Zhu Honggong said with a grin, “Eldest Senior Brother, with your strength, I’m sure you can think of a way to open this box. Who knows we might find an unexpected treasure hidden within?”
Yu Zhenghai shook his head. He did not think there would be anything in the box that would attract his attention. He said, “Ever since the Evil Sky Pavilion started recruiting disciples, master gave everyone a set of cultivation methods and a weapon… Since then, the Evil Sky Pavilion’s name began to rise in prestige. I won’t be surprised if there’s a treasure in the box.”
“That’s right… Eldest Senior Brother, you’ve defeated many elites with your Jasper Saber and Great Dark Heaven Memorial. Then, you founded the Nether Sect, and it’s become the greatest cult in Great Yan. Apart from that, Second Senior Brother’s Guiyuan Sword Technique has reached perfection as well, and nobody can lay a finger on him in Upper Prime City. He has also destroyed countless precious items,” Zhu Honggong said, his words filled with praise.
Yu Zhenghai turned and looked at Zhu Honggong.
Zhu Honggong’s heart skipped a beat. He hastily added, “Uh… Although Second Senior Brother’s sword technique is powerful, it pales in comparison to your Great Dark Heaven Memorial, Eldest Senior Brother.”
Yu Zhenghai said, “Second Junior Brother has always been at odds with me. However, I’m still his eldest senior brother.”
“Of course, of course. You magnanimity isn’t something that others can replicate.” Zhu Honggong knew that Yu Shangrong had killed Chen Wenjie who was from Yu Zhenghai’s faction. Chen Wenjie was one of the three Sword Freaks who was highly skilled with the sword. Chen Wenjie could be regarded as one of Yu Zhenghai’s helpful assistants. However, Yu Zhenghai did not hold this against Yu Shangrong. If this was not magnanimity, he did not know what was.
As someone with his standing, Yu Zhenghai had heard too much flattery over the years. He was already numb to this. “Tell your men to tidy the place.”
Zhu Honggong immediately gestured at his subordinates outside. “Tidy this place up. My Eldest Senior Brother wants to rest!”
This person was Yu Zhenghai, the Evil Sky Pavilion’s first disciple who repelled the Righteous Sect with only two moves. He was also the Sect Master of Nether Sect Master whose cultivation base was unfathomable.
Naturally, nobody dared to slack off. They quickly nodded and hastily busied themselves with clearing the place.
…
Three days passed in just a blink of an eye.
The morning sun shone on Tiger Ridge.
The stronghold was now more organized after they cleaned up the aftermath of the battle. However, the uprooted trees made the place look barren.
A kilometer away from the stronghold, Mingshi Yin appeared, as he said he would. Initially, he intended to appear in Tiger Ridge directly. However, he found the surroundings strange so he decided to investigate it. As he surveyed his surroundings, he murmured, “Elites were fighting here?”
Mingshi Yin was not stupid. He knew this aftermath was likely caused by a battle between two strong cultivators. He cast a suspicious glance toward Tiger Ridge.
“Old Eighth, that stupid swine. I hope he’s alright.” Mingshi Yin was feeling slightly worried. He tapped the ground lightly with his feet. With movements as quick as lightning, he sped toward Tiger Ridge. When he arrived, he was further shocked by the state the Tiger Ridge was in. All the trees had been uprooted!
“Hm? A Righteous Sect’s flying chariot?” A fallen flying chariot caught Mingshi Yin’s eye. The name of the Righteous Sect was displayed on the flying chariot. He was still mulling over this when two members from the Tiger Ridge Gang appeared.
The two Tiger Ridge Gang’s members bowed and said, “Mister Fourth! Gang Leader has been waiting for you for a long time.”
Mingshi Yin was taken aback. He asked skeptically, “He’s been waiting for me for a long time?” Apart from that, he was surprised that these two low-level cultivators recognized him.
Mingshi Yin stroked his chin as he pondered about this for a moment. Perhaps, his reputation had begun to spread far and wide, and his last visit left an impression on them? However, how did Old Eighth know he would appear specifically at this exact moment?
“Yes, Mister First told us to come and get you.”
“Mister First?” Mingshi Yin frowned when he heard this. “Don’t tell me that Yu Zhenghai, the Sect Master of Nether Sect, is on your mountain.”
“Yes.”
