CHAPTER 32: CHAPTER 32: CONTACTING FELLOW DISCIPLES

Lu Chengfeng journeyed to Jade Immortal Peak and happened to see Zhu Yuxian riding the wind, her figure light and effortless, descending gently from the horizon.

This sort of lightweight technique was simply unbelievable; Lu Chengfeng had just witnessed the Sky-reaching Sword Qi at night, and now he saw the art of riding the wind.

In just these brief days, what he had seen and heard completely refreshed his past understanding of martial arts.

"Disciple greets Master." As Zhu Yuxian gradually descended from the sky and landed before the palace, he quickly stepped forward to pay his respects.

"You came at the right time. There is chaos at the Trapped Dragon Abyss, and soon a beast tide will sweep over Yun Cang. Everyone in the sect, from elders to outer peak disciples, must obey orders."

"Now that you are under my tutelage, by status you are a true disciple. You will certainly have considerable responsibilities, so prepare ahead. Orders will likely be relayed by this afternoon."

Zhu Yuxian casually instructed and added, "You’ve just joined my fold not long ago; your martial arts skill is undeveloped, and now you face this calamity. If you have any requests, feel free to ask, and I’ll try to accommodate."

Lu Chengfeng’s heart involuntarily stirred. He knew that if he asked for a renowned sword or some precious pills and external items for cultivation, the other party wouldn’t be stingy.

But after a moment’s thought, he had a plan, and immediately bowed, saying, "Master, this disciple boldly requests the sect’s ’Profound Crane Thousand Shadows Ghostly Sword Technique’ to verify with my own martial arts and further my cultivation. I hope Master fulfills my request."

Zhu Yuxian couldn’t help but frown slightly upon hearing this, but in the end, she simply waved her sleeve and said, "Whatever, as you wish."

Seeing Zhou Tong not coming over at this moment, she directly instructed, "Zhou Tong, take from the third compartment of my room’s book cabinet the Profound Crane Thousand Shadows Ghostly Sword Technique hand-written by me."

"After giving the scripture to him, come see me; I have other tasks for you."

Having said that, she did not attend further to Lu Chengfeng and turned to leave.

Zhou Tong sighed helplessly at this, saying, "Junior Brother, was this really necessary? The Five Elements Returning to Origin Sword Scripture left by the former master is in no way inferior to the sect’s Five Peaks True Inheritance."

"By doing this, you have likely truly angered Master!"

Lu Chengfeng also sensed Zhu Yuxian’s alienated demeanor, but he had plans he couldn’t share with Zhou Tong, so he could only respond helplessly, "Senior Brother, perhaps my talent in the Five Elements Returning to Origin Sword Scripture is limited. I was merely thinking of verifying through other orders and checking for any gains."

Zhou Tong shook his head and sighed, but the matter was settled, and he could only say, "Wait here, I’ll be back soon."

Not long after, he returned with a thick scroll of martial arts secret manual, encased in a redwood box, and handed it to Lu Chengfeng.

Upon seeing Lu Chengfeng accept it, he shook his head, "The sect is in chaos; tasks will be relayed soon. Go back to Bixiao Peak first; as for moving to Jade Immortal Peak, wait until Master calms down, then I’ll talk to him."

Lu Chengfeng nodded silently, expressed his thanks, and turned away.

Watching his departing figure, Zhou Tong felt rather somber, "Most of the sect’s true disciples disregard the Five Elements Returning to Origin Sword Scripture; I didn’t expect Junior Brother Lu is the same. What a pity!"

"Ultimately, Master’s secret skill still depends on me alone to inherit it, but I..."

His heart felt heavy, enveloped by a great sense of loneliness, and he turned away indifferently toward the Immortal Encounter Hall.

...

After descending the mountain, Lu Chengfeng did not head directly back to Bixiao Peak but went straight to the Ministry of Affairs managing the sect’s chores, where maidservants and servants from both inner and outer peaks required approval from the Ministry of Affairs to ascend the mountain.

