Chapter 51
A dense mass of what looked like a black ball of thread floated in mid-air ahead. In the blink of an eye, countless black threads extended from the mass, wrapping around everyone in the formation as if they were alive. Though seemingly as thin as embroidery thread, they were incredibly resilient once they were wrapped around the body, and no matter how much they struggled, they could not break the threads.
Lin Jichen's hand is still movable. She tried to form a simple hand seal to summon a spark, but the spark went out as soon as it landed on the black line.
The black lines, as if enraged by the attack, tightened their grip. One end of the line stood before Lin Jichen like a snake, and before she could do anything, the line burrowed into her brow, and she immediately lost consciousness.
The others present were the same; some offered no resistance, allowing the black threads to wrap around their bodies. To preserve his strength, he closed his eyes and chanted a sutra of tranquility, but the threads still burrowed into his brow…
Gu Qingci looked at the unconscious crowd and retreated step by step in fear. The black thread in front of her extended a line, and that black line entered her brow.
There was no pain as I had imagined, but I was extremely sleepy, so I closed my eyes...
The capital city, the Zhou residence.
A banquet of unknown origin was being held in the mansion, and the high-ranking officials in the front courtyard and their wives in the back were being treated very well. The second young master of the mansion came out to greet the guests.
"Isn't the Zhou family in a bit too much of a hurry? This second young master isn't even ten years old yet, and he's already out here?"
"With a stepmother comes a stepfather, right?" The guests in the front yard were discussing as they watched the host leading a six-year-old boy.
The Zhou family's situation is somewhat special. The eldest son, Zhou Xuanzhi, and the second son, Zhou Jinzhi, were not born to the same mother. Zhou Xuanzhi's mother passed away shortly after his birth, and not long after, the patriarch of the Zhou family remarried. The new wife later gave birth to another boy.
That's not the main issue; the crucial point is that the eldest young master's birth mother's family is incredibly powerful, and his stepmother also comes from a prestigious family, making the eldest young master's position extremely awkward. Both are legitimate sons, both have powerful maternal families, so who will inherit the Zhou family in the future? In order to ensure her son's future succession, this woman brought her young son into the public eye at this crucial moment.
But seeing this, it's still better to have one's own mother by one's side. This young master is no longer around; it would be a miracle if he even survives. All the sympathy for Zhou Xuanzhi turned into a sigh at this moment.
In the backyard, an eight- or nine-year-old boy was reading in his room. A faint sound of the commotion in front could be heard. The boy looked up, then lowered his head again.
He was used to all of this. Madam Xin was the second young master's birth mother; she didn't like him, and she wanted her own son to inherit the family. He knew all of this.
The old nanny could only sigh as she looked at the little child. How sweet were the words spoken by Lord Zhou when he proposed to the lady, and what was the end result? In the end, it was the lady's son who suffered.
The sound of children came from outside, and a smile suddenly appeared on Zhou Xuanzhi's face. He turned his head to look at the old nanny.
The old woman finally nodded at the longing look in the child's eyes, and the child ran out.
There were indeed two children of similar age playing outside, and Zhou Xuanzhi quickly joined them. However, not long after, a maidservant from Madam Xin's side arrived and took the children away, leaving only Zhou Xuanzhi behind.
Little Zhou Xuanzhi lowered his head as he watched the people's backs, then returned to his room and asked, "Why?"
Why did Madam Xin still dislike him and forbid him from having new friends, even though he didn't fight for or want anything?
The boy was strong and didn't shed a tear. But the old woman felt heartbroken seeing him like this. She hugged the boy and cried, without answering.
Not long after the banquet ended, people from the Liu family, the maternal grandmother's family of the eldest young master, arrived. They wanted to take the eldest young master away and raise him themselves. Madam Xin was naturally willing, but the Zhou family was not. The eldest young master's surname was Zhou, and the Zhou family was still a prominent family. How could they not afford to raise a boy?
Thanks to the Liu family's encouragement, eight-year-old Zhou Xuanzhi and six-year-old Zhou Jinzhi were finally able to enter the clan school together.
Madam Xin and her family were furious. This child had been forgotten for years, and now he'd reappeared before everyone. The Liu family was also despicable; Madam Liu had been dead for years, what were they trying to do?
There is a big difference between an eight-year-old and a six-year-old. Zhou Xuanzhi, who was very young, did not know how to hide himself, so the eldest son of the Zhou family showed his face in front of the Zhou family.
When someone praised Zhou Xuanzhi, Madam Xin smiled on the outside, but in her heart she was utterly disgusted. Madam Xin could tolerate it once or twice, but as time went on, she could no longer bear it.
