Regardless of how humble Fan Xiuwen’s tone was or how respectful his manner was, anyone with half a brain would be able to hear the underlying threat hidden in his words.
The Evil Sky Pavilion’s might struck fear into people’s hearts. Whether it was due to Lu Zhou or his nine disciples, even if they discounted Yu Zhenghai and Yu Shangrong, no forces would dare to take the Evil Sky Pavilion lightly. What gave Fan Xiuwen the confidence to speak such words or stop the Evil Sky Pavilion from meddling in the Imperial Family’s affairs if they so wished? What was that supposed to mean?
Fan Xiuwen rose to his feet and cupped his hands together again. “Since you’re privy to my identity, old senior, why would you put me in a difficult position? Leng Luo has disappeared 300 years ago along with the grace and grudges of the past. You’re older than me so I should address you as older brother. To be honest, being on the blacklist is not something I’m proud of. In fact, it has become an unremovable stain in my life.” He spoke passionately with such self-righteousness that it made people cringe when they heard his words.
This person who was once on the top of the blacklist and had committed every evil act imaginable and unimaginable under the heavens said that he was ashamed of his past and had turned to the path of righteousness? Was that not funny?
Fan Xiuwen continued to say, “As for threatening you, the Black Knights won’t dare to do such a thing. We’re merely conveying the palace’s message. There’s nothing I can do even if you choose to reject this request.”
Silence descended on the great hall again.
Mingshi Yin snorted, breaking the silence again, and said, “If you know your request will be rejected, aren’t you just wasting your breath by saying it in the first place?”
Duanmu Sheng spoke frankly, “You’re asking the Evil Sky Pavilion to not meddle in the palace’s affairs… According to your logic, if we agree to your request, even if a person from the palace were to cut me open, I’d have to bear with it and endure it?”
“…”
“Fifth Junior Sister Zhao Yue’s cultivation base was sealed by someone from the palace before she was sent to the holy altar for a marriage alliance. Who’s going to answer for that? Who’s going to answer for the destruction of the Fish Dragon Village?” Duanmu Sheng asked.
Everyone was surprised by Duanmu Sheng’s eloquence. After all, he was a man of few words.
Lu Zhou stroked his beard and said, “Leng Luo, did you hear that?” It seemed like he agreed with Duanmu Sheng’s words.
This gave Lu Zhou’s disciples a burst of confidence. After all, such a situation was unlikely to happen in the past. If they had spoken out of turn, they would bring disaster upon themselves.
Fan Xiuwen cupped his hands and said, “I can’t defy the palace’s orders. Old senior, there’s no need for you to lower yourself to the palace’s level.”
“No, you don’t understand.” Lu Zhou rose to his feet and began to descend the stairs with his hands on his back.
This simple action caused Fan Xiuwen to stand up as well, clearly wary.
At this moment, Fan Xiuwen’s four subordinates felt slightly worried as well.
Ji Tiandao was a villain known for his fiery temper and unpredictable mood swings. It would not surprise anyone if Ji Tiandao lost his temper at the slightest disagreement.
Lu Zhou asked again, “Is the Black Knights responsible for the destruction of Fish Dragon Village?” His knowing eyes were trained on Fan Xiuwen. He held a Deadly Strike Card in his hand as he waited silently for the answer.
His question resounded across the hall.
When the weak and dazed Ye Tianxin heard this question, her eyes widened. She looked at her master incredulously before looking at Fan Xiuwen who was standing opposite her master. She felt her heart racing as she thought to herself, ‘Is there really another side to the Fish Dragon Village’s story?’
The atmosphere turned tense and heavy.
Fan Xiuwen did not answer Lu Zhou’s question directly. Instead, he said, “Other Tribes will never be allowed to exist in Great Yan’s lands. There were too many of them at Measure Heaven River.” As he spoke, he casually glanced at Ye Tianxin. This was as good as a direct admission.
Fan Xiuwen was intelligent. He knew that arguing about the matter or denying the truth were meaningless in this situation. The Evil Sky Pavilion would not have summoned him here if they did not have sufficient reason and proof.
Upon hearing Fan Xiuwen’s words, everyone exchanged a look.
“Did you tamper with the records in the palace and local archives?”
