Chapter 424: Zhou Yu’s Wariness
It took over half an hour to walk from the foot of Huangshan Mountain to the Summit of Light, and that was even at full speed, with the Ming Sect not putting up any obstacles or defenses.
“Stop!”
As they rushed through the sea of fire, someone finally blocked Happy and Zhou Zhiruo at the stone steps leading to the Summit of Light. “You have quite the audacity to dare enter our Ming Sect.”
It was Zhou Yu, the incense master of the Fengyang branch of the Ming Sect. His gaze swept over Zhou Zhiruo’s naturally alluring curves, prompting her to step forward and explain the situation.
Then, Zhou Yu smiled slightly and turned his attention back to Happy. “So you’ve been given a mission. Congratulations.” With that, he calmly stepped aside, stopping further interference.
“…”
Happy had long admired Zhou Yu. Seeing him graciously part way, she immediately bowed and nodded, leading Zhou Zhiruo past him toward the Summit of Light.
Their figures quickly disappeared into the distance.
“Brother Zhou, why did you let them pass so easily? Xiao San died at his hands.” With a rustling of clothes, the flute-playing man appeared behind Zhou Yu, clearly resentful.
Zhou Yu turned slowly and said, “I know. If it were someone else, it might be fine—maybe I’d even challenge them. But it’s Zhou Zhiruo he brought along. Alas, we can’t touch women in this mission. If the sect leader finds out, all our efforts today will be in vain…” He paused before adding, “Xiao San died at Happy’s hands—fair enough. He truly lives up to his reputation as the best. Besides, even if the two of us teamed up, we might not be able to stop him.”
“Hmph! I can’t calm down. Just thinking that Xiao San died at that kid’s hands, and he even managed to get a secret mission to our Ming Sect’s Summit of Light, makes me furious.” The flute-playing man lacked Zhou Yu’s magnanimity.
“Then work hard to improve your skills. Otherwise, words alone won’t be enough to deal with Happy.” With that, Zhou Yu looked up thoughtfully and sighed. “I remember my younger sister warned me about Happy back then, but I didn’t pay attention. If I had known he would rise to such prominence on the Emperor’s birthday, maybe I would have tried to steal his escort and challenge him.”
“It’s not too late now.”
The flute-playing man’s eyes flickered.
Zhou Yu glanced at him indifferently and said slowly, “The 4th-tier Guardian Sword of the Nation—how much does it increase attack speed and damage? Calculate it.”
“By the way, it’s a 4th-tier, first-grade masterpiece. How come it’s not on the List of Divine Weapons?” Prompted by Zhou Yu, the flute-playing man was shocked and raised his voice in disbelief. “It hasn’t been updated yet. What’s going on?”
“Ask me? You’ve asked the wrong person.”
A glint appeared in Zhou Yu’s eyes: “The book was written by Bai Xiaosheng. You need to ask him about this! I’m even more curious now—besides that Grade 4 Guoguo Divine Sword, how many other Grade 4 items does Kai Xin possess?”
“……”
……
While the flute-playing man was surprised by the information Zhou Yu had somehow perceived, Kai Xin entered the Mingjiao headquarters unimpeded, accompanied by Zhou Zhiruo.
After all, the disciples of the six major sects had already left Huangshan, so their arrival didn’t provoke any strong reaction from the Mingjiao disciples. Upon hearing their purpose, they quickly brought Song Yuanqiao over.
Following them was the excited Song Qingshu, likely because he heard from the Mingjiao disciples that there was something urgent to report regarding the Emei Sect disciples, and he came specifically to see Zhou Zhiruo.
“Heh, it’s actually Young Master Kai Xin…” Song Yuanqiao showed a complex expression upon seeing Kai Xin again. After all, Zhang Wuji was the child of his fifth brother, yet Kai Xin had almost killed him. Still, he maintained a magnanimous attitude:
“Young master, you’ve come back. What brings you here?”
