My disciples are all villains.

The old butler, Hong Fu, turned around and looked out the door. "Young Master, Young Lady."

The incomers were an elegant young man and a graceful young lady, followed by four servant girls. As soon as they entered, they saw Lu Zhou sitting in a dignified manner on the seat of honor.

According to the rules of the host, even a distinguished guest could not take this seat without a good reason.

However, before the young man could speak, Hong Fu said, "Young Master, we must be respectful. Even if the master's here, he should still be courteous."

Hong Fu was truly a skilled man. He knew the young master was immature and was quick to act recklessly so he had spoken first before the young master could say anything to cause unnecessary trouble.

The young man, Qin Shuo, nodded and toned down his haughty demeanor. Old Hong had served the mansion for many years and had always been a cautious man. Based on his words, it was obvious they had to treat this guest with respect. Therefore, although Qin Shuo did not know this guest, he bowed at Lu Zhou and said, "Greetings, Old Mister."

Lu Zhou raised his teacup and paid no heed to him. He found it meaningless to talk to people of no importance.

Qin Shuo's attention was drawn to the tea. Was this not Big Red Robe, the tea that his father loved the most? Even if a notable person from the Imperial city was here, his father would not easily serve them the Big Red Robe that he had been keeping for a long time.

Hong Fu's expression froze for a second before he walked up and made an inviting gesture. "Young Master, the old mister has traveled far to be here. Why don't you adjourn to another place?"

"Old Hong, you…"

"Listen to me this once. If you want to find fault with me after this, I will have no complaints."

The young girl beside him said, "Brother, Old Hong has stayed by father's side for 20 years. That's more than you or I have been with father. If this is Old Hong's wish, then, we should listen to him."

Qin Shuo nodded. He bowed deeply at Lu Zhou, Zhao Yue, and Little Yuan'er again. "Have a good rest, old mister. I'll be taking my leave."

"Watch your step, Young Master."

...

Qin Shuo and the others turned around and left.

When Qin Shuo and his little sister turned the corner, he frowned.

"Brother, what're you worried about?"

"I'm not worried about anything… I'm sure Old Hong has his reasons. I'm merely wondering what kind of person that old man is that Old Hong is acting like this."

"Well, we'll find out once father returns, right?"

"You're right. Let's go…"

The two of them left.

...

Old Hong returned to the living room and said, "I've prepared three rooms. You can make yourselves comfortable there, old mister and young ladies."

Lu Zhou stood up. He placed his hands on his back and began to pace. He surveyed the surroundings and said with a sigh, "It has been 20 years… I thought things would be different, but they seem to remain unchanged."

Old Hong nodded and said, "My master is someone who's nostalgic."

"How's Qin Jun's status in the palace?" Lu Zhou asked.

Since Qin Jun has not returned, Lu Zhou decided to obtain information from Old Hong. After all, Old Hong had been serving the Prince of Qi Mansion for a long time. He must know something.

"To tell you the truth, the schemes, plots, and deception in the palace have become too much. My master refrains from taking part in it. He has always kept himself out of it and kept himself aloof. He's not very powerful, but he's respected," Old Hong said.

Lu Zhou asked categorically, "Do you know Li Yunzhao?"

As soon as that name was mentioned, Old Hong's expression changed slightly. "Old Mister, he's a notable figure by the Empress Dowager's side… Although he has no actual authority, many nobles would curry favor him due to his special position. He's definitely someone with power."

Lu Zhou nodded and no longer said anything. Old Hong would not be able to tell him what he wanted to know.

...

Meanwhile. Mingshi Yin flew with Lu Qiuping, one of the Five Mice, in tow. Halfway along his journey, he became exhausted. "What's master thinking by going to the Divine Capital at this time? It's too far away. He has a mount, and I have nothing. When will I get there?"

Lu Qiuping smiled ingratiatingly and said, "In that case, you can just let me go like a fart… I guarantee… that I'll return the zen tunic right away."

