Duan Xing seemed like he had expected this. He replied immediately, “You called, old senior? I’m here. I will climb a mountain of blades or dive into a sea of flames. All you need to do is say the word.”
“Take him away.”
Clang!
Lu Zhou waved his sleeve. A blast of wind opened the door. He walked out with his hands on his back. He called out to his mount softly, “Whitzard.”
Whitzard arrived on the clouds and slowly landed in the courtyard.
Lu Zhou glanced at the sun. It was high noon. It was almost time as well.
At this time, Duan Xing suddenly asked, stammering, “Old… O-old senior, who should I take away?” Yu Shangrong walked out of the room. His posture and bearing made it clear that he would not be touched. He emitted an air that kept everyone at arm’s length.
Duan Xing, naturally, did not dare to get close to Yu Shangrong.
Lu Zhou turned around and asked, “Are you afraid?”
Duan Xing was stunned. Then, he tried to motivate himself by saying, “I’m not! With your support, old senior, I have nothing to fear!”
“That’s good.”
Duan Xing walked up to Yu Shangrong.
Yu Shangrong merely glanced at Duan Xing before he shifted his cold gaze somewhere else.
Duan Xing felt close to tears. Could he not be afraid? Impossible!
Lu Zhou rode on Whitzard’s back. They lingered in the sky above Cloud Shine Nunnery for a moment. Initially, he wanted to stay for a few more days to reminisce. When he looked at the nunnery, he saw the past and regrets. Alas, there were still many things he had to attend to. He had no choice but to return.
The sound of a bell tolling rang in the air again. How far up the mountain was Cloud Shine Nunnery? The forest path was left untrodden.
Lu Zhou was preparing to leave when Cloud Shine Nunnery’s abbess, Buddhist Master Xuan Jing, appeared. She straightened a palm at Lu Zhou. “Amitabha. Take care, Benefactor Ji.”
Lu Zhou sighed. He could see traces of Jing Yan in Xuan Jing. Stubborn, independent, and determined. It would have been a pity and a big regret if this beautiful place was laid to waste.
This place was isolated from the masses. It was a natural and great place to escape the heat and to recuperate. If someone were to establish a sect and recruit disciples, this would also be an ideal place for cultivation. If he had nothing to do in the future and wanted to rest, this would be one of the places he would think of.
With these thoughts in mind, Lu Zhou said loudly, “I’ve left a Buddhist cultivation method in my portrait in the study. I hope that you’d cultivate it well and not give up halfway. Cloud Shine Nunnery is a nice place.”
When Xuan Jing heard this, her dim eyes brightened. She kneeled at once and said, “Thank you, Benefactor Ji. I thank you on behalf of my master.”
“Take care of yourself.” Lu Zhou rode on Whitzard’s back and flew toward the sea of clouds.
Duan Xing emboldened himself, carried Yu Shangrong with his energy, and followed Lu Zhou. “Safe travel, sect master! We’ll await your return in Fiend Temple!”
The Evil Sky Pavilion.
It was close to dusk, Zhou Jifeng and Pan Zhong were sparring in the plaza. They looked up and saw Whitzard among the sea of clouds.
“The pavilion master is back!”
Pan Zhong saw Duan Xing bringing Yu Shangrong behind Whitzard. He was puzzled. “Who are those two people?”
Pan Zhong and Zhou Jifeng were from the Clarity Sect and Heavenly Sword Sect, respectively. They were young juniors. At most, they had only heard about Yu Shangrong’s stories. It was natural that they did not recognize him.
Pan Zhong and Zhou Jifeng were not the only ones. Many renowned individuals did not recognize Yu Shangrong as well.
Pan Zhong speculated, “Looks like he’s a newcomer.”
SU
“Mhm… You’re probably right.” Both of them had learned from their past mistakes. They assumed a respectful and humble attitude. Regardless of who the ndividual was, they decided that it was better to keep a low profile. After all, the pavilion master would never be interested in average and ordinary individuals.
After a short while, Whitzard descended slowly.
“Greetings, Pavilion Master!” “Greetings, Pavilion Master!”
