Chapter 96: Truth and Lies
Ding Fanqiu’s disciples noticed that Lu Zhou had been addressing their master without any honorifics so they were furious. However, there was nothing they could do.
Ding Fanqiu stood at the side with his hands on his back. He did not seem to care about Lu Zhou’s attitude. Instead, his attention was focused on Little Yuan’er.
Meanwhile, Lu Zhou calmly stroked his beard. He looked left and right before he lightly jumped on Elephant King’s back and entered the chariot.
Little Yuan’er was unwilling to do the same. However, seeing her master’s actions, she had no choice but to get on the mount. ‘Since master is here, I don’t think these people will be able to do anything.’
The chariot was spacious. Lu Zhou and Little Yuan’er sat on the side where they could see the forest.
Soon after, Ding Fanqiu leaped into the chariot with light movements and sat on the other side. After he issued an order, Elephant King continued forward. Its footprints were deeply imprinted on the ground with each step it took. Its speed was also acceptable.
Lu Zhou was quite pleased. He nodded and said, “It’s not easy to tame Elephant King.”
Ding Fanqiu said indifferently, “Elephant King is nothing. I have 10 other mounts at the back of Golden Court Mountain.”
Little Yuan’er rolled her eyes when she heard this. ‘Go on! Brag some more!’
Ding Fanqiu saw the expression of disbelief on Little Yuan’er’s face, and he asked good-naturedly, “Little girl, don’t you believe me?”
Little Yuan’er replied, “The only person I believe is my ma... grandfather!”
Ding Fanqiu regarded Little Yuan’er solemnly. Then, he turned to look at his female disciple outside before he shook his head lightly.
The expression on Lu Zhou’s wizened face remained calm from the beginning until now. He continued to stroke his beard.
Elephant King continued on for some time.
“Master, the two cultivators who escaped from us last time are up ahead.” One of Ding Fanqiu’s disciples’ voice rang from outside.
“Kill them,” Ding Fanqiu said indifferently.
“Understood.” Two of Ding Fanqiu’s disciples flew ahead. It did not take long before the sounds of killing could be heard from the forest. After a short while, the two disciples returned as though nothing had happened.
Ding Fanqiu pointed up ahead and said, “There’s no need to be afraid, old householder... Although I committed many wicked crimes, I’m a reasonable person.”
Lu Zhou nodded and said, “Me too.”
Ding Fanqiu smiled brightly and said, “I think we’ll get along well, old householder.”
At this moment, Elephant King stopped moving.
“Measure Heaven River is up ahead!” Ding Fanqiu stared ahead before he leaped off Elephant King’s back.
Ever since Lu Zhou comprehended the Heavenly Writing, his ability to sense aura had improved. When Ding Fanqiu had dismounted, he discovered that the aura Ding Fangqiu had released was extraordinary. It was not difficult to tell that Ding Fangqiu had intentionally released his aura.
When Little Yuan’er sensed the aura, she shrunk back slightly into Lu Zhou’s arm.
Lu Zhou stood up slowly without any changes in his expression. “Let’s go.”
Lu Zhou and Little Yuan’er leaped off Elephant King’s back with light movements and landed on the ground.
Ding Fanqiu said with his hands on his back, “Little girl, how long have you been cultivating?”
“More than five years,” Little Yuan’er said with a proud expression on her face.
“Five years to the Divine Court...” A shocked expression quickly flitted past Ding Fanqiu’s face before it disappeared. He pointed at the girl next to him and said, “She’s very talented as well. However, she’s a far cry from you.”
Lu Zhou stroked his beard indifferently and looked in the other direction.
Little Yuan’er rolled her eyes again. She did not think that a counterfeit was worthy of being compared to her. She turned to look at the other two cultivators. She blinked her big eyes and asked, “Both of you are in the Divine Court realm as well?”
The two cultivators looked proud as they nodded.
“Still a little too weak,” Little Yuan’er mumbled to herself.
“Little girl, if it weren’t for my master, I would have torn you into a million pieces for disrespecting the Evil Sky Pavilion.”
Little Yuan’er scoffed before she began to bicker with the impostors. “We’ll see who’s going to tear who into a million pieces.”
Lu Zhou shook his head and looked at Ding Fanqiu, “My granddaughter has always been unruly.
