My disciples are all villains.

"…"

A heavy pressure that seemed impossible to defend against bore down on everyone on the cloud platform.

At this moment, Gao Shiyuan's death seemed like a trivial matter. Everyone's attention was focused on Wang Shizhong, the head of the secretariat and a person who held a high position.

The soldiers looked up and placed their hands on the hilts of their sabers.

Wang Shu looked at the white-haired old man in shock.

On the other hand, Wang Shizhong struggled to maintain a neutral expression. However, his expression looked unnatural and stiff. "Senior Lu, you're joking, right?"

"Do I look like someone who likes to joke?" Lu Zhou asked.

Wang Shizhong's expression froze. "Just because of Ji Liang?"

"Just because of Ji Liang."

Neigh!

Ever since Ji Liang's return from the rock forest, its condition was not at its best. On the dashboard, its status still remained as resting. Apart from its short rest in the rock forest, it did not seem to rest. It looked exhausted. If it had merely used its ability to replenish Yu Shangrong's life, it would not be exhausted to this extent. Take Whitzard for example. Whitzard was never in this state after it used its ability.

"…" Wang Shizhong felt that this was an overreaction. Nevertheless, he said, "My daughter is wrong, but this isn't something that deserves capital punishment! Please reconsider, Senior Lu… If there's an offense, I'll repay you in kind, but please spare her!"

After that, Wang Shizhong slowly rose to his feet. Then, he beckoned Wang Shu over and said, "Shu'er, on your knees."

"No!" Wang Shu turned away.

"Bastard!" Wang Shizhong raised his hand. A red energy hand seal grabbed his daughter over.

Wang Shu yelped. She was not a match for her father and could only let her father pull her over to the center of the platform.

Wang Shizhong pushed Wang Shu down with the red palm seal.

Thud!

Wang Shu fell to her knees immediately.

The others looked at Wang Shizhong with complicated looks in their eyes.

Whether it was Nie Qingyun or Xia Changqiu, even the young emperor, Li Yunzheng, did not expect the old man to be able to pressure Wang Shizhong to such an extent. He was the head of the secretariat, after all!

The officials of the royal court treated Wang Shizhong with respect. Even the Sky Martial Court's Yu Chenshu was wary of him. How could they not be surprised to see him so submissive in front of this old man? It was like a joke!

How could Li Yunzheng, who was used to seeing Wang Shizhong conducting himself in a high and mighty manner, not be shocked?

"Is that all?" Lu Zhou looked at Wang Shu. In other words, kneeling would not get her out of trouble. These people were too optimistic.

Wang Shizhong said, "I can promise you, Senior Lu, that I'll heavily punish those who hurt Ji Liang. Moreover, my family will present you with high-grade cultivation materials, extreme-grade talismans, cultivation medicinal pills, medicinal herbs, extreme-grade Spirit Stones, or anything you want as reparations, Senior Lu!"

Wang Shu looked at her father in shock. She had never seen her father so submissive before. He even offered to pay such a huge price!

Lu Zhou could easily kill Wang Shizhong with a palm strike, let alone someone like Wang Shu. If he wanted to kill Wang Shu, he would not do it himself. Although it was easy to kill them, it would be tantamount to declaring war on the royal court if he did that.

The imperial family of the golden lotus domain was already powerful, let alone the red lotus domain's royal court.

The capital probably wielded some secret weapon that even Yu Chenshu was worried about. Otherwise, would someone like Yu Chenshu align himself with the royal court?

Lu Zhou slowly rose to his feet. He shook his head and said, "Let's change the conditions."

"Let's hear it."

"First, those who hurt Ji Liang must die. Second, I want more than 10,000 extreme-grade talismans, medicinal pills, and Spirit Stones. Third, her talents are mediocre. The way I see it, she has no need for her dantian's sea of Qi."

"…" Wang Shizhong frowned and said, "Senior Lu, I can promise you the first two conditions, but the third one…"

"This is my bottom line. You should know that nobody has ever dared to bargain with me," Lu Zhou said in a low voice.

"…"

"Fourth…"

'There's a fourth condition?' Wang Shizhong's heart sank. He felt that his heart was bleeding.

