Chapter 94: Separation Hook
Initially, Mingshi Yin thought Lu Zhou was being rough. However, joy overwhelmed him when he felt the witchcraft Restriction in his body had disappeared. Although he was reeling from the impact, he did not feel unwilling or dissatisfied.
Clang!
Mingshi Yin crashed onto the rack of weapons, causing the weapons to fall on the ground.
...
Meanwhile, in a dark room in Great Yan’s palace.
From the glow of a candle that was blocked by a screen, one could see the room was in a mess.
Behind the screen, a girl dressed in brocade garments was cultivating with her eyes closed. Her expression changed slightly before she suddenly spat out a mouthful of fresh blood. Furious and flustered, she swiped her hands across a table, sending everything on the table to the ground. She mumbled with a hint of fear, “Someone managed to break my spell? Who is it?”
...
Lu Zhou was shocked as well when he sent Mingshi Yin flying. At this moment, he felt the same refreshing sensation he had after he had successfully nullified the Brahman Lullaby! He was certain he would gain extraordinary power by comprehending the Heavenly Writing. In any case, this was not the time to be thinking about such things. He quickly turned to look at Mingshi Yin.
Mingshi Yin who had felt the witchcraft restriction disappear could also sense his meridians and dantian’s sea of Qi that were previously blocked became unblocked. His pain from being sent flying was inconsequential compared to this discovery. He quickly circulated his Primal Qi to stabilize himself before he kneeled and said, “Thank you for undoing the Restriction, master! Your skills are peerless!”
Lu Zhou looked at Mingshi Yin with nary a change in his expression. ‘The Heavenly Writing is truly extraordinary and powerful. It’s even capable of suppressing witchcraft.’
Lu Zhou was still lost in his thoughts about the Heavenly Writing while Mingshi Yin’s attention was drawn by the weapons around him. He picked up two weapons and appraised them.
“Master, what are these?” It was neither a sword nor a hook even though it resembled both items on both ends. The blade was serrated. It was an extremely peculiar design. The other weapon resembled a scabbard.
Lu Zhou’s gaze fell upon these two weapons.
“Ding! Retrieved weapons, Separation Hook and Scabbard. Recommended owner: Mingshi Yin.”
Lu Zhou stroked his beard. There were certainly some forces at play in the hidden chamber. Whether it was fate or pure coincidence, Mingshi Yin had somehow stumbled upon this weapon.
Before Lu Zhou could say anything, Mingshi Yin said with a smile, “Master, I think these weapons suit me! This blade, this scabbard... I like incongruous items like these. I’m sure it’s at least an earth-grade weapon!” He paused for a moment before he read the small inscription on the scabbard out loud, “Se-pa-ra-tion Hook...”
Since Mingshi Yin did not test the weapons and only appraised them with his eyes, it was only natural that he thought they were earth-grade weapons. The Separation Hook and Scabbard seemed to have been lying around in the hidden chamber for a long time. They seemed old. However, since the system had recommended Mingshi Yin as the owner, it would definitely become a heaven-grade weapon after it was activated.
When Lu Zhou saw Mingshi Yin’s reluctance to part with the Separation Hook and Scabbard and the ingratiating smile on Mingshi Yin’s face, he shook his head and said, “Put them down.”
“Huh?” Mingshi Yin was slightly stunned. Then, he carefully placed the Separation Hook and Scabbard on the floor. He did not dare to oppose his master.
Lu Zhou quickly found an excuse and said, “You’ve just entered the Nascent Divinity Tribulation realm, and your cultivation base isn’t stable enough for now. It’s still too early for you to handle a heaven-grade weapon.”
When Mingshi Yin heard this, he felt disappointed. However, when he heard the hidden meaning in his master’s words, he became happy again. Based on his master’s words, it seemed like the Separation Hook would be given to him sooner or later.
“Yes, master! I’ll get stronger as quickly as I can!” Mingshi Yin said excitedly.
