Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations
“Did I commit a grave mistake?” Fang Zhengzhi gazed at Third Elder and Fifth Elder, slightly surprised yet not shocked.
Indeed, are these two sly foxes’ motives to fool him into entering the Heaven Dao Pavilion before making their moves? However, they changed their attitudes rather quickly, did he reveal any flaws about himself?
Fang Zhengzhi did not think much, because if Third and Fifth Elder were to show him attitude, naturally he could only do the same back to them.
Although this was not according to the plan, but fortunately, they were only at the Sword Peak, and have yet to enter the Heaven Dao Pavilion. If they were to enter it, it would have been more troublesome.
A thought flew past him, Fang Zhengzhi was prepared to attack first, such as taking the opportunity to kick Fifth Elder down, when he was still unsteady and unprepared.
“Not sure what mistake did Third and Fifth Elder think that Kong Qing have committed?” Fang Zhengzhi moved back two steps as he said it, widening the distance between Fifth Elder and him to three steps.
“Kong Qing, it has been six years since you have came to the Heaven Dao Pavilion. You should understand the rules and regulations. While today you have indeed put in your effort, but you have violated the rules, you must accept the punishment!” Third Elder’s face had a slight tinge of shock.
After being deep in thought, the cold light in his eyes disappeared, as he shook his head lightly at Fang Zhengzhi, and let out a soft sigh.
Fang Zhengzhi’s heart similarly gave out a sigh too, because he had a feeling that his identity was under suspicion of Third and Fifth Elder.
But Third Elder had yet to voice out his suspicion…..
This made him hesitate.
Should he attack first?
Or to wait for the two Elders to continue the game of cat catching mice? After pondering for a while, Fang Zhengzhi quickly made his decision.
“Kong Qing understands his mistakes, Third and Fifth Elder please allow me to reflect on my mistakes!” Fang Zhengzhi sincerely apologised for his mistakes.
The reason was very simple, as he did not have many choices of escape.
He had spent so much effort, and could almost touch the Heaven Dao Pavilion. If he were to turn around now and head towards the Nine Pinnacle Mountain and Yin Yang Hall, he would have wasted one to two months of his time journeying.
Moreover he did not have much time. Hence, why not gamble on this opportunity?
He’s a man, if he failed, he’ll just fight to the end!
“Reflect on his mistakes? The mistakes that you have committed, do not just merely warrant your reflection.” Third Elder shook his head in frustration.
“So….. What are Third and Fifth Elder thinking?” Fang Zhengzhi asked again.
“Expulsion from the Heaven Dao Pavilion!”
“Alright, then I’ll pack my luggage now. Then, I’ll bid farewell to my teachers and brothers!” Fang Zhengzhi accepted the punishment upon hearing it, without protesting it.
Obviously, it was the perfect punishment for him.
As everyone’s attention would be on the Heaven Dao Pavilion selection test, he would be able to return to his “room” to pack his items. How much “substance” were there in the pavilion?
Fang Zhengzhi did not know.
But he was sure that if he were given a little time and freedom, he could do many things in the Heaven Dao Pavilion, such as removing everything from the Treasury, or even flip the Heaven Dao Pavilion around?
“Wait!” Third Elder’s expression was dazed for a moment, as he did not expect that Fang Zhengzhi would have agreed so casually.
“Third Elder still have something for me?” Fang Zhengzhi looked at Third Elder astonishingly.
“Cough….. Although I am an Elder, but the punishment of being expelled of the Heaven Dao Pavilion, should be based on the decision of the Pavilion Leader.” Third Elder’s expression had a weird look on it.
“So, Third Elder is reporting to the Pavilion Leader now?” Fang Zhengzhi asked.
“This…. Kong Qing, don’t you treasure the Heaven Dao Pavilion? Or so to say, you can’t wait to leave the pavilion prematurely? You weren’t like this previously!” Third Elder’s eyes squinted gently.
And Fang Zhengzhi’s heart wavered a bit.
After hearing Third Elder, his reaction just now was indeed too casual. Realistically, a disciple who have entered the Pavilion for six years, would have felt hurt and depressed upon being expelled out of it.
“Third Elder, Fifth Elder, actually….. Actually, I am unwilling to leave. Six years already, I have entered the Heaven Dao Pavilion for six years. In this six years, I have endured almost everything. All the grass and the branches, the flowers and the trees, I, I don’t wish to leave…..” Fang Zhengzhi started acting depressed.
“Ok, since you’re unwilling to leave, Fifth Elder and I have decided to give you a second chance!” Third Elder did not wait for Fang Zhengzhi to finish “crying”.
“…..” Fang Zhengzhi was shocked for a moment. He finally managed to squeeze half a drop of tear at the corner of his eye, but it has yet to drop down.
What’s the meaning of this?