Lu Zhou stroked his beard and said, "This fourth condition isn't for me but for Great Tang. From this day onward, you'll return power to Li Yunzheng. Fifth, you and your daughter have to spend some time on Cloud Mountain."

The cloud platform was as silent as a graveyard when Lu Zhou finished speaking.

Wang Shizhong glanced at Wang Shu. Realization dawned on him. Ji Liang was merely a pawn used to exert pressure on him. These conditions were the old man's objectives all along.

Nie Qingyun rejoiced inwardly at this development. He lauded Lu Zhou for this move. There was no need to doubt the royal court's strength. Surely, they had some means that even the Sky Martial Court had to be wary of. However, if they managed to clear the traitors by Li Yunzheng's side and support him, the problems would be easily solved. The conflicts between the Ninth Temple, the Cloud Mountain, and the palace would be solved as well. It was true that the older one was, the wiser one would be.

'Wonderful! This is a wonderful move!'

Li Yunzheng looked at Lu Zhou incredulously. 'Old Mister Lu is for the authority to be returned to me?!'

Li Yunzheng had fantasized countless times about the grand picture he would paint in Great Tang once he gained authority. The commoners would live out their days happily as an era of peace and prosperity was ushered in. However, his fantasies remained fantasies. There was no way they would become a reality.

Wang Shizhong said, "Although I'm the head of the secretariat, the authority doesn't lie on my shoulders alone. Moreover, I've tried my best to compensate for what happened to Ji Liang. Are you sure you're going to insist on being unreasonable, Senior Lu?"

Neigh! Neigh! Neigh!

Ji Liang trotted in a circle and neighed. At this moment, it emitted green gas from its body.

Conch said, "Ji Liang had been poisoned. Now that it had expelled the poison, it wants to go back to sleep."

"…"

At this moment, Wang Shu suddenly rose to her feet and ran. "Take me away!"

The two soldiers standing behind her took each of her arms and flew into the sky.

Yu Shangrong's expression was neutral as he said, "Too late."

Primal Qi surged as soon as Yu Shangrong joined his palms together.

60,000 energy swords weaved themselves into a heavenly net and barred their way.

Wang Shu was completely shocked by this. She hurriedly cried out, "Break through the net! Hurry! What are you waiting for? Help me!"

The soldiers on the ground were confused by Wang Shu's sudden rebellious move. However, seeing their young lady in trouble, they could not endure it and rose into the sky to break the 60,000 energy swords.

Yu Shangrong crossed his hands. He circulated Primal Qi from his dantian and pushed down!

The 60,000 energy swords fell like torrential rain.

Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!

The palace soldiers brandished their sabers wildly. Soon after, they were forced to lower their attitudes.

With swift movements, Yu Shangrong reached for Wang Shu…

At this moment, red energy surged out of Wang Shizhong before he moved toward Yu Shangrong at lightning speed.

Bam! Bam! Bam!

Wang Shizhong struck with his palm.

Yu Shangrong easily dodged the attack with movements as light as a swallow.

Wang Shizhong pushed his palm out.

A huge palm seal sailed toward Yu Shangrong.

Yu Shangrong launched his own palm seal and retreated on the momentum…

"Senior Lu, forgive me for not being able to agree to the third condition! My daughter expended a lot of effort to cultivate… There's no difference between killing her and destroying her sea of Qi..." Wang Shizhong said.

Yu Shangrong, who was used to having the Longevity Sword, felt a like toothless tiger without his sword at this moment. However, the Sword Devil was the Sword Devil. Even without teeth, his attitude did not change…

"Kill her then."

With a flurry of movements, Yu Shangrong appeared above Wang Shizhong.

Meanwhile, the Cloud Mountain elders and disciples, and the members of the Thousand Willow Monastery watched the fight unfold.

There was no other place more suitable for a sparring session than the cloud platform. It was perfect in terms of the size, the space for in-air maneuvers, and the view.

When Yu Shangrong appeared above his opponent, he split into three.

Return and Enter Three Souls.

The three figures appeared blurry as they moved at lightning speed.

Wang Shizhong was incredibly cautious. He quickly manifested his avatar.

Whizz!

An avatar close to 180 feet tall appeared above the cloud platform. The red lotus blossomed and spun underneath it.

"Nine-and-a-half leaves… Wang Shizhong is a Nine-and-a-half-leaf cultivator!"