My disciples are all villains.

The melodious tone complemented the quiet night. On its own, the tone was pleasing to the ears. However, taking into considerations that it could make beasts malleable to its will, it no longer seemed harmless and beautiful. 

The beasts slowly crept closer.

Lu Zhou raised his feet slightly and stomped.

The land shook!

A ripple of radiance spread into the surroundings.

The vicious beasts immediately scampered and disappeared into the night.

"You sent Hua Chongyang to the heaven worship platform so you can use this girl to take down Jing Province, am I right?" Lu Zhou asked.

"Uh…" Yu Zhenghai knew this was not something to boast about. How could a sect master like him use an innocent young girl for his own gains? However, those who did great things would not fret over such trivial matters. They had to make some allowances here and there. "Yes," he replied.

"I'm curious about her identity as well," Lu Zhou said.

Yu Zhenghai felt slightly guilty when he remembered Miss Conch asking him not to give up. Up until now, this was his life's motto. He had experienced and endured many hardships growing up. The Wuqians migrated due to the war and were wiped out because of it. He witnessed the deaths of his brothers but was powerless to do anything. He was sold to Lou Lan by traffickers as a manual laborer. He was treated as a plaything by the aristocrats who sliced his body until he bled to death. Not giving up was the only thing that kept him going to this day. And yet, he intended to use Miss Conch? How could he not feel guilty or regretful? In the end, he said, "Six months… Six months are all I need…"

"Do you resent your master because he tried to use you to attain the Nine-leaf stage?" Lu Zhou asked again.

This question made Yu Zhenghai fall silent. He was thinking of an answer. Matters were complicated. Many details had already been lost in the sands of time. After thinking about it for some time, he said, "Wuqian cultivators can only die thrice… To tell you the truth, I've already died twice." He sounded calm when he said this as though it was nothing important.

Lu Zhou's gaze fell on Yu Zhenghai along with the moonlight. He could hardly imagine this was the first disciple he recruited. He vaguely remembered that Yu Zhenghai joinedhardships he endured, he had a single goal, and that was to keep getting stronger. He asked, confused, "Was the first time in Lou Lan?"

Yu Zhenghai nodded.

"The second time is by Ji Tiandao's hands?" Lu Zhou mentioned his host's name instead of referring to him as Brother Ji or your master. Yu Zhenghai's second death was what he was most curious about. Yu Zhenghai was whisked away by Si Wuya after his death. That was how the personal diary came to be.

"Early in the third month of the 154th year of Emperor Yong Qing's reign in Great Yan, my master was meditating on his Golden Lotus and lost control for a time. He started spouting unintelligible words and would go on and on about the Nine-leaf stage. In the middle of the month, I was sparring with Second Junior Brother at Heaven Mountain's Phoenix Lake. My master exploded in a fit of rage, and the three of us battled it out… The battle lasted for seven days and seven nights. We moved north from Heaven Mountain's Phoenix Lake, passed by Cloud Rage River and Scarlet Orchid Mountain… In the end, my master bested both of us," Yu Zhenghai said. He paused for a moment and sighed before continuing, "My master returned to the Evil Sky Pavilion after the battle while Second Junior Brother and I recuperated there. While we rested, we had a quarrel that lasted for three days. Second Junior Brother left in anger"

When Lu Zhou heard this, something stirred in him. The things Yu Zhenghai was telling him could not be found in his memories. According to what Yu Shangrong said and coupled with the inferences made based on available information, Ji Tiandao had sealed all memories related to the Nine-leaf stage. What did Ji Tiandao see that made him seal his memories?

Lu Zhou's gaze fell on Yu Zhenghai. "Was the battle spontaneous?" It did not make sense for three people to suddenly fight for no reason.

Yu Zhenghai shook his head, indicating he did not know the answer to this.

Seeing Yu Zhenghai's calm expression, Lu Zhou said, "So, you died because of him."

"It's related but unrelated at the same time…" Yu Zhenghai smiled wryly and shook his head.

"What do you mean?"

"Someone sneaked up on me and attacked me when I was heavily injured. It's too insignificant to mention," Yu Zhenghai said.

"Who attacked you?"

Yu Zhenghai shook his head. "Thank you for your concern, Senior Lu, but I must deal with my own matters."

"Just as well." There was no use to press Yu Zhenghai about this. Lu Zhou decided to let him do what he wanted. He had gained a rough understanding of the events in the past.

Yu Zhenghai had spoken about this easily and in simple terms. However, nobody knew just how many hardships he had to endure. Yu Zhenghai's temper and character meant that he did not like to grumble or bow his head at another person. This was the kind of person he had been since young.

Lu Zhou was surprised by Yu Zhenghai's actions today. It was clear Yu Zhenghai truly wanted to rule the world. After thinking about this for some time, he placed his hands on his back and turned around, walking to the edge of the forest. He did not answer him directly.

"Senior Lu!" Yu Zhenghai was perplexed.

"Although I'm an old friend of your master, I cannot make decisions on his behalf."

Yu Zhenghai stood up and said, "In that case, please pass on the message for me, Senior Lu."

Lu Zhou stopped walking. Without turning back, he said in a deep voice, "Know your place."

Yu Zhenghai was stunned.

Yu Zhenghai was only a disciple. Was this the attitude he should be assuming while talking to his master? How dare he ask a senior to pass on his message?

When Lu Zhou arrived at the place where the battle took place a few moments ago, he looked at the moon.

The sound of the flute had stopped.

Shen Liangshou emerged from the hole in the wall. Against the moonlight, he bent his back and nodded as he spoke. "You have some shocking techniques, Senior Lu. It's truly a sight to behold."

Lu Zhou glanced at the bootlicker and said, "Shen Liangshou."

Shen Liangshou was overjoyed as he said, "I didn't expect you to know me, Senior Lu… I'm overwhelmed by this favor." At the same time, he felt pleased with himself. Being at the top of the whitelist was not without its perks. Huang Shijie was an Eight-leaf expert, and yet, Senior Lu did not recognize him. He could not help but feel proud when he thought about this.

"Have you joined to Penglai Sect?" Lu Zhou asked.

"No, no, no…" Sheng Liangshou said with a bow, "I've joined the Core Yang Sect. I was escorting Old Senior Huang to deliver the survival pills."

"You should give more thought to what you should and shouldn't do," Lu Zhou said.

Shen Liangshou found these words vaguely familiar. Suddenly, he cried out, "Old Senior Ji has said that same thing before."

"Oh?"

"If only Old Senior Ji is as approachable as you, Senior Lu," Shen Liangshou said.

At this moment, under the moonlight, Huang Shijie, Miss Conch, Si Wuya, and Hua Chongyang appeared near the hole in the wall.

Lu Zhou noticed that Miss Conch was holding a short flute. She seemed to like it very much.

Yu Zhenghai emerged from the forest as well at this time. He walked forward with the moon behind him.

Everyone's eyes darted between the Nine-leaf expert and the Eight-leaf expert.

Lu Zhou did not look at him. "Approachable?"

"Yeah… S-senior Lu… eh? Your face…" Shen Liangshou was rendered speechless as he witnessed a shocking scene.

Under the moonlight, there seemed to be a slight distortion on Lu Zhou's face!

Lu Zhou canceled the effects of the Appearance Alteration Card.

There was a brief flash of light before the black-clad white-haired and slender appearance of a teacher with a stern aura appeared before everyone.

"Ah…"

Shen Liangshou staggered backward. His eyes were full of fear. "Old… S-s-senior Ji?!"