Chapter 136: The Red Robes’ Visit   When his subordinates heard this, they bowed and retreated silently.

Si Wuya proceeded toward the Divine Capital with his hands on his back.

...

The Divine Capital.

In a quiet courtyard of the Changning General Mansion.

Wei Zhuoyan was relaxing on a recliner and enjoying the warmth from the sun on his skin.

“General, our men have reached Tangzi Town,” a maidservant next to him said.

Wei Zhuoyan nodded and said indifferently, “It’s only a formality. All we have to do is accompany them along the way. Sending that number of men and cultivators to the Evil Sky Pavilion is no different from sending them to their deaths. If she likes to hit a rock with an egg, then, let her do it.”

“You’re right, General. However, the lady is currently a favorite of His Highness. We can’t provoke her.”

Wei Zhuoyan snorted. “I’d like to see how long she’ll remain a favorite. Her subordinate, Chen Zhu, was one of the Divine Capital’s Three Godly Archers. However, he had recently lost his life in the Grand Witchcraft Formation when he went to the Measure Heaven River. Did she think I won’t find out about it despite her numerous attempts to conceal this from me?”

“Lord Chen Zhu is dead?”

“It’s just as well. I despise arrogant people like him. He thought he was invincible just because he can shoot a few arrows,” Wei Zhuoyan said.

“If you think it’s good, General, then, it is good.”

“Nobody in the palace knows about this yet. Send someone to leak this information to His Highness...” Wei Zhuoyan said.

“Understood.” After a while, the maidservant seemed to hesitate before she said, “However, I’m curious. Chen Zhu is a Six-leaf Godly Archer. He had never missed a shot. Who could kill him?”

Wei Zhuoyan shook his head and said, “I’ve thought about that as well... Alas, there are far too few clues about the battle at Measure Heaven River. The activation of the Grand Witchcraft Formation is as good as destroying all the evidence. We have no way of uncovering the truth. However, since that person is capable of killing Chen Zhu... He must be an elite. I hope he’s not an enemy of mine.”

“You’re an important officer of the empire who wields great military strength, General. Who would dare to make an enemy out of you?” The maidservant said ingratiatingly.

Unfortunately, Wei Zhuoyan seemed unmoved by her flattery. With the position he held, he was used to all kinds of flattery. He merely chuckled before he said, “The Evil Sky Pavilion is powerful. They’re not to be taken lightly.”

“General, the Evil Sky Pavilion has sent word demanding that you admit to your crimes. They’re clearly taking us lightly. Of the Evil Sky Pavilion’s nine disciples, the first disciple is the Nether Sect Master, Yu Zhenghai. His strength is unfathomable. Why don’t we work together with the Nether Sect?” The maidservant said softly.

Wei Zhuoyan was slightly taken aback, but he was not angry. He said calmly, “The Noble and Fiend Paths will never tolerate each other. Don’t bring this up again.”

“Understood.”

...

Meanwhile, Wei Zhuoyan’s men and the red-robed cultivators had gathered in Tangzi Town.

“My lords, Tangzi Town isn’t far from Golden Court Mountain. We’ll be able to reach the mountain by today,” a soldier said to the red-robed cultivators.

“There’s no hurry.” A red-robed cultivator waved his hand. He sauntered over to the perimeter of Tangzi Town and surveyed the surroundings.

The dense forest had concealed Golden Court Mountain. The flatlands had been converted to fertile farmlands by the people of Tangzi Town.

“We’ll march to Golden Court Mountain at first light,” the red-robed cultivator said.

“Understood!”

The red-robed cultivator who had spoken waved at the other red-robed cultivators. There were about 30 of them, and they gathered and stood in three rows.

,000 mounted soldiers stood behind them.

However, the 30 red-robed cultivators did not walk into the town. Instead, they walked along the flatlands.

The 3,000 mounted soldiers were bewildered by the cultivators’ actions.

The red-robed cultivators began picking up their pace. Soon after, their feet left the ground, looking like ghosts hovering above the farmlands. It was a chilling sight.

At this moment, the red-robed cultivators released a peculiar energy from their bodies, frightening the birds into taking flight and the beasts into hiding.

The red-robed cultivators changed formations; from three lines to one line before it settled in a semicircle before they marched to the Golden Court Mountain.

In a blink of an eye, the 30 red-robed cultivators disappeared.

