted to his original state. Then, he asked in a low voice, “Was I dreaming earlier?”
“What dream? Let’s hurry up and pay our respect to Lord Unholy One!” Cult Leader Chu said.
“…”
Yan Guichen swayed and almost fell to the ground.
Cult Leader Chu quickly supported Yan Guichen as he said, “You’re a Cult Leader of the Nihilist Congregation no matter what. Why are you behaving in such a manner?”
Yan Guichen thought to himself, ‘Do you think I f*cking want this? What should I do now? I’ve spoken so many unpleasant words, and the recipient is the disciple of the Unholy One!’
Yan Guichen felt really suffocated and uncomfortable.
Cult Leaders Zhou and Chu supported Yan Guichen as they walked toward Lu Zhou.
The other members of the Nihilist Congregation only stood respectfully in the distance. When the big shots were talking, there was no chance for small fries like them to get involved. It was good enough that they were allowed to watch from afar.
At this time, Qi Sheng and the black-clad cultivator arrived in front of the small house together.
Lu Zhou looked around. ‘Fortunately, I came in time. Otherwise, I don’t know how the fight would turn out.’
Finally, Lu Zhou pointed at Qi Sheng and said, “You, explain.”
Qi Sheng stepped forward and told Lu Zhou the entire story.
After the commanders’ battle, and Zhu Honggong ran away, he had chatted with three Emperors of the Lost Lands. Then, he visited Xihe Hall and heard that the Heaven Suppressing Pestle had been taken away. Since he was also keeping an eye on the Heaven Suppressing Pestles, he had a vague feeling that the matter had something to do with the Nihilist Congregation. Hence, he found Zhu Honggong and set up a trap to force Yan Guichen to show his face. In exchange, he would bring Zhu Honggong to meet Si Wuya.
In order to ensure Zhu Honggong’s safety, Qi Sheng had borrowed Shang Zhang’s Solar and Lunar Concentric Jade. Little Yuan’er and Conch readily agreed to lend it to him for the sake of their Seventh Senior Brother.
Lu Zhou looked at Qi Sheng and asked, “Weren’t you surprised to see me previously?”
Qi Sheng replied with a smile, “Senior Ji, do I look like such a stupid person to you? Moreover, he’s also around.”
Lu Zhou nodded before he asked, “Are you sure he’s still alive?”
Lu Zhou had discovered many clues, but each time, they only led to disappointment. This question was just perfunctory. Whatever the answer was, he would depend on himself. There was no need to rely on hope.
When Lu Zhou entered the state of the Unholy One or when he entered the painting, he keenly felt the vastness of the world, its shackles, and many laws. He felt as though the mysteries of life and death were within his grasp. Moreover, coupled with the successful resurrection of the Qin Yuan’s daughter, he felt that nothing was impossible in this world. There were all kinds of wonders and miracles in the world.
Qi Sheng removed the mask from his face. Jiang Aijian’s signature smile appeared as he said in a serious tone, “If I can live, why can’t he?” Then, he added, “I don’t like owing others so he has to live. I have to be him every day. It’s f*cking tiring.”
It was very quiet as the cool breeze continued to blow.
Lu Zhou remained expressionless. No one knew what he was thinking.
No one dared to speak carelessly, afraid of disturbing and angering the Unholy One. They stood to the side and remained silent.
After a while, Jiang Aijian called out, “Senior Ji?”
Lu Zhou returned to his senses. His expression did not change much, and he only said, “Okay.”
Jiang Aijian: “…”
Lu Zhou asked, “You know about the Nihilist Congregation?”
“Not only do I know about the Nihilist Congregation, but I also know about the Four Cult Leaders of the Nihilist Congregation. I also know that Cult Leader Yan has been studying the Unholy One’s painting,” Jiang Aijian said with a smile.
“The Unholy One’s painting?” Lu Zhou raised an eyebrow.
“You’ll have to ask him about it. I was also very surprised when I heard about the meaning of the poem from him,” Qi Sheng said.
No one completely understood Lu Zhou and Qi Sheng’s conversation. Even Zhu Honggong was confused.
Lu Zhou turned and pointed at Yan Guichen. “Come here.”
Yan Guichen shuddered before he fell to his knees and cried out, “L-lord, Lord Unholy One!”
“It seems like you have no regard for me,” Lu Zhou said.
“Honorable Unholy One, I, I, I have always been your most loyal follower!” Yan Guichen stammered.