Lu Zhou leaped off Whitzard’s back and waved his sleeve as he said, “Lock him up in the Cave of Reflection!”
Pan Zhong and Zhou Jifeng were slightly stunned. ‘Isn’t he a newcomer?’ Pan Zhong suddenly felt a sense of deja vu. He remembered Zhu Honggong was given the same treatment when he was first brought back to the Evil Sky Pavilion. His heart skipped a beat. Was this cultured and refined man another one of the pavilion master’s disciples? ‘I wonder if he’s Mister First or Mister Second?’ Regardless, they were not individuals whom he could afford to cross.
Pan Zhong quickly nudged Zhou Jifeng with his elbow. He did not fear a godly opponent but a useless teammate. He hoped that Zhou Jifeng would not act out of turn.
Both of them seemed to have a tacit agreement as they said in unison, “Understood!”
Pan Zhong and Zhou Jifeng walked up to Yu Shangrong and Duan Xing before they said, “This way, please.”
Their attitude was respectful, and they made sure they had the correct posture. Even their tones and expressions were on-point. They felt quite pleased with themselves.
Lu Zhou turned to look at Pan Zhong and Zhou Jifeng suspiciously. He said indifferently, “What are you two doing?”
“Huh?”
Duan Xing hastily waved his hand and said, “I’m a guest. I’m not…” He pointed at Yu Shangrong Yu Shangrong found their antics comical. He smiled faintly and said, “I can walk on my own. There’s no need to trouble you two.” He was humble and polite as he walked to the back of the mountain.
There was a barrier at the entrance of the Cave of Reflection at the back of the mountain. One could enter but not exit.
Yu Shangrong had lost access to his cultivation base. Once he passed through the barrier, it would be nigh impossible to get out.
Zhou Jifeng hastily walked up and escorted Yu Shangrong to the Cave of Reflection.
Meanwhile, Lu Zhou looked at Pan Zhong and asked, “Old Fourth’s not in?”
“Mister Fourth and Miss Ninth haven’t returned, Pavilion Master. However, Mister Fourth did send a letter saying he’ll be back tomorrow,” Pan Zhong replied.
Lu Zhou stroked his beard and nodded. He returned to the Evil Sky Pavilion.
Duan Xing felt lost.
Pan Zhong looked at Duan Xing meaningfully and asked, “How should I address you, sir?”
“Duan Xing of Fiend Temple.” Duan Xing cupped his fist
“Who’s that humble and polite man?” Pan Zhong asked.
“Mister Second, Yu Shangrong,” Duan Xing replied.
Pan Zhong inhaled sharply. That was close. I’m a f*cking genius!’
Zhou Jifeng followed Yu Shangrong to the Cave of Reflection. He chuckled and said with a bow, “This way, this way…”
Yu Shangrong could not help but shake his head. He turned to look at Zhou Jifeng and said, “I don’t mean to sound condescending… but master’s standards seem to have fallen quite a lot.”
In other words, since Lu Zhou allowed a person who was filled with flattery and did not know who Yu Shangrong was, it seemed like Lu Zhou did not have much of a standard to speak of.
Zhou Jifeng continued to nod and bow. “You’re right!”
Shortly after, Zhou Jifeng cupped his fists when they arrived at the Cave of Reflection and said, “Mister Eighth.”
“Say what you must and make it quick! Your Grandfather Zhu is trying to cultivate here. Don’t disturb me if it’s not something urgent!” Zhu Honggong’s voice rang from the cave.
“The pavilion master has ordered me to send someone into the Cave of Reflection. I hope you don’t mind, Mister Eighth.”
Zhou Jifeng’s voice had barely faded when Zhu Hongong replied with an annoyed tone, “Get lost. Tell him to sleep outside! Also… tell him to fetch me water and wash my feet from now on!”
Zhou Jifeng. “…” His heart pounded against his chest. Although he did not know who this cultured and refined man was, he knew the man was not someone he could afford to offend. However, the person inside the cave was not someone he could afford to offend either. ‘What should I do?’
Just as Zhou Jifeng opened his mouth to say something, Yu Shangrong waved his hand to indicate that he did not mind.
“This way.”
