Chapter 141, Have Some Dignity, Lady, and Heartless

Translator: Raznick

 

Zhou Clan estate, Nine Peaks.

 

When the red-clad beauty who had been gazing at the Zhou Clan estate finally arrived at the entrance, the Zhou Clan cultivator responsible for registering cultivators blinked in surprise, then said, “Fellow Daoist seems unfamiliar. Have you ever been to our Zhou Clan before? Where have you been cultivating so far?”

 

Facing this questioning, the red-clad beauty offered a graceful smile. “Indeed, this is my first visit to the Zhou Clan. Previously, I’ve been cultivating near the Mu Clan in the Green Cloud Mountains.”

 

Her smile caused the middle-aged Zhou Clan cultivator’s heart to skip a beat.

 

He blurted out, “So, you were cultivating at the Mu Clan. No wonder you’ve come to our Zhou Clan now.”

 

It was that the Green Cloud Mountains Mu Clan had been destroyed and rebuilt, but now the Mu Clan’s small estate could clearly not accommodate many rogue cultivators to cultivate.

 

And many rogue cultivators felt that place was unlucky and didn’t want to cultivate there anymore.

 

Among them, the Zhou Clan, due to the good reputation it had gained in the Mu Clan’s destruction, had become the preferred place for those rogue cultivators.

 

In the past year or so, the number of rogue cultivators who had come to cultivate at the Zhou Clan had been considerable.

 

Their arrival had also directly increased the Zhou Clan’s income significantly.

 

Therefore, upon hearing the red-clad beauty’s words, the Zhou Clan cultivator, already captivated, quickly registered her and allowed her entry into the estate.

 

At this time, after following the red-clad beauty’s departing figure until she disappeared from view, he murmured, “Her name is Lin Hongyu? Next time she comes, I’m definitely going to take leave and make an effort to get to know her!”

 

Speaking of the red-clad beauty, she followed the direction of the pointing finger and arrived at the cultivation zone that the Zhou Clan had opened for cultivators to cultivate and dutifully rented a second-rate cultivation room, entering to cultivate.

 

In reality, she had barely entered the room when she cast a mystical art to phase through the walls, then brazenly left, keeping watch under the noses of the Zhou Clan cultivators.

 

And this went unnoticed by anyone.

 

After leaving the cultivation zone reserved for cultivators, she floated into the air, briefly surveyed the nine mountain peaks, quickly identified her target, and headed straight for Pagoda Peak.

 

But as she reached the foot of Pagoda Peak, preparing to ascend, a jolt ran through her, as if she had been targeted by something.

 

She’s been discovered!

 

Her face shifted, and she immediately realized something.

 

Soon enough, she saw a flash of fire descend from the top of Pagoda Peak, quickly manifesting nearby.

 

“You again!”

 

Looking at the Fire Spirit Jackal staring down from the sky, the red-clad beauty’s face grew cold, and she couldn’t help but curse.

 

At this moment, Zhou Mingde’s voice also sounded softly in her ear.

 

“Guest, why not come to the mountaintop for a chat? I have prepared tea.”

 

Hearing this, the red-clad beauty’s face changed again, and a flash of shame and annoyance appeared in her eyes.

 

She knew in her heart that since Zhou Mingde and this Fire Spirit Jackal discovered her, they hadn’t made a move, most likely because they recognized her origin.

 

And Zhou Mingde surely knew about that incident.

 

This made her feel like a shameful secret had been exposed!

 

She immediately snorted, “Hmph, since you dared to invite me, how could I be afraid of you!”

 

Then, she followed the Fire Spirit Jackal and flew towards the mountaintop.

 

At this time, Zhou Chun, who was working in the Central Palace, was also alerted by the Fire Spirit Jackal’s actions and couldn’t help but look up at the sky from the grand hall.

 

But ultimately, he only saw a red-robed female cultivator’s figure descend to the mountaintop, following behind the Fire Spirit Jackal.

 

Since the person was brought by the Fire Spirit Jackal, Zhou Chun knew that they must be Zhou Mingde’s guest, so despite being curious as to who it was, he dared not use his Divine Sense to investigate.

 

He could only return to the hall with a belly full of questions.

 

And in a stone pavilion on the mountaintop, Zhou Mingde had indeed prepared spiritual tea, waiting for the red-robed beauty to arrive.

 

At this moment, seeing the red-robed beauty follow the Fire Spirit Jackal to this place, he immediately raised his hand and said, “Fellow Daoist Lin, please sit.” Daoyi has already received the news and will be here soon.”

 

Hearing him directly say her name, Lin Hongyu’s expression immediately darkened, and she couldn’t help but say bitterly, “Did he tell you?”

 

Zhou Mingde realized why she was upset and immediately shook his head, “Fellow Daoist Lin, why so upset? The Clan Leader can’t hide things for me, especially when it affects the clan!”

