Chapter 746 Sikong Beichen
When Xia Changqiu and Tian Buji were still in the Thousand Willow Monastery, they were convinced that Sikong Beichen would not meet them. The five First Seats would only have a brief sparring session with the old senior, at most, to understand more about him. With the Ninth Temple’s current situation, there was a high possibility they were trying to gain allies. At the very least, the Ninth Temple would prefer to coexist in peace than make new enemies without due cause.
However…
This was awkward.
Two Ten-leaf cultivators had appeared in succession. This exceeded Xia Changqiu’s expectations. It seemed to have exceeded the expectations of the other members of the Ninth Temple as well. Why was the Great General of the North here?
Xia Changqiu gulped. He forced himself to calm down as he looked at the old senior whose expression remained calm. This was the old man who sent the five First Seats reeling back on his own and with a single strike. He wondered if the old senior would suddenly turn around and flee. If that happened, those who were left behind would not live to see another day.
Lu Zhou looked ahead calmly.
Xia Changqiu was shocked by Lu Zhou’s composure, but at the same time, he was relieved as well. ‘Perhaps, the old senior still has some tricks up his sleeve?’
Lu Zhou hovered in midair and waited for the appearance of the so-called Great General of the North. Who would not want to have a glimpse of such an elite?
Little Yuan’er and Conch ran up to Yu Shangrong as they looked at their master and Second Senior Brother curiously.
Yu Shangrong maintained his attitude as a senior. He looked at them and smiled at them warmly and gently as he said, “There’s no need to be afraid. I’ll protect both of you.”
Lu Zhou was relieved that Yu Shangrong was willing to protect his junior sisters. This way, he would not be distracted, trying to keep them safe.
The five First Seats of the Ninth Temple rose higher in the air.
In the distant northern sky, a winged warhorse pulled a flying chariot as it trotted over. Two armored knights flanked the flying chariot. It was a majestic entrance.
“Here they come.” The Mystery Hall’s First Seat, Zhang Shaoqing, was slightly shocked.
Kong Lu was heavily injured. He was still shaking as he tried to rise to his feet. He said, “I’ll… go and meet them.”
The disciples of the Ninth Temple glanced at Kong Lu. ‘What can he do in this state?’
The Peace Hall’s First Seat, Yao Qingquan, said, “The temple master has invited you over. Four of you, go. I’ll deal with the general.”
The other four First Seats nodded.
Yao Qingquan flew north.
Then, 100 disciples rose on their swords and followed him to make it look grander.
Zhao Shaoqing turned to look at Lu Zhou. Fear still lingered in his heart from their exchange earlier. He cupped his fists together and said, “You wanted to meet the temple master. Follow me…”
The other three First Seats moved to the side and made an inviting gesture.
Lu Zhou kept his eyes trained in the north direction. He was in no hurry to meet this Great General of the North. He was sure they would meet soon enough. Hence, he waved at Yu Shangrong and the others. “Follow me.”
“Understood…”
Xia Changqiu and Tian Buji were slightly nervous as they followed the others.
Yu Shangrong looked at Little Yuan’er and Conch before flying over as well.
…
The central structure in the Ninth Temple was a platform and the main hall. However, Sikong Beichen was not in the main hall. He lived deep in the Ninth Holy Palace in the east. It was an area of its own. It was also the only building in the entire place that had nine stories.
The other halls occupied by the First Seats were lower.
On the ninth floor of the Holy Palace.
Zhao Jianghe, Sun Wenchang, Wang Youdao, and Zhang Shaoqing flew in and landed in front of the Holy Palace.
“Senior, this way.” Zhao Jianghe made an inviting gesture.
Lu Zhou walked on air. He stroked his beard as he surveyed his surroundings. He was inwardly in awe when he saw the majestic place and the nine-story Holy Palace.
The others hurried over.
At this moment, a veiled woman sauntered out of the Holy Palace. She stood before them and bowed. “The temple master is inside. Follow me.”
Yao Qingquan did not move. Instead, he maintained his inviting gesture and allowed Lu Zhou to go before himself.
Lu Zhou entered the Holy Palace followed by the four First Seats.
When Yu Shangrong and the others wanted to follow them in, the veiled woman raised a hand and said, “Unrelated people are not allowed to enter. I’m sorry.”
Yu Shangrong lowered his head slightly and looked at the woman from the corners of his eyes. “Unrelated people?”
“Let them all enter.” A stern and gruff voice rang from the Holy Palace.
“Understood.”
They walked down a long corridor with two rows of pillars. It hardly seemed like the ninth floor of a building. Even the palace was not built as majestically as the Holy Palace.
Eventually, Lu Zhou saw a haggard old man, whose hair was as white as his own, seated on a chair.
The old man’s appearance was ordinary. He looked tired as he supported his forehead with one hand that was resting on the table.
Lu Zhou stopped moving. Since he had transmigrated, this was the first person he met who was truly older than him. ‘I won’t deceive him if he’s honest with me. Birds of a feather flock together. Am I destined to meet old men wherever I go?’
At this moment, a rich voice rang from beyond the hall. “Make way for the Great General of the North.”
The others looked outside.
At this moment, Sikong Beichen finally lowered his hand and looked up. However, he did not look at Lu Zhou. Instead, he looked past him.
A stocky armored man with a black cape slowly walked in. His eyes were spirited, and his face was wide. He carried a superior air about him.
Chen Beizheng guarded the northern borders and had great military achievements. Then, the palace summoned him back. Now, he was a great figure inside the palace whom no one dared to take lightly.
The Peace Hall’s First Seat, Yao Qingquan, entered the Holy Palace with Chen Beizheng.
The other First Seats greeted Chen Beizheng at the same time. “Great General.”