“That’s alright.”
They continued their journey. When they came to a ravine, they came to a halt.
Beyond the ravine was the Measure Heaven River.
Lu Zhou stroked his beard and looked in front. Unfortunately, things remained the same, but the people had changed. The Fish Dragon Village no longer existed. In his memories, this place had been full of villagers and fishermen. He did not expect to see a barren and deserted ravine in its place now. He decided to start with the officers who were fishing corpses from the riverbed first to get to the bottom of the Fish Dragon Village incident.
While Lu Zhou contemplated his options, Ding Fanqiu who stood with his hands on his back said valiantly, “Many years ago, I dominated the Measure Heaven River. I fought against many elites here, and the battles lasted for three days and three nights. We fought with our avatars. For that reason, this area was unfortunately reduced into a ravine.
Lu Zhou asked in confusion, “This is your doing?”
“Yes.”
Indeed, the record regarding the destruction of Measure Heaven River’s Fish Dragon Village stated that the culprit was Ji Tiandao.
Suddenly, one of Ding Fanqiu’s disciples waved his arm and said, “Master, the Azure Dragon Association’s branch is up ahead. I’ll drive them away.”
“Go on.”
Ding Fanqiu’s disciple flew into the air before making a left turn, disappearing in just a blink of an eye.
Lu Zhou stroked his beard and said, “Azure Dragon Association?” When he was in Anyang, he had encountered the Azure Dragon Association’s Anyang branch. He did not know there was another branch in Measure Heaven River. If the Azure Dragon Association’s influence was so vast, their backer, the Nether Sect, definitely would not be weak.
Ding Fanqiu spoke with pride, “The Azure Dragon Association is backed by the Nether Sect... Yu Zhenghai, the Sect Master of Nether Sect, was my great disciple.”
Lu Zhou nodded indifferently. He would allow Ding Fanqiu to continue his act for now. ‘Although the Azure Dragon Association only has small fries, it’s much better to have these people clean up the mess for me. I want to save as many item cards as I can. They’re too valuable.’
Ding Fangqiu said confidently, “Since I’m here, the Azure Dragon Association will crumble.”
A short while later.
The disciple flew back. He bowed before he said, “Master, it’s as you’ve expected. When the members of the Azure Dragon Association heard that you’re coming, they ran off in fear.”
“Very good.” Ding Fangqiu waved his arm dismissively before he walked forward.
...
Meanwhile, in the Crouching Dragon, Darknet’s headquarters.
“I have a report, Sect Master. Old senior Ji has been spotted near Measure Heaven River.”
Si Wuya opened his eyes. He rose to his feet slowly and said indifferently, “The Nether Sect has also received this information. There’s no need for us to do anything... Impersonating the Evil Sky Pavilion will certainly bring calamity to those people.”
“Impersonating?” The subordinate was taken aback.
“Keep an eye on the Evil Sky Pavilion. Also, where’s the master of Fiend Temple now?” Si Wuya asked.
“In reply to your question, Sect Master, Ren Buping is at the Green Jade Altar now. He has the support of Zhang Yuanshan, the Sect Master of Righteous Sect Master.”
When Si Wuya heard this, he chuckled. His voice was low and deep. , “The Noble Path and Fiend Path are working with each other for nefarious reasons. This is the greatest joke under the heavens.”
“Sect Master, there’s another report.”
“What is it?”
“The leader of the Black Knights, Fan Xiuwen, went to the Evil Sky Pavilion before this, and his current status is currently unknown. Senior Sword Devil didn’t wait for Fan Xiuwen, and his current whereabouts are unknown. I... I didn’t dare to follow Senior Sword Devil.”
“Second Senior Brother is a humble and gentle person. There’s no need for you to fear him,” Si Wuya said slowly.
“I understand.” Contrary to his words, he shuddered inwardly. It was no surprise his words did not sound convincing.
“Sect Master, there are quite a lot of activities at Measure Heaven River lately... Are you certain there’s no need for us to monitor that place?”
Initially, Si Wuya planned to reject the proposal. However, after considering it, he decided it was better to be cautious. In the end, he said in a deep voice, “Leak this information to the palace. They should clean up their own mess.”
“A wise move, Sect Master. I’ll get to it right away.”