Chapter 562: Strategy Planning and Watching Tigers Fight from Another Mountain
Zhou Wenliang was filled with the urge to cry again. He hastily flew to Zhou Youcai’s side and said in a hushed tone, “Pre… P-president Zhou, S-senior Ji… i-is here as well.” The last few words of his sentence sounded like the buzzing of a mosquito. It was barely audible.
Zhou Youcai widened his eyes, and he s.h.i.+vered involuntarily. “You…”
The source of the Divine Capital’s confidence was the Ten Terminal Formation and the Imperial family. Zhou Youcai might be able to fight the Nether Sect outside the capital, but he was far from worthy of being Old Villain Ji’s opponent!
At this moment, a gruff voice reached them. “President Zhou, won’t you come and have a chat with me?”
Zhou Youcai’s heart sank. He felt as though he was facing a terrifying monster.
The hot-blooded young Big Dipper Academy disciples initially intended to go and capture Mings.h.i.+ Yin. However, at this moment, they had retreated.
“It’s really Old Villain Ji!”
“Get ready to retreat!”
“I’m scared… I-I-I can’t do it! I’m done…” One of the Big Dipper Academy disciples who was especially scared fell from the skies when he lost control of his Primal Qi.
Zhou Youcai turned and glanced at that disciple. He said disdainfully, “I’m ashamed on behalf of the Big Dipper Academy for having such weak members.”
Mings.h.i.+ Yin stood on the huge rock and continued to say, “President Zhou, come on! My master is waiting for you…”
“…”
The Big Dipper Academy disciples dared not move.
Zhou Wenliang said in a low voice, “I’m sorry, President Zhou. On the surface, it might seem like I’ve pulled you into the inferno, but if you think about it, Senior Ji would be watching two tigers fight from another mountain if you provide help to Yan Province now. The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind. Do you think you’ll be able to defend yourself against a Nine-leaf cultivator at that time?”
Zhou Youcai’s heart shuddered. Although he was not too happy to hear that, Zhou Wenliang had spoken the truth. He flew out after he turned around and said, “Big Dipper Academy disciples, here’s my order.”
“Yes, president.”
“Everyone is to wait here. n.o.body is to move without my order.”
“Yes, president!”
Zhou Youcai stepped forward in the air toward Mings.h.i.+ Yin.
Zhou Wenliang followed behind him.
Soon after, the duo arrived in front of the peak where Mings.h.i.+ Yin was standing.
The scenery and environment of the peak were pleasant. There were even trees that provided shade from the sun. Leaves fell slowly from the trees. Under a huge tree, two elders sat on chairs and chatted away merrily.
When Zhou Youcai stepped past the huge rock and saw the two old men, he could not help but widen his eyes. He gulped before he instantly turned on his heels…
“If you dare to leave, the Big Dipper Academy will certainly be annihilated in the future.” Lu Zhou’s voice was gruff and forceful.
Zhou Youcai shuddered. He stopped in his tracks. The situation of the Divine Capital was not clear yet. The emperor had been using the Big Dipper Academy to develop the leaf-sprouting pills. He was not interested in governance as well. The Evil Sky Pavilion was like the sun at high noon, and the Nether Sect was the greatest Fiend sect. If the Divine Capital fell, how would the Big Dipper Academy continue to exist?
“Don’t worry, President Zhou. My master doesn’t kill innocent people. Why would you be killed if you’re obedient? However, if you try anything funny, you can’t blame anyone else if you die,” Mings.h.i.+ Yin said airily.
Zhou Youcai sighed helplessly and walked up to the duo.
Lu Zhou waved his sleeve and said, “Have a seat.”
Mings.h.i.+ Yin leaped onto the flying chariot and fetched a chair.
Huang s.h.i.+jie cupped his fists together and said, “Huang s.h.i.+jie of Penglai Island extends his greetings. President Zhou, I’ve heard a lot about you.”
“h.e.l.lo, Island Master Huang.” Zhou Youcai sat down rigidly.
Lu Zhou looked at the 1,000 disciples hovering outside and said, “I’ve always been reasonable and never kill the innocent. Naturally… I won’t hold back against my enemies.”
This statement made Zhou Youcai’s heart shudder. He mustered up his courage and asked, “Are you going to interfere in Yan Province’s matter, Senior Ji?”
“I don’t have time for that. I’m merely pa.s.sing by. Although Yu Zhenghai has betrayed me, he’s still my disciple. I’d like to see if he’s capable of conquering Yan Province as well.”