“You studied my painting, covet the Heaven Suppressing Pestles of the ten halls, and even kidnapped my disciple. Is this the behavior of the most loyal follower?” Lu Zhou asked.
Yan Guichen remained kneeling as he tried to explain himself. He said incoherently, “M-misunderstanding! It, It’s all a misunderstanding. I, I didn’t know this fatty… No, I, I didn’t know this young talent is your disciple!”
Zhu Honggong wore a gloating and arrogant expression on his face as he said meaningfully, “Oh, I thought you said I won’t be able to live nor will I be able to die? Hurry up and beg for death!”
“…”
In Zhu Honggong’s opinion, everyone here was his master’s subordinates. No one of them could harm him.
Yan Guichen wanted to cry but had no tears. He only waved his hand at Zhu Honggong.
At this time, Lu Zhou turned to Zhu Honggong and said sternly, “Shut up.”
‘This wicked disciple is too unruly. If I don’t beat him up for two days, his body will itch. If I don’t beat him for three days, he’ll go around causing trouble!’
Thump!
Zhu Honggong fell to his knees immediately. Then, he cried out, “If master tells me to shut up, then I’ll shut up! I won’t speak another word!”
Jiang Aijian: “…”
‘This skill…’
Lu Zhou turned back to Yan Guichen and asked, “How many Heaven Suppressing Pestles are in your possession?”
Yan Guichen answered truthfully, “Lord Unholy One, I don’t have any in my possession now.” Then, he pointed at Qi Sheng before he continued to say, “Five of them are… with him… The Commander of Tu Wei Hall, Qi Sheng, has been secretly collecting the Heaven Suppressing Pestles. Apart from that, it’s said that the Great Abyss Land’s Heaven Suppressing Pestle has been taken away by the Pavilion Master of the Evil Sky Pavilion. As long as you will it, I’ll kill him to offer the Great Abyss Land’s Heaven Suppressing Pestle to you.”
“I’m the Pavilion Master of the Evil Sky Pavilion,” Lu Zhou said bluntly.
“…”
Yan Guichen’s mind went blank.
‘This… What should I do?’
Yan Guichen felt like he was about to collapse. His body was stiff, and his expression was frozen; he looked like a statue at this moment.
In fact, unless it was something major, the Nihilist Congregation rarely paid attention to the ten halls. Most of them were focused on pursuing the Great Dao and breaking the shackles. They did not even pay attention to the recent commanders’ competition. Hence, they were not aware of the Evil Sky Pavilion.
At this moment, Cult Leader Zhou fell to his knees and said, “My lord, please show mercy. He was only ignorant; he meant no offense.”
Lu Zhou ignored Cult Leader Zhou and continued to ask Yan Guichen, “Did you instigate and spread the rumor regarding the ten celestial stars?”
Yan Guichen hurriedly waved his hand and said, “It wasn’t me, it wasn’t me! Although I really want the Ten Classics, I’m not that despicable to that extent. Lord Unholy One, please believe me!”
“Who was it then?”
“The Sacred Temple,” Yan Guichen replied.
Lu Zhou frowned.
Jiang Aijian looked slightly surprised. “Back then, in order to maintain the balance, the Sacred Temple sent a large number of cultivators to help the ten halls at all costs. And yet, you said it was the Sacred Temple?”
“Yes,” Yan Guichen said. Then, he added, “Balance? Commander Qi Sheng, you led people to kill Wu Zu, right? That aside, Shang Zhang is the only divine emperor in the ten halls. As long as he’s alive, there can be no balance in the ten halls.”
“…”
This statement was truly thought-provoking. Moreover, it made complete sense.
Sacred Temple helped the ten halls at all costs? When Tu Wei died, the Sacred Temple did not have much of a reaction. When the 3,000 Silver Guards were wiped out in the Unknown Land, the Sacred Temple also did not care at all.
After a moment, Lu Zhou said, “I’ll believe you for now. Next question, How did you comprehend my painting?”
An expression of reverence and awe appeared on Yan Guichen’s face as he said, “Your painting is too mysterious. The laws in it are greatly beneficial to others. Just a corner of the painting is incomparably wondrous. I discovered the laws of the Great Dao such as the laws of time and space. There are also the laws of the five elements. The poem on the painting is the key to entering the painting.”
Although Lu Zhou’s expression remained the same, he was slightly surprised in his heart. ‘This Yan Guichen is quite smart. Not only did he know how to start from the poem, but he even succeeded.’