 

Hearing him say that, Lin Hongyu also calmed down a lot.

 

Then, she sat down and carefully scrutinized Zhou Mingde and coldly said, “You do have some ability. I heard that that scoundrel Wu Jingming lost twice to you and was ultimately driven away by Daoist Ming Xia of the Green Lotus Monastery!”

 

“You mean Black Dragon Guardian, right? I did indeed fight him twice, but even if I joined forces with my spirit pet, I could only barely manage to hold my own against him before he revealed his true abilities.”

 

Zhou Mingde shook his head slightly and sighed softly, “If he had used the trump card he used in that final battle when he was at the Mu Clan, I probably wouldn’t have been a match for him at all!”

 

“The trump card you’re talking about is probably the Spirit Dragon Possession Talisman, right? That thing wasn’t Wu Jingming’s—it was a treasure from the sect he acquired during a mission. How could he dare use it lightly unless it was a matter of life and death!”

 

Lin Hongyu said this, then smirked coldly, “But a fool is still a fool. Even with a treasure like the Spirit Dragon Possession Talisman, he couldn’t lift himself up. He really got what he deserved.”

 

Hearing her gloating words, Zhou Mingde was taken aback, wondering how she could possibly find this amusing.

 

He probed cautiously, “Fellow Daoist Lin has a grudge with the Black Dragon Guardian?”

 

“I just can’t stand that guy; it’s not like we have a feud.”

 

Lin Hongyu waved her hand dismissively, then gave Zhou Mingde a sidelong glance, saying, “You don’t need to pry into anything—I’m not telling you anything about the sect’s affairs. Knowing too much won’t be good for you.”

 

“Understood. I apologize for being rude.”

 

Zhou Mingde forced a smile, immediately picking up the tea and taking a sip, as if punishing himself.

 

At this moment, a figure also arrived at the mountaintop—it was Zhou Daoyi.

 

But his gloomy expression revealed that he had come unwillingly.

 

Yet Lin Hongyu seemed quite pleased and excited to see him like this.

 

She spoke proactively, “Well, look who it is again.”

 

Then she looked him up and down, a slight smile playing on her lips. “It seems your cultivation has recovered nicely. You should be able to break through to the late Foundation Establishment in a few years.”

 

This veiled comment instantly made Zhou Daoyi’s face tense.

 

He glared at her. “You witch, what exactly do you want? Do you really think I’m afraid of you?”

 

The depth of his dismay when he learned that Lin Hongyu had contacted the Zhou Clan was beyond comprehension.

 

The encounter in that desolate, uninhabited wilderness years ago remained a source of pain he actively avoided revisiting.

 

How could he, the esteemed Clan Leader of the Zhou Clan, a cultivator at mid Foundation Establishment, have possibly…

 

That entire affair was an indelible mark of shame on his life!

 

He not only refused to dwell on it himself, but he also didn’t want to see even a glimpse of Lin Hongyu, the person involved.

 

But he never anticipated that despite their agreement to sever all ties, Lin Hongyu would secretly reach out to the Zhou Clan!

 

If not for the Fire Spirit Jackal constantly guarding and monitoring Pagoda Peak, he wouldn’t have even known that Lin Hongyu had infiltrated the area outside his residence.

 

Upon learning of this, his anger was immense, his frustration boundless.

 

Now, faced with her intentional provocation, he couldn’t possibly contain his rage.

 

The fury twisting his features was a far cry from the wise and calm demeanor he usually displayed as Clan Leader, his expression resembling a cat whose tail had been stepped on.

 

Zhou Mingde stared at him, astonished, having never witnessed him in such a state before.

 

Meanwhile, Lin Hongyu, upon seeing him like this, seemed to find it amusing, her eyes crinkling as she smiled innocently: “Why are you so agitated? I didn’t say anything bad about you, so why are you acting like this?”

 

“Agitated? I simply don’t want anything to do with you! Please have some dignity!”

 

Zhou Daoyi glared, vehemently reprimanding her.

 

Fortunately, Zhou Mingde sensed the tension and had already erected a soundproof barrier.

 

Otherwise, this sound would surely be audible to most people on Pagoda Peak.

 

Lin Hongyu finally stopped smiling, narrowing her eyes as she said coldly, “If you keep calling me a witch, I’ll make sure to stir up trouble here today, even if it means seriously injuring myself, so you’ll know the consequences of angering me!”

 

Zhou Mingde and Zhou Daoyi were both startled by her words.

 

They instantly remembered that she was a Guardian of the Dragonized Sect and a mid Violet Palace cultivator!

 

Zhou Mingde immediately tried to smooth things over, saying, “Fellow Daoist Lin, please don’t misunderstand. Daoyi didn’t mean any harm; he’s just a little restless.”

