My disciples are all villains.

Lu Zhou attempted to search for information regarding Yu Zhenghai from his memories. He was also trying to remember anything about the Other Tribes when he visited Rongxi in the past. No matter how he looked at it, his longevity and the Nine-leaf stage were related to his nine disciples.

In the beginning, there were many things that Lu Zhou could not remember. His attempts to kill his disciples, the Heavenly Writing scrolls, attempting the Nine-leaf stage… he thought they were mere coincidences. In hindsight, he could see now that they were more than coincidences. Ji Tiandao clearly sealed his memories about the Nine-leaf stage and his longevity in the crystal. Why would he do that?

Mingshi Yin could tell that his master was lost in thought so he did not dare to disturb his master. He looked at Si Wuya and Zhu Honggong meaningfully before he said, "I'll take my leave now, master."

Zhu Honggong and Si Wuya had no choice but to cup their fists and said in unison, "I'll take my leave, master."

The three of them exited the room respectfully.

Even after the three disciples left, Lu Zhou was still lost in his thoughts.

...

When the three disciples stepped out, Little Yuan'er leaped down from the beam. She giggled before she said, "Hello, senior brothers!"

"Hello, Little Junior Sister."

Mingshi Yin looked at Si Wuya and said, "Old Seventh, you'd do well not to flaunt your shallow intelligence and petty schemes before master. I can help you this once, but I can't help you forever."

Si Wuya asked, somewhat ungratefully, "That's your way of helping me?"

"I thought you pride yourself on being smart. Master has already attained the Nine-leaf stage, why would he care about Eldest Senior Brother? You're dreaming if you think he cares," Mingshi Yin said mockingly.

"I…"

Mingshi Yin did not give Si Wuya a chance to speak as he continued to say, "That's enough. Master may be easily convinced, but that doesn't mean that I'm convinced. Great Yan's Imperial family has challenged the Evil Sky Pavilion numerous times. Do you think master isn't annoyed? If Eldest Senior Brother wishes to fight the Imperial family, it's just as well. He'll be doing the Evil Sky Pavilion a favor. I believe that master won't trouble Eldest Senior Brother for some time."

Si Wuya nodded when he heard Mingshi Yin's words. The atmosphere was too heavy back then, and it had clouded his thoughts. Now that he heard Mingshi Yin's words, he knew Mingshi Yin was right. Therefore, he cupped his fists and said, "Thank you, Fourth Senior Brother."

"You're welcome," Mingshi Yin said.

As soon as Mingshi Yin finished speaking, two wails rang from the middle of the mountain.

"Ow… Easy! The Evil Sky Pavilion isn't a place where you can act as you please… You wretched old lady! You'll regret this!"

"Ahh!" The cries sounded wretched.

Mingshi Yin shook his head and said, "What do we do now? She has forced her way in."

Si Wuya said, "Leave this to me." He turned around and walked down the mountain. 

Little Yuan'er, Zhu Honggong, and Mingshi Yin followed him.

From above, an old woman could be seen supporting herself using a cane as she casually made her way up the steps. Meanwhile, Pan Zhong and Zhou Jifeng, with their swollen and bruised faces, kept retreating.

Si Wuya frowned slightly. He remembered Mingshi Yin's words earlier and asked, "This is the Confucian sect elite, Zuo Yushu?"

"That's her." Mingshi Yin spread his hands in a show of helplessness. "This old woman came all the way here using the side path. She should've gone to the nearby town and ask around. You should be cautious. She doesn't believe in the existence of a Nine-leaf cultivator."

"…" Si Wuya initially intended to intimidate the old woman by mentioning a Nine-leaf cultivator. Who knew he would run into an eccentric and stubborn old woman?

Zuo Yushu spent most of her days deep in the valley. She barely interacted with people. When she decided to leave the valley, it was only natural for her to avoid the crowded places. She would never deign to ask the townspeople about the Nine-leaf cultivator.

Shortly after, two more cries resonated in the air.

Then, Pan Zhong and Zhou Jifeng ran up to Si Wuya.

"M-mister Seventh! Quick, st-stop her!"

