The system’s notification proved Lu Zhou right. He was not in a hurry to merge the Heavenly Writing Scrolls. Instead, he looked at the tuckahoe pies at the side.
Zhao Yue smiled. “It seems like these are sent by Sixth Junior Sister.”
Tuckahoe pies were one of the desserts Ye Tianxin was most skilled at making. When Ye Tianxin was still on the mountain, she frequently made them for her master. Also, it was thanks to this that Ye Tianxin obtained the Amorous Hoop that she wanted ahead of time.
Lu Zhou was surprised that Ye Tianxian still remembered this. Alas, the current Ji Tiandao was no longer the Ji Tiandao of old. He did not like tuckahoe pies. Hence, he waved his hand and said, “Share it among yourselves.”
Zhao Yue said in confusion, “Huh? But Sixth Junior Sister made them for you. I dare not accept it.”
“I have no appetite.” Lu Zhou blurted out the first excuse that came to his mind.
When Zhao Yue heard this, she bowed and said, “Thank you, master.” However, inwardly, she was worried. ‘Master’s losing his appetite… It’s said that this often happens in old age. Is master’s great limit truly near?’
Aside from cultivating, Zhao Yue would also keep up with the news in the outside world. It was only natural for her to worry, what with all the rumors being circulated. She was not the only one who was worried about Lu Zhou. The other disciples and the Old Age Pavilion had often discussed their plan should the Noble Path come knocking.
Zhao Yue took the tuckahoe pies and said, “There’s a letter as well.”
“I see.” Lu Zhou glanced at the letter inside the parcel.
Zhao Yue dared not stay for a moment longer. She left the room respectfully.
Lu Zhou picked up the letter, opened it, and scanned through it. It read, “Dear Master, your disciple, Ye Tianxin, delivered these items to the Evil Sky Pavilion as requested by Second Senior Brother. Second Senior Brother is afflicted by a curse and has severed his Golden Lotus. He’s now trapped inside the Melilot Graveyard and is recuperating there while sprouting his leaves again. Second Senior Brother wants to tell you that everything’s fine. Regards, the unfilial rascal, Ye Tianxin.”
After reading the letter, Lu Zhou frowned. Primal Qi surged in his hand, and he burned the letter into ashes.
‘So, severing one’s Golden Lotus and surviving is possible?’
Lu Zhou sat down slowly. He remembered the rumors he heard before this. He shook his head and mumbled to himself, “Stubborn.” His unyielding attitude was reminiscent of a young Yu Shangrong. He would always solve and carry the problem he encountered on his own.
At the moment, the Noble Path was forming an alliance to attack Golden Court Mountain. Lu Zhou initially wanted to summon the Old Age Pavilion to discuss the matter of severing Golden Lotuses. Then, he thought it would only be detrimental to the Evil Sky Pavilion if word of it got out. Besides, the success cases were too few and could hardly serve as references. Since the theory was already widespread, all he had to do was wait for the results.
At this moment, Zhu Honggong appeared outside the pavilion. He bowed and said, “Greetings, master!”
“Come in.” Lu Zhou stood with his hands on his back and walked to the window before looking out.
Zhu Honggong opened the doors and entered. He bowed again as he said, “Master, I have good news.”
“Let’s hear it.”
“I’ve learned much about the memory crystal from Seventh Senior Brother.” Based on Zhu Honggong’s current expression, he was clearly waiting to be praised.
Lu Zhou turned to look at Zhu Honggong and said again, “Let’s hear it.”
Zhu Honggong relied on Si Wuya the most when he was on Tigerridge Mountain. Si Wuya had secretly helped Zhu Honggong on more than one occasion as well. The two of them were closer than most. It was normal for Zhu Honggong to be able to glean information from him.
“He said that he has no idea about the whereabouts of the crystal. It might be in Rongxi or Rongbei. He has no way of knowing since you were the one who sealed it,” Zhu Honggong said.
