Chapter 75: He Sets How Many Rules, I Break How Many Rules
Zhou Ming sat idly in the grand hall for a moment, the smile on his face gradually disappearing. This was because he discovered that the HongHua Sect was in a state of complete harmony, with not a single person showing even the slightest hint of anxiety.
And that Sect Leader Qin was even more excessive, leaving after a few polite greetings, leaving a grand elder of the HuXiao Sect like himself to cool his heels.
“Elder Zhou, why does everyone in the HongHua Sect seem like nothing has happened? Don’t they even know about the Yin Energy Outbreak at Pingshan Mass Grave?” one of the followers couldn’t contain himself and asked in a low voice.
“Who knows?” Elder Zhou smiled helplessly. For some reason, as time passed, his unease grew.
“It must be like this. The HongHua Sect is full of trash. They probably don’t even dare to send people to guard there, so how could they find out?”
“Even if they sent people to guard, with those trash from the Juling Realm, they probably couldn’t even outrun the Yin Energy. How could they come back to deliver news?”
…
The other two scoffed, and the grand hall was filled with a joyful atmosphere.
Not long after, Qi Huang, along with her main body and Sect Leader Qin, arrived at the grand hall and saw Zhou Ming and a group from the HuXiao Sect.
“Elder Zhou, I’ve brought the people for you. Feel free to say whatever you need to say.” Qin Quan said indifferently.
“I’d like to have a private chat with Junior Martial Nephew Hong Ling. Could Sect Leader Qin accommodate me?” Elder Zhou shamelessly requested.
“Alright!” Qin Quan knew what the other party wanted even with his eyes closed. Because he trusted Cheng Hong Ling enough, he walked out very readily.
“May I know what instructions Elder Zhou has?” Cheng Hong Ling sat down on a chair. Qi Huang wanted to stand by as a “maidservant,” but remembering the previous lesson, she shamelessly sat on another chair.
“Junior Martial Nephew Hong Ling, do you remember what I said at the Yuxiao Sect? The evil source of that Pingshan Mass Grave might be more than just evil ghosts and silver corpses, but a fiend like a golden corpse equivalent to the Divine Ability Mirror of a cultivator.” Elder Zhou got straight to the point without beating around the bush, as he knew that delays could lead to trouble.
“I remember.” Cheng Hong Ling replied coldly.
“That’s good. I have some unfortunate news for you. That Pingshan Mass Grave had an outbreak a few days ago. The speed at which the Yin Energy spread is too fast. It will probably engulf Meng County completely in a few months.” Zhou Ming feigned a worried look.
“How did Elder Zhou know? Your HuXiao Sect is thousands of miles away from here, and we didn’t know, but you did?” Cheng Hong Ling said unhurriedly.
“Our HuXiao Sect has powerful strength and ears everywhere. It’s not strange that we knew before you.” Elder Zhou shamelessly boasted.
“Is that so?” Cheng Hong Ling replied noncommittally, then said very coldly, “I understand. Thank you for your concern, Elder Zhou.”
“And then what? Aren’t you worried? The evil spirits in that mass grave are powerful. According to our observations, the vanguard alone includes terrifying existences like silver corpses and evil ghosts. How can your HongHua Sect resist them?” Elder Zhou asked curiously.
“That’s not something Elder Zhou needs to worry about. You should be worrying about the prefecture capital where your HuXiao Sect is located.” Cheng Hong Ling replied indifferently.
“You need to think clearly. Once those evil spirits spread, what will happen to the people of Huang Tian Prefecture? With the strength of the HongHua Sect, you can’t save them at all. You can only run. But if you do, you’ll never have a foothold in the Cultivation World again.” Elder Zhou reminded her earnestly.
“Then what is Elder Zhou’s opinion?” Qi Huang asked with feigned curiosity.
“Obviously, the only one who can save you now is the Immortal Alliance!” Elder Zhou offered his suggestion.
“Everyone knows that, but the problem is they completely ignore the HongHua Sect! We’ve approached them countless times about this matter, and each time they just dismiss us with a few words.” Qi Huang frowned with feigned distress.
“Junior Martial Nephew Hong Ling, please don’t misunderstand. It’s not that the Immortal Alliance isn’t acting, but they are genuinely busy! After all, the entire Cultivation World needs them to maintain order.” Elder Zhou defended the Immortal Alliance obsequiously.
“Is there a difference? Either way, we can’t count on them.” Qi Huang said with feigned disappointment.
“That’s not necessarily true. To get the Immortal Alliance’s help, you must make an appointment. Coincidentally, we asked for their help a few months ago. If the HongHua Sect needs it, we can give you this opportunity.” Elder Zhou tempted her.
“Is that so? That would be great. Thank you, Elder Zhou. You are a respectable senior.” Qi Huang said sarcastically.
“Respect is not necessary. I don’t lack such things. What I lack is talent.” Elder Zhou finally revealed his intention: “If you want us to ask the Immortal Alliance to help the HongHua Sect, you only need to agree to one condition, and that is to join the HuXiao Sect.”
“Heh, Elder Zhou, here we go again. It seems you’re still not giving up.” Qi Huang showed an expression of ‘I knew it.’
“I’ve said it before, I’ve always valued talent. For a genius like Junior Martial Nephew Hong Ling, I don’t mind running a few more times.” Elder Zhou said with a sincere attitude.
“Elder Zhou, I remember I also said that I would never leave the HongHua Sect, no matter what. Do you remember?” Cheng Hong Ling restated her stance.
“I understand. Junior Martial Nephew Hong Ling is worried about the people of the HongHua Sect, but you can’t help them even if you stay now. The only one who can help them is the Immortal Alliance. Don’t you understand?” Elder Zhou patiently explained.
“Elder Zhou, I don’t like to talk nonsense. The people of Huang Tian Prefecture are our own business. You HuXiao Sect doesn’t need to worry about it.” Cheng Hong Ling became impatient.
“You…” Elder Zhou’s face changed, but he finally said, “You don’t have to answer me in such a hurry. When you can’t hold on any longer, the HuXiao Sect will always welcome you.”
“No need. If I agreed to you, what about our bet? You might as well spend your time thinking about how to return the rules next time, or I’m afraid you’ll be slapped in the face.” Cheng Hong Ling remained unmoved.
“Cheng Hong Ling, don’t refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit! Do you know what Sect Leader Guo instructed me when we came? He told me to beg him to take you as a disciple, otherwise, you can wait to fend for yourselves! So, I’ve already given you enough face.” Zhou Ming was furious and finally dropped his disguise.
“Please go back and tell that Sect Leader Guo that if he can come to the HongHua Sect and beg me to take him as a disciple, then I might consider this matter.” Qi Huang spoke arrogantly, and when it came to being defiant, she wouldn’t fear anyone.
“Remember what you said today. The next time we meet, I promise you’ll kneel down and apologize.” Zhou Ming said through gritted teeth.
“Excuse me, I’ve never knelt to a living person in my life.” Qi Huang’s lips curved slightly.
Zhou Ming flicked his sleeve and left with his followers.
“What a bunch of persistent pests!” Cheng Hong Ling pouted in disgust.
“It’s good that you didn’t agree. Isn’t it just the Evergreen Convention? Don’t worry, as long as I’m here, let alone five or ten people, even if there’s no limit to the number of people or age, so what? He sets how many rules, and I break how many. I’ll break them faster than he can set them!” Qi Huang said disdainfully. At the current pace, in two years, let alone this Xihui Dynasty, she could walk sideways across the entire Cultivation World.
