Chapter Eighty-Four: Why Not Let Things Take Their Course?

Therefore, if Zhang Ning’s livestream continued, although it might seem as if he were lowering his status, in truth it was the most accessible and popular approach. This would surely lessen the distance between him and the people, and the aura of reverence enveloping him would only grow stronger and more layered. When that aura inevitably extended to his background—his master, Chu Hanyu—and from there to the Martial Lords, then when they spoke a word, it would be the common folk who believed them first. Even in the worst of times, they would still have the power to rally the masses! What Zhang Ning was doing was unassailable in its advantages and consequences, so even though Chu Hanyu was furious at the time, he only instructed his third disciple, Zhuge Yi, to bring Zhang Ning back; he gave no further orders.

Xing Qiluo had known Chu Hanyu for many years; at a glance at Chu Hanyu's expression, he could tell there was room for maneuver. He restrained his smile and said calmly, “Since he’s working so hard… perhaps it’s best to let things take their course. Trust me, the result may well exceed your expectations.”

Chu Hanyu was indeed slightly moved, on the verge of speaking, when suddenly he recalled Zhang Ning’s raven-black hair, his cheerful, approachable manner, their first meeting at the market… and a hesitation unexpectedly arose in his heart. He knew he had always been thinking of his eldest disciple, and keeping Zhang Ning by his side might well be a kind of emotional transference. If he simply let things go and took Zhang Ning as a disciple, it would be unfair not only to the eldest but also to Zhang Ning himself.

No, why should he be concerned about fairness to Zhang Ning?

Chu Hanyu thought of the future he had glimpsed while meditating on the Dao of Eternity: the Great Freedom Heavenly Demon Sect being turned upside down by Zhang Ning, and that brazen, mischievous little face of his... A sudden blaze of anger flared within him.

Am I not being led astray here? Chu Hanyu glanced at Xing Qiluo sitting across from him and said, “Impossible. Trying to force my hand by making it a fait accompli? ...Keep dreaming!”

Xing Qiluo, for reasons unknown, saw the matter—now so close to completion—take this unexpected turn. He was just about to speak when he sensed something amiss. He and Chu Hanyu looked up as one.

Meanwhile,

Aboard the Klusu battleship.

“Brothers.”

“Third Senior Brother?” Zhang Ning exclaimed in surprise and delight. Seeing the image in the water-mirror, he nearly jumped up. It had been quite some time since they last met; until he received Zhuge Yi’s sudden message, Zhang Ning hadn’t realized how much he missed him.

Han Zhifei’s expression softened as well. Nodding at the image, he said, “Senior Brother.”

Zhang Ning, however, rushed to speak. “Third Senior Brother, let me tell you—”

Truth be told, there was another reason why Zhang Ning was so happy to see Zhuge Yi. These past days, he had been tormented almost to death by Fourth Senior Brother Han Zhifei and the little devil Han Zun!

Don’t get the wrong idea. It was just that, after seeing Zhang Ning freeze up from murderous intent before, the two of them, apart from their initial worry and anger, had clearly felt a sense of disappointment at his lack of progress. So these days, aside from dragging him off for practice bouts, they would ambush him at any time or place with sudden surges of killing intent, ostensibly to help him adapt. As a result, Zhang Ning had been living in utter misery.

But Zhang Ning knew that this was a life-preserving skill, so he felt both grateful and resentful about their treatment. Training was exhausting, so when he received the water-mirror communication from Third Senior Brother Zhuge Yi, Zhang Ning was overjoyed. It seemed Han Zhifei missed him as well, while Han Zun stood aside, arms crossed, glancing between Zhang Ning and his two senior brothers with an expression of indifference and disdain. But Zhang Ning couldn't care less about that now; he chattered away to Zhuge Yi, recounting his recent experiences over and over again in a short span of time.

Seeing Zhuge Yi’s shifting expressions—at times proud, at times worried or angry—as he spoke, Zhang Ning gradually calmed down. He finally scratched his head and said, “So, Third Senior Brother, what did you want to talk to me about this time?”

At last, hearing this question, Zhuge Yi let out a low chuckle, making Zhang Ning blush uncontrollably. Fortunately, Zhuge Yi didn’t tease him; he replied matter-of-factly, “It’s about Master. He’s asked me to bring you back to the sect… Master is not in the best of moods.”

“Ah? Oh.” This was an unexpected answer, and Zhang Ning was momentarily caught off guard, anxious and uneasy. “Do you know why, Senior Brother?”

Zhuge Yi gazed steadily at Zhang Ning. “If you don’t know, how would I?”

Hearing this, Zhang Ning grew even more anxious, unaware that Zhuge Yi himself was unsure as well. Still, seeing Zhang Ning so troubled, he offered some comfort: “I suppose Master is angry about your recent actions.”

At these words, Zhang Ning’s heart nearly skipped a beat. Good heavens! Has Master found out that the person who hugged him that day was me? Damn—no, that the one who saved him was me? No, that can’t be; no matter how wild his imagination, no one would guess I could ‘transform’! It must be about the expensive livestream or that time I went out without guards!

Han Zhifei saw Zhang Ning’s frazzled state and simply said, “Don’t worry, Junior Brother. I’m here.”

Zhuge Yi nodded. “It shouldn’t be anything serious. Master has always been soft-hearted.” Then, after a moment’s thought, Zhuge Yi smiled. “But now that you’re coming back, it’s time to hold your formal initiation ceremony! Little Ning, you’ve always been lazy about returning to the sect, but this is something that can’t be postponed any longer. I’m already on my way to pick you up; I’ll be there in a couple of days.”

Hearing this, Zhang Ning was suddenly filled with a strange sense of foreboding, but soon after, a wave of pure joy surged up, making his hands and feet tingle with heat! Only now did Zhang Ning realize that, deep down, he had always seen himself as a rootless wanderer; now, at last, he had found a home.

He looked around at those nearby, stealing glances at them and at Zhuge Yi in the water-mirror, and thought: They’ve truly given me a family, and Master as well… In the future, I will repay them with all my heart!

After a few more words with Third Senior Brother Zhuge Yi, Zhang Ning ended the water-mirror call and steadied his emotions, then began discussing their next route with Fourth Senior Brother Han Zhifei.

Their original goal for this trip had simply been to visit the Lingzhi Sect in Zhongxing City, to inquire about any new or interesting plants they might have developed, and perhaps to see some other “sights.” But it was clear now that all those plans had to be scrapped.

Fortunately, they could still visit the Lingzhi Sect, as it did not conflict with Zhuge Yi’s route. They agreed to meet there, and once they reunited, they would immediately set out together and return to the Great Freedom Heavenly Demon Sect.

Before they could finish their conversation, everyone felt a strange, oppressive force descend upon them! Zhang Ning exchanged glances with those around him, and together they rushed out of the cabin—only to behold a scene in the sky so astonishing that even Zhang Ning, a visitor from Azure Blue Star, was dumbfounded. As for Han Zun and Han Zhifei, both seasoned and accustomed to grand spectacles, they too were left frozen in place.