The 3,000 mounted soldiers exchanged looks among themselves. Feeling helpless, they had no choice but to set up camp near Tangzi Town.

...

Midnight.

The sounds of roaring wind, wailing, and the crackling of fire rang from the direction of Golden Court Mountain’s direction. The noises lasted an entire night.

...

Early the next morning, the 30 red-robed cultivators appeared outside their camp in neat rows. It was as though they had waited all night.

“M-my lords!” When the military officer of the mounted soldiers woke up, he was shocked by the presence of the red-robed cultivators.

A red-robed cultivator said calmly, “Let’s go.”

...

Evil Sky Pavilion.

Lu Zhou glanced at the progress of the box’s unlocking under the mission tab. It showed 4/6. In other words, there were two weapons that had not been used on the box yet. One of them was the Amorous Hoop that was in his possession. According to Mingshi Yin, all that was left was his first disciple’s, Yu Zhenghai, Jasper Saber. He rose to his feet slowly and closed the system dashboard.

“Yuan’er.”

Little Yuan’er ran in from the outside and said, “Master, you called?”

“Any news from Jiang Aijian?”

“No,” Little Yuan’er said as she shook her head.

“Maybe he’s busy trying to get to his Dragonsong.” Lu Zhou stood up with his hands on his back and descended the stairs.

Little Yuan’er walked up to Lu Zhou obediently and supported him.

At this moment, a female cultivator walked slowly into the great hall. “Pavilion Master. Someone from the palace requests an audience.”

“Who is it?” Lu Zhou asked calmly.

Little Yuan’er added, “If everyone is just allowed to meet master, my master will be exhausted to death.”

The female cultivator bowed and said, “He’s sent by Wei Zhuoyan.”

“Where’s Wei Zhuoyan?”

“He’s... not here. However, the red-robed cultivator seems to have a profound cultivation base.”

Little Yuan’er said, “Master, why don’t I go down and fight him?”

Lu Zhou waved his arm and rejected Little Yuan’er’s proposal. He said calmly, “Let them in. I’ll leave this in Mingshi Yin’s hands. I’m tired.”

“Understood.”

Mingshi Yin, Zhao Yue, and Duanmu Sheng hurried over to the great hall when they heard the news.

While the visitors had not arrived yet, Duanmu Sheng bowed and said, “Master, this Wei Zhuoyan thinks too highly of himself. He’s looking down on our Evil Sky Pavilion. I request for the permission to head to the Divine Capital and kill this scoundrel.”

“...” Mingshi Yin glanced at his Third Senior Brother.

Before Lu Zhou could say anything, Hua Wudao who had arrived slightly later said, “I commend you for your bravery, Mister Third, but the Divine Capital is highly guarded and filled with elites. It’s said that Wei Zhuoyan’s cultivation base is at least Six-leaf. Naturally, Mister Third’s Divine One Technique is powerful as well. However, a pair of fists can hardly defeat four hands. It’s best not to act rashly for now.”

Lu Zhou nodded while stroking his beard and said, “Elder Hua has a point. Old Third, I heard you’ve been sparring with Elder Hua lately?”

Duanmu Sheng bowed and said, “Yes, I have.”

“That’s good. Elder Hua’s Six Compatible Daoist Mudra is peerless. If you can break it, your strength would improve by leaps and bounds,” Lu Zhou said.

“I... will work hard.”

Elder Hua coughed again and said. “It’s naturally a good thing to guide the juniors, but I’m getting old, and I can’t spar too frequently.”

Duanmu Sheng cupped his fists toward Elder Hua and said, “In that case, let’s reduce the frequency from three times a day to twice a day...”

“Uh...” Elder Hua’s old face flushed. Hua Wudao could not find a way to give voice to his sufferings. He had to spar day in and day out with someone who would fight even more valiantly the more times he lost.

Lu Zhou spoke with his hands on his back, “It’s best to do it once every three days. You won’t be able to handle it if it’s too frequent anyway.”

“Yes, master.”

“Thank you, Pavilion Master.”

At this moment, two red-robed cultivators escorted by a female cultivator sauntered into the great hall from outside.

Their robes covered their bodies from head to toe. Their steps were steady and stable. Their hands were crossed. A few soldiers carrying a box followed them closely from behind.

“Greetings, Pavilion Master. I am Wu Sheng.”

“Greetings, Pavilion Master. I am Wu Guan.”