Chapter 196: Revisiting Anyang, Same City, Different People The Evil Sky Pavilion was still lacking in strength. It was a far cry from its glory days.
Even the newcomer, the Eight-leaf expert, Fan Xiuwen, might not be able to compare to the Evil Sky Pavilion when it was at its strongest. There was nobody who did not fear the Evil Sky Pavilion.
The first disciple, Yu Zhenghai, founded the Nether Sect on his own, and it had grown into the greatest cult... His strength was apparent.
The second disciple, Yu Shangrong, had never lost a fight.
If those two were still around, the crisis where Golden Court Mountain was besieged by the ten great elites would not have happened.
Someone had to stay back to guard the Evil Sky Pavilion.
For this reason, Lu Zhou merely brought Little Yuan’er, Mingshi Yin, and Duanmu Sheng to Anyang.
Zhao Yue and Zhu Honggong were weaker. They were more suited to remain in the Evil Sky Pavilion.
Perhaps, Little Yuan’er had just been ‘heavily punished’, she did not jump and make a fuss about wanting to ride in front on Whitzard.
When Whitzard’s auspicious aura appeared above the Evil Sky Pavilion, Zhu Honggong, Old Eighth, widened his eyes until it seemed like they were going to pop out of their sockets. “Wh-when did master subdue this mount?”
Zhou Jifeng said with an expression of awe, “Ordinary mounts can be captured in foreign regions or the forests. To capture a mount with certain abilities such as this one, it’s... fated.”
“I heard that Mister First once caught a legendary hippogryph in the Misty Forest as a mount. However, nobody has seen it before...”
Zhao Yue shushed them and said warningly, “Are you tired of living?”
The others shut up.
It would not be pretty if Lu Zhou heard them discussing the first disciples, Yu Zhenghai, in the Evil Sky Pavilion.
Lu Zhou and Little Yuan’er left on Whitzard.
Mingshi Yin and Duanmu Sheng could only fly on their own as usual.
Although a Nascent Divinity Tribulation realm cultivator could not compare to a mount’s speed, they were by no means slow.
...
Two hours later.
Inside Anyang City.
Lu Zhou and Little Yuan’er walked on the streets. They were surprised to see the streets were not as crowded as they had expected. Moreover, there were only half as many merchants compared to the last time they visited. It was a slightly desolate scene.
Little Yuan’er who found this strange asked, “Master... Should I stop someone and ask them about this?” In order not to repeat her mistakes, she had kept her senior sister’s words close to heart. Before she did anything, she would ask her master first.
“There’s no need for that.” Lu Zhou decided to go to the Ci Mansion. The rise or fall of Anyang City was a problem for Great Yan’s Emperor. It had nothing to do with him.
Little Yuan’er nodded vehemently with an ‘Mhm’.
Shortly after, both of them arrived at the Ci Mansion’s door.
Little Yuan’er knew what she had to do. “I’ll go and knock, master.”
Lu Zhou stroked his beard and nodded. He felt pleased. ‘She’s learning well. Previously, she would’ve kicked the doors down without a second thought.’
Dong! Dong!
Little Yuan’er knocked twice.
The doors open with a creak.
“Young lady?” The person who opened the door was Ci An. They met him when he was rescued from Bluesun Mountain and another time when he went to the Evil Sky Pavilion for the first time. How could he not recognize Little Yuan’er now that she had appeared before him? “I’ll inform the old master and the madam right away!”
Ci An turned around and ran. He kept shouting that the young lady was back.
Little Yuan’er did not seem to care about this. Instead, she turned around and said, “Master...”
Lu Zhou who was next to her said calmly, “Let’s go in.”
They had just crossed the threshold when they saw dozens of individuals escorting a middle-aged couple dressed in embroidered clothes out. They were Little Yuan’er’s father, Ci Yuan, and mother, Ci Zhangshi.
Ci Yuan was in his mid-life. He seemed to have an indomitable spirit. Madam Zhang was graceful and elegant. She was still attractive despite her age. When she was young, she must have been a well-bred young lady with looks that could topple a city.