"Shut up! Do you think it's as simple as the zen tunic?" Mingshi Yin tightened his grip on Lu Qiuping again.

Lu Qiuping broke out in sweat from the pain. He pulled a face and said. "There are so many treasures in the Evil Sky Pavilion… Surely, you won't miss one item? Why do we have to do this? If I die, my big brother will be furious. My second, third, and fourth brother are much more accomplished in stealing than I am. They'll surely avenge me. When will this vicious cycle end… ahhhh…" His voice distorted in the end as Mingshi Yin tightened his grip again.

Mingshi Yin said in a deep voice, "How dare the Five Mice threaten the Evil Sky Pavilion? Did you know the zen tunic is what keeps my Eighth Junior Brother alive?"

"Huh?"

"Taking the zen tunic is the same as killing my Eighth Junior Brother! To tell you the truth, in my eyes, the Five Mice are dead men, or mice, walking!"

"…" Lu Qiuping's mind went blank, and he fainted.

Mingshi Yin glanced at him and cursed, "Trash." It was a bother to travel with Lu Qiuping. The Divine Capital was huge. He could not possibly meet his master while carrying this trash. "I should return to the Evil Sky Pavilion first before heading to the Divine Capital."

The Upper Prime City, the Evil Sky Pavilion, and the Divine Capital were positioned like a triangle.

Mingshi Yin decided to return to the Evil Sky Pavilion first since it was not too far away. He did not waste any time and headed to the Evil Sky Pavilion with Lu Qiuping in tow.

…

Upper Prime City, Long Wind Restaurant.

Upper Prime City was in complete chaos at the moment.

Fires broke out everywhere.

Four figures shot past the roofs, the streets, and some corners where the soldiers and some cultivators could not see. They arrived at the base of Long Wind Restaurant at lightning speed.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

The four of them stopped and looked at Long Wind Restaurant.

"Big brother, this is where fifth brother promised to meet Si Wuya."

"Let's check it out, Be discreet."

"Understood."

One of them went up to check, another stayed behind to keep an eye on the surroundings while another acted as the messenger.

The eldest brother was the only one who stood at the base of Long Wind Restaurant as he waited for the results.

In just a moment, the three of them returned.

"Big brother, there's no sign of fifth brother."

"Si Wuya isn't here as well."

The fourth brother ran up to them and cried out, "Big brother… big brother, I found this! It's fifth brother's dagger!"

The eldest brother took the dagger and glanced at it. He scoffed and said, "That Si Wuya, does he think I don't dare to act against him just because he's a disciple of the Evil Sky Pavilion?"

"Big brother, fifth brother must've been captured," the second brother said.

"I reminded him to be wary of Si Wuya, but he wouldn't listen. That man is extremely cunning and treacherous. He has plenty of schemes in his mind," the eldest brother said with a sigh.

"Big brother, we'll follow your orders. What should we do now?" The three of them looked at their big brother.

He muttered to himself for a moment before he looked in the direction of Evil Sky Pavilion and said, "The monk can run, but the temple can't. Since Si Wuya broke the rules, we have no obligation to behave righteously as well."

"Big brother, what do you mean?"

The eldest brother swept his gaze across the three of them and said, "The Five Mice of Upper Prime City have never pulled any major stunts. I'm asking you now, do you dare to pull a major stunt now?"

An expression of excitement appeared on the remaining three men's faces. All they had done was commit petty theft. They would sneak in, steal some stuff, and avoid being caught. The Noble Path viewed them as rubbish and rats. The people mocked them as a useless group who were constantly on the run, and everyone wanted to beat them up. Who knew these mice would be bold enough to steal a Buddha's lamp wick? They wanted to let loose after playing it safe for so long. Surely, there were many others who felt the same way about their own lives. The Five Mice were no exception. To gain, one must take risk.

There was no one who did not covet the Evil Sky Pavilion's treasures.

Moreover, the Five Mice had succeeded once.

"Let's retreat for now."

The four of them left Upper Prime City at top speed.