My disciples are all villains.

Mingshi Yin was puzzled. After receiving their master's orders, the Evil Sky Pavilion's disciples remained on the mountain.

After the barriers of the Taixu Academy and the Hengqu Branch were broken, the major sects chose to recuperate.

Why would someone knock on the Evil Sky Pavilion's doors at this moment?

"Little Junior Sister, cultivate on your own for now. I have something to attend to," Mingshi Yin said.

"Oh." Conch turned around and left obediently.

Mingshi Yin looked at the female cultivator and said, "I'll go and have a look." Feeling bored, he swiftly made his way down the mountain.

At the foot of the mountain, Mingshi Yin saw a eunuch in palace attire standing outside the barrier. The eunuch was none other than the Empress Dowager's personal eunuch, Li Yunzhao.

"Mister Fourth, it's been quite a while since we last met. I offer you my greetings," Li Yunzhao said.

"It's you?" Mingshi Yin was puzzled. He said, "You're really bold to come here."

Li Yunzhao pulled a long face and sighed as he said, "I didn't want to come either. However, I had to come due to my master's orders."

"Just get on with it. I don't have the time to talk at length with you," Mingshi Yin said.

Li Yunzhao asked, "May I meet the pavilion master?"

"No."

"…" Li Yunzhao steeled himself and shamelessly said, "I have an urgent matter to discuss. It's only in the pavilion master's presence that…"

When Mingshi Yin saw that Li Yunzha still had not revealed the main reason for his visit, he turned around and walked back into the barrier. 'He's just going on and on. I have better things to do.'

"Wait, wait!" Li Yunzhao cried out anxiously, "The Retired Emperor wants to meet the pavilion master!"

The Retired Emperor?

'Didn't that old man kick the bucket years ago?' Mingshi Yin turned around suddenly and moved swiftly. He let out a burst of energy as he attacked Li Yunzhao.

Bam! Bam! Bam!

Li Yunzhao did not expect Mingshi Yin to suddenly attack him. He raised his hands to defend himself. Golden palm seals burst forth from his hands as he parried Mingshi Yin's blows. He retreated as he said, "Mister Fourth, you've misunderstood me! The Retired Emperor is alive all along. The palace had no choice but to announce his passing before this…"

Bam!

Their final palm strikes collided. Then, they each took three steps back.

Li Yunzhao was slightly shocked. He was an elite from the internal palace, after all. He was a first-rate Seven-leaf cultivator by the Empress Dowager's side. And yet, he was pushed back three steps by Mingshi Yin.

Mingshi Yin steadied his footing, begrudgingly admiring how powerful this cursed eunuch was. He asked, "Emperor Yong Shou is still alive?"

"Yes," Li Yunzhao hastily explained. "Your master has a good relationship with the Retired Emperor. Now that he's advanced in age, he wishes to meet the pavilion master before his departure from this life."

"My master isn't available." It was the truth.

Li Yunzhao's expression froze for a moment before he said, "The Retired Emperor has said that he'll personally visit if the pavilion master is agreeable to it."

Mingshi Yin was stunned. Then, he said, "I told you my master isn't available. Can't you understand human speech?"

Li Yunzhao felt helpless as well. He looked to the sides. When he saw that there was nobody else, he beckoned Mingshi Yin over.

Mingshi Yin understood Li Yunzhao's gesture and walked over.

Li Yunzhao moved closer and whispered into Mingshi Yin's ears.

Mingshi Yin's expression changed slightly when he heard Li Yunzhao's words. He asked skeptically, "Really?"

"Yes," Li Yunzhao replied with a bow, "I'm close to the Empress Dowager. I'm only telling you this because of past favors. Just act as though you didn't hear that, Mister Fourth."

"You're quite tactful," Mingshi Yin said.

"I've said what I have to say. What happens next has nothing to do with me. Mister Fourth, I have another request," Li Yunzhao said.

"What is it?"

"Please strike me with your palm. It's easier for me to explain myself when I return," Li Yunzhao replied.

Mingshi Yin scratched his head and said, "That won't do. I'm a reasonable man, just like my master. I can't hit someone without due reason."

"Please do it, Mister Fourth. The Retired Emperor is personally invested in this matter. I have no choice but to do this." Li Yunzhao pleaded.

"No, no, no…" Mingshi Yin waved his hands. "I'm not that kind of person. I can't help you with this. If it were a friend who goes by the surname Ri, he might be able to help you."

Li Yunzhao appeared morose as he bowed and said, "That's fine. You're truly a righteous man, Mister Fourth. There's no need to trouble your friend with the surname Ri. His strikes won't mean anything. You're a person from the Evil Sky Pavilion, Mister Fourth, and you should not associate yourself with a petty man like him. That's all I have to say. Farewell."

"Wait."

Li Yunzhao stopped. He turned around in confusion.

Bam!

Mingshi Yin punched Li Yunzhao at a close distance.

Li Yunzhao reeled back and rolled on the ground. "Ow, my face!"

"I suddenly feel that I should help you… Does it hurt?" Mingshi Yin put his fist down.

