Chapter 64 The act was indeed convincing. The next day, as the sun rose, Zou Buming...
Sure enough, the next day at sunrise, there was movement in Zou Buming's tent.
Outside his camp, a platform had been erected sometime earlier, and the experts he had brought had been standing imposingly on both sides of the platform for quite some time.
Yu Jitang was switched by Qi Ying in the middle of the night and didn't see what happened. He had a good sleep and was now drowsily peering down from the cave entrance.
"Look at this setup, it's practically like they have 'I have something important to announce, you all come quickly' written on their foreheads. Look at this entourage, how impressive. Wu Chen, tell me, we're both divine servants, how come we're treated like stepchildren?"
Wu Chen glanced at him. "My own mother can't hear me. But I don't mind repeating this to Madam Yu."
"How old are you? Why are you still going to my mother to complain?" Yu Jitang was disgusted by his behavior of always finding fault with him.
While the two were bickering, the scene below had already become lively. First, there was Jin Hua. Seeing Zou Buming's grand display, how could he, as the second richest man in the world (the first being his own father), lose face in such a grand occasion? Soon, his brocade-clad attendants and maids erected a platform of the same height, but in the style of Jin Man Lou, dazzling and blindingly bright.
Luo Heqing didn't hold back; the Divine Palace attendants and experts from the Flame-Slaying Platform he brought occupied one side, leaving only a chair for him in the very center. The smaller sects and independent cultivators huddled together, trembling with fear yet reluctant to leave, eagerly awaiting Zou Buming's emergence.
After much anticipation, Zou Buming finally emerged from his tent.
Wu Chen watched his retreating figure, his brows furrowing slightly. He felt something was amiss, but couldn't quite put his finger on it. He asked Yu Jitang, "It seems his cultivation has improved quite a bit again."
Yu Jitang scoffed, "Who says otherwise? The Zou family has poured their hearts and souls into him. Not to mention Zou Buming, even Zhan Yantai values Luo Heqing, his nephew, more than his own son. Only the two of us have been left to fend for ourselves."
Lu Qing thought to herself that if she were Madam Yu, she would definitely let Yu Jitang "fend for himself"! How could she have given birth to such a tactless son?
Zou Buming sat down on the stage, and with a slight press of his hand, an imposing aura arose, startling even Luo Heqing.
Zou Buming said, "It is quite an event to gather with all of you heroes in Xiyuan today. However, my junior brother Luo and I are here for the winter hunt training of the Divine Palace. I wonder what brings you heroes here today?"
The group exchanged awkward glances. After a moment of silence, someone chuckled sheepishly, "Servant Zou, let's not beat around the bush. We all know why you disciples of the Divine Palace have come to the Western Wilderness for a winter hunt. We all understand each other without saying a word..."
"You know? You know what? How come I don't know? Does anyone know?" Zou Buming looked around.
The person accompanying him naturally shook his head, "This subordinate does not know."
Zou Buming then asked Luo Heqing, "Junior Brother Luo, do you know of any other reasons?"
Luo Heqing cursed inwardly, wondering when this guy had become so sarcastic. However, he wouldn't expose him at this moment, and said coldly, "The winter hunt is an order from the High Priest. We only know to obey. As for anything else, I don't know."
Zou Buming shrugged. "Look, we don't know either. Fellow Daoist, may I ask what you do know?"
"The Fruit of Spirit Communication!" someone shouted. "Isn't this what you came for? Why are you hiding it?"
Zou Buming straightened his sleeves. "If we came here for the Spirit Fruit, we would be your opponents. But if we are your opponents, how could we allow you to come and go as you please?"
"What do you mean? Is your shrine so domineering? When did the Fruit of Spirit Communication become the exclusive property of the shrine, and no one else can touch it?"
Zou Buming remained calm and composed. "I didn't mean that. On the contrary, I actually wanted to make a statement to everyone here today. We, the disciples of the Divine Palace, are unaware of the news about the Spirit Communication Fruit. We, the disciples of the Divine Palace, have come here for the winter hunt. To show our sincerity, please feel free to go ahead; we have absolutely no intention of stopping you."
The crowd looked at each other in disbelief, completely baffled as to what Zou Buming was up to.
At this moment, Zou Buming's expression suddenly turned solemn. "However, many of my Divine Palace disciples were harmed by villains during the winter hunt in the Western Wilderness. I must seek justice for my Divine Palace disciples. Fellow Daoists who have not harmed my Divine Palace disciples may leave. We do not care whether you advance or retreat. But those who have laid a hand on my Divine Palace disciples should stay and explain themselves."