Lu Zhou stroked his beard and nodded. “Continue.”
“He said that there are many things that aren’t what we think them to be. He’s not afraid of being misunderstood or carrying the blame since he’s used to it,” Zhu Honggong said, “Master, why do I have the feeling that Seventh Senior Brother is treating us all like fools?”
With his hands behind his back, Lu Zhou said, “He thinks too highly of himself.”
“That’s right. He acts as if he’s the smartest man in the world and everyone else is stupid,” Zhu Honggong said.
Lu Zhou turned around and stared at Zhu Honggong before he said, “Gossiping behind another person’s back. Go out and receive your punishment.” He had to educate Old Eighth since Old Eighth had this two-faced behavior.
When Zhu Honggong heard this, he instantly shuddered. He initially wanted to ask for forgiveness, but when he remembered what his Fourth Senior Brother told him, he hastily said, “I’ve made a mistake.”
“Ding! Punished Zhu Honggong. Reward: 200 merit points.”
…
In the afternoon, Lu Zhou appeared in the Cave of Reflection.
There was a small crowd gathered outside the cave. The three elders of the Old Age Pavilion and his disciples were there as well.
Pan Litian stood up and cupped his fists at Si Wuya as he said, “I’ve lost this match… My chess skills have always been lacking.”
“Thank you for letting me win.” Si Wuya’s expression remained unchanged. “The matters of the world are like a game of chess. There are times where life experience doesn’t translate into superior chess skills.”
“I’m enlightened.”
The female disciples around were filled with awe.
“Mister Seventh, you’re truly intelligent. You’re skilled in music, chess, writing, and drawing. Elder Hua has lost, Elder Leng has lost, even Elder Pan has lost.”
“The game of chess is over. What’s the next match going to be? I want to continue watching.”
“…” As he listened to the female cultivators’ discussion, Si Wuya shook his head and said, “There’s no need.”
The others regarded Si Wuya in confusion.
Si Wuya said with a calm expression, “Having an intense match with a competent opponent is something to be excited about. Forgive me for being blunt… but our exchanges have been slightly boring.”
The others were embarrassed. If they had won even a single match against Si Wuya, they could have refuted his words. However, he had won from morning until now. The others were thoroughly defeated.
The victor would always be in the right. No matter what the loser said, it would only sound like excuses.
Just when Si Wuya was about to return to the Cave of Reflection, Lu Zhou’s voice reached his ears. “Feeling satisfied with yourself?”
The others turned around immediately in the direction of his voice.
“Greetings, Pavilion Master!”
“Greetings, master!”
Lu Zhou walked with his hands on his back.
The crowd parted for him.
Si Wuya did not expect his master to suddenly show up. He humbled his attitude at once. The look of pride on his face faded away as he bowed and said, “Master.”
Lu Zhou walked toward Si Wuya and stood before him. He stared at Si Wuya. “Do you think that you’re very smart just because you’ve won against them?”
“I dare not!”
Lu Zhou glanced at the items around him. There was a mind game that resembled Huarong Road, a die that would normally be seen on a gambling table, and a set of Go. How could the people of the Evil Sky Pavilion win against Si Wuya in these games?
When Lu Zhou recruited him, Si Wuya was already a regular at various gambling dens. When he was ten, he was a prodigy whom the gambling dens respected and feared.
Lu Zhou kept his eyes on Si Wuya.
Si Wuya’s pride was different from Yu Shangrong’s. Yu Shangrong’s pride originated from his bones. It was born out of confidence in and respect for his own sword skills. On the other hand, Si Wuya’s pride was not only built upon a sense of self-acclaimed superiority, but it was also built upon tearing others down. This disciple had to be educated and disciplined.
Lu Zhou looked at Si Wuya and said, “You’re adept in solving riddles. I just so happen to have a few that I’d like to consult you about.”
When he heard the word ‘consult’, Si Wuya fell to his knees in a haste. “I’ve made a mistake!”
