CHAPTER 551: CHAPTER 513: NEWS OF ZHAI XINGZI

"Being able to prioritize righteousness over personal gain already makes you better than most in the Wenda Sect. The reason I’m willing to take you as my disciple, aside from apologizing for my son, is because I value your character."

Tang Zhi spoke while using a silver needle to prick the acupuncture points on Ju Yunhai’s leg.

As the silver needle pierced the flesh, strands of blood instantly flowed from its tip. However, the bloodletting did not aggravate Ju Yunhai’s injury; instead, it restored feeling to his injured leg.

Tang Zhi continued to wipe the blood off Ju Yunhai’s leg as he spoke:

"Tian Lin and Miss Mei aren’t bad people; why would I want you to kill them? Besides, taking a disciple isn’t about having them kill for me."

Ju Yunhai was somewhat skeptical of Tang Zhi’s words, as such selfless people were too rare in the world.

He asked himself, if someone killed his wife and child, even if they were arrogant first, could he calmly reason with the murderer?

"Does Elder bear no grudges against Tian Lin or Fairy Mei?"

Tang Zhi laughed. After wiping away the blood on Ju Yunhai’s leg, he helped pull down his pant leg and said, "If someone were to kill Tang Chuchu now, would you hate that person?"

Upon hearing the name Tang Chuchu, Ju Yunhai frowned. After listening to Tang Zhi’s full sentence, he blurted out:

"I wish I could personally kill Tang Chuchu—if someone killed her, I’d be indescribably grateful to them, so why would I think of revenge?"

He spoke the truth, and Tang Zhi said:

"Exactly, your relationship with Tang Chuchu isn’t better than mine with my late wife. So for me, Tian Lin killing her actually did me a favor. I never hated him, and I even felt somewhat grateful."

——

"I’ve always believed that Tang Zhi was responsible for his wife’s death, that he merely used me to kill his wife—"

Tian Lin explained why he didn’t believe Tang Zhi was a Saint to Fairy Mei:

"If he were truly selfless, could he have done such a thing as using a knife to kill someone?"

"Whether he’s a hypocrite or a true villain—as long as Ju Yunhai can become a True Disciple through him, that’s bound to be a good thing!"

Tian Lin had to nod and agree: "Indeed, for Brother Tang, this is his only chance to become a True Disciple. In the end, it’s a good thing."

While they chatted, Yu’er had already returned.

She told Tian Lin, "The Wenda Sect disciple I asked to deliver the message said that Young Master Ju isn’t available to receive guests these couple of days. But around mid-month, he will invite Master and Miss Mei to attend his apprenticeship ceremony."

"So, it seems Tang Zhi’s acceptance of a disciple has been confirmed."

Tian Lin smiled and said, "Ju Yunhai is my friend, and now with such an outcome, it’s indeed a grand affair."

Yu’er also smiled and said, "Yes, if Young Master Ju becomes Elder Tang’s disciple, perhaps we could use him to ease relations with Elder Tang."

She believed Tang Zhi was a good person and believed he held no grudges against Tian Lin and Fairy Mei.

After all, Tang Zhi’s actions and reputation were quite positive. Even the Tang family members who thought he wasn’t loyal had to admit that Tang Zhi was fair and cared for the weak.

"By the way, I also heard another piece of news; according to a Wenda Sect disciple, Young Master Zhuang will return to the sect tomorrow."

When Tian Lin heard the name Young Master Zhuang, he initially didn’t react. But he quickly realized that among those surnamed Zhuang in the sect, the only one Yu’er could be referring to was none other than Zhai Xingzi.

"There are countless disciples in our sect, yet Brother Zhai Xingzi, whether by reputation or talent, stands above all. His return to the sect is indeed a significant event."

After praising, Tian Lin changed his tone:

"However, times have changed, and the old Sect Master has gone to the Nine Netherworld. The Wenda Sect is now reformed under the old Tang Elder’s leadership. It’s uncertain how Brother Zhai Xingzi will adapt to life in the sect now."

Fairy Mei couldn’t understand the implication of Tian Lin’s words, so she frowned and asked:

"I heard he’s already in the early Nascent Soul stage and has even subdued a True Dragon hatchling. What would he not be used to in the sect?"

But Cui’er couldn’t help but say, "I heard that a True Dragon hatchling has a Divinity Transformation cultivation from birth. If Zhai Xingzi has a True Dragon hatchling by his side, isn’t he now the most powerful among all sects in the world?"

Fairy Mei had a bias against Zhai Xingzi.

Even though she had left the Goddess Sect, she still remembered the grudge against Zhai Xingzi.

Though she wouldn’t go as far as to kill Zhai Xingzi now, as she had left the Goddess Sect and didn’t have the power to kill him.

But she couldn’t stand Zhai Xingzi gaining the spotlight and wished he’d just die.

So, upon hearing Cui’er’s ’praise’ of Zhai Xingzi, she couldn’t help but say, "Among the sects, the strongest is still Monk Kong Wu. What does Zhai Xingzi have to compare with Monk Kong Wu, apart from a True Dragon hatchling?"

Cui’er fell silent, and Tian Lin straightforwardly said, "Zhai Xingzi was the old Sect Master’s disciple, originally groomed by the old Sect Master and the sect at the time as the next Sect Master—

But now that the old Sect Master has left, and old Tang Elder has become the new Sect Master, how should the sect treat Zhai Xingzi upon his return?"

At this point, Fairy Mei finally understood Tian Lin’s words.

She couldn’t help but say, "Are you saying Zhai Xingzi is returning to the sect to seize the position?"

Tian Lin shook his head and said, "Zhai Xingzi cultivates the Way of Cause and Effect! The position of old Tang Elder was essentially taken from Zhai Xingzi. Unless old Tang Elder is willing to groom Zhai Xingzi as the next Sect Master, he would be infringing on Zhai Xingzi’s interests—inevitably, he’ll have to bear the cause and effect tied to Zhai Xingzi.

But now the sect has become the Tang family’s sect. Is old Tang Elder willing to give up the sect’s position to Zhai Xingzi?"

Tian Lin continued, "Plus, Zhai Xingzi is from an aristocratic family. Even if he has no interest in the sect leader’s position, what about his family? Previously, without the True Dragon hatchling, Zhai Xingzi was merely a talented early Nascent Soul cultivator, but now that he has the hatchling, his strength is enough to suppress all the sect elders.

Zhai Xingzi’s family will likely find ways to make the Tang family yield their position as the top aristocratic family."

Tian Lin’s speculations were certainly not without reason. In fact, the news of Zhai Xingzi’s impending return had already started causing rifts among the sect elders.

Those who were previously close to the Tang family began to distance themselves.

While those who were once estranged from the Zhuang family are now starting to get closer.

When Tang Chuchu instigated trouble against Ju Yunhai, it was Tang Haoran who stood up, not her brother Tang Chujie, not because Tang Chujie was indifferent towards his sister, but because there were strict orders from above not to stir up trouble recently.

In other words, the return of Zhai Xingzi helped Ju Yunhai avoid the crisis of being beaten to death by Tang Chujie.

Tang Chujie, being a True Disciple, could have easily killed Ju Yunhai without worrying about reproach from the sect.