After listening for a while, no one expected Zou Buming to say this. They inwardly cursed him, thinking he was insane. How do you know I didn't harm any of the Divine Palace disciples? The dead can't speak, and the injured aren't here. What makes you accuse us? Besides, you said it doesn't matter whether we advance or retreat; even if I attacked, and now I'm running away, what can you do to me?
Zou Buming's subordinate stepped forward and said, "If anyone was involved in the fight, they should come forward and apologize."
The master is insane, and so are the subordinates. Everyone cursed inwardly.
Someone stepped forward and said, "Since High Priest Zou isn't stopping us, I wonder if High Priest Luo or Young Master Jin will stop us from entering Xiyuan?"
Luo Heqing was also unaware of Zou Buming's plans, but he knew perfectly well what Zou Buming was after. So he coldly said, "If Senior Brother Zou isn't stopping you, why should I stop you?"
"Alright, where is Young Master Jin?"
Jin Hua shook the fan in his hand. "The winter hunt of the Divine Palace disciples is a grand event that only happens once every fifty years. I'm just here to join in the fun. What you do is none of my business."
After a brief discussion, one of the independent cultivators and members of small sects stepped forward and said, "Since the Divine Palace, the Flame-Slaying Platform, and the Golden Pavilion are not here for the Spirit Communication Fruit, then we will not disturb them."
After saying this, the man led his disciples toward the Western Abyss.
Yan Yu had already returned to Zou Buming's side with her people. Seeing this scene, she glanced at Zou Buming, as if asking if he should take action himself.
Zou Buming shook his head slightly, appearing completely unconcerned.
Even Yan Yu was confused now. The Spirit Fruit was right in front of them; how could they let others snatch it? Although these people who had temporarily banded together were a disorganized bunch, even ants can kill an elephant; who knew what changes they might bring to their plans? She looked at Zou Buming's expression again. She saw him accept a cup of tea offered by a maid and leisurely sip it.
Those few people left without any hindrance. The remaining people immediately became noisy, and soon, except for a very few who chose to return to the Central Plains, the rest rushed towards the Western Abyss Oasis.
Zou Buming smiled enigmatically and gave a few instructions to the maid beside him.
The maidservants approached Luo Heqing and Jin Hua respectively, saying, "My lord said that today the weather is fine and sunny, quite suitable for appreciating the beautiful scenery of Xiyuan. Would you like to have a drink with me?"
I really, really want to. I was just wondering what Zou Buming was planning to do.
Luo Heqing and Jin Hua led their men to Zou Buming's platform.
The maids rearranged the table, with low chairs and a complete set of tea utensils. The aroma of tea wafted through the air, making it seem as if they were truly there for a spring outing.
From their elevated position, Wu Chen and Yu Jitang could see that, along the edge of the oasis, one side was leisurely sipping tea, while the other side was filled with murderous intent, their faces etched with greed and vigilance.
A vivid yet cruel drama.
Yu Jitang leaned against the cave entrance, peeling lotus seeds from a clematis with a dagger, serving them as breakfast. He kept muttering to himself, "That silent bird is getting worse and worse. Before, I only thought he was arrogant and conceited. But now, this feeling of manipulating people is even more disgusting."
Lu Qing snatched a lotus seed that had already been pried open from his hand and gave it to Wu Chen. She then placed a whole lotus seed in his hand and peered outside. “What are they planning to do? Are they just going to sit here and watch others snatch the Spirit Fruit? Or are they planning to make these people the bad guys so they can go in and play the hero and save the beauty? To win the favor of the Spirit Fruit.”
Yu Jitang, like an old woman serving the whole family, didn't even think to protest because Lu Qing was taking it so easily, and continued peeling it quite naturally. "Who knows? If you ask me, they're all here for the Spirit Fruit. They deserve to be taught a lesson. Let's not worry about them. Let's just fill our stomachs first."
As they were talking, a strange thing happened below...
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Author's Note: Actually, this two-day update rhythm is better; it gives me more time to brainstorm. One update a day is a bit too rushed. I'm also building up a backlog of chapters so I can apply for the rankings every other week. Thank you to all the little angels who voted for me or watered my plants between 2020-07-22 16:16:10 and 2020-07-24 17:16:51!
Thank you to the little angels who watered the nutrient solution: You Suozhu and Repigon (1 bottle each);
Thank you so much for your support! I will continue to work hard!
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