Chapter 180: I Have Always Been Reasonable   Mingshi Yin had to man the helm. This meant he had access to the best vantage point on the flying chariot. Looking down from his position at the helm, he could see the heaven worship platform and the plaza around it being filled by the Heaven Choice Temple’s rod-wielding monks.

They waited there with serious expressions on their faces. Their eyes seemed to be on fire. They appeared ready to fight to the death.

Mingshi Yin did not curse at them. He turned and said, “Master, I suspect that they’ve laid a trap for us somewhere. Should we land on another spot?”

With their strength and cultivation bases, it would not be a problem for them to leave on their own even if there was a trap. However, the cloud-splitting chariot was precious to them, and it would be a shame if it was damaged.

Lu Zhou walked up to the edge of the flying chariot and looked down with his hands on his back. He swept his eyes across the heaven worship platform and over the rod-wielding monks on the plaza. After that, he said, “Xu Jing, it has been a while.”

Xu Jing looked up at Lu Zhou who was standing proudly on the flying chariot. A look of shock flashed past his eyes as he said, “I thought the Evil Sky Pavilion Master would find this shoddy temple beneath him to visit... You have indeed graced us with your presence, old benefactor.”

“Land,” Lu Zhou ordered calmly.

“Yes, master.” Mingshi Yin brought the cloud-splitting chariot lower and landed on the heaven worship platform. He had intentionally picked this spot. The heaven worship platform was always used to worship the heavens by the Heaven Choice Temple. This was an act of defiance against them.

The Heaven Choice Temple’s disciples were young and full of vigor. They were, naturally, provoked by this display, eager to run up to the flying chariot for a fight.

However, before they could make a move, they were reprimanded by the four seniors whose name bore the character ‘Xu’.

The young disciples were too inexperienced. Moreover, the Heaven Choice Temple had never intervened in the conflicts between the Noble and Fiend Paths. Many of the disciples knew next to nothing about this greatest villain in the cultivation world.

The young were fearless, but they should still understand their opponents before recklessly making a move. There was no difference in being reckless and rushing to one’s death.

The flying chariot landed stably.

Lu Zhou led the others out of the flying chariot.

Contrary to their expectations, the monks of the Heaven Choice Temple did not come charging at them.

The monks stood in neat ranks.

Xu Jing walked up to the heaven worship platform. He straightened his palm and said, “Amitabha Buddha. Welcome to our humble temple, benefactors.”

Xu Jing’s attitude puzzled the others. They could not tell what he was playing at.

Lu Zhou did not seem bothered. He walked up to Xu Jing with his hands on his back. When he was a few meters before Xu Jing, he glanced at Xu Jing.

Xu Jing said again. “I had no choice. We truly have no other option than to hold the benefactor hostage... Please let us adjourn to the Hall of Great Strength. We’ll speak at length there.”

“Bald donkey... you’ll release my Eighth Junior Brother right now! You even have the gall to demand three heaven-grade weapons... Who gave you this courage?” Mingshi Yin cursed.

“...” Xu Jing was clearly discomfited. “If I didn’t say that, I wouldn’t have been able to provoke the Evil Sky Pavilion.”

“You did it deliberately?”

“Dear benefactors, this way, please...” Xu Jing stepped aside.

The other disciples followed suit.

“The Hall of Great Strength isn’t some kind of imprisoning entrapment, right?” Mingshi Yin mused as he stared at the Hall of Great Strength in the distance. His suspicion was not unfounded. After experiencing several grand battles, many cultivators had mastered shackling techniques such as Formations.

The barriers of the Green Jade Altar or Golden Court Mountain could never be shattered by ordinary cultivators.

There was also the Grand Witchcraft Formation at Measure Heaven River and the Grand Predecessor Formation in Tangzi Town.

It was also possible for there to be a Grand Formation under the Hall of Great Strength since it was an important site of the Heaven Choice Temple.

