My Disciples Are All Villains

Yu Zhenghai turned around and walked to the edge of the flying chariot and looked down at Pingdu Mountain.

When they saw their sect master was quiet, the Four Great Protectors dared not continue the topic regarding Ji Tiandao. They had never spoken to their sect master about the Evil Sky Pavilion until now. They knew their sect master was the first disciple of the Evil Sky Pavilion and possessed unfathomable strength. If they had not been dispatched to Anyang for this matter, they would not have the opportunity to discuss the Evil Sky Pavilion with their sect master. After all, their sect master had never talked about the Evil Sky Pavilion.

The Azure Dragon Hall’s First Seat, Hua Chongyang, recalled something and said, “Sect Master, the old senior has a message for you…”

“What is it?”

“If you want to apologize, you’d better personally come,” Hua Chongyang repeated the words he heard. At the same time, his heart thumped wildly in his chest. He was not sure if Yu Zhenghai would be angered by these words.

Yu Zhenghai’s expression was as calm as his emotions. He said loudly, “How can I give up before accomplishing my grand ideals?”

“We’ll follow you until death!” Yu Zhenghai’s four subordinates said in unison.

Yu Zhenghai nodded in satisfaction. Then, he said, “Do you know who it was that impersonated the Nether Sect?”

When Mingshi Yin, Duanmu Sheng, and Little Yuan’er saw the Sky Fragment, they were slightly surprised that Jiang Aijian was capable of such a feat.

“This is what I obtained from the palace’s warehouse. When I first visited, I discovered there was a Sky Fragment there, but I paid no mind to it. I heard you’re looking for Sky Fragments so I visited the warehouse again. Although the Sky Fragment is a fragment, it’s a unique weapon as well. It can easily pierce through energy and can be used to harm your enemy when their guard is down,” Jiang Aijian said.

Lu Zhou nodded and put the fragment away.

“Ding! Retrieved Sky Fragment. Reward: 100 merit points.”

It was a surprise to find a fragment in the palace’s warehouse.

‘This is a windfall. In addition to the targets Mingshi Yin and Duanmu Sheng killed in the Anyang rebellion, I’ve earned 1,900 merit points so far.’

Lu Zhou asked, “Is Yunsan in Skylark Pagoda?” Lu Zhou asked.

Jiang Aijian said with a smile, “I’ll have to ask you the same question, old senior… Everyone says that the Evil Sky Pavilion’s seventh disciples, Si Wuya, has an information network that extends to every corner of Great Yan. He let slip that a certain treasure will appear in Skylark Pagoda, the Giant Silkworm Gloves. Coincidentally, the Giant Silkworm Gloves are what Yunsan likes the most. The gloves were initially in the possession of the Yun, Tian, and Luo Sects. Yunsan prides himself on being the only descendant of the Pickpocket Sect, but he couldn’t steal this item. However, now it’s suddenly made known that the Giant Silkworm Gloves are in Si Wuya’s hands. Old senior… You’re not the one behind this, are you?”

Lu Zhou did not deny it. He nodded frankly.

Jiang Aijian scratched his head, speechless.

Lu Zhou stared at Jiang Aijian and said, “Is this why you called me here?”

“No, no… Of course, not.” Jiang Aijian straightened his back and cleared his throat.

Mingshi Yin and the others were speechless. Jiang Aijian had gone on and on for half a day, and he was only going into the main topic now?

Jiang Aijian said, “Old senior… I want to know which side will you choose?”

“Hm?”

Jiang Aijian waved his arm casually. A few pebbles flew toward him and landed on the stone table before him. “This is the First Prince, the Second Prince, and the Third Prince… Oh, no, this doesn’t count… This is the Fourth Prince, the Fifth Prince… and Lady Jade.”

As he looked at the five pebbles on the table, Lu Zhou said indifferently, “Continue.”

Jiang Aijian said, “I don’t think you’ll pick the First Prince since you’ve never met him. The Second Prince’s subordinate, Mo Li, views you as a thorn in the flesh, the Fourth Prince is exiled to a border garrison post and doesn’t have much support in the palace, the Fifth Prince is meek and won’t amount to anything great, and Lady Jade despises the Evil Sky Pavilion. Eh, you don’t have a choice, old senior! Just as well… So long as you don’t meddle in the palace’s affairs, I’ll feel relieved, old senior.”

“…”

Jiang Aijian had taken the liberty to analyze the choices and answered his own question for Lu Zhou.

This rendered everyone speechless.

Lu Zhou stroked his beard and finally said, “Is the palace already in chaos?”

Jiang Aijian sighed before he said helplessly, “The power struggles in the palace will surely spread outside one day… Anyang is a good example of this.”

“Since you’ve left the palace, why did you meddle in Anyang’s affairs?” Lu Zhou asked.

“Well…” Jiang Aijian scratched his head and said, “As I said, Li Jingyi is my friend, I can’t possibly watch her die.”

“If Li Jingyi dies, Wei Zhuoyan will die. The three armies will have no leader, the Second Prince will act out of anger, the Imperial family will be in ruins, and the world will be plunged into chaos… I think you’re suited for the throne for having such considerations,” Lu Zhou said.