Although Si Wuya seemed slightly worse for wear with his dark circles and sickly, exhausted appearance, when he straightened his back and his composure returned to him, he looked somewhat dependable.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

The old woman with a stooped posture, Zuo Yushu, finally arrived at the top of the stairs. She looked at the people in front of her before her eyes finally landed on Mingshi Yin whom she was familiar with. She said, "We meet again, young man."

"Uh… Hello, old senior!" Mingshi Yin said unnaturally. He thought old people's visions and memories would worsen, and yet, she remembered him.

Si Wuya said, "Hello, Senior Zuo."

"And who are you?"

"The Evil Sky Pavilion's seventh disciple, Si Wuya," Si Wuya answered honestly.

Zuo Yushu chuckled and said, "I've overestimated his standards. An invalid, an airhead, a fatso… and a dimwit who wanders around. I see he's not picky about the disciples he accepts."

Zhu Honggong and Little Yuan'er were baffled. 'What's with her? And what's with the sudden insult?'

Si Wuya did not seem to take offense. He said, "You wish to meet our master, Senior Zuo?"

Zuo Yushu pointed at Mingshi Yin with her walking stick. "Didn't he tell you the reason I'm here?"

Mingshi Yin said, "Senior, you know the reason behind Feng Qinghe's death. Why must you do this?"

Upon hearing this, Si Wuya could guess what this was about. He said with a smile, "You intend to avenge Feng Qinghe, Senior Zuo?"

"All I want is an explanation. I've promised Feng Qinghe that I'll kill anyone who wanders into the valley without holding back. I spared this young man here on account of your master, but he should give me a proper explanation, don't you think so?" Zuo Yushu said.

Si Wuya nodded. "Why don't I give you an explanation?"

"You?" A contemptuous and disapproving expression appeared on Zuo Yushu's face. She was clearly irritated by Si Wuya's casual attitude.

Si Wuya did not seem intimidated. He said indifferently, "Feng Qinghe, the Master of the Zhencang Branch, colluded with the six great sects and secretly incited the ten elders of the Yun Sect to launch a coordinated attack on the Evil Sky Pavilion. Are you satisfied with this explanation, Senior Zuo?"

Zuo Yushu furrowed her brows slightly. She studied Si Wuya for a moment before she knocked her walking stick on the ground.

Bam!

Web-like cracks spread across the limestone floor. The cracks lit up...

"Script seals?" Mingshi Yin took two steps backward. These runes were the same as the ones inscribed on the plum blossom stumps.

Everyone, apart from Si Wuya, retreated. "You intend on bullying your juniors, senior?"

The glow from the cracks dimmed.

Zuo Yushu said, "I have nothing to say to you. Tell your master to come out…"

"My master is unwell… We'd appreciate your understanding," Si Wuya said.

"I don't think you're giving me enough respect."

"No, no, no…" Si Wuya waved his hand and said, "That's the truth."

"Hm?" Zuo Yushu's expression stiffened. She raised her walking stick. Script seals appeared on her walking stick as well. "Young man, since your master didn't properly educate you in manners, I'll discipline you on his behalf."

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

The script seals shot out from the walking stick and sailed toward Si Wuya.

Si Wuya reached behind him and grabbed Zhu Honggong.

Zhu Honggong, who was suddenly and unceremoniously used as a shield, yelped.

Bam! Bam! Bam!

The script seals landed on Zhu Honggong's chest. He rubbed his chest and said in an aggrieved tone, "Ow! Seventh Senior Brother, what're you doing?"

Zuo Yushu looked at Zhu Honggong in shock and she exclaimed in shock, "You're unharmed?"

Si Wuya only said, "The Confucian sect's Expansive Heavenly Energy is powerful indeed…"

Zuo Yushu could sense the sarcasm in Si Wuya's words. She tightened her grip on the walking stick with her wrinkled hand.

Bam!

She pounded the stick on the limestone floor again as the Primal Qi around her surged. Script seals appeared and spun within ten meters of her.

The others retreated.

Si Wuya was about to say something when a deep voice reached them from afar. "Enough."

Everyone looked toward the source of the voice.

A refined and calm Lu Zhou dressed in long robes appeared before everyone's sight.

"Greetings, master!"

"Greetings, pavilion master!"

Zuo Yushu looked up and saw the old man who was slowly making his way toward them. Apart from shock, a hint of reverence and fear could be seen in the depths of her eyes as well.