 

He gave Zhou Daoyi a subtle look.

 

Although Zhou Daoyi was annoyed by Lin Hongyu’s words, he was forced into a corner and could only say sullenly, “I was out of control and misspoke. I beg Fellow Daoist Lin’s understanding.”

 

“Hypocrite!”

 

Lin Hongyu curled her lip, looking disgusted.

 

But her expression had visibly softened.

 

Then, looking at Zhou Daoyi and speaking slowly, she said, “The events of the past weren’t a willing arrangement, but since they happened, we can’t just pretend they didn’t.

 

“I’ve thought about it carefully. If you’re willing to return with me to the main hall of the Dragonized Sect, I can’t promise anything else, but I’ll guarantee that your future attempts to reach Violet Palace will be in my hands!

 

“If you succeed in reaching Violet Palace, even if you don’t wish to join our sect and become a Guardian, you’d still be able to possess a territory in the Dragon Kingdom as a subordinate of our sect, which would be much larger than this small place you currently have with the Zhou Clan!”

 

[Is such a thing possible?]

 

Zhou Mingde thought.

 

Handling a Foundation Establishment cultivator’s task of opening a Violet Palace wasn’t something any ordinary Violet Palace cultivator would promise or accomplish.

 

It was like an average Foundation Establishment cultivator wouldn’t dare tell a Qi Refining cultivator, “Leave your Foundation Establishment to me.”

 

Zhou Mingde was certain that any late Foundation Establishment rogue cultivator, even a general clan cultivator or sect cultivator, would be utterly captivated by Lin Hongyu’s words, perhaps even taking immediate action.

 

But unfortunately, Lin Hongyu was facing Zhou Daoyi, a cultivating clan’s Clan Leader, and someone with considerable strength capable of breaking through to the Violet Palace.

 

Zhou Daoyi, without a moment’s thought, instantly rejected her: “That’s impossible! You’re dreaming! I, the esteemed Zhou Clan Clan Leader, would never leave with you!”

 

He then looked at Lin Hongyu and said loudly, “I advise you to abandon this thought. We can never be together. I feel nothing for you.”

 

Upon hearing his words and sensing his resolute intentions, disappointment flickered in Lin Hongyu’s eyes.

 

Although she had mentally prepared for this outcome, experiencing it firsthand was still disheartening.

 

She couldn’t help but sigh, “What a heartless man.”

 

Hearing her words laced with grievance, Zhou Mingde’s eyebrows twitched, and he glanced at Zhou Daoyi.

 

He saw that Zhou Daoyi’s face was cold, completely unmoved.

 

This filled him with relief, yet also a sense of helplessness.

 

Zhou Daoyi truly had no interest in women; otherwise, he wouldn’t have guarded his yang essence for so many years, nor would he have ever sought a dual cultivation Dao companion.

 

In the past, Zhou Mingde and other Zhou Clan seniors had worried about him, but after seeing that he truly had no intention of doing so, they stopped urging him.

 

Truth be told, if Lin Hongyu’s status weren’t so unique, Zhou Mingde would have tried harder to persuade Zhou Daoyi to be with her!

 

The Zhou Clan could then concentrate its resources to support Third Elder Zhou Daoquan’s advancement to the Violet Palace.

 

It was a win-win situation, truly beneficial to all.

 

At this moment, witnessing that Zhou Daoyi had no feelings for her at all, Lin Hongyu’s face rapidly cooled.

 

She stared coldly at Zhou Daoyi and said, “Since you’re unwilling to go with me, you can’t expect to get away without paying your dues!”

 

“What do you mean? How could I have paid nothing?”

 

Zhou Daoyi’s face flushed with anger, and he said, a little embarrassed, “If I hadn’t been there, you would have likely died long ago!”

 

Everyone present understood the meaning behind his words.

 

But Lin Hongyu coldly said, “That was your own greed that led you to fall for my secret art; it’s not as though I owe you anything!”

 

“You…”

 

Zhou Daoyi glared at her, feeling deeply ashamed and angry but unable to refute her.

 

Seeing him rendered speechless by Lin Hongyu, Zhou Mingde quickly interjected, “Fellow Daoist Lin, what exactly do you require? Please be direct.”

 

Upon hearing this, Lin Hongyu looked at the two of them and said, “Rest assured, my request is not unreasonable. I won’t ask you to pledge allegiance to the Dragonized Sect. I simply want you to help me procure some spirit root rogue cultivators, or ordinary mortals, with decent potential, and facilitate introductions to them.

 

“Furthermore, I won’t let you do this for free. For every person you provide, I will assess their cultivation potential and reward you accordingly, including treasures your Zhou Clan would likely be interested in, such as dragon demon beast eggs!”