It's not uncommon for a child under ten to suddenly die. When a bowl of sweet soup was placed in front of Zhou Xuanzhi, he didn't drink it. It wasn't that he was cunning enough to know someone wanted to harm him, but rather that he was thinking of the old nanny. It was the old nanny who had delivered a message to the Liu family. She had taken care of him all these years, and a bowl of sweet soup was enough to easily win her over.
That bowl of sweet soup caused the old nanny to die suddenly.
Neither the Zhou family nor Madam Xin offered an explanation, nor did anyone take responsibility for the old nanny's death. The Liu family wasn't stupid, and Zhou Xuanzhi had learned his lesson this time.
Zhou Xuanzhi feigned illness, finally attracting the attention of the Liu family who came to cause trouble. They poisoned a bowl of sweet soup meant for the eldest young master. The Zhou family seemed utterly unconcerned; this child carried the Zhou family's blood. This time, the Liu family insisted on taking Zhou Xuanzhi with them.
In the end, this uproar resulted in Madam Xin handing over a scapegoat.
Zhou Xuanzhi was taken away, and he lived well in the Liu family. His maternal grandparents loved him, and his uncle and aunt adored him. He no longer had to worry about losing his life.
But how could the Zhou family allow the Liu family to support them? The matter was escalating, and it looked like it was about to reach the Emperor's court. If Zhou Xuanzhi were handed over this time, he really didn't know what kind of harm the Xin family would do to him.
Looking at her pitiful grandson, Old Madam Liu suddenly remembered the jade pendant they possessed. Years ago, Master Liu had done a favor for the head of the Exorcism Bureau. Even if this child were to enter the Exorcism Bureau, thus losing his chance at wealth and status, it would still be better than certain death. In recent years, the Xin family had become powerful, forcing them to give way.
The head of the Exorcism Division looked at the little child and considered taking him as a disciple. The child was extremely talented, and his family agreed. However, the Xin family disagreed; they wished the child were dead. How could they allow him to enter the Exorcism Division? Even though entering the Exorcism Division would mean severing all ties with the mortal world.
The power of the Xin family still made the head of the Exorcism Bureau somewhat wary, so after thinking for a moment, he pointed out a good place for the Liu family.
"Since you intend for your child to cultivate, it doesn't matter where he goes. The sect leader of Tianyu Mountain will be here in a few days; let's see if he can do me this favor!"
Tianyu Mountain has been a sect for ten thousand years, and it's a good place, but it's too far away. But if we don't do this, the child will be sent back to the Zhou family, and he won't survive.
"Alright, thank you for your trouble, Sect Leader."
Young Zhou Xuanzhi followed Han Wenqing, the head of Tianyu Mountain, to Lingqiu Peak, the main peak of Tianyu Mountain. This is a mountain range on an island in the sea, stretching endlessly. He had only seen it in books before, but now it was right in front of him, and Zhou Xuanzhi was mesmerized.
When he realized that he had fallen behind Han Wenqing, he immediately ran forward and caught up with him step by step.
He saw the peak masters of Tianyu Mountain standing on both sides, and if he wasn't mistaken, his future master was among them.
Before coming here, someone had told him that there was a peak in Tianyu Mountain called Nanyu Peak, which did not accept male disciples. He saw the only woman standing there, who looked to be only about thirty years old, very beautiful, and with kind eyes. She must be Mu Jin, the peak master of Nanyu Peak. His master couldn't be her.
The man in black had a serious expression and looked younger than Mu Jin; he must be Cheng Yaojun, the peak master of Daoguo Peak. If she could become his disciple, she could become a sword cultivator; this was a good place. Learning swordsmanship and becoming a sword cultivator would make her safer when traveling; no one would dare to target a sword cultivator.
The man dressed in dark green appeared to be about the same age as Cheng Yaojun, and he smelled strongly of medicine. He was Shi Jueming, the peak master of Yangjia Peak. This place was not a good place for him. He came here not only to save his life but also to learn some skills to navigate the world and seek revenge in the future. Healing and saving lives were not options for him.
He kept his gaze fixed on Cheng Yaojun.
The man in blue looked at Zhou Xuanzhi and said, "Is this the child that Senior Brother brought from the capital? He seems very suitable for our Danxue Peak."
The smiling man was Rong Yin, the peak master of Danxue Peak. It was said that Danxue Peak also practiced swordsmanship, but their style differed from that of Daoguo Peak. Danxue Peak was renowned for its "Gentleman's Sword" and, like a human academy, studied the classics of ancient sages. Zhou Xuanzhi didn't understand the point of all those fancy, elaborate techniques when learning swordsmanship was all there was to it.