“…” Mingshi Yin was flustered, losing his composure immediately. He scratched his head before he waved his arm and said, “Well, uh, I suddenly remember that I have something to attend to. I’ll come for the box some other day.”
“Uh… Mister Fourth… Mister Fourth…”
“That’s alright, I know my way out.” Mingshi Yin waved his hand and quickly retreated. Just when he was about to cast a skill to leave, a booming voice rang from the direction of the Tiger Ridge.
“Old Fourth, since you’re here, why are you in such a hurry to leave? We haven’t seen each other for a long time. Let’s reminisce about old times in Old Eighth’s mountain stronghold. I’ve had wine and food prepared. Are you trying to hurt my feelings by leaving now?”
Mingshi Yin who clearly heard Yu Zhenghai’s voice felt speechless. He had an unnatural expression on his face as he thought to himself, ‘Damn it! What rotten luck!’
“Mister Fourth, this way, please!”
Mingshi Yin was helpless. He could only follow them to the stronghold.
Just as Yu Zhenghai had said, there was a table full of sumptuous dishes. Mingshi Yin saw his eldest senior brother seated at the table. His heart raced when he saw his eldest senior brother, but he mustered up his courage and walked up to the table. ‘There’s nothing to be afraid of! I’m fine even though I’m next to master all the time. Why should I be afraid of Eldest Senior Brother?’
Mingshi Yin cupped his fists together and said, “Greetings, Eldest Senior Brother!”
Zhu Honggong, Old Eighth, was polite. He hastily stood up. “Fourth Senior Brother!”
Yu Zhenghai spoke candidly, “Fourth Junior Brother, come and sit. Pour us some wine! None of us are allowed to leave until we’re drunk!”
“…” Mingshi Yin hastily waved his hand. “Eldest Senior Brother, you can drink an ocean with your tolerance. I don’t think I can compete with you. Also, I came for the box, and I’m in a hurry to report to master. By the way, Old Eighth, where’s master’s box?”
Yu Zhenghai said, “There’s no need to rush… The box is behind me. Come, sit.”
“…” Did Mingshi Yin have a choice? He decided to sit down. It would not do for him to oppose his eldest senior brother. It would only result in a beating. When he sat down, his cup was filled.
Without rhyme or reason, Yu Zhenghai suddenly said, “Old Fourth, I was told that you frequently badmouth me in front of master?”
“No way! Who’s feeding you false information, Eldest Senior Brother?” Mingshi Yin widened his eyes in shock.
“Don’t be nervous. If I can’t even overlook such a trivial matter, how can I be worthy of being your Eldest Senior Brother?” Yu Zhenghai’s voice was gentle, deep, and amiable.
From the beginning until now, Zhu Honggong never stopped eating. However, at this moment, he chimed in, “That’s right. Eldest Senior Brother isn’t so petty.”
Yu Zhenghai said, “Old Fourth, how are things up on the mountain these days?”
Mingshi Yin sighed and answered frankly, “Things are better than before… Master’s getting old. The people who are coveting the Evil Sky Pavilion are constantly trying to take a bite out of us.”
Yu Zhenghai sighed and said, “How’s master faring? Is his temper as bad as before?”
When he heard this, Zhu Honggong stopped eating and looked at Mingshi Yin.
“His body’s fine. He doesn’t have any problems clobbering someone.” Mingshi Yin was tight-lipped. “As for his temper, there are improvements.”
“So I heard.” Yu Zhenghai raised his wine cup and emptied it. He smiled and said, “I heard master has given you the heaven-grade weapon, the Separation Hook and Scabbard.”
Mingshi Yin was slightly taken aback. He said, “You sure keep yourself well-informed, Eldest Senior Brother.”
“Although I’ve left the Evil Sky Pavilion for a long time, my heart has always lain with it…” Yu Zhenghai said calmly.
“To be honest, I have something I would like to ask, Eldest Senior Brother.”
“We’re brothers. Say what’s on your mind. There’s no need to hold back.”
“When you were in the Evil Sky Pavilion, the Evil Sky Pavilion was in its golden days. Nobody even dared to dream about looking for trouble with us. I’m curious why you chose to leave the Evil Sky Pavilion, Eldest Senior Brother?” Mingshi Yin asked solemnly. He had asked Si Wuya, Old Seventh, the same question. However, Si Wuya had only given him a vague answer. Who knew maybe his eldest senior brother would give him a straight answer?
