The Dark Knight did not reply and caught up to the others. Since five of them were wearing masks, none of their expressions could be seen. They left the remaining Black Knights at the foot of the mountain as they walked up the stairs that led to the Evil Sky Pavilion.
Halfway up the stairs, Fan Xiuwen suddenly came to a stop and asked nonchalantly, “Who’s hiding in the shadows?”
A flash of black clothes flitted between the trees on the right before it leaped from one tree to another. Little Yuan’er stood on a branch. She frowned and said, “Ugly.” She had described them as ugly, not terrifying.
One of the Dark Knights spoke up irritably, “My Lord, the Evil Sky Pavilion doesn’t seem to be showing us much respect!”
Fan Xiuwen raised a hand to cut him short. Then, they continued up the mountain. If he could accept Mingshi Yin killing four of his knights but could not tolerate this insult, how would he be able to command respect as the leader of the Black Knights? When he was at the top of the blacklist, there was no shortage of insults being thrown at him. Regardless of how terrible the insults were, he did not take them to heart. His long years of training made it easy for him to disregard such matters.
Little Yuan’er pulled a face at Mingshi Yin before she flew back up the mountain. Perhaps, she was the only one who could go up and down the mountain freely since she was loved by her master.
Mingshi Yin shook his head helplessly and said, “My Little Junior Sister has always been this way. Please don’t take her seriously.”
Fan Xiuwen said nonchalantly, “It doesn’t matter.”
A moment later, they arrived at the Evil Sky Pavilion and slowly walked into the great hall.
Mingshi Yin swept his gaze across the hall. He discovered Zhao Yue and Ye Tianxin were present as well. They were sitting on chairs, looking exhausted. Meanwhile, Duanmu Sheng, Zhou Jifeng, Pan Zhong stood on the left.
Fan Xiuwen placed one hand on his back that was as straight as a rod. His four subordinates stood in pairs behind him.
The great hall was deathly silent at this moment. Everyone’s eyes were trained on the five visitors.
Fan Xiu Wen looked at Lu Zhou, the old man who sat at the highest place in the hall. He was stunned when their eyes met. Rumor had it that Ji Tiandao’s days were numbered. Ji Tiandao’s 1,000 years of cultivation would return to nature once his time was up.
Fan Xiuwen had always had a talent for gauging a person’s life aura. Indeed, this old man only had about fifteen years left in him. However, he could not gauge the old man’s cultivation base. If he had forcefully tried to probe the old man’s cultivation base, it would be equivalent to a blatant provocation. This would not be the most rational course of action, naturally. After a while, he said in a neither servile nor domineering manner, “Fan Xiuwen pays respect to Old Senior Ji.”
At the same time, Fan Xiuwen’s four subordinates cupped their hands together in greeting as well.
Lu Zhou could not see their faces. His expression was calm. One would find it difficult to read his mind based on his expressions. He said condescendingly, “Sit down.” His tone was similar to the tone one with a higher status would use when speaking to those with a lower status.
Fan Xiuwen cupped his hands together before taking a seat. “I heard you wanted to see me, Old Senior Ji… I did not dare to delay so I led the Black Knights here without making any stops. I wonder what matters you wanted to discuss with me, Old Senior Ji?”
Lu Zhou stroked his beard. He pointed at Ye Tianxin and casually said, “I’m sure you recognize this person…”
Fan Xiuwen shifted his gaze from under his mask. He saw Ye Tianxin sitting on the chair opposite him. She was unusually pale. He shook his head and said, “I’m afraid I don’t.” He sounded honest.
Little Yuan’er suddenly giggled and said, “This is my master’s sixth disciple. She’s my senior sister, Ye Tianxin…!” She made a spitting sound before saying, “Traitor!”
“So, she’s the Evil Sky Pavilion’s sixth disciple. I apologize for my rudeness,” Fan Xiuwen said softly.
Lu Zhou nodded and calmly said, “Do you know about the Fish Dragon Village?”