Li Yunzhao did not expect Mingshi Yin to strike without warning. 'You could've helped me without going overboard… Ow…'

Mingshi Yin no longer looked at Li Yunzhao. He hummed a ditty as he flew back to the Evil Sky Pavilion.

When Mingshi Yin returned to the Evil Sky Pavilion, he began to fret.

Liu Ge, the former Emperor of Great Yan, wanted to visit the Evil Sky Pavilion! His visit coincided with the Nether Sect acting against the Imperial family. What good could come out of this visit?

After pondering on it for a moment, Mingshi Yin decided to consult his master. After all, the person with the highest position in Great Yan was acquainted with his master. After making sure no one was around, he made his way to the hidden chamber. Soon enough, he arrived outside the hidden chamber."Greetings, master."

There was no reply nor sounds of movements in the hidden chamber.

Despite feeling uneasy, Mingshi Yin raised his voice slightly as he said again, "Greetings, master."

Once bitten, twice shy. He remained kneeling on the floor as he waited for a reply. He dared not get close to the hidden chamber's door.

There was still no reply from the other side of the door.

Mingshi Yin shook his head and sighed. 'I should think of something myself… I must resist the urge. Hold it together! I shouldn't try and peek through the gap.' Then, he turned around and left immediately.

…

Inside the hidden chamber.

Lu Zhou's consciousness was in a muddled state. After reprimanding Zhu Honggong, he was once again immersed in the state and had closed off his senses. Naturally, he did not hear Mingshi Yin's voice.

...

Three days passed.

In the morning, the sun rose from the east at the Evil Sky Pavilion.

Meanwhile, a small, gray flying chariot departed from the Divine Capital toward the Evil Sky Pavilion.

On the flying chariot, two of the Imperial guard's eight great generals, Gu Yiran and Su Sheng, were standing respectfully behind Emperor Yong Shou.

The two of them were former subordinates of Emperor Yong Shou. They had trouble calming their emotions when they looked at Liu Ge who was surprisingly alive.

"Are you afraid?" Liu Ge glanced at them.

The two of them bowed. "We're just slightly moved."

Liu Ge looked at the rising sun in the east.

The flying chariot sailed smoothly through the clouds.

"The two of you once stood by my side as I launched a campaign to conquer the lands. The 10,000 tribes submitted to me. Many years have passed since then, you two… have grown old as well." Liu Ge sighed.

Gu Yiran and Su Sheng's hairs were fairly white now.

Time was cruel.

"It's the natural cycle of life to grow old," Su Sheng finally replied.

As he looked at his former subordinates, Liu Ge nodded slightly and said, "You've done well by supporting Gu'er all these years."

"That's what we're supposed to do. So long as we can defend Great Yan, we'd climb a mountain of blades or cross a sea of flames," Su Sheng said.

Liu Ge studied the duo for a moment before he suddenly asked, "Have the two of you ever considered severing your lotuses to attempt the Nine-leaf stage?"

Upon hearing this, the duo fell to their knees immediately. Sweat could be seen glistening on their faces. It seemed like Liu Ge was privy to the current affairs of the world since he was asking about their lotuses.

"I have always been loyal. The sun and moon can attest to that!"

"The Nether Sect is wreaking havoc across the nine provinces. I can't stand by and do nothing!"

They dared not go against the decree of the former emperor without due cause.

Liu Ge nodded, pleased. He said, "Stand up and speak."

The two of them stood up.

"I wanted to meet Gu'er… but since he's cultivating in seclusion, I decided to have you two accompany me on this trip." Liu Ge had abdicated the throne, after all. The Imperial guards no longer belonged to him.

Su Sheng said, "You only need to order us, Your Majesty."

"Alright."

"Clear the way to the Evil Sky Pavilion."

"…" Su Sheng and Gu Yiran were shocked. Their backs were instantly drenched in sweat and an ominous feeling swelled in their hearts.

...

At noon, the flying chariot finally landed at the foot of Golden Court Mountain.

"Y-your Majesty, we're here." Su Sheng glanced at Golden Court Mountain and gulped.

"Are you nervous?" Liu Ge noticed the two generals' uncomfortable expressions.

To be honest, Gu Yiran and Su Sheng were already regretting this. They did not expect the former emperor's destination to be the Evil Sky Pavilion's Golden Court Mountain. This was the most untouchable place in the cultivation world at the moment! However, since they had declared their loyalties and made their vows, they had no choice but to soldier on.

"I'm not nervous, just worried."

"There's no need to worry… I'm old friends with Ji Tiandao. I'm only here to reminisce about the past," Liu Ge said.

The Imperial bodyguards leaped off the flying chariot. They carried several boxes and placed them outside the barrier.

At this moment, a figure flew down from the mountain. The figure hovered in the air and asked, "Are you His Majesty, Emperor Yong Shou?"

Liu Ge looked up at the person in the air and asked in return, "You recognize me?"

"It's just a guess. I've been waiting for you. I'm not used to kneeling, and I'm sure you don't mind," Mingshi Yin said.

"It's alright," Liu Ge said magnanimously.

"My master has been in seclusion for three months. I'm afraid he can't meet you now, Your Majesty," Mingshi Yin said bluntly.