Song Qingshu went straight to Zhou Zhiruo and began to flatter her: “Sister Zhiruo, what brings you here?”
Zhou Zhiruo ignored Song Qingshu and knelt down on one knee, startling Song Yuanqiao and Song Qingshu:
“Hero Song! The Emei Sect was attacked by the imperial forces. Hundreds of our disciples are in danger, and my master is also in peril. I implore you, Hero Song, to come and save us!”
Kai Xin gave Song Qingshu a strange look. He remembered that Song Qingshu should have returned to Wudang with the main group and been captured as well. How was he here?
“What!”
Sure enough, Song Yuanqiao’s expression changed drastically:
“Please stand up. What happened? Tell me in detail.”
With such a serious situation, Song Qingshu didn’t dare to be reckless and stood aside as Zhou Zhiruo recounted the whole incident…
Song Yuanqiao’s expression kept changing, growing increasingly grave.
“This is bad!”
“If the six major sects are ambushed all at once, won’t my fifth brother…”
“Father, Uncle Six is in danger!” Song Qingshu then remembered that Song Yuanqiao had stayed behind with Uncle Seven to take care of Zhang Wuji, but Uncle Six had led the Wudang disciples back the same way to bring news that Zhang Wuji was still alive.
“Let’s go and check.”
Hearing Song Qingshu’s words, Song Yuanqiao shook his head gravely:
“There are many skilled warriors from the imperial court. They must have sent a large number of experts to ambush the six major sects. If we go now, it’s too late, and we might even lose our lives.”
“Hero Song, please save my master!”
Zhou Zhiruo grew anxious upon hearing this and looked on the verge of tears.
“Miss Zhou, don’t worry. To save your master, we must seek help from the Ming Sect. I’ll go discuss this with Wuji,” Song Yuanqiao said solemnly.
“Isn’t Zhang Wuji recovering from an injury?”
A hint of guilt and concern flashed in Zhou Zhiruo’s eyes as she rushed after Song Yuanqiao. Yet the concern in her tone caused Song Qingshu severe displeasure, with a flash of hatred in his eyes.
“Wuji possesses the Nine Yang Divine Skill and has an excellent constitution. After taking medicine and resting for a while, he’s already recovered. Oh, I forgot to tell you—Wuji has now been elected as the leader of the Ming Sect.”
“…”
Zhou Zhiruo was stunned by this sudden news and speechless.
Song Qingshu, however, snorted, “A leader of a demonic sect will surely meet his end sooner or later.”
“Qingshu!”
Under Song Yuanqiao’s reprimanding gaze, the group entered the main hall of the Brightness Summit and saw Zhang Wuji with his face washed clean. He was helping the seven great masters of the Ming Sect recover. From afar, they could already feel his intense and pure inner energy.
Happy, who, like Zhou Zhiruo, had once hurt Zhang Wuji, immediately drew the displeasure of the seven great masters:
“Hero Song, why did you bring these two in?”
“Miss Zhou…”
Zhang Wuji didn’t overthink it. He immediately stopped using his power, calmed Yang Xiao and the others, and stepped forward to Zhou Zhiruo.
She bowed gracefully, “I am Zhou Zhiruo. I greet Leader Zhang and beg him to help save my master.”
“Your master? Master Miejue? What happened to her?” The joy on Zhang Wuji’s face vanished instantly, and he looked at Happy in confusion…
Noticing the unsuspecting and resentful look on Zhang Wuji’s face, Happy felt somewhat guilty.
“Leader Zhang is kind-hearted. It’s a fortune for the martial world to have a hero like him leading the Ming Sect!” After saying this, Happy repeated Zhou Zhiruo’s words.
“The six major sects have been attacked. People in the martial world will surely blame us, the Ming Sect! Leader, since you’ve decided to revive the Ming Sect, we probably have to get involved,” Yang Xiao said, his gaze shifting between Happy and Zhou Zhiruo.
Happy felt as if he’d been scratched by a knife.