Their hearts turned soft so quickly?
Wasn’t the Heaven Dao Pavilion supposed to be a strict place? Didn’t they just mention that one cannot break the rules of the pavilion, why did they decide to give him a second chance in just a turn of an eye?
Where’s the trust among human beings?
“Kong Qing, it has been quite some time since you’re in the Pavilion. Although you did not make any major contributions, but you have indeed done quite a few things for us. Quickly use the selection test, to redeem your mistakes!” Third Elder continued.
“Atone for my mistakes?” Fang Zhengzhi blinked his eyes.
“Yes, you have already committed the mistakes, you should be punished to appease the other disciples. I have a suggestion here, you can see if it is appropriate.” Third Elder nodded his head.
“Please say it, Third Elder?”
“Firstly, I will remove your disciple status. Then, you’ll make some contributions, and till then I will naturally ask the Pavilion Leader for forgiveness.”
“This simple?” Fang Zhengzhi gazed at Third Elder.
“Yes, it’s that simple!”
“Third Elder, what kind of contribution?”
“Help Fifth Elder and I to host the second and third segment of the test.” Third Elder said.
“Let me host the second and third segment?”
“That’s right, these two segments are hosted by us, so you’ll help us. Moreover, I have two more requests.”
“What requests?”
“Firstly, you’re no longer a disciple, so naturally you cannot openly help us host the segments. So, you have to help behind the scenes, or so to say, you’ll be the same as the contestants.”
“Third Elder wants me to participate in the selection test?”
“Yes, and you must ensure that you can pass it. Even so, you have to be the first place!”
“First place?”
“Of course, you have been in the Pavilion for six years. If you lose to a newcomer, won’t you be a disgrace to the Pavilion Leader, and the laughing stock among the disciples?”
“You’re saying as if it makes logical sense!”
“Absurd!” Fifth Elder’s voice rang in the air, “Kong Qing, Third Elder is giving you a second chance because it has been tough for you for the past six years. Since you’re expelled from the Heaven Dao Pavilion, it is only natural that you participate in the selection test again!”
“Oh so this is the reason, understood.” Fang Zhengzhi nodded his head, before continuing, “May I know what is the second request?”
“It’s very simple, you cannot enter the Heaven Dao Pavilion now. I will pass down a command, that from now onwards you’re no longer a disciple of the Pavilion, so you cannot enter it temporarily. You understand the rules, if you’re not a disciple or a guest, you’ll be executed if you enter the Pavilion!”
“…..” Fang Zhengzhi did not say anything.
“It seems like you have agreed.” Third Elder saw the silent Fang Zhengzhi, and nodded his head gently.
“Can I first ask what is the second segment?” Fang Zhengzhi asked casually?
“You don’t know what is the second segment?!”
“Uh…..” Fang Zhengzhi’s heart had a tinge of excitement, following which he smiled sheepishly, “I only cared about preparing for the first segment, so for the second and third segment…..”
“Forget it, afterall you were once a proper disciple, the second segment is too simple, you need not participate in it. Just wait here, after a while they’ll be someone looking for you. You can register your name here, and form the queue!” Third Elder shook his head after saying.
“Form the queue?” Fang Zhengzhi gazed at the cliff of the Sword Peak behind him. Suddenly, he realised what the second segment was.
It’s climbing up this mountain?
Wrong!
It can’t be that easy.
Although, the Sword Peak did not have any obvious path for one to climb. But if one were to borrow the Dao of All Creation, one can naturally alter the “exterior” of the cliff of the Sword Peak.
Or rather, if one can borrow the natural power of the stones, one can “build” a ladder up the cliff. But, when he was riding the Green Flame Beast just now, he did not see any ladder.
Oh….. Understood!
No need to use the Dao of All Creation, just use one’s body strength to climb!
Oh, with this condition, it seemed to have better suited the strict criteria of the Heaven Dao Pavilion selection test.
“Alright, I’ll form my queue here!” Fang Zhengzhi nodded his head quickly.
“Ok, you cannot make mistakes. Only the first nine will proceed, the rest will be eliminated. Understood?”
“Understood.”
“Fifth Elder, we’ll make a move!”
“Okay!”
…..
Third and Fifth Elder walked away, together with the Green Flame Beast, leaving Fang Zhengzhi standing alone at the edge of the Sword Peak.
“Seems like….. My identity has really been exposed!” Fang Zhengzhi smiled as he looked at the fog eclipsing the valley.
He was not stupid.
Similarly, he knew that Third and Fifth Elder were not stupid either.
Redeem his mistakes, remove his disciple status, and re-participate in the selection test? If anyone were to believe this, he would be labelled as stupid.
Only that…..
Were the two foxes trying to carve a diamond statue out of his body? Or were they treating him as a mouse to be played around with?
