In the dead of night, Shao Zhengyang tossed around in his bed.
He sat up and went out of the house. The moon and stars shone above the passing inky dark clouds, painting a beautiful picture, which contrasted with how Shao Zhengyang felt conflicted inside.
“What’s wrong? You’ve been absent-minded the entire day!” Yu Wen Shi came out of the house, walking towards his disciple.
Shao Zhengyang immediately stood and gave up his seat. “Master.”
Yu Wen Shi waved his hand, signaling him to sit down as he himself sat on a rock nearby. “What’s on your mind?”
~How can I sleep? It’s a grave matter!~ Shao Zhengyang sighed.
Earlier today, Lu Mingshu came up with the condition that the jade terrace line would have to stand by her side if she ever conflicted with the Zhou’s.
It wasn’t a harsh request, as the jade terrace’s line was never on good terms with the Zhou family, especially when they tried to suppress them these few years. Even if Lu Mingshu didn’t raise this condition, they would be on her side. However, if he agreed to this, no matter what happened in the future, they would have no other choice but to be on her side regardless of the price.
Cutting off all his escape route in exchange for her methods was what worried Shao Zhengyang.
However, Yu Wenshi seems to be in a great mood. “Haish, why are you getting timider as you grow older? Be brave like your junior sister. You are the older one here.”
“Master, I am incomparable to her.” Shao Zhengyang admitted. “Even though the Zhou’s seems to be crumbling, they still hold the most authority in the nine jade palace. Fu Shangqing is still young, and Grand elder Wan Yu is still on their side. After a few more years, Fu Mingtang might rise, and……disciple isn’t confident that I’ll be able to beat them.”
“How do you know that you aren’t capable?” Yu Wen Shi side-eyed him. “If anything goes wrong, we can just leave and never come back. With our strength, there is surely somewhere else with a living for us.”
Shao Zhengyang gulped.
“You only see one consequence and not the other.” Yu Wen Shi sighed. “These years, the Nine Jade Palace has suffered much under the Zhou’s control. Even if we are separated into different lines, we are all tired. Now, the Nine Jade Palace is like a bomb. All it lacks is a fuse. Due to the consequences, one has to pay as the leader, no one dares to step up.”
After a short pause, Yu-Wen Shi continued. “Why do you think Grand elder Wan Yu didn’t say anything about the Zhou family’s deeds?”
“For the younger generation?”
“Yes.” Yu Wen Shi nodded. “He’s unlucky. The elites are mostly dead, and only those good for nothings are left. He might not know the trouble that the Zhou’s would bring. But for the younger generation, it’s not up to him. That’s the selfish motive of a person whose life is about to come to an end.”
Speaking of this, Yu-Wen Shi laughed. “Actually, why doesn’t Grand elder Yuan Xi give it a shot? Because no matter how high your cultivation is, would you be able to leave everything behind? Look at Lu Mingshu. She came back for her master.”
“…”
“Zhou Miaoru isn’t stupid.” Since they reached this topic, Yu-Wen Shi decided to coach his disciple. “She definitely knows what the consequences will be. But she doesn’t have a choice. If she doesn’t get rid of the people opposing her, the Zhou’s will lose their power one day. It won’t be simple to get it back if that ever happens. However, she’s too arrogant to think that the Willow wood line is something she can offend easily.”
“Is the power that important?” Shao Zhengyang mumbled under his breath after a few moments.
“Have you given up?” Yu Wen Shi glared at him.
Shao Zhengyang wasn’t usually like this. Many saw him as someone with courage and many accomplishments.
“It’s only been a few years, yet you have already lost all hope?” Yu Wen Shi yelled.
“Sorry.” Shao Zhengyang looked down.
“If you still don’t understand, look at the difference between the Zhou’s and us.” Yu Wen Shi said coldly.
Of course, Shao Zhengyang understood. He didn’t give up. He was tired of such a lifestyle too.
Earlier, Lu Mingshu told him that she’d bring the Zhou’s down no matter the cost, no matter how powerful they were.
~Yeah, that sounds good.~
But he was afraid of the repercussions if they failed. All he wanted was to live a better life.
“I got it, master.”
Shao Zhengyang stood up suddenly, shocking Yu Wen Shi. ~What the fuck? Got what?~
But Shao Zhengyang didn’t seem to care about what his master thought. He clapped and start rambling. “Junior sister Lu had always wanted to go against the Zhou’s so she will be reliable. I should start training more and breakthrough soon so that Master will have a better life and I will have a better chance of taking the Zhou’s down.”
“Uhh…..?”
“Master, I’ll go practice now.” He bowed and rushed back into the house.
“…”
Yu Wen Shi watched him runoff in a daze and blinked his eyes. “What is he talking about?”
At the Green Jade Valley, a master and disciple were having a talk too.
“Mingshu.” Seeing Lu Mingshu walk over, Liu Jizhen placed his sword down and beckoned her over.
Lu Mingshu walked over with a cup of tea. “Master is indeed talented. Even without mystic force, you are still able to fight so well.”
“Fight well? I am just practicing skills.” He laughed, taking her words as a joke. “But what did you tell your senior brother Shao? When he left earlier, he looked quite unsettled.”
“Two things.”
“Uh?”
“The secret of me breaking through.”
“Great. He isn’t a bad guy. Just sly sometimes.” Liu Jizhen took a sip of the tea.
“I also asked him to work with me to bring down the Zhou’s.”
“What did you say?” Liu Jizhen spat out his tea.
“I ask him to join forces with me to bring down the Zhou’s.”
“You…..” Liu Jizhen furrowed his brows. “Didn’t I tell you not to do so? You aren’t that capable yet.”
“Master, I’m not going to work alone.” Lu Mingshu said seriously. “I will find allies.”
“The Jade Terrace and willow woods lines may not be enough….”
“Not just them. Taifu and golden door too. I am close to senior aunt Tan….” Lu Mingshu recited her possible allies. “I guess they might come on their own accord after meeting senior brother Shao today.”