Fan Xiuwen’s body stilled immediately. However, his thick and heavy armor and mask hid his expression. Nobody knew what he was thinking about. After a while, he shook his head, indicating he did not know about the Fish Dragon Village. After all, the village was too insignificant. As the leader of the Black Knights, why would he remember a minor village? He asked, “Why do you ask about the Fish Dragon Village, old senior?”
“Ye Tianxin,” Lu Zhou said imposingly.
Ye Tianxin shuddered slightly. She supported herself and spoke with no inflection in her tone, “The Fish Dragon Village has a population of about 354 villagers. About 150 years ago, it was completely destroyed…” She did not continue to speak after that.
Ye Tianxin had investigated this incident after she left Golden Court Mountain… She went through many troubles only to discover all the signs pointed to her master, Ji Tiandao, whose name alone would shock the lands.
Fan Xiuwen nodded and said, “I see. I’m truly sorry to hear the Fish Dragon Village has been destroyed. However…” He turned to Lu Zhou and asked, “Is this the reason you summoned me here, old senior?”
“That’s right,” Lu Zhou said nonchalantly.
“What does this have to do with me?”
“The records of the palace and local archives stated that I was the one who destroyed the Fish Dragon Village.” Although Lu Zhou could not see Fan Xiuwen’s expression, it did not escape his eyes that Fan Xiuwen’s body had moved slightly as soon as he finished speaking. He wondered if this indicated Fan Xiuwen’s surprise or nervousness.
“Is that so?” Fan Xiuwen asked, a hint of shock could be heard in his voice.
When Lu Zhou spoke about himself being the alleged culprit, everyone could see the unnatural expression on Ye Tianxin’s face.
“The Black Knights is the special force of Great Yan’s Imperial Family. They only operate in the shadows. It’s only natural the palace archives won’t mention the force,” Lu Zhou calmly said.
Fan Xiuwen cupped his hands and said, “Every cultivator knows that the Black Knights is the special force of the Imperial Family.”
“The Black Knights has never been to Measure Heaven River?” Lu Zhou asked.
When Fan Xiuwen heard the question, he acted as though he had expected it. He was an intelligent person after all. As soon as Lu Zhou pointed at Ye Tianxin, he had known Lu Zhou would ask about this matter.
Fan Xiuwen laughed hoarsely, his laughter resounded in the pavilion. “Well, let’s put the incident at the Fish Dragon Village aside for now. In fact, I came here today to discuss a certain matter with you, old senior.”
“Speak,” Lu Zhou said curtly.
“The palace has a message for you.” Fan Xiuwen’s attitude suddenly turned respectful. “The palace will not hold the Evil Sky Pavilion accountable for its various deeds in the past. This includes Mingshi Yin’s killing of four Black Knights. The palace is willing to let bygones be bygones, but there’s one condition…” He paused for a moment before he continued to say, “The Evil Sky Pavilion must not interfere with the business of the Great Yan’s Imperial Family for the next ten years.”
Silence descended on the great hall.
A few disciples exchanged looks among themselves.
Even Fan Xiuwen’s four trusted subordinates did not know about this. However, they were relieved that the mission from the palace was just this. This request was simple. There were many cultivators in Great Yan. Some of the experts were wary about the forces within the palace and would not meddle in the palace’s various affairs. Some of them were offered amnesty by enlistment and became a part of some influential person’s faction.
After a slight pause, Fan Xiuwen added, “The Black Knights do not wish to be enemies with the Evil Sky Pavilion nor do we have the right or strength… I’m saying this on the Black Knights’ behalf. I hope you can grant us this wish, old senior.” After that, he no longer spoke. After all, he had already stated his reason for being here.
Everyone looked at Lu Zhou, waiting for his reply.
However, Mingshi Yin broke the silence first with a chuckle. He said, “The last person in this hall who rambled on in such a self-righteous manner had… flown on a crane to the Western Paradise. Are you trying to follow in his footsteps?”
Fan Xiuwen cupped his hands together. “I dare not.”
Lu Zhou stroked his beard and finally said, “Leng Luo.”
Fan Xiuwen’s heart skipped a bit when he heard this. His body involuntarily stiffened for a moment.
Lu Zhou looked at Fan Xiuwen with a piercing gaze and said, “Are you trying to threaten me?”