Lu Zhou stroked his beard and nodded before waving his hand dismissively.
Mingshi Yin understood this was his cue to leave. When he reached the door of the hidden chamber, he turned around and looked at Separation Hook, clearly unwilling to part with it.
After Mingshi Yin left, Lu Zhou surveyed the items in the hidden chamber that were messily strewn everywhere. Fortunately, the hidden chamber was spacious. ‘I’ll just let it stay messy. It won’t do me any harm, anyway.’ He raised his hand and the Separation Hook and Scabbard flew into his hand.
...
After a short while, Lu Zhou finally emerged from the hidden chamber into the great hall. He discovered that Duanmu Sheng and the others had left. At the same, he saw Mingshi Yin gesturing excitedly to Little Yuan’er as they spoke while Little Yuan’er would gasp in surprise intermittently.
Lu Zhou walked over to them. When his two disciples saw him, they instantly bowed and saluted him. “Master.”
“Mingshi Yin.”
“Yes, master.”
“Although the spell’s broken, you shouldn’t be careless...”
“Yes, master,” Mingshi Yin replied obediently.
Lu Zhou stroked his beard and nodded. Initially, he had no intention of leaving Golden Court Mountain for the time being. After all, with his current cultivation base, the best course of action for him would be to stay in the Evil Sky Pavilion and think of ways to earn merit points through his disciples as he slowly built his strength. However, the truth behind the Fish Dragon Village incident was extremely crucial. It was also related to the witchcraft elite in the palace. If he could get to the bottom of this, he might be able to apprehend the person who sealed Zhao Yue’s cultivation base.
Another factor that made Lu Zhou view this matter with the utmost importance was that the system’s mission list clearly stated that investigating the truth behind the Fish Dragon Village incident would earn him 3,000 merit points. The system had never rewarded him with 3,000 merit points for a single mission before. The importance of this matter was clear.
Finally, Lu Zhou said, “I’ll be leaving for the Fish Dragon Village first thing in the morning.”
Mingshi Yin was taken aback when he heard this. After a while, realization dawned on him. He exclaimed, “Victory is certain since master is personally making a move!” Since Lu Zhou had just lifted the witchcraft Restriction on him, his faith and confidence in Lu Zhou were even higher than Lu Zhou himself.
On the other hand, when Little Yuan’er heard that Lu Zhou planned to go out, she was so happy that she began to clap her hands excitedly. She said, “Master, I want to go with you...”
Lu Zhou ignored Little Yuan’er. Instead, he looked at Mingshi Yin and said, “Guard the Black Knights well.”
“Yes, master,” Mingshi Yin replied with a bow, “With Third Senior Brother and I here, they won’t be able to leave easily even if they sprout wings.”
After that, Lu Zhou turned to leave. However, he barely took two steps forward before he turned around and asked, “Is there any news about the traitors?” By traitors, he, naturally, meant Old First, Yu Zhenghai, Old Second, Yu Shangrong, and the others.
Mingshi Yin shook his head and said, “Recently, I have not left Golden Court Mountain. I’m unaware of the affairs in the outside world.”
Lu Zhou nodded slightly. Since he defeated the people from the Noble Path twice, the traitors seemed to be keeping a low profile and had not made any moves. ‘After I deal with the Fish Dragon Village’s matter, I’ll have to think of a way to deal with these traitors!’
...
After giving his instructions, Lu Zhou returned to the Evil Sky Pavilion to resume comprehending the Heavenly Writing. After he had perfectly undone the spell, his understanding of the Heavenly Writing seemed to have deepened.
Lu Zhou brought out the Heavenly Writing’s interface. The content of the Human Scroll appeared before him. It seemed to be glowing. At this moment, the usually awkward and difficult scripts seemed much livelier. It was so much more comfortable and easier to read.