Xu Jing said, “You’ve misunderstood me, dear benefactors... Even if there’s a restricting trap there, it would have to be activated by powerful cultivators. The Heaven Choice Temple would never be able to use such a powerful Formation, not with its current strength. Moreover, everyone knows about the Evil Sky Pavilion’s strength. Even if I’m dumb, I’d never strike a rock with an egg.”

Mingshi Yin looked at Xu Jing and said, “In that case, you mean you lured my master over for another matter?”

“Yes.”

Lu Zhou stroked his beard and nodded as he said, “I hope that’s the case.”

“This way.” Xu Jing made an inviting gesture.

Lu Zhou and the others followed Xu Jing into the Hall of Great Strength.

The other rod-wielding monks waited outside.

Only a few core disciples were left within the Hall of Great Strength.

Xu Jing took his seat and called out, “Men.”

“Master.”

“Bring the benefactor here.”

“Understood.”

In no time at all, Zhu Honggong was brought toward them by two monks.

Zhu Honggong felt aggrieved. His hands and feet were tightly bound.

The monks loosened the bonds at the entrance of the hall.

“I had no choice but to resort to this... Please forgive me, Benefactor Ji. I’ll take responsibility for this offense.”

Zhu Honggong heard these words just as he entered the hall. He swept his eyes across the hall and saw Lu Zhou looking stately as he sat surrounded by his disciples.

“Master, you’re finally here! I’ve been tortured and beaten up by this old bald donkey. I’m now heavily injured... It was a hellish experience. Master, you must seek justice for me!” Zhu Honggong fell to his knees before Lu Zhou as he spoke. His face was covered in tears and snot.

Mingshi Yin was speechless. ‘What a f*cking actor!’

Xu Jing seemed taken aback by this. He looked at Zhu Honggong and said, “I’m the abbot of the Heaven Choice Temple. This is a place with Buddhist values. I would never act violently against you, benefactor.”

“You’re still trying to argue! I’m suffering from internal injuries. Don’t you think I know my body well?” Zhu Honggong looked up and glared at Xu Jing.

Zhu Honggong knew Ji Tiandao all too well. He was the patriarch of revenge.

“Stand up and speak,” Lu Zhou said.

“Uh...”

“If what you said is true, I’ll seek justice for you.”

“Yes, master...” Zhu Honggong suddenly felt that it was worth it to return to the Evil Sky Pavilion.

Xu Jing was speechless. However, due to his status and position, he felt that it was inappropriate for him to defend himself. He said, “Kindly judge this matter wisely, Benefactor Ji.”

“Let’s talk business...” Lu Zhou paused and changed his tone, “If you can’t give me a reasonable explanation, the Heaven Choice Temple will surely pay the price.”

Fine beads of sweat appeared on Xu Jing’s forehead. However, he spoke calmly, “I know you want the sable magnolia, Benefactor Ji... We can hand it over to the Evil Sky Pavilion.”

Upon hearing this, the anger of the Evil Sky Pavilion’s disciples abated, and they nodded.

‘That’s more like it.’ Lu Zhou did not expect Xu Jing to be this generous. ‘In that case, why would they beat around the bush and come up with these tricks?’

“I have always been reasonable. I can let bygones be bygones about you imprisoning Zhu Honggong.” No matter how Lu Zhou looked at it, Old Eighth’s mistreatment was worth it in exchange for the sable magnolia.

Zhu Honggong was baffled. ‘Didn’t master say he’s going to seek justice for me?’

Xu Jing straightened his palm and said, “It’s fortunate for me that you’re highly principled, old benefactor... That aside, I do have one request.”

Mingshi Yin cursed, “Bald donkey, I knew you were up to no good! It’s useless for you to tell us your request. The Evil Sky Pavilion won’t agree to it!”

Xu Jing suddenly rose to his feet and walked up to Lu Zhou. Then, he said respectfully, “Indeed, I have not thought things through on my end in regard to this incident... Apart from the sable magnolia, the Heaven Choice Temple will drop the matter regarding the zen tunic.”

Zhu Honggong hastily lowered his head and pulled his clothes tighter to himself.

“I’m curious,” said Lu Zhou. “What is it that made the Heaven Choice Temple bow and bend the knee?”