Zhou Youcai. “???”
‘He’s only here to have a look?’
At this very moment…
Dong!
A thunderous noise rang from Yan Province City.
A firework-like energy saber burst forth in the air.
Zhou Youcai rose to his feet immediately. His eyes were wide open as he looked at Yan Province City in the distance.
The Big Dipper Academy disciples turned around as well as looked at Yan Province City.
Lu Zhou looked at Zhou Youcai and said indifferently, “Sit.”
Zhou Youcai instantly felt as though 1,000 catties stones were tied to his feet. He could not move at all.
When Lu Zhou saw Zhou Youcai remained standing, he said with a sigh, “If you want to leave… I won’t stop you. Go ahead.”
Mings.h.i.+ Yin nodded. ‘Master’s move of making concessions in order to gain advantages is great.’
Would Zhou Youcai be bold enough to move when there was an implied threat?
Huang s.h.i.+jie smiled brightly and said, “What’s the hurry, Brother Zhou? Isn’t it wonderful to sit down, chat about the past and current events while admiring the scenery?”
Zhou Youcai had no choice but to sit down. At this moment, his face was flushed red.
“Big Dipper Academy is the most magnanimous academy in Great Yan. Regardless of gender, age, or condition, the Big Dipper Academy deals with everyone the same. Hence, the academy became famous for that. Even if a relative of the Imperial family joins the academy, they’ll have the same standing as the other disciples. President Zhou, have you ever thought about when the academy’s common practice had changed?”
Zhou Youcai was taken aback when he heard this.
Many years ago, the Big Dipper Academy was known as the greatest academy in Great Yan’s Divine Capital. They had numerous elites and looked down at the others from above. The Sword of the Emperor, Emperor Yong Shou, Liu Ge, and Zhu Tianyuan of the Ancient Saint Cult from Mobei were students of the Big Dipper Academy. Unfortunately, the academy was short of manpower in recent centuries, and the quality of the disciples had deteriorated with each generation. It was slowly becoming an Imperial academy and a subsidiary of the Imperial family.
Boom!
Yan Province City’s Formation flashed again.
From the mountain’s peak, the city looked as though it was covered by a huge transparent bowl.
Many cultivators rose from Yan Province City and charged toward the city walls and the skies.
Yan Province City was clearly in chaos at this moment.
Zhou Youcai clenched his fists until his knuckles turned white.
The Big Dipper Academy should be loyal to the Imperial family. Yet, at this moment, Zhou Youcai could only stay on this mountain while he looked at the Nether Sect attacking Yan Province City, unbridled. He was powerless.
When Lu Zhou saw the turmoil brewing in Zhou Youcai’s heart, he said, “The garrison general, Ma Luping, one of the eight great generals, is cunning and sinister. He’ll do anything to reach his goals. He used the civilians as hostages to threaten Yu Zhenghai. Although that rascal of mine is of the Fiend Path, he’s not a person without morals. The Big Dipper Academy educates people with books. Do you think that it’s right to gamble with the lives of the people?”
Zhou Youcai frowned. “Is that so?”
Mings.h.i.+ Yin said, “You don’t believe us? Aren’t you guys part of the cause why the Nether Sect is able to recruit several hundred thousand members in a short amount of time?”
Zhou Youcai was dumbfounded. If they had a choice, who would willingly pick this path? He clenched his hands together and said, “That’s a different matter. I’ll submit a memorial to the Emperor about Ma Luping’s misconduct. However, with the Nether Sect being this insolent and plunging the empire into chaos, aren’t you going to do anything about it as Yu Zhenghai’s master, Senior Ji?”
When Zhou Youcai was at the Big Dipper Academy, he heard that Yu Zhenghai was the greatest traitor to come out of Evil Sky Pavilion. There was a conflict between the master and the disciple. Up until today, the Evil Sky Pavilion had never openly supported the Nether Sect. That was why he was bold enough to ask this question.
Lu Zhou said, “It’s just like you said, that’s another matter. Naturally, I’ll deal with Yu Zhenghai for betraying me. You don’t have to worry about that. But… It’s Yu Zhenghai’s personal conviction and ambition to rule the world. President Zhou, we are both teachers so you should understand that… Otherwise, why did the Big Dipper Academy allow the Sword Emperor, Emperor Yong Shou, to sow disturbance in the world?”
In other words, he should not have double standards.