“Gain insight into origin and light. From power, the paths are opened. Giving rise to ten skills of might, the wonderful journey is delightful,” Lu Zhou read the lines out loud. Then, he paused for a moment before he mumbled to himself, “The Brahman Lullaby was ineffective, and it can suppress witchcraft. Is the Human Scroll effective against cultivation methods that muddle the heart?”
He continued reading. As expected, new content had appeared below.
“To gain the power of incorporeality so that we may visit many places without having to move, reaping many benefits. To gain the power to silence everything, to maintain and manifest samadhi. Like light and shadow, permeating everywhere, while staying still in samadhi.” Lu Zhou was completely engrossed in studying, losing track of time.
...
The next morning.
Lu Zhou felt extremely invigorated. After he closed the Heavenly Writing’s interface, he left the hidden chamber.
Little Yuan’er was waiting for him in the great hall. Her eager expression told Lu Zhou that she wanted to go out as well. When she saw her master, she ran over and said, “Master, master... I want to ride Whitzard! I don’t want Bi An!”
Lu Zhou shook his head. “Childish!” He wanted to reprimand her but eventually, decided to satisfy her whim. After all, he was old and could not endure a rocky journey.
Both of them walked out of the Evil Sky Pavilion.
Little Yuan’er flashed a grin at Mingshi Yin who had just arrived. Mingshi Yin followed them outside the great hall.
When they were outside, Whitzard appeared on a cloud from Golden Court Mountain’s forest.
When he saw the appearance of the legendary mount, Mingshi Yin was so envious that his eyeballs nearly dropped out from their sockets. If he could have a mount like this, he was willing to endure beatings every day.
“Master, I want to sit up front!” Little Yuan’er pointed naughtily at the front part of Whitzard’s back.
Lu Zhou said nothing.
Whitzard’s back was wide, and the rider would have a clear view of the scenery in front. Its flight was extremely steady so it would not interrupt one from enjoying the scenery.
When the two of them eased themselves on its back, Whitzard gave a low growl before it launched itself into the air and disappeared into the horizons.
Mingshi Yin ran after them and searched the skies, but Whitzard could no longer be seen.
...
While Whitzard flew in the sky, Lu Zhou inspected the system dashboard. He had 2,210 merit points left. He did not buy any item cards and decided he would only buy them, based on the situation he was in, when he needed them. For instance, if he was in a dangerous situation that he could not defuse, he could pick four Impeccable Cards. If he had enough time, he would leave the area on Whitzard’s back.
...
Two hours later.
Whitzard began slowing down and descended from the sky.
“Master, are we there already?” Little Yuan’er seemed reluctant to alight from Whitzard’s back.
Lu Zhou ignored her and continued to urge Whitzard to land.
Little Yuan’er had no choice but to dismount once they landed.
Lu Zhou recalled Whitzard and surveyed his surroundings. He said, “We’re close to Measure Heaven River. Whitzard will attract too much attention.”
“Master, since you’re so powerful, you can just make your way there and kill all of them, right?” Little Yuan’er asked in confusion.
“Are you talking back to your master...” Lu Zhou said in a chiding tone. The master’s words were law after all!
Both of them were about to rest when Little Yuan’er suddenly said, “Master, someone’s approaching us!” She proved to be useful at this moment.
Soon enough, several cultivators could be seen flying above the forest on flying swords.
“Ji Tiandao’s coming for us! Run!”
“The villains of the Evil Sky Pavilion are here! Hurry!”
Whoosh! Whoosh!
The cultivators flew past Lu Zhou’s and Little Yuan’er’s heads in broad daylight.
When a Brahman Sea Eight Meridians realm cultivator flew past them, he good-naturedly advised them, “Old man, quickly run! The old villain, Ji Tiandao, is coming! Are you sick of living?!”
Whoosh!
The cultivators flew at speed and disappeared into the forest.
Little Yuan’er pouted and asked skeptically, “Master, when did you chase them?”