Lu Zhou was surprised to see Ci Yuan did not seem to fear him. Apart from being more alert, Ci Yuan was neither servile nor overbearing. It was truly rare for a mortal to show such courage.
“Yuan’er!” Madam Zhang ran over and embraced Little Yuan’er.
Little Yuan’er was slightly taken aback by this. After all, they had not met for six years. It was only natural that they felt like strangers.
Lu Zhou said calmly, “Kowtow to your father and mother.”
“Oh.” Little Yuan’er kneeled on the ground.
It was right and proper for a person to kneel to the heavens, to the earth, and to their parents.
‘I must teach her well.’
When Little Yuan’er kneeled on the ground, Madam Zhang was moved to tears. The mother and daughter spoke at length.
Ci Yuan glanced at Little Yuan’er, and his heart stirred slightly. He stood at a distance and cupped his fists toward Lu Zhou before he bowed. There was respect in his eyes.
Lu Zhou merely nodded in response.
The servants did not recognize Lu Zhou. They did not know that Little Yuan’er had joined the Evil Sky Pavilion as well.
However, these people were secular individuals who had nothing to do with the cultivation world after all. It was to be expected. There was nothing to talk to them about... Moreover, their current objectives were completely unrelated to these people.
“I’m tired.”
Ci Yuan hastily told Ci An to ready a room. Ci Yuan knew who this person was so he dismissed those who were not needed and forbade them to come close.
...
Inside the room.
It was much quieter.
Lu Zhou sat down and calmly looked at Ci Yuan and his wife.
There were no outsiders in the room...
Ci Yuan and his wife walked up to Lu Zhou respectfully. “Old Mister, you once saved the Ci Mansion from a serious crisis... Please accept my gratitude.”
The couple was about to kneel when Lu Zhou waved his arm. A gust of energy pushed them back on their feet.
“Since you’re Yuan’er’s parents, we’re of the same seniority. There’s no need to kneel,” Lu Zhou said.
Ci Yuan and his wife appeared grateful.
Lu Zhou looked at two of them and said without beating around the bush, “I have a question for you... I hope that you’ll answer me honestly.”
Ci Yuan did not dare to dally and replied, “Ask away, old mister!”
“Did something happen in Anyang?”
Ci Yuan answered, “The rebel army is wreaking havoc here, and the people are suffering... It won’t be long before the citizens of Anyang will be left miserable and homeless.”
“Isn’t the Commander-in-Chief of the three armies, Wei Zhuoyan, here in Anyang?” Lu Zhou asked.
“He arrived at the northern side of Anyang City two days ago. However, he hasn’t entered the city yet. I’m not sure about the reason why,” Ci Yuan replied.
Lu Zhou stroked his beard and nodded.
Wei Zhuoyan was an impostor, after all. It was normal for him to be cautious.
“Final question...” Lu Zhou made a sharp turn with his words. “Yuan’er has joined the Evil Sky Pavilion since she was ten. Joining the Evil Sky Pavilion means she has to sever her ties to her past. I can let the Bluesun incident go since there was a danger that your entire family might be annihilated... However, what’s the reason for the contact this time?”
When Ci Yuan heard this, he hastily gestured at Madam Zhang.
Madam Zhang produced a scarlet embroidered box and held it in her palm.
Ci Yuan said, “Please have a look, old mister.”
Lu Zhou waved his hand and the embroidered box flew into his grasp. He opened the box and took a look... The item within shocked him and Little Yuan’er slightly.
“A sable magnolia?”
Ci Yuan glanced at Little Yuan’er and said nothing.
Lu Zhou knew what he meant. He found a random excuse and said, “Yuan’er, go have a look outside.”
“Yes, master.” Little Yuan’er obediently left. She walked out of the room as she looked at the sky. It was still early. Her senior brothers were taking their time so they might not be arriving any time soon.
Little Yuan’er did not like to talk with the people from Ci Mansion. Hence, she went to a deserted corridor in the Ci Mansion.
“Hello.”
A gentle voice reached her ears.
Little Yuan’er shuddered. She looked all around her, “Who’s there?”
A slender green-clad swordsman who was holding a sword stood with his back facing her.