When Jiang Aijian heard this, he hastily waved his hands and said, “I’m not that ambitious… What I yearn for is simple. I want to be alive and to wield the sword.”

Mingshi Yin and Little Yuan’er could no longer refrain from laughing out loud. This fellow was indeed cheap.

Lu Zhou looked at the sword in Jiang Aijian’s arms and said, “Dragonsong?”

Jiang Aijian shrunk back instinctively even though he knew it was useless. He placed Dragonsong on the table.

Its scabbard was wrapped in a layer of cloth. When the cloth was removed, the most striking dragon carving could be seen on Dragonsong’s scabbard.

Zing!

The sword was drawn, and it gleamed in the light.

Jiang Aijian often admired the sword in this manner. His glazed eyes told the others that he was infatuated and mesmerized.

A sword freak was a sword freak after all.

“A good sword.” Lu Zhou nodded.

Jiang Aijian said, “I think so too… I have never seen such a nice sword in my life…”

“Is it sharp?” Lu Zhou asked.

“It is…” Jiang Aijian seemed proud. “To test its sharpness, I’ve lost weapons that were almost close to heaven-grade. Weapons that are earth-grade or lower were like tofu.”

“That’s good.” Lu Zhou raised his hand. An exquisite and delicate sword materialized above his palm.

Unnamed spun and glowed faintly, shrouded by energy.

Jiang Aijian hastily sheathed Dragonsong, wrapped it with the cloth, and closely hugged it against his chest. He chuckled and said, “There’s no need for you to do this, old senior. If both swords are broken… It won’t be worth it.”

“Forget it.” Lu Zhou did not force Jiang Aijian when he saw Jiang Aijian seem to genuinely care for the sword. He recalled Unnamed.

Lu Zhou stood up slowly, placed his hands on his back, and looked at Skylark Pagoda.

A group of cultivators appeared in the air. They were flying toward Skylark Pagoda from the other side of the Nine Tunes River.

Jiang Aijian stood up and looked at the cultivators in the air as he said, “They’re here… Let’s go have a look.”

Mingshi Yin saw the cultivators as well. “Master, there are so many of them, things might get messy. Should I go ahead first?”

“It’s alright.” Lu Zhou shook his head.

Yanzi Yunsan was a cunning person. Mingshi Yin might not be able to catch him with his abilities. Back then, Yunsan had managed to escape after being surrounded by the Yun, Tian, and Luo Sects.

Yunsan’s cultivation base was not profound, but he was a renowned master thief and a troublesome opponent.

Lu Zhou turned around and left the pavilion. He walked toward Skylark Pagoda along the path.

When Mingshi Yin saw Jiang Aijian nonchalantly crossing his arms, he calmed down as well.

…

At this moment, many cultivators were gathered in front of Skylark Pagoda. There were cultivators from the Mystic Enlightening realm to the Divine Court realm.

From the ground, the top of the towering Skylark Pagoda could not be seen. It took up a wide area of land, and the higher floors were shrouded by clouds.

“It’s rumored that a short sword is kept on Skylark Pagoda’s ninth floor. I wonder who’ll be able to obtain it.”

“Let the best man win… Brains are more important than brawns to bypass the nine Formations. I heard that a Nascent Divinity Tribulation realm expert from the Divine Capital was ejected from the seventh floor. On the contrary, a Brahman Sea realm cultivator made it to the ninth floor and obtained a treasure.”

The cultivators looked up at Skylark Pagoda.

At this moment, a cultivator was sent flying out from the third floor of the pagoda. He threw out a mouthful of blood as he fell.

The cultivators backed away. They showed no signs of sympathy for the challenger. They only watched as he fell on the ground.

Jiang Aijian shook his head and straightened two fingers as he said, “Old senior, let me tell you a secret… There’s no short sword at the top of Skylark Pavilion. Instead… they’re Sky Fragments… and there are two of them. Although Sky Fragments are no match for heaven-grade weapons, two fragments brought together can be reforged… If the forging is done right, it’ll surely be a heaven-grade weapon.”

Mingshi Yin frowned slightly. He looked around and said, “No wonder there are so many people here who would throw their lives away just to climb the pagoda…”

At this time, another few cultivators were sent flying out of the sixth and seventh floor of the pagoda.

The observers on the ground shook their heads and sighed. “I’m afraid nobody will make it to the ninth floor this year.”

A sly expression could be seen on Jiang Aijian’s face as he said, “Old senior, why don’t you give it a try? I’m sure it’ll be a piece of cake for you to pass the nine Formations.”

Lu Zhou turned to look at Jiang Aijian and said, “Are you here for the short sword?”

“No, no, you misunderstand me! We’re talking about the nine Formations of Skylark Pagoda after all… In any case, two Sky Fragments are what awaits you at the top of the pagoda. They can be a heaven-grade…” Jiang Aijian stopped speaking mid-sentence when he felt the eyes of the other cultivators on him. “Uh, I got carried away and spoke too loudly. Carry on, carry on…”

A commotion broke out at the entrance of Skylark Pagoda immediately…

“It’s Sky Fragments!”

“This time, the treasures are Sky Fragments!”