My disciples are all villains.

Soon after, Zhao Yue brought Si Wuya to the eastern pavilion.

Si Wuya's mental state was visibly better than it was a few days ago. He opened the doors carefully and walked in while Zhao Yue waited outside. When he entered the study, he saw Lu Zhou sitting on a rush cushion with his eyes closed. He called out softly, "Master."

Lu Zhou slowly opened his eyes before he looked at Si Wuya and said, "Sit."

"I dare not, master."

"Speak, then," Lu Zhou said.

Si Wuya nodded and said, "I've been reflecting inside the Cave of Reflection over the past few days. I've been thinking about the memory crystals as well. I have a feeling the crystal is in Rongxi instead of Rongbei."

"Why would you say that?" Lu Zhou asked.

"After you sealed your memories, master, you went to Rongxi… There are five nations in Rongxi: Qigong Nation, Wuxian Nation, Sushen Nation, Changgu Nation, and Lou Lan. Many Other Tribesmen dwelled in the five nations. They believe and worship evil monsters. After you returned from sealing your memories, we were attacked by the elites from the ten great sects… For them to plan the siege, they must know about your movements in detail. In my opinion, Lou Lan is the only one with the motives and strength to pull it off."

"Lou Lan?" Lu Zhou was puzzled. When he first transmigrated here, he had always thought the troubles were caused by the rascals, especially Yu Zhenghai. Now that he heard Si Wuya's words, he thought it was believable.

Si Wuya continued to say, "Second Senior Brother once killed a royal consort in the western regions. Do you know why, master?"

Lu Zhou glanced at him with a slight frown on his face. His expression clearly said, "Are you trying to be funny, you rascal?"

Si Wuya was so startled that he hastily said, "The royal consort was a grand shaman. She had her eyes on Second Senior Brother and wanted to control him. Second Senior Brother was not fooled. After killing the royal consort, the Imperial family had to accept Consort Yu into the palace to establish an alliance by marriage. Consort Yu is a mortal, but she brought Mo Li, who had wanted to plunge Great Yan into chaos. Alas, the Evil Sky Pavilion stood in her way."

Lu Zhou nodded. "What you're saying is that Lou Lan is the one that's plotting against me."

"Most likely so," Si Wuya replied.

"What does this have to do with the memory crystals?"

Si Wuya said, "Since the people of Lou Lan know about your movements so well… I'm sure they know where you've been in Rongxi. If we can retrace your steps back then, perhaps, we can find the memory crystal."

Lu Zhou stroked his beard and pondered on Si Wuya's words. This rascal had a point. However, how were they supposed to go about doing this?

Si Wuya seemed to have foreseen this. He said, "Master, I've also planted some of my own men in the Other Tribes, especially in Lou Lan."

Lu Zhou looked at Si Wuya again. He noticed that Si Wuya's loyalty was higher than before. However, it was still not very high.

"Master, I'm the only one who can do this. Although Jiang Aijian is the Third Prince and has many sources, he doesn't understand the Other Tribes well enough. Moreover, Jiang Aijian is unfettered and indolent in nature. He won't pay attention to much information. In the past, I've notified the Evil Sky Pavilion of many pieces of information under the Darknet's name. Jiang Aijian could have done that if he only…"

"Jiang Aijian can be trusted…"

At this juncture, Si Wuya fell silent immediately. He noticed his master's intent gaze, and he shuddered inwardly. He fell to one knee and hastily said, "It's not my intention to slander Jiang Aijian! Please forgive me, master!"

Lu Zhou stroked his beard and nodded. "Do you know why I wanted you to reflect on your actions in the Cave of Reflection?

"I know that my act of treason can never be forgiven. I have no complaints, no matter the punishment," Si Wuya replied.

"You're wrong."

It was clearly unreasonable to punish Si Wuya this severely just because he had defected in the past. After all, he had kneeled outside the Heaven Choice Temple for three days and three nights to save Zhu Honggong. Moreover, to save Yu Shangrong, he scoured Great Yan in search of runes. In his personal diary, it was clearly documented how he had saved Yu Zhenghai. If Lu Zhou continued to blame him after all discovering these things, it would be clear that Lu Zhou was intentionally being obtuse.

Lu Zhou continued to say, "You're just like Yu Shangrong. You have much-unneeded pride."

"Pride?"

"You can be confident, but being overconfident makes you conceited. Pride will often cloud your eyes," Lu Zhou said.

Si Wuya was stunned. He remembered the pile of paper inside the Cave of Reflection. He felt his cheeks burn. He prided himself in being intelligent and being able to come up with strategic plans. However, he could not solve a single one of those questions. In the end, he said, "You're right, master. I understand now."

Lu Zhou walked to the nearest chair and sat down. He said, "Up until now… You still won't reveal what happened to Yu Zhenghai?"

Si Wuya shuddered. "I've made a promise to Eldest Senior Brother."

Lu Zhou frowned slightly when he saw Si Wuya's determination. Si Wuya claimed that he had been reflecting, and yet, he still remained stubborn.

Lu Zhou's expression was stern as he said in a deep voice, "Fine. If you insist on not revealing the truth to me, you're now banished from the pavilion. From this day on, you no longer have any ties with the Evil Sky Pavilion. I'll return the Peacock Plume to you."

Lu Zhou flipped his right hand, and the Peacock Plume appeared above his palm. He did not hesitate as he tossed it over to Si Wuya.

Si Wuya was as still as a wooden chicken.

Lu Zhou looked at Si Wuya with his keen eyes, waiting for Si Wuya's answer. "You can leave whenever you want. If we meet again as enemies, don't expect me to show any mercy."

"…"

Lu Zhou would never believe in Si Wuya's determination to keep his promises. 'If you can betray your own master, wouldn't I be foolish to believe that you'll keep your promise to Yu Zhenghai? What a joke!'

Si Wuya looked at the Peacock Plume with a stunned expression. His mind was completely blank at this moment.

"Ding! Instructed Si Wuya. Reward: 500 merit points."

This time, both of Si Wuya's knees were on the ground. He prostrated himself and said, "I'll tell you what I know, but you must promise me one thing, master."

"You're trying to negotiate with me?"

Si Wuya hastily said, "… I have no intention of being disobedient, master, nor am I bold enough to negotiate with you."

"Aren't you trying to negotiate now?" Lu Zhou stared at Si Wuya with blazing eyes.

"Uh…" Si Wuya felt extremely awkward. All his confidence and composure seemed to vanish under his master's eyes. He was extremely flustered. For a time, he was at a loss for words.

Lu Zhou produced Si Wuya's diary from his sleeve. After reading it, he placed it on the table.

The room was extremely quiet now.

The master and disciple, one seated, the other kneeling.

After a long pause, Lu Zhou said, "Do you think there's no way I'd find out about it just because you refuse to tell me?"

Si Wuya looked up at Lu Zhou and said in shock, "You knew?"

"The people of Wuqi, upon their deaths, provided that their hearts remain intact, can be resurrected if they're buried and watered."

"…" Si Wuya's eyes widened. He looked at his diary on the table. The records were too obvious. It was difficult to not notice them. In the end, his master had found out about it. He prostrated himself again. He said in a hoarse voice, "Eldest Senior Brother has had a tough life!"

"Him?" Lu Zhou appeared skeptical. Yu Zhenghai had founded the Nether Sect and assimilated other factions to his sect everywhere he went. His Four Great Protectors were valiant warriors. Now that the Fiend Path was practically under his control, he traveled in his flying chariot to establish his dominance daily. He attacked cities and conquered lands. How was this a tough life?