Disciples working there are most familiar with the sect’s various trivia and mundane affairs.

Bixiao Peak had a registered disciple who left, spent money to open some doors, and arranged a position in the Ministry of Affairs, though of low status in the sect and overloaded with chores; nonetheless, it was stable.

Lu Chengfeng arrived at the Ministry of Affairs straightaway to find this disciple named Cai Zhang, asking the disciples there to inquire, and shortly saw Cai Zhang walk out.

Upon seeing Lu Chengfeng, his face displayed a look of surprise and joy, "Senior Brother, you actually came to find me? I heard someone was looking for me but couldn’t make sense of it, thinking I didn’t know anyone else well in the sect. I didn’t expect it was you, Senior Brother."

He genuinely seemed surprised yet incredibly pleased, "I heard you passed the Inner Peak True Inheritance disciple’s assessment and were personally taken as a disciple by an elder under Jade Immortal Peak?"

"I knew with your talent, Senior Brother, you wouldn’t remain unnoticed in the sect. And indeed, in no time, you’ve become famous across the peaks. Even here in the Ministry of Affairs, I’ve heard news of you."

Lu Chengfeng smiled slightly and glanced around; quite a few sect disciples nearby heard Cai Zhang’s words and turned to gaze at him in astonishment.

"Junior Brother Cai, could you spare a moment to speak?"

Cai Zhang paused and said, "Senior Brother, wait here a bit. I’ll let the administrator know I need some time off, I’ll be right back."

Lu Chengfeng understood from this that Cai Zhang had little influence at the Ministry of Affairs, at most acting as a runner; even leaving for a short while required asking for leave.

By rights, it wasn’t fair to drag others into his affairs, but the matter was quite crucial, so he had to boldly clasp his hands and say, "Junior Brother, I’m sorry to trouble you."

Cai Zhang got along with him for years, knowing his senior brother’s nature well. This act surely meant he had urgent matters at hand, so he said quickly, "Senior Brother, you’re too courteous. We’re all fellow disciples, no need to be formal with me. Wait here, I’ll be right back."

Saying this, he hastily turned and left.

Originally, Lu Chengfeng thought it’d take some time, but soon saw Cai Zhang walking out with a middle-aged administrator from the back hall, pointing towards his direction as they spoke.

Lu Chengfeng dared not approach rashly and simply saluted with clasped hands.

The middle-aged administrator returned the gesture, spoke a few more words to Cai Zhang, and saw him jogging over cheerfully.

"Senior Brother, it’s arranged, let’s go."

Outside the Ministry of Affairs, Cai Zhang laughed and said, "The administrator responsible for managing me is notoriously shrewd and opportunistic, always harsh on disciples without background."

"I suffered plenty under his supervision. Requesting leave was no easy task; usually, some benefits had to be offered. But today, mentioning your name made him approve half a day’s leave instantly, without deducting salary."

"So it’s all thanks to you, Senior Brother. Now I can leverage your influence, haha!"

Lu Chengfeng couldn’t help but smile; he hadn’t expected such a small episode and chuckled, saying, "Since we’re from the same sect, Junior Brother, if you ever face grievances or need help, don’t hesitate to come find me."

"Then I’ll take your word, haha!" Cai Zhang, honed by his time in the Ministry of Affairs, was once an introverted gourd but now effortlessly building rapport given the opportunity.

"In the future, when I visit you, Senior Brother, you mustn’t find me bothersome."

"You’ve truly changed in the past three days; you’ve become vastly different from before, much more open." Lu Chengfeng couldn’t help but praise him.

While chatting and laughing, the two entered a teahouse managed by the Ministry of Affairs, ordered a quiet room on the second floor, and when the tea master served the tea and withdrew, the room fell silent.

Lu Chengfeng held the tea cup as mist spread, making his face appear hazy.

Seeing this, Cai Zhang slowly put down his tea cup and said seriously, "I know Senior Brother must have a matter to instruct me; feel free to speak. As long as I can achieve it, I won’t hesitate."