A child not even ten years old couldn't hide the emotion on his face. His intense hatred was laid bare before these adults.
Cheng Yaojun naturally noticed that the child had been staring at him, and he said coldly, "I have no interest in him."
Zhou Xuanzhi was devastated upon hearing this. He wanted to ask why, but he couldn't. He could only continue to look at Cheng Yaojun with a sorrowful and bewildered expression.
Cheng Yaojun was unwilling to coax the child, especially one filled with resentment. He said directly, "Your heart is not righteous. It is not a good thing for you for Dao Guofeng to accept you as a disciple."
"Why?" he couldn't help but ask.
Rong Yin looked into the boy's eyes and sighed, "We at Danxue Peak also learn swordsmanship, and we are no less skilled than those at Daoguo Peak. You are well-suited to come here."
The people taught at Danxue Peak are all gentlemen. The first lesson for anyone who comes to this peak is to calm their mind. Over the years, countless people filled with hatred have been taken in, and they have all calmed their minds in the meditation classes at Danxue Peak.
"His master is Shi Wanqing." The sect leader said, looking at Rong Yin of Danxue Peak, "Junior Sister has gained quite a bit of experience in meditation over the years."
Rong Yin looked at the little boy, still somewhat worried: "That's not what I'm worried about. Is my junior sister's body suitable?"
Shi Wanqing wasn't originally an elder of Tianyu Mountain. She was only summoned back to Tianyu Mountain to become an elder because she was seriously injured while saving the world. With her current physical condition, it's uncertain whether she can handle teaching such a disciple.
"You don't need to worry about that. She can teach a little boy." The sect leader didn't look at the child; he was waiting for Shi Wanqing to come and take the child away.
Rong Yin looked at Shi Jueming. Shi Jueming knew Shi Wanqing's physical condition best, and he wanted his junior sister to live for two more years.
Shi Jueming was helpless. He lowered his voice and said, "The way that child looked at me was wrong. Yang Jiafeng is not on his radar."
Rong Yin nudged the man next to him, who was dressed in an earth-yellow outfit.
"He'd have even less interest in refining weapons at Lunzhe Peak. The sect leader wouldn't accept a child with such a temperament as a disciple." □□Chuan's first principle in dealing with people was to avoid trouble, so he didn't spare a single glance for this child, and he hadn't considered bringing the child back to Lunzhe Peak in the first place.
I don't know what the sect leader was thinking. The exorcism bureau in the capital is too troublesome, but bringing him back to Tianyu Mountain is much less troublesome? Putting aside everything else, it will take several years to temper this child's character.
Zhou Xuanzhi had heard of Shi Wanqing's name before. That year, the demon race invaded from different routes, and Shi Wanqing, alone with her sword, guarded one route for a long time, buying time for the cultivators' counterattack. Since then, Shi Wanqing's name had become renowned throughout the cultivation world. Since she could hold out for so long, it proved her strength was considerable. Becoming her disciple would allow him to learn a great deal, and his reputation would be impressive. More importantly, Shi Wanqing had never taken disciples before; if he successfully became her apprentice, he would be her first disciple.
Cheng Yaojun shook his head as he watched Zhou Xuanzhi's constantly changing expression.
“A child will grow up eventually,” Rong Yin advised.
"Won't it be a hardship for your junior sister to teach him?" Cheng Yaojun asked.
Tianyu Mountain summoned Shi Wanqing back to the mountain because he wanted her to live a few more years in peace and enjoy the rest of her life. Even if she were a disciple with an excellent character, he wouldn't want Shi Wanqing to accept her. Wouldn't it be better to live quietly and recover from her injuries? Why suffer like this?
“Junior Sister must be quite lonely on her own in the back mountain. Taking on a disciple will keep her company,” Shi Jueming explained to Rong Yin and Cheng Yaojun. “Given Junior Sister’s personality, it’s hard to say who will suffer!”
Zhou Xuanzhi couldn't hear the voices of the other peak masters because he was too far away. He stood behind the sect leader Han Wenqing, waiting for Shi Wanqing to arrive.
He didn't know when, but he heard footsteps behind him. He turned around and saw a woman who looked to be about twenty-five or twenty-six years old walk in. She was pretty, but her hair was loosely tied up. She wore a white dress, which made her look particularly languid. He remembered that those who wore white in Tianyu Mountain were all elders.
The beautiful woman in front of him must be his master.
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