My disciples are all villains.

Stunned, Qin Jun hesitated about the question he wanted to ask.

Still, he was worried that the Old Mister might get offended by his question, so he was in a dilemma.

"Can't you do it?" Lu Zhou asked calmly.

"It's not that…" said Qin Jun with a bow, "Li Yunzhao's cultivation base is unfathomable. He's a rare elite in the palace and he almost never leaves the palace."

Lu Zhou said nothing.

Qin Jun realized that he had said something wrong. Only a mediocre person would find excuses for himself. He hastily added, "Don't worry, Old Mister. I'll surely bring Li Yunzhao here."

"If there's nothing else, you may leave," Lu Zhou said.

Qin Jun hesitated for a moment before saying, "If I may be so bold to ask you a question, Old Mister?"

"What is it?"

"Lately, it's been rumored in the cultivation world that the Golden Court Mountain's barrier is weakening and will be broken in five years. The major sects of the Noble Path are eyeing it like prey so that they can get their hands on the Evil Sky Pavilion's treasures when the time comes, and they'll surely leap at the chance to attack. Is that…true?"

The Prince of Qi lived in the Divine Capital, after all, thus he could be regarded as someone within the palace walls. Because the bulk of the information he obtained was by word of mouth, he could not easily verify their authenticity. He wanted to ask if that was true.

After a moment's silence, Lu Zhou answered, "It's true."

Qin Jun cursed softly and said, "These so-called Noble Path sects are truly detestable."

Lu Zhou did not expect this from him. "Great Yan's imperial family would've wanted me to die sooner…Aren't you worried that the walls might have ears when you say that?"

"There's nothing to be afraid of. I am what I am today because of what you've given me, Old Mister. If I'd been like them, I'm worse than livestock!"

The people in the Prince of Qi Mansion were not as simple as they seemed!

Each one was more eloquent than the last. When he compared them to his own disciples, none of them had the same resolve as Qin Jun.

Lu Zhou derided his host in his mind.

Unfortunately, even with Qin Jun having such an attitude, it was not enough. Moreover, his cultivation base was only in the Divine Court realm.

"I was just using you back then. The illness that was ailing you was nothing to me," Lu Zhou said as he searched his memories.

"Use?" Qin Jun bowed and said, "There isn't a single person within the palace walls who isn't using someone else."

He had long been numbed about such matters after witnessing scum and filth on a daily basis.

"You're an optimist, I see."

"You flatter me, Old Mister."

Qin Jun did not dare exchange more witty remarks. He bowed and said, "Rest well, Old Mister. I'll be taking my leave."

Lu Zhou waved his arm without a word.

Night fell.

The entire Prince of Qi mansion was quiet. Just when Lu Zhou was getting ready to study Heaven Writing…

"Qin Ruobing requests an audience with you, Old Mister."

'Hmm?'

Lu Zhou found it strange. Who would be bothering him at this hour?

This silly move did not seem like something he would have expected from a member of the Prince of Qi Mansion. He felt that there must have been some other matter.

He then said, "Come in."

Creak...

The young lady, whom he had met only once in the hall earlier, appeared. However, she was wearing different clothes now. She seemed less dignified and sophisticated. Currently, she seemed to be a plain and simpler person. Nonetheless, her facial features were still delicate and pretty, and she could be considered a beauty.

"What's the matter?" Lu Zhou merely gave her a glance before closing his eyes again.

Qin Ruobing knelt obediently and said, "When I found out that you're from the Evil Sky Pavilion, I came here to apologize, Old Mister."

Lu Zhou said nothing. If he had been a petty person, she would not even have the chance to apologize right now. Besides, she did not exactly go against him in the hall, so there was no need for her to apologize for anything.

Qin Ruobing touched the floor with her forehead and said, "If I may be so bold, please, take me as a disciple, Old Mister!"

As she said this, she kowtowed again.

Lu Zhou opened his eyes slowly and looked at Qin Ruobing, who was sincerely kowtowing to him.