Chen Beizheng looked at the four First Seats but did not respond. He looked at Sikong Beichen before he stood unmoving, silently surveying his surroundings. After a while, he said, “Brother Beichen, it’s been a while.”
Sikong Beichen shook his head and said, “What is the great general doing in the Ninth Temple instead of guarding the sky?”
“I’m here on orders.” Chen Beizheng made his way to the seat on the left and sat down unceremoniously. “I’m here on orders to capture the foreign tribesmen.”
“Foreign tribesmen?”
The five First Seats’ expressions changed slightly.
Sikong Beichen had not been involved with the Ninth Temple’s affairs for a long time now so he did not know what this meant. He said with a sigh, “I have guests today. You should come another day.”
In the entire Ninth Temple, Sikong Beichen was the only one who could speak to Chen Beizheng in this manner.
“Guests?”
At this moment, the others finally noticed the old man who was silently and calmly stroking his beard.
Sikong Beichen nodded slightly. He waved his right arm and said, “Have a seat, my friend.”
Lu Zhou did not move. Instead, he regarded Sikong Beichen with a neutral expression. ‘You finally noticed me?’
“There’s no need for that. I’m merely here to take my disciple away.” Lu Zhou stood unmoving like a mountain as he faced these two Ten-leaf cultivators.
The five First Seats were shocked. ‘This old man… is so fierce and imposing?’
They were shocked by Lu Zhou’s composure when faced with their temple master and Chen Beizheng. This was not something that could be cultivated overnight. At this moment, they finally noticed the old man’s air was somewhat similar to their temple master. However, the old man was more mysterious.
Xia Changqiu and Tian Buji’s knowledge and perception were frequently being refreshed and renewed in Lu Zhou’s company. In the Thousand Willow Monastery, they could still give orders with a high and mighty air, but here, the two of them were nothing but ants. They shuddered.
It was exceptionally quiet inside the Holy Palace.
Sikong Beichen stared at Lu Zhou with a deep gaze, trying to gauge Lu Zhou’s true strength. When their eyes met, he felt as though he was looking at the vortex in the deepest part of the Endless Ocean. He was slightly shocked by this. In all his years of living, he had never met someone like the old man in front of him.
Meanwhile, Chen Beizheng enjoyed the refreshments brought by the female attendants as though everything was within his control. He was not in a hurry at all.
Sikong Beichen calmly said, “My friend, did you subdue the five First Seats on your own?”
Lu Zhou did not answer the question. Instead, he said in a slightly demanding tone, “I don’t like to beat around the bush. Bring Yu Zhenghai to me.”
The others exchanged a look.
“Yu Zhenghai?” Sikong Beichen was puzzled.
The Mystery Hall’s First Seat, Zhang Shaoqing, hastily walked over and whispered into Siking Beichen’s ear.
Thud!
Chen Beizheng placed his teacup on the table. He said, “That Yu Zhenghai is also one of the people whom I’m here to capture.”
Sikong Beichen had his own thoughts. He said, “General Chen, these friends are honored guests of the Ninth Temple and not foreign tribesmen as you claimed. Please leave.”
The five First Seats were shocked. They instantly understood the temple master’s intention.
As expected of the person with the highest authority in the Ninth Temple. His vision, thoughts, choices, and decisions were made in a flash.
Lu Zhou understood what was happening now. Before he knew it, he was caught in between the hammer and the anvil. The relationship between the palace and the Ninth Temple seemed complicated.
Chen Beizheng smiled and coldly said, “Zhu Xuan battled two golden lotus cultivators at the Thousand Willow Monastery. There are many eyewitnesses. Brother Beichen, are you siding with the foreign tribesmen?”
Sikong Beichen calmly replied, “I didn’t see it.”
Chen Beizheng looked at Lu Zhou and said, “I can understand if you didn’t see it, Brother Beichen, but the five First Seats have just recently fought with that person. They should be very well aware…”
The First Seats bowed and said in unison. “We’ve not seen any foreign tribesmen.”
Xia Changqiu and Tian Buji. “…”
‘Are they all blatantly lying? Has the contest between the two factions escalated to this stage?’
Chen Beizheng looked at the First Seats. He was slightly taken aback, but he was not entirely surprised. He said, “Alright, alright. Rumors can’t be trusted, and one has seen anything with their eyes. Show us your avatar to settle this matter.”
Lu Zhou continued stroking his beard and did not deign to look at Chen Beizheng. ‘Why should I show you my avatar just because you told me to?’
The Peace Hall’s First Seat, Yao Qingquan, shook his head and said, “General Chen, this is the Ninth Temple’s Holy Palace, not the royal palace or the northern borders. Nobody is allowed to act as they please here. If you want to see an avatar, you should go outside.”
Chen Beizheng smiled brightly. He raised the wine cup and downed it in one go. He slammed it down the table, shattering it into fine pieces. He slammed his palm on the table and said, “Bring him in.”
Chen Beizheng’s two knights carried a person on a stretcher into the Holy Palace.
Zhang Shaoqing was puzzled. “The Blood Sun Temple’s Hui Neng?”
Lu Zhou glanced at Hui Neng and shook his head slightly. ‘Fa Hua is too soft.’
Hui Neng was heavily injured, but he could still speak. He struggled to get off the stretcher before he kneeled and said, “I can testify that this old man is a cultivator from the golden lotus domain. He killed Hui Jue and Hui Sheng, and he also injured the abbot. He’s a Nine-leaf golden lotus cultivator! General Chen, I ask that you take this man down and do the Blood Sun Temple justice!”
Chen Beizheng nodded in satisfaction. He looked at Sikong Beichen and said, “Brother Beichen, don’t stop me from taking my prisoner. Otherwise, not even you can protect the Ninth Temple. The palace won’t show any mercy when it comes to capturing the foreign tribesmen.”