“I did.” Fan Xiuwen did not deny the allegation. Instead, he said, “There aren’t many who have access to the palace’s archives… Old senior, do you have an informant in the palace?”
Lu Zhou turned around suddenly, ignoring Fan Xiuwen’s question. “So, you were the one who slandered me?”
Ji Tiandao had done many bad things. However, even the evil deeds of his nine disciples would be placed on him by the people in the cultivation world. As time passed, he became more and more infamous, and many people would push their crimes on him. After all, he had already committed so many wicked deeds, what was a few more? When his crimes, whether he committed them or not, grew, he did not explain himself. After all, it would take too much of his time to clear his name.
However, Lu Zhou could not tolerate something like this.
Fan Xiuwen quickly said, “The Black Knights were only following orders! We aren’t the mastermind behind this… Moreover, from what I know, the sixth disciple of Evil Sky Pavilion is a traitor. Why would you pit yourself against the palace for a mere traitor, old senior?”
Upon hearing this, Ye Tianxin forced herself to stand. With her mortal body, she grabbed the sword that one of the female cultivators from Derived Moon Palace carried.
Zing!
The blade gleamed coldly as Ye Tianxin thrust the sword toward Fan Xiuwen.
Bang!
Fan Xiuwen did not move. His hands remained on his back. He was like a statue made from rock. The sword cracked and shattered when it landed on him.
Everyone was shocked.
Ye Tianxin’s eyes were red. She said belligerently, “Who’s the mastermind? Who is it?”
Whoosh!
Fan Xiuwen released a wave of energy that pushed Ye Tianxin away. “Old Senior Ji, the Black Knights do not wish to become enemies with the Evil Sky Pavilion. I’ve answered all your questions. As for the mastermind, forgive me for not being able to answer you. Since I’ve already conveyed the palace’s message to you, it’s up to you what you decide to do, old senior…” As soon as he finished speaking, he turned around and strode toward the door.
Upon seeing this, Fan Xiuwen’s four subordinates stood up and cupped their hands together before leaving with their leader.
Fan Xiuwen took two steps forward before suddenly coming to a halt. “However, as a junior, I have two pieces of advice for you, old senior. First, It’s best not to go against the palace. After all, 10 years will pass in just a blink of an eye. Second, although the Black Knights can’t compare with the Evil Sky Pavilion, we aren’t pushovers as well. We’ll take our leave now.”
Since they had arrived at the Evil Sky Pavilion until now, they had been constantly disregarded and disrespected. They had never been treated in this manner before. They had to forfeit their pride and dignity here. Even Fan Xiuwen had acted humbly. However, after listening to Fan Xiuwen’s parting words, they felt extremely refreshed. The knots in their hearts seemed to have vanished with his words. They found his statement appropriate. After all, it was true that the Black Knights was no pushover.
Before the five visitors could leave the pavilion, Lu Zhou stroked his beard and said in a deceptively calm voice, “Did I allow you to leave?”
“Hm?” Fan Xiuwen stopped in his tracks. His heart skipped a beat.
“When I summoned you here, I had no intention of letting you leave.” Lu Zhou waved his hand.
Duanmu Sheng and Mingshi Yin had been itching for action. They thought their master would avoid conflict. After all, the Black Knights was sent by the palace. Duanmu Sheng and Mingshi Yin were not individuals who did not know the immensity of the heavens like Zuo Xinchan. They really did not expect the old man to be so unyielding!
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Mingshi Yin and Duanmu Sheng shot out immediately.
Fan Xiuwen turned around slowly and said, “Do you really want to do this for the sake of a traitor?”
Lu Zhou replied flippantly, “I’ll punish the traitor in due time. This is no place for you to order me around. Tell me the mastermind behind the incident, and I’ll leave your corpse intact.”
Realization dawned on Fan Xiuwen. He returned to his seat. He cupped his hands and called out, “Four Dark Knights…”
“Yes, my lord,” the Four Dark Knights answered in unison.
“Since the Evil Sky Pavilion wants to witness the strength of the Black Knights, we’ll grant them their wish.”
Bzzt! Bzzt! Bzzt! Bzzt!
Four buzzes rang in the air before two Three-leaf and two Two-leaf Golden Lotus avatars appeared. The avatars, each 30 to 40 feet tall, towered above the others, shrouded in an intimidating aura.