Her cultivation base was only in the Sense Condensing realm. For someone of her age, her talents were simply ordinary.

"Where did you get such boldness?" Lu Zhou said drily.

"Well…"

Qin Ruobing felt slightly frightened. She mustered her courage and continued, "I have heard many stories about the Evil Sky Pavilion since I was young. From that moment on, I made up my mind to become a cultivator like an Evil Sky Pavilion disciple. I've only been admiring one person my whole life…and that's you, Old Mister! Please, be my master!"

Bam!

Her forehead touched the floor.

In the end, she was only a passionate worshipper who had only heard legendary stories about the Evil Sky Pavilion since she was young.

As someone who transmigrated here, he naturally knew about the existence of such people. Moreover, the old villain Lu was an unrivaled cultivator under the heavens, hence it was impossible for him to not have a single fan.

However, he did not expect the young lady of the Grand Prince of Qi Mansion to be one of them.

'Hehehe.' Lu Zhou did not know if he should be happy about this. 'A disciple? Her talents are rather mediocre. Besides, these nine disciples are giving me enough trouble as it is.'

Just when he was about to reject her…

The Prince of Qi, Qin Jun, ran into the room. He swept his gaze across the scene, walked up to Qin Ruobing, and gave her a firm slap across the cheek. "How dare you?! Who gave you permission to intrude upon the Old Mister's room?"

Qin Ruobing was stunned. Having never been hit her entire life, she did not expect her father to hit her now over something like this.

Although she felt wronged, she dared not say anything. She could only press her hand to her cheek…

Qin Jun knelt to the ground, cupped his fists, and said, "Please, forgive me, Old Mister. My daughter is ignorant of courtesy and rules. I'll see to it that she gets punished harshly for this!"

Lu Zhou appeared calm on the surface. However, he sighed inwardly. She was his fan, after all. This slap alone was enough as punishment for her.

"Let's call it a day." Lu Zhou waved his hand.

"Get up and get out!" Qin Jun barked with a suppressed volume. He tugged on Qin Ruobing and left the room.

When Qin Jun exited the room, he closed the door behind himself.

Then, Lu Zhou closed his eyes and meditated upon Heaven Writing.

When he meditated on Heaven Writing, he could now sense the situation and movements inside and outside the room. This was unlike before, whereby he would be completely absorbed in the text and be oblivious to everything that was happening around himself.

Therefore, Lu Zhou felt at ease.

On the morning of the next day, when Lu Zhou opened his eyes, he sensed that someone was waiting for him outside his room.

He asked in a deep voice, "What is it?"

"I'm the butler, Hong Fu. The master has left the mansion early in the morning for the imperial city. He shall be back in less than two hours."

'You can count on that old butler to get things done right.'

In truth, Lu Zhou knew that he had been waiting outside his door for about an hour now.

Since the butler was unsure of a cultivator's habits, he had chosen to wait here ahead of time.

Lu Zhou got off the bed with his hands behind his back. He waved his hand and a gust of energy opened the doors.

"Two hours…" Lu Zhou mumbled.

Hong Fu hastily bowed and said, "Eunuch Li is a prominent person by the Empress Dowager's side. He'll have to obtain the Empress Dowager's permission to leave the palace."

Lu Zhou nodded. Without caring about the method Qin Jun would employ, he walked out calmly.

Refreshed after a night's rest, he now had roughly half of his extraordinary power's full capacity.

…

Two hours later, a voice could be heard from outside the living room.

"Eunuch Li, this way, please."

Lu Zhou looked outside the doors of the living room.

Little Yuan'er and Zhao Yue flanked him.

The butler Hong Fu bowed and said, "Old Mister, Eunuch Li is here."

At this moment, in a tall hat, dressed in long robes with silver hair and a bony build, Li Yunzhao appeared at the door.

This was the elite cultivator by the Empress Dowager's side, Eunuch Li of the Dark Yin Palm.