Chapter 53: The Firmament: Whom Have I Offended?

Chapter 53: The Vault of Heaven—What Have I Done to Deserve This?

“Senior brother! Senior brother!”

From afar, Zheng Jian heard the urgent, rhythmic cries. The sound made his head ache, and watching Lu Dayou trot over, Zheng Jian had a premonition that trouble was brewing yet again.

“Senior brother, I’ve searched all over the mountains for you, finally found you! Master is waiting for you in the Hall of Integrity, says there’s an important matter,” Lu Dayou said hurriedly.

“All over the mountains? Are you sure? I haven’t left this mountain, so why did it take you so long to find me?”

Lu Dayou paused, his emotions faltering, then realized and said with a laugh-cry, “That’s not the point!”

“Resentment value from Lu Dayou +100.”

“How is that not the point? It’s exactly the point. You’re exaggerating, young man! Too much rhetoric, too dramatic! Am I really that hard to find?” Zheng Jian retorted, feeling justified. Still, Lu Dayou was a reliable source of “wool,” always ready to be fleeced.

“The point is Master is waiting for you in the Hall of Integrity!” Lu Dayou shot back loudly.

“Alright, alright, no need to shout so loudly. You’ll disturb everyone! Even if people aren’t disturbed, the grass around us might be—don’t you agree?”

Lu Dayou was speechless.

Resentment value from Lu Dayou +499. Lu Dayou was nearly driven mad by Zheng Jian, his expression dazed.

Seeing this, Zheng Jian smirked. “Trying to match wits with me? Not a chance!”

Hall of Integrity. Old Yue was seated, having already finished a pot of tea, and still Zheng Jian was nowhere in sight. He was waiting so long his bladder was about to burst.

Just as Old Yue was considering a brief trip to relieve himself, he saw Zheng Jian ambling in, swaying leisurely with each step. The sight of Zheng Jian’s swagger irritated Old Yue, who wanted to scold him, but the urgency to urinate grew stronger. He threw out a quick, “Wait here for me,” and dashed to the backyard latrine.

Zheng Jian stared blankly at Old Yue’s hunched figure, then his gaze fell on the teapot on the table. He couldn’t help but chuckle, “He drank so much tea, he can’t hold it anymore.”

Thinking of the usually solemn Old Yue’s embarrassed expression just now, Zheng Jian couldn’t suppress his amusement.

Zheng Jian didn’t hurry. He sat in the Hall of Integrity, waiting for Old Yue.

A moment later, Old Yue returned, spine straight and dignified, entering with an air of righteousness.

Vault of Heaven: What have I done to deserve this???

Zheng Jian stood and saluted, “Master, I heard you were looking for me?”

Old Yue nodded and sat down, his face stern. “There is indeed something important. Were you not supposed to be at the Cliff of Reflection? Why are you wandering about, making Lu Dayou search high and low?”

Zheng Jian grinned, “Too much stillness breeds movement, just taking a stroll. What’s the matter, Master?”

Old Yue glared at Zheng Jian, helpless, but then remembered his purpose. “Chong-er has been down the mountain for several months. I’ve been keeping an eye on news about him, but recently there’s been no word. I’m worried. If you’re free, why not go down the mountain and check on him?”

“That’s it? Leave it to me, Master, I’ll handle it.” Zheng Jian thought it was something serious, but it turned out to be checking on Linghu Chong’s whereabouts.

A trivial matter.

“Good, with you watching over him, I’m relieved.” Old Yue stroked his beard and smiled, then asked, “By the way, how is Pingzhi doing lately?”

Hearing this, Zheng Jian glanced sideways at Old Yue.

Old Yue grew angry and embarrassed under Zheng Jian’s gaze, “I’m asking you, why are you looking at me?”

Zheng Jian was speechless for a moment, then said, “Master, you went on a family outing with Mistress and Ling Shan, but left Brother Lin for me to instruct… I’m busy with secluded cultivation and still have to teach him. Aren’t you afraid I’ll lose focus and descend into madness?” He wore a look of grievance.

Old Yue was a bit embarrassed, then laughed heartily, “You’re capable, so you work more! Besides, you look well, your vitality is excellent—it’s clear your skills are improving, so there’s no danger of madness. And Pingzhi was brought here by you, so you should be responsible for him.”

Zheng Jian wanted to retort, but found Old Yue’s logic annoyingly sound. Alas, whoever said a gentleman could be easily deceived was wrong—Old Yue, the Gentleman Sword, was now skilled in verbal battles.

“Fine, I’ll be magnanimous and not fuss over this.”

Old Yue was so angry he bristled, glaring.

Resentment value from Yue Buqun +666.

Zheng Jian was delighted. Finally, he was able to “shear” Old Yue again—it had been too long.

Knowing when to stop, Zheng Jian sat up straight and said, “Brother Lin practices the Huashan Sword Technique well, and he has already mastered Huashan internal arts. He’s made rapid progress lately.”

Old Yue’s expression softened. Although his eldest disciple was sharp-tongued, his competence was undeniable—anything entrusted to him was handled perfectly. Old Yue knew this well.

“If that’s so, you may go. Prepare yourself and head down the mountain as soon as possible!” Old Yue, though understanding, still found Zheng Jian’s verbal sparring a headache. Better to send him away and spare himself further annoyance.

There wasn’t much to pack. Zheng Jian took a few clothes and some silver, then set off lightly from Huashan.

A few days later, Zheng Jian arrived in Luoyang. According to his investigations, Linghu Chong’s disappearance had occurred around Luoyang.

Zheng Jian was puzzled—events had diverged greatly from the original story, and his foreknowledge was no longer reliable. He had to search for clues bit by bit.

Sitting in a tavern, Zheng Jian wore a bamboo hat to obscure his face.

He had no choice—he was now a renowned figure in the martial world. Many sought to challenge him, hoping to rise by defeating the “Returning Sword Hero.” He also had to guard against traps and schemes.

Unable to defend against everything, Zheng Jian disguised himself somewhat. Besides, the area around Luoyang was dominated by the Songshan Sect, and Zheng Jian knew he was a thorn in their side. Wandering so close to their territory was dangerous—any mistake could lead to a siege.

What if Zuo Lengchan himself appeared?

Zheng Jian wasn’t ready to confront the Grand Alliance Leader directly. He preferred to stay low, develop his skills, and wait until his “Innate Skill” reached the level of refining spirit and transforming energy. His strength would then leap again.

He could face Zuo Lengchan head-on when the time was right.

“Did you hear? A great battle broke out at the foot of Songshan recently!” someone in the tavern discussed martial world news.

“Of course! The ‘Heavenly King,’ Xiang Wentian, the Left Envoy of the Demon Sect, has returned to the martial world. Who wouldn’t know about such a big event?” another replied.

Careless talk, but Zheng Jian listened intently, thinking, “Damn, did Linghu Chong get mixed up with Xiang Wentian again?”

…

(End of chapter)